To hide her embarrassment she said in a voice that was suddenly gruff,

“You have two minutes more.”

“What else shall I tell you?” El Diablo enquired. “That you are very lovely? That one day you will fall in love! And now tell me how you intend to get away from here.”

“I don’t imagine anyone will expect me to be leaving the camp at this time of night,” Skye replied.

“There is a guard at the pass,” El Diablo said. “You may be able to shoot first if you are quick, but a shot will undoubtedly bring other guards to his assistance. Besides I don’t suppose you intend to return to Jācara on foot.”

“You need not worry about me,” Skye said proudly. “I am perfectly capable of looking after myself – and if your men kill me for having shot you, you can rest assured that I am not afraid to die.”

El Diablo smiled.

“My dear child, they won’t shoot you,” he said. “The Mariposans have a better use for a pretty woman, as you must have already seen this evening.”

“You are trying to frighten me,” Skye replied, “but – I-I have thought of – a better plan. You shall come with me, you shall command one of the men outside to saddle two horses. We will ride together through the pass and, when I am safely on the road to Jācara, you can return here alone.”

“And if I refuse?” El Diablo asked.

“If you refuse – I shall shoot you and take the consequences. If you betray me to the men outside, I shall also shoot you. This revolver will be at your back the whole time.”

“Do you really believe that I would allow you to bully me into doing such things? Funny little Skye, I should have thought that you knew me better than that! Shoot me! Like you, I am not afraid to die. It comes to all of us sooner or later.”

“How can you be so childish?” Skye cried. “You don’t mean it, because I know that your death will destroy all those plans you have made for these people who trust you and who follow your leadership. What do you think will happen to them if you are killed? Alejo will be able to avenge himself on them for their defiance and many of them, perhaps all, will suffer in consequence.”

“Are you now asking me to live?” El Diablo enquired. “I thought you were about to kill me?”

“I want to kill you,” Skye said. “It would give me the greatest pleasure to see you die at my feet. At the same time many innocent people might suffer, if what you have told me is true and Alejo is prepared to give away the land and all the precious minerals it contains. But that is the trouble, can I believe you?”