There were not several riders, but only one person on his way to them. Soon after the children heard the whinnying, a figure could be made out in the distance.
"What do you see, Isabel?" one of the boys asked quietly. All three children were hiding behind a small shed. While the boys huddled carefully against the back wall of the building, the girl was brave enough to peer cautiously around the corner to the front.
"Estate quieto!" the girl whispered. "He's still too far away. It's a man - I think."
"And do we know him?"
"Wait a minute!" Isabel was silent and continued to watch. Finally, she explained: "I can't see his face, but he's wearing a uniform."
"A soldier!" whispered the 'Black Knight'. "He can't see us! Soldiers are evil!"
"Then don't be so loud," warned the other boy.
"Mom says you have to give everyone a chance," countered the girl in a whisper. "Not all soldiers are bad. Besides, he wears a different uniform than DeSoto's men. I don't think he's from around here!"
By now, the stranger had approached them close enough to see more details. He was wearing a military jacket and dark blue pants, both slightly dusty. The man had obviously been on a long ride. His feet were in black riding boots, and an elegant sword dangled from his right side. No headgear was visible, however. His clothes showed slight signs of wear, and upon closer inspection, one could see that they had already been mended in places.
The horse he rode was a light brown with a slightly darker mane and tail. The rider held the reins loosely and let his animal trot at a leisurely pace.
Isabel pulled her head back hastily. Had the soldier just looked in her direction? She wasn't sure. Uncertain, she put her fingers to her lips and motioned to the others to keep quiet.
With a mixture of excitement and fear, all three of them listened to the clatter of the horse's hooves as it came closer and closer. The man must have almost reached the building. Maybe they were lucky, and he would just ride on without seeing them?
The stranger brought his animal to a halt.
"Oye chicos, I've noticed you," they heard his voice. "I know you're hiding behind that shed. So, you can come out!"
"I'm scared!" whispered the youngest of the three. "What shall we do?"
"You heard him. He saw us anyway," the girl explained.
"He talks so funny," said the other boy.
Isabel nodded. Although the stranger had spoken to her in proper Spanish, the intonation had been strange. She couldn't tell where the man was from, but he obviously wasn't Spanish.
Still, she could not show her fear. She was the eldest.
She swallowed uncomfortably and stepped out of the hut.
"Here we are, Señor."