"_Carramba!_ you have done it--now take your revenge, Senor Spy!" he ejaculated, despairingly.
He folded his arms across his quivering chest and faced what he supposed would be immediate death without flinching.
Roderic drew back his sword, but the old warrior made no appeal for mercy.
A Spaniard may appear cruel according to Anglo-Saxon ways of looking at things, but no race of men has shown more splendid courage in battle or upon the terrible unknown seas of the fifteenth century.
Roderic turning hung his East Indian blade once more upon the wall, doubtless to the sore amazement of the soldier.
It was at this juncture Georgia came hastily into the room bearing an antique lamp which her trembling fingers had succeeded in lighting.
Upon her face was an anxious, almost terrified expression, as though she half expected to find one or both of the men lying there in their blood.
To see them standing there unarmed was a joyous revelation.
As for the old soldier, the truth flashed upon him with a shock, when his eyes beheld a face he long had known.
"Holy Father, is it _you_ Senor Owen? Dolt, idiot that I was not to recognize the familiar swing of your cunning sword arm. I am pleased to meet you again--as, I am furiously angry because all these months you have neglected this sweet flower, and caused her much suffering."
Thus he rambled on, halting between his natural affection for the young American, yet holding back on account of race enmity, since Spanish and American arms now clashed.
Roderic knew he had a difficult piece of work cut out for him.
It had been child's play to disarm the old gentleman, but to avoid an open rupture must tax his ingenuity.
Perhaps, with the help of the girl it might be made possible.
At any rate he was bound to try for the sake of peace in the family.
"General, that I have lost the sweet friendship, and society of your niece and ward during all these months is my misfortune. She has, like an angel of light, forgiven me. It was all a terrible mistake, caused by jealousy on my part.
"You as a man who has seen the world in all its phases can understand my position. I am humiliated in her presence. We expect to forget all that is bitter in the past, and start afresh, for no other has held the cords to my heart save Georgia--though I believed her lost to me forever, I have been always faithful to our love.