Stoneheart by Gustave Aimard

Author:Gustave Aimard
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781620137420
Publisher: Duke Classics

Chapter X - The Camp of the Redskins

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The extreme care of Don Pedro and his daughter soon restored Don Estevan to perfect health.

His first care was to reveal to the hacendero, in accordance with his threat to Don Torribio, the name of the man who had originated the dastardly attack on Don Fernando, and into whose hands he had fallen.

After that communication, Don Torribio was a lost man in the estimation of Don Pedro and his daughter.

Having accomplished this piece of revenge, the mayor domo undertook the duty of discovering tidings of his friend. Chance favoured him by throwing El Zapote in his way. The worthy and conscientious vaquero was just then in the best humour for giving all the information required, in consequence of having that very morning, by a ruinous run of ill luck which fastened upon him been utterly cleaned out at monte, and left without an ochavo (a farthing). By the help of a few ounces of gold, the mayor domo contrived to learn, in the minutest detail, all that had passed, and the place where Don Fernando was concealed.

As soon as he had learned all he wanted, Don Estevan left the vaquero, and hastened his return to the hacienda.

Doña Hermosa was no ordinary woman. She was gifted with much energy, and, moreover, loved Don Fernando. She resolved to set him free; but held her tongue, in the fear of making Don Pedro uneasy. She merely expressed a wish to spend a day or two at the hacienda of Las Norias; to which Don Pedro consented, on condition of her taking with her a strong escort of resolute and well-armed peones.

Instead of going to the hacienda, the girl went to the presidio, into which she managed to find her way unnoticed by the Indians.

Once in the presidio, she revealed her project to Don Estevan.

The mayor domo was astounded at her coolness as she detailed the plan she had conceived—a plan in which not only herself, but also Don Estevan's mother, was to act a part.

All his efforts to make her renounce her project were futile; willing or unwilling, he was forced to obey.

When they could no longer see the boat with Don Fernando, her foster brother turned to Doña Hermosa.

"Now, señorita, what are you going to do next?"

She answered succinctly:

"I am going to visit the camp of the Apaches and see Don Torribio."

The mayor domo shuddered.

"Dishonour and death await you there," said he in a hoarse, low voice.

"No," she replied firmly; "only revenge."

"You wish for revenge?"

"I demand it."

"Very well," he replied; "I will obey you. Go and get ready; I myself will escort you to the camp of the redskins."

The three returned to Don Pedro's house without exchanging a syllable.

Night had now fairly set in. The streets were deserted: a deathlike silence pervaded the town, which for two days the Indians had been sacking; and their diabolical figures could be perceived, as they passed and repassed among the still flaming ruins.

When they arrived at the house, Don Estevan stopped short in the court.

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