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 were sent to overtake us on the road to Monterey, as Liseta told us; others were thrown around here and there."

"There may not be more than ten or fifteen in the garrison tonight."

"Too many, I am afraid, Gabriel. My hope was in the governor; I have friends that I might use as levers to move him, but since he has no power, that hope is gone."

"Your courage is not gone, Felipe," Henderson said, his own strength quick in his sinews again. The first withering shock that dried his heart and left his words weak on his lips was gone. The fire of determination leaped in him. Twenty men? He had the resourcefulness, inspired of Helena's peril, of a regiment.

"I did not know what we'd discover when we arrived here, Gabriel, but I did not expect this," said Felipe sadly. "I knew Helena would be a prisoner, but in the governor's house, I believed, where they would try to frighten her into surrendering her property, or to cajole her with promises of safety for you. But I am ready to stand with you, Gabriel, in anything, to storm the garrison if you say the word. What is your plan?"

"That must rise out of the circumstances, Felipe. Just now I have no plan. How long is it to dawn, do you think?"

"Not more than three hours."

"I'm going to see if I can find out anything. Will you wait for me here, Felipe?"