Republic
together by closer ties. A man without a wife is but a half man.
Captain, I shall marry."

It was common knowledge of the camp that in his outlaw days Pasquale had
a wife and family. The sons were grown up now. The rumor ran that the
wife had found a more congenial mate and was separated from Gabriel by
common agreement. Holcomb made no reference to this free-and-easy
arrangement.

"Congratulations, general. Is the lady some high-born senorita?"

"The lady you have just seen is my choice--the young woman from
Arizona," answered Pasquale, flashing from under his heavy grizzled
brows a sharp, questioning look at the Texan.

"Indeed! I shall be happy to meet the lady and wish her joy," replied
Holcomb lightly.

"You shall, captain. She's a little reluctant yet, but Gabriel has a way
of overcoming that. I shall be married on Saturday."

"Ah!"

The face of the Texan had as much expression as a piece of flint.
Pasquale, watching him warily, wondered what he was thinking behind
those hard, steel-gray eyes.

CHAPTER XX

NEAR THE END OF HIS TRAIL

Harrison strode up and down the room furiously. "Who in Mexico is this
Pasquale?" he demanded, and then answered his own question: "Scum of the
earth, a peon whipped for stealing whiskey, a hill robber and murderer.
In my country they'd take the scoundrel and hang him by the neck."

"True, amigo,--all true," assented Culvera suavely, examining his
cigarette as he spoke. "But it is well to remember that walls have ears,
and therefore to whisper--when one speaks of Gabriel."

"I'm not afraid of him," boasted the American, but his voice fell.

"I am," differed Culvera frankly. "Ramon is fond of Ramon, so he chooses
a safe time to pay his debts--and he does not advertise in advance that
he is going to settle."

"Bah! You sit still and do nothing. But I--By God! I'll not stand it. He
has given it out he will be married Saturday. We'll see about that.
Maybe he'll be buried that day instead."

The dark eyes of the Mexican swept him with a sidelong glance. If he
could do it without incurring responsibility himself, he was very
willing to spur on the fierce passion of this man.

"Be careful, senor. Pasquale is dangerous."

"You know he is dangerous--to Ramon Culvera. Why don't you strike and be
done with it?"

"The time is not ripe. Some day--perhaps--" He let a shrug of his
shoulders finish the sentence for him.

"It's always manana with you Mexicans,