The priest, who was made of sterner
stuff, did his best to bear his tortures cheerfully.
In spite of their efforts the first rosy heralds of dawn
discovered them still a long way from the river and just entering
a more thickly settled country. Daylight came swiftly, and Juan
finally gave them warning.
"We can't go on; the danger is too great," he told them. "If the
soldiers are still in Romero, what then?"
"Have you no friends hereabouts who would take us in?" Dave
inquired.
The Mexican shook his head.
Dave considered for a moment. "You must hide here," he told his
companions, "while I ride on to Romero and see what can be done. I
suspect Blanco's troops have left, and in that case everything
will be all right."
"Suppose they haven't?" Alaire inquired. All night she had been in
the lightest of moods, and had steadily refused to take their
perils seriously. Now her smile chased the frown from her
husband's face.
"Well, perhaps I'll have breakfast with them," he laughed.
"Silly. I won't let you go," she told him, firmly; and, reading
the expression in her face, he felt a dizzy wonder. "We'll find a
nice secluded spot; then we'll sit down and wait for night to
come.
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