Whatever astonishment the redskins might have felt at the alterations in the _toldo_ undertaken by Don Torribio, the veneration and devotion they professed for the Tigercat were so great, that, with the delicacy which seems innate in their race, they pretended to see none of them, especially as the latter had taken no offence at the conduct of the paleface chief. Moreover, as, under all circumstances, the latter rendered them energetic cooperation, being always the foremost in battle and the last to retreat, they thought it right to leave him to arrange his own affairs as he judged best, without any attempt to oppose him.
"Well," said Doña Hermosa, when he entered, "has the Tigercat succeeded in subduing the exasperation of the tribes?"
"Thank Heaven! He has, señorita; but the atrocious crime committed by Major Barnum is unworthy of a man, and more the deed of a savage brute than of a civilized being."
"Perhaps the major is not the author of the crime."
"The whites are accustomed to treat the Indians thus. Have I not heard them assert a thousand times that the redskins are not human beings? All weapons that kill them are lawful, and poison is one of the surest. This crime alone is sufficient to justify me in having quitted the ranks of the monsters."
"Speak no more on this subject, I beseech you; you make me shudder. I am obliged to confess that reason is on your side. When we witness such horrors, we begin to regret that we belong to a race capable of inventing them."
"What is the decision of the council?" asked Don Pedro, in order to turn the conversation.
"Tomorrow, at daybreak, a general assault will be delivered on the _presidio_."
"Tomorrow!" exclaimed Doña Hermosa, in a fright.
"Yes," he replied; "tomorrow I hope to revenge myself on those who were my brothers, and have forced me to repudiate them. Tomorrow I shall conquer or die."
"God protect the good cause!" said she ambiguously.
"Thanks, cousin," replied Don Torribio, mistaking the meaning of her exclamation.
Don Pedro with difficulty repressed a sigh.
"The action tomorrow will be severe," Don Torribio continued. "I conjure you, señorita, not to leave the _toldo_. Should we meet with a reverse, no one can tell to what extremes the rage of the Apaches may carry them. I will leave twenty resolute men, _vaqueros_ on whom I can rely, to defend you. As soon as the affair is over, I will send you word."