"Now," she said, "not a word more: we understand one another, I think?"
"Let us cross the stream," she said, with a smile; "in half an hour we shall reach the camp; no one must know what has passed between us."
They soon reached Bloodson's camp, where they were received with shouts of pleasure and welcome; they galloped through it and stopped before the ranger's hut, who had come out, aroused by the shouts, and was awaiting. The reception was cordial, and after the first compliments, White Gazelle explained to her uncle the result of her mission and what had occurred in Unicorn's camp while she was there.
"That Red Cedar is a perfect demon," he answered; "I alone have the means in my hands to capture him."
Without further explanation, he raised a silver whistle to his lips, and blew a clear and long note. At this summons, the buffalo-hide curtain of the hut was raised from without, and a man appeared, in whom Don Pablo recognised Andrés Garote. The gambusino bowed with that politeness peculiar to Mexicans, and fixed his small grey and intelligent eyes on Bloodson.
"Master Garote," the latter said, turning to him, "I have called you, because I want to speak seriously with you."
"I am at your Excellency's orders," he answered.
"You doubtless remember," Bloodson went on, "the compact you made when I admitted you into my cuadrilla?"
"Very good. Are you still angry with Red Cedar?"
"Not exactly with Red Cedar, Excellency; personally he never did me much harm."
"That is true; but you still have, I suppose, the desire to avenge yourself on Fray Ambrosio?"
A flash of hatred shot from the gambusino's eye.
"Good! I like to find you feel in that way; your desire will soon be satisfied, if you are willing."
"If I am willing, Excellency!" the ranchero exclaimed, hotly. "Canarios, tell me what I must do for that, and, on my soul, I will do it. I assure you I will not hesitate."
Bloodson concealed a smile of satisfaction. "Red Cedar, Fray Ambrosio, and their comrades," he said, "are hidden a few miles from here in the mountains; you will go there."
"Wait a minute. You will join them in some way, gain their confidences, and when you have obtained this necessary information, you will return here, so that we may crush this brood of vipers."