Alaire
noticed now that one of Longorio's fingers was decorated with a
magnificent diamond-and-ruby ring, and this interested her
queerly. No ordinary man could fittingly have worn such an
ornament, yet on the hand of this splendid barbarian it seemed not
at all out of keeping.
"Dios! Let me take hold of myself, for my wits are in mutiny,"
Longorio continued. Then he added, more quietly: "I need not
assure you, senora, that you have only to command me. Your ranch
has been destroyed; your cattle stolen, eh?"
"Yes. At least--"
"We will shoot the perpetrators of this outrage at once. Bueno!
Come with me and you shall see it with your own eyes."
"No, no! You don't understand."
"So? What then?"
"I don't want to see any one punished. I merely want your
government to pay me for my cattle." Alaire laughed nervously.
"Ah! But a lady of refinement should not discuss such a miserable
business. It is a matter for men. Bother your pretty head no more
about it, and leave me to punish the guilty in my own way."
She endeavored to speak in a brisk, business-like tone. "La Feria
belongs to me, personally, and I have managed it for several
years, just as I manage Las Palmas, across the river.
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