Chapter 11

Sergeant Mendoza anxiously waited for the de la Vega carriage to arrive. Amanda had returned and he hoped to impress her with his newfound ways. The sergeant held out his hand to help Amanda from the carriage.

"Sergeant, how good it is to see you."

"Welcome back to our humble pueblo. I am most happy to see you."

"Gracias, Sergeant. What has been going on since I have been away?"

"We have been having problems with some bandits but we will deal with them. Would you care for some refreshment, Senorita?"

"A cool glass of lemonade would be wonderful. I am absolutely parched."

"May I escort you to the tavern?"

"Gracias, Sergeant."

"Senorita Herrera, welcome back. Hopefully, Mendoza is not boring you with some military antidote."

"He has been perfectly charming, alcalde."

"There have been reports of bandits in the area! Mendoza, you and Sanchez scout the area. Immediamente, the senorita will be in good hands until you return."

ZZZ

"If we found the bandits, the alcalde might forgive us," Mendoza replied.

"He wants is to get me out of his way so he can pursue Amanda."

"She finds me irresistible."

"That's a lie! If you didn't have those sergeant's stripes, I would show you a few things myself."

"You're just a private, she'd never marry you."

"Why don't we go ask her to settle this once and for all?" Both men grabbed their gear and ran back toward the hacienda.

ZZZ

"Are you sure they're at the northern point of Arroyo Grande? Bandits that close to the pueblo can only mean trouble. I will do a little scouting, Felipe. Keep your eyes open, my friend. Bandits can be dangerous." The masked man saluted as Felipe backed away from Toronado and waved in reply...

ZZZ

Amanda was surprised to see the alcalde standing at the hacienda door, holding out a bouquet of red roses. "Señorita, allow me to present you with this mere token to your beauty," he stated as he thrust the roses at her, "I've sent those fools Mendoza and Sanchez on a wild goose chase. We won't be interrupted. I know you are thrilled to see me again."

"I wasn't expecting you," she said nervously,"this is not a good time."

"Si, Señor but I am thrilled." Ramón held up his hands as the bandit cocked his pistol.

"What do you want?"

"We'll start with all your valuables."

ZZZ

Zorro jumped off Toronado's back and ran down to the bandits' camp. They haven't been gone long...The camp fire coals are still warm...Zorro looked at the 'D' shaped tracks at the river's edge…They must have doubled back...

ZZZ

The hacienda was eerily quiet but neither Mendoza or Sanchez noticed. The sergeant jumped as a bullet narrowly missed his feet. "Don't come any closer or our hostages will die. We have Don Alejandro de la Vega and a very pretty señorita."

"Madre de Dios! Banditos!" Mendoza pulled back as another shot was fired...

"We have your Alcalde!"

"So," they replied in unison.

"You don't stand a chance! We have this place surrounded," the sergeant lied.

"Cover the other side of the house, Manuel. I will take care of it inside."

ZZZ

"You'll never beat my lancers." Don Alejandro and Felipe rolled their eyes simultaneously. The lancers had never been known for their efficiency...

"There must a gang of them in there," Mendoza lamented. "We need to alert the garrison."

"How? We can't even move."

"Perhaps the help needs to come to you."

"Zorro! How did you get here?"

"I was following their tracks when I heard the gunfire."

"They have the alcalde in there. . .and Señorita Amanda."

"I counted two sets of tracks. We need to give the impression of strength. Just listen for my signal then rush them."

"Rush them? We'd be killed!"

"Sergeant, please. Just listen for my whistle." The masked man climbed onto the hacienda roof. Zorro used his whip to take the rifle from the bandit who had stopped under an archway...

"Hey! What?" Zorro dropped the rifle onto the bandit's head, knocking him to the ground. Zorro cracked his whip as he walked across the roof.

The frightened bandit inside ran out into the courtyard and looked around. A tile off the roof landed on the bandit's head, knocking him out.

The soldiers heard Zorro's whistle and rushed into the hacienda. Mendoza pulled the second bandit to his feet and started to shake him. "Where are they? Where are they?"

"Inside." Mendoza waved his sword at the bandit. "Untie them! The señorita first."

"Mendoza!" Ramon attempted to untie the ropes binding him to no avail.

"Ladies first, mi Alcalde."

"You saved us," the senorita kissed Mendoza 's cheek.

"You didn't do it all yourself," Ramon countered. That oaf is too clumsy to have orchestrated this himself.

"Untie Don Alejandro."

"Gracias, Sergeant!"

"Don Alejandro, it was nothing."

"You were very brave, Sergeant. Bravo!" Zorro played a hand in this rescue somehow...

Ramón looked on defeated as Mendoza led Amanda away. His hands were still tied behind his back as he got up and followed them. "Mendoza. Amigo. Mendoza...Mendoza."

ZZZ

"Sergeant, the two of you were magnificent! I don't know what we would have done without your heroic actions! I can not thank you enough!"

"Your thanks and your smile are reward enough, Senorita."

"You are most kind, Senor."

"Gracias and please call me Jaime."

"Anything for the man who saved my life and please call me Amanda. Senorita sounds so formal."

Gracias, Zorro. Mendoza puffed his chest out proudly.

"Mendoza," the alcalde bellowed.

"I must attend to my duties, Amanda. May I have the pleasure of your company tomorrow evening?"

"Nothing would make me happier."