The Treasure Trail Part 43

"Amigo," he said jovially, "you played me a trick and took the woman, but what the devil is that to hold a grudge for? My general has made it all right, and we need help. You are to come."

"Glad to," agreed Kit, "but what of this guard duty?"

"Lock the door--there is but one key. Also the other men are not sleeping inside the portal. It is by order of General Rotil."

Perez awoke to glare at his false major-domo, but uttered no words. He had not even attempted conversation with Kit since the evening before when he stated that no Americano could fool him, and added his conviction that the said Americano was a secret service man of the states after the guns, and that Rotil was a fool!

Kit found Rotil resting in the chapel, looking f.a.gged and spent.

"Marto is h.e.l.l for work, and I had to stay by," he grumbled with a grin. "Almost I sent for you. No other man knows, and behold!"

Stacked on either side were packing cases of rifles and ammunition, dozens and dozens of them. The dusty canvas was back in its place and no sign to indicate where the cases had come from.

"It is a great treasure chest, that," stated Rotil, "and we have here as much as the mules can carry, for the wagons can't go with us. But I want every case of this outside the portal before dawn comes, and it comes quick! It means work and there are only three of us, and this limp of mine's a trouble."

"Well," said Kit, stripping off his coat, "if the two of you got them up a ladder inside, and down the steps to this point I reckon three of us can get them across that little level on record time. Say, your crew will think it magic when guns and ammunition are let fall for you by angels outside of the gate."

"The thought will do no harm," said Rotil. "Also I am not sure but that you speak true, and the magic was much needed when it came."

They worked fast, and ere the first hint of dawn the cases were stacked in imposing array on the plaza. And no sign by which they could be traced. Rotil looked at them, and chuckled at the wonder the men would feel.

"It is time they were called, for it is a long trail, go you, Capitan, and waken them, tell them to get ready the pack mules and get a move."

"All right, but if they ask questions?"

"Look wise and say nothing! When they see the cases they will think you either the devil or San Antonio to find what was lost in the desert. It is a favor I am doing you, senor."

"Sure you are! If the Indians ever get the idea that I can win guns from out the air by hokus-pokus, I will be a big medicine chief, and wax fat under honors in Sonora. Head me to them!"

Rotil had seen to it that though sentinels stood guard at Soledad, none were near enough the plaza to interfere with work of the night, and Kit found their main camp down by the _acquia_ a quarter of a mile away. He gave orders as directed for the pack animals and cook wagon over which a son of the Orient presided. That stolid genius was already slicing deer meat for broiling, and making coffee, of which he donated a bowl to Kit, also a cart wheel of a _tortilla_ dipped in gravy. Both were joyously accepted, and after seeing that the men were aroused from the blankets, he returned to the hacienda full of conjecture as to the developments to be antic.i.p.ated from the night's work. That reserve stock of ammunition might mean salvation to the revolutionists.

Rain had fallen somewhere to the east in the night time, and as the stars faded there were lines of palest silver and palest gold in the grays of dawn on the mountains. As he walked leisurely up the slight natural terrace to the plaza, he halted a moment and laughed aloud boyishly at a discovery of his, for he had solved the century-old riddle of the view of El Alisal seen from the "portal" of Soledad. The portal was not anyone of the visible doors or gateways of the old mission, it was the hidden portal of the picture,--once leading to a little balcony under which the neophytes had gathered for the morning blessing and daily commands of their superiors!

That explained its height from the floor. The door had at some later period been sealed, and a room built against it from the side towards the mountain. In the building of the ranch house that old strong walled section of the mission had been incorporated as the private chapel of some pious ranchero. It was also very, very simple after one knew of that high portal masked by the picture, and after one traced the line of vision from the outside and realized all that was hidden by the old harness room and the fragmentary old walls about it. He chuckled to think of how he would astonish Cap Pike with the story when he got back. He also recalled that Conrad had unburdened his heart to him with completeness because he was so confident an American never _could_ get back!

He was speculating on that ever-present problem when he noted that light shone yellow in the dawn from the plaza windows, and on entering the patio it took but a glance to see that some new thing was afoot.

Padre Andreas, with his head upholstered in strips of the table linen, was pacing the patio reciting in a murmuring undertone, some prayer from a small open volume, though there was not yet light enough to read. Valencia was bustling into the room of Dona Jocasta with an olla of warm water, while Tula bore a copper tray with fruit and coffee.

"This is of a quickness, but who dare say it is not an act for the blessing of G.o.d?" the padre said replying in an absent-minded manner to the greeting of Kit.

"True, Padre, who can say?" agreed the latter politely, without the slightest idea of what was meant.

But Marto, who fairly radiated happiness since his reinstatement, approached with the word that General Rotil would have him at breakfast, for which time was short.

"It is my regret that you do not ride with me, senor," said Rotil as he motioned him to a seat. "But there is work to be done at Soledad for which I shall give you the word. I am hearing that you would help recover some of the poor ones driven south from Palomitas, if they be left alive!"

"I am pledged to that, General," stated Kit simply.

"Who has your pledge?"

"A dead man who cannot free me from it."

"By G.o.d!" remarked Rotil in a surprised tone. "By G.o.d, Don Pajarito, that is good! And it may be when that pledge is kept, you may be free to join my children in the fight? I make you a capitan at once, senor."

"Perhaps, after----"

"Sure,--after," agreed Rotil chuckling. "For I tell you there is work of importance here, and when I am gone the thinking will be up to you!

What message did you give the muleteers?"

"To bring the animals to the plaza, and pack for the trail all the provisions found there."

"Provisions is good! They will burn with curiosity. There could be fun in that if we had time to laugh and watch them, but there is no time.

Marto!"

Marto, on guard at the door, came forward.

"Has the Senor Don Jose Perez received my message for conference?"

"Yes, my General. Except that he wished your messenger in h.e.l.l, he will be happy to join you according to order."

"Good!" grinned Rotil, "it is well to conduct these matters with grace and ceremony where a lady is concerned. Take him to the _sala_; it is illuminated in his honor. Come, senor, I want for witness an Americano who is free from Sonora influence."

"Am I?" queried Kit dubiously. "I'm not so sure! I seem all tangled up with Sonora influences of all shades and varieties."

Rotil's jocularity disappeared as he entered the sala where quill pen and ink and some blank sheets from an old account book gave a business-like look to the table where four candles made a radiance.

Perez was there, plainly nervous by reason of the mocking civility of Marto. His eyes followed Rotil,--questioning, fearful!

The latter pa.s.sed him without notice and seated himself at the table.

"Call the padre," he said to Marto. But that was scarce needed as the padre was hovering near the door waiting for the word. He seated himself by the table at a motion from Rotil.

The latter turned for the first time to Perez, and bestowed on him a long, curious look.

"They tell me, senor, that you were about to take as bride a lovely lady?"

Perez frowned in perplexity. Evidently this was the last subject he had expected to hear touched upon.

"Perhaps so," he said at last, "but if this is a question of ransom we will not trouble the lady. I will arrange your figures for that."

"This is not a matter of figures, Senor Perez. It is a marriage we are interested in, and it is all well arranged for you. The padre here will draw up the contract of marriage in the old form; it is better than the manner of today. You will give him your name, the names of your parents, the name of your parish and abode."

"I will see you d.a.m.ned first!"

"And, Padre," continued Rotil, giving no heed to that heartfelt remark, "use less than one-third of the page, for there must be s.p.a.ce for the record of the bride, and below that the contract between the happy two with all witnesses added."

"If you think--" began Perez furiously.