The Mysterious Don Miguel - Run Vargas Through

Blades flashed in the bright light of the moon. The ground was uneven and rough, and delicate fencing was a perilous thing. Valentino Vargas, therefore, made a desperate attack, depending more on aggressiveness and strength than on fencing science.

"I marked you before, but I shall end you now," Señor Zorro cried. "Then I shall attend to your companion."

They fought desperately, for Zorro knew he had no time to lose.

Men were rushing toward the arroyo from the mission. And he was not fighting now as Don Diego Vega, but as Señor Zorro, a so-called highwayman with a price upon his head, and at whom any man had liberty to fire pistol or present blade. Moreover, Capitán Gonzales would be coming, and his stout sergeant, Juan Ruiz, who was a man to be taken into consideration.

The tip of Valentino Vargas' blade ripped Zoro's sleeve as the latter stumbled over a rock, and Vargas lunged forward to complete his work, thinking he had his adversary at a disadvantage, a cry of delight ringing from his lips. It was his last cry. He found the point of Zorro's blade at his breast, and Zorro promptly ran him through.

Zorro whirled, then, toward the other man, who had continued his work of fastening the strongbox behind his saddle. Now he was getting into the saddle. Men were arriving on the rim of the arroyo, starting to work their way down to the bottom. Zorro could hear Capitán Gonzales barking orders, could hear the strong voice of Sergeant Juan Ruiz answering him.

Pedro Pico kicked his mount in the flanks and started. But Señor Zorro was at his side instantly, reached up and grasped him, jerked him from the saddle and hurled him to the ground. Pedro Pico struck at him with a dagger, and Zorro had his sleeve ripped again.

"Scum!" he cried, and struck with his own dagger, using his left hand. Pedro Pico gave a cry and fell back. The wound was not mortal, but it put the man out of the fighting.

"It is Zorro!" Pedro Pico cried. "He escapes with the gold and jewels! I tried to stop him – he has stabbed me – "


- The Mysterious Don Miguel, Chapter 10