s not caused by the arrival
of General Yozarro. It was due to the natural curiosity over the
departure of one of the young women, which had become known, when the
saddled pony was brought to the front of the Castle where Captain
Navarro was waiting, with one of his soldiers holding the bridle.
Whatever the officer may have thought, it was evident there was no
change in his intentions.

Miss Starland walked lightly forward, fastening her reticule to her
girdle, so as to leave her hands free, bowed to the Captain, who
snapped off his hat, replaced it, and, slightly stooping, took the
tiny foot for a moment in his hand, and assisted her to the saddle and
reached the reins to her. She said "_Adios_!" to him and the others
gathered round, whereat there was a general uncovering. Martella
saluted and with his former dignified tread, walked toward the edge
of the plateau, in the direction of the trail leading to the river
from which he had come. The most wrenching effort of his life was to
restrain himself from breaking into a lope and calling upon his charge
to do the same with her horse. He succeeded by a supreme effort.

It was a hundred yards to the point where the bit of level land
dipped, and half the distance was passed, when Captain Navarro called:

"Stop, Martella! Wait!"

The man instantly halted, thrusting his hand under his jacket and
closing his iron fingers about the handle of his weapon. Matters had
gone too far for any drawing back. It was now to keep on or fight to
the death, for he had no doubt that the officer had changed his mind
and meant to hold both until the arrival of General Yozarro.

"I will pause to hear what he speaks," he said in a low voice to the
wondering young woman; "your horse knows the trail; keep on; you have
not far to go to meet your brother and his friend."

She had checked the pony, but twitched the rein and he walked steadily
toward the darkness, leaving the grim Atlamalcan to have it out with
Captain Navarro. The latter was approaching fast and came up panting
slightly from the exertion.

"Martella, you will not forget to remind General Yozarro that I was
quick to obey his command, as soon as you gave it to me?"

"Have no fear, Captain."

In the immeasurable relief and the dread of awaking distrust, the
deserter punished himself. Instead of immediately following his
charge, he remained facing the officer. It seemed wise to indulge in
some pointless converse.

The Captain