Zorro Rides Again - Punch

It was growing light rapidly. Zorro continued toward the chapel, the door of which was standing open. Through the misty shadows of the early morning another man lurched toward him, a man in his cups, evidently returning to the inn after an all-night bout with wine and dice. They crashed together.

"Native scum!" the other cried. "One side, dog!" His fist crashed against Zorro's breast, causing him to reel back and almost fall.

Zorro's clothes were those of a poor native, but beneath them burned the heart of a caballero. Zorro forgot his disguise and even his purpose in wearing it. He did not stop to think, could not anyhow have endured to play his role in a situation such as this. The scornful language, the fist against his body maddened him. He growled his rage at the humiliation, struck twice, and sent his adversary crashing to earth.

It was Juan Sanchez, the merchant, he felled – Juan Sanchez who had asked for his arrest in his father's house. And, as Zorro stood over the prostrate man, glaring angrily, breathing heavily, Sanchez looked up
and recognized him, penetrated his disguise. But he did not betray that he knew.

Then there came to Zorro a full realization of what he was doing. Supposedly a timid, cowed native, he had dared show fight. He had struck down a man, had got out of character at an important moment. He strove now to rectify the error. He pretended to be horrified at what he had done. As Juan Sanchez struggled to get to his feet, Zorro turned and ran speedily toward the chapel, as though to seek sanctuary there.

He expected an outcry, an immediate pursuit, but these things did not come. Juan Sanchez dusted his clothes with his hands, and turned to go toward the presidio. Zorro hurried on, and entered the chapel. He did not notice that Juan Sanchez met a trooper at the corner of the plaza.

"Soldier!" Sanchez cried. "This Señor Zorro – dressed like a native – has just gone into the chapel. Inform your commandante at once. There is a reward offered. Bring help. I will wait here."


- Zorro Rides Again, Chapter 8