I was wondering--" Manuel cut him short.

"To-morrow I ride to town," he said.

"I will take the caballo back with me, if that pleases the senors.

I will turn him loose near the Mission, and he will go to his stable.
"The senor," he added, "was very brave.

_Madre de Dios!_ To run away with a prisoner of the Vigilantes! But they will surely kill the senor for that; the taking of the horse, that is nothing." His teeth shone briefly under his black mustache.