the moment when the
guns would leap out.

There were muttered curses, a short period of silence followed by
whisperings, and then a clear voice rang out, "El Capitan!"

A strong shock vibrated through Madeline, and her eyelids swept
open. Instantly she associated the name El Capitan with Stewart and
experienced a sensation of strange regret. It was not pursuit or rescue
she thought of then, but death. These men would kill Stewart. But surely
he had not come alone. The lean, dark faces, corded and rigid, told her
in what direction to look. She heard the slow, heavy thump of hoofs.
Soon into the wide aisle between the trees moved the form of a man,
arms flung high over his head. Then Madeline saw the horse, and she
recognized Majesty, and she knew it was really Stewart who rode the
roan. When doubt was no longer possible she felt a suffocating sense of
gladness and fear and wonder.

Many of the guerrillas leaped up with drawn weapons. Still Stewart
approached with his hands high, and he rode right into the camp-fire
circle. Then a guerrilla, evidently the chief, waved down the
threatening men and strode up to Stewart. He greeted him. There was
amaze and pleasure and respect in the greeting. Madeline could tell
that, though she did not know what was said. At the moment Stewart
appeared to her as cool and careless as if he were dismounting at her
porch steps. But when he got down she saw that his face was white. He
shook hands with the guerrilla, and then his glittering eyes roved over
the men and around the glade until they rested upon Madeline. Without
moving from his tracks he seemed to leap, as if a powerful current had
shocked him. Madeline tried to smile to assure him she was alive and
well; but the intent in his eyes, the power of his controlled spirit
telling her of her peril and his, froze the smile on her lips.

With that he faced the chief and spoke rapidly in the Mexican jargon
Madeline had always found so difficult to translate. The chief answered,
spreading wide his hands, one of which indicated Madeline as she lay
there. Stewart drew the fellow a little aside and said something for
his ear alone. The chief's hands swept up in a gesture of surprise and
acquiescence. Again Stewart spoke swiftly. His hearer then turned to
address the band. Madeline caught the words "Don Carlos" and "pesos."
There was a brief muttering protest which the chief thundered down.
Madeline guessed her release had been given by thi