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Horseclans, Volume One

Robert Adams

T HE J UD GM EN T O F T HE S WO RD .. .

M il o s na pp ed i nt o w ak ef ul ne ss a s a d ag ge r p oi nt p ri ck ed t he f le sh j us t b el ow t he r ig ht c or ne r o f h is j aw .

T ho ug h M ar a w as w ee pi ng , h er d ag ge r h an d w as r oc k- st ea dy . Fo rg iv e m e, M il o, b ut I m us t k no w!

s he w hi sp er ed i nt en sely ,t hen p us hed t he s harp , n eedl e-t i pp ed w eapo n t wo i nches i nt o h is t hr oat andslashed downward.

T he i ni ti al g us h o f b lo od r ap id ly d wi nd le d t o a s lo w t ri ck le , a nd w ha t s ho ul d h av e b ee n a d ea th w ou nd

began to close. Milos eyes, too, closed and he clenched his teeth, saying between them, I should have

s la in y ou , M ar a. W el l, n ow y ou k no w! W ha t a re y ou g oi ng t o d o w it h t ha t k no wl ed ge -t he k no wl ed ge

t ha t M il o, t he W ar C hi ef , b ea rs w ha t y ou r p eo pl e c al l t he C ur se o f t he U nd yi ng ?

Customer Reviews

Avg. Customer Review:

I love this book and series., June 21, 2001

Reviewer:

I 'd s ay t ha t t he H or se cl an s n ov el s a re s om e o f t he b es t a ct io n f an ta sy e ve r w ri tt en . I 'd p ut t he C om mi ng

o f t he H or se cl an s a s t he be st o f t he s er ie s. I f ou nd t he c ha ra ct er s t o b e w el l d eve lo pe d, t he p ac e t o be

f as t, t he p lot b ot h e xc it in g a nd e ng ag in g, a nd f in al y t he a ct io n t o b e n on -s to p a nd r ea li st ic . I f y ou c an f in d

it get it.

Adams'World, A pr il 12, 200 0

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Reviewer:An Amazon.comCustomer from

Canada

R ob er t A da ms r ea ll y k no ws h ow t o b ui ld a c om pl et e w or ld a ll h is o wn ! A p os t- ap oc al yp ti c r ea lm o f

n om ad s and E hl eenee l or ds , h e b ri ng s i t t o r eal, and s om et im es all t oo g raph ic l if e. A w on derf ul escape

into a st ra nge a nd almost fami lia r wor ld. I f y ou e ve r f in d a c op y of t hi s bo ok, H OL D O N T O I T!

comingof the horseclans, F eb ru ar y 7 , 2 000

Reviewer:

T he h or se cl an s er ie s b oo ks a re a mo ng m y f av or it e b oo ks i n t he w or ld . I r ec om me nd i t t o a ny on e w ho

e nj oy s a g oo d r ea d, i t i s f an ta sy a t i ts b es t, i mm er si ng t he r ea de r i n r ea li st ic d et ai l i n a w or ld w he re

any th in g i s p os si bl e and s ci en ce h as g on e w ro ng .I f y ou n eed m or e t ry D av id E dd in gs !

Awesome, A ug us t 2 5, 1 99 9

Reviewer:

T hi s a ut ho r k no ws h ow t o g et y ou i nv ol ve d i n t he c ha ra ct er 's l iv es . H e m ak es y ou f ee l a s i f y ou a re t he re

exp er iencin g w hat t he charact er s are exp er iencin g. I t i s eas y t o t el l t hat M r. A dams d id s om e o ut st an di ng

r es ea rc h o n w ea po ns a nd a rm or . H is d es cr ip ti on s a re v iv id , a nd h is u se o f d ia lo gu e m ak es f or a v er y

believable setting. Only Anne McAffrey has been able to stir my emotions so well while reading a novel.

Wher e a re the re st of the books in t he se rie s?

THE

COMING

O F THE

HORSECLANS

A H or seclans N ov el

by

Robert Adams

A S IG NE T B OO K N EW A ME RI CA N L IB RA RY

Times Mirror

NAL books are available at quantity discounts when used to promote products or services.for

information please write to premium marketing division.the new american library.inc .,

16 33 B ro ad wa y, N ew Y or k, N ew Y or k 1 00 19



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c opy ri gh t 1 97 5, 1 98 2 b y r ob er t a da ms

All rights reserved

Published by arrangement with the author

S IG NE T T RA DE MA RK R EO .U . S. F A T. O FF . A N D F O RE I ON C O UN T RI E S R E GI S TE R ED

T RA DE MA R K- M AR CA R E GI ST R AD A H EC H O E N C HI C AG O , U .S .A .

si gn et , s ig net class ics, m en to r, p lu me, m er id ian and N AL b oo ks are p ub li sh ed b y T he N ew A meri can

L ib ra ry , I nc ., 1 63 3 B ro ad wa y, N ew Y or k, N ew Y or k 1 00 19

firstsignet printing, july, 1982 3456789

P RI NT ED I N T HE U NI TE D S TA TE S O F A ME RI CA

T o C hr is t op her S tas hef f and G raham D iamo nd , r es pect ed col l eagu es and g oo d f r iend s; t o R ob er t and

V er na B oo s, a lt e K am er ad en ; t o J oh n E st re n; t o t he l at e, l am en te d H ar ve y S hi ld ; a nd t o P am el a

C ri pp en , w ho i s m ad e o f s ug ar and s pi ce and every th in gn ice.

Contents

Contents

A BO UT T HE A UT HO R

AUTHORS INTRODUCTION

P R OL O GU E I

P R O LO G UE I I

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



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8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

EPILOGUE

Appendix: Overview and Background

A BO UT T HE A UT HO R

R OB ER T A DA MS l iv es i n S em in ol e C ou nt y, F lo ri da . L ik e t he c ha ra ct er s i n h is b oo ks , h e i s p ar ti al t o

f en ci ng a nd f an cy s wo rd pl ay , h un ti ng a nd r id in g, g oo d f oo d a nd d ri nk . A nd w he n h e i s n ot h ar d a t w or k

o n h is n ex t s ci en ce -f ic ti on n ov el , R ob er t m ay b e f ou nd s la vi ng o ve r a h ot f or ge t o m ak e a n ew s wo rd o r



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busily reconstructing a historically accurate military costume.

AUTHORS INTRODUCTION

T he f ol lo wi ng t al e i s a f an tasy , p ur e and s im pl e. I t i s a f li gh t o f s heer i magi nati on . I t con tain s n o h id den

m ean in gs and n on e s ho ul d b e r ead i nt o i t; n on e o f t he s ocio lo gi cal, eco no mi c, p ol it ical , r el ig io us , o r

r acial mess ag es , w it h w hi ch f ar t oo m an y m od er n n ov el s abo un d, are h er ei n con tain ed . T he C om in g o f

t he H or se cl an s i s, r at he r, i nt en de d f or t he e nj oy me nt o f a ny m an o r w om an w ho h as e ve r f el t a t wi ng e of

t ha t a ta vi st ic u rg e t o d ra w a y ar d o f s ha rp , f la sh in g s te el a nd w it h a w il d w ar c ry r ec kl es sl ys pu r a v ic io us

stallion against impossible odds.

I f I m us t f ur th er cat eg or ize, I s up po se t hi s eff or t f al ls amo ng t he s ci -f i/ fant as y s to ri es w hi ch are w ov en

a bo ut a p os t- ca ta cl ys mi c a ge , f ar i n o ur f ut ur e. I n t hi s c as e, t he s to ry i s s et i n t he t we nt y- se ve nt h c en tu ry .T he w or ld w it h w hi ch w e are d eali ng i s o ne s ti ll s ub merg ed i n t he b ar bari sm i nt o w hi ch i t w as p lu ng ed

s om e s ix h un dr ed y ears p ri or t o t he d et ai led event s, f ol lo wi ng a s uccess io n o f m an -m ad e and n at ur al

d is as ters w hi ch ext ir pated w ho le n at io ns and r aces o f m an ki nd .

F or t he s ch ol ar s a nd j us t p la in c ur io us : Y es , t he l an g ua ge o f t he B la ck ha ir s o r E hl ee ne e i s G re ek . I

h av e, i nd eed, i nd ul ged i n a b it o f l it er ar y l icen se w it h r eg ar d t o s pell in g, b ot h i n t hat l an gu ag e and i n

M eh ri kan o r E ng li sh . I t en der n o apo lo gi es .

- R ob er t A da ms -

P R OL O GU E I

And, i n Hi s t ime , t he G od s ha ll c ome a ga in, Fr om t he s ou th , up on a hor se of gol d, To m ee t t he Ki ndr ed

c am pe d u po n t he p la in , O r s o o ur S ac re d A nc es to rs w er et ol d . . .

- F r om Th e P ro ph ecy o f t he R et ur n

T he b ig m an c am e a sh or e a t t he a nc ie nt po rt o f M az at la n, f ro m o ff a m er ch ant ma n o ut o f t he e qu al ly

a nc ie nt p or t o f C al la o, f ar t o t he s ou th . T he m en o f t he s hi p p ro fe ss ed l it tl e s ur e k no wl ed ge o f t he ir

f or mer p as seng er , s ave t hat h e w as a p ro ven and d eadl y w ar ri or , cert ai nl y n ob le-b or n, t ho ug h n on e

s eemed q ui te cer tain o f t he cou nt ry o f h is o ri gi n.

Th is m an , w ho ga ve hi s n am e a s M ay lo de M or re , s too d a h ea d a nd a h an ds br ea dt h a bov e e ve n t he

t al le st o f t he m en o f t he m ou nt ai ns w ho , t he ms el ve s, t ow er ed o ve r t he m en o f t he l ow la nd s a nd c oa st . H is

ha ir wa s s tr ip pl ed wi th gr ay, but mo st o f i t wa s a s bl ac k a s t he ir ow n, t hou gh not s o c oa rs e, a nd hi s ha ir ,

s padebear d and m ou st achi os w er e cut and f as h io ned i n t he s ty le o f n ob lemen o f t he f ar -s ou th er n l an ds .

S il ve r he po ss es se d, a nd g ol d, a s w el l, b ut n o m an t ho ug ht of t ak in g i t f ro m hi m b y f or ce , n ot a ft er t he y



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s aw h is s mo ot h, eff or tl ess m ov em en ts o r l oo ked b ut o nce i nt o t ho se b ro od in g, d ar k- br ow n eyes. A t h is

t ri m w ai st w er e s ho rt sw or d, d ir k a nd k ni fe , a no th er k ni fe w as t uc ke d i nt o t he t op o f h is r ig ht b oo t a nd

t he w ir e- wo un d l eath er h il t o f a w el l- kept , ant iq ue s ab er j ut ted u p o ver h is l ef t s ho ul der.

A ft er he ha d s ec ur ed lo dgi ngs i n t he be st i nn of t he uppe r t own, hi s f ir st s top wa s a t t he f or ge of

Mazatiins only armor-smith, where he stripped for measurements and ordered a thigh-length shirt of

d ou bl e- li nk chain mail , p ay in g h al f t he q uo ted cos t i n adv an ce i n s tr an ge, f or ei gn , b ut p ur e, g ol d coi ns .A nd t hat n ig ht t he s mi th t ol d all t he t av er n o f h is cus t om er s h ar d, s pare, f lat- mu scled b od y, cov er ed

f ro m h ea d t o f oo t b y a v er it ab le n et wo rk o f c ro ss ha tc he d l in es d en ot in g o ld s ca rs -b at tl e w ou nd s, f or

certain, the smith opined.

T he n ex t m or ni ng , M or re s ou gh t o ut t he t ow n a ge nt f or o ld D on H um be rt ode l V al le d e C as ti ll o y d e l as

V eg as a nd s ho rt ly t he t wo w er e s ee n t o r id e o ut t ow ar d t he l oc al n ob le m an s e st an ci a. W he n t he y

r et ur ne d t he n ex t d ay , t he D on h im se lf r od e w it h t he m, t ra il ed b y t en o f h is l an ce rs , a nd M or re w as

a st ri de o ne o f t he f in e w ar -s ta ll io ns w hi ch i t w as t he D on s b us in es s a nd p le as ur e t o b re ed a nd t ra in . T hi s

s tal li on w as o f a chest nu t h ue t hat s ho ne l ik e f in e g ol d, w it h m an e and t ai l t hat s eemed s il very r ip pl es i n

t he b ri sk b re ez e b lo wi ng i n f ro m t he s ea .

T wo l an ce rs f et ch ed t he s tr an ge r s e ff ec ts f ro m t he i nn a nd , f or t he n ex t m on th , h e r es id ed a t D on

H um bert o s t ow nh ou se as a clear ly h on or ed g uest . H e n o l on ger v is it ed t he s ho ps ; r at her, u ni fo rm ed

l ancers s um mo ned and es co rt ed t he v ar io us art i sans t o t he m an si on -t he s add ler , t he b oo tm ak er , t he b es t

o f t he t ai lo rs , a m er ch an t w ho w as o rd er ed t o b ri ng w it h h im s ev er al o f t he r ar e a nd h id eo us ly e xp en si ve

but immensely powerful hornbows made by horse-nomads far and far to the north and east, and the

armorer.

M io , t he s ad dl er , h ad t o c on fe r w it h t he g ol ds mi th , P ed ro , s in ce s om e o f t he d ec or at io ns t he f or ei gn

n ob le ma n w an te d o n h is s ad dl e a nd h ar ne ss w er e b ey on d t he s ki ll s o f a p ro vi n ci al w or ke r o f l ea th er .

A nd t he b oot ma ke r, J os e, h ad t o ha ve w or ds w it h D ie go , t he a rm or er , i f t he bo ot s h e w as t o c on st ru ctw er e t o b e p ro pe rl y f it te d w it h t hi n s he et s o f s te el a nd p ane ls o f l ig ht m ai l.

T he t ai lo r, G us tavo , w as n earl y ecs tati c, s eein g g reat f u tu re p ro fi ts f ro m t he n ew and u ni qu e d es ig ns o f

clo th in g t hi s g reat n ob leman h ad b ro ug ht f ro m o vers ea. H is o nl y o ut si de n eed w as t o h ag gl e w it h t he

t an ner, A ns el mo , f or t he ext ra-f in e g rade o f l eath er t o l in e t he est eemed g en tl em an s r id in g b reeches.

S er gi o G om ez -w ho w as a b as ta rd h al f- br ot he r o f t he D on a nd h ad , h im se lf , d on e a b it o f s ol di er in g

before bringing several years worth of loot back to the town of his birth and setting himself up as a

merchant-could talk of nothing save Don Maylos horsemanship, bowmanship and skill with lance and

saber.

S it ti ng i n t he s mo ky t av er n w it h h is p in t- cu p o f m il k- wh it e p ul qu e b ef or e h im o n t he k ni fe-s carr ed b oard

a nd e ag er e ar s h an gi ng u po n h is w or ds , o ld S er gi o p uf fe d a t a t hi n, b la ck c ig ar ro a nd o pi ne d,

Mu ch ac ho s, I c er ti fy , e l S en or M ay lo d e M or re i sun h om br e f or mi da bl e. W it h e it he r l an ce o r s ab er , h e

i s mor e t ha n a ma tc h f or a ny c aba lle ro I have e ve r s ee n fi ght .. . a nd I ha ve s een ma ny, in my da y.

Bu t w it h t he b ow , n ow , h e w hi st led s of tl y, 1 t el l y ou , i t s mack s o f w izar dr y. W it hi n m in ut es aft er h e

h ad s el ec te d t he b ow o f h is c ho ic e a nd s tr un g i t t o h is s at is fa ct io n, h e w as p lu nk in g a rr ow s i nt o a b al e o f

s tr aw w it h s uc h s pe ed a nd a c cur ac y a s t o m ak e m y p oor o ld h ea d t o s pi n.

Th en t hat s pl en di d p al am in o s tall io n cam e t ro tt in g o ver, t ho ug h n o o ne h ad cal led h im and t he S en or

ha d not e ve n l ooke d i n t ha t d ir ec ti on . T he Se nor ho ok ed a f ul l a rr ow ca se t o hi s b el t a nd w as u p on t he

s ta ll io n w it h bo w i n h an d i n t he bl ink in g of a n e ye , w it ho ut e it he r s ad dl e o r r ei ns o r e ve n a b ar e h al te r.



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H e r od e f ar o ut ,t he n c am e b ac k a t a h ar d g al lo p, g ui di ng t he s ta ll io n S en or D io s a lo ne k no ws h ow ,

s in ce b ot h h an ds w er e b us y w it h t he b ow . M uc ha ch os , h e s ta rt ed l oo si ng s ha ft s a t a h un dr ed m et er s o r

better from that bale of straw, and here to tell you is this one that not one of the dozen shafts he loosed

w as o ut si de a s pa ce I c ou ld c ov er w it h m y p al m a nd f in ge rs .

Th at w ou ld b e g oo d s ho ot in g f ro m a f ir m s tand at f if ty m et er s. Bu t f ro m a g al lo pi ng , b ar eb acked h or seat a h un dr ed? A ng el G on zales, D on H um bert o s s er gean t, i shimself a b ow - mas ter and h as, as w e al l

know, w on ma ny, ma ny gol d pe sos i n c om pe ti ti on, a nd he t old m e t hat t he re c an be no ma n i n a ll t he

Four Kingdoms of Mexico with such skill.

T he m er ch an t t oo k a l on g d raug ht o f h is p ul qu e, p uf fed h is cig ar ro b ack t o l if e, th en l ow er ed h is v oi ce

c on sp ir at or il y. Do n H um be rt o a vo ws t ha t t he S en or M al yo d e M or re i s b ut a n ob le t ra ve le r f ro m

s om ew here i n t he A ss ociated D uchi es o f C hi le, w ho i s p as si ng t hr ou gh o n a l ei su rely t ri p; b ut A ng el

o pi ne s t ha t h e i s n on e o th er t ha n o ne o f t he f am ou s D ef en -s or es A rg en ti no s, o n l oa n t o o ur E mp er or

f ro m t he E mp er or o f t he A rg en ti nas and t raveli ng s ecretl y, i ncog ni to and i n a m os t r ou nd ab ou t r ou te t o

m eet w it h h is n ew m as ter.

O f c ou rs e, a ll o f t he m w er e w ro ng . M ay lo d e M or re w as m uc h l es s t ha n t he y t ho ug ht , b ut f ar m or e t ha n

they could imagine.

T he l on g, d if fi cu lt and d an gero us j ou rn ey acr os s t he S ierr a M ad re O ccid en tali s t o t he G rand D uchy o f

Chihuahua was accomplished-through the good offices of Don Humberto, who seemed to have highly

placed friends and/or relatives at the courts of all four kings and of the Emperor, as well-in company with

a h eavi ly g uard ed car av an w hi ch h ad w ou nd d ow n f ro m t he E mp er or s alt er nate cap it al at G uadalajara

a nd w as p ro ce ed in g s lo wl y u p t he c oa st r oa ds , m ak in g f re q ue nt s to ps s o t ha t t he m er ch an ts m ig ht o ff er

t heir w ar es and t he att ached i mp er ial o ff icer s cou ld col lect t he y earl y t ax es f ro m t he v ar io us l ocal o ff icer s,

s uch as D on H um bert o.

D es pi te t he n um er ou s and w el l- ar med g uard s, D on H um b er to w ou ld n ot h ear o f h is g uest d ep ar ti ng

w it h l es s t ha n a f ul l s qu ad o f h is o wn l an ce r- bo dy gu ar ds , a q ua rt et o f s er v an ts , a nd a f ul ly e qu ip pe d a nd

provided pack-train to afford the estimable Conde Maylo de Morre security and civilized comforts on

t he l on g t rek o ver t he m ou nt ai ns . D on H um b er to h ad n ev er b een abl e t o o bl iq uely w heed le-f or o f

course gentlemen did not demand or even inquire about un-offered personal information from other

gentlemen; it would have been most impolite-any particulars of el Senors true origin, nationality, family or

r an k f ro m h im . B ut h e h ad p ro c la im ed h im a c ou nt s o t ha t h is ra nk w ou ld m at ch t ha t o f t he

c om ma nde r o f t he c ar av an, wh o t he n w oul d t re at e l S enor a s a n e qu al . The ol d Don f el t t ha t i t w as t he

l ea st he c oul d do t o r epa y hi s gue st f or t he ma ny ho ur s of p le as ur e hi s t al es of t he l an ds a nd p eopl es a ndt heir s in gu lar cus to ms and m or es h ad b ro ug ht h im h er e i n h is i so lated and p ro vi n ci al l it tl e b ackw at er o f

empire.

F or h is o wn p ar t, D on R am on , C on de-I mp er ial d e G uanaj uato and C ol on el -G en er al o f t he I mp er ial T ax

S er vi ce , h ad n ot n ee de d o ld D on H um be rt o s a ss ur an ce s. H e k ne w a w el l- br ed m an w he n h e s aw

o ne- th e ai r o f r elaxed s elf - as su rance, t he s tr i ct o bs erv an ce o f t he cou rt esi es and p ro pr i e ti es, t he

m at ch less s eat w hi ch m ad e a s in gl e creat ur e o f h im and h is f in e d es tr ier, t he eas y and n at ur al ass um pt io n

o f com m an d, l ik e a h an d s li pp in g i nt o an o ld and w el l- wo rn g lo ve. I nd eed, D on R am on s us pect ed t hat

t hi s f or ei gn Co nd e h ad d el ib er at el y m is led t he agedH um bert o, t hat h is t ru e r an k w as l ik el y s ev er al

n ot ch es h ig he r, a nd t hr ou gh ou t t he f ir st t wo l eg s of t he j ou rn ey , h e de fe rr ed t o h is g ue st a s h e w ou ld h av e

t o h is o wn o verl or d, el P ri ncip e d e l os N um er os . H ig h n ob les w er e o ft en w on t t o t ravel i ncog ni to -t hi s

D on R am on k new w el l f ro m h is y ears i n and aro un d t he i mp er ial cou rt -and w hi le h e d il ig en tl y p layed t he

g am e a nd a lw ay s a dd re ss ed t he f or ei gn er b y h is n om br e d e g ue rr a a nd h is a ss um ed t it le , h e n ev er f ai le d



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t o t re at hi m a nd s ee t ha t he wa s t re at ed l ike a pr inc e of t he i mp er ia l h ous e.

T he a mb us ca de w as s pr un g i n a r oc k- wa ll ed p as s, h ig h i n t he s ie rr as . W hi le r oc ks c ra sh ed a bo ut t he m,

t hr ow in g o ff k ni fe-s harp s pl in ters , and arr ow s h um med t heir d eadl y s on g, w hi le h or ses and m ul es and

m en s cr eamed, w hi ps crack ed and t he con fu si on o f t ho se i n aut ho ri ty w as r ef lect ed i n t heir t or rent o f

o ft en con tr ad icto ry o rd er s, D on R am on cau gh t a g li mp se o f C on de M ay lo .

D es pi te h is evi dent f ear- hi s r ol li ng eyes and d is tend ed n os tr il s- th e p al om in o s tall io n s to od s ti ll as a s tatu e,

w hi le h is n ob le r id er cal ml y u ncas ed and s tr un g h is h or nb ow . B e hi nd h im , h is t en l an ces t ri ed h ar d t o

emu late h im , t heir ef fo rt s f ru st rated p ar ti al ly b y l es s b id dabl e m ou nt s. O nl y t he s ho rt , s carf aced s er gean t

m ana ge d t o g et h is m ou nt u nde r s uf fi ci en t c ont ro l t o a ll ow h im t o r ea dy h is o wn b ow a nd f ol l ow h is l or d

wh en t ha t wo rt hy mo ve d a t a n e as y w al k up i nt o t he pa ss .

W he n h e w as w he re he w is he d t o be , t he Co nd e on ce m or e b ro ugh t hi s hor se t o a r igi d ha lt . Wi th r oc ks

bouncing about them and arrows occasionally caroming off their helmets, the sergeant and his lord

commenced-before Ramons half-disbelieving eyes-such a demonstration of superior archery as not

even t he ancient r ocks cou ld ever b ef or e h av e w it ness ed.

S oo n, t he f al li ng r ocks h ad b een com pl et el y r ep laced b y f al li ng , s cr eami ng b od ies, and aft er a g oo d

d oz en of t he ba n di t a rc he rs h ad h ur tl ed , d ea d o r d yi ng , t o t he f loo r o f t he p as s o r h ad dr op pe d t he ir

bows to sink back against the rock walls, shrieking in agony and clutching at the feathered shafts which

h ad s kewered v ar io us p or ti on s o f t heir anato mi es , t heir s o- far l iv in g and w ho le com rades f ad ed b ack

among the boulders.

S o i t w as t ha t, w he n t he h ea vi ly -a rm ed a nd m ou nt ed e le m en t o f b us hw ha ck er s s tr uc k t he h ea d o f t he

col um n, t hey f ou nd n ot a s hatt er ed , d is or gani zed and d em or al ized p ar ty t o s laug ht er and p lu nd er at

l ei su re, b ut r at her a r ock- hard l in e o f d is ci pl in ed t r oo ps .

E ven b ef or e t hey cam e i nt o p hy si cal con tact w it h t he w ai t in g s ol di er y and g en tr y- al mo st all o f w ho m

s ho ul d h av e b een d ow n, cru sh ed b y r ocks o r s tu ck f ul l o f arr ow s- vo ll ey o n w el l- ai med v ol ley o f s haft s

r os e u p i n a h is si ng c lo ud f rom t he r ea r r an ks t o wr ea k ha voc a nd d ea th a mo ng st t he a tt ac k er s.

T ho se w ho h ad s et a nd a ct iv at ed t he a mb us ca de w er e n ot s ol di er s b ut h it -a nd -r un b an di tt i, s o t he y

cou ld n ot h av e b een f au lt ed f or b reak in g and r un ni ng i mm ed iately t hey s aw t heir l eaders h acked b y

s ab er s and b ro ad sw or ds , l if ted w ri th in g f ro m t heir s ad dl es o n d ri pp in g l an cepo in ts o r h ur led t o d eath

a mi d t he s ta mp in g h oo ve s b y b lo w o f a x o r m ac e. R un , t he s ur vi vo rs d id a nd p ur su ed t he y w er e. V er y

f ew e sc ap ed a li ve , n or w er e a ny p ri so ne rs t ak en , t ho ug h s ev er al d oz en h ea ds w er e.

F ew o f t he c ap tu re d h or se s w er e o f m uc h a cc ou nt , s o t he y w er e s im pl y s tr ip pe d o f t he ir r at ty g ea r a nd

t ur ne d l oos e. T hos e w hi ch l oo ke d a s i f t he y mi ght b ri ng a pr ic e o r a r e wa rd w er e a dde d t o t he

packtrain, loaded with bags of bandit-heads and bundles of captured weapons, valuable for the worked

metal.

For t he r es t, a f ew p ie ce s of j ew el ry w er e t ake n f rom t he c or ps es a nd a s ca nt h and ful of go ld a nd s il ve r

c oi n w er e g ar n er ed , a s w el l a s t wo b at te re d, a nt iq ue h el me ts a nd a n a ss or t me nt o f a rm ri ng s o f b ra ss ,

c op pe r a nd i ron . N on e o f t he r ob be rs h ad p os se ss ed b oot s o r a rm or o f a ny d es cr ip ti on o r e ve n d ec en t

clo th in g, o nl y r ag s, r op e s an dals and j ackets o f s ti ff , s mell y, i ll -cur ed h id e s ew n w it h s tr ip s and d is cs o f

h or n a nd b on e.

R am on h ad n ot ed , d es pi te t he c on fu si on o f t he m el ee , t ha t M or re s s ki ll w it h h is e xo ti c s ab er w as

s up er io r t o t ha t o f m os t s wo rd sm en i f n ot q ui te t he e qu al o f h is a st oun di ng t al e nt w it h t he h or nb ow ; o n



9/138

t he l an ce h e c ou ld r en de r n o j ud g me nt , s in ce h is g ue st s s ha ft h ad s pl in te re d o n t he f ir st s ho ck . B ut h e

w as s at is fi ed t ha t t hi s D on M ayl o d e M or re wa s a mo st c om pe te nt w ar ri or , by a ny s ta nda rds , a s w el l a s

a natural and accomplished field commander.

A nd all o f t hi s s im pl y d eepened t he m ys tery , i n t he C on de-I mp er ial s m in d.

W hi le m en w er e s en t t o c li mb t he c ra gs t o d et ac h t he h ea ds o f t ho se a mb us he rs w ho h ad n ot f al le n f ro mt he ir p er ch es -f or e ac h b an di t h ea d w ou ld b ri ng h al f a p es o i n s il v er u po n d el iv er y t o t he p ro pe r

aut ho ri ty -R am on cir cu lated, t ak in g s to ck o f h is o wn cas ualt ies. T hat w as w hen h e s aw M or re, l eadi ng h is

g ol de n c he st nu t d ow n t he r oc ky d ef il e, w it h y ou ng D on C as pa r d e G ar ri go r ee li ng i n t he s ad dl e a nd t he

s to ck y archer- serg eant w it h t he s carr ed, p ocked f ace s t radd li ng t he ani mal s b ro ad r um p and g ri pp in g

t he h ig h c an tl e. F ro m b ot h m en , s te ad y t ri ck le s o f b lo od d ri pp ed d ow n t o s tr ea k t he s ta ll io n s g lo ss y

hide.

A f ter h is aid es and o th er h ur ri ed ly s um mo ned m en h ad l if ted d ow n t he s wo on in g h id al go and t he

ago ni zed and cr eati vely cur si ng s er geant , R am on o ff er ed h is o wn , s weat -s oaked s carf t o Co nd e

M ay lo , w ho w as d ab bi ng a t t he b lo od s tr ea ks o n h is d es tr ie r s f la nk s.

No , t ha nk y ou , C ou nt R am on , c ro ak ed M or re f ro m a d ry t hr oa t. The o nl y t hi ng t ha t w il l r ea ll y h el p E l

D or ado , h er e, i s a g oo d w as h. I d s et tl e f or a p int o f c ool w in e. .. o r e ve n a ba re m ou th ful o f s ta le wa te r,

right now.

R am dn p ro ff ered t he m ir acul ou sl y u nb ro ken s ad dl e- bo tt le. Br and y- water, m y l or d, t he b es t I f ear I can

do until we get on about a mile and set up camp.

A ft er a l on g, l on g p ul l a t t he f la sk , M or re s ai d, A m il e, i n t ho se w ag on s, o ve r t he se r oc ks ? T he y ou ng

k ni gh t w il l l ik el y b e d ea d w he n w e g et t he re . W hy n ot c am p h er e? That r if f ra ff , w ha t s l ef t o f t he m,

w on t b e b ac k.

My l or d s p ar do n, p le as e, s ai d R am on . Bu t t hi s i s n ot m y f ir st s uc h t ri p. I k no w t he se m ou nt ai ns . T hi s

pass doubles as a seasonal riverbed. If my lord will regard those watermarks-he indicated

d is co lo ra ti on s a t l ea st t we lv e f ee t h ig h o n t he r oc k w al ls o f t he g ap - in t hi s s ea so n, a s to rm c ou ld b lo w i n

f ro m t he w es t a t a ny m om en t. B ut a m il e b ey on d t hi s p la ce t he re i s a f in e p la te au , w it h a s pr in g a nd g ra ss

a nd a f ew tr ee s.

As f or D on C as pa r, h e i s a t ough hom br e. An d yo ur s er g ea nt , w el l, h e l oo ks t o be t he c on si st en cy o f

boiled leather. But I shall see that they are constantly attended and well-padded.

I n camp , R am dn and M or re w at ched t he g yp sy h or se l eech -cum -p hy si ci an -all t hey n ow h ad , as t he

m as te r p hy si c ia n o f t he C on de -I mp er ia l s s ta ff h ad b ee n b ra in ed b y a b ou ld er e ar ly o n i n t he

ambush-fumble and blunder his way through a wound-closure, nearly burning himself with the cautery.

S er gean t A ng el G on zales, w ho se d eep w ou nd s i n t hi gh and u pp er arm ass ur ed h im n ex t p lace i n l in e,

h ad als o b een o bs er vi ng t he l es s t han eff icient p er fo rm an ce. R ai si ng h is g oo d arm t o att ract h is l or d s

a tt en ti on , h e s ai d, l ac on ic al ly, Do n M ay lo , i f i t p le as e yo u, I b e a o ld s oj er a nd I v e s ur vi ve d r ig ht m an y

w ou nd s a nd c am p f ev er s a nd I t hi nk I d a s l ie f t ak e m y c ha nc es w it h d yi ng o f b lo od -l os in g o r t he b la ck

r ot as put m y fl es h ne ath the i ron of t ha t f ar aon fa st idi os o. Li ke a s not , he d mi ss his pa ss a t my t hi gh a nd

s ear o ff m y m an -p ar ts .

M oi re s mi led r eass ur in gl y d ow n at h is f ol lo wer. Hi s l ack o f s ki ll i s n ot cal cu lated t o b reed con fi dence, i s

i t, A ng el ? W ou ld y ou t ru st m y h an d g ui di ng t hat cau tery m or e?



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T he s er ge an t s u gl y h ea d b ob be d v ig or ou sl y. F or a s ur et y, D on M ay lo .B ut . . . y ou r p ar do n, m y l or d.

M y l or d h as b ur ned w ou nd s b ef or e?

I, t oo, a m a n ol d s ol di er , Ang el . He s ai d, gr ave ly , Ye s, I ha ve c los ed ma ny a wou nd, o ve r t he y ea rs .

A nd , h e a dd ed w it h a g ri n t o l es se n t he p al pa bl e t en si on , ne ve r o nc e h av e I t oa st ed v al ua bl e o rg an s . ..

by accident

W it h A ng el a nd a c ou pl e o f o th er l an ce rs b eh in d h im , M or re a nd t he m en a tt en di ng t o t he b ra zi er a nd

t he d ead p hy si ci an s o th er i ns t ru ment s p ro ceed ed w it h R am on t o h is t en t, w herein w ai ted D on C as par d e

Garrigo.

A t M or re s d ir ec ti on , t he y ou ng k ni gh t w as l if te d o ff t he c am p b ed a nd o nt o a s he et o f o il sk in s pr ea d o n

t he e ar th . T o R am on s q ue st io ni ng l oo k, h e a ns we re d, Th at b ed h as t oo m uc h g iv e t o i t, C ou nt R am on ,

a nd w e ne ed a bo ve a ll t hi ng s a f ir m s ur fa ce b en ea th h im . H av e y ou r m en ge t hi s br ee ks of f a nd h is l ine ns

a s w el l. W he n t he i ro n b ur ns h is f le sh , h is b od y w il l r el ea se i ts w at er a nd p ro ba bl y i ts d un g, t oo . Y ou s aw

that, outside, there.

M or re r ef lect ed s il en tl y t hat chances w er e g oo d t he b oy w ou ld d ie o f l ockj aw- tetanu s i nf ecti on -n o

m at te r w ha t w as d on e f or h im . Sh or t o f, h e t ho ug ht , te ta nu s t ox oi d a nd a n ti bi ot ic s, b ut t hi s p oo r l ad

w as b or n f iv e o r s ix h un dr ed y ears t oo l at e f or s uch m ed ical s op hi st icat io n.

A cr ud e s pear -r eal ly j us t an o ld k ni f e- bl ad e r iv et ed t o a s haft -h ad b een j amm ed com pl etely t hr ou gh t he

cal f o f t he r ig ht l eg, t wo t hi ck ness es o f b oo t t op -l eat her, t he t ou gh , q ui lt ed s ad dl e-s ki rt and d eepl y

eno ug h i nt o t he h or ses b od y t o k il l h im , o ut ri gh t. T hen D on C as par h ad s uf fered t he i ll -f or t un e t o l ie

pinned beneath the dead horse until Morre had chanced across him. Likely, the horses body fluid had

s eeped i nt o t he m an s w ou nd .

B ut M or re r es ol ve d t o d o t he b es t h e c ou ld w it h t he p ri mi t iv e t oo ls a t h an d. H e s ou gh t t hr ou gh t he b ag

o f i ns tr um en ts u nt il h e f ou nd w hat h e ass um ed w as an i rr ig at io n i ns tr u ment -a b ul b o f g ut att ached t o a

cop per t ub e- th en r in sed i t i ns id e and o ut w it h b rand y f ro m R am on s s eemi ng ly i nex haus ti bl e s to ck . H e

poured another quart bottle of the fiery beverage into a small camp-kettle, added half the measure of

clear , col d s pr in g- water and n od ded t o t he w ai ti ng l an cers w ho k nelt t o p in io n t he h al f- co ns ci ou s k ni gh t

into immobility.

Fi ll in g t he b ul b w it h t he l iq ui d, M or re s cr ap ed a wa y t he c lo ts a t e it he r e nd o f t he w ou nd a nd ,

d is re ga rd in g t he f re sh f lo w o f b lo od , t hr us t t he n oz zl e o f t he c op pe r t ub e i nt o o ne e nd , p re ss ed t he g or y

f le sh t ig ht a bo ut i t a nd g av e t he b ul b a p ow er fu l s qu ee ze . D il ut ed b lo od s qu ir te d o ut o f t he o pp os it eopening.

A nd D on C as pa r, h is r aw f le sh s ub je ct ed t o t he b it e o f t he b ra nd y, c am e t o f ul l, s cr ea mi ng , t hr as hi ng

con scio us ness . H e w as an exceedi ng ly s tr on g y ou ng m an and t he s ix l an cers w er e h ar d- pu t t o h ol d h im

d ow n, m uc h l es s s ti ll , s o b ef or e h e p ro ce ed ed w it h h is t re at me nt , M or re c al le d f or t hr ee o r f ou r m or e

men.

B ut s uc h w as t he p ai n o f t he s ec on d f lu sh in g o f t he p en e tr at in g s ta b t ha t t he h ida lg o a ga in l aps ed i nt o a n

u ncon scio us s tate, t ho ug h s ti ll h e m oaned and t hr as hed f it fu ll y. W hen t he w ou nd w as as clean as h e f el t

h e c ou ld g et i t, M or re t oo k a t hi ck s tr ip o f t oo th -s ca rr ed r aw hi de f ro m t he p hy si ci an s b ag , s wi sh ed i t

abo ut i n u nd il ut ed b rand y, th en p laced i t b et ween D on C as par s j aws , s ecu ri ng i t w i th an at tached s t rap

ar ou nd t he p at ient s h ead.



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W hi l e o ne o f h is h el pers s op ped u p t he f lu id s- bl oo d, b rand y, w at er , s eru m, s weat and u ri ne-f ro m t he

o il sk in , M or re l oo ke d t o t he c au te ri es i n t he g lo wi ng b ra zi er , s el ec te d o ne a nd w ra pp ed a b it o f w et h id e

aro un d t he s haft .

Al l r ig ht , h om br es , t ur n t he s en or o ve r, the n h ol d hi m a s i f y our l iv es d ep end ed on i t. P ut y our w ei ght o n

hi m. Y ou, t he re , s it you o n hi s bu tt oc ks . Pa bl o, t ake yo ur be st g ri p on t ha t k ne e. I f you r h ands s li p, I

s wear I l l b ur n t hem f or y ou .

T he p at ient h ad t he m is fo rt un e t o r eg ai n con scio us ness b ar e s econ ds b ef or e M or r e w as r ead y. R am on

k ne lt , g en tl y d ab be d t he y ou ng er m an s b ro w w it h a b it o f w et s po ng e a nd s of tl y a dm on is he d, Be b ra ve ,

n ow , C as pa r. R em em be r t he h on or o f y ou r c as a. S et y ou r t ee th i nt o t he p er a d e a go rt ia a nd i mp lo re

Nuestra Senora thatShe grant you strength. Don Maylo is most skilled and it will be done quickly.

I t w as . M or re l if te d t he p al e- pi nk -g lo wi ng c au te ry f ro m i ts n es t o f c oa ls , b le w o n i t o nc e t o r em ov e a ny

bits of ash, took careful aim, then laid it firmly upon the entry wound, holding it while he counted slowly

t o f iv e. H e t ri ed v ai nl y t o s to p h is n os e t o t he n au se at in g s te nc h o f b roi li ng f le sh , h is e ar s t o t he g as ps a nd

whining moans of his patient

M or re r et ur ned t he cau tery t o t he b razi er and exami ned h is h an di wo rk , cri ti call y, w hi le D on C as par

r el ax ed , s ob bi ng d es pi te h im se lf , a nd a l an ce r c le an ed h is b ut to ck s a nd l eg s o f w ha t h ad c om e w he n h is

anal s ph in ct er f ai led. R am on , h im s el f, s po ng ed away t he m ucus w hi ch h ad g us hed f ro m t he t or m en ted

mans nostrils, all the while softly praising his bravery and self-discipline. Morre decided he could hardly

ha ve do ne a be tt er j ob a nd, a s h e t ur ne d a ga in t o t he b ra zi er , h op ed t ha t t he s ec ond a nd l as t b ur ni ng

w ou ld g o a s w el l.

A ft er t ha t da y, i f Mo rr e h ad r eve al ed hi ms el f t o t ru ly b e a pr et ende r t o t he t hr one of t he E mp er or o f t he

F our K ing d om s a nd i n l ea gu e w it h E l D ia bl o, h im se lf , a to p i t a ll , n ot a n ob le o r m an o f t he t ax t ra in b ut

w ou ld h av e r ai sed h is b an n er and h is w ar cr y, and C on de-I mp er ial R am on w ou ld h av e b een f ir st .

D ur in g t he l en gt hy s tay o f t he car av an i n C iu dad C hi hu a hu a, R am on s aw t o i t t hat h is n ew fo un d f ri en d,

Co nd e M ay lo d e M or re , w as f et ed a nd h on or ed b y h is c ou si n, D uq ue -G ra nd e A lb er to . T he s hr ew d

C on de-I mp er ial als o ar rang ed an exh ib it io n o f archery s o t hat h is t al es o f M or rd s exp er ti se m ig ht b e

believed in future days, and further took advantage of the day to realize more than a few golden pesos by

confidently backing Morre against any and all local contenders.

T he w ay o f t he t ax t ra in n ow l ay s ou th -t hr ou gh t he g ra nd -d uc hy o f D ur an go a nd s o b ac k t o G ua da la ja ra

and t he i mp er ial cou rt -and R am on t ri ed every arg um en t and ent ice ment h e cou ld m us ter t o att em pt t o

persuade Morre to accompany him, rather than following his announced course north, through thei nh os pi ta bl e a nd b an di t- in fe st ed d es er t t o C iu da d J ua re z a nd E l P as o d el N or te . B ut i t w as a ll i n v ai n.

M or re w as d et er mi ne d. T he b es t t ha t R am on a nd h is c ou si n, D uq ue -G ra nd e A lb er to , w er e a bl e t o

a cc om pl is h w as t o c on v in ce t he h on or ed g ue st t ha t h e s ho ul d d el ay h is d ep ar tu re a c ou pl e m or e w ee ks

and r id e n or th i n com pany w it h a d et ach ment o f r epl acem en t t r oo ps b ou nd f or F or taleza

B ienavent ur an za, j us t n or th o f t he r iv er w hi ch s ep ar at ed t he s is ter cit ies.

A t o ne o f t he i nf or ma l d in ne rs a w ee k o r s o p ri or t o R am on s s ch ed ul ed d ep ar tu re , t he s ub je ct o f o ld

D on H um -b er to , l or d o f M azat ld n, cam e u p i n con vers at io n.

Ay , p oo r U mb o, s ig hed t he D uq ue-G rand e, d ab bi ng at h is b eard and f lari ng m ou st achi os w it h a l in en

n ap ki n, ou r t wo f at he rs w er e o ld c om ra de s, y ou k no w, a nd h e a nd I s ol d ie re d t og et he r f or ty y ea rs

a go , b ot h o f u s y ou ng e ns ig ns i n t he D ra go n R eg im en t. A h, t ho se w er e b ra ve d ay s!



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M or re, l oo ki ng every i nch t he h id al go i n h is s il ks and t oo led l eath er s and s park li ng j ew el s, s et d ow n h is

g ob le t o f c ha se d s il ve r a nd a sk ed , Yo u s ai d, po or U mb o, m y l or d d uk e. M ay o ne i nq ui re w hy ?

D ur in g t he m on th I g uest ed w it h h im , D on H um bert o s eemed h ap py eno ug h t o m e, and R am on , h er e,

t el ls me t ha t t he ol d ma n i s a f avor ite of hi s ove rl or d, lo ve d by hi s pe opl e a nd m uc h r es pe ct ed a t t he

i m pe ri al c our t. H e t ake s m uc h pr id e i n t he h or se s h e b re eds , a nd r igh tl y s o. M y ow n E l D or ad o i s o ne

o f t he f in es t and b es t -t rain ed m ou nt s I h av e ever s tr ad dl ed .

Al as , a ns we re d t he D uq ue -G ra nd e, th os e h or se s a re a ll t ha t U mb o h as l ef t, t he se d ay s. A ll f ou r o f h is

f in e s on s w er e s lain w hi le f ig ht in g b ravely f or t he E mp er or i n Y ucat an , t hese t went y y ears ago ne. T hen

t he g reat p lagu e w hi ch d ecim at ed t he F ou r M ex icos t hr ee y ears l at er t oo k h is ent ir e h ou seh ol d- hi s w if e,

D on a A na , h is t hr ee y ou ng , un ma rr ie d d au gh te rs , t he w id ow s o f t wo o f h is s ons a nd a ll h is

grandchildren.

Whe n he d ie s, t he re wi ll be no ne of hi s c as a t o s we ar t he oa ths a nd t ak e ove r t he f ie f. Th e ove rl or d wi ll

ha ve to t ake t he oa ths f rom s ome out si de r a nd t he n t he re wi ll be t roubl e i n Ma za tl an . . . ma yha p, muc h

t ro ub le . T he re o ft en i s w he n o ne c as a r ep la ce s a no th er , e sp ec ia ll y a n at iv e o th er , o n a f ie f. G oo d o ld

Um bo kn ows t hi s t oo, a nd y ou c an be c er ta in t he know le dg e g ri eve s h im, f or h e i s a goo d m an, a g oodl or d a nd l ov es h is l an ds a nd p eo pl e.

M or re s hr ug ge d. It s ee ms a p ro bl em s im pl y e no ug h s ol ve d, m y l or d. H e a pp ea rs a l us ty m an , e ve n y et ,

s o s ur el y h e ha s a b as ta rd o r s ix l iv in g n ea rb y. W hy d oe s he n ot j us t r ec og ni ze a l ik el y m an o f h is s ir in g a s

l eg it im at e? I n h is p os i ti on , I w ou ld d o s uch.

T he D uq ue-G rand e l ou dl y cr acked a k nu ck le. Ot her l and s, o th er cus t om s, C on de M ay lo . Y es , U mb o

h as m an y b as ta rd s o f b ot h s ex es a nd r an gi ng i n a ge f ro m m er e t od dl er s t o n ot m an y y ea rs h is j un io r. A nd

n ot j us t i n h is h om el an d, e it he r- he a lw ay s w as m uc ho h om br e. B ut , C on de M ay lo , i n t he M ex ic os , a

com mo nb or n b as tard can no t s o eas il y b e l eg it i mati zed, n ot i f l an ds and s uccess io n are i nv ol ved.

Um bo c ou ld r ec og ni ze e ve ry b as ta rd o f h is c as a i n a ll o f M az at la n, b ut h e w ou ld n ot b e a ll ow ed t o

n am e any o f t hem h ei r t o i mp er ial f iefs . T o i nh er it l an ds , o bl ig at io ns and p ri vi l eg es , a m an m us t b e b or n

t o t he h id al gu ia o r, f ai li ng t hat, b e a f or mall y- in vest ed cab al lero , elevated f or con sp icuo us b rav er y i n t he

s er vi ce o f t he E mp er or .

Mo rr e s ta re d i nt o t he d ar k- pu rp le d ep th s o f h is w in e, f or a m om en t, a s mi le f li ck er in g a t t he c or ne rs o f

h is m ou th . H e w as p ri vy t o s om e k no wl ed ge t o w hi ch t he se t wo n ob le me n w er e n ot , a nd i t h ad r eq ui re d

t im e and cun ni ng t o s et t hem u p s o p er fect ly f or con su mm at io n o f h is p lan.

My l or d D uq ue-G rand e, i f a com mo ner s ol di er s ho ul d t ak e h is s tand o ver a f al len k ni gh t and f ig ht l on gand h ar d, s us tain in g g rave w ou nd s h im self , t o p ro tect t hat k ni gh t f ro m a h or de o f f oemen, w ou ld t hat b e

considered grounds for his elevation in rank?

T he D uq ue-G rand e n od ded v ig or ou sl y. Of a cer tain ty , b ut at l east t wo n ob lemen m us t w it ness t he act

M or re w en t o n. Yo u claim f ri en ds hi p o f o ld w it h D on H um bert o and y ou r ecog ni ze h is p redi cament .

W er e y ou p re se nt ed a b as ta rd o f h is w ho h ad t he r eq ui si te n ob le w it ne ss es t o s ta nd f or h im , w ou ld y ou

undertake the investiture?

Wh y, o f c ou rs e, C on de M ay lo s na pp ed t he D uq ue -G ra nd e. I s ho ul d b e m or e t ha n o ve rj oy ed w er e i t

on ly pos s ib le f or m e t o do s uc h f or m y ol d c omr ade . Th en, M or re t ol d h is s ec re t.

A ng el G on zales, s om et im e s er gean t o f l an ces, w as k ni gh ted i n t he s paci ou s chapel o f t he g rand -d ucal



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r es i dence b y D uq ue-G rand e A lb er t o, ass i st ed b y C on de-I mp er ial R am on . T he D uq ue-G rand e s g if t t o

t he n ew cab al lero w as i mp ress iv e i n t he ext reme-a f ul ly -t rain ed d es tr ier and all eq ui page . T he

Conde-Imperial gave a fine, thigh-length hauberk, mail leggings and a helmet.

Y ou ng D on G as par, w ho se l if e A ng el s cou rage and f er o ci ou sn es s h ad s av ed , p resent ed a b eaut if ul ly

w ro ug ht d ag ger- belt o f i nt er wo ven chain s and p laqu es o f b ro nze and s teel , a s pl en di d d ir k, eat in g k ni fe

and s kewer ( wi th m at ch in g h il ts ) and t he g ol d- wash ed s pu rs w hi ch h e b uckl ed o nt o t he n ew ca ball er o,himself.

M or re p ro ff er ed t he f in es t b ro ad sw or d t ha t m an y o f t he a ss em bl ed t hr on g o f n ob le s h ad e ve r s ee n.

D uq ue-G rand e A l bert o h ad t ru ly h at ed t o p ar t w it h t he m ag ni fi cent w eapo n, b ut C on de M ay lo h ad

r eadi ly p ai d i ts f ul l v al ue-i n h on es t- weig ht , u ncli pp ed g ol d p ieces- an d h e h ad k no wn t o w ho m i ts b uy er

w ou ld p resent i t.

F ro m t he n ob lemen o f t he g rand -d uchy cam e an o ak en b at tl el an ce and a t ri pl e- bu ll hi de t ar get, r im med

a nd b os se d i n i ro n. T he n ob le wo me n g av e a s il ke n p en no n a nd t wo s et s o f f in e p lu me s- on e f or h is

h el me t, o ne f or h is h or se s h ea dg ea r. B ot h t he t ar ge t a nd t he e mb ro id er ed p en no n w er e e xe cu te d w it hh is d ev ic e- su gg es te d b y M or re -a d ra wn b ow , s il ve r, w it h a n a rr ow n oc ke d, g ol d, o n a f ie ld , b la ck ; t he

plumes reflected the colors of the arms-black, gold and silver.

T hr ou gh ou t t he s ol em n p ro ceed in gs , M or re h ad t o r ef rain f ro m l oo ki ng at A ng el s f ace, l es t h e b ur st o ut

l au gh in g. E ver s in ce t he m om en t t hr ee d ay s ago w hen t hen- Serg eant G on zal es h ad b een s um mo ned t o

t he f or mal p ro ceed in gs at t he p al ace, b ef or e t he D uq ue-G rand e h im self and h eard h im self p rais ed t o t he

v er y s ki es b y C on de -I mp er ia l R am on , C on de M ay lo , D on G as pa r a nd a ll t he o th er h id al go s o f t he t ax

t ra in, t he po or , hum bl e s ol di er s e xpr es si on ha d be en t ha t o f a ma n j us t k ic ke d i n t he h ea d b y a pa ck

mule.

And throughout the long, formal dinner which followed the investiture and elevation, he simply sat,o bv io us ly b e mu se d, a t h is p la ce o f h on or o n t he D uq ue -G ra nd e s r ig ht M or re , w ho f la nk ed t he n ew

c ab al le ro , h ad t o c on st an tl y r e mi nd h im t o e at a nd d ri nk .

M o st o f t he n ig ht b ef or e h is t ra in s d ep ar tu re , C on de R am on s pe nt w it h M or re a nd s ev er al b ot tl es o f t he

D uq ue- Gr and e s b es t b rand y. A s t he emp ti es accum ul at ed, h e s ud d en ly l eaned acr os s t he l ow t abl e and

s po ke i n a h oa rs e w hi sp er .

S in ce f ir st w e m et i n M az at la n, m y l or d a nd f ri en d, M ay lo , I h av e k now n w ha t y ou a re , t ho ug h I p la ye d

y our g am e b y t he r ul es y ou l ai d do wn . B ut i n t he t im e s in ce t ha t m ee ti ng, w e h ave , t oge the r, s ee n b ot h l if e

a nd d ea th a nd s ha re d m an y a b ot tl e. No w w e mu st t ak e s ep ar at e r oa ds , f or yo u r id e n or th a nd i t i s m ybounden duty to ride south with the morrows dawning. It well may be that we two never shall meet and

d ri nk and t al k again .

As yo u kno w, b y now , I a m a m an wh o ne ve r f ai ls t o r en de r du e hon or t o t ho se who m Se nor D ios ha s

s ee n f it t o pl ac e a bove me , f or I h ol d t hi s t o be t he onl y r ig ht a nd pr ope r w ay f or a ny m an of a ny s ta ti on

t o l iv e h is l if e. B ut , p leas e, m y f ri en d D on M ay lo , t ry t o f or gi ve t he i mp er ti nence o f m y g reat cur io si ty . O n

t hi s l as t n igh t, c an y ou n ot t el l m e y our t rue r an k a nd a ll eg ia nc e, o n m y w or d o f h on or t ha t n on e o th er

ever s hall h ear i t f ro m m y l ip s?

C on de M ay lo s mi le d. V er y w el l, D on R am on. I r ea ll y a m a c hi ef o f t he n or th er n h or se -n om ad s. I a m s ix

hun dr ed ye ar s ol d a nd I ha ve s pe nt t he l as t t wo hu ndr ed ye ar s r oa mi ng t he wo rl d i n s ea rc h o f a f abl ed

i sl an d w hereon m en n ev er age o r d ie.



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R am on s ta re d a t h im f or a l on g m om en t, o pe n- mo ut he d a nd g og gl e- ey ed . T he n h e s an k b ac k i nt o h is

chair, chuckling and shaking his head, ruefully.

Fo r a s ec on d, t he re , y ou a lm os t h ad m e b el ie vi ng y ou , D on M ay lo ; y ou r f or be ar an ce , p le as e, b ut y ou

a re a c on vi nc i ng l ia r, w he n yo u w is h t o b e. V er y w el l, m y f ri en d, i t w as a m os t c our te ou s r ef us al a nd

g av e m e a g oo d l aug h, i n t he b ar ga in. I s ha ll n ot a ga in p ry i nt o m at te rs w hi ch m us t n ot c on ce rn m e.

Co me, t hen, w e h av e t wo f ul l b ot tl es l ef t

T he d aw n l eavetaki ng w as emo ti on al i n t he ext reme. T ears s tr eamed f ro m D on R am on s b lack eyes as

h e c la pp ed h is a rm s a bo ut D on M ay lo i n a f ie rc e a br az o. B et we en s tr an gl ed s ob s, h e s ai d, My d ea r

f ri en d, I a ss ur e y ou t ha t I n ev er s ha ll f or ge t y ou a nd e ve r s ha ll I p ra y f or yo ur c on ti nu ed h ea lt h a nd

w el fa re . I f e ve r y ou r t ra ve ls l ea d y ou t o t he C on da do o f G ua na ju at o, b e y ou a ss ur ed o f a w el co me i n

k ee pi ng w it h y ou r s ta ti on a nd m y s in ce re l ov e a nd r es pe ct f or y ou .

In r eg ar d t o t he o th er m at te r, i mm ed ia te ly I h av e d is c ha rg ed m y d ut y t o t he E mp er or a nd t o m y

o ve rl or d, I s ha ll d is pa tc h D on C as pa r a nd a n e sc or t t o D on H um be rt o a t M az at la n, t o a dv is e h im o f t heelevati on and i nv es ti tu re o f h is s on , D on A ng el G on zales. B y t he t im e D on A ng el r et ur ns t o M azat lan, n o

d ou bt h e w il l b e l egi ti ma te i n- t he e ye s of t he l aw .

Do n A ng el g ai ned m uch r es pect i n t he eyes o f t he h id al gi da, h er eabo ut s, w hen h e r ef us ed t o

a cc om pa ny m e b ac k s ou th . H is d ec is io n t o c ar ry o ut t he o rd er s o f D on

H um ber to , d es pi te h is el ev at i on , and s ee y ou s afely t o y ou r d es t in at io n w as b ot h p ro per and h on or abl e.

He wi ll ma ke a good c ab dl er o . . . a nd o ur P our K ingdo ms s ta nd a lwa ys m uc h i n n ee d o f s uc h m en.

I n all t im es , all l an ds and amo ng all p eo pl es , m il it ar y o per at io ns v er y s el do m p ro ceed o n s ch ed ul e, and

t he n or th er n mo st k in gd om o f t he F ou r M ex ic os , c ir ca 2 55 0 a .d ., p ro ve d n o e xc ep ti on t o t he n or m. T hel as t con ti ng en t o f r ep lacem en ts f or t he f or tr es s o n t he R io G rand e m ar ch ed i nt o C iu dad C hi hu ah ua t wo

f ul l w eeks aft er t heir s up po sed d at e o f d ep ar tu re f ro m t hat ci ty and y et ano th er f or tn ig ht elaps ed b ef or e

t he col um n f in al ly f or med u p j us t b ey on d t he n or th g at e o f t he cit y and , w it h b ri ll iant ly clad and equ ip ped

h id al go o ff ic er s o n g lo ss y, p ra nc in g h or se s i n t he l ea d, f ol l ow ed b y a t ro op o f l an ce rs a nd o ne o f

d rago on s, t hr ee h un dr ed p ik em en and cr os sb ow men m ar ch in g t o t he b eat o f t heir m as s ed d ru ms , a l on g,

r um bl in g t ra in o f he av y w ag on s a nd a f in al t ro op o f l an ce rs , t he y w er e o n t he r oa d.

Ca pi ta n D on J or ge d e l as T or re s w as p le as ed a nd f la tt er ed w it h h is g ue st s- on e a n ew -m ad e c ab al le ro o f

a bo ut h is o wn a ge a nd t he o th er a s om ew ha t m ys te ri ou s f or ei gn n ob le ma n. H e a nd h is l an ce rs e sc or te d

t he se c on vo ys t hr ee o r f ou r t im es e ac h y ea r a nd , a ft er t he f ir st y ea r o r s o, t he y b ec am e b or in g, r ou ti neand t ed io us . T herefo re, h e eag er ly ant icip at ed t hi s n ov el element add ed t o t he j ou rn ey .

T he re w as s el do m e ve n t he b ri ef e xc it em en t o f a r ai d o r a n a mb us h. F or a ll t ha t t he b ar re n l an d t hr ou gh

w hi ch t hey p as sed s warm ed w it h r uf fi an s o f every d es cr ip ti on and f or all t hat i t w as w el l k no wn t hat

amo ng h is w ag on s w as t he t hr ee-m on th p ay ro ll o f t he n or th er n g ar ri so n and t hat o f t he g ov ern ment

o ff icials o f t he s is ter- ci ti es , n ot t o m en ti on s to ck s o f f oo d, w in es , clo th in g, equ ip ment and s peci al

consignments of luxury-items, few banditti were willing to take on three hundred infantry and nearly a

hundred horsemen.

T he c ap ta in w as n ot a b or n h id al go , t ho ug h h e h ad l uc ke d i nt o a m ar ri ag e w it h a b or n h id al ga , s o h is

c hi ld re n w ou ld a ll b e h er ed it ar y n ob le s; h e h ad b ec om e a c ab al le ro i n t he s am e w ay a s h ad

A ng el -w el l- wi tn es sed b ravery d ur in g t he w ar s w hi ch h ad end ed t he b ri ef s eces si on o f t he K in gd om o f

Y uc a ta n s om e t we nt y y ea rs e ar li er . H e k ne w t ha t h e p ro ba bl y w ou ld d ie s ti ll a c ap ta in , a s h e c ou ld



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n ev er s ee m t o a cc um u la te t he f un ds n ec es sa ry t o p ur ch as e a h ig he r r an k, n ot w it h a h ou se ho ld t o

m ai nt ai n, s on s t o a rm a nd o ut fi t a nd d au gh te rs t o d ec en tl y d ow er . B ut s ol di er in g w as t he o nl y t ra de h e

ow ne d a nd he h ad n o o pt ion bu t t o p ur su e i t.

H is t as te a nd m ea ge r p ur se d id n ot r un t o f in e b ra nd ie s, b ut r at he r t o r aw t eq ui la a nd m es ca l, t ho ug h h e

w as u ns ti nt in gl y l av is h t o h is g uest s and o ff icer s w it h w hat l it tl e h e d id h av e. H e and D on A ng el s eemed

cut o f t he s am e b ol t- th ey t ho ug ht s im il ar ly abo ut alm os t all t op ics, t hey s po ke t he s am e l an gu ag e and b ot hw er e m or e t han a l it tl e w ar y o f t he y ou ng h id al go s w ho w er e D on J or ges l ieut en an ts -s o t hey q ui ck ly

became fast friends.

T he w in di ng r oad acr os s t he d es er t- bl is teri ng ly h ot b y d ay , b it terl y col d b y n ig ht -m easu red alm os t f iv e

h un dr ed k il om et er s f ro m t he n or th g at e o f C iu dad C hi hu ah ua t o t he s ou th g at e o f C iu dad J uarez, u su al ly

a t wo -w eek j ou rn ey . B ut t hi s t ri p p ro ved any th in g b ut u su al .

Thr ee da ys out , a wa gon a xl e br oke j us t a s t he da y s m ar ch wa s c omm enc ing. T he n t he a xl es of t wo

m or e g av e w ay t hat aft er no on . N or w as t here any th in g f or i t b ut t o h al t t he ent ir e col um n w hi le s weat in g,

blaspheming drivers and infantrymen offloaded the vehicles, jacked them up and set about fitting on sparea xl es . W hi le o ne o f t he a ft er no on c re ws w as g at he ri ng f la tt is h r oc ks t o h el p b ra ce t he j ac k, a s er ge an t o f

i nf an tr y w as b it ten i n t he cheek b y a h ug e r at tl es nake and d ied w it hi n m in ut es o f f ear- in du ced h eart

f ai lu re. A nd t hat d ay w as o nl y t he b eg in ni ng .

T wo d ay s f ur th er o n, t he p oi nt g al lo pe d b ac k t o r ep or t t he d is co ve ry o f a b at tl ef ie ld .W it h D on M ay lo,

D on A ng el a nd h is h an df ul o f l an ce rs , p lu s a c ou pl e o f s qu ad s o f h is o wn , C ap ta in d e l as T or re s f ol lo we d

t he p oi nt b ac k t o w he re t he o th er s co ut s w ai te d.

T he s ig ht w as g ri m e no ug h. T he b ar e- pi ck ed b on es o f a t l ea st t hi rt y m en a nd a d oz en h or se s l ay i n a nd

a ro un d a s ha l lo w d ep re ss io n. N o w ea po ns , e qu ip me nt o f m an o r h or se o r e ve n b oo ts w er e l ef t, b ut

s uch b it s o f s tai ned, r agg ed , s un bl eached cl ot h as r em ai ned cau sed t he b an dy -l egg ed cap tai n t o f r ow n,s qu in t and p ur se h is chapp ed l ip s.

La nc er s a nd d ra go on s, a m ix ed t ro op o f t he m, h e s ai d s of tl y t o D on s M ay lo a nd A ng el a nd t he

l ieut en an t o f s co ut s, D on E st eb an . Ei th er f ro m L a F or teleza o r f ro m F uert e M ed ia, s ur el y, b ut i n eit her

c as e, w hy i n h el l w er e t he y b ou nd s ou th? To m ee t u s? Wh y?

B ut t he g ri nn in g s ku ll s abo ut h is f eet cou ld g iv e n o ans wer.

T he col um n s m ar ch in g o rd er w as i mm ed iately t ig ht en ed and v an - and r ear- gu ar ds w er e r ei nf or ced, t wo

e ch el on s o f f la nk r id er s w er e s et o ut t o p ac e t he a dv an ce , i nf an tr y m ar ch ed a nd c av al ry r od e i n f ul l g ea r w it h r eady w eapo ns . T he p er im et er s o f n ig ht cam ps w er e t ig ht ly p at ro ll ed b y alert s en tr ies w al ki ng

o verl ap pi ng p os ts . B ut t he t rain r each ed t he h al fw ay p oi nt , F uert e M ed ia, w it ho ut i ncid en t.

T he l ow , ado be h ou ses s ur ro un di ng t he d es er t f or t w er e al m os t d es er ted, all t he i nh ab it an ts b ei ng

packed within the strong walls, apparently with all their livestock and personal possessions. No room

r ema ine d fo r t he wa gon s a nd hor se s or e ve n f or mor e t ha n a ba re ha ndf ul of t he m en of t he c ol umn, s o

C ap tain d e l as T or res d is gu st ed ly b il leted b ot h m en and ani mals i n t he emp ty h om es , b lo ck ed t he o ne

s tr ee t a nd t he i nt er st ic es b et we en t he h ou se s w it h h is w ag on s a nd o rd er ed a s tr on g g ua rd w hi le h e w en t

t o con fer w it h t he f or t com m an der.

With the formalities completed amid a chorus of chattering men and women, screaming, scurrying

chi ld ren, t he ceaseless l ow in g o f cat tl e, t he b ar ki ng o f d og s and t he h ub bu b att en d in g t he s ud den

o ns laug ht o f o ne b ur ro s tall io n again st an ot her, C ap tain J uan A lv ar ez l ed h is t hr ee v is it or s t o h is o ff ice,



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wh er e a r eddi sh he n s at i n t he m iddl e of hi s c lu tt er ed de sk. W it h a wa ve o f a s hor t, pud gy a rm, t he

com mand er s en t t he f ow l f lu tt er in g and s co ld in g o ut t he w in do w, l eavi ng a b ro wn egg b eh in d.

W hen all h ad b een s eated and s er ved w it h h al f- li ter m ug s o f t ep id p ul qu e, t he s ho rt , s to ut , f lo ri d i nf an tr y

o ff icer g av e w hat l it tl e i nf or mati on h e h ad , m os t o f i t s econ dh an d.

It w as a f or tn ig ht a go , D on J or ge , t ha t M aj or D on V ic en te r od e s ou th w it h h is m ix ed t ro op , a ll t ha tw er e l ef t, h e averr ed , o f t he cav al ry con ti ng en ts o f L a F or taleza.

A l it tl e o ve r a t ro op ? s na pp ed D on J or ge , i nc re du lo us ly . Ou t o f s ix t ro op s o f l an ce rs a nd t wo o f

dragoons?

A lv ar ez j us t s hr ug ged h is s ho ul ders , s pr eadi ng h is h an ds , p al ms u pw ar d, o ver h is b ul gi ng b el ly . Seno r, I

r el at e onl y t ha t wh ic h wa s t ol d t o m e. Do n Vi nc ent e s ai d t ha t t he pe op le s of t he w as te s h ad ba nde d

t og et he r a nd w er e a tt ac ki ng a ny on e w ho t ri ed t o e it he r e nt er o r l ea ve t he c it ie s o r t he f or tr es s. W or se ,

t hey w er e creep in g u nd er t he v er y w al ls b y n ig ht , l oo si ng f ir e- ar ro ws i nt o t he cit ies o r k il li ng t he w al l

gu ar ds a nd s ca li ng t he w al ls t o l oo t a nd r ap e a nd m ur de r, t o s et f ir es a nd de st roy f ood s to ck s.

T he com mand er r ai sed h is m ug and g ul ped n oi si ly , t hen w en t o n. In t he b eg in ni ng , l an cers w er e

d is pa tc he d e ve ry t im e t he se o ut ra ge s o cc ur re d, b ut l os se s w er e s o h ea vy , w ha t w it h a mb us he s i n t he

d ar k, t hat t he C om mand an te f or bade any m or e n ig ht p at ro ls , n o m at ter h ow s er io us t he m at t er . I ns tead,

h e s en t i nf an tr ym en t o r ei nf or ce t he w al l- and g at e- gu ar ds .

D o n J o rg e n od ded .Th e w is es t d ecis io n, o f cou rs e. B ut h ow , b y t he f ou r- an d- tw en ty b al ls o f t he T welv e

A po st les, cou ld o ver t hr ee h un dr ed cav al ry h av e b een l os t i n a f ew p id d li ng s ki rm is hes?

T he y w er e n ot s o l os t, D on J or ge , s ta te d A lv ar ez . Th ey w er e k il le d i n a b at tl e. R ai de rs h ad g ot te n

i nt o t he n or th er n c it y o ne n ig ht a nd o pe ne d t he n or th g at e t o a dm it s co re s o f t he ir i lk ; t he g ua rd s h adf ou gh t all n ig ht l on g t o h ol d t he cit a del and t he w al l t ow er s, p er fo rce l eavi ng t he p oo r cit izen s t o t heir

t er ri bl e f at es a t t he b lo od y h an ds o f t he b ar ba ri an b ut ch er s.

Wi th t he d aw n, t he br az en s wi ne c om me nc ed t o t ro op o ut o f t he b la zi ng c it y, l ad en w it h l oo t of e ve ry

d es cr ip ti on , m ul es , h or ses and l iv es to ck and even f em al e cap ti ves. W hen t hi s d read fu l s ig ht w as s een

t hr ou gh l on g- gl as ses f ro m t he w al ls o f t he f or tr es s, t he C om mand an te h im self h ad all o f t he cav al ry

a ss em bl ed a nd l ed t he m o ut i n p ur su it o f t he r ea ve rs .

T he f at o ff ic er s v oi ce d ro pp ed a lm os t t o a w hi sp er . Wi th in s ig ht o f t he f or tr es s, a t ho us an d o r m or e

m en r os e u p f ro m h id in g p laces o r r od e o ut o f arr oy os and com pl et el y s ur ro un ded t he C om mand an tea nd h is m en , p ie rc in g d oz en s, s co re s w it h c lo ud s o f a rr ow s, l ik e f is h i n a b ar re l, b ef or e c lo s in g w it h

l an ce s, s pe ar s, s ab er s a nd a xe s.

Th ree o ff icer s and t went y- ni ne m en f ou gh t t heir w ay b ack t o w here t he w al l archers i n t he f or tr es s

c ou ld c ov er t he m, a nd t ho se w er e t he m en c om ma nd ed b y M aj or D on V ic en te w he n h e p as se d t hr ou gh

h er e, b ou nd t o r ep or t t he d is as te r t o E l D uq ue -G ra nd e a t C iu da d C hi hu ah ua . T he g oo d G od r es t h is

s ou l, h e w as a g al lant cab al lero . T he f at m an s ig ned h im s el f, r ev er en tl y.

C ap ta in d e l as T or re s a nd D on A ng el a ls o c ro ss ed t he m se lv es , t he n t he c ap ta in a sk ed , An d t ha t i s t he

r ea so n w hy y ou r f or t i s s o o ve rc ro wd ed , e h?

T he com mand er h ad again b een app ly in g h im self t o t he m ug o f p ul qu e. H ur ri ed ly l ow er in g i t, h e s ho ok

h is h ead v ig o ro us ly . No , D on J or ge, t he n ig ht aft er D on V icen te and h is m en h ad r id den o nw ar d, many ,



17/138

m an y f ir es w er e s ee n i n t he h il ls t o t he n or th we st . T he n ex t m or ni ng , s ev er al s co re s o f r id er s w er e s ee n

no m or e t ha n a h al f mi le a wa y, r id in g s out h. Th at w as wh en I f el t i t w ou ld b e be st i f t he f am il ie s of m y

g ar ri so n and t he o th er f ol k o f t he v il lage cam e w it hi n t he f or t.

An d t he se h om br es , w he n d id t he y r id e b ac k? d em an de d C ap ta in J or ge .

Fo r a ll t ha t a ny o f u s k no ws , r ep li ed t he p lu mp o ff ic er , th e b as ta rd os a re s ti ll i n t he s ou th , o r o ut t he rein the hills.

C ap ta in d e l as T or re s s t on e b et ok en ed b ot h e xa sp er at io n a nd d is gu st . Yo u h av e n ot a t l ea st s co ut ed

out the flanking hills, Captain Alvarez?

T he o ff ic er l ea ne d a s f ar o ve r h is d es k a s h is b el ly w ou ld p er mi t. Ca pt ai n D on J or ge , a s y ou k no w, m y

g ar ri so n i n cl ud es o ne s qu ad o f l an ce rs . W ha t c ou ld t en m en d o a ga in st s o m an y? C al l m e c ow ar d i f y ou

w il l, b ut I t ho ug ht i t b et ter t o s im pl y w ai t, w it ho ut r is ki ng m y m en s l iv es , u nt il eit her y ou r t rain o r a r el ief

column from Ciudad Chihuahua reached us.

C ap ta in d e l as T or re s s ig he d. No , I l l n ot n am e y ou c ow a rd , o ve rc au ti ou s, p er ha ps ,b ut . . . h el l, w ho

c an s ay w ha t I mi ght ha ve don e i n your pl ac e. W el l, a ss ign a m an of your s qua d to e ac h of my pa tr ol s

a nd I l l h av e t he h il ls s co ut ed o ut t od ay .F or t om or ro w, h mm m. H e s at f or a m om ent o r t wo p ul li ng a t h is

s pa de b ea rd . I t hi nk i t m ig ht b e be tt er i f y ou , y ou r g ar ri so n a nd a ll t he se c iv il ia ns m ar ch ed o n t o L a

F or ta le za w it h m y c ol um n. A f or ce o f ho st il e m en a s l ar ge a s t ha t m en ti on ed b y t he l at e D on V ic en te

c oul d o ve rr un t hi s d un ghe ap w it hi n ho ur s. Y ou ll a ll b e s af er , a nd y ou r t ro op s w il l b e o f m or e v al ue , a t L a

F or taleza, t han h ud dl in g h er e, s o o vercro wd ed t hat y ou l l l ik el y all d ie o f a f ev er i f t he enemy d oesn t g et

you first.

La te r, a s t he c apt ai n, D on s Ma yl o a nd An ge l a nd t wo of de l as T or re s s l ie ut ena nt s s at a bou t a r ou nd ,

k ni fe-s carr ed t ab le i n t he m ai n r oo m o f w hat h ad b een t he v il lage can ti na, n ow r eq ui si ti on ed f or t heir h eadq uart er s, t he t ram com m an der s tated b lu nt ly , Th is w ho le b us in es s i s s o f an tast ic as t o s mack o f

d ow nr ig ht i mp os si bi li ty -s av e t hat I v e k no wn F at J uani to f or m an y a y ear and , w hi le h e h as m an y v ices ,

l yi ng i s n ot o ne of t he m. B ut a ll t he s ame , ne ve r w it hi n t he me mo ry of m an h ave t he r if fr af f, b and it s a nd

s ku lk er s com b in ed i nt o a f or ce o f s uch n um bers . U su al ly , t hey s pend m or e t im e f ig ht in g each o th er t han

t he y d o a tt em pt in g t o p re y o n u s, o n o ur c ol um ns . A nd t o a tt ac k w al le d c it ie s a nd a r ei nf or ce d s qu ad ro n

i n o pe n b at tl e, s uc h a t hi ng w ou ld b e c al le dan imposs ibilit y b y a ny o ff ic er w ho h ea rd o f i t. Y et , w e a ll

know t ha t t hey . . . tha t s ome one wi ped out a t roop, a t l eas t.

We c ou ld , o f c ou rs e, g o b ac k t o C iu da d C hi hu ah ua a nd m ar ch b ac k w it h a r el ie f c ol um n, b ut i t i s

probable that our men and our supplies are now desperately needed by the folk to the north. Possiblya no th er o ff ic er m ig ht d ec id e i t b es t t o s ta y h er e, a t F ue rt e M ed ia , s en d d is pa tc h r id er s b ac k t o C iu da d

C hi hu ah ua a nd h op e f or t he b es t; b ut I f ee l t ha t t hi s p la ce i s n ow u nt en ab le , f or m an y r ea so ns .

No , s en or es , i t i s m y i nt en ti on t hat w e m ar ch n or th i n t he m or ni ng , w it h C ap tain A lv ar ezs g ar ri so n and

t heir d ep en d en ts , all s up pl ies and m il it ar y m at er iel and s uch s to ck as can eas il y b e t rans po rt ed o r d ri ven.

T hi s i s m y d ecis io n. H ow ev er , I am alw ay s o pen t o s ug gest io n.

So s ay ing , he l ea ne d ba ck i n a c re ak y c ha ir a nd s ip pe d a t a m ea su re of me sc al , hi s bl ac k e ye s r ovi ng

f ro m o ne t o t he o th er o f h is c om pa ni on s.

T en ient e G rego ri o, s lend er , f op pi sh and alw ay s k eenl y con s ci ou s t hat h e w as an h id al go -D on M ay lo s

clear es t r ecol lec ti on o f t he eig ht een- year -o ld j un io r o ff icer d ur in g t he m ar ch w as o f h is t wo -d ay s ul k

a ft er C ap ta in d e l as T or re s c ou nt er m an de d h is o rd er t o h av e t he m en l ab or in g t o r ep ai r t he w ag o ns



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w hi pp ed i n o rd er t o s pe ed t he ir p ro gr es s- li sp ed , Ca pi ta n, I a gr ee t ha t w e s ho ul d t ak e m os t o f t he

g ar ri so n o f t he f uert e, b ut w hy s ho ul d w e b ur den o ur selv es w it h t hi s u sel es s g ag gl e o f w om en , chi ld ren,

pigs and chickens? They probably lack decent transport and will slow our advance to a crawl, robbing us

of such little maneuverability as we now have.

De l as T or res s et d ow n h is cup let and l eaned f or ward . Teni en te, even w it h y ou r l im it ed m il it ar y

exp er ience, y ou m us t b e aware t hat F uert e M ed ia w ou ld n ot w it hs tand any r eall y d et er mi ned enemy f or ada y, e ve n w it h a f ul l ga rr is on. For us t o s tr ip t he b es t pa rt of t he ga rr is on a nd t he n ma rc h a wa y w oul d be

t o c onde mn t hos e l ef t be hi nd t o t he un ce rt ai n m er ci es of a n e ne my, a nd I , f or on e, c oul d not do s o e ol dl y

cal lo us a t hi ng . B es id es , j us t h ow d ep en dabl e w ou ld o ur i mp ress ed t ro op s b e, k no wi ng t hat t heir f am il ies

h ad b een l ef t b eh in d u np ro tect ed , eh?

Teniente Gregorios handsome face twisted as if to spit out something distasteful. PahlThe Capitan

s ho ul d h av e b ee n a p ri es t. S uc h s of t s en ti me nt al it y i s n ot f or s ol di er s. H e l oo ke d a t t he o th er m en f or

a pp ro va l. D on M ay lo s f ac e w as a bl an k, D on A ng el l oo ke d c oo l a nd w ar y, t he o th er j un io r o f fi ce r,

h ow ev er , all ow ed t he g ho st o f a s mi le t o f li t m om en tar il y o ver h is f ul l l ip s, and t hi s w as eno ug h t o f uel

further remarks from Gregorio.

Besi des, t hese s o- cal led s ol di ers , f ro m t hen- g ro ss com m an der o n d ow nw ar d, are n ot hi ng b ut i gn or an t

peones. They will fight when told to, or the gibbet and the whip will reward their insubordination. Were

y ou w is e, y ou d l ea ve o ld C ap it an d e P ue rc o b eh in d. H e s t oo f at t o m ar ch , a nd n o d ou bt h e d q ui ck ly

w ea r o ut a h or se . H e g ri nn ed .

D e l as T or res d id n ot g ri n. T he o th er l ieut en an t t oo k o ne l oo k at t hat g lo weri ng cou nt en an ce, s hi vered

and app li ed h im s el f t o h is t ip pl e.

Teni en te G rego ri o, g rated t he capt ai n f ro m b et ween clenched t eeth , has t reat ed u s all t o t he

philosophy gleaned of his vast experience at soldiering. Just how long have you been in uniform, Teniente,all of six months?Eight? An entire year!

Kno w y ou t hi s, y ou po mp ou s p up py , t he m an y ou n am e pi g i s, f or a ll h is r ec en t g ai n o f gi rt h, m or e

m an t han y ou l ik el y w il l l iv e t o b e. J uan A lv ar ez w as f ig ht in g i n Y ucat an w hen y ou k new n ot eno ug h t o

w ip e t he m il k- in w hi ch , I p is s! -o f y ou r m ot her f ro m y ou r m ou th .

T he y ou ng f op k no ck ed o ve r h is c ha ir , s to od o n h is s pr ea d f ee t, h is h an d u po n h is s ab er hi lt , h is f ac e

c ri ms on . I. .. I l l n ot t ak e s uc h f ro m l ow bo rn s cu m l ik e y ou , d e l as T or re s. D ra w y ou r b la de !

A l az y s mi le o n h is l ip s, d e l as T or re s a ro se a nd l if te d t he b al dr ic s up po rt in g h is s ca bb ar de d b ro ad sw or do ve r h is h ea d. Te ni en te P at ri ci o, y ou r s ab er , p ar f av or . M y g oo d s wo rd i s b ot h l on ge r a nd h ea vi er t ha n

m os t s ab er s, a nd I w ou ld n ot h av e m en s ay t ha t I t oo k u nf ai r a dv an ta ge o f o ur e xq ui si te a nd

h ot -t em pe re d y ou ng c om pa ne ro . S o, t ak e y ou m y w ea po n i n e xc ha ng e, a nd b ar a nd g ua rd t he d oo r.

D e l as T or re s t oo k t he h il t o f t he s ab er i n h is b ig , ho rn y h an d, q ui ck ly f ou nd i ts ba la nc e a nd s wu ng i t

e xp er im en ta ll y a f ew t im es , t he n t es te d v ar io us a re as o f t he k ee n e dg e o n a c al lo us ed t hu mb , b ef or e

r el easi ng t he h il t l on g eno ug h t o f it t he s ab er -k no t aro un d h is w ri st w it h g reat car e.

At t hi s l as t, t he i mp at ient ly w ai ti ng G rego ri o b ar ked a h ar sh , s co rn fu l l au gh . Dear C ap it an , d o y ou f ear

t hat y ou r clu ms y, p eo n s p aw w il l l os e i ts g ri p?

Do n t t ry t o t each y ou r g rand mo th er h ow t o s uck egg s, m ut tered t he cap tain , s cu ff in g h is b oo ts ol es i n

t he s tr aw on t he f loor . Th en, to Don s M ayl o a nd Ange l: Thi s is no c onc er n o f your s, s enor es . I t i s a



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m at ter o f d is ci pl in e i n m y com mand . A nd u nl es s I m is s m y g uess , i t b ears o vert on es o f class con fl ict and

personal animosity on the part of el rey de los maricdnes, yonder.

H is f ac e w or ki ng w it h r ag e, t he y ou ng er m an s ta mp ed f or w ar d, h is s ab er b la de s we pt d ow nw ar d i n a

bluish blur; but the captain simply sidestepped and the edge rang on the stone-hard dirt floor. De las

T or re s c ou ld e as il y h av e s la in t he r ag in g o ff ic er t he n, a nd a ll p re se nt k ne w i t. A ll h e d id , h ow e ve r, w as

t o s ink l es s t ha n a n i nc h o f bl ad e i nt o t he t en ie nt e s f la t b ut to ck .

Pu pp y, m in e, h e l au gh ed , mast er y o f t he l ig ht s wo rd d oes n ot aut om at ical ly con fer m as tery o f t he

s ab er o r t he b ro ad sw or d, y ou k no w.

H ur li ng h is b la de a bo ut i n a w id e s wi ng a t h is t or me nt or , t he y ou ng m an s wa ye d, o ff ba la nc e, w he n t ha t

r ag e- dr iv en s wi ng again f ai led t o con nect . A nd , again , h is o pp on en t d el ib eratel y p as sed u p a chance t o

end t he d uel i n a p er manent and d eadl y m an ner, o nl y p ri ck in g t he t en ient e s o th er b ut t ock.

Ba se bo rn p eo n c ow ar d! s na rl ed t he y ou ng h id al go . Wh y d o y ou r un a wa y? A g en tl em an o r a r ea l

m an o f a ny k in d w ou ld s ta nd a nd f ig ht , b la de t o b la de .

The captain only smiled his infuriating smile of condescension. What would you know of fighting,

puppy? By the way you handleyours, one unknowing would think a saber was used for sickling grain or

chopping wood.

R ecov er in g h is b al an ce at l as t, t he s lend er y ou th s tamp ed f or ward and l un ged at t he cap tain s l ow er

belly and crotch. The middle-aged officer, still smiling, sidestepped yet again and, rather than sinking his

blade into the exposed body, flicked a quarter-inch off the top rim of an ear with a twist of the wrist.

No r, pup py, i s t he s abe r us ed f or s pe ar ing f is h, h e a d moni she d, i n s uc h t on e a s mi ght be us ed t o a

backward child. Then, more conversationally, To allow your anger to surface in a sword fight-or in anyo th er k in d o f f ig ht , f or t hat m at t er -i s t o d ri ve r easo n and element ar y cau ti on f ro m t he m in d . .. u su al ly ,

just a few moments before life leaves the body.

A ll a t o nc e, t he t en ie nt e m ad e a s i f t o t hr us t a ga in , t he n a br up tl y c ha ng ed t he m ov em en t t o a b ac kh an de d

u pw ar d s la sh a t t he c ap ta in s c hi n a nd t hr oa t F or t he f ir st t im e, t he n- tw o b la de s m et i n a r in gi ng c la ng or

a s d e l as T or re s be at d ow n t he op po si ng s ab er .

H is s mi le w as n o l on ge r m oc ki ng a nd h is v oi ce n ot q ui te s o b an te ri ng . No w, G re go ri o, t ha t w as b et te r.

Y ou r e b egi nn in g t o l et yo ur m in d f ig ht , a s w el l a s y ou r b od y. H e d id n ot p ink hi s f oe , t hi s t im e.

F or t en m in ut es m or e, t he cap tain p ar ri ed i ncreas in gl y s hr ew d l un ges, t hr us ts and cut s and s lash es ,

alw ay s o n t he d e fens iv e, n ev er u si ng h is o bv io us o pp or tu ni ti es t o m ai m o r k il l t he y ou ng er m an .

F in al ly , w hen t he t en ient e w as p an ti ng , g as pi ng , s tr eaked and s oaked w it h s weat, and h is s wo rd wo rk

w as b ec om e s lo we r a nd l es s a cc ur at e, t he c ap ta in p ut a q ui ck e nd t o i t b y s en di ng t he t en ie nt e s b la de

f ly in g o ut o f t he t ir ed , s lack en ed g ri p, t o clatt er i nt o a cor ner. T en ient e G rego ri o, s ud denl y w hi te as f resh

curds, fumbled off his soft, velvet cap with one trembling hand while signing himself with the other, then

h e s to od i mm ob il e, h is l ip s m ov in g i n h is f in al p rayers and h is eyes f ix ed u po n t he g leam in g b lade i n h is

captains hand.

T he c ap ta in g ri nn ed . No w, y ou ng s ir , y ou c an a pp re ci at e t he v al ue o f t he s ab er -k no t, e h? B ut s to p

troubling the saints,Gregorio, I have no intention of killing you today.



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Bu t. .. I w ou ld v e m ea nt t o . .. k il l. . .you . . . C ap i ta n, p an te d t he j un io r o ff ic er .

T he s mi le b ec am e g en tl e. Th er e n ev er w as a ny d an ge r o f t ha t, l ad . I w as a s ab er -m as te r b ef or e y ou

w er e bor n. Y ou s ee , e ve n we c amp es in os c an m as te r t he s wor d i t yo u t ake us e ar ly e noug h a nd gi ve us

good, patient teachers.

T he y ou ng m an s g az e d ro pp ed a nd h is p al e f ac e r ed de ne d a ga in . I. .. I s ho ul d n ot h av e . .. I i ns ul te dy ou , C ap it an , a nd y ou . .. n o m an ha s c on tr ol o f h is bi rt h. I s ho ul db e . . . S ho ul d I c ons id er m ys el f u nd er

arrest for my insubordination?

D e l as T or re s s te pp ed f or wa rd a nd t hr ew h is l ef t a rm a bo ut t he y ou ng o ff ic er s s ho ul de rs i n a

bone-cracking hug. Lord love you, no, lad! Well likely have to fight our way up to La Fortaleza and Ill

ne ed e ve ry s word, l ance a nd bow. You go ba ck t her e t o the we ll a nd dr aw up a buc ket or two of wa te r

a nd w as h y ou rs el f. W e d on t w an t t he m en t o t hi nk w e ve b ee n f ig ht in g a mo ng o ur se lv es , d o w e? B ad ,

v er y b ad , f or t heir m or al e, y ou k no w.

W he n t he t wo t en ie nt es h ad l ef t, t he o ne t o h el p t he o th er , d e l as T or re s m op pe d h is o wn s li gh tl y d am pbrow, whuuffed a couple of times, then downed the rest of his cup of mescal, before addressing the

f or ei gn C on de and D on A ng el .

I t s a n o ld s to ry , s en or es . T he se l ad s c om e i nt o m y c om m an d t hi nk in g t ha t b ec au se t he y a re b or n t o

t he h id al gi da t he ir du ng do es n ts tink t he s am e a s a ny o th er m an s . O ne s es si on o f s ab er s b ro ug ht t hi s o ne

d ow n t o s iz e. S om et im es i t t ak es t wo o r e ve n t hr ee . O cc as io na ll y, G od h el p m e, I h av e t o k il l o ne .

D on A ng el s b ro w w ri nk led. Is t here n ot d an ger i n k il li ng t he s on s o fh om br es r i co s , D on J o rg e?E ven

f or o ne o f y ou r r an k?

No t r eall y, D on A ng el , n o, ans wered t he cap tain , s o berl y. Bo th arm y and E mp ir e v al ue m y s er vi ces.M in e i s b as ic al ly a s ea so ni ng c om ma nd , b ot h f or t ro op er s a nd o f fi ce rs , a nd I t ur n o ut a g oo d p ro du ct , a

fact well-known to those in authority.

D on E st eb an F er nand ez w as , as h is cap tain s chi ld ren w ou ld b e, b al f- hi dalg o, s on o fan h id al ga m ot her

a nd a c om m on er f at he r w ho h ad b ee n k ni gh te d t hi rt y y ea rs b ef or e.

H e w as a s en io r l ieut en an t, i n h is ear ly t went ies, d e l as T or res s execu ti ve o ff icer and h is o nl y o ff icer w it h

c om ba t e xp er ie nc e. D ur in g m os t o f t he m ar ch u p f ro m t he s ou th , h e h ad c om m an de d t he s co ut s a nd , a t

d e l as T or re s s o rd er , h ad h ea de d t he p at ro ls o f t he h il ls s ur ro un di ng F ue rt e M ed ia .

T he b ro ad -s ho ul der ed y ou ng m an s t ro de i nt o t he t em po rar y h eadq uar ter s, cov er ed w it h d us t and

s ti nk in g o f m an -s weat and h or se-s weat Af ter s ketchi ng t he b ri ef es t o f s al ut es , h e s an k i nt o o ne o f t he

chair s and , i gn or in g t he cup s, d rank l on g and d eepl y f ro m o ne o f t he b ot tl es , b ef or e com mencin g h is

r ep or t i n a t ir ed v oi ce .

Ca pit an, t he re a re no ba ndidos wi thi n t wo mi le s on a ny fl ank of t hef ue rt e. . . . No t n ow , bu t t he y ha ve

been damned recently. There were two camps, one to the east and one to the west, a total for both of

e ig ht y t o o ne h un dr ed m ou nt ed m en , p lu s t we nt y o r t hi rt y h ea d o f s pa re h or se s, p os si bl y a s ma ll r em ud a,

possibly pack animals.

Or p os si bl y, p ut i n t he cap tain , th os e h or ses o f D on V icen tes com mand n ot k il led i n t he m as sacr e.

T he d us ty o ff icer n od ded o nce, b ru sq uely ,t hen w en t o n. Th ey cam ped t here at l east a w eek, l iv in g



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m os tl y on w il d g am e f ro m t he l oo ks o f i t, b ut t he y m us t ve b ro ug ht t he ir o wn w at er , b ec au se w e c ou ld

f in d n o s pr in gs o r w el ls u p t here. T hey m ov ed o ut , n or th , eit her l as t n ig ht o r ear ly t hi s m or ni ng , m er gi ng

i nt o a s in gl e col um n j us t o ut o f s ig ht o f t he f uert e.

De l as T or re s n od de d. Th en t he y ll b e w ai ti ng f or u s, u p a he ad , s om ew he re . T he re w er e n o t ra ck s

leading back south, Esteban?

L o weri ng t he b ot tl e f ro m h is l ip s, t he o ff icer s ig hed. No , C ap it an , I check ed car ef ul ly . A ll t he m al di to s

rode north.

T he c ap ta in n od de d a ga in . A c le ar m es sa ge , t he n. I f w e t ur n a bo ut , w e ll b e a ll ow ed t o g o i n p ea ce . I f

w e m ar ch o n t ow ar d L a F or ta le za , w e ll h av e t o f ig ht A ll r ig ht , E st eb an , c ho os e f ou r m en w ho k no w t he

c ou n tr y, p ut t he m u p o n t he b es t a nd f re sh es t h or se s y ou c an f in d. G iv e t he m b ot h w ri tt en a nd o ra l

m es sages t o t he D uq ue-G rand e, t el li ng h is g race w hat h as o ccur red w it h o ur col um n, w hat C ap it an J uan

t ol d of a nd wh at I i nt en d. Se nd t he m out i n t wos ; i f t he y a re a tt ac ke d, one i s t o s ta y a nd f ight , o ne i s t o

ride on.Comprendes?

T en ient e G rego ri o h ad b een r ig ht abo ut o ne t hi ng . T he ad di ti on o f t he d ep en dent s and o th er civ il ians t o

t he c ol um n s lo we d t he m ar ch t o a s na il s p ac e, a nd k ee pi ng t he h et er og en ou s e le me nt s c lo se d u p t o a

d ef en si bl e u ni t w as a c on st an t a nd n er ve -f ra yi ng t as k f or t he o ff ic er s a nd n on co ms . B ut i t w as d on e. T he

s co ut s o ft en r ep or ted f resh s ig n and o ccas io nal s ig ht in gs o f d is tant r id er s, b ut t hey w er e all ow ed t o

proceed for more than a week without interference from the enemy.

I t w as d ur in g an u no ff icial con ference i n h is t en t, t he n in th n ig ht o ut o f F uert e M ed ia, t hat C ap it an D on

J or ge t ol d h is a ss em bl ed s ta ff a nd g ue st s, Se no re s, D on E st eb an a nd I d is c us se d a m at te r t hi s

a ft er noo n w it h s ev er al o f t he l an ce rs f ro m t he c om ma nd o f C ap it al A lv ar ez a nd w e n ow t hi nk w e k no w

w ha t t he se b as ta rd os a re u p t o, w he re t he y l ik el y i nt en d t o h it u s. If you ge nt le me n wi ll he lp t o a nc hor

this.

T ak in g a t ig ht ly r ol le d p ar ch me nt m ap f ro m i ts c as e o f o il ed l ea th er , h e s pr ea d i t o ut o n t he c am p t ab le .

We a re h er e. H e u se d h is l on g d ir k f or a p oi nt er . To mo rr ow m or n in g w e s ho ul d p as s t hr ou gh t he

r ui ns o f a s ma ll v il la ge t ha t d at es t o t he t im e b ef or e t he P la gu es o f G od . I t h as n ot b ee n i nh ab it ed s in ce

t hen- fo r o ne t hi ng , t he cam pesi no s all s wear t hat i t i s h au nt ed , f or ano th er and m or e p ract ical r easo n,

t he re i s n o l on ge r a ny r el ia bl e s ou rc e o f w at er t he re ab ou ts . B ut s om e o f t he w al ls a re s ti ll s ta nd in g a nd i t

w ou ld m ake a m ar ve lo us s it e f or a n a mb us h.

Bu t i f w e a re n ot s tr uc k t he re - hi s d ir k p oi nt m ov ed o n- t he re i s t hi s d ee p, n ar ro w a rr oy o, a k il om et er

northwest, you see.

Th e C ap it an h as a p lan t o d eal w it ht hese m ur dero us s cu m ? ask ed T en ient e G rego ri o, r es pect fu ll y.

W he n t he c ol um n f or me d a nd r od e o ut t he n ex t m or ni ng , a n o bs er ve r w ou ld h av e h ad t o h av e b ee n

ext remely clo se t o n ot e t hat q ui te a f ew o f t he lancer s and dr ag oo ns w er e act uall y civ il ians , s om e o f

t he m w om en , m ou nt ed o n s pa re h or se s a nd m ul es , d ec ke d o ut i n u ni fo rm s a nd a rm or f ro m t he w ag on s

and s pare l ances b ro ug ht f r om F uert e M edi a.

G ui de d b y m en f ro m C ap it an J ua n A lv ar ez s l an ce r s qu ad a nd b y a ma te ur c op ie s o f D on J or ge s m ap ,

f or ty p ic ke d m en , c om ma nd ed b y D on E st eb an a nd G re go ri o, h ad q ui t t he c am p i n t he d ea d o f n ig ht a nd

n ow w er e r es ti ng i n h id in g p laces j us t o ut si de t he ancient r ui ns o f t he aba

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