"
"True. You are always right. But promise that whatever happens you will
not lead us into the Sierras."
"I promise," said Roldan, much flattered by this unconscious tribute to
his leadership.
"Do you think that priest is really a devil?" asked Rafael, in an
awestruck voice.
"When a man has insulted you, you do not know what you think of him,"
said Roldan, flushing hotly. "If he only were not a priest I'd fight
him, big as he is. But at least I can outwit him. It consoles me to
think of his fury when he goes to the cave and finds us gone."
"We'd better get out of this tunnel before we talk about having the best
of the priest," said Adan. "Suppose he returns to kill us himself--"
"He will not return until to-morrow. Then he will have repented. He will
promise to let us go free if we keep his secret. But he will not have
that satisfaction, my friends. Yesterday he had a friend in Roldan
Castanada; I would have done anything for him, gladly kept his secret.
But to-day he has an enemy that he will do well to fear. A Spaniard
never forgets an insult."
"What shall you do?" asked Rafael, eagerly. "Expose him?"
"No, I do nothing mean.
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