e
told is that it is for souls--(Father Luis truly did believe it was
for souls!) But your books tell plainly one thing, and the Christian
men I knew taught by their lives the same thing, and it was this:--For
gold, for precious stones,--or for women--are the real things which
your kings send out companies of men in search of. Women you could
find without crossing the desert. This Te-hua man who was first
captive, and then slave, would have come in gladness to his people if
let go free, yet for five summers and winters did the Castilian priest
hold him servant and at last comes with him to his home. Is this
because of love? His reverence, the padre, is wise in much with
men,--but great love is not his; I cannot see him starving in a cave,
and blessing his tormentors as did Fray Luis. So, Senores, the reason
must be made more clear. Senor Coronado sought gold--and full freedom
was given him to find gold--if he could! Why is your desire to fight
for us against the Apache and the Yutah--and what is the thing you ask
in exchange? Not yet have we had any plain word as from your king."

Don Ruy smiled at his logic. Here was no untutored savage such as they
had hoped to buy with glass beads--or perhaps a mule the worse for the
journey! However it ended, he was getting more of adventure than if he
had built a ship to sail the coasts!

"Games have been won by Truth ere now even though Truth be not
popular," he said to the padre.

"It is not fitting that his Reverence should make reply,"--put in Don
Diego with much anger. "Holy Church is insulted in his person. If this
were but Madrid--"

"To wish for Paradise takes no more of breath,"--suggested Don Ruy,
"and if it is beneath the dignity of any else, perhaps I could
speak--or Chico here."

But the latter silently disclaimed gift of logic or oratory,--in fact
the turn of things was not toward gaity. Don Diego was shocked at
everything said. Gonzalvo and the padre were plainly furious, yet
bound to silence. Only Don Ruy could still smile. To him it was a game
good as a bull fight--and much more novel.

"I shall speak, though it be a task I elsewhere evade," he said, and
looked at the Cacique--a solitary nude bronze body amidst all the gay
trappings of the assembly. "Senor, it is not women we seek--though a
few of us might make room for a pretty one! It is true that the men in
armor would help guard your fields, for they have heard that you are
the Children of the Sun as we