He reined in protectingly between her and the approaching Jack, and spoke soothingly because of her apparent need.
"Be not frightened, querida mia.

Thou art safe with me--and the accursed gringo will get a lesson he will not soon forget, for daring--" Teresita, looking back, discovered Jack behind her.

He was pulling Surry in, now, and he held his riata in one hand as though he were ready to use it at a moment's notice, and blank astonishment was on his face.

That, perhaps, was because of Jose and Jose's hostile attitude, standing crosswise of the trail like that, and scowling while he waited, with the fingers of his right hand fumbling inside his sash--for his dagger, perchance! Teresita smiled wickedly, in appreciation of the joke on them both.
"Do not kill him, Jose," she begged caressingly.

"Truly he did not harm me! I but ran from him because--" She sent a smile straight to the leaping heart of Jose, and fumbled with her tossing banner of hair, and turned eyes of innocent surprise on the Senor Allen, who needed some punishment--and was in fair way to get it.
"What is the pleasure of the senor ?" Jose's voice was as smooth and as keen as the dagger-blade under his sash.