The priest dropped to the floor and seated himself upon a box, dropping
his face into his hands. There he sat, motionless, for hours. The boys
buried their heads in the skins and went to sleep.
They were awakened by the sound of voices. A candle flared below. Hill
had entered. He and the priest were alone.
"They were here, sir, that's true enough. I've just taken them to the
Sennor Carriller's and pointed them fur home. They seemed in a hurry to
vamos these parts."
The priest groaned and struck his fist on the table. "Then they are
leagues away by this."
"They be, for a fact. Their horses was fresh and they was powerful keen.
They was just sweaten' to git home."
"And Rafael Carillo? Did he go with them?"
"He didn't. He allowed to, but his father warnt agreeable. In fact he
was--savin' your grace--cussed disagreeable. He corralled us as we was
corrallen the horses; and although he was mighty mad at such French
leave, he said, speakin' of the other two kids, that they could take the
two horses and git, and the sooner the better, and if they never come
lookin' for adventures in these parts agin the better he'd be pleased.
Pages:
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189