Chapter 9

Also concerned about Diego and still a bit dizzy from the fall off the horse and the punch to his face, Felipe, fortunately, had the presence of mind to set priorities.
He grabbed a rope from one of the bandits' horses and cut it into pieces with a sword.
Then he tapped Victoria on the shoulder and gestured for her to help him.

With tears in her eyes, Victoria could barely see and, at first, didn't understand what Felipe wanted.
It was Diego who was bleeding out on the ground.

Felipe didn't give up, handed her a piece of rope, and pointed to one of the bandits.

Victoria wiped her face with her skirt. "Yes, you're right."

First, they tied the wrists of all four of the man, and then their feet. It was just in time because two started to groan while Felipe double-checked the knots to ensure the men couldn't escape.

Victoria had returned to sit by Diego and brushed a lock of hair from his face.
She uttered. "You were so brave. Even Zorro couldn't have done better."

Out of Victoria's sight, Felipe rolled his eyes.
He pulled out a bag to retrieve a shirt and folded it into a ball, then grabbed a jug filled with water.

Then he walked over to Diego and sat opposite Victoria. He unbuttoned the vest and shirt.

Victoria tried to stop him. Felipe pushed her hands away and emptied the jug over Diego's stomach.

Felipe immediately noticed a superficial flesh wound. The priority was to stop the bleeding and keep the wound clean to prevent infection. Unfortunately, he wasn't skilled enough to stitch it up. That would have to be done by doctor Hernandez.
Felipe pressed the wad onto the wound. Diego groaned in pain. Felipe grabbed Victoria's wrist and made her apply pressure to the wound.

She understood what the boy wanted and began applying pressure with both hands.

Felipe nodded approvingly and stood up again. He returned shortly with long strips of fabric. With Victoria's help, Felipe applied a makeshift bandage.

Victoria was too stunned and worried about Diego to wonder where Felipe had learned all this.

When Felipe was satisfied with the result, he looked at the bandits. By now, all four were conscious again, and judging by the loud grumbling, they were not pleased with their current situation. Felipe tapped Victoria and pointed to the bandits and the horses.

Yes, she knew Felipe was right. They needed to return to the hacienda. Diego needed the doctor, but they also needed to ensure the bandits ended up behind bars.

She stood up and positioned herself in the middle of the four men. "Listen. We can do this in two ways. Either, you help us hoist you onto your horses and take you to Los Angeles. Or we leave you here for the mountain lions to find. Your choice. Who's first?"

Through his gag, Juan tried to make sounds.

"So, it's you. Remember, you cooperate. Any resistance and you're on your own,"

As all four bandits chose to cooperate, it was relatively quick to hoist them one by one, lying on their stomachs, onto a horse. Felipe tied the four horses to the wagon. Now came the tricky part, getting Diego onto the wagon.

Felipe hadn't dared to let one of the bandits help, and Victoria had agreed.

Victoria had never realized how large and heavy Diego was. And how muscular. She was grateful Felipe was there. On her own, she would have had no idea how to manage. Eventually, Felipe unhitched a horse and let it kneel next to Diego on the ground. They pulled Diego onto the horse's back and let the horse rise again. Once the animal was next to the cart, Felipe and Victoria tugged, pulled, and pushed until Diego's upper body was on the cart. Then Felipe climbed onto the cart and pulled Diego further onto the wagon while Victoria tried to get his legs onto it.
After the horse was hitched again, Felipe turned the wagon around, and they started to head back towards Los Angeles.

Victoria sat next to Diego. His head on her lap. She tried to make him as comfortable as possible, uttering words to him encourage Diego to hold on, not sure whether he heard them.

About a mile from Los Angeles and three miles from the hacienda, a patrol of soldiers led by sergeant Mendoza approached them.

"Madre Dios." The sergeant exclaimed when he realized who the travelers were. "Señorita Escalante, what happened!"

"We were ambushed. Just past the tres equinas pass."

Mendoza assumed without further ado that what always happened had this time happened as well. "Luckily, Zorro was there."

Victoria had to swallow. For the second time in a week, her savior had not appeared.
"We didn't see Zorro. It's thanks to Felipe and Diego that we're still alive."

"Don Diego?" Mendoza exclaimed, surprised.

"And Felipe," Victoria added. "Don Diego was amazing. And those bandits were...," She shivered at the idea of what could have happened had Diego and Felipe not defended themselves so bravely. "You were amazing too, Felipe. Mendoza, listen, don Diego is seriously injured. He needs to be treated as soon as possible. Can you send one of your men to Los Angeles and have the doctor come to the hacienda? And make sure these bandits end up in jail."

Mendoza pointed at one of the lancers. "Si, Lopez, alert doctor Hernandez. The rest, do as señorita Escalante said. Bring those men to the cartel. I will escort the señorita to the hacienda."

The soldiers indicated that they understood the orders, and after the horses were unhitched from the cart, each group went their separate way. Lopez galloped to Los Angeles to alert the doctor. The other soldiers, at a slower pace, headed towards the cartel. And Victoria, Felipe, an unconscious Diego headed towards the hacienda accompanied by Mendoza. The sergeant was curious and full of questions about what had happened.

Victoria began to wonder exactly what had happened due to Mendoza's questions. Had Diego really taken on four armed bandits alone and managed to overpower three of them, one by one? Never before had Diego behaved so bravely. Oh no, that wasn't entirely true. Almost three months ago, he had saved the pueblo from a mad bull while only armed with a broom. He had broken his leg in the process. But as Diego reminded everyone asking about that incident, that had been madness.

Today, again, Diego had risked his life. And this time, there was a severe chance he might have to pay for his second heroic act ever, with his life.

With this thought in mind, Victoria was unable to answer all the questions Mendoza asked. She was too worried. Every time Victoria tried to talk, new tears filled her eyes.

Mendoza was disappointed. He didn't get much more of an answer to his questions than repeated stammering, 'he was so brave. So brave.'

Mendoza didn't get much from Felipe either. The boy had to steer the wagon, so he couldn't use his hands to answer Mendoza's questions. And riding side by side, Felipe couldn't read the sergeant's lips either. So Mendoza decided to wait and hear what had happened after arriving at the hacienda. Don Alejandro was much better at understanding Felipe's gestures anyway. Every time Mendoza understood something Felipe tried to say, it was a more lucky guess. And surely, don Alejandro would have the same questions, if not better, than he had.

Mendoza genuinely worried about the young don. He liked Diego and considered him a friend. Mendoza knew he wasn't a clever man. Don Diego always managed to explain things to him in a way he could understand. Something none of the men he had ever served under had bothered to do. And then there was the fact that Diego was always good company over a nice, free meal.

When the hacienda finally came into sight, don Alejandro and the doctor were already waiting for their return.

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