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diff --git a/27980.txt b/27980.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3fa8b03 --- /dev/null +++ b/27980.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16290 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Wood Rangers, by Mayne Reid + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Wood Rangers + The Trappers of Sonora + +Author: Mayne Reid + +Release Date: February 3, 2009 [EBook #27980] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOOD RANGERS *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + + + +Wood Rangers, by Captain Mayne Reid. + + + +CHAPTER ONE. + +PEPE, THE SLEEPER. + +No landscape on the Biscayan coast, presents a more imposing and +picturesque aspect than the little village of Elanchovi. Lying within +an amphitheatre of cliffs, whose crests rise above the roofs of the +houses, the port is protected from the surge of the sea by a handsome +little jetty of chiselled stone; while the single street of which the +village is composed, commencing at the inner end of the mole, sweeps +boldly up against the face of the precipice. On both sides, the houses, +disposed in a sort of _echelon_, rise, terrace-like, one above the +other; so that viewed from a distance, the street presents the +appearance of a gigantic stairway. + +In these the common dwellings, there is not much variety of +architecture; since the village is almost exclusively inhabited by poor +fishermen. There is one building, however, that is conspicuous--so much +so as to form the principal feature of the landscape. It is an old +chateau--perhaps the only building of this character in Spain--whose +slate roofs and gothic turrets and vanes, rising above the highest point +of the cliffs, overlook the houses of the village. + +This mansion belonged to the noble family of Mediana, and formed part of +the grand estates of this ancient house. For a long period, the Counts +of Mediana had not inhabited the chateau of Elanchovi, and it had fallen +into a state of neglect and partial decay, presenting a somewhat wild +and desolate aspect. However, at the beginning of the year 1808, during +the troubles of the French invasion, the Count Don Juan, then head of +the family, had chosen it as a safe residence for his young wife Dona +Luisa, whom he passionately loved. + +Here Don Juan passed the first months of his married life--a marriage +celebrated under circumstances of sad augury. The younger brother of +Don Juan, Don Antonio de Mediana, had also fervently loved the Dona +Luisa; until finding her preference for his brother, he had given up his +suit in anger, and quitted the country. He had gone, no one knew +whither; and though after a time there came back a rumour of his death, +it was neither confirmed nor contradicted. + +The principal reason why the Count had chosen this wild spot as a +residence for his lady was this:--He held a high command in the Spanish +army, and he knew that duty would soon call him into the field. The +_alcalde_ of Elanchovi had been an old servant of the Mediana family, +and had been raised to his present rank by their influence. Don Juan, +therefore, believed he could rely upon the devotion of this functionary +to the interests of his house, and that during his absence Dona Luisa +would find security under the magisterial protection. Don Ramon Cohecho +was the name of the chief magistrate of Elanchovi. + +The Count was not permitted long to enjoy the happiness of his married +life. Just as he had anticipated, he soon received orders to join his +regiment; and parted from the chateau, leaving his young wife under the +special care of an old and respectable domestic--the steward Juan de +Dios Canelo. He parted from his home never more to return to it; for in +the battle of Burgos, a French bullet suddenly terminated his existence. + +It was sad tidings for the Dona Luisa; and thus to the joys of the first +days of her married life succeeded the sorrows of a premature widowhood. + +It was near the close of the year 1808, when the chateau was the sombre +witness of Dona Luisa's grief, that our story commences, and though its +scene lies in another land--thousands of leagues from, the Biscayan +coast--its history is intimately woven with that of the chateau of +Elanchovi. + +Under ordinary circumstances, the village of Elanchovi presents a severe +and dreary aspect. The silence and solitude that reigns along the +summit of the cliffs, contrasted with the continuous roaring of the +breakers against their base, inspires the beholder with a sentiment of +melancholy. Moreover, the villagers, as already said, being almost +exclusively fishermen, and absent during the whole of the day, the place +at first sight would appear as if uninhabited. Occasionally when some +cloud is to be observed in the sky, the wives of the fishermen may be +seen at the door, in their skirts of bright colours, and their hair in +long double plaits hanging below their waists. These, after remaining a +while to cast anxious glances upon the far horizon, again recross the +thresholds of their cottages, leaving the street deserted as before. + +At the time of which we are writing--the month of November, 1808-- +Elanchovi presented a still more desolate aspect than was its wont. The +proximity of the French army had produced a panic among its inhabitants +and many of these poor people--forgetting in their terror that they had +nothing to lose--had taken to their boats, and sought safety in places +more distant from the invaders of whom they were in dread. + +Isolated as this little village was on the Biscayan coasts, there was +all the more reason why it should have its garrison of _coast-guards_; +and such in reality it had. These at the time consisted of a company of +soldiers--carabiniers, under the command of a captain Don Lucas +Despierto--but the condition of these warriors was not one to be envied, +for the Spanish government, although nominally keeping them in its pay, +had for a long time neglected to pay them. The consequence was, that +these poor fellows had absolutely nothing upon which to live. The +seizure of smuggled goods--with which they might have contrived to +indemnify themselves--was no longer possible. The contraband trade, +under this system, was completely annihilated. The smugglers knew +better than to come in contact with _coast-guards_ whose performance of +their duty was stimulated by such a keen necessity! From the captain +himself down to the lowest official, an incessant vigilance was kept +up--the result of which was that the fiscal department of the Spanish +government was, perhaps, never so faithfully or economically served. + +There was one of these coast-guards who affected a complete scepticism +in regard to smuggling--he even went so far as to deny that it had ever +existed! He was distinguished among his companions by a singular +habit--that of always going to sleep upon his post; and this habit, +whether feigned or real, had won for him the name of _the Sleeper_. On +this account it may be supposed, that he was never placed upon guard +where the post was one of importance. + +Jose, or as he was more familiarly styled, _Pepe_, was a young fellow of +some twenty-five years--tall, thin, and muscular. His black eyes, +deeply set under bushy eyebrows, had all the appearance of eyes that +_could_ sparkle; besides, his whole countenance possessed the +configuration of one who had been born for a life of activity. On the +contrary, however--whether from a malady or some other cause--the man +appeared as somnolent and immobile as if both his visage and body were +carved out of marble. In a word, with all the exterior marks that +denote the possession of an active and ardent soul, Pepe _the Sleeper_ +appeared the most inactive and apathetic of men. + +His chagrin was great--or appeared to be so--when, upon the evening of +the day in which this narrative commences the captain of the coast-guard +sent a messenger to summon him to headquarters. + +On receiving the unexpected order, Pepe rose from his habitual attitude +of recumbence, stretched himself at his leisure, yawned several times, +and then obeyed the summons, saying as he went out: "What the devil +fancy has the captain got into his head to send for _me_?" + +Once, however, on the way and alone, it might have been observed that +the somnolent coast-guard walked with an energetic and active step, very +unlike his usual gait! + +On entering the apartment where the captain awaited him, his apathetic +habit returned; and, while rolling a cigarette between his fingers, he +appeared to be half asleep. The captain was buried in a profound +meditation, and did not at first perceive him. + +"_Bueno_! my captain," said the coast-guard, respectfully saluting his +superior, and calling attention to his presence. "I am here." + +"Ah! good! my fine fellow," began the captain, in a winning voice. +"Well, Pepe!" added he more slowly and significantly, "the times are +pretty hard with us--are they not?" + +"Rather hard, captain." + +"But you, _hombre_!" rejoined Don Lucas, with a laugh, "you don't appear +to suffer much of the misery--you are always asleep I understand?" + +"When I sleep, captain, I am not hungry," replied the coast-guard, +endeavouring to stifle a yawn; "then I dream that the government has +paid me." + +"Well--at all events you are not its creditor for many hours of the day, +since you sleep most of them. But, my fine fellow, it is not about this +I desire to talk to you. I wish to give you a proof of my confidence." + +"Ah!" muttered Pepe. + +"And a proof of my regard for you," continued the officer. "The +government has its eye open upon all of us; your reputation for apathy +begins to be talked about, and you might be discharged one of these days +as a useless official. It would be a sad affair if you were to lose +your place?" + +"Frightful! captain," replied Pepe, with perfect simplicity of manner; +"for if I can scarce keep from dying of hunger in my place, what would +be the result were I deprived of it? Frightful!" + +"To prevent this misfortune, then," continued the captain, "I have +resolved to furnish to those who calumniate you, a proof of the +confidence which may be placed in you, by giving you the post of +_Ensenada_--and this very night." + +Pepe involuntarily opened his eyes to their fullest extent. + +"That surprises you?" said Don Lucas. + +"No," laconically replied the coast-guard. + +The captain was unable to conceal from his inferior a slight confusion, +and his voice trembled as he pronounced the interrogation:-- + +"What! It does not surprise you?" + +"No," repeated Pepe, and then added in a tone of flattery: "The captain +Despierto is so well-known for his vigilance and energy, that he may +confide the most important post to the very poorest of his sentinels. +That is why I am not astonished at the confidence he is good enough to +place in me: and now I await the instructions your Honour may be pleased +to give." + +Don Lucas, without further parley, proceeded to instruct his sentinel in +his duty for the night. The orders were somewhat diffuse--so much so +that Pepe had a difficulty in comprehending them--but they were wound up +by the captain saying to the coast-guard, as he dismissed him from his +presence-- + +"And above all, my fine fellow, _don't go to sleep upon your post_!" + +"I shall _try_ not to do so, captain," replied Pepe, at the same time +saluting his superior, and taking his leave. + +"This fellow is worth his weight in gold," muttered Don Lucas, rubbing +his hands together with an air of satisfaction; "he could not have +suited my purpose better, if he had been expressly made for it!" + + + +CHAPTER TWO. + +THE SENTINEL OF LA ENSENADA. + +The little bay of Ensenada, thus confided to the vigilance of Pepe the +sleeper, was mysteriously shut in among the cliffs, as if nature had +designed it expressly for smugglers--especially those Spanish +_contrabandistas_ who carry on the trade with a cutlass in one hand and +a carbine in the other. + +On account of its isolation, the post was not without danger, especially +on a foggy November night, when the thick vapour suspended in the air +not only rendered the sight useless, but hindered the voice that might +call for assistance from being heard to any distance. + +In the soldier who arrived upon this post, advancing with head erect and +light elastic tread, no one could have recognised Pepe the sleeper-- +Pepe, habitually plunged in a profound state of somnolence--Pepe, of +downcast mien and slow dragging gait--and yet it was he. His eyes, +habitually half shut, were now sparkling in their sockets, as if even +the slightest object could not escape him even in the darkness. + +After having carefully examined the ground around his post, and +convinced himself that he was entirely alone, he placed his lantern in +such a position that its light was thrown along the road leading to the +village. Then advancing some ten or twelve paces in the direction of +the water, he spread his cloak upon the ground, and lay down upon it--in +such an attitude that he could command a view both of the road and the +bay. + +"Ah, my captain!" soliloquised the coast-guard, as he arranged his cloak +around him to the best advantage, "you are a very cunning man, but you +have too much faith in people who are always asleep; and devil take me! +if I don't believe that you are interested in my sleeping most soundly +on this particular night. Well, _quien sabe_? we shall see." + +For about the period of half an hour Pepe remained alone--delivering +himself up to his reflections, and in turns interrogating with his +glance the road and the bay. At the end of that time a footstep was +heard in the loose sand; and looking along the pathway, the sentinel +perceived a dark form approaching the spot. In another moment the form +came under the light of the lantern, and was easily recognised as that +of Don Lucas, the captain of the coast-guard. + +The officer appeared to be searching for something, but presently +perceiving the recumbent sentinel, he paused in his steps. + +"Pepe!" cried he, in a low mincing voice. + +No reply came from Pepe. + +"Pepe!" repeated the captain, in a tone a little more elevated. + +Still no reply from the sentinel, who remained obstinately silent. + +The captain, appearing to be satisfied, ceased calling the name, and +shortly after retraced his steps towards the village. In a few seconds +his form was lost in the distance. + +"Good!" said Pepe, as his superior officer passed out of sight; "just as +I expected. A moment ago I was fool enough to doubt it. Now I am sure +of it. Some smuggler is going to risk it to-night. Well, I shall +manage badly if I don't come in for a windfall--though it be at the +expense of my captain." + +Saying this, the sentinel with one bound rose erect upon his feet. + +"Here I am no more Pepe the Sleeper," continued he stretching himself to +his full height. + +From this time his eyes were bent continually upon the ocean; but +another half hour passed without anything strange showing itself upon +the bosom of the water--nothing to break the white line of the horizon +where sea and sky appeared to be almost confounded together. Some dark +clouds were floating in the heavens, now veiling and now suddenly +uncovering the moon, that had just risen. The effect was fine; the +horizon was one moment shining like silver, and the next dark as funeral +crape; but through all these changes no object appeared upon the water, +to denote the presence of a human being. + +For a long while the coast-guard looked so intently through the +darkness, that he began to see the sparks flying before his eyes. +Fatigued with this sustained attention, he at length shut his eyes +altogether, and concentrated all his powers upon the organs of hearing. +Just then a sound came sweeping over the water--so slight that it scarce +reached him--but the next moment the land-breeze carried it away, and it +was heard no more. + +Fancying it had only been an illusion, he once more opened his eyes, but +in the obscurity he could see nothing. Again he shut them closely and +listened as before. This time he listened with more success. A sound +regularly cadenced was heard. It was such as would be made by a pair of +oars cautiously dipped, and was accompanied by a dull knocking as of the +oars working in their thole-pins. + +"At last we shall see!" muttered Pepe, with a gasp of satisfaction. + +A small black point, almost imperceptible, appeared upon the horizon. +Rapidly it increased in size, until it assumed the form and dimensions +of a boat with rowers in it, followed by a bright strip of foam. + +Pepe threw himself suddenly _a plat ventre_, in fear that he might be +seen by those on the water; but from the elevated position which he +occupied, he was able to keep his eye upon the boat without losing sight +of it for a single instant. + +Just then the noises ceased, and the oars were held out of water, +motionless, like some sea-bird, with wings extended, choosing a spot +upon which to alight. In the next instant the rowing was resumed, and +the boat headed directly for the shore of the bay. + +"Don't be afraid!" muttered the coast-guard, affecting to apostrophise +the rowers. "Don't be afraid, my good fellows--come along at your +pleasure!" + +The rowers, in truth did not appear to be at all apprehensive of danger; +and the next moment the keel of the boat was heard grinding upon the +sand of the beach. + +"_Por Dios_!" muttered the sentinel in a low voice; "not a bale of +goods! It is possible after all, they are not smugglers!" + +Three men were in the boat, who did not appear to take those precautions +which smugglers would have done. They made no particular noise, but, on +the other hand, they did not observe any exact silence. Moreover their +costume was not that ordinarily worn by the regular _contrabandista_. + +"Who the devil can they be?" asked Pepe of himself. + +The coast-guard lay concealed behind some tufts of withered grass that +formed a border along the crest of the slope. Through these he could +observe the movements of the three men in the boat. + +At an order from the one who sat in the stern sheets, the other two +leaped ashore, as if with the design of reconnoitring the ground. He +who issued the order, and who appeared to be the chief of the party, +remained seated in the boat. + +Pepe was for a moment undecided whether he should permit the two to pass +him on the road; but the view of the boat, left in charge of a single +man, soon fixed his resolution. + +He kept his place, therefore, motionless as ever, scarce allowing +himself to breathe, until the two men arrived below him, and only a few +feet from the spot where he was lying. + +Each was armed with a long Catalonian knife, and Pepe could see that the +costume which both wore was that of the Spanish privateers of the time-- +a sort of mixture of the uniform of the royal navy of Spain, and that of +the merchant service; but he could not see their faces, hid as they were +under the slouched Basque bonnet. + +All at once the two men halted. A piece of rock, detached by the knees +of the coast-guard, had glided down the slope and fallen near their +feet. + +"Did you hear anything?" hastily asked one. + +"No; did you?" + +"I thought I heard something falling from above there," replied the +first speaker; pointing upward to the spot where Pepe was concealed. + +"Bah! it was some mouse running into its hole." + +"If this slope wasn't so infernally steep, I'd climb up and see," said +the first. + +"I tell you we have nothing to fear," rejoined the second; "the night is +as black as a pot of pitch, and besides--the _other_, hasn't he assured +us that he will answer for the man on guard, _who sleeps all day long_?" + +"Just for that reason he may not sleep at night. Remain here, I'll go +round and climb up. _Carramba_! if I find this sleepy-head," he added, +holding out his long knife, the blade of which glittered through the +darkness, "so much the worse--or, perhaps, so much the better for him-- +for I shall send him where he may sleep forever." + +"_Mil diablos_!" thought Pepe, "this fellow is a philosopher! By the +holy virgin I am long enough here." + +And at this thought, he crept out of the folds of his cloak like a snake +out of his skin, and leaving the garment where it lay, crawled rapidly +away from the spot. + +Until he had got to a considerable distance, he was so cautious not to +make any noise, that, to use a Spanish expression, _the very ground +itself did not know he was passing over it_. + +In this way he advanced, carbine in hand, until he was opposite the +point where the boat rested against the beach. There he stopped to +recover his breath,--at the same time fixing his eye upon the individual +that was alone. + +The latter appeared to be buried in a sombre reverie, motionless as a +statue, and wrapped in an ample cloak, which served both to conceal his +person and protect him from the humidity of the atmosphere. His eyes +were turned toward the sea; and for this reason he did not perceive the +dark form of the carabinier approaching in the opposite direction. + +The latter advanced with stealthy tread--measuring the distance with his +eye--until at length he stood within a few paces of the boat. + +Just then the stranger made a movement as if to turn his face towards +the shore, when Pepe, like a tiger hounding upon its prey, launched +himself forward to the side of the boat. + +"It is I!" he exclaimed, bringing the muzzle of his carbine on a level +with the man's breast. "Don't move or you are a dead man!" + +"You, who?" asked the astonished stranger, his eyes sparkling with rage, +and not even lowering their glance before the threatening attitude of +his enemy. + +"Why me! Pepe--you know well enough? Pepe, the Sleeper?" + +"Curses upon him, if he has betrayed me?" muttered, the stranger, as if +speaking to himself. + +"If you are speaking of Don Lucas Despierto," interrupted the +carabinier, "I can assure you he is incapable of such a thing; and if I +_am here_ it is because that he has been only too discreet, senor +smuggler." + +"Smuggler!" exclaimed the unknown, in a tone of proud disdain. + +"When I say smuggler," replied Pepe, chuckling at his own perspicuity, +"it is only meant as a compliment, for you haven't an ounce of +merchandise in your boat, unless indeed," continued he, pointing with +his foot to a rope ladder, rolled up, and lying in the bottom, "unless +that may be a sample! _Santa Virgen_! a strange sample that!" + +Face to face with the unknown, the coast-guard could now examine him at +his leisure. + +He was a young man of about Pepe's own age, twenty-five. His complexion +had the hale tint of one who followed the sea for a profession. Thick +dark eyebrows were strongly delineated against a forehead bony and +broad, and from a pair of large black eyes shone a sombre fire that +denoted a man of implacable passions. His arched mouth was expressive +of high disdain; and the wrinkles upon his cheeks, strongly marked +notwithstanding his youth, at the slightest movement, gave to his +countenance an expression of arrogance and scorn. In his eyes--in his +whole bearing--you could read that ambition or vengeance were the ruling +passions of his soul. His fine black curling hair alone tempered the +expression of severity that distinguished his physiognomy. With regard +to his costume, it was simply that of an officer of the Spanish navy. + +A look that would have frightened most men told the impatience with +which he endured the examination of the coast-guard. + +"An end to this pleasantry!" he cried out, at length. "What do you +want, fellow? Speak!" + +"Ah! talk of our affairs," answered Pepe, "that is just what I desire. +Well, in the first place, when those two fellows of yours return with my +cloak and lantern--which they are cunning enough to make a seizure of-- +you will give them your commands to keep at a distance. In this way we +can talk without being interrupted. Otherwise, with a single shot of +this carbine, which will stretch you out dead, I shall also give the +alarm. What say you? Nothing? Be it so. That answer will do for want +of a better. I go on. You have given to my captain forty _onzas_?" +continued the carabinier, with a bold guess, making sure that he named +enough. + +"Twenty," replied the stranger, without reflecting. + +"I would rather it had been forty," said Pepe. "Well, one does not pay +so high for the mere pleasure of a sentimental promenade along the shore +of the Ensenada. My intervention need be no obstruction to it--provided +you pay for my neutrality." + +"How?" asked the unknown, evidently desirous of putting an end to the +scene. + +"Oh, a mere bagatelle--you have given the captain forty _onzas_." + +"Twenty, I tell you." + +"I would rather it had been forty," coolly repeated the carabinier, "but +say twenty, then. Now I don't wish to be indiscreet--he is a captain, I +am nothing more than a poor private. I think it reasonable therefore, +that I should have _double_ what he has received." + +At this extortionate demand the stranger allowed a bitter oath to escape +him, but made no answer. + +"I know well," continued Pepe, "that I am asking too little. If my +captain has three times my pay, of course he has three times less need +of money than I, and therefore I have the right to _triple_ the sum he +has received; but as the times are hard, I hold to my original demand-- +forty _onzas_." + +A terrible struggle betwixt pride and apprehension appeared to be going +on in the bosom of the stranger. Despite the coldness of the night the +perspiration streamed over his brow and down his cheeks. Some imperious +necessity it was that had led him into this place--some strange mystery +there must be--since the necessity he was now under tamed down a spirit +that appeared untamable. The tone of jeering intrepidity which Pepe +held toward him caused him to feel the urgency of a compromise; and at +length plunging his hand into his pocket he drew forth a purse, and +presented it to the carabinier. + +"Take it and go!" he cried, with impatience. + +Pepe took the purse, and for a moment held it in his hand as if he would +first count its contents. + +"Bah!" he exclaimed, after a pause, "I'll risk it. I accept it for +forty _onzas_. And now, senor stranger, I am deaf, dumb, and blind." + +"I count upon it," coldly rejoined the unknown. + +"By the life of my mother!" replied Pepe, "since it's not an affair of +smuggling I don't mind to lend you a hand--for as a coast-guard, you +see, I could not take part in anything contraband--no, never!" + +"Very well, then," rejoined the stranger, with a bitter smile, "you may +set your conscience at rest on that score. Guard this boat till my +return. I go to join my men. Only whatever happens--whatever you may +see--whatever you may hear--be, as you have promised, deaf, dumb, and +blind." + +As he uttered these words the stranger sprang out of the boat, and took +the road leading to the village. A turning in the path soon bid him +from the sight of the coast-guard. + +Once left to himself, Pepe, under the light of the moon, counted out the +glittering contents of the purse which he had extorted from the +stranger. + +"If this jewel is not false," muttered he to himself, "then I don't care +if the government never pays me. Meanwhile, I must begin to-morrow to +cry like a poor devil about the back pay. That will have a good +effect." + + + +CHAPTER THREE. + +THE ALCALDE AND HIS CLERK. + +It is not known how long Pepe remained at his post to await the return +of the stranger: when the cock was heard to crow, and the aurora +appeared in the eastern horizon, the little bay of Ensenada was +completely deserted. + +Then life began to appear in the village. The dark shadows of the +fishermen were seen upon the stair-like street, descending to the mole; +and the first beams of the morning lit up their departure. In a few +minutes the little flotilla was out of sight; and at the doors of the +cottages the women and children only could be seen, appearing and +disappearing at intervals. + +Among these wretched hovels of the village, there was one dwelling of +greater pretensions than the rest. It was that of the alcalde, Don +Ramon Cohecho of whom we have already spoken. It alone still kept its +doors and windows closed against the morning light. + +It was full day, when a young man, wearing a high-crowned beaver hat,-- +old, greasy and shining, like leather--walked up to the door of the +alcalde's mansion. The limbs of this individual were scantily covered +with a pair of pantaloons, so tightly fitting as to appear like a second +skin to his legs, so short as scarce to touch his ankles, and of such +thin stuff as to ill protect the wearer from the sharp air of a November +morning. The upper half of this individual was not visible. A little +cloak, of coarse shaggy cloth, known as an _esclavina_, covered him up +to the very eyes. In the manner in which he so carefully guarded the +upper part of his person with this pinched mantle, at the expense of his +thighs and legs, an observer might have supposed that he was perfectly +content with his pantaloons. Appearances, however, are often deceptive; +for in truth the ambition of this youth; whose unsteady glance, +miserable aspect, and a certain smell of old papers about him, +proclaimed to be _un escribano_--his everyday dream was to have a pair +of pantaloons entirely different from his own--in other words, a pair +with long ample legs, of good wide waist, and made out of fine +broadcloth. Such a pair would render him the most satisfied man in the +world. + +This young man was the _right hand_ of the alcalde--his name Gregorio +Cagatinta. + +On reaching the door, he gave a modest knock with his horn ink-bottle, +which he carried hanging to his button. The door was opened by an old +housekeeper. + +"Ah! it is you, _Don_ Gregorio?" cried the housekeeper, with that superb +courtesy so peculiar to the Spaniards--that even two shoeblacks on +meeting lavish upon each other the epithet _Don_, as if each were a +grand noble. + +"Yes, it is I, Dona Nicolasa," replied Gregorio. + +"_Santisima Virgen_!--since it is you, then I must be late, and my +master will be waiting for his pantaloons that are not yet aired. Take +a seat, Don Gregorio: he will soon be down." + +The chamber into which the notary's clerk had been introduced would have +been a large one, had it not been for the singular conglomeration of +objects with which it was more than half filled. Nets of all sizes, +masts, yards, and rudders of boats, oars, sails of every kind--both +square and lateen--woollen shirts worn by sailors or fishermen, and a +variety of other marine objects, were placed pellmell in every corner of +the room. Notwithstanding, there was space enough left to hold three or +four chairs around a large oaken table, upon which last stood a large +cork ink-stand, with several goose-quill pens; with some sheets of half +dirty paper placed ostentatiously around it to awe the visitors, who +might have business with the alcalde. + +The presence of this odd assortment of objects, it would have been +difficult for a stranger to explain--though there was no mystery about +it. The fact is, that besides his official character as first +magistrate, the alcalde had another _role_ which he played, of rather an +unofficial character. He was the _pawnbroker_ of the place--that is, he +lent out money in small sums, charging a _real_ for every dollar by the +week--in other words, a simple interest of twenty per cent, by the +month, or two hundred and fifty per cent, per annum! His clients being +all fishermen, will account for the nautical character of the "pledges" +that filled the chamber of audience. + +Cagatinta scarce deigned to cast a look at this miscellaneous collection +of objects. Had there been a pair of pantaloons among them, it might +have been different; for to say the truth, the probity of Don Gregorio +was scarce firm enough to have resisted so strong a temptation as this +would have been. The notary's clerk was not exactly of that stuff of +which honest men are composed. Nature, even in its crimes, does not +leap to grand villainies at once; it proceeds from less to greater; and +Cagatinta, though still but young, was yet capable of a little bit of +"cribbing." + +Don Ramon was not long in coming out of his sleeping-room. In a little +while he showed his jovial face at the door of the audience chamber. + +He was a person of portly and robust figure; and it was easily seen that +one leg of his ample pantaloons would have been sufficient to have made +a pair for the thin limbs and meagre body of the escribano. + +"_Por Dios_! Senor alcalde," said the clerk, after having exchanged +with his superior a profusion of matinal salutations, "what a splendid +pair of pantaloons you have on!" + +From the alcalde's answer, it was evident that this was not the first +time that Cagatinta had made the remark. + +"Ah! Gregorio, _amigo_!" replied he, in a tone of good-humour, "you are +growing tiresome with your repetitions. Patience, patience, senor +escribano! you know that for the services you are to render me--I say +nothing of those already rendered--I have promised you my liver-coloured +breeches, which have been only a very little used: you have only to gain +them." + +"But what services are to gain them, senor alcalde?" inquired the clerk, +in a despairing tone. + +"Eh--Dios!--who knows what--patience, _amigo_! Something may turn up +all at once, that will give you that advantage over me. But come! let +us to business--make out the deed of appropriation of the boat of that +bad pay, Vicente Perez, who under pretence that he has six brats to +feed, can't reimburse me the twenty dollars I have advanced him." + +Cagatinta drew out from his little portfolio a sheet of stamped paper, +and sitting down by the table proceeded to execute the order of the +magistrate. He was interrupted by a hurried knocking at the outer +door--which had been closed to prevent intrusion. + +"Who dare knock in that fashion?" sharply inquired the alcalde. + +"_Ave Maria purisima_!" cried a voice from without. + +"_Sin pecado concebida_!" replied at the same time the two acolytes +within. + +And upon this formula, Gregorio hastened to the door, and opened it. + +"What on earth can have brought you here at this hour, Don Juan de Dios +Canelo?" inquired the alcalde in a tone of surprise, as the old steward +of the Countess de Mediana appeared in the doorway, his bald forehead +clouded with some profound chagrin. + +"Ah, senor alcalde," replied the old man, "a terrible misfortune has +happened last night--a great crime has been committed--the Countess has +disappeared, and the young Count along with her!" + +"Are you sure of this?" shouted the alcalde. + +"Alas--you will only have to go up into the balcony that overlooks the +sea, and there you will see in what state the assassins have left the +Countess's chamber." + +"Justice! justice! Senor alcalde! Send out your alguazils over the +whole country; find the villains--hang them!" + +This voice came from a woman still outside in the street. It was the +_femme de chambre_ of the Countess, who, to show a devotion which she +very little felt, judged it apropos to make a great outcry as she +precipitated herself into the chamber of audience. + +"Ta-ta-ta, woman! how you go on!" interrupted the alcalde. "Do you +think I have a crowd of alguazils? You know very well that in this +virtuous village there are only two; and as these would starve if they +didn't follow some trade beside their official one, they are both gone +fishing hours ago." + +"Ah, me!" cried the _femme de chambre_, with a hypocritical whine, "my +poor mistress!--who then is to help her?" + +"Patience, woman, patience!" said the alcalde. "Don't fear but that +justice will be done." + +The chamber-maid did not appear to draw much hope from the assurance, +but only redoubled her cries, her excited behaviour strongly contrasting +with the quiet manner in which the faithful old steward exhibited the +sincerity of his grief. + +Meanwhile a crowd of women, old men, and children, had gathered around +the alcalde's door, and by little and little, were invading the +sanctuary of the audience chamber itself. + +Don Ramon advanced towards Cagatinta, who was rubbing his hands under +his _esclavina_, charmed at the idea of the quantity of stamped paper he +would now have an opportunity to blacken. + +"Now, friend Gregorio," said the alcalde, in a low voice, "the time has +come, when, if you are sharp, you may gain the liver-coloured breeches." + +He said no more; but it was evident that the _escribano_ understood him, +at least, to a certain extent. The latter turned pale with joy, and +kept his eye fixed upon every movement of his patron, determined to +seize the first opportunity that presented itself of winning the +breeches. + +The alcalde reseated himself in his great leathern chair; and commanding +silence with a wave of his hand, addressed his auditory in a long and +pompous speech, with that profuse grandiloquence of which the Spanish +language is so capable. + +The substance of his speech was as follows: + +"My children! We have just heard from this respectable individual, Don +Juan de Dios Canelo, that a great crime has last night been committed; +the full knowledge of this villainy cannot fail to arrive at the ears of +justice, from which nothing can be kept hid. Not the less are we to +thank Don Juan for his official communication; it only remains for him +to complete the accusation by giving the names of the guilty persons." + +"But, senor alcalde," interrupted the steward, "I do not know them, +although, as you say, my communication may be official--I can only say +that I will do all in my power to assist in finding them." + +"You understand, my children," continued the alcalde, without taking +notice of what the steward had said, "the worthy Canelo by his official +communication asks for the punishment of the guilty persons. Justice +will not be deaf to his appeal. I may now be permitted, however, to +speak to you of my own little affairs, before abandoning myself to the +great grief which the disappearance of the Countess and the young Count +has caused me." + +Here the alcalde made a sign to Cagatinta, whose whole faculties were +keenly bent to discover what service was expected from him, by which he +was to gain the object of his ambition--the liver-coloured breeches. + +The alcalde continued:-- + +"You all know, my children, of my attachment to the family of Mediana. +You can judge, then, of the grief which this news has given me--news the +more incomprehensible, since one neither knows by whom, or for what +reason such a crime should be committed. Alas, my children! I lose a +powerful protector in the Countess de Mediana; and in me the heart of +the old and faithful servant is pierced with anguish, while as a man of +business I am equally a sufferer. Yes, my children! In the deceitful +security, which I felt no later than yesterday, I was up to the chateau, +and had an important interview with the Countess in regard to my rents." + +"To ask time for their payment," Cagatinta would have added, for the +clerk was perfectly acquainted with the alcalde's affairs. But Don +Ramon did not allow him an opportunity of committing this enormous +indiscretion, which would forever have deprived him of the promised +breeches. + +"Patience, worthy Cagatinta!" he exclaimed hastily, so as to prevent the +other from speaking, "constrain this thirst for justice that consumes +you!--Yes, my children!" he continued, turning to his auditory, "in +consequence of this feeling of security, which I have now cause to +regret, I placed in the hands of the unfortunate Countess,"--here the +voice of Don Ramon quivered--"a sum equivalent to ten years of my rents +_in advance_." + +At this unexpected declaration, Cagatinta bounded from his chair as if +stung by a wasp; and the blood ran cold in his veins when he perceived +the grand blunder he had been so near committing. + +"You will understand, then, my children, the terrible situation in which +this disappearance of the Countess has placed me, when I tell you that I +_took no receipt from the lady_, but this very morning was to have gone +up for it." + +This revelation produced a profound sensation among the auditory; and +though perhaps not one of them really believed the story, no one dared +to give utterance to his incredulity. + +"Fortunately," continued the alcalde, "the word of persons worthy of +credit may yet repair the mistake I have committed--fortunately there +were witnesses of the payment." + +Here Cagatinta--who like water that had been a long time dammed up and +had now found vent--stretched out both his arms, and in a loud voice +cried out: + +"I can swear to it!" + +"He can swear to it," said the alcalde. + +"He can swear to it," mechanically repeated one or two of the +bystanders. + +"Yes, my friends!" solemnly added Cagatinta. "I swear to it now, and +should have mentioned the matter sooner, but I was prevented by a little +uncertainty. I had an idea that it was _fifteen_ years of rent, instead +of _ten_, that I saw the alcalde hand over to the unfortunate Dona +Luisa." + +"No, my worthy friend," interrupted the alcalde in a tone of moderation, +likely to produce an effect upon his auditory. "It was only ten years +of rent, which your valuable testimony will hinder me from losing." + +"Yes, senor alcalde," replied the wily scribe, determined at all hazards +to deserve the liver-coloured breeches, "I know it was ten years in +advance, but there were also the two years of back rent which you paid-- +two years of arrears and ten in advance--twelve years in all. _Por +Dios_! a large sum it would be to have lost!" + +And with this reflection Cagatinta sat down again, fancying, no doubt, +that he had fairly won the breeches. + +We shall not detail what further passed during the scene in the +alcalde's chamber of audience--where justice was practised as in the +times of Gil Blas--long before and long after Gil Blas--for it is not +very different in a Spanish law court at the hour in which we are +writing. + +Enough to say that the scene concluded, most of the dramatis personae, +with the alcalde at their head, proceeded to the chateau, to inspect the +chamber, and if possible find out some clue to the mysterious +disappearance of the Countess. + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. + +THE FORSAKEN CHAMBER. + +On arriving at the chateau, the alcalde ordered the door of the +Countess's chamber to be burst in--for it was still bolted inside. On +entering the apartment a picture of confusion was presented. Drawers +empty, others drawn out, but only half sacked of their contents. + +All this did not indicate precisely that there had been any violence. A +voluntary but hurried departure on the part of the Countess might have +left just such traces as were discovered. The bed was still +undisturbed, as if she had not lain down upon it. This fact appeared to +indicate a foreknowledge, on the part of the lady, of what was to +happen--as if she had had the intention of going off, but had made no +preparation until the moment of departure. The furniture was all in its +place--the window curtains and those of the alcove had not been +disarranged, and no traces of a struggle were to be discerned within the +chamber, which contained many light fragile objects of furniture that +could not fail to have been destroyed by the slightest violence. + +The fetid odour of an oil lamp filled the apartment despite the cold air +that came in through the open window. It was evident, therefore, that +this lamp had been left alight, and had continued to burn until the oil +had become exhausted. + +It could not be a robbery either. A thousand articles of value, likely +enough to have tempted the cupidity of robbers, were left behind both on +the tables and in the drawers. + +The conclusion then was that neither assassination nor burglary had +taken place. + +Notwithstanding all these deceptive appearances, the old steward shook +his head doubtfully. The signs were sufficient to baffle his reason, +which was none of the strongest, but the faithful servant could not +bring himself to believe that his noble mistress would take flight in a +manner so extraordinary--his good sense revolted at the thought. In his +belief some crime had been committed, but how was it to be explained-- +since the assassin had left no traces of his guilt? The devoted Don +Juan looked with a sad eye upon that desolate chamber--upon the dresses +of his beloved mistress scattered over the floor; upon the cradle of the +young Count, where he had so lately slept, rosy and smiling, under the +vigil of his mother. + +Suddenly struck with an idea, the steward advanced towards the iron +balcony that fronted upon the sea--that where the window had been found +open. With inquiring eye he looked to the ground below, which was +neither more nor less than the beach of the sea itself. It was at no +great depth below; and he could easily have seen from the balcony any +traces that might have been there. But there were none. The tide had +been in and out again. No trace was left on the sand or pebbles that +had the slightest signification in regard to the mysterious event. The +wind sighed, the waves murmured as always; but amid the voices of nature +none raised itself to proclaim the guilty. + +On the fair horizon only were descried the white sails of a ship, +gradually passing outwards and fading away into the azure of the sea. + +While the old steward watched the disappearance of the ship with a sort +of dreamy regard, he sent up a silent prayer that his mistress might +still be safe. The others, with the exception of the alcalde and his +clerk, stood listening to the mournful howling of the wind against the +cliffs, which seemed alternately to weep and sigh as if lamenting the +sad event that had just transpired. + +As regards the alcalde and his assistant, they were under the same +conviction as Don Juan--both believing that a crime had been committed-- +though they did not care to avow their belief, for reasons known to +themselves. The absence of any striking evidence that might lead to the +discovery of the delinquents, but more especially the difficulty of +finding some interested individual able to pay the expenses of justice +(the principal object of criminal prosecutions in Spain), damped the +zeal of Don Ramon and the scribe. Both were satisfied to leave things +as they stood--the one contented with having gained the recompense so +much coveted--the other with the twelve years of rents which he felt +sure of gaining. + +"_Valga me Dios_! my children," said the alcalde, turning toward the +witnesses, "I cannot explain what fancy the Countess may have had in +going out by the window--for the door of the chamber, bolted inside, +leaves no room to doubt that she went that way. Some woman's caprice, +perhaps, which justice has no business to meddle with." + +"Perhaps it was to escape from giving the alcalde his receipt," +suggested one of the bystanders to another, in an undertone of voice. + +"But how, Don Juan," continued the magistrate, addressing himself to the +old steward, "how did you know of the Countess's disappearance, since +you could not get into the room?" + +"That is simple enough," replied the old man. "At the hour in which the +chamber-maid is accustomed to present herself before the senora, she +knocked as usual at the door. No answer was given. She knocked louder, +and still received no answer. Growing anxious, she came to me to tell +me. I went to the door myself, first knocked and then called; and +receiving no reply, I ran round to the garden and got the ladder. This +I placed against the balcony, and mounted up in order to see through the +window. On reaching the window I found it open, and the chamber in the +condition you now see it." + +When the steward had finished this declaration, Cagatinta whispered some +words in the ear of the alcalde; but the latter only replied by a shake +of the shoulders, and an expression of disdainful incredulity. + +"Who knows?" answered the scribe in reply to this dumb show. + +"It might be," muttered Don Ramon, "we shall see presently." + +"I persist, gentlemen," continued the alcalde, "in my belief that the +Countess has gone out by the window; and however singular it may appear, +I believe the lady is free to her fancy to go out as she pleases--even +though it be by a window." + +Cagatinta, and some others, complimented, with a laugh, this little bit +of magisterial facetiousness. + +"But, senor alcalde," spoke out Don Juan, disgusted with this ill-timed +pleasantry, "a proof that there has been a forced entry into the chamber +is this broken glass of the window, of which you see some pieces still +lying on the balcony." + +"This old fool," muttered the alcalde to himself, "is not going to let +me have any breakfast. By this time everything will be cold, and +Nicolasa--What do these bits of glass prove?" he continued, raising his +voice; "don't you think that the breeze which was blowing roughly last +night might have caused this? The window was hanging open, and the wind +clashing it violently against the frame, would readily cause the +breaking of a pane?" + +"But why is it," answered Don Juan, "that the broken pane is precisely +the one adjacent to the fastening? It must have been knocked out to get +the window open." + +"_Carramba_! Senor Don Juan de Dios!" cried the alcalde, in a peevish +tone--at the same time biting his gold-headed cane, the emblem of his +office--"Is it you or I who have here the right to ask questions? +_Carrai_! it appears to me that you make me cut a strange figure!" + +Here Cagatinta interposed with a modest air-- + +"I shall answer our friend Canelo, if you permit me. If the window was +open with the design he has stated, it must of course have been done +from the outside. The pieces of glass then would have fallen _into_ the +chamber; but such is not the case--there they lie on the balcony! It +has been the wind therefore, as his honour the alcalde has reasonably +stated, that has done this business. Unless, indeed," added he, with a +feigned smile, "some trunk carried incautiously past the window might +have struck one of the squares. This may have been--since it appears +the Countess intends a prolonged absence, judging from the effects-- +taken with her, as testified by the empty drawers." + +The old steward lowered his head at this proof which seemed completely +to falsify his assertion. He did not hear the last observation of +Cagatinta, who was cogitating whether he ought not to exact from the +alcalde something more than the liver-coloured breeches, as a recompense +of this new service he had done him. + +While the faithful Don Juan was busy with painful reflections that threw +their shadows upon his bald forehead, the alcalde approached and +addressed him in a voice so low as not to be heard by the others. + +"I have been a little sharp with you, Don Juan--I have not sufficiently +taken into account the grief, which you as a loyal servant must feel +under such an unexpected stroke. But tell me! independent of the +chagrin which this affair has caused you, are you not also affected by +some fears about your own future? You are old--weak in consequence--and +without resources?" + +"It is just because I am old, and know that I have not long to live, +that I am so little affected. My grief, however," added he with an air +of pride, "is pure and free from all selfishness. The generosity of +Count de Mediana has left me enough to pass the remainder of my days in +tranquillity. But I should pass them all the more happily if I could +only see avenged the lady of my old master." + +"I approve of your sentiments, Senor Don Juan! you are doubly estimable +on account of your sorrow, and as to your _savings_--Notary! Senor +Cagatinta!" cried the alcalde, suddenly raising his voice so as to be +heard by all present, "Make out a _proces verbal_--that the Senor Don +Juan Dios Canelo, here present, will become prosecutor in this case. It +cannot be doubted that a crime has been committed; and it is a duty we +owe to ourselves as well as to this respectable man, to seek out and +punish the authors of it." + +"But, senor alcalde!" interposed the steward, perfectly stupefied with +this unexpected declaration, "I did not say--I have no intention to +become _prosecutor_." + +"Take care, old man!" cried Don Ramon, in a solemn tone; "if you deny +what you have already confided to me, grievous charges may be brought +against you. As friend Cagatinta has just this minute observed to me, +the ladder by which you scaled the balcony might prove sinister designs. +But I know you are incapable of such. Rest contented, then, at being +the accuser in place of the accused. Come, gentlemen! our duty calls us +outside. Perhaps underneath the balcony we may find some traces of this +most mysterious matter." + +So saying, the alcalde left the chamber, followed by the crowd. + +Poor Don Juan found himself thus unexpectedly between two horns of a +dilemma, the result in either case being the same--that is, the +spoliation of the little _pecadillo_ he had put away against old age. +He shook his head, and with a sublime resignation accepted the voice of +iniquity for that of God--consoling himself with the reflection, that +this last sacrifice might be of some service to the family whose bread +he had so long eaten. + +No trace was found under the balcony. As already stated the waves must +have obliterated any footmarks or other vestiges that may have been +left. + +It was believed for a while that an important capture had been made, in +the person of a man found lying in a crevice among the rocks. This +proved to be Pepe the Sleeper. Suddenly aroused, the coast-guard was +asked if he had seen or heard anything? No, was the reply, nothing. +But Pepe remembered his full pockets; and fearing that the alcalde might +take a fancy to search him, saw that some _ruse_ was necessary to put an +end to the scene. This he succeeded in doing, by begging the alcalde +for a _real_ to buy bread with! + +What was to be done with this droll fellow? The alcalde felt no +inclination to question him farther, but left him to go to sleep again +and sleep as long as he pleased. + +Any further investigation appeared to Don Ramon to be useless--at least +until some order might be received from higher quarters--besides it +would be necessary to graduate the expenses of justice to the means of +the prosecutor; and with this reflection, the alcalde went home to his +breakfast. + +In the evening of this eventful day for the village of Elanchovi--when +the twilight had fallen upon the water--two persons might have been seen +wandering along the beach, but evidently desirous of shunning one +another. Both appeared in grief, though their sorrows sprang from a +very different cause. + +One was a poor old steward, who, while heaving a sigh at the thought +that his worldly store was about to be absorbed in the inexorable gulf +of justice, at the same time searched for some trace of his lost +mistress, praying for her and her child, and calling upon God to take +them under his protection. + +The other pensive wanderer was Cagatinta, of whom the alcalde had again +taken the advantage. Profiting by the confidence of the scribe, Don +Ramon had induced the latter to commit his oath to stamped paper; and +then instead of the liver-coloured breeches had offered him an old hat +in remuneration. This Cagatinta had indignantly refused. + +He was now lamenting his vanished dreams of ambition, his silly +confidence, and the immorality of false oaths--_not paid for_. +Nevertheless, he was meditating whether it would not be more prudent to +accept the old hat in lieu of the liver-coloured breeches, alas! so well +earned! + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. + +PEPE'S REVANCHE. + +When Pepe the Sleeper had made himself master of the secret of Captain +Despierto--which he had found of such profitable service--he was not +aware that the captain had held back another. Nevertheless, the +coast-guard felt some kind of remorse of conscience--though he had as +yet no idea of the terrible consequences that had resulted. His remorse +was simply that he had betrayed his post of sentinel; and he determined +that he would make up for it by a more zealous performance of duty +whenever an opportunity should offer. To bring about this contingency, +he went on the very next night, and requested to be once more placed on +the post of Ensenada. + +His wish was gratified; and while Don Lucas believed him asleep as +usual, Pepe kept wide awake, as on the preceding night. + +We shall leave him at his post, while we recount what was taking place +off the coast not far from the Ensenada. + +The night was as foggy as that which preceded it, when about the hour of +ten o'clock a _coaster_ was observed gliding in towards the cliffs, and +entering among a labyrinth of rocks that lay near the mouth of the bay. + +This vessel appeared well guided and well _sailed_. The shape of her +hull, her rigging, her sails, denoted her to be a ship-of-war, or at the +least a privateer. + +The boldness with which she manoeuvred, in the middle of the darkness, +told that her pilot must be some one well acquainted with this dangerous +coast; and also that her commander had an understanding with some people +on the shore. + +The sea dashed with fury against both sides of the rocky strait, through +which the coaster was making her way, but still she glided safely on. +The strait once cleared, a large bay opened before her, in which the sea +was more calm, and rippled gently up against a beach of sand and pebble. + +The coaster at length succeeded in gaining this bay; and then by a +manoeuvre directed by the officer of the watch she hove-to with a +celerity that denoted a numerous crew. + +Two boats were let down upon the water, and, being instantly filled with +men, were rowed off in the direction of the upper end of the bay, where +some houses, which could be distinguished by their whiteness, stood +scattered along the beach. + +To end the mystery, let us say that the little coaster was a French +vessel--half-privateer half-smuggler--and had entered the bay with a +double design--the disposing of merchandise and the procuring of +provisions, of which the crew began to stand in need. Further we shall +add, that the pilot was a skilful fisherman of Elanchovi, furnished by +Don Lucas Despierto, captain of the coast-guard! + +The officer of the watch silently walked the deck--now listening to the +waves surging against the sides of the little vessel--now stooping a +moment over the light of the binnacle--anon watching the sails that +napped loosely upon the yards, now turned contrary to the direction of +the wind. + +An hour had been passed in this manner, when a brisk fusillade was heard +from several points on the shore. Other reports of musketry appeared to +respond and shortly after the two boats came hastening back to the +coaster. + +It was Pepe who had caused all this; Pepe, who, to the great chagrin of +his captain, had given warning to the coast-guards. He had been too +late, notwithstanding his zeal, for the boats came back laden with sheep +and other provisions of every soft. + +The last of the men who climbed over the gangway--just as the boats were +being hoisted up--was a sailor of gigantic height, of colossal +proportions, and Herculean vigour. He was a Canadian by birth. He +carried in his arms a young child that was cold and motionless, as if +dead. A slight trembling in its limbs, however, proclaimed that there +was still life in it. + +"What the deuce have you got there, Bois-Rose?" demanded the officer of +the watch. + +"With your leave, lieutenant, it's a young child that I found in a boat +adrift, half dead with hunger and cold. A woman, quite dead, and bathed +in her own blood, still held it in her arms. I had all the trouble in +the world to get the boat away from the place where I found it, for +those dogs of Spaniards espied it, and took it for one of ours. There +was a terrible devil of a coast-guard kept all the while firing at me +with as much obstinacy as awkwardness. I should have silenced him with +a single shot, had I not been hindered in looking after this poor little +creature. But if ever I return--ah!" + +"And what do you intend to do with the child?" + +"Take care of it, lieutenant, until peace be proclaimed, then return +here and find out who it belongs to." + +Unfortunately the only knowledge he was able to obtain about the infant +was its name, Fabian, and that the woman who had been assassinated was +its mother. + +Two years passed during which the French privateer did not return to the +coast of Spain. The tenderness of the sailor towards the child he had +picked up--which was no other than the young Count Fabian de Mediana-- +did not cease for an instant, but seemed rather to increase with time. +It was a singular and touching spectacle to witness the care, almost +motherly, which this rude nurse lavished upon the child, and the +constant _ruses_ to which he had recourse to procure a supplement to his +rations for its nourishment. The sailor had to fight for his own +living; but he often indulged in dreams that some day a rich prize would +be captured, his share of which would enable him to take better care of +his adopted son. Unfortunately he did not take into his calculations +the perilous hazards of the life he was leading. + +One morning the privateer was compelled to run from an English brig of +war of nearly twice her force; and although a swift sailer, the French +vessel soon found that she could not escape from her pursuer. She +disdained to refuse the combat, and the two vessels commenced +cannonading each other. + +For several hours a sanguinary conflict was kept up, when the Canadian +sailor, dashed with blood, and blackened with powder, ran towards the +child and lifting it in his arms, carried it to the gangway. There, in +the midst of the tumult, with blood running over the decks, amidst the +confusion of cries and the crash of falling masts, he wished to engrave +on the child's memory the circumstance of a separation, of which he had +a strong presentiment. In this moment, which should leave even upon the +memory of an infant, a souvenir that would never be effaced, he called +out to the child, while shielding it with his huge body, "Kneel, my +son!" + +The child knelt, trembling with affright. + +"You see what is going on?" + +"I am afraid," murmured Fabian, "the blood--the noise--" and saying this +he hid himself in the arms of his protector. + +"It is well," replied the Canadian, in a solemn tone. "Never forget, +then, that in this moment, a sailor, a man who loved you as his own +life, said to you--_kneel and pray for your mother_!" + +He was not permitted to finish the speech. At that moment a bullet +struck him and his blood spouting over the child, caused it to utter a +lamentable cry. The Canadian had just strength left to press the boy to +his breast, and to add some words; but in so low a tone that Fabian +could only comprehend a single phrase. It was the continuation of what +he had been saying--"_Your mother_--_whom I found_--_dead beside you_." + +With this speech ended the consciousness of the sailor. He was not +dead, however; his wound did not prove fatal. + +When he came to his senses again he found himself in the fetid hold of a +ship. A terrible thirst devoured him. He called out in a feeble voice, +but no one answered him. He perceived that he was a prisoner, and he +wept for the loss of his liberty, but still more for that of the adopted +son that Providence had given him. + +What became of Fabian? That the history of the "Wood-Rangers" will tell +us; but before crossing from the prologue of our drama--before crossing +from Europe to America--a few events connected with the tragedy of +Elanchovi remain to be told. + +It was several days after the disappearance of the Countess, before +anything was known of her fate. Then some fishermen found the abandoned +boat driven up among the rocks and still containing the body of the +unfortunate lady. This was some light thrown upon the horrid mystery; +but the cause of the assassination long remained unknown, and the author +of it long unpunished. + +The old steward tied black crape upon the vanes of the chateau, and +erected a wooden cross on the spot where the body of his beloved +mistress had been found; but, as everything in this human world soon +wears out, the sea-breeze had not browned the black crape, nor the waves +turned green the wood of the cross, before the tragic event ceased to +cause the slightest emotion in the village--ay, even ceased to be talked +of. + + + +CHAPTER SIX. + +SONORA. + +Sonora, naturally one of the richest provinces of Mexico, is also one of +the least known. Vast tracts in this State have never been explored; +and others have been seen only by the passing traveller. Nevertheless, +Nature has been especially bountiful to this remote territory. In some +parts of it the soil, scarce scratched by the plough, will yield two +crops in the year; while in other places gold is scattered over the +surface, or mixed with the sands, in such quantity as to rival the +_placers_ of California. + +It is true that these advantages are, to some extent neutralised by +certain inconveniences. Vast deserts extend between the tracts of +fertile soil, which render travelling from one to the other both +difficult and dangerous; and, in many parts, of the province the savage +aborigines of the country are still masters of the ground. This is +especially the case in those districts where the gold is found in +_placers_. + +Those placers are not to be approached by white men, unless when in +strong force. The Indians repel all such advances with warlike fury. +Not that they care to protect the gold--of whose value they have been +hitherto ignorant--but simply from their hereditary hatred of the white +race. Nevertheless, attempts are frequently made to reach the desired +gold fields. Some that result in complete failure, and some that are +more or less successful. + +The natural riches of Sonora have given rise to very considerable +fortunes, and not a few very large ones, of which the origin was the +finding a "nugget" of virgin gold; while others again had for their +basis the cultivation of the rich crops which the fertile soil of Sonora +can produce. + +There is a class of persons in Sonora, who follow no other business than +searching for gold _placers_ or silver mines, and whose only knowledge +consists of a little practical acquaintance with metallurgy. These men +are called _gambusinos_. From time to time they make long excursions +into the uninhabited portions of the State; where, under great +privations, and exposed to a thousand dangers, they hastily and very +superficially work some vein of silver, or wash the auriferous sands of +some desert-stream, until, tracked and pursued by the Indians, they are +compelled to return to their villages. Here they find an audience +delighted to listen to their adventures, and to believe the exaggerated +accounts which they are certain to give of marvellous treasures lying +upon the surface of, the ground, but not to be approached on account of +some great danger, Indian or otherwise, by which they are guarded. + +These _gambusinos_ are to mining industry, what the backwoodsmen are to +agriculture and commerce. They are its pioneers. Avarice stimulated by +their wonderful stories, and often too by the sight of real treasure +brought in from the desert--for the expeditions of the _gambusinos_ do +not always prove failures--avarice thus tempted, is ready to listen to +the voice of some adventurous leader, who preaches a crusade of conquest +and exploration. In Sonora, as elsewhere, there are always an abundance +of idle men to form the material of an expedition--the sons of ruined +families--men who dislike hard work, or indeed any work--and others who +have somehow got outside the pale of justice. These join the leader and +an expedition is organised. + +In general, however, enterprises of this kind are too lightly entered +upon, as well as too loosely conducted; and the usual consequence is, +that before accomplishing its object the band falls to pieces; many +become victims to hunger, thirst, or Indian hostility; and of those who +went forth only a few individuals return to tell the tale of suffering +and disaster. + +This example will, for a while, damp the ardour for such pursuits. But +the disaster is soon forgotten; fresh stories of the _gambusinos_ +produce new dreams of wealth; and another band of adventurers is easily +collected. + +At the time of which I am writing--that is, in 1830--just twenty-two +years after the tragedy of Elanchovi, one of these expeditions was being +organised at Arispe--then the capital of the State of Sonora. The man +who was to be the leader of the expedition was not a native of Mexico, +but a stranger. He was a Spaniard who had arrived in Sonora but two +months before, and who was known by the name, Don Estevan de Arechiza. + +No one in Arispe remembered ever to have seen him; and yet he appeared +to have been in the country before this time. His knowledge of its +topography, as well as its affairs and political personages, was so +positive and complete, as to make it evident that Sonora was no stranger +to him; and the plan of his expedition appeared to have been conceived +and arranged beforehand--even previous to his arrival from Europe. + +Beyond doubt, Don Estevan was master of considerable resources. He had +his train of paid followers, kept open house, made large bets at the +_monte_ tables, lent money to friends without appearing to care whether +it should ever be returned, and played "grand Seigneur" to perfection. + +No one knew from what source he drew the means to carry on such a "war." + +Now and then he was known to absent himself from Arispe for a week or +ten days at a time. He was absent on some journey; but no one could +tell to what part of the country these journeys were made--for his +well-trained servants never said a word about the movements of their +master. + +Whoever he might be, his courteous manner _a l'Espagnol_, his +generosity, and his fine free table, soon gave him a powerful influence +in the social world of Arispe; and by this influence he was now +organising an expedition, to penetrate to a part of the country which it +was supposed no white man had ever yet visited. + +As Don Estevan almost always lost at play, and as he also neglected to +reclaim the sums of money which he so liberally lent to his +acquaintances, it began to be conjectured that he possessed not far from +Arispe some rich _placer_ of gold from which he drew his resources. The +periodical journeys which he made gave colour to this conjecture. + +It was also suspected that he knew of some _placer_--still more rich--in +the country into which he was about to lead his expedition. What truth +there was in the suspicion we shall presently see. + +It will easily be understood that with such a reputation, Don Estevan +would have very little difficulty in collecting his band of adventurers. +Indeed it was said, that already more than fifty determined men from +all parts of Sonora had assembled at the _Presidio of Tubac_ on the +Indian frontier--the place appointed for the rendezvous of the +expedition. It was further affirmed that in a few days Don Estevan +himself would leave Arispe to place himself at their head. + +This rumour, hitherto only conjecture, proved to be correct; for at one +of the dinners given by the hospitable Spaniard, he announced to his +guests that in three days he intended to start for Tubac. + +During the progress of this same dinner, a messenger was introduced into +the dining-room, who handed to Don Estevan a letter, an answer to which +he awaited. + +The Spaniard, begging of his guests to excuse him for a moment, broke +the seal and read the letter. + +As there was a certain mystery about the habits of their convivial host, +the guests were silent for a while--all watching his movements and the +play of his features; but the impassible countenance of Don Estevan did +not betray a single emotion that was passing his mind, even to the most +acute observer around the table. In truth he was a man who well knew +how to dissemble his thoughts, and perhaps on that very occasion, more +than any other, he required all his self-command. + +"It is well," he said, calmly addressing himself to the messenger. +"Take my answer to him who sent you, that I will be punctual to the +rendezvous in three days from the present." + +With this answer the messenger took his departure. Don Estevan, turning +to his guests, again apologised for his impoliteness; and the dinner for +an instant suspended once more progressed with renewed activity. + +Nevertheless the Spaniard appeared more thoughtful than before; and his +guests did not doubt but that he had received some news of more than +ordinary interest. + +We shall leave them to their conjectures, and precede Don Estevan to the +mysterious rendezvous which had been given him, and the scene of which +was to be a small village lying upon the route to the Presidio of Tubac. + +The whole country between Arispe and the Presidio in question may be +said to be almost uninhabited. Along the route only mean hovels are +encountered, with here and there a _hacienda_ of greater pretensions. +These houses are rarely solitary, but collected in groups at long +distances apart. Usually a day's journey lies between them, and, +consequently, they are the stopping-places for travellers, who may be on +their way towards the frontier. But the travellers are few, and the +inhabitants of these miserable hovels pass the greater part of their +lives in the middle of a profound solitude. A little patch of Indian +corn which they cultivate,--a few head of cattle, which, fed upon the +perfumed pastures of the plains, produce beef of an exquisite flavour,-- +a sky always clear,--and, above all, a wonderful sobriety of living,-- +enable these dwellers of the desert steppes of Sonora to live, if not in +a state of luxury, at least free from all fear of want. What desires +need trouble a man who sees a blue sky always over his head, and who +finds in the smoke of a cigarette of his own making, a resource against +all the cravings of hunger? + +At one part of the year, however, these villages of hovels are +uninhabited--altogether abandoned by their occupants. This is the _dry +season_, during the greater portion of which the cisterns that supply +the villages with water become dried up. The cisterns are fed by the +rains of heaven, and no other water than this can be found throughout +most tracts of the country. When these give out, the settlements have +to be abandoned, and remain until the return of the periodical rains. + +In a morning of the year 1830, at the distance of about three days' +journey from Arispe, a man was seated, or rather half reclining, upon +his _serape_ in front of a rude hovel. A few other huts of a similar +character were near, scattered here and there over the ground. It was +evident, from the profound silence that reigned among these dwellings, +and the absence of human forms, or implements of household use, that the +_rancheria_ was abandoned by its half nomad population. Such in reality +was the fact, for it was now the very height of the dry season. Two or +three roads branched out from this miserable group of huts, leading off +into a thick forest which surrounded it on all sides. They were rather +paths than roads, for the tracks which they followed were scarce cleared +of the timber that once grew upon them. At the point of junction of +these roads the individual alluded to had placed himself; and his +attitude of perfect ease told that he was under no apprehension from the +profound and awe-inspiring loneliness of the place. The croak of the +ravens flitting from tree to tree hoarsely uttered in their flight; the +cry of the _chaculucas_ as they welcomed the rising sun, were the only +sounds that broke the stillness of the scene. + +Presently the white fog of the night began to rise upward and disappear +under the strength of the sunbeams. Only a few flakes of it still hung +over the tops of the mezquite and iron-wood trees that grew thickly +around the huts. + +Near where the man lay, there might be seen the remains of a large fire. +It had been kindled no doubt to protect him from the chill dews of the +night; and it now served him to prepare his breakfast. Some small cakes +of wheaten meal, with few pieces of _tasajo_, were already placed upon +the red embers of the fire; but notwithstanding that these would made +but a meagre repast the man appeared eagerly to await the enjoyment of +it. + +Near at hand, with a frugality equal to that of his master, a horse was +browsing upon the tufts of dry yellow grass, that grew thinly over the +ground. This horse, with a saddle and bridle lying near, proved the +solitary individual to be a traveller. Contrary to the usual custom of +the country, the horse had no _lazo_, or fastening of any kind upon him; +but was free to wander where he pleased. + +The costume of the traveller consisted in a sort of jacket or vest of +brick-coloured leather, without buttons or any opening in front, but +drawn over the head after the manner of a shirt. Wide pantaloons of the +same material, open from the knee downwards, and fastened at the waist +by a scarf of red China crape. Under the pantaloons, and covering the +calf of the leg nearly up to the knee, could be seen the _botas_ of +strong stamped leather, in one of which was stuck a long knife with a +horn hilt--thus ready to the hand whether the owner was seated, +standing, or on horseback. A large felt hat, banded with a _toquilla_ +of Venetian pearls, completed a costume sufficiently picturesque, the +vivid colours of which were in harmony with that of the _serape_ on +which the traveller was reclining. This costume denoted one of those +men accustomed to gallop among the thorny jungles that cover the desert +steppes of North Mexico; and who in their expeditions, whether against +Indian enemies, or for whatever purpose, sleep with indifference under +the shadow of a tree, or the open heaven itself,--in the forest, or upon +the naked plain. + +There was in the features of this traveller a singular mixture of brutal +ferocity and careless good-humour. A crooked nose, with thick bushy +eyebrows, and black eyes that sparkled from time to time with a +malicious fire, gave to his countenance a sinister aspect, and belied +the expression of his mouth and lips, that presented rather a pleasant +and smiling contour. But the man's features, when viewed as a whole, +could not fail to inspire a certain feeling of repulsiveness mingled +with fear. A short carbine that lay by his side, together with the long +knife, whose haft protruded above the top of his boots, did not in any +way tame down the ferocious aspect of his face. On the contrary they +proclaimed him one whom it would not be desirable to have for a +companion in the desert. + +Despite the _nonchalance_ of his attitude, it was evident that he +awaited some one; but as everything in these countries is on a large +scale, so also is the virtue of patience. This outlaw--for everything +about him signified that he was one of some sort--this outlaw, we say, +having made three days' journey before arriving upon the ground where he +now was, thought nothing of a few hours, less or more, spent in +expectation. In the desert, he who has travelled a hundred leagues, +will consider it a mere bagatelle to wait for a hundred hours: unlike to +him who keeps an appointment in the midst of a great city, where a delay +of a quarter of an hour will be endured with feverish impatience. + +So it was with our solitary traveller; and when the hoof-strokes of a +horse were heard at some distance off in the forest, he did nothing more +than to make a slight change in the attitude in which he had been +reclining; while his steed, also hearing the same sounds, tossed up his +head and neighed joyously. The hoof-strokes each moment were heard more +distinctly; and it was evident that a horseman was galloping rapidly in +the direction of the huts. After a little the strokes became more +gentle, and the gallop appeared to be changed to a walk. The rider was +approaching with caution. + +A few seconds intervened, and then upon one of the roads--that leading +to Arispe--the horseman was perceived coming on at a slow and cautious +pace. + +On perceiving the traveller, still half reclining upon his _serape_, the +horseman drew his rein still tighter and halted, and the two men +remained for some seconds regarding each other with a fixed and +interrogative glance. + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. + +TWO HONEST GENTLEMEN. + +The new-comer was a tall man with a dark complexion, and thick black +beard, costumed very similarly to the other--in vest and pantaloons of +brick-red leather, felt sombrero, sash, and boots. He was mounted upon +a strong active horse. + +It may appear strange that during the period of mutual examination, each +of these two men made a very similar reflection about the other; but it +was scarcely strange either, considering that both presented an equally +suspicious aspect. + +"_Carramba_!" muttered the horseman as he eyed the man on the _serape_, +"if I wasn't sure that he is the gentleman I have been sent to meet, I +should believe that I had chanced upon a very unlucky acquaintance." + +At the same instant he upon the ground said to himself-- + +"_Por Dios_! if that infernal Seven of Spades had left any dollars in my +purse, I should have considered them in danger of being taken out of it +just now." + +Despite the nature of his reflection, the horseman did not hesitate any +longer, but spurring his horse forward to the edge of the fire, lifted +his hat courteously from his head, and saluted him on the ground, at the +same time saying interrogatively:-- + +"No doubt it is the Senor Don Pedro Cuchillo I have the honour to +address?" + +"The same, cavallero!" replied the other, rising to his feet, and +returning the salute with no less politeness than it had been given. + +"Cavallero! I have been sent forward to meet you, and announce to you +the approach of the Senor Arechiza, who at this time cannot be many +leagues distant. My name is Manuel Baraja, your very humble servant." + +"Your honour will dismount?" + +The horseman did not wait for the invitation to be repeated, but at once +flung himself from the saddle. After unbuckling his enormous spurs, he +speedily unsaddled his horse, fastened a long lazo around his neck, and +then giving him a smart cut with the short whip which he carried, +despatched the animal without further ceremony to share the meagre +provender of his companion. + +At this movement the _tasajo_, beginning to sputter over the coals, gave +out an odour that resembled the smell of a dying lamp. Notwithstanding +this, Baraja cast towards it a look of longing. + +"It appears to me Senor Cuchillo," said he, "that you are well provided +here. Carramba!--_tortillas_, of wheaten meal! _tasajo_!--it is a +repast for a prince!" + +"Oh, yes," replied Cuchillo, with a certain air of foppishness, "I treat +myself well. It makes me happy to know that the dish is to your liking; +I beg to assure you, it is quite at your service." + +"You are very good, and I accept your offer without ceremony. The +morning air has sharpened my appetite." + +And saying this, Baraja proceeded to the mastication of the tassajo and +tortillas. After being thus engaged for some time, he once more +addressed himself to his host. + +"Dare I tell you, Senor Cuchillo, the favourable impression I had of you +at first sight?" + +"Oh! you shock my modesty, senor. I would rather state the good opinion +your first appearance gave me of _you_!" + +The two new friends here exchanged a salute, full of affability, and +then continued to eat, Baraja harpooning upon the point of his long +knife another piece of meat out of the ashes. + +"If it please you, Senor Baraja," said Cuchillo, "we may talk over our +business while we are eating. You will find me a host _sans +ceremonie_." + +"Just what pleases me." + +"Don Estevan, then, has received the message which I sent him?" + +"He has, but what that message was is only known to you and him." + +"No doubt of that," muttered Cuchillo to himself. + +"The Senor Arechiza," continued the _envoy_, "started for Tubac shortly +after receiving your letter. It was my duty to accompany him, but he +ordered me to proceed in advance of him with these commands: `In the +little village of Huerfano you will find a man, by name Cuchillo; you +shall say to him that the proposal he makes to me deserves serious +attention; and that since the place he has designated as a rendezvous is +on the way to Tubac, I will see him on my journey.' This instruction +was given by Don Estevan an hour or so before his departure, but +although I have ridden a little faster to execute his orders, he cannot +be far behind me." + +"Good! Senor Baraja, good!" exclaimed Cuchillo, evidently pleased with +the communication just made, "and if the business which I have with Don +Estevan be satisfactorily concluded--which I am in hopes it will be--you +are likely to have me for a comrade in this distant expedition. But," +continued he, suddenly changing the subject, "you will, no doubt, be +astonished that I have given Don Estevan a rendezvous in such a singular +place as this?" + +"No," coolly replied Baraja, "you may have reasons for being partial to +solitude. Who does not love it at times?" + +A most gracious smile playing upon the countenance of Cuchillo, denoted +that his new acquaintance had correctly divined the truth. + +"Precisely," he replied, "the ill-behaviour of a friend towards me, and +the malevolent hostility of the alcalde of Arispe have caused me to seek +this tranquil retreat. That is just why I have established my +headquarters in an abandoned village, where there is not a soul to keep +company with." + +"Senor Don Pedro," replied Baraja, "I have already formed too good an +opinion of you not to believe that the fault is entirely upon the side +of the alcalde, and especially on the part of your friend." + +"I thank you, Senor Baraja, for you good opinion," returned Cuchillo, at +the same time taking from the cinders a piece of the meat, half burnt, +half raw, and munching it down with the most perfect indifference; "I +thank you sincerely, and when I tell you the circumstances you may judge +for yourself." + +"I shall be glad to hear them," said the other, easing himself down into +a horizontal position; "after a good repast, there is nothing I so much +enjoy as a good story." + +After saying this, and lighting his cigarette, Baraja turned upon the +broad of his back, and with his eyes fixed upon the blue sky, appeared +to enjoy a perfect beatitude. + +"The story is neither long nor interesting," responded Cuchillo; "what +happened to me might happen to all the world. I was engaged with this +friend in a quiet game of cards, when he pretended that I had _tricked_ +him. The affair came to words--" + +Here the narrator paused for an instant, to take a drink from his +leathern bottle, and then continued-- + +"My friend had the indelicacy to permit himself to drop down dead in my +presence." + +"What at your words?" + +"No, with the stab of a knife which I gave him," coolly replied the +outlaw. + +"Ah! no doubt your friend was in the wrong, and you received great +provocation?" + +"The alcalde did not think so. He pestered me in the most absurd +manner. I could have forgiven the bitterness of his persecution of me, +had it not been that I was myself bitterly roused at the ill-behaviour +of my friend, whom up to that time I had highly esteemed." + +"Ah! one has always to suffer from one's friends," rejoined Baraja, +sending up a puff of smoke from his corn-husk cigarette. + +"Well--one thing," said Cuchillo, "the result of it all is that I have +made a vow never to play another card; for the cards, as you see, were +the original cause of this ugly affair." + +"A good resolution," said Baraja, "and just such as I have come to +myself. I have promised never to touch another card; they have cost me +a fortune--in fact, altogether ruined me." + +"Ruined you? you have been rich then?" + +"Alas! I had a splendid estate--a _hacienda de ganados_ (cattle farm) +with a numerous flock upon it. I had a lawyer for my _intendant_, who +took care of the estate while I spent my time in town. But when I came +to settle accounts with this fellow I found I had let them run too long. +I discovered that half my estate belonged to him!" + +"What did you do then?" + +"The only thing I could do," answered Baraja, with the air of a +cavalier, "was to stake my remaining half against his on a game, and let +the winner take the whole." + +"Did he accept this proposal?" + +"After a fashion." + +"What fashion?" + +"Why, you see I am too timid when I play in presence of company, and +certain to lose. I prefer, therefore, to play in the open air, and in +some quiet corner of the woods. There I feel more at my ease; and if I +should lose--considering that it was my whole fortune that was at +stake--I should not expose my chagrin to the whole world. These were +the considerations that prompted me to propose the conditions of our +playing alone." + +"And did the lawyer agree to your conditions?" + +"Not a bit of it." + +"What a droll fellow he must have been!" + +"He would only play in the presence of witnesses." + +"And you were forced to his terms?" + +"To my great regret, I was." + +"And of course you lost--being so nervous in presence of company?" + +"I lost the second half of my fortune as I had done the first. The only +thing I kept back was the horse you see, and even him my ex-intendant +insisted upon having as part of the bet. To-day I have no other hope +than to make my fortune in this Tubac expedition, and if I should do so +I may get back, and settle accounts with the knave. After that game, +however, I swore I should never play another card; and, carramba! I +have kept my oath." + +"How long since this happened?" + +"Five days." + +"The devil!--You deserve credit for keeping your word." + +The two adventurers after having exchanged these confidences, began to +talk over their hopes founded on the approaching expedition--of the +marvellous sights that they would be likely to see--but more especially +of the dangers that might have to be encountered. + +"Bah!" said Baraja, speaking of these; "better to die than live wearing +a coat out at elbows." + +Cuchillo was of the same opinion. + +Meanwhile the sun was growing hotter and hotter. A burning wind began +to blow through the trees, and the horses of the two travellers, +suffering from thirst, uttered their plaintive neighings. The men +themselves sought out the thickest shade to protect them from the fervid +rays of the sun, and for a while both observed a complete silence. + +Baraja was the first to resume the conversation. + +"You may laugh at me, Senor Cuchillo," said he, fanning himself with his +felt hat, "but to say the truth the time appears very long to me when I +am not playing." + +"The same with myself," hastily responded Cuchillo. + +"What do you say to our staking, on word of honour, a little of that +gold we are going to find?" + +"Just what I was thinking myself, but I daren't propose it to you;--I am +quite agreeable." + +Without further parley each of the two thrust a hand into his pocket, +and drew forth a pack of cards--with which, notwithstanding the oath +they had taken, both were provided. + +The play was about to commence, when the sound of a bell, and the +clattering of hoofs at a distance, announced the approach, most +probably, of the important personage whom Cuchillo awaited. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. + +THE SENATOR TRAGADUROS. + +The two players suspended operations, and turned their faces in the +direction whence came the sounds. + +At some distance along the road, a cloud of dust suddenly rising, +indicated the approach of a troop of horses. + +They were without riders. One only was mounted; and that was ridden by +the driver of the troop. In short, it was a _remuda_--such as rich +travellers in the north of Mexico usually take along with them for a +remount. These horses, on account of the half-wild life they lead upon +the vast plains where they are pastured, after a gallop of twenty +leagues without carrying a rider, are almost as fresh as if just taken +out of the stable. On long routes, each is saddled and mounted at +regular intervals; and in this way a journey is performed almost as +rapidly as by a mail express, with relays already established. + +According to usual custom, a _bell-mare_ preceded this drove, which +appeared to consist of about thirty horses. It was this bell that had +first attracted the attention of the players. + +When within a hundred yards or so of the huts, the driver of the +_remuda_ galloped to the front, and catching the bell-mare, brought her +to a stop. The other horses halted on the instant. + +Shortly after, five cavaliers appeared through the dust, riding in the +direction of the huts. Two were in advance of the other three, who, +following at a little distance, were acting as attendants or servants. + +The most distinguished looking of the two who rode in advance, was a man +of somewhat over medium height. He appeared to have passed the age of +forty. A greyish-coloured _sombrero_, with broad brim, screened his +face from the fervent sunbeams. He was habited in a pelisse, or +_dolman_, of dark blue, richly laced with gold, and almost concealed +under a large white kerchief, embroidered with sky-blue silk, and known +in Mexico as _pano de sol_. Under the fiery atmosphere, the white +colour of this species of scarf, like the _burnous_ of the Arabs, serves +to moderate the rays of the sun, and for this purpose was it worn by the +cavalier in question. Upon his feet were boots of yellow Cordovan +leather, and over these, large spurs, the straps of which were stitched +with gold and silver wire. These spurs, with their huge five-pointed +rowels, and little bells, gave out a silvery clinking that kept time to +the march of the horse--sounds most agreeable to the ear of the Mexican +_cavallero_. + +A _mango_, richly slashed with gold lace, hung over the pommel of the +saddle in front of the horseman, half covering with its folds a pair of +wide pantaloons, garnished throughout their whole length with buttons of +filigree gold. In fine, the saddle, embroidered like the straps of the +spurs, completed a costume that, in the eyes of a European, would recall +the souvenirs of the middle ages. For all that, the horseman in +question did not require a rich dress to give him an air of distinction. +There was that in his bearing and physiognomy that denoted a man +accustomed to command and perfectly _au fait_ to the world. + +His companion, much younger, was dressed with far more pretension: but +his insignificant figure, though not wanting in a certain degree of +elegance, was far from having the aristocratic appearance of him with +the embroidered kerchief. + +The three servants that followed--with faces blackened by dust and sun, +and half savage figures--carried long lances adorned with scarlet +pennons, and _lazos_ hung coiled from the pommels of their saddles. +These strange attendants gave to the group that singular appearance +peculiar to a cavalcade of Mexican travellers. Several mules, pack +laden, and carrying enormous valises, followed in the rear. These +valises contained provisions and the _menage_ necessary for a halt. + +On seeing Cuchillo and Baraja, the foremost of the two cavaliers halted, +and the troop followed his example. + +"'Tis the Senor Don Estevan," said Baraja, in a subdued voice. "This is +the man, senor," he continued, presenting Cuchillo to the cavalier with +the _pano de sol_. + +Don Estevan--for it was he--fixed upon Cuchillo a piercing glance, that +appeared to penetrate to the bottom of his soul, at the same time the +look denoted a slight expression of surprise. + +"I have the honour to kiss the hands of your excellency," said Cuchillo. +"As you see, it is I who--" + +But in spite of his habitual assurance, the outlaw paused, trembling as +vague souvenirs began to shape themselves in his memory; for these two +men had met before, though not for a very long time. + +"Eh! if I don't deceive myself," interrupted the Spaniard, in an +ironical tone, "the Senor Cuchillo and I are old acquaintances--though +formerly I knew him by a different name?" + +"So too your excellency, who was then called--" + +Arechiza frowned till the hairs of his black moustache seemed to stand +on end. The outlaw did not finish his speech. He saw that it was not +the time to tell what he knew; but this species of complicity appeared +to restore him to his wonted assurance. + +Cuchillo was, in truth, one of those gentlemen who have the ill luck to +give to whatever name they bear a prompt celebrity; and for this reason +he had changed his more than once. + +"Senor Senator," said Arechiza, turning toward his _compagnon de +voyage_, "this place does not appear very suitable for our noon siesta?" + +"The Senor Tragaduros y Despilfarro, will find the shade of one of these +cottages more agreeable," interposed Cuchillo, who knew the senator of +Arispe. He knew, moreover, that the latter had attached himself to the +fortunes of Don Estevan, in default of better cause: and in hopes of +repairing his own fortune, long since dissipated. + +Despite the low state of his finances, however, the Senator had not the +less a real influence in the congress of Sonora; and it was this +influence which Don Estevan intended using to his own advantage. Hence +the companionship that now existed between them. + +"I agree with all my heart to your proposal," answered Tragaduros, "the +more so that we have now been nearly five hours in the saddle." + +Two of the servants dismounting, took their masters' horses by the +bridle, while the other two looked after the _cargas_ of the mules. The +camp-beds were taken from the pack saddles, and carried into two of the +houses that appeared the most spacious and proper. + +We shall leave the Senator reclining upon his mattress, to enjoy that +profound slumber which is the portion of just men and travellers; while +we accompany Don Estevan into the hut which he had chosen for himself, +and which stood at some distance from that occupied by the legislator. + + + +CHAPTER NINE. + +THE COMPACT. + +After having followed Don Estevan, at the invitation of the latter, +inside the hovel, Cuchillo closed behind him the wattle of bamboos that +served as a door. He did this with great care--as if he feared that the +least noise should be heard without--and then he stood waiting for the +Spaniard to initiate the conversation. + +The latter had seated himself on the side of his camp-bedstead, and +Cuchillo also sat down, using for his seat the skull of a bullock,-- +which chanced to be in the house. It is the ordinary stool of this part +of the country, where the luxury of chairs is still unknown--at least in +the houses of the poor. + +"I suppose," said Arechiza, breaking silence, "that you have a thousand +reasons why I should know you by no other than your present name. I, +with motives very different from yours, no doubt, desire to be here +nothing more than _Don Estevan Arechiza_. Now! Senor Cuchillo," +continued the speaker with a certain affectation of mockery; "let us +have this grand secret that is to make your fortune and mine!" + +"A word first, Senor Don Estevan de Arechiza," replied Cuchillo, in the +same tone; "one word, and then you shall have it." + +"I listen to you; but observe, sir, say nothing of the past--no more +perfidy. We are here in a country where there are _trees_, and you know +how I punish traitors." + +At this allusion to some past event--no doubt some mysterious souvenir-- +the face of the outlaw became livid. + +"Yes," replied he, "I remember that it is not your fault that I was not +hung to a tree. It may be more prudent not to recall old wrongs-- +especially as you are no longer in a conquered country, but in one of +forests--forests both sombre and dumb." + +There was in this response of the outlaw such an evident air of menace, +that, joined with his character and sinister antecedents, it required a +firm heart on the part of Don Estevan not to regret having recalled the +souvenir. With a cold smile he replied: + +"Ha! another time I shall entrust the execution of a traitor in the +hands of no human being. I shall perform that office myself," continued +he, fixing upon Cuchillo a glance which caused the latter to lower his +head. "As to your threats, reserve them for people of your own kind; +and never forget, that between my breast and your dagger there is an +insurmountable barrier." + +"Who knows?" muttered Cuchillo, dissembling the anger which was +devouring him. Then in a different tone, he continued: "But I am no +traitor, Senor Don Estevan; and the proposal I am now about to make to +you is frank and loyal." + +"We shall see, then." + +"Know, then, Senor Arechiza, that for several years past I have followed +the profession of a _gambusino_, and have rambled over most of this +country in the exercise of my calling. I have seen a deposit of gold +such as mortal eye perhaps never looked upon!" + +"You have seen it, and not possessed yourself of it?" + +"Do not mock me, Don Estevan; I am in earnest. I have seen a _placer_ +so rich that the man who gets it might for a whole year play the game of +hell with luck all the while against him, and not be impoverished! So +rich as to satisfy the most insatiable avarice; so rich, in fact, as to +buy a kingdom!" + +At these words, which responded to some hopes and desires already +conceived, Don Estevan could not hinder himself from the manifestation +of a certain emotion. + +"So rich," continued the outlaw, in an exalted tone, "that I would not +hesitate for one instant to give my soul to the devil in exchange for +it." + +"The devil is not such a fool as to value so highly a soul which he +knows he will get _gratis_. But how did _you_ discover this _placer_?" + +"Thus, senor. There was a _gambusino_ called Marcos Arellanos, who was +celebrated throughout the whole province. It was he who discovered this +_bonanza_ in company with another of the same calling as himself; but +just as they were about to gather some of the gold, they were attacked +by the Apache Indians. The associate of Marcos Arellanos was killed, +and he himself had to run a thousand risks before he succeeded in making +his escape. + +"It was after he came home again that by chance I met him at Tubac. +There he proposed to me to join him, and go back to the _placer_. I +accepted his offer, and we started. We arrived safely at the _Golden +Valley_, for by that name he called the place. Powers of Heaven!" +exclaimed Cuchillo, "it only needed to see those blocks of gold shining +in the sun to bring before one's eyes a thousand dazzling visions! + +"Alas! we were only permitted to feast our eyes. The savages were upon +us. We were compelled to fly in our turn, and I alone escaped. Poor +Marcos! he fell under the horrible war clubs; and I--I have sorely +grieved for him! Now, senor, this is the secret of the Golden Valley +which I desire to sell to you." + +"To sell to me:--and who is to answer for your fidelity?" + +"My own interest. I sell you the secret, but I do not intend to +alienate my rights to the _placer_. I have vainly endeavoured to get up +an expedition such as yours, for without a strong force it would be of +no use going there. It would be certain death to a party of only two or +three. With your band, however, it will be easy, and success would be +certain. I only ask the tenth part of all the gold that may be +gathered, which I would deserve as guide of the expedition; and going as +guide I will be at the same time a hostage for my good faith." + +"Is that what I am to understand; you estimate the price of your secret +and services a tenth part of the whole?" + +"That and two hundred dollars paid down to enable me to equip myself for +the expedition." + +"You are more reasonable than I expected, Cuchillo. Very well, then let +it be so; the two hundred dollars you shall have, and I promise you the +tenth part." + +"Agreed." + +"Agreed, and you have my word upon it. Now, answer me some questions +which I wish to put. Is this Golden Valley in that part of the country +where I intended to have taken my expedition?" + +"It is beyond the Presidio of Tubac; and since your men are to meet +there you will not need to make any change in the dispositions you have +already taken." + +"Good. And you have seen this Golden Valley you say with your own +eyes?" + +"I have seen it without the power of touching it. I have seen it +grinding my teeth as I looked upon it, like the damned in hell who get a +glimpse of Paradise." + +As Cuchillo spoke, his countenance betrayed beyond doubt the anguish he +felt, at his cupidity having been balked. + +Arechiza knew too well how to read the human physiognomy to doubt the +truth of Cuchillo's report. Two hundred dollars were to him a mere +bagatelle; and taking an ebony case from his bed, small but heavy, he +drew from it a rouleau of gold pieces and handed them to the gambusino, +who immediately put them in his pocket. + +There was a little more in the rouleau than had been bargained for. The +Spaniard took no notice of this, but forming a cross with his thumb and +index finger of his right hand _a la mode Espagnole_, he held it before +Cuchillo, directing him to make an oath upon it. + +"I swear by the cross," said the latter, "to speak the truth, the whole +truth, and nothing but the truth. At the end of ten days' journey +beyond Tubac, going in a north-western direction, we shall arrive at the +foot of a range of mountains. They are easy to recognise--for a thick +vapour hangs over them both night and day. A little river traverses +this range of hills. It is necessary to ascend it to a point where +another stream runs into it. There in the angle where the two meet, is +a steep hill, the summit of which is crowned by the tomb of an Indian +chief. I was not near enough to distinguish the strange ornaments that +surround this tomb; but at the foot of the hill there is a small lake by +the side of a narrow valley in which the water from rain torrents has +thrown to the surface immense treasures of gold, this is the _Golden +Valley_." + +"The way will be easily found?" inquired Don Estevan. + +"But difficult to travel," replied Cuchillo. "The arid deserts will be +no obstacle compared with the danger from the hostility of Indians. +This tomb of one of their most celebrated chiefs they hold in +superstitious veneration. It is the constant object of their +pilgrimages, and it was during one of these visits that we were +surprised. Arellanos and myself." + +"And this Arellanos--do you think, he has not revealed this secret to +any one besides yourself?" + +"You must know," replied Cuchillo, "that it is a custom of the +gambusinos, before starting upon any expedition, to swear before the +Holy Evangelists not to reveal the _bonanzas_ they may find without the +consent of their associates. This oath Arellanos took, and his death of +course prevented him from betraying it." + +"You have said that after his return from his first expedition, you met +him in Tubac. Was there no woman whom he may perchance have had in his +confidence?" + +"His wife only--he may have told it to her. But yesterday a vaquero +gave me the news that she has lately died. For all that, she may have +revealed the secret to her son." + +"Arellanos had a son then?" + +"An adopted son--a young man whose father or mother no one knows +anything about." + +Don Estevan could not repress an involuntary movement. + +"This young fellow is, no doubt, the son of some poor devil of this +province?" said the Spaniard, in a careless way. + +"No," replied Cuchillo, "he was born in Europe, and very likely in +Spain." + +Arechiza appeared to fall into a reverie, his head bending towards his +breast. Some souvenirs were disturbing his spirit. + +"This much at least is known," continued Cuchillo. "The commander of an +English brig-of-war brought him to Guaymas. He stated that the child, +who spoke both French and Spanish, had been captured in an affair +between the brig and a French privateer. A sailor who was either killed +in the fight or taken prisoner, was beyond doubt his father. The +captain of the English brig, not knowing what to do with him, gave him +to Arellanos--who chanced to be in Guaymas at the time--and Arellanos +brought him up and has made a man of him--my faith! that he has. Young +as the fellow is, there is not such a _rastreador_ nor horse-tamer in +the province." + +The Spaniard, while apparently not listening to Cuchillo, did not lose a +word of what he was saying; but whether he had heard enough, or that the +subject was a painful one, he suddenly interrupted the gambusino: + +"And don't you think, if this wonderful tracker and horse-breaker has +been told the secret of his adopted father he might not be a dangerous +rival to us?" + +Cuchillo drew himself up proudly, and replied:-- + +"I know a man who will yield in nothing--neither at following a trail, +nor taming a wild horse--to Tiburcio Arellanos; and yet this secret has +been almost worthless in his keeping, since he has just sold it for the +tenth part of its value!" + +This last argument of Cuchillo's was sufficiently strong to convince Don +Estevan that the Golden Valley was so guarded by these fierce Indians +that nothing but a strong party could reach it--in short, that he +himself was the only man who could set this force afoot. For a while he +remained in his silent reverie. The revelations of Cuchillo in regard +to the adopted son of Marcos Arellanos had opened his mind to a new set +of ideas which absorbed all others. For certain motives, which we +cannot here explain, he was seeking to divine whether this Tiburcio +Arellanos was not the young Fabian de Mediana! + +Cuchillo on his part was reflecting on certain antecedents relative to +the gambusino Arellanos and his adopted son; but for powerful reasons he +did not mention his reflections to Don Estevan. There are reasons, +however, why the reader should now be informed of their nature. + +The outlaw, as we have said, frequently changed his name. It was by one +of these aliases used up so quickly, that he had been passing, when at +the Presidio Tubac he made the acquaintance of the unfortunate +Arellanos. When the latter was about starting out on his second and +fatal journey--before parting with his wife and the young man whom he +loved as well as if he had been his own son--he confided to his wife the +object of his new expedition; and also the full particulars of the route +he intended to take. Cuchillo was nevertheless ignorant of this +revelation. But the knowledge which the outlaw carefully concealed, was +that he himself after having reached the Golden Valley guided by +Arellanos, murdered his companion, in hope of having all the treasure to +himself. It was true enough that the Indians appeared afterwards, and +it was with difficulty that the assassin could save his own scalp. We +shall now leave him to tell his own story as to how he made the +acquaintance of young Arellanos, and it will be seen that this story is +a mere deception practised upon Don Estevan. + +"Nevertheless," resumed Cuchillo in breaking the silence, "I was +determined to free my mind from all doubt upon the subject. On my +return to Arispe I repaired to the dwelling of the widow of Arellanos to +inform her of the death of poor Marcos. But with the exception of the +great grief which the news caused her, I observed nothing particular-- +nothing that could give me the least suspicion that I am not the sole +possessor of the secret of the Golden Valley." + +"One easily believes what he wishes to believe," remarked Arechiza. + +"Hear me, Senor Don Estevan! There are two things on which I pride +myself. One is, that I have a conscience easily alarmed; the other, +that I am gifted with a perspicuity not easily deluded." + +The Spaniard made no further objections. He was satisfied, not with the +outlaw's conscience, but his perspicuity. + +With regard to Tiburcio Arellanos, we need hardly state what the reader +has no doubt already divined--that this young man was in reality no +other than Fabian, the last descendant of the Counts of Mediana. +Cuchillo has already related how the English brig brought him to +Guaymas. Left without a guide to enable him to discover his family-- +disinherited of his rich patrimonial estates--an orphan knowing nothing +of his parents, here he was in a strange land, the possessor of nothing +more than a horse and a hut of bamboos. + + + +CHAPTER TEN. + +THE AFTERNOON RIDE. + +When Cuchillo, after the interview just described, came forth from the +hovel, the sun was no longer in the vertex of the heavens, but had +commenced his downward course to the western horizon. The earth, burned +up and dry as tinder, gave forth a thin vapoury mist, that here and +there hung over the surface in condensed masses, giving that appearance +known as the _mirage_. Limpid lakes presented themselves to the eye, +where not a drop of water was known to exist--as if nature, to preserve +a perfect harmony, offered these to the imagination in compensation for +the absence of the precious fluid itself. Far off in the forest, could +be heard at intervals the crackling of branches under the burning rays +of the sun--just as if the woods were on fire. But the trees were +beginning to open their leaves to the southern breeze that freshened as +the hours passed on, and they appeared impatiently to await the +twilight, when the night-dews would once more freshen their foliage. + +Cuchillo gave a whistle, at which well-known signal his horse came +galloping up to him. The poor beast appeared to suffer terribly from +the thirst. His master, moved with pity, poured into a bowl a few drops +of water from his skin bottle; and although it was scarce enough to +moisten the animal's lips, it seemed to bring back the vigour of his +spirit. + +Cuchillo having saddled and bridled his horse, and buckled on a pair of +huge spurs, called one of the attendants of Don Estevan. To this man he +gave orders to have the pack of mules harnessed, as well as to collect +the _remuda_ to be sent on in advance--in order that the sleeping +quarters for the night should be ready upon their arrival. The place +where the travellers were to rest that night--as Cuchillo informed the +domestic--was to be at the cistern known as _La Poza_. + +"But _La Poza_ is not on the route to Tubac!" objected the servant; "it +lies out of the way and on the road leading to the _Hacienda del +Venado_." + +"_You_ have nothing to do with the route," peremptorily answered +Cuchillo, "your master intends spending some days at the Hacienda del +Venado. Therefore do as I have ordered you." + +The Hacienda del Venado was the most important estate between Arispe and +the Indian frontier, and its proprietor had the reputation of being the +most hospitable man in the whole province. It was, therefore, without +repugnance that the attendants of Don Estevan heard this news from +Cuchillo--since, although their route of march would be extended in +making the detour by the Hacienda del Venado, they knew they would enjoy +several days of pleasant repose at this hospitable mansion. + +The man to whom Cuchillo had given his orders, immediately saddled his +horse and set off to collect the _remuda_. He soon discovered the +horses browsing in the woods near at hand, and collected, as usual, +around the bell-mare. + +As he approached, the troop bounded off in affright--just as wild horses +would have done; but the active horseman was too quick for them, for +already the running noose of his lazo was around the neck of one of +them. The horse, perceiving that he was caught, and knowing well the +lazo--whose power he had often felt--yielded without resistance, and +permitted himself to be led quietly away. The _capitansa_ (bell-mare) +knew the signal and followed the horse of the servant, with all the +others trooping at her heels. + +Two of the freshest of the drove were left behind, for Don Estevan and +the Senator. These would be enough to serve them as far as La Poza--the +place of their intended night halt--which was only a few hours distant. +The other horses, guided by the bell-mare, were taken on in advance, and +the drove soon disappeared behind the cloud of dust thrown up by their +hoofs. + +Shortly after, the Senator made his appearance at the door of the hut +where he had taken his siesta--a necessity almost imperious in these hot +climates. At the same time, Don Estevan presented himself in the open +air. The atmosphere, though a little fresher than when they had gone +inside, was still sufficiently stifling to be disagreeable. + +"Carramba!" cried the Senator, after inhaling a few mouthfuls of it, "it +is fire, _not_ air, one has to breathe here. If these hovels were not a +complete nest of snakes and scorpions, I should prefer staying in them +until night, rather than launch myself into this dreadful furnace." + +After this doleful speech the Senator climbed reluctantly into his +saddle, and he and Don Estevan took the route, riding side by side, as +in the morning. Behind, at a few paces distance, followed Cuchillo and +Baraja, and after these the little _recua_ of mules with the other +domestics. + +For the first hour of their march the shade of the trees rendered the +heat supportable, but soon the forest ended, and the road debouched upon +the open plains that appeared interminable. + +It is hardly possible to conceive a more dreary prospect than that +presented by those arid plains of Northern Mexico--naked, white, and +almost destitute of vegetation. Here and there at long distances on the +route, may be seen a tall pole which denotes the presence of some +artificial well-cistern; but as you draw near, the leathern buckets, by +which the water is to be raised, show by their stiff contracted outlines +that for a long time they have held no water, and that the well is dried +up--a sad fortune for the traveller whose evil star has guided him into +these deserts during the dry season, especially if at the end of his +day's journey he reckons on a supply from these treacherous +depositaries. If his canteen is not well filled, or if he is by any +chance detained upon his route, his story is likely to be that of +hundreds who have perished of thirst upon these plains, between a heaven +and an earth that are equally unpitying. + +"Is it true, then, Don Estevan," inquired the Senator, as he wiped the +perspiration from his brow, "that you have been through this country +before?" + +"Certainly," replied Don Estevan; "and it is just because I have been +here before that I am here now. But what brought me here formerly, and +why I now return, is a secret I shall tell you presently. Let me say +that it is a secret sufficient to turn a man's brain, provided he is not +one with a bold, firm heart. Are you that man, senor Senator?" added +the Spaniard, fixing his eyes upon his companion, with a calm regard. + +The Senator made no reply, farther than by giving a slight shiver that +was perceptible through his frame, and which denoted that he felt some +apprehension as to the role he might be called upon to play. + +The Spaniard did not fail to observe his uneasiness, as he resumed: + +"Meanwhile, senor, let me ask you, are you decided to follow my advice, +and restore your fortunes by some rich matrimonial alliance which I +shall arrange for you?" + +"Without doubt I am," replied the Senator, "though I can't see what +interest that can be to you, Senor Don Estevan." + +"That is my affair and my secret. I am not one of those who sell the +skin of the bear before the animal is caught. It is enough for you to +know, Don Vicente Tragaduros y Despilfarro, that I have a hundred +thousand dollars at your disposal the moment you say the word--it only +remains for you to hear my conditions, and subscribe to them." + +"I don't say no," replied the Senator, "but I candidly avow that for the +life of me I cannot think of any one possessing such an inheritance as +you mention--not one in the whole province." + +"Do you know the daughter of the rich landowner Augusta Pena--at whose +hacienda, please God, we shall sleep to-morrow night?" + +"Oh!" exclaimed the Senator, "the proprietor of the Hacienda del Venado? +I have heard of her--_her_ dowry should be a million if report speaks +true; but what folly it would be for me to pretend--" + +"Bah!" interrupted the Spaniard. "It is a fortress that well besieged +may capitulate like any other." + +"It is said that the daughter of Pena is pretty." + +"Beautiful." + +"You know her, then?" said the Senator, regarding his companion with an +astonished look. "Perhaps," he added, "it is to the hacienda of Venado +that you make those periodical and mysterious journeys, so much talked +about at Arispe?" + +"Precisely so." + +"Ah! I understand you," said the Senator, turning a sly look upon his +companion, "it was the beautiful eyes of the daughter that attracted +you, the--?" + +"You are mistaken. It was the father, who was simply the banker from +whom, from time to time, I drew the funds necessary for my expenses at +Arispe." + +"Is that also the object of our present journey?" + +"Partly," replied the Spaniard, "but not altogether--there is another +object, which I will communicate to you hereafter." + +"Well, senor," answered the Senator, "you are a mystery to me from head +to foot; but I abandon myself blindly to your guidance." + +"You do well," said Don Estevan, "and in all likelihood your sun, for a +while eclipsed, will shine out again with more than its former +splendour." + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. + +AN UNFORTUNATE TRAVELLER. + +It was now near sunset; the travellers were still about two leagues from +La Poza, and the desert plains were nearly passed. Some _mezquite_ +trees appeared in front thinly covering the calcareous soil, but the +twilight sun began to render less visible the objects here and there +scattered over the plain. + +All at once the horse of Don Estevan came to a stand, and showed signs +of affright. The steed of the Senator acted in a similar fashion, +though neither of the two horsemen could perceive the cause of this +strange behaviour. + +"It is the body of some dead mule?" suggested the Mexican. + +Don Estevan spurred his horse forward, despite the repugnance of the +animal to advance; and a few paces further on, behind a clump of wild +aloe plants, he perceived the body of a horse stretched out upon the +sand. Such a sight in these dry plains is by no means uncommon; and the +travellers would not have given a moment's thought to it, but for the +fact that the horse in question appeared to be saddled and bridled. +This circumstance indicated some extraordinary occurrence. + +Cuchillo had meanwhile ridden forward to the spot. + +"Ah!" said he, after glancing a moment at the dead horse, "the poor +devil who has ridden him has met with a double accident: he has not only +lost his horse, but also his water-bottle. See!" + +The guide pointed to an object lying upon the ground by the shoulder of +the fallen horse, and still attached by a strap to the saddle. It was a +leathern water-bottle apparently broken and empty. In fact, its +position proved that the horse, enfeebled by the heat and thirst, had +fallen suddenly to the earth, and the bottle, hardened by the sun, and +coming in contact with the animal's shoulder, had got crushed either by +the fall, or in the struggle that succeeded it. A large fracture was +visible in the side of the vessel, through which the water had escaped +to the very last drop. + +"We are likely enough by and by to stumble upon his owner:" suggested +Cuchillo, while he examined the trappings of the dead horse, to see if +there might be anything worth picking up. "_Por Dios_!" he continued, +"this reminds me that I have the very devil's thirst myself," and as he +said this, he raised his own bottle to his head, and swallowed some +gulps from it. + +The tracks of a man upon the sandy surface, indicated that the traveller +had continued his route on foot; but the footmarks showed also, that he +must have tottered rather than walked. They were unequally distant from +each other, and wanted that distinctness of shape, that would have been +exhibited by the footsteps of a man standing properly on his legs. + +These points did not escape the keen eyes of Cuchillo, who was one of +those individuals who could read such dumb signs with an unfailing +certainty. + +"Beyond a doubt," said he, taking another gulp from his bottle, "the +traveller cannot be far off." + +His conjecture proved correct. A few moments after, the body of a man +was seen by the side of the path, lying upon the ground, and perfectly +motionless. As if this individual had intended that his countenance +should be hidden from the eyes of any one passing, a broad palm-leaf hat +covered the whole of his face. + +The costume of this traveller in distress, betrayed a certain degree of +poverty. Besides the hat already mentioned, which appeared old and +battered, a rusty-coloured Indian shirt, somewhat torn, and a pair of +pantaloons of nankeen, with common filigree buttons, appeared to be his +only garments. At least they were all that could be noticed in the +obscure twilight. + +"Benito," said Don Estevan, calling to one of his servants, "knock off +with the butt of your lance the hat that covers this man's face--perhaps +he is only asleep?" + +Benito obeyed the order, and tossed aside the hat without dismounting; +but the man stretched on the ground did not appear to know what had been +done--at least he made not the slightest movement. + +When the hat was removed, however, the darkness, which had suddenly +increased, rendered it impossible to distinguish his features. + +"Although it is not exactly your speciality, Senor Cuchillo," said Don +Estevan, addressing himself to the outlaw, "if you will do an act of +humanity in trying to save the life of this poor devil, you shall have +half an ounce of gold if you succeed." + +"Cospita! Senor Don Estevan," cried Cuchillo, "you surely mistake my +character. I am the most humane of mortals--that is," continued he in +an undertone, "when it is my interest to be so. You may ride forward +then; and it will not be my fault, if I don't bring this poor fellow +safe to our halting-place at La Poza." + +In saying these words Cuchillo dismounted, and laying his hands upon the +neck of his horse, cried out: + +"Now, good Tordilla, don't budge an inch from this spot till I call for +you." + +The animal, pawing the sand, and champing his bit, appeared to +comprehend the words of his master, and remained in the place where he +had been left. + +"Shall we leave one of the servants to assist you?" inquired the +Senator, as they were riding off. + +"No, thank you, Senor Don Vicente," responded Cuchillo, fearing that if +any one was left he might expect some share in the promised _demi-onza_; +"it will not be necessary." + +And the cavalcade riding off, left the outlaw alone with the recumbent +body. + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. + +TIBURCIO ARELLANOS. + +Cuchillo approaching the body, bent down to examine the features, and +see if there were any signs of life. At the first glance of that face +the outlaw trembled. + +"Tiburcio Arellanos, as I live!" he involuntarily muttered. + +It was, in truth, the adopted son of his victim whom he saw before him. + +"Yes--there is no mistake--it is he! _Santa Virgen_! if not dead he's +not far off it," continued he, observing the mortal paleness of the +young man's countenance. + +A hellish thought at this moment arose in the mind of the outlaw. +Perhaps the only man in all the world who shared with him that secret, +which he himself had purchased by the crime of murder, was there before +him--completely in his power. It only needed to finish him, if not +already dead, and to report that he could not be saved. He was in the +middle of the desert, under the shadow of night, where no eye could see, +and no hand could hinder; why then should he not make his secret secure +against every contingency of the future? + +All the ferocious instincts of the villain were re-awakened; +mechanically he drew the long knife from his boot, and held its point +over the heart of the unconscious Tiburcio. + +At that moment, a slight quivering of the limbs told that the latter +still lived. The outlaw raised his arm, but still hesitated to strike +the blow. + +"It was just thus," reflected he, "that I stabbed the man he called his +father--just in the same way, as he slept beside me, in full confidence +of security. I see him now contesting with me for the life of this +young fellow more than half gone. I feel at this moment the weight of +his body upon my shoulders, just as I felt it when I carried him down to +the river." + +And the murderer, at these thoughts, in the middle of the darkness and +solitude, cast around him a look that betrayed the terror with which the +souvenir still inspired him. + +That terror saved the life of Tiburcio; for the knife was thrust back +into its singular scabbard, and the villain, seating himself beside the +recumbent form, thrust his hand under the vest of the young man, and +held it over his heart to try whether it was still beating. + +In this attitude he remained for a short while--until satisfied that +Tiburcio was yet alive. Then a bright thought seemed to startle him; +for a voice had spoken to him from within, stronger than the voice of +conscience. It was that of personal interest. Cuchillo knew the rare +qualities of Tiburcio--his talents as a _rastreador_, or tracker--his +daring prowess in Indian warfare; and after some consideration, he +resolved to enrol him in the expedition of Don Estevan, to which he +would no doubt prove of great value. + +"That will be the best plan," said the outlaw, speaking in soliloquy. +"What would his life be worth to me now?--Nothing; and if I wish to have +it hereafter--why, then there will be no lack of opportunities. He +cannot be otherwise than grateful for what I am going to do for him. +But let me see how matters stand--of course it is thirst that is killing +him--how lucky I have kept a little water in my canteen!" + +He now opened the mouth of the dying man, and holding the neck of the +leathern bottle to his lips, poured some drops down his throat. The +water produced an almost instantaneous reanimation, and the young man +opened his eyes, but soon closed them again. + +"That shows he is coming round," muttered Cuchillo. + +Twice or thrice he repeated the operation, each time doubling the dose +of water. Finally, at the end of half an hour or so, Tiburcio was +sufficiently recovered to be able to raise himself up, and to answer the +questions put to him by the man who was, in reality, the preserver of +his life. + +Tiburcio Arellanos was still but a young man; but the sort of life he +had led--solitary, and dependent on his own resources--had given to his +judgment a precocious maturity. He therefore observed a degree of +prudence in recounting to Cuchillo the death of his adopted mother, to +which subject the outlaw had guided the conversation. + +"During the twenty-four hours that I passed by the death-bed of my +mother," said Tiburcio, "I quite forgot to attend to my horse; and after +all was over I closed the door of the cottage, where I never wished to +return, and I set out upon this journey. The poor animal, so long +neglected, became feeble on the second day, and fell dead under me: and, +to my misfortune, my water-bottle was broken in the fall, and the water +spilled upon the sand. I remained on the spot till thirst brought on +fever, and then I strayed away; and after wandering about, I know not +how long, I fell, as my horse had done, expecting never more to rise." + +"I comprehend all that," responded Cuchillo. "Well! it is astonishing +how people will regret the death of parents, who do not leave them the +slightest inheritance!" + +Tiburcio could have told him, that on her death-bed his adopted mother +had left him a royal, as well as a terrible legacy--the secret of the +Golden Valley, and the vengeance of the murder of Marcos Arellanos. +Both had been, confided to him--the golden secret upon the especial +conditions that Tiburcio would, if necessary, spend the whole of his +life in searching for the assassin. + +Tiburcio appeared to take no notice of Cuchillo's last reflection, and +perhaps his discretion proved the saving of his life: for had the outlaw +been made sure that he was in possession of the secret of the Golden +Valley, it is not likely he would have made any further efforts to save +him, but the reverse. + +"And is that a fact," continued Cuchillo, interrogatively, "that with +the exception of a hut which you have abandoned, a horse which has +dropped dead between your legs, and the garments you carry on your back, +that Arellanos and his widow have left you nothing?" + +"Nothing but the memory of their goodness to me, and a reverence for +their name." + +"Poor Arellanos! I was very sorry for him," said Cuchillo, whose +hypocrisy had here committed him to an unguarded act of imprudence. + +"You knew him then?" hastily inquired Tiburcio, with some show of +surprise. "He never spoke to me of you!" + +Cuchillo saw that he had made a mistake, and hastened to reply. + +"No, I didn't know him personally. I have only heard him much spoken of +as a most worthy man, and a famous gambusino. That is why I was sorry +on hearing of his death. Was it not I who first apprised his widow of +the unfortunate occurrence, having myself heard of it by chance?" + +Notwithstanding the natural tone in which Cuchillo delivered this +speech, he was one of those persons of such a sinister countenance, that +Tiburcio could not help a certain feeling of suspicion while regarding +it. But by little and little the feeling gave way, and the young man's +thoughts taking another turn, he remained for some moments buried in a +silent reverie. It was merely the result of his feebleness, though +Cuchillo, ever ready to suspect evil, interpreted his silence as arising +from a different cause. + +Just then the horse of Cuchillo began to show evident signs of terror, +and the instant after, with his hair standing on end, he came galloping +up to his master as if to seek protection. It was the hour when the +desert appears in all its nocturnal majesty. The howling of the jackals +could be heard in the distance; but all at once a voice rising far above +all the rest appeared to give them a signal to be silent. It was the +voice of the American lion. + +"Do you hear it?" inquired Cuchillo of his companion. + +A howl equally loud, but of a different tone, was heard on the opposite +side. "It is the puma and jaguar about to battle for the body of your +horse, friend Tiburcio, and whichever one is conquered may take a fancy +to revenge himself on us. Suppose you mount behind me, and let us be +off?" + +Tiburcio followed the advice; and notwithstanding the double load, the +horse of Cuchillo galloped off like an arrow, impelled to such swift +course by the growling of the fierce animals, that for a long time could +be heard, as if they were following in the rear. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. + +A STUMBLING HORSE. + +Far along the route these sounds accompanied the two riders--that is, +the wailing of the jackals, mingled with the more fearful utterance of +the great feline denizens of the desert. All at once, however, these +noises became stilled, as a sound of a far different nature indicated +the presence of some human being interfering in this scene of the +desert. It was the crack of a gun, but with that quick sharp report +that distinguishes the detonation of the rifle. + +"A shot!" exclaimed Tiburcio. "But who can be amusing himself by +hunting at this time of night, and in the middle of such a desert?" + +"Very likely one of those American trappers we see now and then at +Arispe, where they come to sell their beaver skins. These fellows think +as little of a puma or a jaguar as they do of a jackal." + +No other noise was afterwards heard to break the imposing silence of the +night. The stars were shining brightly in the blue heaven, and the +breeze, that had now become much cooler, scarce made the slightest +rustling as it passed through the branches of the iron-wood trees. + +"Where are you taking me?" asked Tiburcio, after an interval of silence. + +"To La Poza, where I have some companions who are to pass the night +there. To-morrow, if you like, on to the hacienda of Venado." + +"To the hacienda of Venado! that is just where I was going." + +Had it been daylight, Cuchillo might have seen a blush suddenly redden +the cheeks of the young man as he pronounced these words; for it was an +affair of the heart, that in spite of all the efforts he had made to +resist it, was attracting him to the hacienda de Venado. The object of +his interest was no other than the daughter of the _haciendado_ +himself--the young heiress already spoken of. + +"For what purpose were you going there?" inquired Cuchillo, in a +careless tone. + +This simple question was nevertheless difficult to be answered. His +companion was not the man to whom the young gambusino could give his +confidence. He hesitated before making reply. + +"I am without resources," said he at length, "and I go to ask Don +Augustin Pena if he will accept me in the capacity of one of his +_vaqueros_." + +"'Tis a poor business you wish to undertake, _amigo_. To expose your +life forever for such paltry pay as you will get--to keep watch at night +and run about all the day; exposed to the burning heat of the sun, and +by night to the cold--for this is the lot of a vaquero." + +"What can I do?" replied Tiburcio. "Besides, it is just the sort of +life I have been accustomed to; have I not always been exposed to +privations and the solitude of the desert plains? These torn calzoneras +and well-worn jacket are all that are left me--since I have now no +longer my poor horse. Better turn vaquero than be a beggar!" + +"He knows nothing of the secret then," reflected Cuchillo, "since he is +meditating on an employment of this nature." Then raising his +voice:--"You are in truth, then, a complete orphan, amigo; and have no +one to mourn for you if you were to die--except myself. Have you by +chance heard anything of this grand expedition that is being organised +at Tubac?" + +"No." + +"Become one of it then. To an expedition of this kind a resolute young +fellow like you would be a valuable acquisition; and upon your part, an +expert gambusino, such as I fancy you must be--from the school in which +you have been taught--might make his fortune at a single stroke." + +If he parry this thrust, muttered the outlaw to himself, it will be +proof positive that he knows nothing about it. + +Cuchillo was thus pursuing his investigation with a twofold object, +sounding Tiburcio about the secret, while at the same time trying to +attach him to the expedition by the hope of gain. But cunning as was +the outlaw, he had to do with a party that was no simpleton. Tiburcio +prudently remained silent. + +"Although between ourselves," continued Cuchillo, "I can tell you that I +have never been beyond Tubac, yet I am to be one of the guides of this +expedition. Now what say you?" + +"I have my reasons," replied Tiburcio, "not to engage in it without +reflection. I therefore demand of you twenty-four hours to think it +over, and then you shall have my answer." + +The expedition, of which this was the first news Tiburcio had heard, +might, in fact, ruin or favour his own projects--hence the uncertainty +he felt, and which he contrived so cleverly to conceal by his discreet +reserve. + +"Very well," rejoined Cuchillo, "the thing will keep that long." + +And with this the conversation was discontinued. + +Cuchillo, joyed at being disembarrassed of his apprehension about the +secret, began carelessly whistling while he spurred forward his horse. +The greatest harmony continued between these two men, who, though they +knew it not, had each a motive of the deadliest hatred one against the +other. Suddenly, as they were thus riding along, the horse that carried +them stumbled upon the left fore-leg, and almost came to the ground. On +the instant Tiburcio leaped down, and with eyes flashing fire, cried out +in a threatening tone to his astonished companion. + +"You say you have never been beyond Tubac? where did you get this horse, +Cuchillo?" + +"What business of yours, where I got him?" answered the outlaw, +surprised by a question to which his conscience gave an alarming +significance, "and what has my horse to do with the interrogatory you +have so discourteously put to me?" + +"By the soul of Arellanos! I will know; or, if not--" + +Cuchillo gave the spur to his horse, causing him to bound to one side-- +while at the same time he attempted to unbuckle the straps that fastened +his carbine to the saddle; but Tiburcio sprang after, seized his hand, +and held it while he repeated the question:-- + +"How long have you owned this horse?" + +"There, now! what curiosity!" answered Cuchillo, with a forced smile, +"still, since you are so eager to know--it is--it is about six weeks +since I became his master; you may have seen me with him, perhaps?" + +In truth it was the first time Tiburcio had seen Cuchillo with this +horse--that, notwithstanding his bad habits of stumbling, was otherwise +an excellent animal, and was only used by his master on grand occasions. +For this very reason Tiburcio had not seen him before. + +The ready lie of the outlaw dissipated, no doubt, certain suspicions +that had arisen in the mind of the young man, for the latter let go the +horseman's wrist, which up to this time he had held in his firm grasp. + +"Pardon me!" said he, "for this rudeness; but allow me to ask you +another question?" + +"Ask it!" said Cuchillo, "since we are friends; in fact, among friends, +one question less or more can make no difference." + +"Who sold you this horse six weeks ago?" + +"Por Dios, his owner, of course--a stranger, whom I did not know, but +who had just arrived from a long journey." + +Cuchillo repeated these words in a slow and drawling manner, as if to +gain time for some hidden purpose. + +"A stranger?" repeated Tiburcio; "pardon me! one more question?" + +"Has the horse been stolen from _you_?" asked the outlaw in an ironical +tone. + +"No--but let us think no more of my folly--pardon me, senor!" + +"I pardon you," answered Cuchillo, in a tone of magnanimity, "the more +so," added he mentally, "that you will not go much further, you son of a +hound!" + +Tiburcio, unsuspecting, was no longer on his guard, and the outlaw, +profiting by the darkness, had already detached his carbine from the +saddle. In another moment, beyond doubt, he would have carried into +execution his demoniac purpose, had it not been for the appearance of a +horseman, who was coming at full gallop along the road. Besides the +horse which he rode, the horseman led behind him another, saddled and +bridled. He was evidently a messenger from Don Estevan. + +"Ah! is it you, Senor Cuchillo?" he cried out, as he rode up. + +"The devil!" grumbled the outlaw, at this ill-timed interruption. "Ah! +is it you, Senor Benito?" he inquired, suddenly changing his tone. + +"Yes. Well, have you saved the man? Don Estevan has sent me back to +you with a gourd of fresh water, and a horse to bring him on." + +"He is there," replied Cuchillo, pointing to Tiburcio, who stood at a +little distance, "thanks to me he is sound and safe--until I have a +chance of being once more alone with him," he muttered, in a tone not +intended to be heard. + +"Well, gentlemen," remarked the servant, "we had better go on--the +camping place is not far from here--we can soon reach it." + +Tiburcio leaped into the empty saddle, and the three galloped silently +toward the place where the travellers had halted--the servant thinking +only of reaching it as soon as possible, and going to rest--Cuchillo +mentally cursing the interruption that had forced him to adjourn his +project of vengeance--and Tiburcio vainly endeavouring to drive out of +his mind the suspicion which this curious incident had aroused. + +In this occupation the three rode on for about a quarter of an hour, +until the gleam of fires ahead discovered the halting-place of the +travellers at La Poza. Soon afterwards their camp itself was reached. + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. + +LA POZA. + +The place known by the name "La Poza" was the only one, within a circle +of many leagues, where at this time of the year water could be found. +There was here a natural cistern or well--partly nourished by a spring, +and partly by rain from the skies. It was hollowed at the bottom of a +little crater-shaped valley, only a few paces in circumference, the +sloping side's of which served to conduct to the well the rain-water +that fell around. + +The ridges inclosing the little valley were crowned with trees of thick +frondage, which, nourished by the evaporation of the water, appeared +green and vigorous, and protected the cistern from the burning rays of +the sun. The green grass that grew around, the cool shadow of the +trees, and the freshness of the air, rendered the well of La Poza, in +the middle of the desert, a delicious little oasis. Besides serving as +excellent resting-place for travellers, it was a favourite resort of +hunters, who used it as a stalking-ground for animals--elks and deer--as +well as jaguars and other fierce beasts that in great numbers came to +the well to drink. + +At a short distance from the cistern of La Poza commenced a tract of +thick forest through which ran the path leading to the Hacienda del +Venado. Nearer to the edge of the little valley, upon the side of this +path, the travellers had kindled an enormous fire, partly to defend +themselves from the the cold night air, and partly to frighten off any +jaguars or pumas that might be in the neighbourhood of the water. + +Not far from this fire the servants had placed the camp-beds of the +Senator and Don Estevan; and while a large saddle of mutton was being +roasted for supper, a skin bottle of wine was cooling in the fresh water +with which the trough had been filled. + +After a painful day's march, it was an attractive spectacle which this +scene presented to the eyes of the travellers. + +"_Mine_! your halting-place, Tiburcio," said Cuchillo, as they rode into +the camp, and speaking in a tone of pretended friendliness in order to +conceal the real rancour which he felt. "Dismount here, while I go and +report your arrival to our chief. It is Don Estevan de Arechiza himself +under whose orders we are enrolled; so, too, may you be, if you desire +it; and between ourselves, _amigo_, it is the best thing you can do." + +Cuchillo fearing that his victim might escape him, now wished more than +ever that he should join the expedition. He pointed out Don Estevan and +the Senator seated on their camp-beds, and visible in the light of the +great fire, while Tiburcio was not yet seen by them. Cuchillo himself +advanced toward Don Estevan. + +"I am desirous, Senor Don Estevan," said he, addressing himself to the +Spaniard, "to say two words to your honour, with the permission of his +excellency the Senator." + +Don Estevan arose from his seat and made a sign to Cuchillo to accompany +him into one of the dark alleys of the forest, the same by which the +path entered that led to the hacienda. + +"You could hardly guess, Senor Don Estevan, who is the man your +generosity has saved--for I have brought him with me safe and sound, as +you see?" + +Without making answer, Don Estevan took from his purse the piece of gold +he had promised, and handed it to Cuchillo. + +"It is the young Tiburcio Arellanos to whom you have given life," +continued the outlaw. "As for me I only followed the dictates of my +heart; but it may be that we have both done a very foolish action." + +"Why that?" asked the Spaniard. "This young man will be easily watched +so long as he is near us; and I presume he is decided to be one of our +expedition?" + +"He has asked twenty-four hours to reflect upon it." + +"Do you think he knows anything of--" + +"I have my fears," replied Cuchillo, in a melancholy tone, little +regarding the lie he was telling, and the purpose of which was to render +the Spaniard suspicious of the man he had himself vowed to kill. "In +any case," continued he, with a significant smile, "we have saved his +life, and that will serve as _tit for tat_." + +"What do you mean to say?" + +"Only that my conscience assures me it will be perfectly tranquil if-- +if--Carramba!" added he, brusquely--"if I should send this young fellow +to be broiled with his mother in the other world." + +"God forbid that!" exclaimed the Spaniard, in a lively tone. "What +need? Admit that he knows all: I shall be in command of a hundred men, +and he altogether alone. What harm can the fellow do us. I have no +uneasiness about him. I am satisfied, and so must you be." + +"Oh! I am satisfied if you are," growled Cuchillo, like a dog whose +master had hindered him from biting some one, "quite satisfied," he +continued, "but perhaps hereafter--" + +"I shall see this young man," said the Spaniard, interrupting him, and +advancing in the direction where Tiburcio stood, while Cuchillo +followed, talking to himself: + +"What the devil possessed him to ask how long I had owned my horse? Let +me see! the animal stumbled, I remember, and it was just then he +dismounted and threatened me. I can't understand it, but I suspect what +I do not understand." + +When Arechiza and Cuchillo reached the camp, an excitement was observed +among the horses, that gathered around the _capitansa_, at a short +distance from the fire, and to all appearance in a state of extreme +terror, were uttering a wild and continuous neighing. Some danger yet +afar, but which the animals' instincts enabled them to perceive, was the +cause of this sudden _stampede_. + +"It is some jaguar they have scented," suggested one of the domestics. + +"Bah!" replied another, "the jaguars attack only young foals--they +wouldn't dare to assault a strong vigorous horse." + +"Do you think so?" demanded the first speaker. "Ask Benito here, who, +himself, lost a valuable animal taken by the jaguars." + +Benito, hearing this reference to himself, advanced towards the two +speakers. + +"One day," he began, "or rather, one night just like this, I chanced to +be at a distance from the Hacienda del Venado, where I was a _vaquero_ +at the time. I was in search of a strayed horse, and not finding him, +had made up my mind to pass the night at the spring of _Ojo da Agua_. I +tied my horse at a good distance off--where there was better grass--and +I was sleeping, as a man sleeps after riding twenty leagues, when I was +suddenly awakened by all the howlings and growlings of the devils. The +moon shone so clear you might have fancied it daylight. All at once my +horse came galloping toward me with the lazo hanging round his neck, +which he had broken at the risk of hanging himself. + +"`Here then,' said I, `I shall now have two horses to go in search of +instead of one.' + +"I had scarce made this reflection, when I observed, under the light of +the moon, a superb jaguar bounding after my horse. He scarce appeared +to touch the ground, and each leap carried him forward twenty feet or +more. + +"I saw that my poor steed was lost. I listened with anxiety, but for a +while heard nothing. At the end of a quarter of an hour, however, a +terrible roar--" + +The speaker paused, and stood trembling. + +"_Virgen Santa_!" cried he, "that's it!" as the fearful cry of a jaguar +at that moment echoed through the camp, succeeded by a deathlike +stillness, as if both men and animals had been alike terrified into +silence. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. + +NOCTURNAL VISITORS. + +The sudden shock occasioned by the perception of a peril so proximate +and imminent paralysed every tongue. Even the ex-herdsman himself was +silent, and appeared to reflect what had best be done to avoid the +danger. + +At this instant the voice of Don Estevan broke the temporary silence +that reigned within the camp. + +"Get your weapons ready!" shouted he. + +"It is useless, master," rejoined the old vaquero, whose experience +among jaguars gave a certain authority to his words, "the best thing to +be done, is to keep the fire ablaze." + +And saying this, he flung an armful of fagots upon it, which, being as +dry as tinder, at once caught flame--so as to illumine a large circle +around the camp. + +"If they are not choking with thirst," said Benito, "these demons of +darkness will not dare come within the circle of the fire. But, indeed, +they are often choking with thirst, and then--" + +"Then!" interrupted one of the domestics, in a tone of anxiety. + +"Then," continued the herdsman, "then they don't regard either light or +fire; and if we are not determined to defend the water against their +approach, we had better get out of their way altogether. These animals +are always more thirsty than hungry." + +"How when they have drunk?" asked Baraja, whose countenance, under the +light of the fire, betrayed considerable uneasiness. + +"Why, then they seek to appease their hunger." + +At this moment a second cry from the jaguar was heard, but farther off +than the first. This was some relief to the auditory of Benito, who, +relying upon his theory, was satisfied that the animal was not yet at +the extreme point of suffering from thirst. All of them preserved +silence--the only sounds heard being the crackling of the dry sticks +with which Baraja kept the fire profusely supplied. + +"Gently there, Baraja! gently!" called out the vaquero, "if you consume +our stock of firewood in that fashion, you will soon make an end of it, +and, _por Dios_! _amigo_, you will have to go to the woods for a fresh +supply." + +"There! hold your hand," continued he, after a pause, "and try to make +the fagots last as long as possible, else we may get in darkness and at +the mercy of the tiger. He is sure to come back again in an hour or +two, and far thirstier than before." + +If Benito had desired to frighten his companions, he could not have +succeeded better. The eyes of one and all of them were anxiously bent +upon the heap of dried sticks that still remained by the fire, and which +appeared scarcely sufficient to last for another hour. But there was +something so earnest in the tone of the ex-herdsman, despite the jesting +way in which he spoke, that told he was serious in what he had said. + +Of course, Don Estevan had postponed the interview with Tiburcio; and +the young man, still ignorant that it was to Don Estevan he really owed +his life, did not think of approaching to offer him thanks. Moreover, +he saw that the moment would be ill-timed to exchange compliments of +courtesy with the chief of the expedition, and for this reason he +remained standing where Cuchillo had left him. + +Nevertheless Don Estevan could not hinder himself from casting an +occasional glance in the direction where the young man stood--though +through the obscurity he could make no exact observation of his +features. + +The silence continued. Don Estevan and the Senator remained seated on +their camp-beds, carbine in hand, while Benito, surrounded by the other +domestics, formed a group by the side of the fire. The horses had all +approached within a few feet of their masters, where they stood +trembling and breathing loudly from their spread nostrils. Their +behaviour indicated an instinct on their part that the danger was not +yet over. + +Several minutes passed, in which no human voice broke the silence. In +the midst of greatest perils there is something consolatory in the sound +of a man's voice--something which makes the danger appear less; and as +if struck by this idea, some one asked Benito to continue the narrative +of his adventures. + +"I have told you then," resumed the ex-herdsman, "that I saw the tiger +springing after my horse, and that in the chase both disappeared from my +sight. The moment after, the horse came galloping back; but I knew that +it was his last gallop, as soon as by the light of the moon I saw the +terrible rider that he carried. The jaguar was upon his back, flattened +over his shoulders, with the neck of the poor horse fast between his +jaws. + +"They had not gone a dozen paces before I heard a crackling sound--as if +some bone had been crushed--and on the instant I saw the horse stumble +and fall. Both tiger and horse rolled over and over in a short but +terrible struggle, and then my poor steed lay motionless. + +"For safety I stole away from the dangerous proximity; but returning +after daylight, I found only the half-stripped skeleton of a horse that +had carried me for many a long year. + +"And now, amigo," continued the ex-herdsman, turning to the man who had +first spoken, "do you still think that the jaguar attacks only foals?" + +No one made reply, but Benito's audience turned their glances outward +from the fire, fearing that in the circle around they might see shining +the eyes of one of these formidable animals. + +Another interval of silence succeeded to the narrative of the vaquero. +This was broken by the young man Tiburcio, who, used to the wild life of +the plains and forests, was very little frightened by the presence of +the jaguars. + +"If you have a horse," said he, "you need not much fear the jaguar; he +is sure to take your horse first. Here, we have twenty horses and only +one tiger." + +"The young man reasons well," rejoined Baraja, reassured by the +observation of Tiburcio. + +"Twenty horses for one tiger--yes," replied Benito; "but suppose the +horses don't choose to remain here. Supposing, what is likely enough to +happen, we have an _estampeda_--the horses will be off. Now the jaguar +knows very well he cannot overcome a horse unless he does so in the +first bound or two. I will not follow the horses then, but will stay by +the water, and of course by us as well. Besides, the jaguars that hunt +by these springs are likely enough to have tasted human flesh before +now; and if so, they will not, as the young man affirms, prefer the +flesh of a horse." + +"Very consoling, that," interrupted Cuchillo. + +Benito appeared to be a man fond of the most frightful suggestions, for +not contented with what he had already said, he continued-- + +"If there be but one jaguar, then he will be satisfied with one of us, +but in case he should chance to be accompanied by his female, then--" + +"Then what, by all the devils?" demanded Cuchillo. + +"Why, then--but I don't wish to frighten you." + +"May thunder strike you! Speak out," cried Baraja, suffering at the +suspense. + +"Why, in that case," coolly added Benito, "the tiger would undoubtedly +show his gallantry to his female by killing a pair of us." + +"Carramba!" fervently exclaimed Baraja. "I pray the Lord that this +tiger may be a bachelor," and as he said this he flung a fresh armful of +fagots on the fire. + +"Gently, amigo! gently," interrupted the ex-herdsman, lifting off some +of the sticks again. "We have yet at least six hours of night, and +these fagots will scarce serve to keep up the light for one. Gently, I +say! We have still three chances of safety: the first that the jaguar +may not be thirsty; the second, that he may content himself with one of +our horses; and the third, that he may, as you have wished it, be a +_bachelor_ tiger." + +There was no response, and another interval of silence succeeded. +During this it was some consolation to the travellers to see the moon, +which now, rising above the horizon, lit up the plains with her white +beams, and flung her silvery effulgence over the trees. From the +direction of the woods came the mournful notes of the great horned owl, +and the sound of flapping wings, caused by the vampire bat, as it glided +through the aisles of the forest. No other sounds appeared to indicate +the presence of living thing except those made by the horses or the +travellers themselves. + +"Do you think," said Baraja, addressing himself to Benito, "that the +jaguar is likely to return again? I have known these animals howl at +night around my hut, and then go off altogether." + +"Yes," replied Benito, "that may be when their drinking place is left +free to them. Here we have intercepted their approach to the water. +Besides, here are both men and horses--both food and drink in one place; +it is not likely they have gone away from a spot that promises to +furnish them with both. No, I warrant you, they are still in the +neighbourhood." + +At this moment the cry of the jaguar was heard once more, proving the +correctness of Benito's judgment. + +"There!" cried he, "just as I said; the beast is nearer too--no doubt +his thirst is increasing--the more so that he is hindered from +approaching the spring. Ha! do you hear that?" + +This exclamation was caused by another roar of the jaguar, but evidently +not the one that had been already frightening the travellers--for this +cry came from the opposite side of the camp. + +"Ave Maria!" screamed Baraja, in anguish, "the tiger has a wife!" + +"You speak true," said Benito, "there are two of them, and they must be +a male and female, since two male jaguars never hunt in company." + +"_Carrai_!" exclaimed Cuchillo, "may the devil take me if ever I passed +a night in the company of such a man as this old herdsman. He would +frighten the hair off one's head if he could." + +"After all," said Baraja, "I think there can't be much danger, so long +as we have got the horses between us and these terrible brutes." + +Unhappily, this chance of safety was not to exist much longer, for just +then the jaguars recommenced their growling, both of them nearer than +ever. The effect upon the horses was now exhibited in a complete +_estampeda_,--for these animals, seeing they could no longer rely upon +their masters for protection, preferred trusting to their heels, and one +and all of them broke away in a wild gallop. + +As this last chance of security was gone, the old vaquero, leaving the +fire, approached the spot where Don Estevan and the Senator were seated, +and thus addressed them:-- + +"Gentlemen," said he, "prudence requires that you will not remain so far +from the rest of us. As you perceive there is danger on both sides, it +will be best that we should all keep close together, and as near the +fire as possible." + +The affrighted look of the Senator offered a striking contrast to the +countenance of Don Estevan, which still preserved its calm rigidity. + +"It is good advice this faithful servant gives us," said Tragaduros, +rising to do as Benito had suggested. + +"Come, Benito," said Don Estevan, "these are nothing but hunter's +stories you have been telling, and you wish to frighten these novices? +Is it not so?" + +"As I live, Senor Don Estevan, 'tis the truth!" + +"There is a real danger, then?" + +"Certain there is, my master!" + +"Very well, in that case I shall remain where I am." + +"Are you in earnest?" asked the frightened Tragaduros. + +"Quite so--the duty of a leader is to protect his followers," said the +Spaniard, proudly, "and that is what I mean to do. If the danger is +only from the right and left as it appears to be--I shall guard the +right here. There are two bullets in my gun, and with these and a sure +eye, what care I for a jaguar? You, Senor Don Vicente, can take your +stand on the left of the fire, and watch that side. If it appears +prudent to you to keep near the men, do so." + +This compromise appeared to the taste of Tragaduros, who had no idea of +exposing the person of a man who was to be the future proprietor of a +million of dollars dowry. He lost no time, therefore, in crossing over +to the fire, and although he made a feint to keep watch on the opposite +side from that guarded by Don Estevan, he took care to remain within a +few feet of the group of attendants. + +These dispositions had scarce been completed, when a formidable dialogue +was struck up between the two fierce beasts that were approaching on +opposite sides of the camp. Now they would utter a hoarse roaring, then +a series of screams and yells, succeeded by a shrill mewing that +resembled the caterwauling of cats--only louder and more terrific in its +effect. Though Benito and Tiburcio knew that all these noises were +caused by a single pair of tigers, the others imagined that not less +than a dozen must be engaged in the frightful chorus. + +The gun of the Senator shook in his hand--Baraja commended his soul to +all the saints in the Spanish calendar--Cuchillo clutched his carbine, +as if he would crush it between his fingers--while the chief himself +coolly awaited the denouement of the drama. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. + +THE TIGER HUNTERS. + +By the light of the fire Don Estevan could be seen walking in the +direction whence proceeded the cries of the jaguar that was approaching +on the right. He appeared calm as if going out in search of a deer. +Tiburcio, at the aspect of the Spanish chief, felt within him that +exultation of spirit which danger produces in certain energetic natures; +but his dagger was the only weapon he possessed. + +He cast a glance at the double-barrelled gun which the Senator held in +his hand, and of which the latter was likely to make a use more fatal to +his companions than to the jaguar. + +On his part the Senator cast an envious look upon the safe position +which Tiburcio occupied--in the centre of the group formed by Benito and +his companions. Tiburcio read the meaning of this look. + +"Senor Senator," said he, "it is not proper that you should expose your +life thus--a life valuable to the state. You have relatives--a noble +family; as for me, if I should be killed, there is no one to care for +me." + +"The fact is," said the Senator, "if others set upon my life one half +the value I put upon it myself, my death would cause a great deal of +unhappiness." + +"Well, senor, suppose we change places? You give me your gun, and +permit me to place my body in front of you as a rampart against the +claws of the jaguars." + +This proposal was made at the moment when the two cavernous voices of +the ferocious beasts were heard loudly answering to one another. Under +the impression produced by the terrible dialogue, Tiburcio's offer was +hastily accepted. The Senator took his place; while the young man, with +sparkling eyes and firm step, advanced several paces in the direction of +the forest whence came theories of the jaguar. There he halted to +receive the attack that appeared inevitable. + +Don Estevan and he appeared motionless as a pair of statues. The +unequal reflection of the fire gleamed upon these two men--whom chance +had thus strangely united--neither of whom might yield to the other in +pride or courage. + +The moment was becoming critical. The two jaguars were about to find +enemies worthy of them. + +The fire, now burnt down, threw out only a pale light, scarce strong +enough to illumine the group that stood near its edge. + +At this moment an incident occurred which was likely to cause a change +in the situation of affairs. In the midst of an interval of silence--in +which the very stillness itself increased the apprehension of the +travellers--was heard the long lugubrious whine of a prairie wolf. +Melancholy as was this sound, it was sweet in comparison with the cries +of the more formidable animals, the jaguars. + +"The prairie wolf to howl in the presence of the tiger!" muttered the +ex-herdsman. "Carramba! there's something strange about that." + +"But I have heard it said," rejoined Tiburcio, "that it is the habit of +the prairie wolf to follow the jaguar when the latter is in search of +prey?" + +"That is true enough," replied Benito, "but the wolf never howls so near +the tiger, till after the tiger has taken his prey and is busy devouring +it. Then his howl is a humble prayer for the other to leave him +something. + +"This is strange," continued the vaquero, as the prairie wolf was heard +to utter another long whine. "Hark! another!--yes--another prairie wolf +and on the opposite side too!" + +In fact, another plaintive whine, exactly resembling the first, both in +strength and cadence, was heard from a point directly opposite. + +"I repeat it," said Benito, "prairie wolves would never dare to betray +themselves thus. I am greatly mistaken if it be not creatures of a +different species that make this howling, and who don't care a straw for +the jaguars." + +"What creatures?" demanded Tiburcio. + +"Human creatures!" answered the ex-herdsman. "American hunters from the +north." + +"Trappers do you mean?" + +"Precisely. There are no people in these parts likely to be so fearless +of the jaguar, and I am pretty sure that what appears to be the call of +the prairie wolf is nothing else than a signal uttered by a brace of +trappers. They are in pursuit of the jaguars; they have separated, and +by these signals they acquaint one another of their whereabouts." + +Meanwhile the trappers, if such they were, appeared to advance with +considerable precaution; for although the party by the fire listened +attentively, not the slightest noise could be heard--neither the +cracking of a branch, nor the rustling of a leaf. + +"Hilloa! you by the fire there!" all at once broke out from the midst of +the darkness a loud rough voice, "we are approaching you. Don't be +afraid; and don't fire your guns!" + +The voice had a foreign accent, which partly confirmed the truth of the +vaquero's conjecture, and the appearance of the speaker himself proved +it to a certainty. + +We shall not stay to describe the singular aspect of the new arrival-- +further than to say that he was a man of herculean stature, and +accoutred in the most _bizarre_ fashion. He appeared a sort of giant +armed with a rifle--proportioned to his size--that is, having a barrel +of thick heavy metal nearly six feet in length. + +As he approached the group his sharp eye soon took in the different +individuals that composed it, and rested with a satisfied look on the +form of Tiburcio. + +"The devil take that fire of yours!" he said abruptly, but in a tone of +good-humour. "It has frightened away from us two of the most beautiful +jaguars that ever roamed about these deserts." + +"Frightened them away!" exclaimed Baraja. "_Carramba_! I hope that may +be true!" + +"Will you allow me to put the fire out?" inquired the new-comer. + +"Put out the fire--our only safeguard!" cried the astonished Senator. + +"Your only safeguard!" repeated the trapper, equally astonished, as he +pointed with his finger around him. "What! eight men wanting a fire for +a safeguard against two poor tigers! You are surely making game of me!" + +"Who are you, sir?" demanded Don Estevan, in a haughty tone. + +"A hunter--as you see." + +"Hunter, of what?" + +"My comrade and I trap the beaver, hunt the wolf, the tiger--or an +Indian, if need be." + +"Heaven has sent you then to deliver us from these fierce animals," said +Cuchillo, showing himself in front. + +"Not very likely," replied the trapper, whose first impression of the +outlaw was evidently an unfavourable one. "Heaven I fancy had nothing +to do with it. My comrade and I at about two leagues from here chanced +upon a panther and two jaguars, quarrelling over the body of a dead +horse." + +"I re was mine," interrupted Tiburcio. + +"Yours, young man!" continued the trapper, in a tone of rude cordiality. +"Well, I am glad to see you here, for we thought that the owner of the +horse might be no longer among the living. The panther we killed, but +the two jaguars made off, and we tracked them hither to the spring, +which your fire now hinders them from approaching. Therefore, if you +wish to be rid of these beasts, the sooner you put out the fire the +better; and you will see how soon we shall disembarrass you of their +presence." + +"And your comrade?" asked Don Estevan, struck with the idea of making a +brace of valuable recruits. "Where is he?" + +"He'll be here presently; but to the work, else we must leave you to get +out of your scrape as you best can." + +There was a certain authority in the tone and words of the trapper--a +cool assurance that produced conviction--and upon his drawing near to +put out the fire, Don Estevan did not offer to hinder him, but tacitly +permitted him to have his way. + +In a few seconds the burnt fagots were scattered about over the grass, +and the cinders quenched by a few buckets of water drawn from the +trough. This done the trapper uttered an imitation of the voice of the +coyote; and before its echoes had died away, his companion stepped +forward upon the ground. + +Although the second trapper was by no means a man of low stature, +alongside his companion he appeared only a pigmy. He was not less +strangely accoutred, but in the absence of the firelight his costume was +not sufficiently visible for its style to be distinguished. Of him and +his dress we shall hereafter speak more particularly. + +"At last your devilish fire is out," said he, as he came up, "for the +want of wood, no doubt, which none of you dared to go fetch." + +"No, that is not the reason," hastily replied the first trapper; "I got +leave from these gentlemen to put it out--so that we may have an +opportunity to rid them of the presence of the tigers." + +"Hum!" murmured the Senator; "I fear we have done wrong in letting the +fire be put out. Suppose you miss them?" + +"Miss them! _Por Dios_! how?" cried the second trapper. "_Caspita_! +If I had not been afraid to frighten off one of the beasts, I could have +killed the other long ago. Several times I had him at the muzzle of my +carbine, when the signal of my comrade hindered me from firing. Miss +them indeed!" + +"Never mind!" interrupted the great trapper; "we shall end the matter, I +have no doubt, by convincing this gentleman." + +"You already knew, then, that we were here?" said Baraja. + +"Of course. We have been two hours involuntarily playing the spy upon +you. Ah! I know a part of the country where travellers that take no +more precautions than you would soon find their heads stripped of the +skin. But come, Dormilon! to our work!" + +"What if the jaguars come our way?" suggested the Senator, +apprehensively. + +"No fear of that," replied the trapper. "Their first care will be to +satisfy their thirst, which your fire has hindered them from doing. You +will hear them howling with joy, as soon as they perceive that the fire +is gone out. It was the light shining upon the water that frightened +them more than the presence of men. All they want now is to get a +drink." + +"But how do you intend to act?" inquired Don Estevan. + +"How do we intend to act?" repeated the second trapper. "That is simple +enough. We shall place ourselves in the cistern--the jaguars will come +forward to its brink; and then, if we are only favoured by a blink of +the moon, I'll answer for it that in the twinkling of an eye the brutes +will neither feel hunger nor thirst." + +"Ah, this appears very simple!" cried Cuchillo, who was in reality +astonished at the simplicity of the plan. + +"Simple as bidding `good-bye' to you," humorously responded one of the +trappers. "Listen there!--what did I tell you?" + +Two loud roars, as if from a brazen trumpet, were heard at the moment. +They appeared to proceed from the same point, proving that the jaguars +had joined company; and, moreover, proclaimed the joy which the fierce +creatures felt at the darkness being restored. This was further evident +from their repeated sniffing of the air, like horses who afar off scent +with delight the fresh emanations of the water. + +At this the two trappers, leaving the party by the fire, betook +themselves to the cistern. The moon, for a moment shining out, glanced +upon the barrels of their long rifles; but the next moment they had +disappeared behind the ridge that surrounded the spring. + +No doubt it is a grand pleasure to witness the spectacle of a +bull-fight, as the huge bull dashes into the ring, and, pierced by the +tormenting _bandrilleros_, with a crest erect, and eyes flashing fire, +bounds over the arena. But, if the spectators were not separated from +the actors by an impassable barrier, the sight would have in it less of +enjoyment than of terror. The combats between men and tigers--which the +Romans used to enjoy--must have been a still more exciting spectacle; +but who can doubt that, if the iron railing which separated the audience +from the combatants had been removed, scarce one of the former would +have remained in the circus to witness the sanguinary struggle? + +Only a short space--not wider than a jaguar could have passed over in a +single leap--here separated the spectators from the actors in the drama +about to be enacted. Supposing, then, that one of the actors should +fail in performing his part, and the spectators have to take his place? +Here was a situation, exceptional, and fertile in emotions, which most +of the travellers felt keenly at the moment. + +Meanwhile the trappers had descended into the little crater-like valley +of the spring, and there placed themselves in readiness, rifle in hand, +to await the approach of their terrible adversaries. They were both +upon their knees, back to back, in order that they could keep at the +same time under view the whole circumference of the circle. Both had +placed their knives in readiness, in case that, by any chance, they +should either miss their aim, or--what would be almost as unlucky--only +wound the enemy; for they well knew that a wounded jaguar is a more +dangerous adversary than one that escapes altogether from the touch of +the bullet. + +Fortunately the moon had again appeared; but being yet low down in the +sky, her beams were not thrown into the bottom of the valley--and +therefore the trappers themselves were still under the shadow. This +circumstance was in their favour. + +Notwithstanding the perilous position in which they had thus voluntarily +placed themselves, neither made the slightest movement; and the long +barrels of their rifles stood forth in front of them, as motionless as +bronze cannon set in battery. + +They well knew, in case either should miss with their firearms, that a +hand-to-hand struggle with the ferocious tigers would be the result; a +combat of knives and claws--a combat to the death. Yes; at the bottom +of that little valley it would be necessary for them to conquer or die. +They knew this without exhibiting the slightest show of fear. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. + +UNEXPECTED RECOGNITIONS. + +It was not long before the spectators, who awaited this terrible +conflict, perceived the jaguars advancing toward the crest of the ridge. +All at once, however, the two made an abrupt pause, uttering a loud +roar that seemed to express disappointment. They had just scented the +presence of the two men within the cistern--from which the animals were +now only a few paces distant. + +For a moment both male and female stood together, stretching their +bodies out to their full length, and lashing their flanks with their +long sinewy tails. Then, uttering another prolonged roar, they bounded +simultaneously forward, passing, at a single leap, over a space of full +twenty feet. A second spring brought them upon the crest of the ridge, +upon which they had scarce rested an instant, before the quick sharp +crack of a rifle, followed by a yell of agony, told that one of them had +fallen to the hunter's bullet. + +The second jaguar appeared for the moment to have escaped, but not to +have retreated. He was seen to launch himself into the bottom of the +little valley; and then was heard a confusion of noises--human voices +mingling with the howls of the fierce brute, and the sound of a +struggle, as if jaguar and hunters were rolling over one another. A +second report now struck upon the ear, followed as before by the +expiring yell of the tiger, and then succeeded a profound silence, which +told that the wild scene was at an end. + +The great trapper was now perceived scrambling up to the ridge--towards +which the whole of the travellers had advanced to meet him. + +"See!" he said, addressing himself to his admiring auditory, "see what a +brace of Kentucky rifles and a good knife can do in the hands of those +who know how to manage them!" + +The darkness, however, hindered the spectators from making out the +tableau which was exhibited at the bottom of the little valley. + +A few minutes afterwards the moon lighted up the scene, and then could +be observed the dead bodies of the two tigers, stretched along the +ground by the water's edge, while the other trapper upon his knees was +engaged in bathing with cold water a long scar, which he had received +from the claws of the last killed jaguar, and which extended from behind +his ear nearly down to his waist. Fortunately this ugly-looking wound +was no more than skin-deep, and therefore not very dangerous. + +"What signify the sharpest claws compared with the scratch of a knife!" +cried he, pointing to the nearest of the jaguars, whose upturned belly +exhibited a huge cut of more than a foot in length, and through which +the entrails of the animal protruded. + +"Can any of you tell us," continued he, without thinking further about +his wound, "if there is a hacienda in this neighbourhood where one might +sell these two beautiful jaguar skins, as well as the hide of a panther +we've got?" + +"Certainly," replied Benito, "there is the Hacienda del Venado, where we +are going. There you may get not only five dollars apiece for the +skins, but also the bounty of ten dollars more." + +"What say you, Canadian?" inquired the trapper, addressing his great +comrade. "Will that do?" + +"Certainly," replied the Canadian, "forty-five dollars is not to be +sneezed at; and when we have had a short nap we shall make tracks for +the hacienda. We shall be likely to get there before these gentlemen, +whose horses have taken a fancy to have a bit of a gallop, and I guess +it will be some time before they lay hands on them again." + +"Don't be uneasy about us!" rejoined the ex-herdsman. "It's not the +first time I've seen a horse drove _stampedoed_, nor the first time I've +collected them again. I've not quite forgotten my old business, and as +soon as it is daylight, with the permission of the Senor Don Estevan, I +shall go in search of them." + +No one made any opposition to the rekindling of the fire, for the night +had grown cooler, and it was not yet midnight. The domestics, no longer +afraid of going out into the woods, collected fresh fagots--enough to +last till morning--and the preparations for supper, which had been +interrupted by the approach of the jaguars, were now continued with +renewed zeal. + +The blaze soon flared up bright and joyous as ever--the broiling mutton +sent forth its delicious odour, sharpening to a keen edge the appetites +of the travellers as they stood around the fire. + +Don Estevan and the Senator now called before them the two intrepid +hunters, who had rendered them a service that fully deserved their +thanks. + +"Come hither, brave hunters!" said the Senator, "you, whose daring +behaviour has been of such service to us. A slice of roast mutton and a +cup of Catalonian wine will not be out of place, after the rude struggle +you have sustained." + +"Ugh!" said the eldest of the trappers, in presenting his athletic form +in front of the fire, "throwing a couple of poor tigers is no great +feat. If it had been an affair of a dozen Comanches, or Pawnees, that +would have been different. Howsomever, a chunk of roast mutton is +welcome after a fight, as well as before one, and we're ready for it +with your permission. Come along, comrade! Here's some chawing for +you!" + +"And you, young man," continued Don Estevan, addressing himself to +Tiburcio, who stood at some distance apart, "you will also partake of +our hospitality?" + +Tiburcio by a sign accepted the invitation, and approached the fire. +For the first time his countenance came fairly under the light; and as +it did so, the eyes of the Spaniard seemed to devour him with their +regard. In truth the physiognomy of Tiburcio Arellanos was of no +ordinary character, and would have merited observation from one less +interested in examining it than was Don Estevan Arechiza. + +An aquiline nose, black eyes with thick dark eyebrows and long lashes, +and olive complexion--that appeared almost white in contrast with the +jetty blackness of his beard--but above all, the extreme contraction of +a thin upper lip, indicated the countenance of a man of quick resolves +and fiery passions. A shade of tranquil melancholy over these features +to some extent tempered their half-fierce expression. + +The hair was of a chestnut brown colour, and hung in luxuriant curls +over a forehead large and of noble outline. Broad shoulders and +well-developed limbs denoted a man of European vigour, whose personal +strength would be equal, if occasion required it, to the execution of +those passionate designs nourished under the tropical skies of Spanish +America. + +Tiburcio Arellanos was in truth the type of a noble and ancient race, +transplanted into a country still less than half civilised. + +"The very form and bearing of Don Juan de Mediana!" muttered Don Estevan +to himself, more than half convinced that the young man before his eyes +was the son of him whose name he had pronounced. No one could have read +his suspicions, hidden under the mask of perfect calmness. + +There was one other man in that group who was struck by the aspect of +Tiburcio. This was the big trapper, who on first sight of the young +man's face under the light of the fire started and closed his eyes, as +if lightning had flashed before them. He was about to rush forward, +when a second look seemed to convince him he had made a mistake; and +smiling at his having done so, he kept his place. His eyes then +wandered around the group of faces that encircled the fire, with that +scrutinising glance, that showed a capacity for reading the characters +of men in their looks. + +Having finished this scrutiny, he called out to his companion, who had +not yet got forward:-- + +"Come along, partner; or people will say you are ashamed to show +yourself. Prove to these gentlemen that you know how to enjoy life like +other folk." + +"O certainly--I am coming--all right, comrade." + +And the next moment the younger trapper made his appearance within the +circle of light. + +An odd-looking object he appeared, with his huge fur cap upon his head, +drawn down in front, so as to cover his eyes, and an old striped cotton +handkerchief fastened over his face and throat, in such a manner as to +conceal the scar made by the claws of the tiger. With the cap and +kerchief, the greater portion of his countenance was masked, leaving +visible only his mouth, with a double row of grand teeth, that promised +to perform their part upon the roast mutton. + +Having reached the fire, he sat down with his back to it--so that his +half-masked face was still further concealed in shadow--and being +supplied, as well as his comrade, with a large cut from the joint, he at +once set about satisfying the appetite of hunger. + +"Are there many men of your size and strength where you come from?" +inquired the Senator, addressing himself to the largest of the two +hunters. + +"In Canada," answered the latter, "I should not be remarked among +others; ask my comrade there!" + +"He speaks true," grumbled the other. + +"But you are not both from the same country?" said Tragaduros. + +"No--my comrade is a native of--" + +"Of New York State," hastily interposed the younger of the two +trappers--a reply which astonished the Canadian, but which he refrained +from contradicting. + +"And what is your calling?" continued the Senator, interrogatively. + +"_Coureurs des bois_, wood-rangers," answered the Canadian. "That is to +say, we pass our time in ranging the woods, with no other object than to +avoid being shut up in towns. Alas! it is a profession likely soon to +come to an end; and when we two are gone, the race of wood-rangers will +run out in America, since neither of us has any sons to carry on the +business of their father." + +There was a tone of melancholy in the last words of the trapper's speech +that contrasted strangely with his rude manner: something that seemed to +evince a certain degree of regret. Don Estevan, noticing this, now +entered into the conversation. + +"I fear it is a poor business you follow, my brave fellows! But if you +feel inclined to leave it off for a while, and take a part in an +expedition that we are about to set on foot, I can promise to fill your +caps with gold dust. What say you?" + +"No!" brusquely responded the younger of the trappers. + +"Each to his own business," added the Canadian. "We are not +gold-seekers. We love to range freely where we please, without leader, +and without being controlled by any one--in a word, free as the sun or +the prairie breeze." + +These answers were given in a tone so firm and peremptory that the +Spaniard saw it would be of no use combating a resolution which was +evidently not to be shaken, and therefore he declined to make any +further offers. + +Supper was soon over, and each of the travellers set about making +himself as comfortable as possible for the remainder of the night. + +In a short time all, with the exception of Tiburcio, were asleep. But +Tiburcio was yet a mere youth, an orphan, who had lately lost a mother +for whom he had a profound affection; and above all, Tiburcio was in +love--three reasons why he could not sleep. A deep sadness had +possession of his spirits. He felt himself in an exceptional +situation--his past was equally mysterious with his future. + +"Oh, my mother! my mother!" murmured he, despairingly, to himself, "why +did you not tell me who I am!" + +And as he said this he appeared to listen--as if the breeze, sighing +through the leaves, would give a response to his interrogation. Little +thought he at the moment that one of those men, lying near him under the +light of the moon, could have given the desired answer--could have told +him the name which he ought to hear. + +Nevertheless, on her death-bed, the widow of Marcos Arellanos had +revealed to him a secret--perhaps almost as interesting as that of his +birth and parentage. + +The secret of the Golden Valley, which had been made known to Tiburcio, +had opened his eyes to a world of pleasant dreams. A prospect which +hitherto had appeared to him only as a chimerical vision was now viewed +by him in the light of a reality. A gulf that before seemed impassable +was now bridged over as if by the hand of some powerful fairy. + +Gold can work such miracles. Had he not in prospect the possession of a +rich placer? Would not that enable him to overcome all obstacles both +of the past and the future? Might he not, by the puissance of gold, +discover who were his real parents? and by the same means, might he not +realise that sweeter dream that had now for two years held possession of +his heart? + +As he lay upon the ground, kept awake by these hopeful reflections, a +vision was passing before his mind's eye. It was a scene in which were +many figures. A gentleman of rich apparel--a young girl his daughter--a +train of servants all affrighted and in confusion. They have lost their +way in the middle of the forest, and are unable to extricate themselves +from the labyrinth of llianas and thickets that surround them. A guide +appears in the presence of a young hunter, who engages to conduct them +to the place whither they wish to go. That guide is Tiburcio himself, +who in his reverie--as in the real scene that occurred just two years +before--scarce observes either the gentleman in rich apparel nor the +attendants that surround him, but only remembers the beautiful dark eyes +and raven hair of the young girl. Tiburcio reassures them of safety, +guides them, during a journey of two days--two days that appeared to him +to pass only too rapidly. + +In his waking dream one scene is forcibly recalled. He remembers a +night halt in the woods. All were asleep around him--the attendants +upon the grass--the rich gentleman upon his cloak, and the young girl +upon the skin of a jaguar which the guide himself had supplied. He +alone remained awake. The moon was shining upon all; and a delicious +perfume from the blossoms of the sweet sassafras trees that grew near +was wafted toward them upon the gentle breeze. The blue heaven above +appeared in perfect harmony with the tranquil scene below. The guide, +with admiring eyes, looked upon that lovely virgin form and listened to +the soft breathing of that innocent bosom. To him it was a moment of +delicious anguish... + +Then the vision changed--the young girl at length reached her home, and +entered the grand dwelling of her father. There the guide remained a +whole week a welcome guest--drunk with love yet not daring to raise his +eyes to the object of his passion. + +Afterwards, too, at the festivals of the neighbouring villages, a +hundred times had he gazed upon her; but what of that? he was only a +poor _gambusino_, and she the daughter of the richest proprietor in the +province! + +But now--with the secret of the Golden Valley--Tiburcio suddenly saw +himself powerful and rich; hope had sprung up within his bosom; and +amidst the reverie occasioned by these delightful thoughts, he at last +fell asleep. + +It is scarce necessary to add that the young girl who recalled these +sweet souvenirs, and who was now mingling in his dreams, was the +daughter of Don Augustin Pena, the proprietor of the Hacienda del +Venado. + +At daybreak the sleepers were awakened by the ringing of a bell and the +clatter of hoofs. It was the _cavallada_ returning to camp, under the +charge of Benito, who had thus kept his promise. The travellers were +soon upon their feet, but it was soon perceived that the two trappers +were not amongst them. These had gone away without any one having +observed their departure! + +The horses being saddled and bridled and the mules packed, the cavalcade +continued its journey towards the hacienda--Don Estevan and the Senator, +as before, riding in front. + +It was after sunset before the walls of the hacienda were descried in +the distance, already assuming a sombre hue under the fast increasing +obscurity of the twilight. But through the wide forest tract which +surrounded the hacienda a well-defined road led in the direction of the +dwelling, which the travellers could follow even in the darkest night, +and upon this road the cavalcade was now seen to enter. + +A few minutes before they had passed into the forest from the open plain +two men were seen standing near the edge of a thicket, by which they +were hidden from the view of the travellers. These men might have been +easily recognised by their long rifles as strangers to that part of the +country; they were, in fact, the two trappers, the Canadian and his +comrade, who had that morning so abruptly taken leave of the camp. + +"You must have been deceived by some accidental resemblance," said the +Canadian to his companion. + +"No," replied the latter; "I am sure it is he. Twenty years have not +made much change either in his face or figure. His voice is just the +same as it was when I was the coast-guard, Pepe the Sleeper. My eyes +and ears are as good as they were then, and I assure you, Bois-Rose, +that he's the very man." + +"Strange enough," answered Bois-Rose (for the great Canadian trapper was +no other than Bois-Rose himself). "After all, one is more likely to +meet an enemy he is in search of than a friend. It may be the same." + +As he finished this speech, the Canadian, leaning upon his long rifle, +stood looking after the cavalcade, which was just disappearing into the +forest road that led to the hacienda. + +After remaining a few minutes in this position, the two trappers turned +back again into the forest, and soon disappeared under the shadows of +the trees. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. + +THE HACIENDA DEL VENADO. + +The Hacienda del Venado--like all buildings of this kind situated upon +the Indian frontier, and of course exposed to the attacks of the +savages--was a species of citadel, as well as a country dwelling-house. +Built with sun-dried bricks and hewn stone, crowned by a crenelled +parapet, and defended by huge, massive doors, it could have sustained a +siege from an enemy more expert in strategy than the tribe of Apaches +who were its neighbours. + +At one corner stood a tower of moderate height, which crowned the chapel +belonging to the hacienda, serving for the great clock as well as for a +belfry. In case the principal part of the building should be forced, +this tower would answer for an asylum almost impregnable. + +Finally, a strong stockade composed of trunks of the _palmetto_, +completely encircled the building; within which enclosure were the +quarters destined for the domestics of the hacienda--as also for the +herdsmen, and such ordinary guests as from time to time came to seek a +passing hospitality. Outside this privileged enclosure was a group of +from twenty to thirty huts, composing a species of little village. +These were inhabited by the day-labourers (peons) and their families +attached to the hacienda--who, in case of danger, would escape within +the enclosure for safety and protection. + +Such was the Hacienda del Venado. The proprietor, Don Augustin Pena, +was a man of great opulence. In addition to a rich gold mine which he +worked, at no great distance off, he was the owner of countless herds of +horses, mules, and cattle, that in a half-wild state roamed over the +vast savannahs and forests that constituted the twenty leagues of land +belonging to the hacienda. Such a vast tract of territory belonging to +one man is by no means a rare thing in northern Mexico. + +At this time Don Augustin was a widower, and his family consisted of +only one daughter--the young girl already introduced to the reader. +Considering the immense heritage that the Dona Rosario--or, as she was +more gracefully called, Rosarita--was likely to bring to whoever should +become her husband, it was natural that an alliance with Don Augustin +should be the object of many an ambition; in fact her beauty without the +grand fortune--which, at her father's death, she was to become mistress +of--would of itself have been enough to have challenged a crowd of +pretenders to her hand. + +The Andalusian type has lost nothing in the northern provinces of +Mexico. Its purity of outline is there associated with freshness of +colour, and this happy mixture of graces was exhibited in the beautiful +countenance of Rosarita. We have described her with black eyes and hair +of raven hue; but hers was a beauty that words can but faintly portray, +and about which all description would be superfluous. + +And this lovely creature bloomed in the very midst of the desert, like +the flower of the cactus which blossoms and fades under the eye of God +alone. + +The immense plain in the midst of which stood the Hacienda del Venado +presented a double aspect. In front of the house only did the ground +show any traces of cultivation. On that side fields of Indian corn and +vast olive plantations denoted the presence and skilful labour of man. + +Behind the hacienda--at some hundred paces distance from the stockade-- +the clearing ended, and thence extended the virgin forest in all its +sombre and primitive majesty. + +The cultivated ground was intersected by a considerable stream of water. +During the dry season it ran gently and silently along, but in the +season of rain it would suddenly change into an impetuous torrent that +inundated the whole plain, bearing huge rocks along in its current, and +every year widening its channel. + +Perhaps the most powerful of Arab chiefs, the richest patriarch of +ancient times, never counted such superb and numerous herds as roamed +over the pasturage of the Hacienda del Venado. + +About an hour before sunset--on that same day on which the travellers +departed from La Poza--two men, one on horseback, the other mounted on a +mule, were seen traversing the plain in the direction of the hacienda. +Both horse and mule were each a splendid specimen of his kind--the horse +with fiery eye, broad chest, and curving, swan-like neck, was scarce +more to be admired than the mule, that with fine, delicate limbs, +rounded flanks, and shining coat, walked side by side with him. + +This horseman was the master of the hacienda, Don Augustin Pena. His +costume consisted of a hat of Guayaquil grass, a shirt of the finest +cambric, an embroidered vest, and silk velvet pantaloons fastened down +the sides with large buttons of gold. + +His companion, the rider of the mule, was the chaplain of the hacienda, +a reverend Franciscan monk in a sort of half convent costume. This +consisted of an ample blue frock confined around the waist with a thick +cord of silk, the tassels of which hung down below his knees. Beneath +this appeared a pair of large riding-boots heavily spurred. Upon his +head a grey beaver, somewhat jauntily set, gave to the Franciscan an +appearance rather soldier-like than monastic. + +The haciendado appeared to be regarding with a look of pride his rich +possessions--extending beyond view on every side of him--as if he was +reflecting how much this kind of wealth was superior to golden ingots +shut idly in a chest; while the monk seemed to be absorbed in some +profound reverie. + +"By Saint Julian! the patron saint of travellers!" said Don Augustin, +breaking silence, "you have been more than twenty-four hours absent! I +was afraid, reverend father, that some jaguar had swallowed both you and +your mule." + +"Man proposes, and God disposes," replied the monk. "When I took my +departure from the hacienda, I did not except to be gone more than a few +hours--giving Christian burial to poor Joaquin, that had been killed by +one of the bulls--but just as I had blessed the earth where they had +buried him, a young man came galloping up like a thunderbolt, both +himself and horse all of a sweat, to beg that I would go along with him +and confess his mother who was upon her death-bed. Only ten leagues he +said it was, and I should have been glad for a pretext to get off from +such a difficult turn of duty; but at the earnest entreaty of the young +fellow, and knowing who he was, I could not refuse him. Who do you +think he was?" + +"How should I know?" replied the haciendado. + +"Tiburcio, the adopted son of the famous gambusino, Marcos Arellanos." + +"How! his mother dead! I am sorry. He is a brave youth, and I have not +forgotten the service he once did me. But for him we should all have +been dead of thirst, my daughter, my people, and myself. If he is left +without resources, I hope you have said to him that he will find a +welcome at the Hacienda del Venado." + +"No--I have not," replied the monk. + +"And why?" + +"Because this young fellow is desperately in love with your daughter; it +is my duty to tell you so." + +"What signifies that, so long as my daughter does not love him?" replied +Don Augustin. "And if she did, where would she find a man possessing +higher physical or moral qualities than this same Tiburcio? I never +dreamt of having for my son-in-law any other than an intelligent man, +brave enough to defend the frontier against these hordes of savage +Indians, and just such a man is young Arellanos. But in truth I forget +myself; I have this day designed for Rosarita a husband of a more +exalted station." + +"And it may be that you have done wrong," rejoined the monk, in a +serious tone; "from what I suspect--in fact, what I may say I know--this +Tiburcio might make a more valuable son-in-law than you imagine." + +"It's too late then," said Don Augustin. "I have given my word, and I +cannot retract it." + +"It is just about this matter I wish to speak to you, if you have time +to hear me." + +At this moment the two horsemen, having passed the stockade, had arrived +at the foot of the stone stairway--which led up to the portico, and +thence into the grand sala of the hacienda--and while dismounting, their +dialogue was interrupted. + +This sala was a large room, which, according to the practice in hot +countries, was so arranged as to be continually kept cool by a current +of air passing lengthwise through its whole extent. Fine Chinese mats +covered the floor, while richly painted window-blinds prevented the rays +of the sun from entering the apartment. The walls, whitened with +stucco, were adorned with rare illuminated paintings set in gold frames, +some leathern chairs called _butacas_, several side tables--upon one of +which stood a silver brazero filled with red cinders of charcoal--these, +with a _fauteuil_ or two, and a mahogany couch of Anglo-American +manufacture, completed the furniture of the apartment. + +Upon a table of polished balsam-wood stood several porous jars +containing water; beside them, on a large silver waiter, were +confections of several kinds; while heaped upon other dishes, also of +solid silver, were fruits both of the tropic and temperate climes-- +oranges, granadillas, limes, and pitayas, here brought together to tempt +the appetite or assuage the thirst. + +The appearance of these preparations denoted that Don Augustin expected +company. As soon as they had entered within the sala, the monk, +observing the well garnished tables, inquired if such was the case. + +"Yes," answered the haciendado, "Don Estevan de Arechiza has sent me +word that he will arrive this evening with a somewhat numerous train, +and I have taken measures to entertain a guest of such importance. But +you say you wish to speak to me about some business--what is it, Friar +Jose Maria?" + +The two now sat down, each choosing an easy-chair, and while Don +Augustin was lighting a cigar the monk commenced speaking as follows: + +"I found the old woman seated upon a bank outside the door of her hut, +whither she had dragged herself to look out for my arrival. `Bless you, +good father!' said she, `you have arrived in time to receive my last +confession. But while you rest a little, I wish you to listen to what I +am going to say to him whom I have always treated as my own child, and +to whom I intend to leave a legacy of vengeance.'" + +"What! holy father!" interrupted Don Augustin, "surely you did not +permit this infraction of God's law, who says, _vengeance belongs only +to Him_?" + +"Why not?" replied the monk. "In these deserts, where neither laws nor +tribunals exist, every man must be his own avenger." + +With this strange apology for his conduct, the monk continued: + +"I sat down and listened to what she had to say to this adopted son. It +was this:--`Your father was _not_ killed by the Indians, as we were led +to believe. It was his companion who murdered him--for the purpose of +being the sole possessor of a secret, which I shall presently disclose-- +but to you only, Marcos.' + +"`God alone knows who this man was,' said Tiburcio, `he alone knows +him.' + +"`He only!' cried the dying woman, with an air of disdain. `Is this the +language of a man? When the Indians come to steal his cattle from the +vaquero, does he sit still and say: _God only can prevent them_? No!-- +with his eye bent, and his hand ready, he follows upon their traces, +till he has recovered his herds, or perished in the attempt. Go you and +do as the vaquero! Track out the assassin of your father. That is the +last wish of her who nourished you, and has never failed in her +affection.' + +"`I shall obey you, my mother,' answered the young man, in a firm voice. + +"`Listen, then, to what I have got to say!' continued the widow. `The +murder of Arellanos is no longer a supposition, but a reality. I have +it from a herdsman who came from the country beyond Tubac. Some days +before, he had met two travellers. One was your father Marcos; the +other was a stranger to him. The herdsman was travelling on the same +route, and followed them at some distance behind. At a place where +certain signs showed that the two travellers had made their bivouac, the +herdsman had found the traces of a terrible struggle. The grass was +bent down, and saturated with blood. There were tracks of blood leading +to a precipice that hung over a stream of water; and most likely over +this the victim was precipitated. This victim must have been Marcos; +for the herdsman was able to follow the trail of the murderer by the +tracks of his horse; and a little further on he noticed where the horse +had stumbled on the left fore-leg. The assassin himself must have been +wounded in the struggle, for the herdsman could tell by his tracks +leading to the precipice that he had limped on one leg.'" + +Don Augustin listened with attention to this account--proving the +wonderful sagacity of his countrymen, of which he had almost every day +some new proof. The monk went on with his narration. + +"`Swear then, Tiburcio, to avenge your father!' continued the dying +woman. `Swear it, and I promise to make you as rich as the proudest in +the land; rich enough to bend to your wishes the most powerful--even the +daughter of Augustin Pena, for whom your passion has not escaped me. +This day you may aspire to her hand without being deemed foolish; for I +tell you, you are as rich as her own father. Swear, then, to pursue to +the death the murderer of Arellanos?' + +"`I swear it,' rejoined Tiburcio, with a solemn gesture. + +"Upon this, the dying woman placed in the hands of the young man a piece +of paper, upon which Arellanos, before leaving his home for the last +time, had traced the route of his intended journey. + +"`With the treasure which that paper will enable you to find,' continued +the dying woman, `you will have gold enough to corrupt the daughter of a +viceroy, if you wish it. Meanwhile, my child, leave me for a while to +confess to this holy man: a son should not always hear the confession of +his mother.'" + +The monk, in a few more words, related the closing scene of the widow's +death, and then finished by saying:-- + +"Now, Don Augustin, you perceive my reason for saying that this young +fellow, whatever may be his family, is not the less likely to make a +good match for the Dona Rosarita." + +"I agree with you," responded the haciendado; "but, as I have said to +you, my word is given to Don Estevan de Arechiza." + +"What!" exclaimed the monk, "this Spaniard to be your son-in-law!" + +Don Augustin smiled mysteriously as he replied:-- + +"He! no, good Fray Jose, not he, but another. Don Estevan does not wish +this alliance." + +"Caspita!" exclaimed the monk. "Does he think it beneath him?" + +"It may be he has the right to think so," added Don Augustin, again +smiling mysteriously. + +"But who is this man?" inquired the monk, with an air of surprise. + +Just as Don Augustin was about to reply, a servant entered the _sala_. + +"Senor Don Augustin," said the servant, "there are two travellers at the +gate, who beg of you to give them a night's lodging. One of them says +that he is known to you." + +"Bid them welcome!" replied the haciendado, "and let them enter. +Whether they are known to me or not, two guests more or less will be +nothing here." + +A few seconds after, the two travellers had advanced to the foot of the +stone stairway, where they stood awaiting the presence of the master of +the house. + +One of them was a man of about thirty years of age--whose open +countenance and high forehead denoted courage, combined with +intelligence. His figure presented an appearance of strength and +vigorous activity, and he was somewhat elegantly dressed--though without +any signs of foppery. + +"Ah! is it you, Pedro Diaz?" cried Don Augustin, recognising him. "Are +there any Indians to be exterminated, since I find you coming into these +solitudes of ours?" + +Pedro Diaz was, in truth, known as the most celebrated hater and hunter +of Indians in the whole province--hence the strange salutation with +which Don Augustin received him. + +"Before answering you, Senor Don Augustin, permit me to introduce to you +the king of _gambusinos_ and prince of musicians, the Senor Don Diego +Oroche, who scents a placer of gold as a hound would a deer, and who +plays upon the mandolin as only he can play." + +The individual presented under the name of Oroche, solemnly saluted the +haciendado. + +It must have been a long time since the prince of gambusinos had found +an opportunity to exercise the subtle talent of which his companion +spoke--or else the cards had been of late unlucky--for his outward man +presented an appearance that was scarcely more than comfortable. + +In reaching his hand to his hat, it was not necessary for him to +disarrange the folds of his cloak. It only required that he should +choose one of the numerous rents that appeared in this garment, to pass +through it his long-clawed fingers--whose length and thinness denoted +him a player on the mandolin. In reality, he carried one of these +instruments slung over his shoulders. + +Don Augustin invited both Diaz and his singular companion to enter. +When they were seated in the saloon Diaz began the conversation. + +"We have heard," said he, "of an expedition being got up at Arispe to +proceed to _Apacheria_; and this gentleman and I are on our way to take +part in it. Your hacienda, Senor Don Augustin, chanced to lie in our +way, and we have entered to ask your permission to lodge here for the +night. By daybreak we shall continue our route for Arispe." + +"You will not have to go so far," replied Don Augustin, with a smile. +"The expedition is already on foot, and I expect the leader of it here +this very night. He will be glad of your services, I guarantee you, and +it will save you several days' journey." + +"A miracle in our favour!" exclaimed Diaz; "and I thank God for the +lucky coincidence." + +"The thirst of gold has caught you also, Pedro Diaz?" asked Don +Augustin, smiling significantly. + +"No, thank God!" replied Diaz, "nothing of the sort. Heave the +searching for gold to experienced gambusinos, such as the Senor Oroche +here. No--you know well that I have no other passion than hatred for +the ferocious savages who have done so much ill towards me and mine. It +is only because I hope through this expedition once more to carry steel +and fire into their midst, that I take any part in it." + +"It is right," said the haciendado, who like all dwellers upon the +frontiers exposed to Indian incursions, nourished in his heart a hatred +for the savages almost equal to that of Diaz himself. "I approve of +your sentiments, Don Pedro Diaz; and if you will permit me to offer you +a gage of mine, I beg you will accept from me the present of a horse I +have--one that will carry you to your satisfaction. I promise you that +the Indian you pursue, while on his back, will require to go as fast as +the wind itself, if you do not overtake him." + +"He shall be my war-horse," exclaimed Diaz, his eyes sparkling with +pleasure at the gift. "I shall ornament his crest with Indian scalps, +in honour of him who gave him to me." + +"I cannot divine what has delayed Don Estevan," said the haciendado, +changing the subject of conversation. "He should have been here three +hours before this, that is, if he passed the night at La Poza." + +Don Augustin had scarce finished his speech when a sudden and graceful +apparition glided into the saloon. It was his daughter, the beautiful +Rosarita. + +As if the expected cavalcade only awaited her presence, the clattering +of hoofs at the same instant was heard outside; and by the light of the +torches which the domestics had carried out, Don Estevan and his suite +could be seen riding up to the entrance of the hacienda. + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN. + +ROSARITA. + +On the route from La Poza it had fallen to the lot of Cuchillo and +Tiburcio to ride side by side, but for all this few words had passed +between them. Although Cuchillo had not the slightest idea of +renouncing his dire design, he continued to hide his thoughts under an +air of good-humour--which when need be he knew how to assume. He had +made several attempts to read the thoughts of the young gambusino, but +the latter was on his guard, seeking in his turn to identify Cuchillo +with the assassin of his father. No opportunity offered, however; and +in this game of mutual espionage, neither had the advantage. +Nevertheless, an instinctive and mutual hatred became established +between the two, and before the day's journey was over, each regarded +the other as a mortal foe. Cuchillo was more than ever determined to +execute his hellish purpose--since a crime less or more would be nothing +to him--while Tiburcio, keenly remembering the oath which he had made to +his adopted mother, was resolved on keeping it, and only awaited the +time when he should be sure of the assassin. We need scarcely add that +Tiburcio in the accomplishment of his vow, had no thought of playing the +assassin. No. Whenever and wherever the murderer should be found, he +was to die by Tiburcio's hand; but only in fair and open fight. + +But there were other painful reflections that occupied Tiburcio's mind +during the journey. The nearer he approached the object of his love the +greater seemed to be the distance between them. Though a man may hope +to obtain what he only wishes for in a moderate way, yet when anything +is ardently yearned after, the obstacles appear insurmountable. Hence +the secret of many a heroic resolution. When Tiburcio was reclining by +the well of La Poza, his sweet dream hindered him from thinking of these +obstacles; but now that the journey was nearly ended, and he drew near +to the grand hacienda, his spirits fell, and a feeling of hopelessness +took possession of his soul. Hence it was that he formed the resolution +to put an end to the painful suspense which he had now a long time +endured; and that very night, if possible, he intended to ascertain his +position in the eyes of Dona Rosarita. Come what might, he resolved to +ask that question, whose answer might render him at once the happiest or +the most miserable of men. + +When Tiburcio had first met Dona Rosarita, with her father and his +servants, in the depth of the forest, he knew nothing of the rank of the +party thus wandering astray. Even during the two happy days in which he +acted as their guide, he was ignorant of the name of the beautiful young +girl, to whom his eyes and his heart rendered a continual homage. He +therefore permitted himself to indulge in those pleasant dreams which +have their origin in a hopeful love. It was only after he had learned +the quality of his fellow-travellers--that the young lady was the +daughter of the opulent proprietor, Don Augustin Pena--it was only on +ascertaining this that Tiburcio perceived the folly of his aspirations, +and the distance that lay between him and the object of his love. If +then the secret, so unexpectedly revealed to him, had given him a desire +for the possession of riches, it was not for the sake of being rich. +No; a nobler object inspired him--one more in keeping with his poetic +character. He desired riches only that with them he might bridge over +the chasm that separated him from Rosarita. + +Unhappily he could not hide from himself the too evident fact that he +was not the sole possessor of the secret. + +All at once it occurred to him that the expedition to which he found +himself thus accidentally attached could have no other object than this +very placer of the Golden Valley. Most likely the very man who shared +the secret with him--the murderer of Marcos Arellanos--was among the men +enrolled under the orders of the chief Don Estevan. The ambiguous +questioning of Cuchillo, his comprehension of events, the stumbling of +his horse, with other slighter indications, appeared to throw some light +upon the obscurity of Tiburcio's conjectures; but not enough. How was +he (Tiburcio) to arrive at a complete understanding? + +A still more painful uncertainty pressed upon his spirit, as they +approached the dwelling of Don Augustin. What reception would he meet +with from Dona Rosarita? he, a poor gambusino--without resources, +without family--poorly dressed even--a mere follower, confounded with +the common mob of adventurers who composed the expedition? Sad +presentiments were passing in his mind, as the cavalcade of which he +formed so humble an appendage arrived at the palisade enclosure of the +hacienda. + +The gates were soon open to receive them; and the moment after Don +Augustin himself welcomed the travellers at the front entrance of the +mansion. With that ease and elegance, almost peculiar to Spanish +manners, he received Don Estevan and the Senator, while the cordiality +with which he welcomed Tiburcio appeared to the young man a happy omen. + +The travellers all dismounted. Cuchillo remained outside--partly out of +respect to his chief and partly to look after his horse. As to +Tiburcio, he had not the same motives for acting thus, and therefore +entered along with Don Estevan and Tragaduros, his face pale and his +heart beating audibly. + +The room into which they had been shown was the grand sala already +described, and in which certain preparations had been made for a +magnificent banquet. But Tiburcio saw nothing of all this. His eyes +beheld only one object--for there stood a beautiful girl whose lips +rendered paler the carnation red of the granadillas, and the hue of +whose cheeks eclipsed the rosy tint of the _sandias_, scattered +profusely over the tables. It was Rosarita herself. A silken scarf +covered her head, permitting the thick plaits of her dark hair to shine +through its translucent texture, and just encircling the outline of her +oval face. This scarf, hanging down below the waist, but half concealed +her white rounded arms, and only partially hindered the view of a figure +of the most elegantly voluptuous tournure. Around her waist another +scarf of bright scarlet formed a sort of cincture or belt, leaving its +long fringed ends to hang over the skirt of her silken robe, and +blending its colours with those of the light veil that fell down from +her shoulders. It was a costume that seemed well-suited to her striking +beauty, and the effect of the _coup d'oeil_ upon the heart of poor +Tiburcio was at once pleasant and embarrassing. + +Notwithstanding the gracious smile with which she acknowledged his +presence, there was a certain hauteur about the proffered welcome--as if +it was a mere expression of gratitude for the service he had formerly +rendered. + +Tiburcio observed this with a feeling of chagrin, and sighed as he +contrasted her cold formality of speech with the abandon and freedom of +their former relations. But he could not help noticing a still greater +contrast when he looked at his own poor garments and compared them with +the elegant costumes of his two travelling companions. + +While Don Estevan was entertaining his host with some account of what +had happened on their journey, the Senator appeared to have eyes only +for the beautiful Rosarita--upon whom he was not slow in lavishing a +string of empty compliments. + +The young girl appeared to Tiburcio to receive these compliments with a +smile very different from that she had accorded to himself; he also +observed, with a feeling of bitterness, the superior easiness of manner +in which those whom he regarded as his rivals addressed themselves to +her. With anguish he noticed the colour become more vivid upon her +cheeks; while the heaving of her bosom, as the scarf rose and fell in +regular vibrations, did not escape the keen glance of jealousy. In fact +the young girl appeared to receive pleasure from these gallantries, like +a village belle who listens to the flatteries of some grand lord, at the +same time that a voice from within whispers her that the sweet +compliments she is receiving are also merited. + +Don Estevan was not unobservant of this by-play that was passing around +him. He easily read in the expressive looks of Tiburcio the secret of +his heart, and involuntarily contrasted the manly beauty of the young +man with the ordinary face and figure of the Senator. As if from this +he apprehended some obstacles to his secret projects, more than once his +dark eyebrows became contracted, and his eyes shone with a sombre fire. + +By little and little he ceased to take part in the conversation, and at +length appeared wrapped in a profound meditation. Insensibly also an +air of melancholy stole over the features of Rosarita. As for Don +Augustin and the Senator they appeared at once to be on good terms with +each other, and carried on the conversation without permitting it to +flag for a moment. + +Just then Cuchillo, accompanied by Baraja, entered to pay their respects +to the master of the hacienda. Their entrance within the sala of course +created some slight disarrangement in the tableaux of the _dramatis +personal_ already there. This confusion gave Tiburcio an opportunity to +carry out a desperate resolution he had formed, and profiting by it, he +advanced nearer to Rosarita. + +"I will give my life," said he to her, in a side whisper, "for one +moment alone with you. I wish to speak of an affair of the highest +importance." + +The young girl regarded him for a moment with an air of astonishment, +further expressed by a disdainful movement of the lip; although, +considering their former relations, and also the free familiarity of +Mexican manners, she might have been expected to have excused his +freedom. Tiburcio stood waiting her reply in a supplicating attitude, +and as everything seemed spontaneous with her, he had not long to wait. +She answered in a few words: + +"To-night then--at ten o'clock I shall be at my window." + +Scarcely had the thrilling tones of her voice ceased to vibrate on the +ear of Tiburcio, when supper was announced, and the guests were shown +into another room. Here a table, splendidly set out, occupied the +middle of the apartment, above which hung a great chandelier fitted with +numerous waxen candles: these gave out a brilliant and cheerful light, +that was reflected from hundreds of shining vessels of massive silver of +antique forms, arranged upon the table below. + +The upper end of the table was occupied by the host himself and his +principal guests. His daughter sat on his left hand, while Don Estevan +was placed upon the right. After them, the Senator and the chaplain, +and Pedro Diaz. At the lower end were seated Tiburcio, Cuchillo, Baraja +and Oroche. + +The chaplain pronounced the _benedicite_. Although it was no longer the +same jumbling formula, _sans facon_, which he had used at the death-bed +of the widow of Arellanos, yet the air of mock solemnity and unction +with which the grace was uttered, recalled to the heart of Tiburcio that +sad souvenir, which recent events had for a time caused him to forget. + +Cheerfulness soon reigned around the table. The expedition was talked +of, and toasts drunk to its success. Vast silver goblets of antique +shape were used for wine glasses, and these, passing rapidly from hand +to mouth, soon produced an abundance of good-humour among the guests. + +"Gentlemen!" said Don Augustin, when the festive scene was near its end, +"before retiring I have the honour to invite you all to a hunt of the +wild horse on my estate--which is to come off early in the morning." + +Each of the guests accepted the invitation, with that _abandon_ natural +to people who have made a good supper. + +With regard to Tiburcio, jealousy was devouring him. He scarce ate of +the rich viands placed before him. He kept his eyes constantly fixed +upon Don Estevan, who, during the supper appeared to pay marked +attentions to Rosarita, and for every one of which Tiburcio thanked him +with a look of hatred. As soon as the supper was ended, the young man +silently left the room and repaired to the chamber that had been +assigned to him for the night. + +At an early hour--for such was the custom of the hacienda--all the +guests had retired to their sleeping apartments--even the domestics were +no longer to be seen in the great hall; and a profound silence reigned +throughout the vast building, as if all the world had gone to rest. But +all the world was not yet asleep. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY. + +THE ASSIGNATION. + +Alone in his chamber, Tiburcio awaited impatiently the hour named by +Rosarita. From his window he cast a distracted glance over the plain +that stretched away from the walls of the hacienda. The moon was up in +the heavens, and the road leading to Tubac appeared under her light +shining like a vast ribbon extended through the middle of the forest. +The forest itself appeared asleep; not even a breath stirred the leaves +of the trees, and the only sounds he heard were those caused by the +half-wild herds that wandered through its glades. Now and then the +bellowing of a bull denoted the uneasiness of the animal--perhaps from +the presence of those terrible night robbers, the puma and jaguar. +There was one other sound that reached the ear of Tiburcio, but this +appeared to proceed from some part of the hacienda itself. It was the +tinkling of a mandolin. The hour was appropriate to amorous +reflections, as well as to thoughts of a graver character, and both +presented themselves at that moment to the spirit of Tiburcio. Like all +those whose life has been passed amid the depths of the desert, there +was at the bottom of his heart a certain poetic temperament, at the same +time that his soul exhibited that energetic vigour required by the +dangers which surround such a life of solitude. His present position +then was perfectly appropriate to this double character. His love was +unreciprocated--the coolness of Rosarita, almost assured him of the +painful fact--and some secret presentiment told him that he was +encompassed by enemies. + +While thus sadly reflecting on his situation, an object came under his +eyes that attracted his attention. It was the gleam of a fire, which +appeared to be kindled under cover of the forest at no great distance +from the hacienda. The light was partly eclipsed by that of the moon, +but still it could be traced by the greater redness of its rays, as they +trembled mysteriously on the silver foliage of the trees. It denoted +the halting-place of some traveller. + +"So near the hacienda!" muttered Tiburcio, in entering upon a new series +of reflections. "What can it mean? Why have these travellers not come +here to demand hospitality? They have certainly some reason for keeping +themselves at a distance? They may be unknown friends to me for heaven +often sends such to those who stand in need of them. Cuchillo, Don +Estevan, and this pompous Senator, all appear to be my enemies and all +are secure under this roof! why might not these travellers, who appear +to shun it for that very reason prove friends to me?" + +The hour of rendezvous had at length arrived. Tiburcio took up his +_serape_ and his knife--the last, the only weapon he had--and prepared +to go out from his chamber without making any noise. A fearful conflict +of emotions was passing in his bosom; for he knew that in a few minutes +would be decided the question of his happiness or misery. Before +leaving his chamber, he looked once more through the window in the +direction of the forest fire. It was still gleaming in the same place. + +While the lover, with cautious tread and wildly beating heart, was +silently traversing the long gallery, and passing round to that side +upon which opened the window of Rosarita, other scenes were passing +elsewhere that must now be detailed. + +Since his arrival at the hacienda, Don Estevan, in presence of the other +guests, had scarce found an opportunity to speak with the _haciendado_ +on business that concerned both of them. Only for one moment had they +been alone; and then the Spaniard had briefly related to Don Augustin +the contract he had entered into with Cuchillo. When Don Estevan +mentioned the secret of the Golden Valley, the haciendado appeared to +make a slight gesture, as of disappointment, but their short dialogue +ended abruptly by a promise to return to the subject at a later hour of +the night. + +Don Estevan awaited until all the other guests had retired to their +chambers. Then drawing the Senator into the bay of one of the large +windows of the sala, he requested him to look up at the stars that were +shining in all their brilliance in the blue sky above. + +"See!" said he, pointing to a particular constellation. "That is the +_Chariot_ that has risen above the eastern horizon. Do you perceive a +single star farther down, which scarce shines through the vapour? That +is the emblem of _your_ star, which at present pale, to-morrow may be in +the ascendant, and gleam more brightly than any of those that compose +the brilliant cortege of the _Chariot_." + +"What mean you, Senor Arechiza?" + +"I shall tell you presently. Perhaps the hour is nearer than you think +when you may be the future master of this hacienda, by a marriage with +the charming daughter of its present owner, who is to be its heiress. +Come presently to my apartment. The conversation which I am about to +have with Don Augustin must be decisive, and I shall let you know the +result." + +With these words the Spaniard and the Senator parted--the heart of the +latter beating at the same time with hope and fear. + +Don Estevan now awaited the haciendado, who the moment after came up to +him. + +The proprietor of the Hacienda del Venado, as has already been seen, had +given to the Spaniard more than an ordinary welcome. His politeness to +him when in presence of witnesses, was even less respectful than when +the two were alone. On his side Don Estevan appeared to accept the +homage of the other as if it were due to him. There was in his polite +condescension towards the rich proprietor, and in the deference of the +latter towards him, something resembling the relation that might be +supposed to exist between a powerful sovereign and one of his noble +vassals. + +It was not until after reiterated requests--orders they might almost be +called--that Don Augustin consented to be seated in the presence of the +other--whereas the Spaniard had flung himself into a _fauteuil_ on the +moment of entering the chamber, and with the most perfect abandon. + +The haciendado waited silently for Don Estevan to speak. + +"Well, what do you think of your future son-in-law?" inquired the +Spaniard. "I presume you never saw him before?" + +"Never," answered Don Augustin. "But if he was even less favoured by +nature than he is, that would make no obstacle to our projects." + +"I know him; he only needs to be known to prove that he has in him the +stuff of a gentleman, besides being a senator of the illustrious +congress of Arispe." + +The Spaniard pronounced these words with a slight smile of contempt. + +"But, senor," continued he, "that is not the difficulty, the important +matter is whether _your daughter_ will find him to her liking." + +"My daughter will act according to my wish," said the haciendado. + +"But supposing her heart is not free?" + +"The heart of Rosarita is free, Senor Don Estevan; how could it be +otherwise--she whose life has been spent in the midst of these deserts?" + +"And what about this ragged young fellow, this Tiburcio Arellanos, whom +you appear to know? he is in love with your daughter?" + +"I have been made aware of it this very morning." + +"If it is only a few hours, then, since you have been apprised of the +secret of his passion, surely that of your daughter cannot have to this +time escaped you?" + +"The truth is," answered Don Augustin, smiling, "that I understand +better how to follow the traces of an Indian, and read in the +countenance of a savage his most secret thoughts, than to look into the +heart of a young girl. But I repeat it, I have reason to believe that +my daughter's heart is free of any such affection. I do not apprehend +any difficulty in this regard. I dread an obstacle of a more important +character--I mean an obstacle to the expedition you are about to conduct +into the desert." + +Here the haciendado communicated to Don Estevan the particulars which +the monk had gathered at the death-bed of the widow of Arellanos, and +which seemed to produce a strong impression on the Spaniard; but +although the conversation continued for some time longer, I shall not +here detail what was said, but return to the Senator, who with anxious +heart was now awaiting Don Estevan in the apartment which had been +assigned to the latter. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. + +THE DUKE DE ARMADA. + +The chamber set apart for the Senor Don Estevan de Arechiza was +undoubtedly the best in the house; and, notwithstanding the little +progress that luxury has made in the state of Sonora, was furnished with +considerable elegance. + +In this chamber Don Estevan found the Senator pacing to and fro, with an +air that bespoke him a prey to the most vivid emotions. + +"Well, Senor Don Vicente!" began Arechiza, who appeared to make light of +the impatience of his _protege_, "what do you think of the daughter of +our host? have I exaggerated her beauty?" + +"Oh, my friend!" exclaimed the Senator, with all that vivacity of +pantomimic gesture so characteristic of the South, "the reality far +exceeds the imagination. She is an angel! Even in our country, famous +for its beautiful women, Dona Rosarita is certainly loveliest of all." + +"And richest too," added the Spaniard, with a smile. + +"Who would have expected to find, in the middle of the desert, such an +accomplished beauty? such youthful freshness? Such charms were created +to shine in afar higher sphere?" + +"At the court of a king, for instance," carelessly rejoined Arechiza. + +"Oh! Senor Don Estevan!" again exclaimed the Senator in an earnest +voice, "do not keep me in suspense; the divine, the rich Dona Rosarita-- +is it possible I am to have her for my wife?" + +"One word from me, one promise from you, and the thing is done. I have +her father's word. Within fifteen days you may be the husband of his +daughter." + +"Agreeable as easy." + +"A little later you will be rich." + +"No harm in that." + +"Later still you will be a grand proprietor." + +"Oh! it is magnificent. Carramba! Senor de Arechiza, it is a perfect +cataract of felicities to be lavished upon my head, it is a dream! it is +a dream!" shouted the Senator, as he strode to and fro across the floor. + +"Lose no time then in making it a reality," replied Don Estevan. + +"But is the time so pressing?" inquired the Senator, suddenly pausing in +his steps. + +"Why this question? Is it possible to be too quick in obtaining +happiness?" + +The Senator appeared thoughtful, and for a moment presented an aspect of +embarrassment, in strange contrast to his previous looks. He replied +after a pause-- + +"The fact is, Don Estevan, I am willing to marry an heiress whose +wealth, as is usually the case, would compensate for her ugliness. In +this case it is the very beauty of the lady that confuses me." + +"Perhaps she does not please you!" + +"On the contrary, so much happiness awes me. It appears to me, for a +reason which I cannot divine, that some sad disappointment lurks under +the seductive prospect." + +"Ah! just as I expected," answered Don Estevan; "it is the human heart. +I knew you would make some objection of this kind, but I thought you +were more a man of the world than to trouble yourself about the past +with such a splendid fortune before you. Ah! my poor Despilfarro," +added the Spaniard, with a laugh, "I thought you were more advanced." + +"But why, Don Estevan?" inquired the Senator, intending to give a proof +of his high diplomatic capacity,--"why is it, _entre nous_, that you +desire to lavish this treasure of beauty--to say nothing of her grand +wealth--upon another, while you yourself--" + +"While I myself might marry her," interrupted the Spaniard. "Is that +what you mean to say? Suppose I have no wish to get married. I had +that desire long ago, like the rest of the world. My history has been +like a great many others; that is, my sweetheart married another. It is +true I adopted the means to re--to console myself, and quickly too," +added Arechiza, with a dark scowl. "But who do you think I am, Don +Vicente Tragaduros?" + +"Who are you! why; Don Estevan de Arechiza, of course!" + +"That does honour to your penetration," said the Spaniard, with a +disdainful smile. "Well, then, since I have already demanded the hand +of Dona Rosarita for the illustrious senator Tragaduros y Despilfarro, +of course I cannot now take his place." + +"But why, senor, did you not make the demand on your own account?" + +"Why, because, my dear friend, were this young lady three times as +beautiful, and three times as rich as she is, she would neither be +beautiful enough nor rich enough for me!" + +Despilfarro started with astonishment. + +"Eh! and who are you then, senor, may I ask in my turn?" + +"Only, as you have said, Don Estevan Arechiza," coolly replied the +Spaniard. + +The Senator made three or four turns across the room before he could +collect his thoughts; but in obedience to the distrust that had suddenly +sprung up within him, he resumed: + +"There is something in all this I cannot explain, and when I can't +explain a thing I can't understand it." + +"Good logic," exclaimed Don Estevan, in a tone of raillery, "but am I +really mistaken about you, my dear Senator? I did you the honour to +believe you above certain prejudices; and even if there was anything in +the past life of the beautiful Rosarita--for instance, any prejudice to +be trampled under foot--is a million of dowry, besides three millions of +expectation, nothing in your eyes?" + +Don Estevan put this question for the purpose of sounding the morality +of the man, or rather to try the strength of a tool, which he meant to +make use of. + +Despilfarro returned no reply. + +"Now, then, I await your answer," said Don Estevan, after a pause, +appearing to take pleasure in the Senator's embarrassment. + +"Upon my word, Don Estevan," replied Despilfarro, "you are cruel to +mystify one in this manner. I--I--Carramba! it is very embarrassing." + +Don Estevan interrupted him. This hesitation on the part of Despilfarro +told the Spaniard what he wished to know. An ironical smile played upon +his lips, and laying aside his pleasantry, he resumed in a serious tone: + +"Listen to me, Tragaduros! It would be unworthy of a gentleman to +continue longer this badinage where a lady's reputation is concerned. I +can assure you, then, that the past life of the Dona Rosarita is without +a stain." + +The Senator breathed freely. + +"And now," continued Don Estevan, "it is necessary that you give me your +full confidence, and I will set you an example by giving mine with a +perfect frankness: the success of the noble cause I have embraced +depends upon it. First, then, hear who I am. Arechiza is only a +borrowed appellation. As to my real name--which you shall soon know--I +made oath in my youth, that no woman, however rich or beautiful, should +share it with me; therefore, now that my hair is grey do you think that +I should be likely to break the oath I have so long kept? Although a +wife, such as I propose for you, may ofttimes be a stepping-stone to +ambition, she is oftener an obstacle." + +As he said this, Don Estevan rose, and in his turn paced the floor with +an agitated air. Some traces of distrust were still perceptible upon +the countenance of the Senator--they were noticed by him. + +"You wish for a more precise explanation?" said he; "you shall have it." + +The Spaniard approached the window and closed the shutters--as if +fearful that their conversation might be heard outside. He then sat +down again, and requested the Senator to be seated near him. + +Tragaduros watched him with a lively curiosity, at the same time +lowering his eyes whenever they met the fiery glances of the Spaniard. + +The latter appeared suddenly to become transformed, as if looking +grander and nobler. + +"Now, Senor Senator!" began he, "I am going to make known to you some +secrets sufficient to turn your head." + +The Senator trembled. + +"When the tempter carried the Son of Man to the top of a mountain, and +promised him all the kingdoms of the earth if he would fall down and +worship him, he scarce offered him more than I am offering to the +Senator of Arispe. As the tempter, then, I lay at your feet honours, +power, and riches, if you will subscribe to my conditions." + +The solemnity of this exordium, and the imposing manner of Don Estevan, +following so closely upon the jocular mien he had hitherto exhibited, +made a painful impression upon the mind of the Senator. There was a +short moment in which he regretted being so _advanced_ in his opinions, +and during this time the great dowry of Rosarita and her rosy lips had +but slight prestige for him. + +"It is now twenty years," continued the Spaniard, "since I took up my +real vocation in the world. Previous to that time, I believed myself +made for domestic life, and indulged in those absurd dreams of love +natural to young hearts. An illusion soon destroyed--an evil hour--an +accident showed me the deception; and I found out that I was made for +ambition--nothing more. I have therefore sought for glory and honour to +satisfy my desires, and I have won them. I have conquered the right to +stand uncovered in the presence of the king of Spain. Chevalier of the +Order of Saint James of the Sword, I have taken part in the royal +ceremonies of the _white cloak and red sword_; and I may say that for me +fame has been no idle illusion. Chevalier also of Carlos the Third, I +have shared with the royal princes the title of the Grand Cross. I have +won successively the Order of Saint Ferdinand, of Saint Hermengildo, and +the Golden Fleece of Calatrava. These honours, although coveted by all, +were for me but sterile consolations." + +This enumeration, made without the slightest show of ostentation, caused +the Senator to regard the speaker with an air of respectful +astonishment. Don Estevan continued: + +"Wealth followed close upon these honours. Rich _appanages_, added to +the fortune I derived from my ancestors, soon left far behind me, the +time when, as a simple cadet of my family, I was worth nothing but my +sword. Now I was rich, opulent, and--will I tell you?--I was still far +from being content. My efforts continued; and I was made Comte de +Villamares, and afterwards Duke de Armada--" + +"Oh! Senor Duke," interrupted Despilfarro, in a humble voice, "permit +me--but--I--" + +"I have not yet finished," calmly continued the Spaniard; "when you have +heard all, you will no longer doubt my words. Notwithstanding your +mistrust, senor, I am still nothing more than the secret agent of a +prince, and I desire to remain in your eyes, as ever, the simple +gentleman Don Estevan de Arechiza--nothing more. It is necessary, +however, that this distrust of me should not manifest itself again; for +since you are presently to know the object which I am pursuing, you will +be privy to my most secret thoughts." + +The Senator continued to listen in the most respectful silence. + +"As I have said, then, I followed ambition for twenty years for its own +sake; or to speak more truly, I passed twenty years of my life to +destroy a painful souvenir, at the same time that I was pursuing the +path to fame. I fancied that in the middle of a turbulent life, this +souvenir would in time be effaced from my memory. The favourite of a +prince, the expectant heir to one of the first thrones in Christendom-- +elevated to the highest places of power--wealth prodigally lavished upon +me--I hoped to be able to forget that terrible souvenir. Vain hope!" +added the speaker in a solemn voice: "Alas! Nothing can banish remorse. +The bloody sword of Saint James was no idle symbol in my hands; for +remorse lends to ambition a fearful activity--like a voice continually +crying, `On--on forever!'" + +Don Estevan paused, and for a time remained silent, during which the +Senator regarded him with a timid look, at the same time admiring the +imposing and solemn dignity of his countenance. + +"But where to go on?" continued the speaker; "what object to follow +next? Into what new course might I precipitate this torrent of ambition +that was boiling within me? At length a new incident offered itself, +and gave me a fresh opportunity for action--an opportunity to strive and +combat--for in my case, to struggle and fight is to forget. + +"In all likelihood you have scarce heard of our political troubles, Don +Vicente? I am aware that all the kingdoms of Europe might be shaken to +their bases, without your knowing anything of the matter, in this out of +the way corner of the world. Well, then, I shall make known to you what +occurred. + +"It is now about two years since the king of Spain--by a total violation +of the Salic law, hitherto observed by all his ancestors--violently cut +off the succession to the throne in the person of his brother Don +Carlos; and by this act kindled the fires of civil war throughout the +kingdom. The Infanta Isabella was declared heiress to the crown, to the +exclusion of her uncle, the legal heir. This prince it was of whom I +spoke, and who is my august patron and protector. I did everything in +my power to assuage the mortal grief that this unexpected event +naturally caused to the man, whom I above all others have reason to +esteem. + +"Amidst the consolations which I offered him, and the plans which I +proposed, one design of a gigantic nature offered itself to my +imagination. True, it presented the prospect of countless dangers, and +obstacles almost insurmountable; but for this very reason I adopted it. + +"My dream, then, is to conquer for my master a kingdom as vast as the +one of which he has been wrongfully deprived; to restore to him one of +the brightest jewels of that Transatlantic crown, which his ancestors +once so gloriously wore. I dream of conquering a kingdom--and that +kingdom once conquered, I, a simple gentleman, intend to present it to +the true heir of the Spanish monarchy--Don Carlos de Bourbon! + +"Now, do you believe, Senor Senator, that Don Estevan de Arechiza has +the power to bestow upon others, and without regretting it, the beauty +and wealth of the daughter of a Mexican haciendado?" + +The Spaniard pronounced these last words with an air of proud +tranquillity, and then remained silent, awaiting their effect upon his +listener. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. + +THE NEW KINGDOM. + +The Mexican senator, with his contracted, or rather egoistic views, was +struck dumb by the gigantic and daring design of his companion. He +could only exclaim, as he respectfully pressed the hand which the +Spaniard held out to him: + +"Oh, Don Estevan--if you permit me still to give you this modest title-- +I regret my suspicions; and for the happiness which you offer me, for +the grand perspective which you open before me, I promise you my life, +my heart, but--" + +"But! another suspicion?" asked Don Estevan, with a smile. + +"_No_, not a suspicion of you, but a fear of some one else. Have you +noticed the young man whom chance brought into our company? I have a +secret presentiment that there is something between him and Dona +Rosarita. He is young--he is good-looking--and they appear to have +known each other a long while." + +"What!" exclaimed Don Estevan, "jealous of this ragged rustic?" + +"I avow," replied the Senator, "that I cannot help it. I noticed two or +three times their eyes fixed upon each other with a strange expression." + +"Make yourself easy about that. I know, for certain--and from Don +Augustin himself I have had my information--that the heart of his +daughter is free. Besides, her vanity alone would hinder her from any +fancy for this droll fellow, who appears to have all the pride of a +Spanish beggar. He shall be watched; and, should he have the impudence +to carry his pretensions so high, it will be an easy matter to send him +about his business." + +In pronouncing the last words the countenance of Don Estevan appeared +for a moment to wear a troubled expression, and he could not hinder +himself from adding: + +"I have myself remarked what you say, but let us not dwell upon +chimerical fears. Listen to me, Don Vicente, while I explain more +categorically the object of which I have been speaking, in order that +you may understand fully why I wish to reckon upon your assistance. I +have not yet told you--either what resources I have, or the kingdom it +is my design to conquer." + +"True enough," assented Tragaduros, "you have not." + +"The province then which I intend to transform into a kingdom is neither +more nor less than this of Sonora." + +"What! our republican state to be changed into a monarchy!" exclaimed +the Senator. "Senor Don Estevan, to attempt this will be to play with +your life." + +"I know it." + +"But what resources do you count upon?" + +"Listen: Ten years ago I was in the Spanish army, and fought against the +independence of your country in this very province. I then became +acquainted with its resources--its incalculable richness--and when I +quitted it to go home to Europe, I had a presentiment that some day I +should again return to it--as I have done. Chance at that time made me +acquainted with Don Augustin, then occupied in amassing the vast wealth +which to-day he so freely spends. I had the fortune to render him a +service--to save his life, in fact, and prevent his house from being +pillaged by the insurgents, for he did not conceal his sympathy for the +Spanish cause. I afterwards kept up with him a correspondence, and +learned that Sonora became every day more discontented with the federal +government. I then designed my great plan, which was approved of by the +prince, and at his desire I came over here. Don Augustin was among the +first to whom I opened my purpose. He was flattered by the promises I +was able to make in the name of my royal master, and at once placed his +fortune at my disposal. + +"Nothwithstanding the large pecuniary resources I have been able to +dispose of, I am seeking to augment them still farther, and chance has +favoured me. While here in my former campaign I made the acquaintance +of an odd character--a young fellow who in turns betrayed both royalists +and republicans. My relations with him recall a somewhat droll +occurrence. I found that he was guiding the regiment I commanded into +an ambuscade of the insurgents, and I ordered him to be hung to the +first tree we should meet with. Fortunately for him my men translated +the order in its most literal sense; and being at the time in the middle +of vast savannahs entirely destitute of trees, the execution was held +over, as it was an impossibility to perform it. The result was that in +the middle of our marchings and counter-marchings the fellow escaped; +and it appears did not, afterwards, hold any rancour towards me, since +he has again offered his services to me. This fellow to-day goes by the +name of Cuchillo. It was he whom I met at the village of Huerfano, +where you saw us renew our acquaintance; and at that interview he has +made known to me the secret of an immense placer of gold--whither I +intend to conduct my expedition. Besides ourselves, Cuchillo alone +knows the object of this enterprise," (the Spaniard did not mention the +name of Tiburcio), "which is generally supposed to be merely a new +expedition--like many others that have been got up to go gold seeking by +chance. + +"And now, Senor Senator," continued Don Estevan, "you need not proceed +farther with us. You may remain here, where you will have an easy part +to play, in making yourself agreeable to the fair Rosarita, while I am +braving the perils of this unknown frontier. As for Cuchillo, if he +attempt to play the traitor with me a second time, I shall take care to +be a little more prompt in punishing him. + +"The product of this expedition," pursued the Spaniard,--"of which, as +leader, I shall be entitled to a fifth part--will be added to the +resources I have already. The men who compose it will be easily +converted into devoted partisans of our design; and should it happen +that the forces I expect from Europe should fail to come to hand in due +time, these adventurers will serve a good purpose. But I have no fear +for the want of followers. Europe is at the present moment overcrowded +with people who lack employment: any enterprise will be welcome to them; +and a leader in any part of the world needs only to speak the word for +crowds to enrol themselves under his banner." + +As he said this, Don Estevan paced the room, agitated by the grandeur of +his thoughts. His dark eyes flashed with excitement, and his soul +seemed inspired with a warlike ardour that caused him for a while to +forget the presence of the Senator. It was only after some minutes +spent in this wild enthusiasm that he remembered an important fact--that +in all projects such as he was engaged in, _intrigue_ should be the +precursor of open action; and as this was to be the peculiar _role_ +which the Senator was expected to play, he again turned to address +himself to this individual. + +"Meanwhile," said he, "your tactics will be of a more pacific character. +I take charge of the open fighting--while you manage the secret +diplomacy of the affair. Your fortune, restored to you by this opulent +alliance, will enable you to get back the influence you have lost. You +will receive with the daughter of Don Augustin, at least two hundred +thousand dollars of dowry. Half of this you are to employ in making +partisans in the Senate, and in what you are pleased to call _your +army_. This sum you will not lose: it will be repaid to you, and with +usurious interest; or if it never should, you still make a good thing of +it. The end you will keep in view, is to detach the Senate of Sonora +from the Federal alliance. You will find no lack of reasons for this +policy. For instance, your State has now scarcely the privileges of a +simple territory; your interests differ entirely from those of the +central States of the Republic. Every day your laws are becoming more +centralised. The President, who deals with your finances, resides at a +distance of seven hundred leagues from your capital--it is ridiculous! +Besides, the funds of the treasury are misappropriated--the army badly +paid, although you have to do your duty in raising the tax that is to +pay it--a thousand grievances can be cited. Well, this will enable you +to get up a _pronunciamento_, and before the news of your _grito_ can +reach the city of Mexico, and the Executive power there can send a force +against you--ay, before the government troops could get half-way to +Sonora, more than two-thirds of them would desert. The others would +come upon the ground, only to find the insurrectionary party too strong +for them, and they themselves would be certain to join us. + +"Laws emanating from your own Senate--of which you yourself would have +the control and guidance--laws suited to the manners and usages of your +State, would soon become firmly established and respected, and Sonora +would then be an independent government. This would be the first step +and the most difficult. After that the rest would be easy enough; and +the gold which I should furnish will bring it about. The Senate and the +army would call for a European prince to place himself at their head-- +one who speaks the same language and professes the same religion as +themselves. This prince I have already provided. Now hear me, Don +Vicente! as to your own share in this business. The Senator Despilfarro +is already a rich man, with a lady for his wife of whom a prince might +be proud. He will be made noble--a count--a Grandee of Spain. A +lucrative post will attach him to the person of the new king, and +nothing is to hinder him from rising to the very summit of his ambition. +All this I promise on the part of your future sovereign, _King Charles +the First_." + +With these words the Spaniard finished his harangue. The Mexican +Senator, fascinated by the riches and honours thus promised him, grasped +the hand of the bold conspirator, at the same time crying out with +enthusiasm, "_Viva! Viva Carlos el Primero_!" + +"Good!" rejoined Don Estevan, with a smile. "Don Carlos can count upon +one powerful partisan already in Sonora, and there will soon be many. +But it is getting late, Don Vicente, and I have yet much business to do +before I can go to sleep. You will excuse me, then, if I bid good-night +to you." + +After exchanging the usual _buenas noches_, the Senator returned to his +own chamber and couch, to dream of his future riches and grandeur. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. + +QUARRELSOME GAMESTERS. + +In a remote chamber of the hacienda were lodged the four adventurers, +Pedro Diaz, Oroche, Cuchillo, and Baraja. These gentlemen were not slow +in becoming acquainted with one another, and this acquaintance was soon +of the most familiar character. In the middle of the room in which all +four were to pass the night, stood a strong oaken table, upon which, in +an iron candlestick, was burning a long thin tallow candle, that gave +forth a somewhat dim and doubtful light. By this light Cuchillo and +Baraja--forgetful of all their promises and vows--were going on with the +game, which had been so suddenly interrupted that morning at the village +of Huerfano. + +Pedro Diaz appeared to be merely an involuntary spectator; while Oroche, +seated at one corner of the table, his right leg across his left, his +elbow resting on his knee--the favourite attitude of mandolin players-- +accompanied his own voice as he sang the _boleros_ and _fandangos_ then +most in vogue among the inhabitants of the coast region. + +Wrapped as usual in his ragged cloak, Oroche appeared to have the true +inspiration of an artist: since he could thus elevate himself upon the +wings of music, above the vulgar consideration of the toilette, or the +cleanliness and comfort of the person. A bottle of _mezcal_, already +half empty, stood upon the table. From this the players occasionally +helped themselves--as a finale to the elegant supper they had eaten and +to which Cuchillo, Baraja, and Oroche had done ample honour. +Notwithstanding the frequent bumpers which Cuchillo had quaffed, he +appeared to be in the worst of humour, and a prey to the most violent +passions. His shaggy eyebrows, contracted by the play of these +passions, added to the evil aspect of his physiognomy, rendering it even +more sinister than common. Just then he was observed to cut the cards +with particular care. He was not playing with his friend Baraja for the +mere sport of the thing; for a moiety of the half ounce he had received +from Don Estevan had already gone into Baraja's pockets, and Cuchillo +was in hopes that the attention which he had given to the cutting of the +cards might change the luck that had hitherto been running against him. +The careful cutting, however, went for nothing; and once more the sum he +had staked was swept into the pocket of his adversary. All at once +Cuchillo flew off into a passion, scattering his hand of cards over the +table. + +"Who the devil wants your music?" cried he to Oroche in a furious tone, +"and I myself, fool that I am, to play in this fashion--only credit when +I win, and cash whenever I lose." + +"You offend me, Senor Cuchillo," said Baraja, "my word has always passed +for its value in cash." + +"Especially when you don't happen to lose," sneeringly added Cuchillo. + +"That is not a very delicate insinuation," said Baraja gathering up the +cards. "Fye, fye! Senor Cuchillo--to get angry about such a trifle! I +myself have lost half a hacienda at play--after being robbed of the +other half--and yet I never said a word about it." + +"Didn't you indeed? what's that to me? I shall speak as I please, Senor +Baraja, and as loudly as I please too," added he, placing his hand upon +the hilt of his knife. + +"Yes," coolly answered Baraja, "I know you use words _that cause your +friends to drop dead_; but these words are harmless at a distance-- +besides I have got a tongue as sharp as yours, Senor Cuchillo." + +As Baraja said this, he drew his knife from its sheath--in which action +he was imitated by his antagonist--and both placed themselves +simultaneously in an attitude for fight. + +Oroche coolly took up his mandolin--which at the interference of +Cuchillo he had laid aside--and, like a bard of ancient times was, +preparing to accompany the combat with a chant, when Diaz suddenly +interposed between the two champions. + +"For shame, gentlemen!" cried he; "what! two men made to be mutual +friends, thus to cut each other's throats for a few paltry dollars! on +the eve too of becoming the owners of a hundred times as much! Have I +not understood you to say, Senor Cuchillo, that you were to be the guide +of our expedition? Your life is no more your own, then; it belongs to +us all, and you have no right to risk it. And you, Senor Baraja! you +have not the right to attempt the life of our guide. Come! put up your +knives, and let there be no more of this matter." + +This speech recalled the two combatants to their senses. Cuchillo +remembering the grand interest he had in the success of the expedition, +and perceiving that the risk of life was playing a little too high--for +a combat of this sort usually ends in the death of one or the other-- +gave ready ear to the counsel of Diaz. Baraja, on his side, reflected +that the dollars he had already pocketed might be better employed than +in defraying the expenses of his own funeral; and on this reflection was +equally ready to desist from his intention. + +"Be it so, then!" cried Cuchillo, speaking first; "I sacrifice my +feelings to the common good." + +"And I," said Baraja, "I am willing to follow so noble an example. I +disarm--but--I shall play no more." + +The knives were again stuck into their scabbards, and the two +adversaries mutually extended their hands to one another. + +At this moment, Diaz, by way of preventing any allusion to the recent +quarrel, suddenly turning to Cuchillo, demanded: + +"Who, Senor Cuchillo, is this young man whom I saw riding by your side +as you came up to the hacienda? Notwithstanding the friendship that +appeared to exist between you and him, if I mistake not, I observed you +regarding one another with an occasional glance of mistrust--not to say +hostility. Was it not so?" + +Cuchillo recounted how they had found Tiburcio half dead upon the road, +and also the other circumstances, already known to the reader; but the +question put by Diaz had brought the red colour into the face of the +outlaw, for it recalled to him how his cunning had been outwitted by the +young man, and also how he had been made to tremble a moment under +Tiburcio's menace. Writhing under these remembrances, he was now +determined to make his vengeance more secure, by enlisting his +associates as accomplices of his design. + +"It often happens," said he, in a significant tone, "that one man's +interest must be sacrificed to the common welfare--just as I have now +done--does it not?" + +"Without doubt," replied several. + +"Well then," continued Cuchillo, "when one has given himself, body and +soul, to any cause, whatever it may be, it becomes his duty, as in my +case, to put a full and complete constraint upon his affections, his +passions, even his dearest interests--ay, even upon any scruples of +conscience that might arise in an over-delicate mind." + +"All the world knows that," said Baraja. + +"Just so, gentlemen. Well, I feel myself in that difficulty; I have a +too timid conscience, I fear, and I want your opinions to guide me." + +His audience maintained an imperturbable silence. + +"Suppose, then," continued the outlaw, "there was a man whom you all +held in the highest esteem, but whose life compromised the success of +our expedition, what should be done with him?" + +"As God lives," cried Oroche, "I should be happy to find some occasion +of sacrificing private interests to the common good." + +"But is there such a man?" inquired Diaz, "and who may he be?" + +"It's a long story," replied Cuchillo, "and its details concern only +myself--but there _is_ such a man." + +"Carajo!" exclaimed Oroche, "that is enough; he should be _got rid of_ +as speedily as possible." + +"Is that the advice of all of you?" asked Cuchillo. + +"Of course," answered simultaneously Oroche and Baraja. + +Diaz remained silent keeping himself out of this mysterious compromise. +After a little, he rose from his seat, and under some pretext left the +chamber. + +"Well, then, gentlemen," said Cuchillo, addressing himself to his two +more facile comrades, "you are fully of the opinion that the man should +be got rid of? Let me tell you, then, that this man is no other than +Tiburcio Arellanos." + +"Tiburcio!" exclaimed the two acolytes. + +"Himself--and although, since he is one of my dearest friends, it goes +sadly against my heart, I declare to you that his life may render +abortive all the plans of our expedition." + +"But," interposed Baraja, "why may he not lose it?--to-morrow in this +hunt of wild horses there will be a thousand opportunities of his losing +it?" + +"True enough," said Cuchillo, in a solemn voice. "It is of great +importance he should not return from this hunt. Can I rely upon you, +gentlemen?" + +"Blindly!" replied the two adventurers. + +The storm was gathering over the head of poor Tiburcio, but danger +threatened him from still another quarter; and long before the expected +hunt, that danger would be at its height. + +The three adventurers continued their conversation, and were entering +more particularly into the details of their design, when a knocking at +the outer door interrupted their sinister councils. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. + +TIBURCIO IN DANGER. + +Cuchillo opened the door, outside of which appeared one of the +attendants of Don Estevan. Without entering the man communicated his +message--which was to Cuchillo himself--to the effect that Don Estevan +awaited him in the garden. The outlaw, without reply, followed the +servant, who conducted him to an alley between two rows of granadines, +where a man wrapped in his cloak was pacing to and fro, apparently +buried in a deep meditation. It was Don Estevan himself. + +The approach of Cuchillo interrupted his reverie, and a change passed +over his countenance. Had Cuchillo not been preoccupied with his own +thoughts and purposes of vengeance, he might have observed on the +features of the Spaniard an expression of disdainful raillery, that +evidently concerned himself. + +"You have sent for me?" said he to Don Estevan. + +"You cannot otherwise than approve of my discretion," began the +Spaniard, without making answer. "I have allowed you time enough to +sound this young fellow--you know whom I mean. Well! no doubt you have +penetrated to the bottom and know all--you, whose perspicacity is only +equalled by the tenderness of your conscience?" + +There was an ascerbity in this speech which caused the outlaw to feel +ill at ease, for it re-opened the wounds of his self-esteem. + +"Well," continued Don Estevan, "what have you learnt?" + +"Nothing," replied Cuchillo. + +"Nothing!" + +"No; the young man could tell me nothing, since he knew nothing himself. +He has no secrets for me." + +"What! does he not suspect the existence of the Golden Valley?" + +"He knows no more of it than of the Garden of Eden," replied Cuchillo, +with a confident swagger. + +"What was bringing him to the hacienda, then--for that is upon the +route? He must have some object in coming this way." + +"O yes!--he came to ask Don Augustin to take him into his service as a +vaquero." + +"It is evident," said the Spaniard, in a tone of mockery, "that you have +gained his full confidence and know all about him." + +"I flatter myself, my perspicacity--" + +"Is only equalled by the tenderness of your conscience," interrupted Don +Estevan, still keeping up his tone of raillery. "Well, but has this +young man not confided to you any other secret? You have had a long +ride together, and an opportunity to talk of many things. For instance, +has he said nothing to you about an affair of the heart?--has he not +told you he was in love?" + +"Por Dios! Who could Tiburcio be in love with in these deserts? The +poor devil is likely to think more of a good horse than a pretty girl." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed the Spaniard, with a mocking laugh that sent a +shivering through the frame of Cuchillo. "Well, well! friend Cuchillo, +your youth promised better than this. If your conscience is as callous +as your perspicacity is obtuse--which God forbid--it is not likely to +interfere with your sleep." + +"What do you mean, senor?" demanded Cuchillo, evidently confounded by +the reproach. + +"I fear, my friend, that in the only good action you have ever done, you +have made a bad hand of it." + +"Good action!" repeated Cuchillo, embarrassed to know at what epoch of +his life he had done such a thing. + +"Yes--in saving this young man's life." + +"But it was you who did that good action: as for me, it was only a +lucrative one." + +"Be it so. I will lend it to you, notwithstanding the proverb which +says we should only lend to the rich. But now hear what I have +ascertained--I, who do not boast either of my scruples of conscience or +of my perspicacity. This young man has in his pocket, at this moment, a +written direction of the route to the Golden Valley; moreover, he is +passionately in love with Dona Rosarita, for whom he would give all the +gold in this valley, or all the gold in the world, and all the horses in +Sonora, if he had them. Moreover, his object in coming to the Hacienda +del Venado, was to make himself its future proprietor." + +"Blood and thunder!" cried Cuchillo, started as if bitten by a +snake--"that cannot be--it is not possible I could be fooled in that +manner by a child!" + +"That child is a giant beside you, master Cuchillo," coldly replied +Arechiza. + +"It is impossible!" exclaimed the exasperated Cuchillo. + +"Do you wish the proofs?--if you do you shall have them--but I may tell +you they are of a nature to make you shudder from the crown of your head +to the soles of your feet." + +"No matter; I should like to hear them," said Cuchillo in a suppressed +voice. + +"I will not speak of your conscience--mark that well, Cuchillo! For I +know that it never shudders--nor yet shall I speak of your timidity, +which I observed last night while you were in the presence of the +jaguars--" + +Don Estevan paused, to let his words have their full effect. It was his +design to crush by his superiority the man whose fidelity he had a +thousand reasons to suspect. + +"Tiburcio," continued he, "is of a race--or appears to be of a race-- +that unites intelligence with courage; and you are his mortal enemy. Do +you begin to understand me?" + +"No," said Cuchillo. + +"Well, you will presently, after a few simple questions which I intend +to ask you. The first is:--In your expedition with Arellanos, had you +not a horse that stumbled in the left leg?" + +"Eh!" ejaculated Cuchillo, turning pale. + +"A second question:--Were they really _Indians_ who murdered your +companion?" + +"Perhaps it was me?" replied the outlaw, with a hideous smile. + +"Third question:--Did you not receive, in a deadly struggle, a wound in +the leg? and fourth: Did you not carry upon your shoulder the dead body +of Arellanos?" + +"I did--to preserve it from being mutilated by the Indians." + +"One more question:--Was it for this you flung the dead body into the +neighbouring river--not quite dead, it may be?" + +The beams of the moon, slanting through the leaves of the granadines, +shone with a livid reflection on the face of the outlaw, who with +haggard eyes listened, without comprehending whence they came, to the +proofs of a murder which he believed forever buried in the desert. + +Cuchillo, when imparting to Don Estevan the knowledge of his marvellous +secret, had of course taken care not to give in detail the exact manner +by which he had himself become master of it; he had merely stated such +circumstances as were necessary to convince the Spaniard of the +importance of the discovery. It would be impossible to paint the +stupefied expression of his countenance, as he listened to these +interrogatories. The very desert itself had spoken! + +"Does Tiburcio know all this?" he asked, with an ill-dissembled anxiety. + +"No; but he knows that the assassin of his father had a horse like +yours; that he was wounded in the leg; that he flung the dead body in +the water. Of one matter only is he still ignorant--the name of the +murderer. But now let me say to you; if you give me the slightest cause +to suspect your fidelity, I shall deliver the secret to this young man, +who will crush you like a scorpion. Good blood never lies; so I repeat +it, Cuchillo; no deception--no treason, or your life will answer for +it!" + +"Well, as regards Tiburcio," muttered Cuchillo to himself, "if you only +keep the secret till this time to-morrow night, you may then shout it in +his ears: I shall have no fear of his hearing you." + +The outlaw was one of those characters who soon recover from a shock, +similar to that he had just received. Almost on the instant he +inquired, with impudent assurance: + +"But your Excellency has not proved to me that this young fellow is in +love with Dona Rosarita; and until I have proof of this I shall not +doubt my penetration--" + +"Hush!" interrupted the Spaniard; "I fancy I hear voices!" + +Both remained silent. In advancing across the garden, the two men had +approached nearer to the walls of the building, and on that side of it +which fronted the window belonging to the chamber of Rosarita. They +were still at a considerable distance from the window itself; but so +tranquil was the night, that sounds could be heard along way off. As +they stood to listen, a confused murmur of voices reached their ears--as +of two persons engaged in conversation--but the words could not be +distinguished. + +"It is the voice of Tiburcio and Rosarita!" muttered the outlaw. + +"Did I not tell you? You may take that, I think, as an instalment of +the proof you are desirous of having." + +A reflection, at this moment, came into the mind of the Spaniard, that +struck upon his spirit like a thunderbolt. It was this:--"If the young +girl, after all, is really in love with this fellow, what a dilemma! I +may have to renounce all idea of the marriage, which I had designed as +the corner-stone of my vast edifice!" + +Don Estevan was the only one who at this time was aware of the real name +and family of Tiburcio, and of course knew that he was not unworthy of +the daughter of a Mexican haciendado. But it had never entered his mind +that this young girl, who only regarded Tiburcio in the light of a poor +gambusino, would think for a moment of reciprocating his passion. His +ideas were suddenly altered, however, on hearing the voices of Tiburcio +and Rosarita, alternating with each other, with no other witness to +their conversation than the stars in the sky. It was evident, +therefore, that Rosarita did not regard the young rustic with an +unfavouring eye. An interview, such as this, could not be otherwise +than a thing premeditated and prearranged. + +The heart of the Spaniard swelled with rage at the thought. His +ambition was suddenly alarmed: for this was an obstacle that had never +occurred to him. His countenance exhibited a thoughtful and troubled +expression. He found himself unexpectedly in the presence of one of +those exigencies, which render diplomacy powerless, and absolve all +reasons of state. He had behind him a man ready to destroy whatever +victims he might point out; but he remembered that twenty years of +expiation had failed to wash from his memory a murder of which he had +been himself accused. Should he, then, after having passed the middle +of his career, again embitter the remainder of his days by another deed +of blood? On the other hand, so near the object of his ambition, was he +to permit this barrier to stand in his way? or with a bold effort to rid +himself of the obstacle? + +Thus it is that the ambitious continually roll before them the rock of +Sisyphus! + +"Providence," said he to himself--and as he pronounced the word a bitter +smile played upon his lips--"Providence offers me an opportunity to +restore to this young man his name and his fortune, and the honours +which he has lost. Such a good action in my ripe age would perhaps +compensate for the crime of my youth. But, no--no--I spurn the +occasion--it is but a slight sacrifice to the cause which I serve." + +As he spoke, his face was turned towards Cuchillo, who was observing him +attentively; but the shadow of the trees hindered the outlaw from noting +the sombre expression of his countenance. + +"The hour is come," said he, speaking to Cuchillo in a low voice, "when +our doubts are to be solved. But remember! your projects of vengeance +must remain subordinate to my wishes--now follow me!" + +Saying this, he walked silently towards the hacienda, followed by the +assassin. + +The storm which threatened Tiburcio promised soon to break over his +head. Two dangerous enemies were approaching him; Cuchillo with wounded +self-esteem, and purposes of vengeance that caused, him to grind his +teeth as he thought of them; and Don Estevan, smarting at the discovery +of such an obstacle to his ambition. + +Tiburcio in going forth from his chamber, and traversing the path that +conducted him to the appointed rendezvous, was under the belief he had +not been observed: neither was he; but unfortunately chance had now +betrayed him. + +The night was not so dark as Don Estevan and Cuchillo would have wished; +nevertheless, by crouching low, and keeping well in to the wall that +enclosed the garden, they succeeded in reaching a little grove of orange +and citron trees, the foliage of which was thick enough to shelter them +from view. From this grove, thanks to the calmness of the night, they +could catch every word that was said--for under the shadow of the trees +they were able to approach very near to the speakers. + +"Whatever you may hear," whispered Don Estevan in the ear of the other, +"remain motionless as I do." + +"I will," simply answered Cuchillo. + +The two now placed themselves in an attitude to see and hear. They were +separated from the speakers by a slight barrier of leaves and branches, +and by a distance not greater than an active man could pass over in two +bounds. Little did the victims of their espionage suspect their +proximity--little dreamt Tiburcio of the danger that was so near him. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. + +LOVE THROUGH THE WINDOW. + +For a time the listeners heard nothing beyond those commonplace speeches +exchanged between lovers--when the young man, doubtful of his position, +makes himself heard in reproaches, or arguments, which to him appear +all-powerful, while the responses which he meets with show too plainly +that he is either not loved at all, or that the advantages are on the +side of the girl. But was this really the position of Tiburcio with +Rosarita? It remains to be known. + +According to the custom of country houses throughout Mexico, the window +of Rosarita's chamber was unglazed. Strong iron bars, forming what is +called the _reja_, hindered an entrance from without; and behind this +reja, lit up by the lamp in the chamber, the young girl was standing in +an attitude of graceful ease. In the calm and perfumed night she +appeared even more charming than when seen in the brilliant saloon--for +it is behind the railing of these balconies that the women of Spanish +race appear to the greatest advantage. + +A _reboso_ of silk was thrown over her head, falling over her shoulders +in graceful undulations. The window running quite down to the level of +the floor concealed nothing of her person; she was visible from the +crown of her head to the satin slipper that covered her pretty little +foot; and the outline of her figure formed in a graceful silhouette +against the light burning within. + +Tiburcio, his forehead resting against the bars, appeared to struggle +with a painful conviction that was fast forcing itself upon him. + +"Ah!" said he, "I have not forgotten, as you, Rosarita, the day when I +first saw you in the forest. The twilight was so sombre I could scarce +make out your form, which appeared like the graceful shadow of some +siren of the woods. Your voice I could hear, and there was something in +it that charmed my soul--something that I had never heard till that +moment." + +"I have never forgotten the service you rendered us," said the young +girl; "but why recall those times? they are long past." + +"Long past! no, not to me, Rosarita--that scene appears to me as if it +had happened yesterday. Yes," continued the young man, in a tone of +melancholy, "when the light of the camp-fire by little and little +enabled me to observe the radiant beauty of your face, I can scarce +describe the emotion which it gave me." + +Had Tiburcio, instead of looking to the ground, but raised his eyes at +that moment, he might have noticed upon the countenance of Rosarita an +expression of interest, while a slight blush reddened her cheeks. +Perhaps her heart was scarce touched, but rarely does woman listen, +without pleasure, to those impassioned tones that speak the praises of +her beauty. + +Tiburcio continued in a voice still softer and more marked by +emotion:--"I have not forgotten the flowers of the llianas which I +gathered for you, and that seemed to give forth a sweeter perfume when +mingled with the tresses of your hair. Ah! it was a subtle poison that +was entering into my heart, and which has resulted in filling it with an +incurable passion. Ah! fool that I have been! Is it possible, +Rosarita, that you have forgotten those sweet souvenirs upon which I +have lived from that day up to the present hour?" + +There are certain moments of indiscretion in the life of most women, of +which they have a dislike to be reminded. Was it so with Rosarita? She +was silent for a while, as if her rebellious memory could not recall the +particulars mentioned by Tiburcio. + +"No," at length answered she, in a tone so low as not to betray a slight +trembling of her voice, "I do not forget, but we were then only +children--to-day--" + +"To-day," interrupted Tiburcio in a tone of bitter reproach, "to-day +that is all forgotten, since a Senator from Arispe has condescended to +comprise you in his projects of ambition." + +The melodious voice of Rosarita was now heard in a tone of disdainful +anger. Tiburcio had wounded her pride. + +"Comprise me in his projects of ambition," said she, her beautiful +nostrils curving scornfully as she spoke, "and who has told you, senor, +that it is not I who condescend?" + +"This stranger, too," continued Tiburcio, still preserving his +reproachful manner, "this Don Estevan--whom I hate even worse than the +Senator--has talked to you of the pleasures of Madrid--of the wonderful +countries that lie beyond the sea--and you wish to see them with your +own eyes!" + +"Indeed I acknowledge," answered Rosarita, "that in these deserts life +appears to me dull enough. Something tells me that I was not made to +die without taking part in those splendours of the world of which I have +heard so much. What can you offer to me--to my father?" + +"I understand now," cried Tiburcio with despairing bitterness, "to be +poor, an orphan, unhappy--these are not the titles to win the heart of a +woman." + +"You are unjust, Tiburcio. It is almost always the very reverse that +happens--for it is the instinct of a woman to prefer those who are as +you say. But it is different with fathers, who, alas! rarely share this +preference with their daughters." + +There was in these last words a sort of tacit avowal which Tiburcio +evidently did not comprehend--for he continued his reproaches and bitter +recriminations, causing the young girl many a sigh as she listened to +them. + +"Of course you love this Senator," said he. "Do not talk, then, of +being compelled!" + +"Who talks of being compelled?" said Rosarita, hastily interrupting the +young man. "I said nothing of compulsion, I only spoke of the desire +which my father has already manifested; and against his will, the hopes +you may have conceived would be nothing more than chimeras or idle +dreams." + +"And this will of your father is to throw you into the arms of a ruined +prodigal, who has no other aim than to build up the fortune he has +squandered in dissipation, and satisfy his ambitious desires? Say, +Rosarita, say! is this will in consonance with your own? Does your +heart agree to it? If it is not, and there is the least compulsion upon +you, how happy should I be to contest for you with this rival. Ah! you +do not make answer--you love him, Rosarita? And I--Oh! why did they not +leave me to die upon the road?" + +At this moment a slight rustling was heard in the grove of oranges, +where Don Estevan and Cuchillo were crouching in concealment. + +"Hush!" said the young girl, "did you not hear a noise?" + +Tiburcio turned himself quickly, his eye on fire, his heart beating +joyfully with the hope of having some one upon which to vent the +terrible anger that tortured it--but the rays of the moon shone only +upon the silvery foliage--all was quiet around. + +He then resumed his gloomy and pensive attitude. Sadness had again +taken possession of his soul, through which the quick burst of anger had +passed as lightning though a sombre sky. + +"Very likely," said he, with a melancholy smile, "it is the spirit of +some poor lover who has died from despair." + +"Santisima Virgen!" exclaimed Rosarita, making the sign of the cross. +"You make me afraid, Tiburcio. Do you believe that one could die of +love?" she inquired in a tone of _naivete_. + +"It may be," replied Tiburcio, with a sad smile still playing upon his +lips. Then changing his tone, he continued, "Hear me, Rosarita! you are +ambitious, you have said so--hear me then! Supposing I could give you +all that has been promised you? hitherto I have preferred to plead the +cause of Tiburcio poor and an orphan; I shall now advocate that of +Tiburcio Arellanos on the eve of becoming rich and powerful; noble too I +shall become--for I shall make myself an illustrious name and offer it +to you." + +As he said these words the young man raised his eyes towards heaven: his +countenance exhibited an altered expression, as if there was revived in +his soul the pride of an ancient race. + +For the first time since the commencement of the interview, Tiburcio was +talking sensibly, and the daughter of Eve appeared to listen with more +attention than what she had hitherto exhibited. + +Meanwhile the two spies were also listening attentively from their +hiding-place among the oranges. Not a word of what was said, not a +gesture escaped them. The last speech of Tiburcio had caused them to +exchange a rapid glance. The countenance of the outlaw betrayed an +expression of rage mingled with shame. After the impudent manner in +which he had boasted of his penetration, he felt confounded in the +presence of Don Estevan, whose eyes were fixed upon him with a look of +implacable raillery. + +"We shall see now," whispered the Spaniard, "whether this young fellow +knows no more of the situation of the Golden Valley than he does of the +Garden of Eden." + +Cuchillo quailed under this terrible irony, but made no reply. + +As yet Don Estevan had learnt nothing new. The essential object with +him was to discover whether Tiburcio's passion was reciprocated: the +rest was of little importance. In the behaviour of Rosarita there was +certainly something that betrayed a tender compassion for the adopted +son of Arellanos; but was this a sign of love? That was the question to +which Don Estevan desired to have the answer. + +Meanwhile, having excited the evil passions of the outlaw to the highest +pitch, he judged it prudent to moderate them again; an explosion at that +moment would not have been politic on his part. A murder committed +before his face, even though he had not ordered it either by word or +gesture, would at least exhibit a certain complicity with the assassin, +and deprive him of that authority which he now exercised over Cuchillo. + +"Not for your life!" said he, firmly grasping the arm of the outlaw, +whose hand rested upon his knife. "Not for your soul's safety! +Remember! till I give the word, the life of this young man is sacred. +Hush!" he continued, "listen!" and still holding the outlaw by the arm +he turned his eyes upon Tiburcio, who had again commenced speaking. + +"Why should I conceal it from you longer?" exclaimed the young man, in a +tone to which the attentive attitude of Rosarita had lent animation. +"Hear me, then! honours--riches--power I can lay at your feet, but you +alone can enable me to effect this miracle." + +Rosarita fixed her eyes upon the speaker with an interrogatory +expression. + +"Perhaps I should have told you sooner," continued Tiburcio, "that my +adopted mother no longer lives--" + +"I know it," interrupted the young girl, "you are alone in the world; I +heard it this evening from my father." + +The voice of Rosarita, in pronouncing these words, was soft as the +breeze that sighed through the groves of oranges; and her hand, falling +as if by chance into that of Tiburcio, did not appear to shun the +pressure given to it. + +At the sight of this, the hand of Don Estevan gradually relaxed its hold +upon the arm of Cuchillo. + +"Yes," continued Tiburcio, "my mother died in poverty, though she has +left me a valuable inheritance, and at the same time a legacy of +vengeance. True, it is a dangerous secret of which I am the heir, for +it has already been death to those who possessed it; nevertheless it +will furnish the means to raise myself to an opulence like your own. +The vengeance which I have sworn to accomplish must be delayed, but it +shall not be forgotten. I shall yet seek the murderer of Arellanos." + +At these words Cuchillo turned pale, impatiently grinding his teeth. +His arm was no longer restrained, Don Estevan grasped it no more, for he +saw that the hand of Rosarita was still pressed by that of Tiburcio. + +"Here me further!" continued the young man. "About sixty leagues from +here, in the heart of the Indian country, there is a placer of gold of +incalculable richness; it was discovered by my adopted father. My +mother on her death-bed gave me full directions to find the place; and +all this gold may be mine, Rosarita, if you will only love me. Without +your love I care nothing for it. What should I do with such riches?" + +Tiburcio awaited the answer of Rosarita. That answer fell upon his +heart like the tolling of a funeral knell. + +"I hope, Tiburcio," said she, with a significant smile, "that this is +only a _ruse_ on your part to put me to the proof--I hope so, because I +do not wish to believe that you have acted so vile a part as to make +yourself master of a secret that belongs to another." + +"The secret of another!" cried the young man in a voice hoarse with +astonishment. + +"Yes, a secret which belongs only to Don Estevan. I know it--" + +Tiburcio at once fell from the summit of his dreams. So his secret, +too, was lost to him as well as her whom he loved, this secret upon +which he had built his sweetest hopes; and to add to the bitterness of +his disappointment, she too--for whose sake alone he had valued it--she +to accuse him of treason! + +"Ah!" cried he, "Don Estevan knows of the Golden Valley? perhaps then he +can tell me who murdered my father! Oh! my God!" cried he, striking the +ground with his heel, "perhaps it was himself!" + +"Pray God rather to protect you,--you will need all his grace!" cried a +rough voice, which caused Rosarita to utter a cry of terror as she saw a +dark form--that of a man--rushing forward and flinging himself upon +Tiburcio. + +The young man, before he could place himself in an attitude of defence, +received a severe wound, and losing his balance fell to the ground. The +next moment his enemy was over him. For some minutes the two struggled +together in silence--nothing was heard but their loud quick breathing. +The knife of Cuchillo, already stained with blood, had escaped from his +hand, and lay gleaming upon the ground without his being able to reach +it. + +"Now, villain, we are quits," cried Tiburcio, who with an effort of +supreme strength had got uppermost, and was kneeling upon the breast of +the outlaw. "Villain!" repeated he, as he endeavoured to get hold of +his poignard: "you shall die the death of an assassin." + +Places had suddenly changed--Tiburcio was now the aggressor, but at this +moment a third personage appeared upon the scene. It was Don Estevan. + +"Hold," screamed Rosarita, "hold, for the love of the Holy Virgin! This +young man is my father's guest; his life is sacred under our roof." + +Don Estevan grasped the arm that was raised to strike Cuchillo, and as +Tiburcio turned to see what thus interfered between him and his +vengeance, the outlaw glided from under him. + +Tiburcio now sprang up, rolled his serape around his left arm, and +holding it as a shield, stood with his body inclined backward, his left +leg advanced, and his right hand firmly grasping his weapon, in the +attitude of an ancient gladiator. He appeared for a moment as if +choosing upon which of his antagonists he would first launch himself. + +"You call this being quits!" cried Cuchillo, his breast still heaving +from the pressure to Tiburcio's knee. "Your life belongs to me--I only +lent it to you, and I shall now take it back." + +"Come on, dog!" shouted Tiburcio, in answer; "and you too, Don Estevan, +you cowardly assassin! you who pay for the murder of defenceless +people." + +The countenance of the Spaniard turned livid pale at this unexpected +accusation. He instantly drew his dagger, and crying out:--"Down with +him, Cuchillo!" rushed furiously forward to the attack. + +No doubt Tiburcio would soon have succumbed before two such formidable +antagonists, but at this moment a red light flashed upon the combatants, +as Dona Rosarita, with a flaming torch in her hand, rushed forward +between them. + +The aspect of Tiburcio, who, despite the odds against him, and the blood +that was running from his arm, still fearlessly maintained his defensive +attitude, caused the heart of Rosarita to beat with sympathetic +admiration. This sanguinary _denouement_ to their interview, was +pleading the cause of the lover far more eloquently than either his +reproaches or promises! + +The first impulse of Rosarita was to fling herself into the arms of the +young man so daring and beautiful. She was restrained only from +following this impulse, by a feeling of feminine delicacy; and for an +instant Tiburcio seemed the one about whom she was least concerned. + +"Oh! my God!" cried she, "are you wounded? Don Estevan? Senor +Cuchillo? Senor Arechiza! retire; for the love of the Virgin, let not +the world know that a crime has been committed in our house." + +The excited bearing of the young girl, her bosom heaving under the light +tissue of her dress, her reboso floating behind her, mingled with the +long dark tresses of her dishevelled hair--all these, added to the proud +savage beauty of her countenance--commanded respect; and as if by +enchantment, the weapons of the combatants were restored to their +sheaths. + +Cuchillo growled like a dog newly muzzled, while Don Estevan preserved a +sombre silence. Both walked away from the ground, and their forms were +soon lost in the darkness. + +Tiburcio, with face upturned, his eyes still flashing with rage, his +features illuminated with the red light of the torch, remained for some +moments without changing his attitude. His features exhibited that +superb expression that danger only magnifies into grandeur. Gradually, +however, their tone became softened, and an air of melancholy succeeded +it, as his eyes rested upon Rosarita. The young girl had suddenly +become pale, under the reaction of such vivid emotions, as well as under +the influence of the powerful sentiment now rekindled within her heart. +Acting under this influence as well, she hastily arranged her scarf in +order to cover her nude shoulders, and the palpitating movements of her +bosom. Even her motive for this was misunderstood by Tiburcio. + +"Rosarita!" he said, speaking with perfect calmness, "I might have +doubted your words, but your actions have spoken more plainly. It was +to my enemies you first ran, though my blood was spilling; all your +fears appeared to be for Don Estevan." + +"God knows that I do not deserve this reproach," said the young girl, as +with a look of terror she saw the blood streaming to the ground. At the +same instant she advanced to examine the wound. + +Tiburcio repulsed her by stepping backward. + +"It is too late," said he with a bitter smile, "the evil is done. +Adieu! I have been too long your guest. The hospitality of your house +is fatal to me. Under your roof my life has been threatened, my dearest +hopes have been crushed! Adieu, Rosarita! Adieu!" + +As he pronounced the last words, he turned and walked hastily away. +There was a broken place in the wall of the enclosure, and towards this +he directed his steps. A hundred paces beyond, the forest commenced, +and the dark sombre trees were visible through the opening. The +mysterious light he had already noticed, was still glimmering feebly +above their tops. + +"Where are you going, Tiburcio?" cried the young girl, her hands joined +and her eyes filling with tears, "my father's roof will protect you." + +Tiburcio only answered by a negative shake of the head. + +"But yonder," continued Rosarita, pointing to the woods, "yonder, alone +and without defence--danger--death will await you." + +"God will send me friends," answered Tiburcio, glancing towards the +distant light. "The hospitality of the wandering traveller--a sleep by +his camp-fire--will be safer for me than that of your father's roof." +And Tiburcio continued to advance towards the breach with a gentle but +resolute step. + +"For the love of heaven do not expose yourself to dangers that may +perhaps arise when I am no longer present to protect you! I tell you +out yonder you will be risking your life;" then giving to her voice a +tone of persuasive softness, she continued, "In what place, Tiburcio, +will you be safer than with me?" + +Tiburcio's resolution was for a moment shaken, and he paused to make +answer. + +"One word, Rosarita!" said he; "say that you hate my rival as I hate +him--say this, and I remain." + +A violent conflict appeared to arise in the breast of Rosarita. Her +bosom swelled with conflicting emotions, as she fixed upon Tiburcio a +glance of tender reproach, but she remained silent. + +To a man of Tiburcio's age the heart of a woman is a sealed book. Not +till we have lost the attractions of youth--so powerful, despite its +inexperience--are we able to penetrate the mysteries of the female +heart--a sad compensation which God accords to the maturity of age. At +thirty years Tiburcio would have remained. But he was yet only +twenty-four; he had spent his whole life in the desert, and this was his +first love. + +"You will not say it? Adieu, then," cried he, "I am no longer your +guest," and saying this, he leaped over the broken wall, before the +young girl could offer any opposition to his departure. + +Stupefied by this unexpected movement, she mounted upon the fragments +that lay at the bottom of the wall, and stretching her arms toward the +forest, she cried out-- + +"Tiburcio! Tiburcio! do not leave us so; do you wish to bring upon our +house the malediction of heaven?" + +But her voice was either lost to his ears, or he disdained to reply. + +She listened a moment, she could hear the sound of his footsteps fast +dying in the distance--until they could be heard no more. + +"Oh! my God," cried she, falling upon her knees in an attitude of +prayer, "protect this young man from the dangers that threaten him. Oh +God! watch over him, for alas! he carries with him my heart." + +Then forgetting in her grief her projects of ambition, the will of her +father, all that deceptive confidence, which had kept silent the voice +of a love, of the existence of which she was hitherto almost ignorant-- +the young girl rose hastily from her knees, once more mounted upon the +wall, and in a heart-rending voice called out, "_Come back! Tiburcio; +come back! I love only you_!" + +But no answer was returned, and wrapping her face in her reboso, she sat +down and wept. + +Before returning to her chamber she cast one more look in the direction +of the forest, but the woods were still enveloped in the obscurity of +night; all was sombre and silent, though in the distance the feeble +light was still glimmering over the tree tops. All at once it appeared +for an instant to flash more brightly, as if offering a welcome to him +who had no longer a home! + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. + +AN ABRUPT DEPARTURE. + +Don Estevan and Cuchillo, on leaving the ground of the combat, returned +to the alley of granadines; but for some time not a word passed between +them. Don Estevan was buried in a profound meditation. More skilled +than his coarse companion in the mysteries of the female heart, he had +divined, before the end of the dialogue between Rosarita and Tiburcio, +that the young girl felt for the latter a tender sentiment. It was true +it was just germinating in her soul; but the accents of her voice, her +gestures, and other signs, discovered to the experienced intelligence of +Don Estevan that she really loved Tiburcio, though herself not yet aware +of the extent of that love. + +For Tiburcio knowing the secret of the Golden Valley, Don Estevan cared +little--that was a matter of secondary importance; but Tiburcio's love +reciprocated by Dona Rosarita was a very different affair. This at once +presented a series of obstacles to the ambitious projects of the +Spaniard. Tiburcio then must be got out of the way at all hazards, and +at any price. Such are the terrible exigencies of ambition. + +It only remained to adopt some plan; but the Spaniard was not then in +the spirit to think of one. He was writhing at the inadvertence that +had just happened. + +"The clumsy fool!" he muttered, but loud enough for his companion to +hear him. + +"Is it of me your excellency is speaking?" inquired Cuchillo, in a tone +that savoured strongly of his usual impudence. + +"Who else could I mean, you sot? You who neither know how to use +strength or stratagem! A woman has accomplished what you could not do! +I have told you that this child is a giant to you; and had it not been +for me--" + +"Had it not been for you," interrupted the outlaw, "this young fellow +would not now have been living to trouble us." + +"How sir?" demanded Don Estevan. + +"Last night, as I was bringing him to your bivouac, the fellow did an +outrage to my honour, and actually threatened me. I was about putting +an end to our differences by a shot from my carbine, when your precious +old fool of a servant, Benito, came galloping up, and of course I had to +renounce my design. So you see, the only good action I have ever done, +has brought me to grief. Such is the reward of our virtue!" + +"Speak for yourself, my droll fellow!" said the Spaniard, whose pride +revolted at being thus classed with such company as the outlaw. "But if +that could be outraged which does not exist, may I ask what attempt this +young man made upon your honour?" + +"I do not know myself--it was something that happened with my horse, who +has the fault--" + +Cuchillo interrupted himself as one who has made an imprudent speech. + +"The fault of stumbling in the left fore-leg?" added Don Estevan. "I +see--this old history of the murder of Arellanos." + +"I did not murder him," cried the outlaw, impudently. "I had reasons +not to like him; but I pardoned him, for all that." + +"Oh! you are so magnanimous! But come, an end to these pleasantries. +It remains for you to get this young man out of the way. I have my +reasons for wishing it so--among others, he knows our secret. I gave +you a half _onza_ to save his life. To-day I have different views +regarding him; and I promise to give you twenty _onzas_ when I am +assured that he is no longer alive." + +"Agreed, Don Estevan; and in to-morrow's hunt of these wild horses, it +will be strange if Tiburcio Arellanos don't knock his brains out against +either a rock or the trunk of a tree, or at least get himself into some +corner, where he won't be able to find his way out again. The only +regret I have is, that I shall have to share these twenty onzas with my +friends, Baraja and Oroche." + +"To-morrow!" exclaimed Don Estevan; "and who knows but that to-morrow +may be too late? Is the night not better for your purpose? Are you not +three to one? Who is to assure you that to-morrow I may not change my +mind?" + +This threat seriously alarmed Cuchillo. + +"Carramba! your excellency is quick to decide; you are not one of those +who leave for to-morrow what should be done to-day. _Pues_--then--I +shall try my best. In fact, it is very quiet here--I wonder the cries +of this young woman have not startled the whole house. There's not a +creature about." + +Such was in reality the case. Notwithstanding the noise of the struggle +between Tiburcio and his assailants, and later still, the cries of +Rosarita, no one had been awakened. The vast extent of the building +prevented these sounds from being heard, particularly as all the +domestics of the hacienda, as well as the proprietor himself, were +buried in a profound slumber. + +Cuchillo now directed himself toward the apartment where he had left his +comrades; Don Estevan returning at the same time to his own chamber. +The moon once more poured her soft, silvery light upon the grove of +oranges, as if no crime had ever been attempted in that tranquil spot. + +Don Estevan did not go to rest; but for a long time paced to and fro +across his ample chamber, with the air of one accustomed to watch over +ambitious projects while others were asleep. + +After a lapse of time, Cuchillo was heard knocking softly at his door; +and as soon as it was opened, the hired assassin stepped in. His +confused looks caused Don Estevan to tremble. Was the deed already +done? He wished it, yet feared to ask the question. Cuchillo relieved +him from his embarrassment by speaking first. + +"My twenty onzas are gone to the devil!" said he, in a lugubrious tone. + +"How?" hastily inquired Don Estevan. + +"The bird has flown: the young man is no longer about the place." + +"Gone!" exclaimed Don Estevan. "And you have let him escape?" + +"How could I hinder him? This brute, Baraja, as well as Oroche, were +both drunk with mezcal; and Diaz refused to assist me, point-blank. +While I was endeavouring to arouse the other two, the fellow had taken +leg bail through an opening in the wall of the garden--at least that's +all we can make out." + +"And how have you arrived at this conjecture?" asked Don Estevan, +angrily striking the floor with his foot. + +"Why, when we arrived at the place, the Dona Rosarita was clinging over +the wall, no doubt guided there by Tiburcio. He could not be far off at +the time, for she was still calling upon him to return; and judging by +the love-speeches she was making, she must have earnestly desired it." + +"She loves him, then?" + +"Passionately--or her words and her accents are all deceit. `_Come +back_!' she cried, `_Tiburcio, come back_! _I love only you_!' These +were the last words I heard; for shortly after she left the wall, and +went back to her room." + +"We must to horse and pursue him!" cried Don Estevan, hurrying to make +ready; "yes, there is no help for it now. The success of our expedition +depends upon the life of this ragged fellow. Go! arouse Benito and the +others. Tell them to saddle the horses. Warn your friends in the +chamber that we must be _en route_ in an hour. Away! while I awake Don +Augustin and the Senator." + +"Just as I have known him for twenty years," muttered Cuchillo, as he +hastened to his companions, "always awake, always ready for the greatest +obstacles. Well, if with his character he has not made way in his own +country, I fear that in Europe perseverance and energy are not worth +much." + +Don Estevan, as soon as Cuchillo had left him, spent a few minutes in +putting himself once more in travelling costume, and then repaired to +the chamber of the Senator. He found the door open--as is the custom in +a country where people spend most of their lives outside their houses. +The moon was beaming full through the large window, and her light +illumined the chamber as well as the couch upon which the Senator was +sleeping. + +"What is it, Don Estevan?" cried the Senator, suddenly leaping up in his +bed; "Senor Estevan, I should say." Tragaduros had been dreaming of the +court of the King of Spain. "What is it, your grace?" + +"I come to take leave of you, and to give you my final instructions." + +"Eh! what?" said the Senator. "Is the hour late? or have I been three +days asleep?" + +"No," gravely replied the Spaniard, "but there is a serious danger that +menaces our projects--both yours and mine. This young rustic, whom we +found on the road, knows all about the Golden Valley; and what is still +worse, he loves Dona Rosarita, and Dona Rosarita loves him." + +Tragaduros, instead of starting up at this announcement, sank back upon +his pillow, crying out. + +"Adieu then to the million dollars of dowry! adieu to those beautiful +plains covered with horses and cattle, which I already believed my own! +adieu to the honours of the court of _Carlos el Primero_!" + +"Come! all is not yet lost," said Don Estevan. "The evil may be +remedied if taken in time. This young fellow has quitted the hacienda. +It will be necessary to follow and find him before he gets out of the +way. So much the worse for him, if his evil star is in opposition to +yours." + +The Spaniard said no more of his designs with regard to Tiburcio. As to +the Senator, it was of little importance to him how he was to be +disembarrassed of so dangerous a rival, so long as he himself should not +be troubled with the matter. + +"Whatever may be the end of it," added Don Estevan, "one thing is +certain--the young fellow will never be allowed to come back to this +house, for I shall arrange that with Don Augustin. You will therefore +be master of the situation, and will have everything your own way. Make +the young lady love you--it will be easy enough--your rival will be +absent, he may be _dead_--for these deserts are dangerous, and you know +the old proverb about absence?" + +"I shall make myself irresistible!" said the Senator, "for since +yesterday I feel as if I was on fire about this lovely creature, who +appears to have come down direct from heaven--and with--such a dowry!" + +"No man ever aimed at an object more desirable than this immense dowry +and this fair flower of the desert. Spare no pains, therefore, to win +both the lady and the fortune." + +"If necessary I shall spin for her, as Hercules at the feet of Omphale." + +"Ha, ha ha!" laughed the Spaniard. "If Hercules had any merits in the +eyes of Omphale, it was not on account of his spinning, but because he +was Hercules. No--do better than spin. To-morrow Don Augustin has a +hunt among his wild steeds; there will be an opportunity for you to +distinguish yourself by some daring exploit. Mount one of the wildest +of the horses, for the honour of the beautiful eyes of Rosarita, and +after having tamed him, ride him up panting into her presence. That +will gain you more grace than handling the thread and distaff _a la +Hercules_." + +The Senator responded to these counsels with a sigh: and Don Estevan, +having given him further instructions as to how he was to act during the +absence of the expedition, took leave of him, and repaired to the +chamber of Don Augustin. + +The clank of his heavy spurs, as he entered the sleeping apartment of +the haciendado, awoke the latter--who on opening his eyes and seeing his +nocturnal visitor in full riding-costume, cried out: + +"What! is it time to set forth upon the chase? I did not know the hour +was so late!" + +"No, Don Augustin," replied the Spaniard, "but for me the hour has come +to set forth upon a more serious pursuit than that of wild horses. I +hasten to pursue the enemy of your house--the man who has abused your +hospitality, and who if not captured, may bring ruin upon all our +projects." + +"The enemy of my house! the man who has abused my hospitality!" cried +the haciendado, starting up in astonishment, and seizing a long Toledo +rapier that hung by the side of his bed, "Who is the man that has acted +so, Don Estevan?" + +"Be calm!" said Don Estevan, smiling inwardly at the contrast exhibited +between the spirit of the haciendado and the pusillanimity of the +Senator. "Be calm! the enemy I speak of is no longer under your roof-- +he has fled beyond the reach of your just vengeance." + +"But who is he?" impatiently demanded Don Augustin. + +"Tiburcio Arellanos." + +"What! Tiburcio Arellanos my enemy! I do not believe it. Loyalty and +courage are the characteristics of the young man. I shall never believe +him a traitor." + +"He knows the situation of the Golden Valley! Furthermore, he loves +your daughter!" + +"Is that all? Why, I was aware of these facts already!" + +"Yes, but your daughter loves him--perhaps you were not aware of that +fact?" + +Don Estevan here detailed the events that had just transpired, and which +proved that the passion of the young gambusino was reciprocated by +Rosarita. + +"Well!" calmly rejoined Don Augustin; "so much the worse for the +Senator!" + +This reply could not fail to astonish the Spaniard, and create a feeling +of disappointment. + +"Remember," said he, "remember, Don Augustin Pena; that you have engaged +your word--not only to me, not only to Tragaduros, but to a prince of +the blood royal of Spain, from whose brow this apparently simple +incident--the caprice of a young girl--may snatch a crown. Think too of +your country--its future glory and greatness--all dependent on the +promise you have given--" + +"Why," interrupted Don Augustin, "why set forth all these +considerations? After my promise has been given, I never retract my +word. But it is only to the Duke de Armada I have engaged myself, and +he alone can free me from that engagement. Are you satisfied with this +assurance?" + +"How could I be otherwise?" cried the Spaniard, holding out his hand to +the noble haciendado. "Enough! I have your word, it will be necessary +forme to leave you without farther delay. This young fellow may find +comrades to accompany him to the Golden Valley. There is not a moment, +therefore, to be lost. I must at once proceed to Tubac. Adieu, my +friend, adieu!" + +Don Augustin would have risen to accompany his guest to the gates, but +the Spaniard would not permit him, and they parted without farther +ceremony. + +When Don Estevan reached the court-yard, his attendants and domestics +were found in readiness to depart. The mules had been packed, and the +_remuda_ collected in charge of the driver. The followers, Cuchillo, +Baraja, Oroche, and Pedro Diaz were already in their saddles--the last +mounted on a magnificent and fiery steed, which told that the generous +haciendado had kept his promise. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. + +THE LONE FIRE IN THE FOREST. + +The motive for this hasty departure from the hacienda was unknown only +to Benito and the other domestics. The cavalier adventurers were aware +of its object though two of them, Baraja and Oroche, had no very clear +understanding upon the matter. The fumes of the mezcal were still in +their heads, and it was with difficulty they could balance themselves in +the saddle. They were sensible of their situation, and did their best +to conceal it from the eyes of the chief. + +"Am I straight in my stirrups?" whispered Oroche addressing himself to +Baraja. + +"Straight as a bamboo!" replied the other. "Do I appear firm?" inquired +he in turn. + +"Firm as a rock," was the response. + +Thanks to the efforts they were making to keep themselves upright, Don +Estevan, as he glanced over the ranks of his followers, did not observe +anything amiss. Cuchillo, however, knowing that they were not in a fit +state for inspection regarded them with an anxious glance. + +As Don Estevan was about to mount, the outlaw rode up to him, and +pointing to the others with an expressive gesture, said, "If your honour +desires me to act as guide, and give the order of march, I am ready to +enter upon my duties." + +"Very well," replied Don Estevan, springing into the saddle, "commence +at any moment, but let us be gone as soon as possible." + +"Benito!" shouted the newly appointed guide, "take the _remuda_ and +_recua_ in advance; you will wait for us at the bridge of the _Salto de +Agua_." + +Benito, with the other attendants, obeyed the order in silence; and the +moment after were moving with their respective charges along the road +leading to Tubac. A little later the cavalcade rode out of the +court-yard of the hacienda, and turning round the wall of the enclosure, +guided by Cuchillo, proceeded toward the breach through which Tiburcio +had passed. The guide was riding by the side of Don Estevan. + +"We have found his traces," said he to the chief, as they moved forward; +"he is down in the forest." + +"Where?" + +"Do you see a light yonder shining through the trees?" + +The mysterious light was gleaming, just as Tiburcio had first seen it +from his window. It was to this that Cuchillo directed the attention of +the chief. + +"Yes," replied the latter, "what of it?" + +"It is the camp-fire of some travellers; and in all probability the +fellow will be found there. So," continued he, with a hideous smile, +"we are going to give chase to a wild colt--which will be better than +hunting Don Augustin's wild horses--and here are the three hunters." + +As the outlaw said this, he pointed with his whip, first to himself, and +then to his two comrades, Oroche and Baraja. + +"They have both espoused our quarrel," he added. + +"From what motive?" inquired the Spaniard. + +"That motive which the hound has in taking the part of the hunter +against the stag," answered the outlaw, with a significant smile; "they +only follow their instincts, and they are two animals with formidable +teeth." + +At this moment the moon shone out, and gleaming upon the carbines and +knives of the two adventurers, seemed to confirm the assertion of +Cuchillo. But the light proved disadvantageous to Baraja and Oroche, +for it enabled Don Estevan to perceive that they were far from steady in +their seats. + +"Why, these fellows are drunk!" cried he, turning upon the guide a look +of furious reproach. "Are these the assistants you count upon?" + +"True, your honour," replied Cuchillo, "they are not exactly sober; but +I hope soon to cure them. I know of a remedy that will set them all +right in five minutes. It is the fruit of the _jocuistle_, which grows +abundantly in these parts. I shall find it as soon as we have reached +the woods." + +Don Estevan was forced to swallow his chagrin in silence. It was not +the time for vain recriminations; and above all, Tiburcio had first to +be found, before the services of either of the inebriated gentlemen +would be called into requisition. + +In a few seconds' time the party had reached the breach in the wall. +Cuchillo dismounted, and striking a light, pointed out to the others the +traces left by Tiburcio. There could be seen some fragments freshly +fallen from the wall, evidently detached by the feet of one passing +over; but what was of more consequence, they were stained with drops of +blood. This must have been Tiburcio's. + +"You see," said the outlaw to Don Estevan, "that he must have passed +this way. Ah! if I had only given him another inch or two. After all," +added he, speaking to himself, "it is better I didn't. I shall be +twenty onzas the richer that I didn't settle with him then. Now," +continued he, once more raising his voice, "where can he have gone, +unless to yonder fire in the woods?" + +A little farther on in the direction of the forest, other spots of fresh +blood were discovered upon the dry calcareous surface of the soil. This +appeared to confirm the conjecture of the guide--that Tiburcio had +proceeded towards the camp-fire. + +"If your honour," resumed Cuchillo, addressing himself to his chief, +"will go forward in company with the Senor Diaz, you will reach a stream +running upon your left. By following down its bank for some distance, +you will come to a bridge constructed with three or four trunks of +trees. It is the bridge of the _Salto de Agua_. Just before reaching +it, your honour will see a thick wood on the right. Under cover of that +you can remain, until we three have finished our affair and rejoin you. +Afterwards we can overtake the domestics. I have ordered them forward, +for the reason that such people should not be privy either to our +designs or actions." + +In this arrangement Cuchillo exhibited the consummate skill of the +practiced bandit. Don Estevan, without offering any opposition to his +plan, rode off as directed, in company with Diaz; while the outlaw, with +his two chosen acolytes turned their horses' heads in the direction of +the fire. + +"The fire betokens a halt of travellers, beyond doubt," remarked Diaz to +Don Estevan; "but who these travellers can be is a thing that puzzles +me." + +"Travellers like any others, I suppose," rejoined the Spaniard, with an +air of abstraction. + +"No, that is not likely. Don Augustin Pena is known for his generous +hospitality for twenty leagues around. It is not probable that these +travellers should have halted so near his hacienda without knowing it. +They must be strangers to the country I fancy, or if not, they have no +good purpose in camping where they are." + +Pedro Diaz was making almost the same observations that had occurred to +Tiburcio at an earlier hour of the night. + +Meanwhile, Cuchillo, with his two comrades, advanced towards the edge of +the forest. As soon as they had reached it the guide dismounted from +his horse. + +"Stay here," said he, "while I go fetch something to cure you of your +ill-timed drunkenness." + +So saying he glided in among the trees, and in a few seconds came out +again, carrying with him several oblong yellow-coloured fruits that +resembled ripe bananas. They were the fruits of the _jocuistle_, a +species of _asimina_, whose juice is an infallible remedy against the +effects of intoxication. The two inebriates ate of the fruit according +to Cuchillo's direction; and in a minute or two their heads were cleared +of the fumes of the mezcal as if by enchantment. + +"Now to business!" cried Cuchillo, without listening to the apologies +his comrades were disposed to make--"to business! You will dismount and +lead your horses forward by the bridle, until you can see the fire; and +when you hear the report of my gun, be ready, for I shall then fall back +upon you." + +"All right," responded Oroche, "we are both ready--the Senor Baraja and +myself--to sacrifice all private interests to the common good." + +Cuchillo now parted with the two, leading his horse ahead of them. A +little farther on he tied the animal to the branch of a tree, and then +stooping downward he advanced on foot. Still farther on he dropped upon +his hands and knees, and crept through the underwood like a jaguar +stealing upon its prey. + +Now and then he paused and listened. He could hear the distant lowing +of the wild bulls, and the crowing of the cocks at the hacienda, mingled +with the lugubrious notes of the great wood owl, perched near him upon a +branch. He could hear the distant sound of water--the cataract of the +_Salto de Agua_--and, in the same direction, the continuous howling of +the jackals. + +Again the assassin advanced--still creeping as before. Presently he saw +before him the open glade, lit up by the flame of the camp-fire. On the +edge nearest him, stood a huge button-wood tree, from whose base +extended a number of flat ridge-like processes, resembling the bastions +of a fortification. He perceived that, behind these he would be +concealed from the light of the fire; while he himself could command a +view of every object within the glade. + +In another moment he was crouching under the trunk of the button-wood. +His eyes gleamed with a fierce joy, as he gazed in the direction of the +fire, around which he could distinguish the forms of three men--two of +them seated, the other stretched along the ground, and apparently +asleep. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. + +THE WOOD-RANGERS. + +Behind the Hacienda del Venado--that is, to the northward of it--the +surface of the country was still in a state of nature; as we have +already said, the edge of the forest lay almost within gun-shot of the +walls; and this vast tract of woods extended for many leagues to the +north, till it ended in the great deserts of Tubac. + +The only road that trended in a northerly direction, was that leading to +the Presidio of Tubac--though in reality it was not a road, but simply +an Indian trail. At a short distance beyond the hacienda, it was +crossed by a turbulent and rapid stream--the same that passed near the +house--augmented by several tributaries that joined it in the woods. +Where the road crossed it, and for a long distance above and below, this +stream partook rather of the nature of a torrent, running in a deep bed, +between rocky banks--a _canon_. Over this canon the crossing was +effected by means of a rude bridge consisting simply of the trunks of +two or three trees, laid side by side, and reaching from bank to bank. +About half-way between the hacienda and this bridge, and but a short +distance from the side of the road, was the fire which had already +attracted so much attention. + +This fire had been kindled near the centre of a little glade, but its +flame cast a red glare upon the trees at a distance, until the grey bark +of the button-wood, the pale foliage of the acacias, and the scarlet +leaves of the sumac, all appeared of one colour: while the darker +llianas, stretching from tree to tree, encircled the little glade with a +series of festoons. + +At the hour when Tiburcio was about leaving the hacienda, two persons +were seated by this fire, in the attitude of men who were resting after +a day of fatigue. These persons were the trappers, who had already made +their appearance at La Poza. + +There was nothing remarkable in two men having made their camp-fire in +the woods; it was their proximity to a hacienda--and that, too, the +Hacienda del Venado--that rendered the fact significant. The trappers +knew well enough that the hacienda was close at hand; it followed, then, +that they had some reasons of their own for not availing themselves of +its hospitality. A large pile of fagots lay near the fire, evidently +collected to feed it, and this proved that the men who had kindled it +intended to pass the night on the spot. + +The appearance of these two men would have been striking, even in the +light of day; but under that of the fire it was picturesque--almost +fantastic. The older of the two was habited in a costume half Indian, +half Canadian; on his head was a sort of bonnet, shaped like a truncated +cone, and made out of the skin of a fox; a blue striped cotton shirt +covered his shoulders, and beside him upon the ground lay a sort of +woollen surtout--the _capote_ of the Canadians. His legs were encased +in leathern leggins, reaching from the thigh downward to the ankle; but +instead of moccasins he wore upon his feet a pair of strong iron-bound +shoes, capable of lasting him for a couple of years at the least. A +large buffalo-horn, suspended from the shoulder, contained his powder; +and upon his right side hung a leathern pouch, well filled with bullets. +In fine, a long rifle, with a barrel nearly six feet in length, rested +near his hand; and this, with a large hunting-knife stuck in his belt, +completed his equipment. His hair already showed symptoms of turning +grey and a long scar which crossed his temples, and appeared to run all +round his head, showed that if his scalp was still there he had some +time or other run the risk of having it _raised_. His bronzed +complexion denoted a long exposure to sun, wind, and rain; but for all +this, his countenance shone with an expression of good-humour. This was +in conformity with his herculean strength--for nature usually bestows +upon these colossal men a large share of kind-heartedness. + +The other trapper appeared to be some five or six years younger; and +although by no means a man of small stature, he was but a pigmy +alongside his gigantic companion. His countenance also lacked the +serenity which distinguished that of the other--his black eyes gave out +an expression of boldness approaching to effrontery; and the play of his +features indicated a man whose passions, fiery by nature, once aroused, +would lead him into acts of violence--even of cruelty. Everything about +him bespoke the second trapper to be a man of different race from his +companion--a man in whose veins ran the hot blood of the south. +Although his style of dress did not differ very much from that of his +comrade, there were some points in it that denoted him to be more of a +horseman. Nevertheless, his well-worn shoes bore witness to his having +made more than one long journey on foot. + +The Canadian, half reclining upon the grass, was watching with especial +interest a large piece of mutton, which, supported upon a spit of +iron-wood, was frizzling and sputtering in the blaze of the fire. He +appeared to enjoy the savoury odour that proceeded from the joint; and +so much was his attention taken up by his gastronomic zeal, that he +scarce listened to what his companion was saying. + +"Well, I have often told you," said the latter, "that when one is on the +trace of an enemy, whether it be an Indian or a white, one is pretty +sure of coming on his tracks somewhere." + +"Yes," rejoined the Canadian; "but you forgot that we shall just have +time to reach Arispe, to receive the pay for our two years' campaign; +besides, by our not going to the hacienda, we lose the bounty upon these +three skins, and miss selling them besides." + +"I never forget my interests," replied the other; "no more than I do the +vows which I make: and the best proof of it is, that twenty years ago I +made one which I believe I shall now be able to accomplish. We can +always force them to pay us what is due at Arispe, and we shall find +many an opportunity of getting rid of the skins: but the chance which +has turned up in the middle of these deserts, of bringing me in contact +with the man against whom I have sworn vengeance may not offer again +during my whole lifetime." + +"Bah!" exclaimed the Canadian, "vengeance is like many other kinds of +fruit, sweet till you have tasted it, and afterwards bitter as gall." + +"For all that, Senor Bois-Rose, you do not appear to practise your own +doctrine with the Apaches, Sioux, Crows, and other Indians with whom you +are at enmity! Your rifle has cracked many a skull--to say nothing of +the warriors you have ripped open with your knife!" + +"Oh! that is different, Pepe. Some of these would have robbed me of my +peltries--others would have taken my scalp, and came very near doing so, +as you see--besides, it is blessed bread to clear the prairies of these +red vermin; but I have never sought to revenge myself against one of my +own race and colour. I never hated one of my own kind sufficiently to +kill him." + +"Ah! Bois-Rose; it is just those of one's own race we hate most--that +is when they have given us the reason for doing so--and this man has +furnished me with such motives to hate him as can never be forgotten. +Twenty years have not blunted my desire for vengeance; though, on +account of the great distance that separated us, I supposed I should +never find an opportunity of fulfilling my vow. Strange it is that two +men, with relations like ours, should turn up together in the middle of +these desert plains. Well! strange though it be, I do not intend to let +the chance escape me." + +Pepe appeared to have fixed his resolution upon this matter, and so +firmly that his companion saw the folly of attempting to dissuade him by +any further advice. The Canadian, moreover, was of an easy disposition, +and readily yielded to the arguments of a friend. + +"After all," said he, "perhaps, if I fully understood your motives, I +might entirely approve of the resolution you have made." + +"I can give them in two words," rejoined he whom the Canadian was +addressing as Pepe. "It is just twenty years, as I have already told +you, since I was a carabinier in the service of her Catholic majesty. I +should have been content with my position and the amount of pay, had it +only been _paid_ which unfortunately it was not. We were obliged to do +the duty of coast-guard as well, and this would have done well enough +had there been any smuggling, with the capture of which we might have +indemnified ourselves; but there was none. What a fool a smuggler would +have been to have ventured on a coast, guarded by two hundred fellows at +their wits' end with hunger! Well, then I reasoned that if any smuggler +was to land it could only be with the concurrence of our captain, and I +suspected that the captain would make no objection to such an +arrangement--for he himself was, like the rest of us, a creditor of the +government. In such case he would cast around among us for the man in +whom he _could most_ confide, and that would be he who was noted as +being most careless upon his post. I resolved, therefore, to become the +captain's confidential sentry. + +"To arrive at this object I pretended to be all the day asleep; and, +notwithstanding the reprimands I received, I managed also to be found +asleep upon my post at all hours of the night. I succeeded in my +design. The captain soon learnt all about my somnolent habits, and +chose me for his favourite sentinel." + +At this moment the Canadian detached the mutton from the spit, and +having cut a large "hunk" from it with his knife passed the joint to his +comrade. + +This interrupted the narrative, for both narrator and listener were +hungry. The two now sat face to face, their legs forming a sort of an +ellipse, with the roast mutton in the centre, and for several minutes a +formidable gritting of teeth, as huge pieces of the mutton passed +through them, were the only sounds that broke the stillness of the +night. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. + +OLD SOUVENIRS. + +"I have said then," resumed Pepe, after a time, "that I pretended to be +always asleep. The _ruse_ succeeded equal to my best expectations, and +one night the captain sent for me. Good! said I to myself, there's an +eel under the stone--the captain is going to confide a post to me. Just +as I had anticipated he sent me to sleep--at least he thought so--on a +most important post; but for all that I did not sleep a wink during the +whole of that night." + +Here Pepe paused for a moment, in order to swallow an enormous mouthful +of the roast mutton, that hindered the free use of the tongue. + +"To be brief, then," resumed he, "a boat arrived with men, and I +permitted it to land. It was only afterwards that I learnt that it was +no smuggling business these men were bent upon, but an affair of blood-- +of murder; and the thought that I was instrumental in aiding the +assassins causes me to this hour a feeling of remorse. I did not +conceal what I knew. Afterwards I denounced the murderer, by way of +atoning for my fault. A trial took place, but as in Spain justice goes +to the highest bidder, the assassin was set free, and I became a victim. +I was drummed out of my regiment, and transported to the fisheries of +Ceuta, on the unhealthy coast of Africa. There I was compelled to +remain for many years, till at last having made my escape, after a +thousand perilous adventures, I found myself on the prairies of +America." + +"It was a rich man then--some powerful person--whom you denounced?" + +"Yes; a grand senor. It was the old story of the pot of clay broken +against the pot of iron. But the desert here has no distinctions; and, +by the Virgin of Atocha! I shall prove that before many suns have gone +over my head. Ah! if I only had here a certain alcalde of the name of +Don Ramon Cohecho, and his damned friend, one Senor Cagatinta, I fancy I +should make them pass an uncomfortable quarter of an hour." + +"Very well, then," said Bois-Rose, seeing the other had finished his +narrative; "very well. I quite approve of your intentions--let the +journey to Arispe stand over." + +"It is an old story," said Pepe, in conclusion; "and if for ten years +you have been teaching me to handle a rifle, after many more spent in +the usage of a carbine in the service of her Catholic majesty, surely I +should be able to manage it now. I think I would scarcely miss an +object as large as him whom you have seen at the head of those horsemen +journeying towards the hacienda." + +"Yes--yes," replied the Canadian, with a laugh; "but I remember the +time, Pepe, when you missed many a buffalo twice as big as he. +Nevertheless, I fancy I have made a passable shot of you at last, +although you still persist in mistaking the ear of an otter for his eye, +which always depreciates the value of the skin. Well, you know that I +myself was not brought up on the prairies. I was a sailor for many long +years; and perhaps I should have continued one but for--a sad event--a +melancholy affair--but what good is there in speaking of that which is +no more. Let the past be past! I find the life of the desert something +like that on the ocean--once a man has got used to it he cannot easily +quit it." + +"Yes," rejoined Pepe; "the life of the forest and prairie has its +charms, and for my part--" + +"Hush!" whispered the Canadian, interrupting the speech of his comrade +and placing himself in an attitude to listen. "I heard a rustle among +the branches. Other ears than mine may be listening to you." + +Pepe cast a glance in the direction whence the sounds had been heard. +The dark form of a man was perceived among the trees coming from the +direction of the hacienda. + +It was evident that the man was not trying to approach by stealth, for +his form was erect and he made no attempt to conceal himself behind the +branches. + +This would have freed the mind of Pepe from all suspicion, but for the +circumstance that the stranger appeared to be coming direct from the +hacienda. + +"Who goes there?" he hailed in a loud tone, as the dark shadow was seen +entering the glade. + +"One who seeks an asylum by your fire," was the ready reply, delivered +in rather a feeble voice. + +"Shall we allow him to come on? or beg him to continue his journey?" +muttered Pepe to the Canadian. + +"God forbid we should deny him! Perhaps they have refused him a lodging +up at the house; and that voice, which I think I have heard before, +plainly denotes that he is fatigued--perhaps ill." + +"Come on, Senor!" called out Pepe, without hesitating farther; "you are +welcome to our fire and our mess; come on!" + +At this invitation the stranger advanced. It is needless to say that it +was Tiburcio Arellanos, whose cheeks as he came within the light of the +fire betrayed by their paleness the traces of some violent emotion, or +else of some terrible malady. This pallor, however, was partly caused +by the blood which he had lost in the conflict with Cuchillo. + +As soon as the features of Tiburcio came fairly under the light, the +trappers recognised him as the young man they had met at La Poza; but +the ex-carabinier was struck with some idea which caused him to make an +involuntary gesture. The Canadian, on the other hand, regarded the +new-comer with that expression of condescending kindness which age often +bestows upon youth. + +"Have you parted with the gentlemen in whose company we saw you?" asked +Pepe of Tiburcio. + +"Yes." + +"Perhaps you are not aware that there is a house close by. I do not +know the owner, but I fancy he would not refuse you a night's lodging, +and he could entertain you better than we. Perhaps," continued he, +observing that Tiburcio made no reply, "you have been up to the house +already?" + +"I have," answered Tiburcio. "I have no reproach to make against its +owner, Don Augustin Pena; he has not refused me hospitality; but there +are other guests under his roof with whom my life is not safe." + +"Oh, that!" exclaimed Pepe, appearing to become more interested; "has +anything happened to you?" + +Tiburcio lifted his serape, exhibiting the wound in his right arm from +which the blood was yet oozing. + +Both Pepe and the Canadian rose hastily to their feet and stepped +forward to examine the wound. Having done so, they immediately set +about dressing it, which they effected with as much dexterity and +despatch as might have been shown by practised surgeons; at the same +time the rude physiognomy of each was marked by an expression of +interest almost amounting to tenderness. While the Canadian kept +bathing the wound with water from his canteen, Pepe proceeded into the +woods in search of a peculiar plant noted for its healing properties. +This plant was the _oregano_. Presently he returned, bringing with him +several slices which he had cut from the succulent stem of the plant; +the pulp of these, mashed between two stones, was placed over the wound, +and then secured by Tiburcio's own scarf of China crape wound several +times around the arm; nothing more could be done than await the effect +of the application. + +"Now," said the Canadian, "you will soon feel better. There is no +danger of inflammation--nothing beats the oregano for preventing that, +and you need not be afraid of fever. Meanwhile, if you feel inclined, +there's a bit of roast mutton and a glass of _eau de vie_ at your +service; after which you had best lie down by the fire and take some +sleep--for I can see that you're weary." + +"In truth," replied Tiburcio, "I am fatigued. I thank you for your +offer, but I do not feel inclined either to eat or drink; I have more +need of sleep, and with your permission shall try and get some. One +request I would make of you: that you will not permit me to sleep too +long; there are reasons why I should soon be awake again." + +"Very well," said Pepe; "we don't want your reasons. If you wish us to +watch the hacienda, I beg you will only say so, and you shall have two +pair of good eyes at your service; therefore make your mind easy, and +sleep without fear of any enemy coming upon you unawares." + +Tiburcio stretched himself upon the grass, and overcome by fatigue and +the many violent emotions he had that day experienced, soon fell into a +lethargic slumber. + +For some time Bois-Rose sat regarding the sleeper in silence, but with +an air of strange interest. + +"What age do you think he is?" he at length inquired of his comrade. + +"Twenty-four, I should fancy," replied the ex-coast-guard. + +"Just what I was thinking," said the Canadian, speaking in a tone of +half soliloquy, while a melancholy expression appeared to tone down his +rude physiognomy. "Yes, just the age he ought to be if still alive." + +"He! who are you talking of?" brusquely interrupted his companion, in +whose heart the words of the Canadian seemed to find an echo. + +"No matter," said Bois-Rose, still speaking in a tone of melancholy; +"the past is past; and when it has not been as one would have wished it, +it is better forgotten. But come! let us have done with idle regrets +and finish our supper--such souvenirs always spoil my appetite." + +"The same with me," agreed Pepe, as he seized hold of a large +mutton-bone, and commenced an attack upon it in a fashion that proved +that his appetite was not yet quite gone. + +After a while Pepe again broke the silence. + +"If I had the pleasure," said he, "of a personal acquaintance with this +Don Augustin Pena, who appears to be the proprietor here, I would +compliment him upon the fine quality of his mutton; and if I thought his +horses were of as good a sort, I think I should be tempted to borrow +one--one horse would never be missed out of the great herds we have seen +galloping about, no more than a sheep out of his vast flocks; and to me +a good horse would be a treasure." + +"Very well," said the Canadian. "If you feel inclined for a horse, you +had better have one; it will be no great loss to the owner, and may be +useful to us. If you go in search of one, I can keep watch over this +young fellow, who sleeps as if he hadn't had a wink for the last month." + +"Most probably no one will come after him; nevertheless, Bois-Rose, keep +your eye open till I return. If anything happens, three howls of the +coyote will put me on my guard." + +As he said this, Pepe took up a lazo that lay near, and turning his face +in the direction in which he was most likely to find a drove of horses, +he walked off into the woods. + +Bois-Rose was left alone. Having thrown some dry branches upon the +fire, in order to produce a more vivid light, he commenced regarding +anew the young man who was asleep; but after a while spent in this way +he stretched himself alongside the prostrate body, and appeared also to +slumber. + +The night-breeze caused the foliage to rustle over the heads of these +two men, as they lay side by side. Neither had the least suspicion that +they were here re-united by strange and providential circumstances--that +twenty years before, they had lain side by side--then lulled to sleep by +the sound of the ocean, just as now by the whispering murmurs of the +forest. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY. + +BOIS-ROSE AND FABIAN. + +For twenty years the murderer of the Countess de Mediana had gone +unpunished. For twenty years the justice of heaven had remained +suspended; but the time of its accomplishment was not far off. Soon was +it to open its solemn assizes; soon would it call together accuser and +criminal, witness and judge--not from one part of a country to another, +but from opposite sides of the globe; and, as if led by some invisible +hand, all would have to obey the terrible summons. + +Fabian de Mediana and the Canadian sailor lay side by side--just as they +had done twenty years ago, at three thousand leagues distance from +Sonora. And yet they had no suspicion of ever having met before, though +a single chance word might at that moment have brought either to the +memory of the other. + +It was just about this time that Don Estevan and his party rode off from +the hacienda. + +The Canadian, according to the counsel of his comrade Pepe, slept with +one eye open. At short intervals he contrived to awake himself, and +raising his head slightly, cast around him a scrutinising glance. But +on each of these occasions, the light of the fire showed him Tiburcio +still tranquilly asleep; and this appearing to satisfy him, he would +again compose himself as before. + +About an hour had passed, when the sound of heavy footsteps awakened him +once more, and listening a moment, he distinguished them as the +hoof-strokes of a horse. + +A few moments after, Pepe made his appearance within the circle of the +blaze, leading a horse at the end of his lazo--a magnificent animal, +that snorted and started back at sight of the fire. Pepe, however, had +already given him more than one lesson, and his obedience was nearly +complete; so that, after a short conflict, the trapper succeeded in +bringing him nearer and attaching him to the trunk of a tree. + +"Well," said Pepe, wiping the perspiration from his forehead with an old +ragged handkerchief, "I've had a tough struggle with him; but he's worth +it, I fancy. What think you, Bois-Rose? Isn't he the most splendid +quadruped that ever galloped through these woods?" + +In truth it was a beautiful creature, rendered more beautiful by the +terror which he was exhibiting at the moment, as he stood with his fine +limbs stretched, his head thrown high in the air, his mane tossed over +his wild savage eyes, and his nostrils spread and frothy. Strange +enough that fear, which renders vile and degraded the lord of the +creation, should have an opposite effect on most of the lower animals-- +especially on the horse. This beautiful creature under its impulse only +appears more beautiful! + +Little as Bois-Rose delighted in horse-flesh, he could not withhold his +approval of the capture which his comrade had made. + +"He looks well enough," was his sober reply; "but he'll be a rough +mount, I reckon." + +"No doubt of that," assented Pepe. "I know he'll be rough at first; but +the main thing was to get hold of him. I had a lucky hand to hook him +as I did." + +"I hope your neck will prove as lucky as your hand. For my part, I'd +rather walk ten leagues than be on his back for ten minutes. But see, +comrade!" continued the big trapper, pointing to the stars, "they're +gone down yonder! you'll need some sleep before morning. Lie down while +I take my turn of the watch." + +"I'll take your advice," replied Pepe, at the same time stretching +himself out upon his back, with his feet to the fire--in which attitude +he was soon asleep. + +The Canadian rose to his feet, took several turns round the fire--as if +to drive away any remains of sleep that might be lurking in his eyes-- +then sat down again, with his back resting against the stump of a tree. + +He had not been long seated before he got up once more, and, approaching +with caution, stood over Tiburcio. For several minutes he remained in +this attitude, attentively examining the features of the young man: he +then returned to his seat by the stump. + +"Just about _his_ age, if he is still living," muttered he to himself. +"But what chance have I to recognise in a grown man the features of an +infant scarce four years old?" + +A smile of disdain played for an instant on his lips, as if he were +chiding himself for the silliness of his conjectures. + +"And yet," he continued, his countenance changing its expression, "I +have seen and taken part in too many strange events--I have been too +long face to face with Nature--to doubt the power of Providence. Why +should I consider this a miracle? It was not one when I chanced upon +the boat adrift that carried that poor infant and its murdered mother! +No, it was the hand of God. Why might not the same hand restore him to +me in the midst of the desert? The ways of Providence are inscrutable." + +As if this reflection had given birth to new hopes, the Canadian again +rose to his feet, and approaching, stooped once more over the prostrate +form of Tiburcio. + +"How often," said he, "have I thus gazed on my little Fabian as he +slept! Well, whoever you are, young man," continued he, "you have not +come to my fire without finding a friend. May God do for my poor Fabian +what I am disposed to do for you!" + +Saying this, he once again returned to his seat, and remained for a long +time reflecting upon incidents that had transpired twenty years before +in the Bay of Biscay. + +It should here be stated that up to this hour Bois-Rose and Pepe had not +the slightest suspicion that they had ever met, before their chance +encounter upon the prairies of America. In reality they had never met-- +farther than that they had been within musket-range of each other. But +up to this hour Pepe knew not that his trapping comrade was the gigantic +smuggler he had fired at from the beach of Ensenada; and Bois-Rose was +equally ignorant that Pepe was the coast-guard whose "obstinacy and +clumsiness" he had spoken of to his lieutenant. + +The cause of this mutual ignorance of each other's past was that neither +of them had ever mentioned the word Elanchovi in the hearing of the +other. The Canadian had never thought of communicating the incidents of +that night to his prairie comrade; and Pepe, on his side, would have +given much to have blotted them altogether from the pages of his memory. + +The night became more chilly as the hours passed on, and a damp dew now +fell upon the grass and the foliage of the trees. It did not wake the +sleepers, however, both of whom required a long rest. + +All at once the silence was broken by the horse of Pepe, that neighed +loudly and galloped in a circle at the end of his lazo: evidently +something had affrighted him. Bois-Rose suddenly started from his +reverie, and crept silently forward, both ear and eye set keenly to +reconnoitre. But nothing could be heard or seen that was unusual; and +after a while he glided back to his seat. + +The noise had awakened Tiburcio, who, raising himself into a sitting +posture, inquired its cause. + +"Nothing," answered the trapper, whose denial, however, was scarce +sincere. "Something indeed," continued he, "has frightened the horse. +A jaguar, I fancy, that scents the skins of his companions, or, more +likely, the remains of our roast mutton. By the way, you can eat a bit +now; I have kept a couple of pieces for you." + +And as he said this he handed two goodly-sized pieces of mutton to +Tiburcio. + +This time the young man accepted the invitation to eat. Rest had given +him an appetite; and after swallowing a few mouthfuls of the cold +mutton, warmed up by a glass of the brandy already mentioned, he felt +both his strength and spirits restored at the same time. His features, +too, seemed to have suddenly changed their hue, and now appeared more +bright and smiling. + +The presence of the hunter also added to the pleasure thus newly arisen +within his breast. He remembered the solicitude which the Canadian had +exhibited in dressing his wound--which he now extended even to giving +him nourishment--and the thought occurred to him that in this man he +might find a friend as redoubtable for his herculean strength as for his +dexterity and courage. He no longer felt so lone in the world--so +abandoned. + +On the other hand, Bois-Rose sat looking at his _protege_ and apparently +delighted to see him enjoy his repast. The heart of the trapper was +fast warming into a strong friendship for this young man. + +"Stranger!" said he, after a considerable interval of silence, "it is +the custom of the Indians never to inquire the name or quality of a +guest until after he has eaten of their bread. I have followed their +example in regard to you; and now may I ask you who you are, and what +happened at the hacienda to drive you forth from it?" + +"I shall willingly tell you," answered Tiburcio. "For reasons that +would have no interest for you, I left my hut and started on a journey +to the Hacienda del Venado. My horse, overcome by thirst and fatigue, +broke down on the way. It was his dead body, as you already know, that +attracted the jaguars, so adroitly destroyed by you and your brave +comrade." + +"Hum!" interrupted the Canadian, with a smile; "a poor feat that--but go +on. I long to hear what motive any one could have for hostility to a +mere youth scarce twenty years old, I should fancy." + +"Twenty-four," answered Tiburcio, and then proceeded with his narrative. +"I came very near sharing the fate of my poor horse; and when, about +two hours after, you saw me at La Poza, I had just arrived there--having +been saved by the party in whose company you found me. But what motive +those gentlemen could have, first to rescue me from death, and then +afterwards attempt to take my life, is what I am unable to comprehend." + +"Perhaps some rivalry in love?" suggested the Canadian, with a smile; +"it is usually the history of young men." + +"I acknowledge," rejoined Tiburcio, with an air of embarrassment, "there +is something of that; but there is also another motive, I believe. +Possibly it is to secure to themselves the sole possession of an +important secret which I share with them. Certain it is, that there are +three men whom my life appears to discommode; there is one of them +against whom I have myself sworn vengeance, and although I am but one +against three I must accomplish the vow which I made at the death-bed of +a person who was very dear to me." + +The three men whom Tiburcio meant--and whose names he repeated to +Bois-Rose--were Cuchillo, who had attempted to assassinate him; the +Senator, his rival: and Don Estevan, whom Tiburcio now believed to be +the murderer of Marcos Arellanos. + +Bois-Rose tacitly applauded this exhibition of youthful ardour and +reckless courage. + +"But you have not yet told me your name?" said he, interrogatively, +after a moment's hesitation. + +"Tiburcio Arellanos," was the reply. + +At the mention of the name the Canadian could not restrain a gesture +that expressed disappointment. There was nothing in the name to recall +the slightest souvenir. He had never heard it before. + +The young man, however, observed the gesture. + +"You have heard the name before?" he asked abruptly. "Perhaps you knew +my father, Marcos Arellanos? He has often been through the wildest +parts of the country where you may have met him. He was the most +celebrated gambusino in the province." + +Instead of calling Marcos Arellanos his father, had Tiburcio said his +_adopted father_, his explanation might have elicited a different +response from the Canadian. As it was, he only said in reply: + +"It is the first time I have heard the name. It was your face that +recalled to me some memories of events that happened--long, long ago--" + +Without finishing what he meant to have said, the Canadian relapsed into +silence. + +Tiburcio, too, ceased speaking for a while; he was reflecting on some +hopes that had suddenly sprung up within him. His meeting with the two +trappers appeared to him not so much a mere chance as a providential +circumstance. The secret which he possessed, almost useless to him +alone, might be rendered available with the assistance of two +auxiliaries such as they--it might become the key to the favour of Don +Augustin. It was not without repugnance that he reflected on this means +of winning the heart of Rosarita--or rather of purchasing it at the +price of gold--for Tiburcio believed that it was closed against any more +tender appeal. He had mentally resolved never to return to the +hacienda; but notwithstanding this vow he still indulged in a slight +remnant of hope--perhaps the echo of his own profound passion. This +hope overcame his repugnance; and he resolved to make known his design +to the trappers, and endeavour to obtain assistance in carrying it out. + +With this view he again opened the conversation. + +"You are a hunter by profession--I think I have heard you say?" + +"Yes; that is the vocation both of my comrade and myself." + +"It is not a very profitable one, and yet attended with many dangers." + +"Ah! it is a noble calling, my boy! My fathers followed it before my +time, and I, after a few years of interruption, have resumed the +profession of my fathers. Unfortunately I have no son to succeed me; +and I can say, without boasting, that when I am gone a brave and strong +race perishes with me." + +"I, too," said Tiburcio, "follow the profession of my father--who, as I +have told you, was a gambusino." + +"Ah! you are one of a race whom God has also created--in order that the +gold which He has given to the world should not be lost to the use of +man." + +"My father," continued Tiburcio, "has left me a grand legacy--the +knowledge of a deposit of gold, not far from the frontier; and if two +men, such as you and your comrade, would join me in obtaining it, I +could promise to make you richer than ever you dreamt of becoming." + +Tiburcio awaited the reply of the trapper, feeling almost certain of his +adhesion, notwithstanding the refusal the latter had made in his +presence to the proposal of Don Estevan. His astonishment, therefore, +was great when the Canadian, with a negative shake of the head, replied +as follows: + +"Your proposal, young man, might be seductive to many--there was a time +when it would have been so to myself--but now it is no longer so. What +would gold be to me? I have no one to whom either to give it or leave +it. I have no longer a country. The woods and prairies are my home, +and gold would be of no service to me there. I thank you, young friend, +for your offer, but I must decline to accept it." + +And as he said this, the Canadian covered his face with his huge hand, +as if to shut out from his eyes the seductive prospect which had been +offered to his view. + +"Surely this is not your final answer?" said Tiburcio, as soon as he had +recovered from his surprise. "A man does not so readily refuse a +treasure that he has only to pick up from the ground?" + +"Nevertheless," responded the trapper, "it is my resolution, fixed and +firm. I have other objects to follow. I have given myself, body and +soul, to aid my comrade there in an enterprise--my comrade of ten years' +standing." + +During this conversation the words _gold_ and _treasure_, frequently +pronounced, appeared to produce their magic influence on Pepe. Every +now and then he turned himself, as if about to protest against the +refusal of Bois-Rose, so definitively given. It was evident he was not +sleeping very soundly while the talk was going on. + +"This Don Estevan de Arechiza, of whom you speak," resumed the Canadian; +"he is the same we saw at La Poza is he not--the chief of the +expedition?" + +"The same." + +"Ha! is that the name he goes by here?" cried Pepe, suddenly rousing +himself from his apparent sleep. + +"You know him, then?" said Tiburcio, interrogatively. + +"Yes--yes," replied Pepe; "he is an old acquaintance, with whom I have +some back debts to settle--and that is why you see me in this part of +the country. But if you desire to have the whole story--and from what +has happened I fancy you will--I promise to tell it to you by-and-bye. +I begin to fancy that our cause is a common one; and if so, I shall be +able to lend you a hand. But there's a time for everything; and now, +the most important thing for me is to get some sleep, so as to be ready +for whatever turns up." + +As Pepe said this, he made a movement to return to the horizontal +position from which he had temporarily raised himself. + +"Stay! Pepe!" interrupted the Canadian, with an air of good-humour; +"one instant before you fall asleep, or I shall say that you deserved +the name of Pepe the Sleeper. Hear me! This young man has made us an +offer. He wishes us to accompany him to a _placer_ he knows of, where +you have only to stoop down and gather the gold in handfuls." + +"Carramba!" exclaimed Pepe; "you have accepted the offer, of course?" + +"On the contrary, I have refused it." + +"Then you've done wrong, Bois-Rose! That's a thing that deserves +consideration; but we can talk it over by-and-bye--I must have some +sleep first." And as he uttered the last words he lay down again; and +the instant after a loud snore announced that he was soundly asleep! + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. + +THE RECOGNITION. + +The conversation, for a moment interrupted, was resumed by Bois-Rose. + +"So you shall find," said he, "in my comrade Pepe, a man ready to join +you against this Don Estevan; and, as Pepe's enemies are mine, I shall +be equally your partisan. We shall be able to offer you a brace of good +rifles that never miss their aim. There is one, at all events, I think +I can answer for." + +As the trapper said this, he pointed to the long piece that rested by +his side. + +Tiburcio cast his eyes upon the gun, and for a moment regarded it with +some surprise. He appeared to look more particularly at the wood-work +of the stock, which was notched and carved in a somewhat fantastic +manner. Here there was a row of simple notches, and there another row +of marks resembling crosses. Then there were rows of double crosses; +and also one of triple crosses; and finally a series of stars. All +these hieroglyphics appeared to have been cut with the blade of a knife; +but their purpose was a puzzle to Tiburcio. + +Bois-Rose, noticing an interrogative expression upon the face of the +young man, at once entered upon an explanation. + +"These marks," said he, "are the scores I keep of the savages that have +fallen by my rifle. They themselves keep count by the number of scalps; +but this, you see, is more Christian and decent. That row of crosses +stands for Apache--there is a dozen in all. The double crosses are for +Sioux--seven of them. Those with the triple branch are Pawnees--eight +of them I have sent to the land of spirits. The stars are Crows--and +number only four, that my rifle has caused to utter their death-yell. +You see nine parallel notches?--well, these are nine Flatheads that, +thanks to me, will rob no longer in this world; and finally, those marks +of a roundish shape, which I needn't count, are so many Blackfeet, who +have gone to their happy hunting-grounds. Now," added the trapper, "I +think I can promise you a rifle that is not likely to miss fire, and the +hand of a friend that will not fail you." + +And as he said this, he stretched forth his huge hand, and grasping that +of Tiburcio, pressed it frankly and firmly. + +The young man accepted the offer with a profusion of thanks. + +"I had a presentiment," said he, "when I saw the light of your fire, +that I should find friends around it." + +"You are not deceived," warmly responded Bois-Rose; "you have found +friends;--but, pardon me when I ask you, have you no relatives or +connections with whom you could find a home?" + +For a moment the colour mounted to the cheeks of Tiburcio; but after a +slight hesitation, he replied: + +"Why should I not be frank with you?--I shall! Know then, brave +trappers, that surrounded as I am by enemies who seek my life; disdained +by the woman I have loved, and still love--I am alone in the world: I +have neither father, nor mother, nor any relative that I know of?" + +"Your father and mother--are they dead?" inquired Bois-Rose, with an air +of interest. + +"I never knew either of them," answered the young man in a sad voice. + +"You have never known them!" cried the Canadian, rising suddenly, and +laying hold of a blazing fagot, which he held up to the face of +Tiburcio. + +This fagot, light as it was, appeared as if a hundredweight in the hand +of the giant, that trembled like an aspen, under the convulsive emotions +that were agitating his bosom. He held the flame closed to the +countenance of the young man, and scanned his features with eager +anxiety. + +"But surely," said he, "you at least know in what country you were +born?" + +"I do not," answered Tiburcio. "But why do you ask me? What +interest--" + +"Fabian! Fabian!" interrupted Bois-Rose, in a soft, appealing tone, as +if he was speaking to an infant--"what has become of you?" + +"Fabian!" repeated the young man; "I do not know the name." + +"Oh, my God!" exclaimed the Canadian, as if speaking to himself, "since +this name recalls nothing to him, it is not he! Why did I indulge in +such a foolish hope? And yet his features are just as Fabian's should +be at his age. Pardon me," he continued, addressing himself to +Tiburcio--"pardon me, young friend. I am a fool! I have lost my +senses!" + +And throwing the fagot back upon the fire, he returned to his seat, +placing himself with his back to the light, so that his countenance was +concealed from the eyes of his companion. + +Both were for some minutes silent. Tiburcio was endeavouring to +penetrate the past, and recall some vague reminiscences of infancy, that +still lingered in his memory. The widow of Arellanos had told him all +she knew of his early history--of the gigantic sailor who had nursed +him; but it never occurred to Tiburcio that the great trapper by his +side, a _coureur de bois_ of the American wilderness--could ever have +been a seaman--much less that one of whom he had heard and read, and who +was believed to have been his father. The strange interest which the +trapper had exhibited and the questions he had asked were attributed by +him to mere benevolence. He had no idea that the latter referred to any +one whom he had formerly known, and who was now lost to him; for +Bois-Rose had as yet told him nothing of his own history. + +As Tiburcio continued to direct his thoughts upon the past, certain +vague souvenirs began to shape themselves in his memory. They were only +dim shadows, resembling the retrospect of a dream, and yet he was +impressed with the belief that they had once been realities. He was the +more confirmed in this idea, because such visions had occurred to him +before--especially upon the night when he sat by the death-bed of his +adopted mother--the widow of Arellanos. The revelations which she made +to him before dying had revived in some mysterious way these shadowy +souvenirs. + +After a while the young man made known his thoughts to his companion by +the camp-fire, whose interest appeared to be forcibly re-awakened, and +who listened with eager attention to every word. + +"I fancy I can remember," said Tiburcio--"that is, if it be not a dream +I have sometimes dreamt--a terrible scene. I was in the arms of a woman +who held me closely to her breast--that I was rudely snatched from her +embrace by a wicked man--that she screamed and cried, but then all at +once became silent; but after that I remember no more." + +These words appeared to produce an effect upon the Canadian; and his +interest visibly increased as he listened. + +"You can remember no more?" he inquired, in an eager tone. "Can you not +remember what sort of place it was in? Was it in a house? or do you not +remember whether the sea was around you? That is a thing one is not +likely to forget." + +"No," answered Tiburcio, "I saw the great ocean for the first time at +Guaymas--that was four years ago--and yet from what has been told me I +should have also seen it when I was a child." + +"But, when you saw it four years ago, did it not recall anything to your +memory?" + +"No, nothing." + +"Nothing?" repeated the Canadian, interrogatively, and in a despairing +tone. + +"Nothing more than this same dream, which I have mistaken no doubt for +reality." + +Bois-Rose again resumed his attitude of melancholy, and remained silent. + +After a pause Tiburcio continued: + +"One figure appears to me in these visions that is different from the +rest." + +"What sort of figure?" inquired the Canadian, with renewed interest. + +"That of a man of a hale rude countenance, but notwithstanding one of +kindly expression. This man loved me, for I now have his face before me +more clearly than I ever had; and I can trace that expression upon it." + +"And did you love him? can you remember that?" inquired the Canadian, +while his heart beat with anxiety, as he awaited the answer. + +"I am sure I did, he was so kind to me. I can remember he was kind to +me." + +A tear stole over the bronzed cheek of the trapper as he listened to +these words; and then turning his face once more so that it was hidden +from the view of Tiburcio, he murmured to himself-- + +"Alas, poor Fabian! he too loved me--I know he did." + +Then once more facing round to the fire, he hazarded a last question: + +"Do you not remember one circumstance above all? Do you not remember +that this man was suddenly separated from you in the midst of a terrible +affray--?" + +The emotion under which Bois-Rose was suffering hindered him from +finishing his interrogatory. His head fell between his knees, and he +awaited in trembling the response which Tiburcio might make. + +The latter was silent for some seconds, as if endeavouring to arrange +the confused thoughts that had suddenly sprung up in his mind. + +"Hear me!" said he at length, "you who appear to be a beacon guiding my +memories of the past--hear what I can remember at this moment. There +was one day of terror and confusion; I saw much blood around me. The +ground appeared to tremble--there was thunder or the noise of cannon. I +was in great fear within a dark chamber where I had been shut up--a man +came to me; it was the big man who loved me--" + +Tiburcio paused for an instant, as if to grapple freshly with the vague +reminiscences that were endeavouring to escape from him, while the +Canadian appeared like one suffering the agony of suspense. + +"Yes," resumed Tiburcio, "this man came to me--he lifted me up in his +arms and carried me into the light--there he caused me to kneel down-- +oh! I now remember what he said--`_kneel_!' said he, `_kneel, my child! +and pray for your mother_!' That is all I can remember." + +The Canadian, who was still seated, appeared to tremble convulsively, as +he listened to these last words; but when Tiburcio had finished +speaking, he rose suddenly to his feet; and rushing forward threw his +arms wildly around the young man, while at the same time he cried out in +a broken voice: + +"_Your mother whom I found dead beside you_. Oh! my God! Once more in +need of a father, hast thou sent him to me. Oh! Fabian! Fabian! Come +to my heart! It was I who caused you to kneel--I am that man! who in +the bay of Elanchovi--" + +At this moment the report of a carbine echoed in the woods; and a bullet +whistling through the air, passed close to the head of Tiburcio, +striking a tree that stood behind him. + +This unexpected intruder at once put an end to the dialogue; suddenly +changing the tableaux of figures around the fire. Pepe, who had heard +the shot, sprang instantaneously to his feet, and all three stood +grasping their weapons, ready to receive the enemy who had committed the +dastardly attempt. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. + +SOUVENIRS OF ELANCHOVI. + +While these incidents were passing by the trappers camp-fire, Don +Estevan was actively pursuing the execution of his plans. + +From what little he had heard and seen of Diaz he had conceived a high +opinion of this person. He had observed in him a man of very different +character from the crowd of adventurers who usually make up expeditions +of the kind he was about to lead. Don Augustin had pronounced upon his +courage; and the chief himself had noticed the reserve with which Diaz +treated his new associates Cuchillo and Baraja. Moreover, some words +with Diaz himself had confirmed Don Estevan's favourable impression, and +convinced him that the Indian fighter was a man of brave and loyal +heart. He regarded Diaz, therefore, as a valuable member of the +expedition, and resolved to attach him as much as possible to his +service--not merely with a view to his assistance in the search and +conquest of the Valley of Gold, but for that higher aim which he had +proposed to himself--the establishment of a kingdom. + +While proceeding to the rendezvous designated by Cuchillo, Don Estevan +took the opportunity of sounding Diaz on this important question. His +bravery and address as a soldier were already known; but these two +qualities were not sufficient for the purposes of the Spaniard. +Something more would be required of the man of whom it was his design to +make both his lieutenant and confidant. + +The reply of Diaz to his very first question, convinced Don Estevan that +Diaz was the very man he stood in need of; but the time had not yet +arrived for the leader to open himself fully. He contented himself by +simply observing, that in the event of the expedition being crowned with +success, it might lead to an important affair--the separation of Sonora +from the Federal Republic. + +At this moment the conversation between the chief and Pedro Diaz was +interrupted by the report of a carbine. It was the shot fired by +Cuchillo, which had caused the sudden alarm at the camp-fire of the +trappers, but which as already known had failed in its aim. + +If the outlaw had not yielded to his own cupidity, it is possible that +Tiburcio would have fallen at that moment. The assassin would have +taken with him his two associates Baraja and Oroche; and as three +bullets instead of one would thus have been aimed at the intended +victim, the chances are that some of them would have reached his life. +But Cuchillo did not desire to have a partner in the deed who could +claim a share in the promised reward, he was determined to have the +twenty onzas to himself; and this it was that induced him to leave +Baraja and Oroche behind him. His design was well conceived, and might +have been executed to his satisfaction. No doubt his aim had been true +enough; but it chanced to be taken at an inopportune moment--just as +Tiburcio sprang forward under the impulse of the revelation which +Bois-Rose had made to him. + +Having delivered his fire the outlaw did not even stop to ascertain its +effect; but turning suddenly away, he ran to recover his horse. The +dread of being pursued and overtaken by the two trappers caused him to +fly at full speed. He dreaded the vengeance of two men of whose +singular courage and dexterity he had already been a witness. Fear, +however, so confused his senses, that on facing round, he was unable to +remember in what direction he had come, or where the horse had been +left; and for some seconds he stood hesitating and doubtful. + +Short as was the time, it might have proved fatal to him, but that his +unexpected attack had somewhat disconcerted the camp. Both Bois-Rose +and Tiburcio, interrupted while suffering the most vivid emotions, stood +for some moments in a state of stupor, while Pepe was stretched out at +full length, and supposed to be asleep. + +This was only apparent, however, for at the report he sprang to his feet +as if he had heard the "hish" of the bullet as it passed close to his +ears. + +"_Carramba_!" cried he, "I am curious to know which of us that bit of +lead was intended for, you or myself, young man; for I have heard your +conversation, and I am no stranger to this affair of Elanchovi." + +"Elanchovi!" exclaimed the Canadian. "What! do you know anything of +Elanchovi?" + +"Ah, well do I," answered Pepe. "I have good reasons to know +Elanchovi--but there's no time to talk of it now; I will settle that +business by-and-by, for it's a secret you can't comprehend without my +help. So indeed it is the young count, and you have found him again! +Well that's enough at present. Now, Bois-Rose, forward! You take to +the right of where the shot came from, while this young man and I go to +the left. The cowardly rascal who fired will no doubt be trying to turn +our camp, and by going both ways, one or other of us will be likely to +chance upon him. Away, Bois-Rose, away!" + +Hurriedly pronouncing these words, Pepe grasped his rifle and struck off +to the left, followed by Tiburcio, who had no other weapon than his +knife. The Canadian, suddenly stooping, till his huge body was almost +horizontal, glided off to the right under the branches of the trees, and +then moved on with a silence and rapidity that showed how accustomed he +was to this mode of progression. + +The camp-fire was abandoned to the guard of the half-wild horse, that, +freshly affrighted by the report of the carbine, once more plunged and +reared, until he had almost strangled himself in the noose of his lazo. + +Meanwhile the day was beginning to break, and the red light of the fire +was every moment growing paler under the first rays of the morning. + +"Let us stop here," said Pepe to Tiburcio, as soon as they had reached a +thicket where they could have the advantage of seeing without being +seen, and from which they commanded a view of the road leading to the +Salto de Agua. "Stand closely behind this sumac bush," continued he; "I +have an idea that this _picaron_, who has such a crooked sight, will +pass this way. If he do, I shall prove to him that the lessons +Bois-Rose has given me have not been altogether lost upon me. I manage +my piece somewhat better now than when I was in the service of her +Catholic majesty. There now, stand close, and not a word above a +whisper." + +Tiburcio--or, as we may now call him, Fabian de Mediana--obeyed with +pleasure the injunctions of his companion. His spirit, troubled with a +few strange words he had heard from Bois-Rose and Pepe, was full of hope +that the latter would be able to complete the revelation just begun; and +he waited with anxious silence to hear what the ex-carabinier might say. + +But the latter was silent. The sight of the young man--whom he had +himself assisted in making an orphan, and despoiling not only of his +title and wealth, but even of his name--renewed within him the remorse +which twenty years had not sufficed to blot out from his memory. Under +the dawning light he looked sadly but silently on the face of that child +whom he had often seen playing upon the beach of Elanchovi. In the +proud glance of the youth, Pepe saw once more the eyes of his high-born +mother; and in the elegant and manly form he recognised that of Don Juan +de Mediana, his father; but twenty years of a rude and laborious life-- +twenty years of a struggle with the toils and dangers of the desert--had +imparted to Fabian a physical strength far superior to that of him who +had given him being. + +Pepe at length resolved to break the silence. He could no longer +restrain himself, suffering as he was from such bitter memories. + +"Keep your eye fixed upon the road," said he, "at yonder point, where it +is lost among the trees. Watch that point whilst I talk to you. It is +the way in which Bois-Rose and I do when there is any danger threatening +us. At the same time listen attentively to what I say." + +"I listen," answered Fabian, directing his glance as his companion, had +instructed him. + +"Do you remember nothing of your young days, more than you have just +related to the Canadian?" + +"Nothing--ever since I learnt that Arellanos was not my father, I have +tried to remember something, but to no purpose. I do not even know who +took care of me in my infancy." + +"No more know they of you, my poor young man. I am the only one who can +tell you these things of which you are ignorant." + +"For heaven's sake speak!" impatiently cried Fabian. + +"Hush! not so loud!" cautioned the trapper. "These woods, remote and +solitary as they seem, nevertheless contain your deadliest enemy-- +unless, indeed, it was at me that the bullet was aimed. That may make a +difference in your favour. In fact, since I have not been able to +recognise you, I do not see how _he_ can?" + +"Who--of whom do you speak?" brusquely demanded Fabian. + +"Of your mother's murderer--of the man who has robbed you of your +titles, your honours, your wealth, and your name." + +"I should be noble and rich then?" cried Fabian, interrogatively. "Oh +that I had but known it sooner--only yesterday!" + +Fabian's thoughts were upon Rosarita. If he could have told this to +her, in that sad parting interview, perhaps the result might have been +different! + +"Noble! yes!" replied Pepe, "you should be and shall yet, if I mistake +not--but rich--alas! you are no more rich." + +"What matters it?" responded Fabian, "to-day it would be too late." + +"Yes, but it does matter--ah! I knew two men--one at least--who shall +restore to you what you have lost, or die in the attempt." + +"Of whom do you speak?" + +"Of one who, without knowing it, aided to some extent in the +assassination of your mother--of one whom that sad souvenir has a +thousand times troubled the conscience--who, in the silence of the night +in the midst of the woods, has often fancied he could hear that cry of +anguish, which at the time he mistook for the wailing of the breeze +against the cliffs of Elanchovi. It was the death scream of your poor +mother. Ah! Don Fabian de Mediana," continued the speaker, in reply to +the gesture of horror made by the young man, "Ah! that man's conscience +has reproached him in stronger terms than you could use; and at this +hour he is ready to spill the last drop of his blood for you." + +The impetuous passions of Fabian, for a moment softened by thoughts of +Rosarita, were again inflamed to their utmost. He had already sworn to +avenge the death of Arellanos, and here was anew object of vengeance, +the murderer of his own mother! The bland image of Rosarita at once +disappeared, paling away as the firelight eclipsed by the brighter +gleams of the rising sun. + +"My mother's assassin!" cried he, his eyes flashing with furious +indignation. "And you know him?" + +"You also--you have eaten with him at the same table--under the same +roof--that which you have just now quitted!" + +Pepe without further interrogation went on to recount what he knew of +the events of Elanchovi. He told Fabian who he was--that Don Estevan +was no other than his uncle, Antonio de Mediana--of the marriage of his +mother with Don Juan his father--of the consequent chagrin of the +younger brother--of his infamous design, and the manner it had been +carried into execution. How Don Antonio, returning from the wars in +Mexico, with his band of piratical adventurers, had landed in a boat +upon the beach at Ensenada--how he had entered the chateau, and with the +help of his two subordinate villains had abstracted the Countess and her +infant--himself Fabian--how the assassination of the mother had been +committed in the boat, and the child only spared in the belief that the +murderer's steel was not necessary--in the belief that the waves and the +cold atmosphere of a November night would complete the deed of death. + +Nor did Pepe conceal his own conduct connected with this affair. He +disclosed all to his half-frantic listener--the after actions of Don +Antonio with regard to himself--his imprisonment and subsequent +banishment to the fisheries of Ceuta--his escape at a later period to +the prairies of America, and his meeting with Bois-Rose--with whom, +however, no recognition had ever been established about the events of +Elanchovi--since neither had ever mentioned that name in hearing of the +other. + +All these things Pepe narrated in turn, but briefly as the circumstances +required. The rest of his history Fabian already knew--at least, the +greater part of it; Bois-Rose had partially made the revelation. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. + +THE MAN IN THE YELLOW JACKET. + +Bois-Rose, as already stated, had gone alone in a direction opposite to +that taken by his comrades. His mind full of the danger with which +Fabian was surrounded--Fabian restored to him as if by a miracle--the +Canadian continued to advance with rapid strides. He examined every +opening and aisle of the forest with an eye keenly bent, and an ear +straining to catch the slightest sound. + +After making a distance of a hundred yards or so, he stopped in his +tracks, and laying himself flat along the grass, placed his ear to the +ground and listened attentively. In a few seconds' time a dull sound +reached him--the hoof-strokes of a horse that seemed to approach the +spot where he lay. + +"Pepe is right," muttered he to himself, as he started to his feet; "the +skunk is coming this way. Good! he has the advantage of me in being +mounted; but I have a rifle that I dare say will make up for the +difference--_enfant de grace_! he is here!" + +As this exclamation escaped him, the trapper was seen suddenly to raise +his long rifle to his shoulder. At the same instant a leathern jacket +of yellowish colour appeared at some distance off among the leaves, and +at about the height of a man on horseback. + +The sharp crack of a rifle was instantly followed by the disappearance +of the leathern jacket: and, since for marksmen like Bois-Rose to take +aim is to hit, the latter had no doubt that his enemy had fallen to the +ground either dead or wounded. For a moment he thought of reloading; +but the ardour of his vengeance urged him to rush forward and make sure +of his victim. In the event that the assassin should have companions, +the trapper trusted to his great strength to equalise the chances of a +hand-to-hand conflict. Neglecting all further precautions, therefore, +like the hunter rushing upon the wounded stag, he dashed forward through +the trees toward the spot where his enemy had fallen. + +As he drew near, he could perceive a horse rearing furiously in front of +him, crushing the underwood as he plunged violently from side to side. +The horse was saddled and bridled, but there was no one in the saddle. +This led Bois-Rose to the belief that his bullet had dismounted the +rider. + +All at once a shrill whistle rang through the trees; and the horse +uttered a loud neigh--as if in reply--galloping off in the direction +from which the signal had come. After making several lengths through +the bushes, the horse came to a stop. Bois-Rose ran after, and in a few +bounds was beside the animal. It was still dark under the shadow of the +trees, but the Canadian could make out the form of a man upon the +ground, at that moment struggling in the act of raising himself. Just +then the horse dropped upon his knees, the man grasping the pommel of +the saddle succeeded in crawling into it; a signal started the animal to +his feet again; and before the trapper could come up to the spot, both +horse and man were fast disappearing behind the foliage of the trees. + +Bois-Rose launched after them a furious malediction; and reloading his +rifle as rapidly as he could, sent a bullet in the same direction; but +the continued strokes of the horse's feet falling upon his ear told him +that his random shot had been delivered to no purpose. + +Without following further, he turned in the opposite direction, and +after imitating three times in succession, the howling of the prairie +wolf--a signal for Pepe--he strode off to the spot where the yellow +jacket had fallen from the saddle. + +There he perceived the grass pressed down as if where a man's body had +fallen upon it; and at about the height of a man on horseback, the +branches of the sumac tree were broken, as though the horseman had +caught at them in falling. There were no traces of blood, however--not +a drop could be seen; but a carbine lying upon the ground showed that +the horseman, in his hurry to escape, had left his weapon behind him. + +"My poor Fabian!" muttered he, "this will serve for him. In these woods +a knife is not much worth; this will be a better weapon for him." + +Somewhat consoled by this reflection, the trapper now turned to go back +in the direction of the camp-fire. He had not made a dozen steps, when +the sharp report of a rifle fell upon his ear. + +"It is Pepe's!" he cried. "I know it. God grant he may have made a +better shot than I have done!" + +Just then a second report echoed through the woods. It sounded sadly on +the ear of the Canadian--who did not recognise it--and being now the +victim of a terrible uncertainty, he ran with all speed in the direction +whence the sound had come. + +Another report that now reached him added to the anguish of his +suspense; for this time, like the last, it was not the well-known crack +of his comrade's rifle. + +Almost at the same instant, however, he heard Pepe's voice calling out: + +"Come back, Fabian! come back! What is the use of--" + +A third detonation seemed to cut short the speech of the +ex-coast-guard--as if he had fallen by the bullet--while no voice of +Fabian was heard to make reply. A profound and frightful silence +followed the last shot, which was broken only by the voice of the +mock-bird, who appeared imperfectly to imitate the words that had been +spoken, and then commenced chanting a plaintive song--as if mourning the +death of those who had fallen by the shots. + +The Canadian ran on for some moments, until--unable longer to restrain +himself--he paused, and cried out, at the risk of exposing himself to +some ambushed enemy: + +"Hola! Pepe!--where are you?" + +"Here!" answered the voice of the ex-carabinier. "We are here, straight +before you--Don Fabian and myself. Come on!" + +A cry of joy was all the response the Canadian could give; and the next +moment another joyous shout, as he came upon the ground and perceived +that both his companions were still in safety. + +"The skunk ought to be wounded," said he; "my shot caused him to tumble +out of his saddle. You were perhaps more fortunate than I? I heard +your piece speak--have you throwed him, Pepe?" + +Pepe shook his head in the negative. + +"If you mean the fellow in the yellow jacket," said he, "I fancy the +devil has _him_ under his protection; for I had a fair sight on him--and +yet he's off! He's not alone, however; there are four other horsemen +along with him; and in one of these gentleman I have recognised him whom +they here call Don Estevan de Arechiza, but who is no other than--" + +"I have seen only the fellow in the leather jacket," interrupted the +Canadian; "and here is his gun, Fabian, for you. But are you quite +safe?" continued he, in an anxious tone. "You are sure you are not +wounded?" + +"No, no--my friend--my father!" cried Fabian, flinging himself into the +trapper's arms, as if they had just met after a long separation. + +"Oh, Pepe!" cried the Canadian, his eyes filling with tears, as he +pressed Fabian convulsively against his great bosom, and then held him +at a distance as if to get a better view of him. "Is he not grand? Is +he not beautiful? He--once my little Fabian--oh!" + +"Pepe has told me all," said Fabian. "Among these men is the murderer +of my mother." + +"Yes," exclaimed Pepe; "and by the Virgin of Atocha let us not delay +here. There is no time for sentiment--the villain must not escape us. +Justice, so long evaded, must now have its due." + +"As God wills!" rejoined Fabian. + +The three friends now held a rapid council as to what course was best to +be taken. It was concluded by their resolving to follow the horsemen as +rapidly as possible along the road which these had taken--the road to +Tubac. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. + +THE BLOOD OF THE MEDIANAS. + +After having uselessly discharged their carbines several times, from too +great a distance for the balls to be dangerous, Oroche and Baraja had +rejoined Cuchillo. + +The outlaw was as pale as death; the ball fired at him by the Canadian +had creased his head, and it was this had caused him to fall from his +horse. Doubtless Bois-Rose would then have crushed him, like a venomous +reptile, but for the horse. The noble animal, seeing that his master +could not raise himself unaided, bent down that he might seize his mane, +and so reach the saddle, and when he felt his master once more firmly +seated on his back, he had set off at full gallop, and carried him away +beyond the reach of Bois-Rose. + +This was not the only danger run by the outlaw. When his accomplices +had rejoined him and all three had come up with Don Estevan and Diaz, +another danger was in store for him. The Spaniard had no need to +interrogate Cuchillo in order to learn that Fabian had once more +escaped. From the disappointed air of the two followers, and the +paleness of the outlaw, who was still tottering in his saddle, Don +Estevan guessed all. + +Deceived in his expectation, the rage of the Spaniard burst out. He +rode up to Cuchillo, crying, in a voice of thunder, "Cowardly and clumsy +knave!" and in his blind fury, without reflecting that Cuchillo alone +knew the secret of the Golden Valley, he drew his pistol. Luckily for +the outlaw, Pedro Diaz threw himself quickly between him and Don +Estevan, whose fury gradually subsided. + +"And those men who are with him--who are they?" cried he. + +"The two tiger-killers," replied Baraja. + +A short deliberation took place in a low voice between Don Estevan and +Pedro Diaz, which ended by these words, pronounced aloud: + +"We must destroy the bridge of the Salto de Agua, and the devil is in it +if they overtake us before we reach Tubac;" and at this they all set off +at full gallop. + +Fabian had heard Don Estevan say to Cuchillo, the night before, that he +should only pass two hours at the hacienda before his departure; and as +the last events which had taken place at Don Augustin's must have tended +to shorten his stay, there was no time to hesitate. The horse of Pepe +became a precious auxiliary in following the fugitives, and, if +necessary, for cutting off their retreat. It remained to be decided who +should mount him, and undertake an enterprise so perilous as opposing +singly the flight of five armed horsemen. + +"I shall follow them," said Fabian. + +So saying, he rushed towards the animal, who recoiled in terror; but +seizing the cord by which he was tethered, the young man threw a +handkerchief over his eyes. Trembling in every limb, the horse remained +quiet, while Fabian brought Pepe's saddle, which he placed on his back, +and then arranged the lazo so as to form at once a bridle and a snaffle. +He was about to mount without removing the handkerchief, when Pepe, at +a sign from Bois-Rose, interposed. + +"Gently," said he, "if any one here has a right to mount this animal, it +is I--I who captured him, and to whom he belongs." + +"Do you not see," cried Fabian, impatiently, "that he is not _branded_, +which shows that he has never yet been mounted? if you care for the +safety of your limbs, I advise you not to try him." + +"That is my business," said Pepe, advancing; but scarcely had the animal +felt his hand on the pommel, and his foot on the stirrup, than with a +furious bound he threw him ten feet off. Pepe uttered an angry oath, +but Fabian vaulted into the saddle without touching the stirrups. + +"Stop! Fabian, stop!" cried Bois-Rose, in a tone of anguish, "you must +not go alone and risk falling into their hands." + +But already Fabian had removed the handkerchief; and the noble animal, +his eyes restored to the light, made furious efforts to free himself +from a weight which he felt for the first time, but at last stood +motionless and trembling. Bois-Rose profited by this moment to seize +the bridle, but was shaken off by another furious bound, and the +terrified animal rushed away with such impetuosity that it was no longer +in human power to restrain him. For a few moments the Canadian watched +the intrepid rider struggling with the fury of the horse, and then both +disappeared from his sight. + +"They will kill him," cried he; "they are five to one. Let us follow as +closely as we can, Pepe, to protect once more my lately recovered +child." + +Bois-Rose threw his rifle over his shoulder, and was already taking +gigantic strides after Fabian. + +"The horse is difficult to manage," cried he; "I am certain that he will +not go straight! we shall perhaps arrive as soon as he. Ah! Don +Estevan, your evil star has guided you to these outlaws." + +Fabian, like those legendary cavaliers whom nothing appals, passed with +fearful rapidity over hillocks, ravines, and fallen trunks of trees. +Pepe was not wrong; in spite of the start that the pursued had of him, +Fabian would soon have overtaken them, could he have guided his horse; +but luckily, or unluckily for him, the intractable animal deviated +constantly from the track; and it was only after prodigious efforts that +he could bring him back to the road, which wound through the wood, and +on which the traces of the five fugitives were visible, and thus the +pursuer constantly lost ground. + +However, after an hour of this struggle, the horse began to find that he +had met with his master, and that his strength was becoming exhausted; +the curb, held by a vigorous hand, compressed his jaws, his speed +gradually relaxed, his bounds became less violent, and he ended by +obeying the hand which guided him. As if by common consent, man and +horse stopped to take breath. Fabian profited by this rest to look +around him; his heart began to beat less rapidly and he could both hear +and see. Trampled leaves, newly broken branches and the prints of +horses' feet, were clear indications of the passage of those who fled +before him. + +Suddenly the sound of falling water struck upon his ear. In another +moment the fugitives would have gained the rustic bridge which crossed +the wide and deep bed of the torrent; their united efforts might destroy +it, and then all pursuit would be useless. While he was seeking for a +ford Don Estevan would escape through the vast plains which extended to +Tubac. This thought aroused anew the young man's passion; and, pressing +his horse's side he galloped along the path, the windings of which still +hid his enemies from view. This time his horse had grown docile and +flew along the road. + +The noise of the torrent soon drowned that of the horse's feet, but +before long human voices mingled with it. This sound produced upon +Fabian as powerful an effect as his repeated blows did upon his horse; a +few minutes more and he would confront the enemies whom he was burning +to reach. The impetuous pace of a horse excites a man to the greatest +degree; horse and rider react upon each other, and Fabian in his +excitement forgot the inequality of numbers, therefore the spectacle +which met his eyes was one that caused him a bitter disappointment. + +As already stated, a bridge composed of trunks of trees roughly cut, +joined the two steep banks, between which roared the Salto de Agua. +This bridge, broad enough for a horse to pass over, rested at each end +on the bare rock without anything to secure it, and the strength of a +few men might overturn the trees and render the crossing impossible. + +Just as Fabian reached the bridge, four horses, urged on by their +riders, were pulling vigorously, with ropes attached to the trees, which +at that moment yielding, fell with a crash into the torrent. + +Fabian uttered a cry of rage. A man turned round--it was Don Estevan, +but Don Estevan separated from him by an impassable barrier, and looking +triumphantly at him. + +Fabian, his clothes torn to pieces by the brambles, and his face so +transformed by fury as to be scarcely recognisable, rushed forward in +his blind rage to cross the river. But his horse reared violently and +refused to proceed. + +"Fire on him!" cried Don Estevan, "or the madman will derange all our +plans. Fire, I tell you!" + +Three carbines were already pointed at Fabian, when at some distance +behind him loud voices were heard, and Pepe and the Canadian appeared. +At the sight of these formidable rifles, the outlaws hesitated; Fabian +made a new effort, but the frightened horse plunged and reared as +before. + +"Fire!" again cried Don Estevan. + +"Woe to him who does!" shouted the Canadian, "and you, Fabian, in +heaven's name, retire!" + +"Yes, it is I, Fabian!" cried the Count, in a voice which drowned the +thunder of the torrent and the cries of the hunters, "Fabian, who comes +to avenge his mother's blood upon the infamous Don Antonio de Mediana!" + +Then, while his voice still sounded in the ears of Don Estevan, who for +the first time in his life stood motionless with terror, the impetuous +young man drew his knife and pricked his horse with it. + +This time the animal gave a furious leap across the gulf and reached the +opposite bank; but one of his feet slipped, and after a short struggle +he fell backwards, both horse and rider disappearing in the flood. A +cry of anguish burst from the Canadian and one of triumph from the +opposite bank; but both were quickly drowned by the roar of the torrent +as it closed over its double prey. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. + +A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF THE DESERT. + +About a fortnight after the events just related, other scenes were +taking place in a part of the desert which extends from Tubac to the +American frontier. But before referring to the actors let us describe +the theatre on which they once more met. + +The vast plains which separated Mexico from the United States are known +only by the vague reports of hunters or gold-seekers--at least that part +watered by the river Gila and its tributaries. This river, which takes +its rise in the distant mountains of the Mimbres, passes under various +names through an immense extent of sandy barren country, the arid +monotony of which is interrupted only by the ravines hollowed by the +waters, which in their erratic course, ravage without fertilising. + +The reader must imagine himself at a spot distant about sixty leagues +from Tubac. The sun, inclining towards the west, was already darting +oblique rays; it was the hour when the wind, although still hot, no +longer seems to come out of the mouth of a furnace. It was about four +o'clock in the afternoon, and light white clouds tinted with rose +colour, indicated that the sun had run two-thirds of his course; above, +in the deep blue sky, an eagle hung motionless over the desert, the only +visible inhabitant of the air. From the height where the king of birds +balanced himself majestically, his eye could perceive on the immense +plain, many human beings, some of whom were in groups, and others at so +great a distance apart as to be visible to him alone, and not to each +other. + +Just beneath the soaring bird was a kind of irregular natural circle +formed by a hedge of cacti, with their fleshy leaves and thorny points, +with which were mingled the pale foliage of the _bois de fer_. At one +end of this hedge was an elevated piece of ground two or three feet +high, with a flat top, which overlooked it on all sides. All around +this entrenchment, untouched by the hand of man, stretched arid plains +or a succession of little hillocks which appeared like motionless waves +in a sea of sand. + +A troop of about sixty men on horseback had alighted in this place. The +steaming horses showed that they had travelled fast. There was a +confused noise of human voices, the neighing of horses, and the rattling +of every kind of weapon--for it did not appear to be a regular cavalry +corps. Lances with red pennons, muskets, carbines and double-barrelled +guns were hanging from the saddle-bows. + +Some of the men were cleaning their horses, while others were lying on +the sand under the shelter of the cacti; a little further back were a +number of mules advancing towards the halting-place, and behind them +again, some twenty carts, heavily laden. + +Visible to the eyes of the eagle, in the road along which these +travellers must have passed, were corpses of men and animals strewn on +the arid plain, marking the bloody track of this band of adventurers. +Doubtless our readers have already recognised the Gold-seekers under the +command of Don Estevan de Arechiza. + +When the mules and the carts joined the horsemen, the mules were +unharnessed and the horses unsaddled; the carts were unloaded and then +linked together with iron chains, while the saddles of the animals were +piled upon one another, and served with the cacti to fill up the spaces +between the wheels and form a formidable barricade. The animals were +tied to the carts, and the cooking utensils placed by the side, of the +brushwood brought from a distance; a portable forge was established; and +this colony, which seemed as though it had risen from the ground as by a +miracle, was soon busily employed, while the anvil resounded with the +blows which were fashioning horses' shoes and repairing wheels. + +A man richly dressed, but whose clothes were faded with sun and dust, +alone remained on horseback in the middle of the camp, looking earnestly +around him. This man was the chief of the troop. Three other men were +occupied meanwhile in fixing the poles of a tent, and then placing on +its summit a red banner on which was painted a scutcheon with six golden +stars on an azure ground, with the motto, "I will watch." The chief +then alighted, and after having given an order to one of his men, who +mounted and left the camp he entered the tent. All these preparations +had occupied barely half-an-hour, so much were they simplified by habit. + +To the right of the camp, but far distant, arose from the sand a mass of +gum-trees and _ironwoods_, the only trees produced by these arid plains. +Here a second troop had halted. They had neither carts nor baggage +mules, but were about double the number of the other party. By the +bronzed complexions of the riders, some almost naked, others covered +with skins and with waving plumes of eagle's feathers, and by the +brilliant red and yellow with which they were painted, it was easy to +recognise a party of Indians. + +Ten of them--doubtless the chiefs--gravely seated round a fire which +produced more smoke than flame, were passing from hand to hand the +calumet or pipe of council. Their arms, consisting of leathern +bucklers--surrounded by a thick fringe of feathers--axes, and knives, +were laid by their side. At some little distance and out of hearing, +five warriors held a number of horses, strangely accoutred with wooden +saddles covered with skins. These horses belonged to the chiefs, and +seemed difficult to restrain. + +As one of the chiefs passed the calumet to the others, he pointed to a +spot in the horizon. The eyes of a European would only have seen a +slight grey cloud against the blue sky, but the Indian recognised a +column of smoke--that rising from the camp of the whites. + +At that moment an Indian messenger arrived with some news, and all the +party crowded round him. + +Now between the two camps the eye of the eagle could discover another +rider, but alone and out of sight of both parties. It was doubtless he +who was being sought for by the messenger despatched from the camp of +the gold-seekers. This man rode a grey horse, and seemed to be seeking +a track; he was dressed as a European; and his complexion, though much +bronzed, denoted that he belonged to that race. + +It was Cuchillo, who, resuming his course, caused his horse to mount one +of the hillocks, where he could perceive the columns of smoke arising +from the two camps. The Indians perceived him at the same time; for a +long howl, like that of a hundred panthers, arose, and the king of +birds, terrified by the tumult, soon became only a black speck in the +clouds. The outlaw fled rapidly in the opposite direction and the +Indians rushed after him. + +Still further in the horizon, placed so as to form a triangle with the +other camps, was a third group of men scarcely visible to the eagle +himself. They were encamped upon a small islet in the midst of a river +fringed with trees, and over which rested a light fog. The desert of +Tubac ended at this river, which, flowing from east to west, divided, a +league below the island, into two branches, and formed a vast delta-- +bounded by a chain of hills which were now shrouded by the fog. + +In this delta, more than a league square, lay the Golden Valley. + +All these different groups of people will soon meet, like the waves +which, raised by opposing winds, break against each other in the +immensity of the ocean. + +Thanks to a skillful manoeuvre of Pedro Diaz, the expedition, on +arriving near the Golden Valley, had concealed for two days from the +Indians the route they had taken. But to associate himself with sixty +companions did not please Cuchillo, who, under the pretence of +reconnoitring the country, had separated himself from his companions. +It was to indicate the position of their bivouac that they had lighted a +fire in the camp, and to find him that Don Estevan had sent out a +messenger. Cuchillo, indeed, was the only one who could guide them to +the Golden Valley. + +A bold thought was in Cuchillo's mind, but the executions of this +project was yet to lead him to a fearful punishment, which he well +deserved. We cannot, however, speak of this at present. + +A man, as we have said, had arrived at the Indian camp with news. This +man, in seeking the enemies whom they were pursuing, had reached the +bank of the river, and concealed by the willows, had perceived three +white men. These three men could only be Bois-Rose, Pepe the Spaniard, +and Fabian de Mediana. It was indeed this trio of friends. + +We left Bois-Rose and Pepe on the banks of the torrent in which the +young Spaniard, excited by the tale he had heard of his mother's +assassination, and full of fury, had nearly found a tomb. Fortunately +the fall had been fatal only to the horse, and the rider had escaped by +a miracle. The three friends had resumed their pursuit; but, forced to +proceed on foot while their enemies were on horseback, they had only +arrived at Tubac on the day the expedition left it, after having +travelled sixty leagues in five days. + +Then it became more easy to follow the adventurers--who were retarded by +their baggage--and ten days' march had brought the intrepid companions +to the same point as their enemies; for although forced for safety to +take a different route, they had rarely lost sight of the fires of their +bivouacs. Surrounded as he was, however, Don Estevan could not be +easily captured. + +When the Indian messenger had finished his report, the warriors +deliberated afresh. The youngest of the ten called upon to speak first, +said: + +"The whites have sometimes the legs of a deer, sometimes the courage of +the puma, and the cunning of the jackal. They have concealed their +route for two days from eyes which can trace that of the eagle in the +air; it is another ruse on their part to scatter their warriors, and we +must seek them near the island in river Gila." + +After a minute's silence, another spoke: + +"The whites have doubtless a thousand stratagems at their service, but +can they increase their stature? No; and if on the contrary they could +make themselves so small that the Indian eye could not perceive them, +they would do it. Our enemies are from the south--these men just +discovered come from the north--it is not therefore towards the island +that we must go." + +In the midst of these contradictory opinions, the shouts of the Indians, +at the sight of Cuchillo, burst forth, compelling the chiefs to suspend +their deliberations until the warriors who pursued him had returned. +When they reappeared, they reported that they had discovered the trail +of the whites. Then the second chief who had spoken--a man of tall +stature and darker in colour than most of his tribe--whence his name of +the _Blackbird_--again spoke: + +"I have said that the men who come from the north could not form part of +those who come from the south. I have always seen that the south and +the north are enemies of one another like the winds which flow from +opposite quarters. Let us send a message to the three warriors on the +island and ask them to join us against the other whites, and the Indian +will be gladdened at the death of his enemies by the hands of each +other." + +But this advice, dictated by prudence and knowledge of mankind, found no +support in the council. The Blackbird was forced to yield, and it was +agreed that the mass of the troop should march against the camp, while +only a small detachment should be sent to the island. + +A quarter of an hour after, one hundred men set off for the camp; while +twenty others went towards the island, thirsting for the blood of the +three men who had taken shelter there. + +It is towards the end of the month of March that we find the +gold-seekers and their chief in the camp described, after they had lost +by the Indians and by the numberless dangers of the desert, forty of +their men. But although weakened by this loss, still the chances +between them and the Indians, ever ready to defend their territory, were +nearly equal. On each side was cunning, and the habit of following an +almost invisible track, while the cupidity of the one was equalled by +the ferocity of the other. + +Nevertheless the enthusiasm was no longer so great as on the day when, +after having celebrated a mass for the success of their expedition, the +adventurers had set off from Tubac, uttering cries of triumph, which +were accompanied by the sound of cannon and the acclamations of the +inhabitants. No precaution had been omitted by Don Estevan, who seemed +to foresee everything. Until then, in these kind of expeditions, each +man had acted for himself, and trusted to himself and his own horse for +his safety; but the Spaniard had disciplined this band, and forced them +to obey him, while the carts that he had brought served both for +transport and for defence. Thus moved the ancient people of the north +in their invading journeys towards the south of Europe. No former +expedition had penetrated so far into the desert as had this one, under +the guidance of its skillful chief. + +The responsibility which weighed upon Don Estevan would of itself have +been enough to account for the clouds upon his brow; but perhaps he +thought more of the past than of the present or the future. He had been +able to compare the energy of Fabian with the pusillanimity of the +Senator Tragaduros. Carried away by the course of events, he had +thought only of removing his nephew from his path; but when the young +man disappeared in the gulf shouting a fierce menace to his father's +brother, he had suddenly felt an immense void, and a scarcely-closed +wound had re-opened in his heart. He missed one thing amidst all his +prosperity, and in spite of himself, the pride of race revived in his +breast, and an ardent sympathy had seized upon him for the ardent young +man, loved by Dona Rosarita, who might perhaps have replaced the Senator +in the execution of his bold plan. + +He regretted having allowed himself to be led away by circumstances, and +at the moment when the last of the Medianas--except himself--disappeared +from his eyes, he regretted an heir so worthy to bear the name. Now, +when on the eve of mounting another step by the conquest of the Golden +Valley, this regret became more vivid. + +This was not the only care, however, which then preoccupied Antonio de +Mediana; the absence of Cuchillo made him uneasy, and he began to have a +suspicion of this man's perfidy. + +Cuchillo had gained considerably upon the Indians who pursued him; but +no sooner did he perceive through the hedge the entrenchment raised by +his companions than he slackened his pace. The distance at which he +still was from the camp was too great to enable him to be perceived by +the sentinels; and when he saw the Indians who pursued him halt at sight +of the column of smoke, he stopped altogether. His plan was to go into +the camp as late as possible, so as only to give the alarm at the last +moment. He knew enough of the Indians to play this dangerous game with +the most perfect _sang froid_; he knew that they never attacked but with +superior numbers, also that some hours would elapse before they decided +on attacking the camp at all; that, satisfied with having recovered the +track of their enemies, his pursuers would return and carry the report +to their companions. + +He was right; and enchanted at the effect of his ruse, the outlaw lay +down behind a mound of earth, ready to resume his course when his senses +should warn him of the approach of danger. By regaining the camp only a +few minutes before the attack, he hoped also to escape the questions of +Don Estevan. + +"We should have sixty to divide the treasure," thought he, "had I not +taken care to diminish that number. Then, while the whites and reds are +fighting together, I--" + +A distant explosion, like that of a rifle, interrupted his meditations. +This sound appeared to come from the north, and indeed proceeded from +the river, where were Bois-Rose and his companions. + +"It is strange that such a sound should proceed from that quarter," said +Cuchillo, "for the white camp is eastward and the red westward." + +A second shot was heard; then a third, followed by a short silence, to +which succeeded a continual firing. Cuchillo trembled. He fancied that +a second white party, distinct from his, were about to seize the coveted +treasures. Then he feared that Don Estevan had despatched a detachment +to take possession of the Golden Valley. But reason soon showed him the +little probability of either of these surmises. A party of men must +have left traces which he should have discovered during the two days he +had been scouring the country; and then it was not probable that Don +Estevan would have dared to weaken his force by dividing it. He +therefore lay still, and concluded that the sounds proceeded from some +party of American hunters surprised by the natives. + +We must return to the camp of Don Antonio, where the firing had also +been heard, and where it had given rise to a host of conjectures. + +Evening had come on, and red clouds marked the fiery trace of the +setting sun; the earth began to freshen up at the approach of night, and +the crescent of the moon to grow more and more brilliant, under the +light of which the camp appeared picturesque. + +On the rising ground which overlooked the whole entrenchment, arose, as +we have said, the chief's tent with its floating banner. A feeble light +from within indicated that he was still watching, and several fires, +made in holes dug in the sand or surrounded by stones--lest their light +should betray their position--threw a subdued red glare around; while, +in case of attack, fagots were prepared to illumine the camp. Groups of +men lying down, and others preparing the evening meal, were mingled with +the horses and mules, who were eating their rations of maize. + +The careless and satisfied look upon every face, showed that these men +confided the care of their defence wholly to their chief. At the +entrance to the tent lay a man, like a dog watching over his master; and +from his long hair and the guitar by the side of his rifle, it was easy +to recognise Oroche. His time seemed to be divided between the +contemplation of a heaven glittering with stars, and the care of keeping +up a fire of green wood, the smoke of which rose in a vertical column +silvered by the moon. Beyond the entrenchments the moonlight whitened +the plain, and even the fog which covered the summits of a chain of +mountains which were visible in the horizon. + +Behind the carts paced the sentinels, carbine in hand. Among the +various groups of men scattered about were Benito, the servant of Don +Estevan, and Baraja. They were engaged in conversation. + +"Senor Benito," said Baraja, speaking to the old herdsman, "you who are +so well acquainted with all the affairs of these deserts, can you +explain to me what is the cause of these shots, which we have been +hearing ever since noon, and which can only be fired by our enemies, the +Indians?" + +"It is difficult to say," answered Benito; "but certainly they must have +some good reason for wasting so much powder--a scarce article among +them. It appears probable enough that poor Cuchillo is captured; or may +be the Senor Gayferos, who was sent after him." + +"But why should they keep firing from time to time?--one shot would be +enough to put an end to either Cuchillo or Gayferos; whereas we have +heard volleys." + +"Ah! it may be that the savages are practising one of their horrible +modes of punishment--perhaps they are firing at their victims merely for +the sport. There is one terrible torture they inflict--I remember to +have been--" + +"Hold there, friend Benito!" cried Baraja, interrupting him, "no more of +your horrible stories; I have not forgotten that frightful night by the +well of La Poza." + +"Well," rejoined the herdsman, "unless they are firing at either +Cuchillo or Gayferos--or perhaps at both--I cannot divine the cause of +their continued fusillade. These Indians are as curious as the very +devil; and they can extract a secret almost as effectually as the Holy +Inquisition itself. Perhaps they are frightening either the guide or +Gayferos to betray the situation of our camp." + +"God forbid they should succeed!" exclaimed Baraja. + +"I join you in the prayer," said the ex-herdsman: "but I cannot help +remarking, how imprudent in our chief to permit the fire. The smoke has +been rising all day like a column. In an atmosphere like this it may be +seen for leagues off!" + +"I agree with you," replied Baraja; "but then you know it was kindled at +the express wish of the guide--so that he might find the way to where we +should be encamped. Both humanity towards Cuchillo, as well as our own +interest in his safety, required us to light the fire." + +"Ah! that is not so certain. Between ourselves, I haven't much +confidence in this Cuchillo. He appears to be one of those guides whose +paths always end in quagmires." + +"But have you not heard the rumour of the camp?" + +"What rumour? That Don Estevan is not going by mere hazard to search +for a mine of gold; but that he already knows of the existence of a rich +placer? Is it that you mean?" + +"Yes--or rather that Don Estevan knows of the existence of the placer; +but not _where_ it is, or the road that leads to it. This is only known +to Cuchillo, whose death would therefore be an irreparable loss to all +of us." + +"Bah!" replied the ex-herdsman, with a shake of the head; "Cuchillo's +face is one that could never deceive an experienced eye. For my part I +hope I am deceived in him, though I doubt it." + +"Oh, Senor Benito, you always look upon the dark side of things." + +"Well, perhaps so--and on this very night I may especially appear a bird +of ill omen, for I cannot help feeling the presentiment that there is +danger near us. See! look yonder! The animals have left off eating-- +both mules and horses. Observe how they stand listening, as if they +heard something. Well, what is to come will come; and I have not much +to lose--even my life is not worth much." + +And with this consolatory speech the old shepherd wrapped himself up in +his cloak and lay down to sleep. + +Not so Baraja. The words of his comrade had produced their effect, and +he was unable to compose himself to rest. His imagination depicted to +him a thousand phantoms, and every moment he fancied he could hear the +yells of the savages, as they rushed forward to attack the camp. Not +that the ex-haciendado was altogether a coward; but there was reason for +his fears; and the darkness of the night, as well as the strange +behaviour of the animals, was sufficient cause to render even a brave +man apprehensive of danger. + +After the long day's march, all the adventurers were asleep--stretched +here and there upon the ground. The sentinels alone were awake, and +watching--now and then raising along the lines their monotonous cry of +"_Sentinela alerte_!" It was the only sound that for a long time +interrupted the silence of the night. + +After remaining awake for a considerable time, Baraja began to feel +confidence, and perhaps would have gone to sleep, like the others, when +all at once he heard several shots, similar to those that had been heard +during the day, and which appeared to proceed from the same direction. + +"They are still firing over there," said he, nudging the old herdsman so +as to awake him. + +"No matter," grumbled Benito; "let them fire away. If it be not +Cuchillo or Gayferos, we needn't care. So, friend Baraja, I wish you +good-night--go to sleep yourself. In the desert, time for sleep is +precious, although at any minute you may be sent to sleep in eternity-- +Good-night!" + +After this terrifying speech, the ex-herdsman drew his cloak over his +eyes to keep out the rays of the moon, when a noise made by the mules +caused him to raise his head again, "Ah!" said he, "the red devils are +not far off." + +The neigh of a horse was now heard from a distance, accompanied by a cry +of alarm, and the next moment a man was seen riding up at full gallop. + +"It is Cuchillo," cried the servant; then, in a low voice, to Baraja, +"Let the travellers take care when the will-o'-the-wisp dances on the +plain!" + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. + +THE ALARM. + +That evening, as usual, Don Estevan watched in his tent, while his +people reposed. By the light of a smoky candle, the Spaniard, in spite +of the modest appearance of his lodgings and of his dust-covered +clothes, seemed to have lost nothing of the dignity of his appearance or +of his grand air. His complexion, more sunburnt than usual, gave his +countenance a still more energetic character. He appeared pensive, but +his thoughts were no longer so uneasy as they had been; on the eve, +after so many dangers, of realising his vast designs, Don Estevan had, +for the time at least, shaken off gloomy thoughts, and fixed his mind on +the hope of a success which he believed infallible. + +He had raised the canvas, which served as a door, in order to glance +upon the men who reposed around, and seemed to wish to compare his means +of action with the aim he was pursuing. + +"Nearly twenty years ago," thought he, "I commanded a party of sailors, +nearly equal in number, and as determined as these. I was then only an +obscure younger son, and they aided me to recover my inheritance--yes, +it was mine. But I was then in the flower of my age, and had an aim in +the future to pursue. I have attained this aim--I have even surpassed +it; and now that I have nothing more to desire, I find myself, in my +mature age, scouring the desert as I formerly scoured the sea. Why?" + +The conscience of Mediana cried to him, that it was in order to forget +one day of his life, but at that moment he wished to remain deaf to its +voice. The moon shone upon the firearms piled in the centre of the +camp, and cast its light upon sixty men inured to peril and fatigue, and +who laughed at heat and thirst. In the distance a luminous vapour +rested upon the mountains beyond which lay the Golden Valley. + +"Why?" repeated Don Estevan; "because there remains to me still an +immense treasure and a vast kingdom to conquer." + +The eyes of Mediana sparkled with pride; then this expression passed +away, and he fixed on the horizon a melancholy look. + +"And yet," continued he, "what of this treasure shall I keep for myself? +Nothing. The crown will be placed on the head of another, and I shall +not even have a son or any descendant bearing the name of Mediana, who +one day might bow before my portrait and say, `This man could be tempted +neither by gold nor by a throne.' But they will say it of me now, and +is not that enough?" + +At this moment Pedro Diaz raised the door of the tent, and said, "You +sent for me, Senor Don Estevan?" + +"I wish to speak to you of important things, which I could not do +yesterday, and ought to do to-day; I have some questions to ask; and +although this is the hour for repose, they must not be adjourned. If I +do not deceive myself, Diaz, you are one of those men who repose only +when they have nothing better to do. The ambitious are such," added Don +Estevan, with a smile. + +"I am not ambitious, Senor," replied the adventurer quietly. + +"You are so without knowing it, Diaz; and I will prove it to you, +presently. But first tell me what you think of this distant firing?" + +"Men meet on the sea whose surface is incomparably more extensive than +that of this desert; it is not astonishing that they should meet here. +Travellers and Indians have encountered one another, and are fighting." + +"That is what I think. One more question and then we will return to the +first subject which I have at heart. Has Cuchillo returned?" + +"No, Senor, and I much fear that we have lost the guide who has +conducted us till now." + +"And to what do you attribute this strange absence?" asked Don Estevan, +with an anxious look. + +"Probably he has gone too far upon the track of the Apaches, and has +been surprised by them. In that ease his absence may prove eternal, in +spite of the fires which we have lighted for two days to show him our +encampment." + +"Is that really your idea?" said the chief, looking fixedly at Diaz. + +"It is; although, to say the truth, Cuchillo is one of those people whom +one is rarely wrong in accusing of perfidy; but I do not see what object +he could have in betraying us." + +Don Estevan pointed to the fog which hid the tops of the mountains in +the horizon. "The neighbourhood of those mountains," said he, "might +explain the absence of Cuchillo." Then, with a changed tone, "Are our +men still of the same mind." + +"Yes, Senor, and have more confidence than ever, in the chief who +watches while they sleep, and fights like the humblest of them." + +"I have battled in many parts of the world," said Don Estevan, sensible +to praise, the sincerity of which he believed in, "and I have rarely +commanded men more determined than these. Would they were five hundred +instead of sixty, for then on the return of this expedition my projects +would be easy of accomplishment." + +"I am ignorant what these projects are, of which you now speak to me for +the first time," said Diaz in a reserved tone. "But perhaps Don Estevan +thinks me ambitious, only because he does me the honour to judge me by +himself." + +"It is possible, friend Diaz," replied Don Estevan, smiling; "the first +time that I saw you I thought that your mind was of the same stamp as my +own. We are made to understand each other, I am sure." + +The Mexican had all the vivacious intelligence of his country; he had +judged Don Estevan, but he waited for him to take the initiative. He +therefore bowed and kept silence. + +The Spaniard pushed open the curtains of the tent, and, pointing one +more to the horizon, "Another day's march," said he; "and we shall +encamp at the foot of those mountains." + +"Yes, we are scarcely six leagues distant." + +"And do you know what is below that mass of fog which crowns their top?" + +"No," replied the Mexican. + +Don Estevan cast upon Diaz a look which seemed as if meant to penetrate +his soul, at the moment of revealing a secret until then so carefully +kept. The Spaniard wished to assure himself that the confidant he was +about to choose was worthy of his confidence. The honest look of Diaz-- +on whose countenance could be traced none of that cupidity which spurred +on his companions--reassured him, and he went on: + +"Well, it is towards those mountains that we have been marching. I +shall now tell you why I have directed the expedition to this place, as +the pilot conducts the ship to some point in the ocean known only to +himself; this evening you shall read my mind clearly. That mass of fog, +which the sun itself will not wholly disperse, serves as a veil to +treasures which have been amassing perhaps from the beginning of the +world. For centuries the rains have been washing them into the plains: +the whites only suspected, and the Indians spared them; to-morrow they +shall be ours! This has been my aim. Well, Diaz! do you not fall on +your knees to thank God for being one of those called to share in these +treasures?" + +"No," replied Diaz, simply; "cupidity would not have made me brave the +dangers that a wish for revenge has done. I would have sought from the +work of my arms what others seek by easier, if by less sure, methods. +But the Indians have ravaged my fields, pillaged my flocks, and murdered +my father and brothers. Of my people I alone escaped. Since that time +I have made fierce war upon the savages, have slain many, have sold +their sons by dozens, and it is still the hope of vengeance which brings +me here--neither ambition nor cupidity. But I love my country and all +that I should care for riches would be to enable me to make a last +effort against that distant congress which tyrannises over but cannot +protect us." + +"Good! friend Diaz!" cried the Spaniard, holding out his hand to the +adventurer, and then added with vehemence: + +"Strong by the aid of this gold, I will confide my plans to those sixty +men now buried in sleep. On our return our numbers will swell like the +stream which widens as it flows, and we shall shake off the yoke of a +capital--which is capable only of constantly changing its men and its +principles." + +Don Estevan had already noticed, in former conversations with Diaz, his +great hatred of the federal system, but wishing to be sure whether or +not it was founded on personal motives, he continued-- + +"The congress is far from you, and the government of Mexico has neither +troops nor money to protect provinces so distant as yours. Is that the +only reproach you have to make of it!" + +"The only reproach! No. Independence is for us but an empty name, and +we have to bear only the burden of a distant government." + +Don Estevan now unveiled to Diaz the project which he had discussed with +the Senator. Then passing from principles to persons, he named the +King, Don Carlos, as him whom they were to introduce. + +"A king! King Charles! so be it," replied Diaz, "but we shall have many +obstacles to overcome." + +"Less than you imagine, Diaz. Gold will level all obstacles, and +to-morrow we shall gather it by handfuls. We will pave the way to the +new kingdom with gold, and pay largely the founders and guardians of a +throne which will want only its king." + +Thus, as he had promised his master, the bold partisan laid, even in the +desert, the foundation of a future dynasty. What the influence of the +Senator was to effect in the congress, that of a man renowned by his +exploits was to obtain from his equals. + +After this conversation Diaz retired to seek repose from his fatigues, +and Don Estevan accompanied him out of the tent. The latter threw +around him a glance of tranquil pride; all obstacles were surmounted, +the incessant vigilance of the Indians had been eluded, thanks to Diaz, +and an immense treasure, untouched since the commencement of the world, +awaited only the hands which were about to be extended to seize it. + +"See!" said he, "from those will rise the elements of a new kingdom, and +our names will belong to history. Now I have but one fear--that is, +treachery on the part of Cuchillo--and you will share this fear with me +when you hear that it is he who sold me the secret of this golden +deposit." + +Diaz was looking earnestly at the plain. + +"There!" cried he, "I see a man approaching at full gallop: it is +Gayferos or Cuchillo?" + +"Pray God it be the latter," said Don Estevan. "I prefer having him +near rather than far from my sight." + +"I think I recognise his grey horse." + +In a minute, indeed, they recognised Cuchillo himself. + +"To arms! to arms!" cried the guide, "here are the Indians," and he +rushed precipitately through the opening made for him by the sentinels. + +"Cuchillo! the Indians! both names of bad augury," said Don Estevan, as +he turned towards his companion. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. + +THE ATTACK. + +At the cry of Cuchillo, which resounded throughout the camp, the +Spaniard and Diaz exchanged looks of intelligence. + +"It is strange that the Indians should have found our trail again?" said +Don Estevan, interrogatively. + +"Very strange," replied Diaz, and without saying another word, both +descended from the eminence, on which they stood. + +The camp was already in motion, and confusion reigned everywhere; there +was a general movement among these intrepid men, who were accustomed to +such surprises, and who had already more than once measured their +strength with their implacable enemies. Each armed hastily, but soon +the tumult subsided, and all stationed themselves at the posts assigned +to them in case of attack. The first who interrogated Cuchillo were the +shepherd and Baraja. + +"Unless you drew the Indians on to our track, how could they have +discovered us?" said the former, with a suspicious look. + +"Certainly it was I," replied Cuchillo, impudently. "I should have +liked to have seen you pursued by a hundred, of these demons, and +whether you would not, like me, have galloped to the camp to seek an +asylum!" + +"In such a case," replied Benito, severely, "a man to save his +companions, does not fly, but gives up his life sooner than betray them. +I should have done so." + +"Every one in his own way," replied Cuchillo, "but I have an account to +render only to the chief, and not to his servants." + +"Yes," murmured the other, "a coward and a traitor can but commit +baseness and perfidies." + +"Are the Indians numerous?" asked Baraja. + +"I had not time to count them; all that I know is that they must be +near." + +And crossing the camp he proceeded to where Don Estevan--after having +attended to the most important precautions--stood at the door of his +tent waiting for him. As Cuchillo went on without replying to any of +the questions with which he was assailed, a man advanced with a lighted +torch in his hand to set fire to the fagots piled in various places, but +Don Estevan cried-- + +"Not yet; it is, perhaps, a false alarm, and until we have the certainty +of attack we must not light up the camp to betray ourselves." + +At the words "false alarm," a smile played over Cuchillo's features. + +"However," added Don Estevan, "let every one saddle his horse and be +prepared." Then he returned to his tent, making a sign to Diaz to +accompany him. + +"That means, friend Baraja," said Benito, "that if the orders are given +to light the fires, we are sure to be attacked--at night too; it is +terrible." + +"Who knows that better than I?" said Baraja, "have you ever been present +at such a thing?" + +"Never; that is why I dread it so much." + +"Well, if you had, you would dread it more." + +Cuchillo, as he drew near the tent, arranged his countenance and threw +back his long hair--as though the wind had blown it about in his rapid +flight--and then entered the tent like a man out of breath and +pretending to wipe the perspiration from his forehead. Oroche had +glided in with Diaz. + +Cuchillo's story was brief: in reconnoitring the places towards which +the expedition should advance, he had gone further than was prudent. + +Diaz interrupted him. + +"I had taken such precautions to deceive the Indians by false tracks," +said he, "I had so misled them, that you must have quitted the line of +march and gone from right to left." + +"Yes," replied the outlaw, "I lost my way, deceived by the monotony of +these endless plains where each hillock resembles the other." + +"What!" cried Diaz, ironically. "Had a dweller in cities been so +deceived it might be believed; but you--fear must have thrown a mist +before your eyes!" + +"Fear!" replied Cuchillo; "I know it no more than you do." + +"Then you must be growing shortsighted, Senor Cuchillo." + +"However it happened, I lost myself; and, but for the column of smoke, I +should not have regained my way so quickly. I was, however, forced to +make a circuit on perceiving a party of Indians, and only owe the start +I have got upon them to the speed of my good horse." + +As he spoke, Don Estevan frowned more than once. Oroche left the tent, +but immediately re-entering, said-- + +"The Indians are there! Look at those black shadows on the plain over +which the moon throws a distant light; those are men sent to reconnoitre +our encampment." + +Over the sand of the desert they could indeed see men on horseback +advancing, and then disappearing in the shadows of the sand heaps. + +Pedro Diaz consulted an instant with Don Estevan, and then cried +loudly-- + +"Light the fires everywhere! we must count our enemies." + +A few minutes after, a red light, almost as bright as the sun, lit up +the whole camp, and showed the adventurers at their post, rifles in +hand; while the horses stood saddled and bridled, only waiting for their +riders in case of a sortie being necessary. At the same time Don +Estevan's tent was struck, and a calm succeeded to the tumult. + +The desert was silent also; the moon no longer shone on the Indians, who +had all disappeared like a bad dream chased away by the return of +morning. It was a dead silence--the precursor of the storm--and there +seemed in this silence something fearful. It did not announce one of +those surprises in which an enemy inferior in number disguises his +weakness under the impetuosity of his attack, and ready to run if he is +resisted: it was the respite before the combat, granted by pitiless +enemies, preparing for a deadly struggle. + +"Yes, trust to me," said old Benito to Baraja, "in a quarter of an hour +you will hear the howlings of these red devils sound in your ears like +the trumpets of the last judgment!" + +"Carramba! you are the most skilled man about tigers and Indians that I +ever met with, but you might be more consoling. I wish to God I could +doubt the truth of your words!" + +"There are some things always easy to foresee," continued the old man. +"One may predict to the traveller who goes to sleep in a bed of a +torrent that he will be carried away by the waters; and that Indians who +have discovered their enemies will draw off a little, and count their +men before making an attack. One may also predict that several of them +will utter their death-cry, as many among us will have to say their last +prayer; but who those will be no one can say. Do you know any prayers +for the dying, Senor Baraja?" + +"No," replied the latter, dolefully. + +"I am sorry for that; those are little services that friends may render +each other, and if I had the grief, as is very possible, of seeing you +first scalped then murdered--" + +Further conversation was interrupted by outcries which seemed drawing +near to the camp. In spite of the terrifying words of the old shepherd, +his _sang froid_ in the greatest perils and his resolution full of +consoling fatalism, sustained the more wavering courage of Baraja. + +As he shuddered at the horrible sounds--which must be heard to be +appreciated--he cast upon Benito a glance in order to catch from him a +little of his philosophy. For the first time a cloud of sadness +appeared on the ex-herdsman's brow, and his eyes looked as though tears +stood in them. Baraja was struck by the change, and laid his head upon +the old man's arm. Benito raised his head. + +"I understand you," said he, "but man has his moments of weakness. I am +like him who is called from his hearth by the sound of the trumpet at a +time he least thought to quit it. Amidst those howls I hear from above +the sound of the last trumpet calling me, and although I am old, it +grieves me to go. I leave neither wife nor children to regret, nor +those who would weep for me; but there is an old companion of my +solitary life from whom I cannot separate without grief. It is at least +a consolation for the Indian warrior to know that his war-horse will +share his tomb, and to believe that he shall find him again in the land +of spirits. How many times have we scoured the woods and the plains +together. How often have we borne together heat, hunger, and thirst! +This old and faithful friend is my horse, as you may have guessed. I +give him to you, friend Baraja. Treat him kindly--love him as I love +him, and he will love you as he loves me. His companion was killed by a +tiger, and he will now be left alone." + +So saying, the old man pointed to a noble courser, champing his bit +proudly, among the other horses. He then went towards him, caressed +him, and, this moment of weakness over, his countenance recovered its +habitual serenity. As he recovered his calmness, he renewed his +predictions, careless of the terror he excited in others. + +"Listen!" said he to Baraja; "to recompense you for the care you will +take of my old friend, I shall teach you, while there is still time, a +verse of the psalm for the dying, that may serve you as--" + +"Well!" said Baraja, as he did not go on, "what more terrifying things +have you to say?" + +Benito did not reply, but his companion felt him press his arm +convulsively, and then the sight which struck Baraja was more terrible +than any answer. The old man's eyes were rolling wildly, and he was +vainly trying to stanch the blood which flowed from a wound made by an +arrow that had just pierced his throat. + +He fell, crying: "What is ordained must happen. No," added he, +repulsing the assistance that Baraja was endeavouring to render him, "my +hour is come--remember--my old friend--" and the flowing blood cut short +his speech. + +At that moment the best mounted among the Indians showed themselves in +the moonlight. Travellers who have met only with civilised Indians can +with difficulty form any idea of the savage tribes. Nothing less +resembled those degenerate Indians than these unconquered sons of the +desert; who--like the birds of prey, wheeling in the air before pouncing +on their victims--rode howling around the camp. Their figures hideously +marked with paint, were visible from time to time; their long hair +streaming in the wind, their cloaks of skins floating in their rapid +course, and their piercing cries of defiance and bravado, giving them +the appearance of demons, to whom they have justly been compared. + +There were few among the Mexicans who had not some revenge to take on +these indefatigable spoilers, but none of them were animated by such +deadly hatred as Pedro Diaz. The sight of his enemies produced on him +the effect that scarlet does on a bull, and he could scarcely refrain +from indulging in one of those exploits which had rendered his name +formidable to their tribes. But it was necessary to set an example of +discipline, and he curbed his impatience. Besides, the moment of attack +could not be far off, and the superior position of the gold-seekers +compensated for the inequality of their numbers. + +After having assigned to each his post behind the intrenchments, Don +Estevan placed on the rising ground, where his tent had stood, those of +his men whose rifles carried farthest, or whose sight was the best, and +the fires gave light enough for their aim. As for himself, his post was +everywhere. + +The piercing eyes of the Indians, and the reports of those who had +preceded them had doubtless instructed them as to the position of the +whites. For a moment an indecision seemed to reign among them, but the +truce did not last long. After a short interval of silence, a hundred +voices at once shrieked out the war-cry; the earth trembled under an +avalanche of galloping horses; and amidst a shower of balls, stones, and +arrows, the camp was surrounded on three sides by a disorderly +multitude. But a well-sustained fire proceeded from the top of the +hill. + +Under this murderous discharge riderless horses were seen galloping over +the plain, and riders disengaging themselves from their wounded steeds. +Before long, however, the combat became one of hand to hand; the +Mexicans behind their carts, the Indians trying to scale them. + +Oroche, Baraja, and Pedro Diaz pressed one against the other, sometimes +retiring to avoid the long lances of their enemies--sometimes advancing +and striking in their turn--encouraging each other, and never pausing +but to glance at their chief. As already stated, the report had vaguely +spread that he knew the secret of the immense riches, and cupidity +supplied to Oroche and Baraja the place of enthusiasm. + +"Carramba!" cried Baraja, "a man possessing such a secret should be +invulnerable." + +"Immortal!" said Oroche, "or only die after--" + +A blow from a hatchet on his head cut short his words. He fell to the +ground, and but for the solidity of his hat, and the thickness of his +hair, all had been over with him. His adversary, carried away by the +violence of his own blow, placed his hand for support on the shafts of +the cart which separated them. Diaz immediately seized the Indian's +arm, and leaning on the nave of the wheel, dragged him towards him with +such force that he fell off his horse into camp; and, almost before he +touched the ground, the Mexican's sword severed his head from his body. + +Useless now on their elevated position--for the _melee_ was so thick +that their shots might have been as fatal to friends as foes--the +sharpshooters had come down and mingled with the other combatants. + +In the corner of the intrenchments where they stood, Don Estevan and +Cuchillo had to sustain an attack not less furious. The first, while he +defended himself, yet cast an eye over the whole of the intrenchments; +but it was with the greatest difficulty that amidst the tumult he could +make heard his orders and advice. More than once his double-barrelled +rifle of English make--and which he loaded and discharged with wonderful +rapidity--stayed the knife or axe which was menacing one of his men--a +feat which was greeted each time with loud hurrahs. He was, in a word, +what the adventurers had seen him from the beginning of this dangerous +campaign, the chief who thought of all, and the chief who feared +nothing. + +Accompanied by his horse, which followed his movements with the +intelligence of a spaniel, Cuchillo stood behind the chief--as much out +of the way as possible--with more prudence than bravery. He seemed to +be following with an anxious eye the chances of attack and defence: when +all at once he tottered as though struck by a mortal wound, and fell +heavily behind the carts. This incident passed almost unperceived +amidst the confusion--every one being in so much danger as to be able to +think only of himself. + +"There is a coward the less," said Don Estevan, coldly, while Cuchillo's +horse drew near him with a terrified air. + +For some minutes Cuchillo remained motionless; then, little by little, +he raised his head and cast around him a glance which seemed undimmed by +the approach of death. A few minutes after, he rose on his feet, like a +man to whom death lends some strength at the last, and apparently, +mortally hurt, his hand on his breast, as though endeavouring to retain +the spark of life ready to escape, tottered backwards, and then fell +again some way off. His horse followed him once more; and then, if +every one had not been too much occupied, they might have seen the +outlaw rolling over and over towards an open place in the intrenchments. +He then stopped again; and finally glided under the cart wheels out of +the camp. + +There he rose upon his legs as firm as ever, while a smile of joy played +over his lips. The darkness and the tumult favoured his manoeuvre. He +silently unfastened the iron chains of two carts, and opened a passage. +He whistled and his horse glided after him; in a second he was in the +saddle, almost without touching the stirrup; when after a moment's +thought, he spurred on the animal, who set off like the wind, and horse +and rider soon disappeared in the darkness! + +On both sides of the intrenchment corpses covered the ground; half +burnt-out piles of wood cast their red light upon the bloody scenes of +this struggle; the shouts of enemies, the repeated discharge of +firearms, and the whistling of bullets followed each other +uninterruptedly. The hideous figures of the Indians looked more hideous +still in the strange light. + +One point in the intrenchment had given way before the incessant +attacks; and here, dead or wounded, its defenders had yielded to enemies +who seemed to swarm from the ground. At this point there was an instant +of horrible confusion. A _pele mele_ of bodies interlaced, over which +appeared the plumes of the Indian warriors. Soon, however, the line of +the adventurers, broken for an instant, reformed before a group of +Indians who were rushing like wild beasts into the middle of the camp. + +Oroche and Baraja left the point which they were still defending, and +found themselves face to face with their enemies, this time with nothing +to separate them. Amidst the group of Indians, whose lances and +hatchets fell indiscriminately upon horses, mules and men, the chief was +recognisable by his vast height, the painting of his face and his great +strength. + +It was the second time that he had faced the whites since the +commencement of the campaign, and his name was known to them. + +"Here, Diaz," cried Baraja, "here is the _Spotted Cat_!" + +At the name of Diaz, which had already reached him, the Indian chief +looked round for him who bore it, with eyes which seemed to dart flames, +and raised his lance to strike Diaz, when a blow from Oroche's knife +wounded his horse. The Indian thrown to the ground, let fall his lance. +Diaz seized it, and while the chief raised himself on one knee and +endeavoured to draw his sword, the lance which he had dropped, pierced +his naked breast, and came out between his shoulders. Although mortally +wounded, the Indian uttered no cry, his eyes never lost their haughty +menace, and his face expressed only rage. + +"The Spotted Cat dies not so easily," said he, and with a vigorous hand +he seized the wood of the lance still held by Diaz. A fierce struggle +ensued, but at every effort of the Indian to draw Diaz towards him, and +envelop him in a last deadly clasp, the murdering, lance pierced farther +and farther. Soon his strength failed, and violently torn from his body +the bloody weapon remained in the hands of Diaz. The Indian fell back, +gave one glance of defiance, and then lay motionless upon the earth. + +Their chief fallen, the others soon shared the same fate, while their +companions vainly tried to force the line a second time. Victims of +their temerity, the Indians, without asking for a mercy which they never +showed, fell like their chief facing the enemy, and surrounded by the +corpses of those who had preceded them in their journey to the land of +spirits. + +Of all the savages in the camp but one remained. He looked round him +for a minute with eyes fierce as those of the hunted tiger; then, +instead of seeking to hide his presence, he uttered anew his war-cry, +but it was confounded with those from without--and profiting by a moment +of confusion, during which the adventurers, attacked from without, left +the breach almost clear--he caused his horse to leap over, and found +himself once more among his own people. + +Pedro Diaz alone saw him, and regretted his prey, but the implacable +enemy of the Indians never indulged in sterile regrets. He was mounted +on the war-horse presented to him by Don Augustin Pena. From his left +hand hung by the sword-knot a long Toledo rapier, with the Spanish +device: + + Do not draw me without cause, + Or sheathe me without honour. + +The blade was red with blood. Diaz shaded his eyes with his right hand, +and tried to pierce the distant obscurity. All at once he perceived at +the end of the luminous zone projected by the fires, the man he was +seeking. He was making furious evolutions on his horse, and uttering +shouts of defiance. Diaz remembered the speech of the haciendado about +the horse he had given him--"The Indian whom you pursue must be mounted +on the wings of the wind if you do not catch him," and he resolved to +make the attempt. The noble animal, excited by the spur, leaped over +the intrenchments overthrown by the Indians, and the two were soon side +by side. The Indian brandished his hatchet, Diaz his sword, and for +some seconds there was a trial of agility, courage, and address. Each +sustained his country's reputation, but the Indian's hatchet broke to +pieces the sword of the Mexican. The two combatants then seized one +another round the body and tried to drag each other from their horses, +but like centaurs, each seemed to form a part of the animal he bestrode. + +At last Diaz disengaged himself from his adversary's clasp, and backed +his horse, still facing the Indian. Then, when he was a little way off, +he caused his horse to rear so furiously that the animal seemed for a +moment to be raised over the Indian. At the same moment Diaz lifted his +right leg, and with a blow from the large heavy iron-bound stirrup, +broke his adversary's skull, whom his horse carried away dead from the +spot. + +This last magnificent exploit seemed to end the battle; some arrows flew +harmlessly around Diaz, who was welcomed back with shouts of triumph by +his companions. + +"Poor Benito!" cried Baraja; "may God rest his soul, I regret even his +terrific histories." + +"What is still more to be regretted," interrupted Oroche, "is the death +of the illustrious Cuchillo, the guide of the expedition." + +"Your ideas are still confused from the blow you received on your head," +said Diaz, as he tried the flexibility of a new sword. "But for the +illustrious Cuchillo, as you call him, we should not have lost to-night +at least twenty brave comrades. Cuchillo unluckily died a day too late, +and I cannot say `God rest _his_ soul.'" + +Meanwhile the Indians were deliberating. The last exploit of Diaz, the +death that so many of their party had met with in the camp, and those +killed by the filing, had thinned their ranks. + +The Indian never persists in a hopeless struggle: a singular mixture of +prudence and contempt of life characterises this singular race, and +prudence counselled them to retreat; they did so precipitately as they +had attacked. + +But the tactics of the white men were different; they were anxious to +profit by a victory the fame of which would penetrate to the furthest +end of the desert, and render their future more secure. Therefore an +order to pursue the fugitives given by Don Estevan was received with +acclamations. Twenty cavaliers instantly rushed forward, Pedro Diaz +among the foremost. Sword in one hand, and lasso and bridle in the +other, he was soon out of sight. + +Those who remained behind, though nearly all more or less wounded, +occupied themselves first with reconstructing the intrenchment in case +of any new attack; then, overwhelmed with fatigue, hunger, and thirst, +after clearing the camp of the dead bodies which encumbered it, they lay +down on the earth, still wet with blood, to seek for repose. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. + +AFTER THE FIGHT. + +In the calm which succeeded to the noise of the combat, a single man +rose slowly up, and by the light of a torch which he held, examined all +the corpses lying at his feet, as if seeking to identify the livid or +bloody faces of the dead. Sometimes the light fell on the strange paint +of an Indian face, and the pale one of a white man, lying side by side +in an eternal sleep; occasionally a deep groan proceeded from some one +who was wounded, but the seeker did not appear to find what he sought. + +All at once, amidst the silence, a weak voice attracted his attention, +and he tried in the half-light to discover whence the sound proceeded. +The feeble movement of a hand guided him, and he approached the dying +man--in whom he immediately recognised Benito. + +"Ah! it is you, my poor Benito?" said he, with a look of profound pity. + +"Yes," replied the old shepherd, "it is old Benito, dying in the desert +where he has nearly always lived. As for me--I know not who you are; my +eyes are dim. Is Baraja living?" + +"I trust so; he is now pursuing the Indians, and will return in time, I +hope, to bid you a last adieu." + +"I doubt it," replied Benito; "I wished to teach him a verse of the hymn +for the dying. I can no longer remember it now. Do you not know +something?" + +"Not a word." + +"Ah! I must do without it," said Benito, whose accustomed stoicism did +not forsake him even at that moment. Then, in a still more feeble +voice, he added, "I have bequeathed to Baraja an old companion--an old +friend; whoever you may be, recommend him to observe my last request, to +love him as I did." + +"A brother doubtless." + +"Better than that; my horse." + +"I shall remind him--do not fear." + +"Thank you," said the old man. "As for myself, I have finished my +travels. The Indians did not kill me when they took me prisoner in my +youth--now they have killed me in my old age without taking me prisoner. +That--" he stopped, and then added some words in so low a tone that +they did not reach the ear of the listener. He spoke no more; those +were his last words, for death had abruptly ended his speech. + +"He was a brave man--peace be with him!" said the speaker, who then +continued his search, until at last, fatigued by its uselessness, he +returned with an anxious look to his place, and after he had gone the +silence of death seemed to pervade the camp. + +Before long, however, a confused noise of voices and horses' feet +indicated the return of the adventurers who had started in pursuit of +the Indians, and by the doubtful light of the half extinct fires, they +entered the camp. + +The same man who had been recently inspecting the dead, went out to meet +them. While some of them were dismounting to open a passage through the +barricades, Pedro Diaz advanced towards him, a stream of blood flowing +from a wound in his forehead. + +"Senor Don Estevan," said he, "we have not been lucky in our pursuit. +We have but wounded one or two of the Indians, and have lost one of our +own men. However I bring you a prisoner; do you wish to interrogate +him?" + +So saying, Diaz detached his lasso from the saddle-bow, and pointed to a +mass held in its noose. It was an Indian, who, pitilessly dragged along +over the sand and stones, had left behind at every step pieces of flesh, +and now scarcely retained any vestige of humanity. + +"He was alive when I took him, however," cried Diaz, "but it is just +like these dogs of Indians, he must have died in order not to tell +anything." + +Without replying to this ferocious jest, Don Estevan signed to Diaz to +accompany him to a place where they might converse without being +overheard. When the new-comers had lain down and silence reigned anew, +Don Estevan began: + +"Diaz," said he, "we are close on the end of our expedition: to-morrow, +as I told you, we shall encamp at the foot of those mountains; but in +order that success may crown our efforts, treason must not throw +obstacles in our way. It is on this subject that I wish to consult you +to-night. You have known Cuchillo long, but not so long as I have; and +certainly, not as thoroughly. From his earliest youth he has always +betrayed those to whom he appeared most devoted. I know not which of +all the vices with which he is endowed has the ascendant; but in a word, +the sinister look of his face is but a feeble reflection of the +blackness of his soul. It was he who sold to me the secret of the rich +and mysterious placer to which I am leading you--and of this secret he +had made himself the sole master by murdering the friend who had freely +confided it to him, and who thought to find him a faithful companion in +his dangers. + +"I have ever, therefore, kept a watchful eye over him. His +disappearance for the last two days alarmed me, but it might have been +the result of an accident common in these deserts. The attack, however, +from which we have so narrowly escaped has confirmed my suspicions. He +has advanced under our protection, until we have reached the place where +he would, be able to seize a part of these immense treasures. He had +need of auxiliaries in order to murder our sixty men, and the Indians +who have attacked us were but his instruments." + +"Indeed," replied Diaz, "his report seemed to me suspicious. But the +simplest method will be to hold a court-martial, interrogate him, and if +he be convicted of treason, let us shoot him at once." + +"At the commencement of the attack, I assigned him a post near me, in +order to watch him more easily. I saw him totter and then fall +apparently mortally wounded, and I was glad to be rid of a traitor and a +coward. But I have just turned over and examined all the dead, and +Cuchillo is not amongst them. It is therefore urgent that without loss +of time we should follow him; he cannot be far off. You are accustomed +to this sort of expedition; we must, without delay, set off in pursuit +of him, and execute prompt justice on a villain whose life must pay for +his treachery." + +Diaz appeared to reflect for a moment, and then said, "To trace him can +neither be tedious nor difficult. Cuchillo must have gone towards the +Golden Valley--therefore in that direction we must seek him." + +"Go rest for an hour, for you must be worn out," said the chief. "Ah! +Diaz, if all these men were like you, how easy our path would be--gold +in one hand, and the sword in the other." + +"I have only done my duty," said Diaz, simply. + +"Say to our men that it is necessary for us to reconnoitre the environs +of the camp, and tell the sentinels to keep strict watch until our +return, and then we shall proceed towards the valley." + +"Cuchillo must certainly be there, and we shall catch him either going +or returning." + +"We shall find him in the valley," said Don Estevan. "When you have +seen it, you will find it a place that a man like Cuchillo could not +make up his mind to leave." + +Diaz departed to execute his orders, and Don Estevan caused his tent to +be pitched again, that even in his absence his starry banner might float +over the camp as a sign of his protective authority. This done, he +threw himself on his couch, and slept the sleep of a soldier after a day +of fighting and fatigue. + +Little more than an hour after, Diaz stood before him, "Senor Don +Estevan," said he, "all is prepared for starting." + +The chief rose and found his horse awaiting him ready saddled. + +"Diaz," said he, "ask the sentinels if Gayferos has returned." + +Diaz questioned one of the men, who replied, "The poor fellow will +probably never return. The Indians must have surprised and killed him +before attacking us, and that probably was the cause of the firing that +we heard in the afternoon." + +"I fear it is but too certain that he has been murdered," replied Diaz; +"but as for the firing that we heard, I believe that had a different +origin." + +Don Estevan now mounted his horse, and the two set off in, the direction +of the mountains. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. + +THE ISLET. + +While the Indians, united in council, were deliberating on the means of +attacking the camp of the gold-seekers, let us see how the three men on +the island were occupied. + +It was about four o'clock, and the fog was beginning to rise slowly from +the water. Willows and aspens grew on the shores of the river Gila, +within rifle-range of the little island, and so near the water that +their roots were in the river. The spaces between the trees were filled +up by vigorous osier and other shoots; but just in front of the island +was a large open space. This had been made by the troops of wild horses +and buffaloes, that came down to drink at the river; and through this +opening any one on the island could see clearly over the plain. + +The little island had been formed originally by trees that had taken +root in the bed of the river; other trees, some green and others without +branches or foliage, had rested against these, and their roots had +become interlaced. Since then, many summers and winters must have +passed; and grasses and sedges, detached from the banks by the water, +had filled up the interstices. Then the dust, brought there by the +wind, had covered these with a crust of earth, and formed a kind of +solid ground for the floating island. Plants had grown along the banks; +the trunks of the willows had sent forth vigorous shoots, and, with the +reeds, had surrounded the island with a fringe of verdure. The island +was only a few feet in diameter; but a man lying, or even kneeling upon +it, was completely hidden by the willow-shoots. + +The sun was going down, and a little shade was thrown by the leaves and +trees; in this shade was stretched the form of Fabian asleep. Bois-Rose +seemed to be watching over his sleep, hastily taken after the fatigues +of a long march, while Pepe refreshed himself by plunging in the water. +While Fabian slumbers, we shall raise the veil by which the young Count +hid from the eyes of his two friends his most secret and dearest +thoughts. + +After his fall into the torrent, Pepe had forgotten that the enemy on +whom he had sworn vengeance was escaping, and both he and Bois-Rose had +thought only of rendering prompt assistance to Fabian. On returning to +consciousness, Fabian's first thought was to resume his interrupted +pursuit. The acquisition of the Golden Valley, and even the remembrance +of Dona Rosarita, were forgotten by the ardent wish of revenging his +mother. + +Pepe, on his side, was not the man to draw back from his vow; and as for +Bois-Rose, his whole affections were centred in his two companions, and +he would have followed them to the end of the world. Their first +failure, far from discouraging them, did but excite their ardour; in +hatred as in love, obstacles are always a powerful stimulant to vigorous +minds. The pursuit had gradually presented a double object to Fabian; +it brought him near to the Golden Valley in the desert; and he nourished +a vague hope that the place pointed out to him was not the same as that +which the expedition led by Antonio de Mediana proposed to conquer. + +Fabian said to himself, that the daughter of Don Augustin doubtless only +yielded obedience to the ambitious views of her father, and that it +might yet be easy for him, noble and rich, to win the day against such a +rival as Tragaduros. + +Still, discouragement often seized upon Fabian; he loved the daughter of +the haciendado with his whole soul; and the thought of owing her love +only to the treasures that he might possess, distressed him. Moreover, +he felt that the ardent and jealous affection of the Canadian, had +founded on him the sole aim of his life, and that, like the eagle who +carries away his young one and places it in an eyrie, inaccessible to +the hand of man, Bois-Rose, who had forever quitted civilised life, +wished to make of him his inseparable companion in the desert; and that, +to disappoint the old man would be to throw a shadow over his whole +future life. As yet, no confidence as to their future had been +exchanged between them; but in face of a love that he believed hopeless, +and of the ardent, though secret wishes of the man who now acted as a +father to him, and who would half break his heart at a separation, +Fabian had generously and silently sacrificed his tastes and hopes that +would not die. He who had but to hold out his hand to seize the things +that the whole world desires--riches, titles, and honours--was like one +whose life tortured by an unhappy love, disclaiming the future, seeks +within the cloister forgetfulness of the past. For Fabian de Mediana, +the desert was the cloister; and his mother once revenged, it only +remained to him to bury himself in it forever. Sad and inefficacious, +as a remedy, would be solitude, with its mysterious voice, and the +ardent contemplations that it awakens, for a passion so fondly awakened +in the young heart of Fabian. + +One single hope remained to him--that amidst the ever-renewed dangers of +an adventurous life, the day was not far distant when his life would be +cut short in some contest with the Indians, or in one of those desperate +attempts that he meditated against the murderer of his mother. He had +carefully hidden from the Canadian the love that he buried in the depths +of his heart; and it was in the silence of the night that he dared to +look into his own bosom. Then, like the light which shines in the +horizon above great cities, and which the traveller contemplates with +joy, a radiant and cherished image rose before his eyes in the desert, +standing on that breach in the wall of the hacienda, where his last +souvenirs carried him. But during the day, the heroic young man tried +to hide under an apparent calm, the melancholy that devoured him. He +smiled, with sad resignation, at those plans for the future which the +Canadian sometimes enlarged on before him--he so happy in having found +him, and who trembled to lose again his beloved Fabian, whose hand he +hoped would one day close his eyes. The blind tenderness of Bois-Rose +did not divine the abyss under the calm surface of the lake, but Pepe +was rather more clear-sighted. + +"Well," said Pepe, after a long silence, "the inhabitants of Madrid +would pay dearly for such a stream of water in the Manzanares; but we +have not the less lost a day which might have brought us nearer to the +Golden Valley, and from which we cannot now be far distant." + +"I allow that," replied Bois-Rose, "but the child," for so he called the +vigorous young man before them, "is not so accustomed as we are to long +marches, and though sixty leagues in twelve days is not very much for +us, it begins to tell on him. But before he has been a year with us, he +will be able to walk as far as ourselves." + +Pepe could not help smiling at this answer, but the Canadian did not +perceive it. + +"See," said the Spaniard, pointing to Fabian, "how the poor lad has +changed in a few days. For my part, at his age, I should have preferred +the glance of a damsel and the Puerta del Sol at Madrid to all the +magnificence of the desert. Fatigue alone has not produced this change +in him. There is some secret which he does not tell us, but I will +penetrate it one of these days," added Pepe mentally. + +At these words the Canadian turned his head quickly towards his beloved +child, but a smile of joy from Fabian chased away the sudden cloud from +the brow of his adoptive father. Fabian indeed smiled; he was dreaming +that he was on his knees before Rosarita, listening to the sweet voice +of the young girl, who was recounting her anguish during his long +absence, and that Bois-Rose stood behind them leaning on his rifle and +blessing them both. Ah! it was only a dream. + +The two hunters looked for a moment silently at the sleeper. + +"There lies the last descendant of the Medianas," said Pepe, with a +sigh. + +"What care I for the Medianas and their powerful race?" replied the +Canadian. "I know but Fabian. When I saved him, and attached myself to +him as though he had been my own, did I ask about his ancestors?" + +"You will wake him if you talk so loud," said Pepe; "your voice roars +like a cataract." + +"Why are you always recalling to me things that I do not wish to know, +or rather wish to forget. I know that some years in the desert will +accustom him--" + +"You deceive yourself strangely, Bois-Rose, if you imagine that with the +prospects that await him in Spain, and the rights that he can claim, +this young man will consent to pass his whole life in the desert. It is +good for us, but not for him." + +"What! is not the desert preferable to cities?" cried the old sailor, +who vainly tried to conceal from himself that Pepe was right. "I +undertake to make him prefer a wandering life to a settled one. Is it +not for movement, for fighting, and for the powerful emotions of the +desert that man is born?" + +"Certainly," said Pepe, gravely, "and that is just why the towns are +deserted and the deserts peopled!" + +"Do not jest, Pepe; I am speaking of serious things. While I leave +Fabian free to follow his own inclinations, I shall make him love this +captivating life. Is not this short sleep, snatched hastily between two +dangers, preferable to what one tastes after a day of idle security in +the towns. You yourself, Pepe--would _you_ wish to return to your own +country, since you have known the charms of a wandering life?" + +"There is between the heir of the Medianas," replied Pepe, "and the old +coast-guard man a great difference. To him will come a fine property, a +great name, and a beautiful Gothic castle with towers like the cathedral +at Burgos; while I should be sent to fish for mackerel at Ceuta--which +is the most execrable life I know of and which I should have but one +chance of escaping from--that of waking some fine morning, at Tunis or +Tetuan, as a slave to our neighbours the Moors. I have here, it is +true, the daily chance of being scalped or burnt alive by the Indians. +Still the town is worse for me--but for Don Fabian--" + +"Fabian has always lived in solitude, and will, I trust, prefer the calm +of the desert to the tumult of cities. How solemn and silent is all +around us! See here!" and he pointed to Fabian, "how the child sleeps, +softly lulled by the murmur of the waters, and by the breeze in the +willows. Look there, in the horizon at those fogs just coloured by the +sun, and that boundless space where man wanders in his primitive +liberty, like the birds in the air!" + +The Spaniard shook his head doubtfully, although he partook the ideas of +the Canadian, and like him felt the charm of this wandering life. + +"Look," continued the old hunter, "at that troop of wild horses coming +down to drink before going for the night to their distant pasturage. +See how they approach in all the proud beauty that God gives to free +animals--ardent eyes, open nostrils, and floating manes! Ah! I should +almost like to awake Fabian in order that he might see and admire them." + +"Let him sleep, Bois-Rose; perhaps his dreams show him more graceful +forms than those horses of the desert--forms such as abound in our +Spanish towns, in balconies or behind barred windows." + +Bois-Rose sighed, as he added-- + +"Yet this is fine sight--how these noble beasts bound with joy at their +liberty!" + +"Yes, until they are chased by the Indians, and then they bound with +terror!" + +"There! now they are gone like the cloud driven by the wind!" continued +the Canadian. "Now the scene changes. Look at that stag, who shows +from time to time his shining eyes and black nose through the trees; he +snuffs the wind, he listens. Ah! now he also approaches to drink. He +has heard a noise, he raises his head; do not the drops that fall from +his mouth look like liquid gold? I will wake the lad!" + +"Let him sleep, I tell you; perhaps his dream now shows him black eyes +and rosy lips, or some nymph sleeping on the banks of a clear stream." + +The old Canadian sighed again. + +"Is not the stag the emblem of independence?" said he. + +"Yes, until the time when the wolves assemble to pursue and tear him to +pieces. Perhaps he would have more chance of life in our royal parks. +Everything to its time, Bois-Rose; old age loves silence, youth noise." + +Bois-Rose still fought against the truth. It was the drop of gall that +is found at the bottom of every cup of happiness; it is not permitted +that there should be perfect felicity, for it would then be too painful +to die; neither is unmixed misery allowed to mortals, or it would be +painful to live. The Canadian hung his head and looked sad as he +glanced at the sleeping youth, while Pepe put on his buffalo-skin +buskins. + +"Well! what did I tell you?" said he, presently; "do you not hear from +afar those howlings--I mean those barkings, for the wolves have voices +like dogs when they hunt the stags. Poor stag! he is, as you said, the +emblem of life in the desert." + +"Shall I wake Fabian now?" said Bois-Rose. + +"Yes, certainly; for after a love dream a stag hunt is the thing most +worthy of a nobleman like him, and he will rarely see such a one as +this." + +"He will see nothing like it in the towns," cried the Canadian, +enchanted; "such scenes must make him love the desert." + +And he shook the young man gently. + +With head thrown back, to inhale more freely the air necessary to his +lungs, the stag flew like an arrow along the plain. Behind him a hungry +pack of wolves, a few white, but the greater number black, pursued him +at full speed. The stag had an immense start, but on the sand heaps, +almost lost in the horizon, the piercing eye of the hunter might +distinguish other wolves watching. The noble animal either did not see, +or else disdained them, for he flew straight towards them. As he neared +them he halted a moment. Indeed, he found himself shut in by a circle +of enemies, who constantly advanced upon him as he stopped to take +breath. All at once he turned round, faced the other wolves, and tried +one last effort to escape. But he could not now clear the solid masses +that had formed around him, and he fell in the midst of them. Some +rolled under his feet, and two or three were tossed in the air. Then, +with a wolf hanging to his flanks, bleeding and with tongue protruding, +the poor animal advanced to the edge of the water, in front of the three +spectators of the strange chase. + +"It is magnificent!" cried Fabian clapping his hands, and carried away +by the hunter's enthusiasm, which for the time silences humanity in the +heart of men. + +"Is it not fine?" cried Bois-Rose, doubly pleased, happy at Fabian's +pleasure, and at his own. "And we shall witness many such fine sights, +my Fabian! here you see only the worst side of these American solitudes, +but when you go with Pepe and me to the great rivers, and the great +lakes of the north--" + +"The animal has got rid of his enemy," interrupted Fabian, "he is about +to spring into the river!" + +The water bubbled after the leap of the stag, then a dozen times more as +the wolves followed; then amidst the foam were visible the head of the +stag, and those of the wolves who were pursuing him, howling with +hunger, while the more timid ones ran along the banks uttering their +lamentable howls. The stag had neared the island, when the wolves on +the bank suddenly ceased their cries and fled precipitately away. + +"What is that?" cried Pepe; "what causes this sudden panic?" but no +sooner had he spoken than he cried again, "Hide yourselves, in God's +name! the Indians are in chase also." + +Other and more formidable hunters now appeared in their turn upon the +arena. A dozen of the wild horses, which they had seen before, were now +seen galloping wildly over the plain, while some Indians, mounted +bareback on their horses (having taken their saddles off for greater +speed), with their knees almost up to their chins, were pursuing the +terrified animals. At first there were but three Indians visible; but +one by one about twenty appeared, some armed with lances, and others +brandishing their lassoes of plaited leather--all uttering those cries +by which they express their joy or anger. + +Pepe glanced at the Canadian as though to ask whether he had calculated +these terrible chances when he wished to make Fabian share their +adventurous career. For the first time, at such a crisis, the intrepid +hunter looked deadly pale. An eloquent but sad glance was his reply to +the Spaniard's mute interrogation. + +"A too great affection in the heart of the bravest man," thought Pepe, +"makes him tremble for him who he loves more than life; and adventurers +like us should have no ties. There is Bois-Rose trembling like a +woman!" + +However, they felt almost certain that even the practiced eyes of the +Indians could not discover them in their retreat; and the three men, +after their first alarm had passed over, watched coolly the manoeuvres +of the Indians. These continued to pursue the flying horses; the +numberless obstacles so thickly strewn over the plain--the ravines, the +hillocks, and the sharp-pointed cacti--could not stop them. Without +slackening the impetuosity of their pace or turning aside from any +obstacle, these horsemen cleared them with wonderful address. Bold +rider as he was himself, Fabian looked with enthusiasm on the +astonishing agility of these wild hunters, but the precautions which +they were forced to take, in order to conceal themselves, made the three +friends lose a part of this imposing spectacle. + +The vast savannahs, late so deserted, were suddenly changed into a scene +of tumult and confusion. The stag, returning to the bank, continued to +fly, with the wolves still after him. The wild horses galloped before +the Indians--whose howlings equalled that of the wolves--and described +great circles to avoid the lance or the lasso, while numerous echoes +repeated these various sounds. + +The sight of Fabian, who followed with an ardent eye all these +tumultuous evolutions, not appearing to disquiet himself about a danger +which he now braved for the first time, deprived Bois-Rose of that +confidence in himself which had brought him safe and sound out of perils +apparently greater than this. + +"Ah!" muttered he, "these are scenes which the inhabitants of cities can +never see, it is only in the desert one can meet with them." + +But his voice trembled in spite of himself; and he stopped, for he felt +that he would have given a year of his life that Fabian had not been +present. At this moment a new subject of apprehension added to his +anguish. + +The scene became more solemn; for a new actor, whose _role_ was to be +short though terrible, now appeared upon it. It was a man, whom by his +dress the three recognised with terror as a white man like themselves. +The unlucky man suddenly discovered in one of the evolutions of the +chase, had become in his turn the exclusive object of pursuit. Wild +horses, wolves, the stag, had all disappeared in the distant fog. There +remained only the twenty Indians scattered over a circle, of which the +white man occupied the centre. For an instant the friends could see him +cast around him a glance of despair and anguish. But, excepting on the +river-side, the Indians were everywhere. It was, therefore, in this +direction that he must fly; and he turned his horse towards the opening +opposite to the island. But his single moment of indecision had +sufficed for the Indians to get near him. + +"The unhappy man is lost, and no help for it," said Bois-Rose; "he is +too late now to cross the river." + +"But," said Fabian, "if we can save a Christian, shall we let him be +murdered before our eyes?" + +Pepe looked at Bois-Rose. + +"I answer for your life before God," said the Canadian, solemnly, "if we +are discovered we are but three against twenty. The life of three men-- +yours especially, Fabian--is more precious than that of one; we must let +this unhappy man meet his fate." + +"But intrenched as we are?" persisted Fabian. + +"Intrenched! Do you call this frail rampart of osiers and reeds an +intrenchment? Do you think these leaves are ball proof? And these +Indians are but twenty now; but let one of our shots be fired at them, +and you will soon see one hundred instead of twenty. May God pardon me +if I am unfeeling, but it is necessary." + +Fabian said no more; this last reason seemed conclusive, for, like his +companions, he was ignorant that the rest of the Indians were at the +camp of Don Estevan. + +Meanwhile the white fled like a man the speed of whose horse is his last +resource. Already they could see the terror depicted on his face, but +just as he was about twenty feet from the river, the lasso of an Indian +caught him, and the unlucky wretch, thrown violently from his saddle +fell upon the sand. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY. + +AN INDIAN DIPLOMAT. + +After the cries of triumph which announced the capture of the unlucky +white man, there was a moment of profound silence. The men on the +island exchanged looks of consternation and pity. "Thank God! they have +not killed him!" said Fabian. + +The prisoner indeed arose, although bruised with his fall, and one of +the Indians disengaged him from the lasso. Bois-Rose and Pepe shook +their heads. + +"So much the worse for him, for his sufferings would now be over," said +Pepe; "the silence of the Indians shows that each is considering what +punishment to inflict. The capture of one white is more precious in +their eyes than that of a whole troop of horses." + +The Indians, still on horseback, surrounded the prisoner, who, casting +around him a despairing glance, saw on every side only bronzed and +hardened faces. Then the Indians began to deliberate. + +Meanwhile, one who appeared to be the chief, and who was distinguished +by his black plumes, jumped off his horse, and, throwing the bridle to +one of the men, advanced towards the island. Having reached the bank, +he seemed to seek for footsteps on the sand. Bois-Rose's heart beat +violently, for this movement appeared to show some suspicion as to their +presence. + +"Can this wretch," whispered he to Pepe, "smell flesh like the ogres in +the fairy tales?" + +"_Quien sabe_--who knows?" replied the Spaniard, in the phrase which is +the common answer of his native country. + +But the sand trampled over by the wild horses who had come to drink, +showed no traces of a human foot, and the Indian walked up the stream, +still apparently seeking. + +"The demon has some suspicion," said Bois-Rose; "and he will discover +the traces that we left half-a-mile off when we entered the bed of the +river to get at this island. I told you," added he, "that we should +have entered two miles higher up; but neither you nor Fabian wished it, +and like a fool, I yielded to you." + +The deliberation as to the fate of the prisoner was now doubtless over; +for cries of joy welcomed some proposition made by one of the Indians. +But it was necessary to await the return and approbation of the chief, +who was the man already known to us as the "Blackbird." He had +continued his researches, and having reached the place where they had +left the sand to enter the river, no longer doubted that the report +brought to them had been correct; and having his own private objects, he +determined to follow it. Once assured of the presence of the three +whites, he returned to his men, listened gravely to the result of their +deliberations, answered in a few words, and then advanced slowly towards +the river--after having given an order to five of his men who set off at +full gallop to execute it. + +The aquatic plants were open in the sunshine; the breeze agitated the +leaves of the osiers on the banks of the island, which was to all +appearance as uninhabited as when the stream flowed only for the birds +of heaven, and the buffaloes and wild horses of the plains. But an +Indian could not be deceived by this apparent calm. The "Blackbird" +made a speaking-trumpet of his hand, and cried in a language half +Indian, half-Spanish-- + +"The white warriors of the north may show themselves; the `Blackbird' is +their friend. So, too, are the warriors he commands." + +At these words, borne to them distinctly by the wind, the Canadian +pressed the arm of Pepe; both understood the mixed dialect of the +Indian. + +"What shall we reply?" said he. + +"Nothing," answered Pepe. + +The breeze which murmured through the reeds was the only answer the +Indian could hear. + +He went on-- + +"The eagle may hide his track in the air from the eye of an Apache; the +salmon in the stream leaves no trace behind him; but a white man who +crosses the desert is neither a salmon nor an eagle." + +"Nor a gosling," murmured Pepe; "and a gosling only betrays himself by +trying to sing." + +The Indian listened again, but hearing no sound, continued, without +showing any signs of being discouraged, "The white warriors of the north +are but three against twenty, and the red warriors engage their word to +be friends and allies to them." + +"Wagh!" said Bois-Rose, "for what perfidy has he need of us?" + +"Let him go on, and we shall hear; he has not yet finished, or I am much +mistaken!" + +"When the white warriors know the intentions of the Blackbird, they will +leave their hiding-place," continued he, "but they shall hear them. The +white men of the north are the enemies of those of the south--their +language, their religion is different. The Apaches hold in their toils +a whole camp of southern warriors." + +"So much the worse for the gold-seekers," said Bois-Rose. + +"If the warriors of the north will join the Indians with their long +rifles, they shall share the horses and the treasures of the men of the +south; the Indians and the whites will dance together round the corpses +of their enemies, and the ashes of their camp." + +Bois-Rose and Pepe looked at each other in astonishment, and explained +to Fabian the proposal made to them, but the fire of their eyes and +their disdainful looks, showed that the noble trio had but one opinion +on the subject--that of perishing rather than aiding the Indians to +triumph even over their mortal enemies. + +"Do you hear the miscreant," cried Bois-Rose, using in indignation an +image fit for the Indians, "he takes jaguars far jackals. Ah! if Fabian +were not here, a bullet would be my answer." + +Meanwhile, the Indian feeling certain of the presence of the hunters in +the island, began to lose patience--for the orders of the chiefs had +been peremptory to attack the whites--but he, having his own opinions, +wished to prove them right. He knew that the American or Canadian rifle +never misses its aim, and three such allies seemed to him not to be +despised. He therefore continued to speak: + +"The buffalo of the prairies is not more easy to follow than the white +man; the track of the buffalo tells the Indian his age, his size, and +the time of his passing. There are behind the reeds of the floating +island a man as strong as a bison, and taller than the tallest rifle, a +warrior of mingled north and south blood, and a young warrior of the +pure south, but the alliance of these two with the first, indicates that +they are enemies of the southern whites--for the weakest ever seek the +friendship of the strongest and espouse their cause." + +"The sagacity of these dogs is admirable," said Bois-Rose. + +"Because they flatter you," said Pepe, who seemed somewhat annoyed at +what the Indian had said. + +"I await for the answer of the whites," continued the Blackbird. "I +hear only the sound of the river, and the wind which says to me, `the +whites imagine a thousand errors; they believe that the Indian has eyes +behind his back, that the track of the bison is invisible, and that +reeds are ball proof.' The Blackbird laughs at the words of the wind." + +"Ah!" said Bois-Rose, "if we had entered but two miles higher up the +river!" + +"A friend disdained becomes a terrible enemy," continued the chief. + +"We say something similar among us," muttered Pepe. + +The Blackbird now signed to the captive to approach. The latter +advanced, and the chief pointed out to him the little island, and said, +"Can the rifle of the pale-face send a ball into the space between those +bushes?" + +But the prisoner had understood only the little Spanish mixed with the +Indian dialect, and he remained mute and trembling. Then the Blackbird +spoke to one of his warriors, who placed in the hands of the prisoner +the rifle that he had taken from him, and by gestures made him +understand what was wanted of him. The unlucky man tried to take aim, +but terror caused him to shake in such a fashion that his rifle was +unsteady in his hands. + +"If the Indian has no better way than that to make us speak," said Pepe, +"I will not say a word until to-morrow!" + +The white man fired indeed, but the ball, directed by his trembling +hands, fell into the water some distance from the island. The Blackbird +glanced contemptuously at him, and then looked around him. + +"Yes," said Pepe; "seek for balls and powder among the lances and +lassoes of your warriors." + +But as he finished this consoling reflection, the five men who had gone +away, returned armed for combat, with rifles and quivers full of arrows. +They had been to fetch the arms which they had laid down, in order to +follow the wild horses more freely. Five others now went off. + +"This looks bad," said Bois-Rose. + +"Shall we attack them while they are but fifteen," said Pepe. + +"No, let us remain silent; he still doubts whether we are here." + +"As you like." + +The Indian chief now took a rifle and advanced again to the bank. + +"The hands of the Blackbird do not tremble like a leaf shaken by the +wind," said he, pointing his rifle steadily towards the island. "But +before firing, he will wait while he counts one hundred, for the answer +of the whites who are hidden in the island." + +"Get behind me, Fabian," said Bois-Rose. + +"No, I stay here," said Fabian, decidedly. "I am younger, and it is my +place to expose myself for you." + +"Child! do you not see that my body exceeds yours six inches on every +side, and your remaining in front is but presenting a double mark." + +And without shaking a single one of the reeds around the island, he +advanced and knelt before Fabian. + +"Let him do it, Fabian," said Pepe. "Never had man a more noble +buckler, than the heart of the giant which beats in fear for you." + +The Indian chief, rifle in hand, listened as he counted, but excepting +the murmur of the water, a profound silence reigned everywhere. + +He fired at length, and the leaves of the trees flew into the air; but +as the three hunters knelt in a row they did not present a large aim, +and the ball passed at some little distance from them. + +The Blackbird waited a minute and cried again: "The Indian was wrong, he +acknowledges his error, he will seek for the white warriors elsewhere." + +"Who believes that?" said Pepe; "he is more sure than ever. He is about +to leave us alone for a few minutes, until he has finished with that +poor devil yonder, which will not belong--since the death of a white is +a spectacle which an Indian is always in a hurry to enjoy." + +"But had we better not make some effort in favour of the unlucky man?" +said Fabian. + +"Some unexpected circumstances may come to our assistance," replied +Bois-Rose. "Whatever Pepe says, the Indians may still doubt, but if we +show ourselves, all is over. To accept an alliance with these Indians, +even against Don Estevan de Arechiza, would be an unworthy cowardice. +What can we do?" added he, sadly. + +One fear tormented him; he had seen Fabian in danger when his blood was +boiling with passion, but had he the calm courage which meets death +coolly? Had he the stoical resignation of which he himself had given so +many proofs? The Canadian took a sudden resolution. + +"Listen, Fabian," said he; "can I speak to you the language of a man? +Will the words which your ears will transmit to your heart not freeze it +with terror?" + +"Why doubt my courage?" replied Fabian in a tone of gentle reproach. +"Whatever you say, I will hear without growing pale; whatever you do, I +will do also, without trembling." + +"Don Fabian speaks truly, Pepe; look at his eye," said the Canadian, +pressing Fabian in his arms; then he continued solemnly: "Never were +three men in greater peril than we are now; our enemies are seven times +our number; when each of us has killed six of them, there would still +remain a number equal to our own." + +"We have done it before," said Pepe. + +"And we shall do it again," cried Fabian. + +"Good, my child," said Bois-Rose, "but whatever happens, these demons +must not take us alive. See, Fabian!" added the old man, in a voice +that he tried to keep firm while unsheathing a long knife, "if we were +left without powder or ammunition at the mercy of these dogs, about to +fall into their hands, and this poignard in my hand was our only chance, +what would you say?" + +"I would say, strike, father, and let us die together!" + +"Yes, yes," cried the Canadian, looking with indescribable tenderness at +him who called him father, "it will be one means of never being +separated." And he held out to Fabian his hand trembling with emotion, +which the latter kissed respectfully. + +"Now," said Bois-Rose, "whatever happens we shall not be separated. God +will do the rest, and we shall try to save this unlucky man." + +"To work then!" said Fabian. + +"Not yet, my child; let us see what these red demons are about to do." + +Meanwhile the Indians had ranged themselves in two lines, and the white +man was placed a little in advance of them. + +"I see what they are going to do," said Bois-Rose, "they are going to +try if the poor wretch's legs are better than his arms. They are about +to chase him." + +"How so?" said Fabian. + +"They will place their captive a little in advance, then at a given +signal he will run. Then all the Indians will run after him, lance and +hatchet in hand. If the white is quick enough to reach the river before +them, we will call to him to swim to us. Some shots will protect him, +and he may reach here safe and sound. But if terror paralyses his +limbs, as it did his hands just now, the foremost Indian will break his +head with a blow from a hatchet. In any case we shall do our best." + +At this moment the five other Indians returned armed from head to foot, +and now joined the rest. Fabian looked with profound compassion at the +unlucky white man, who with haggard eye, and features distorted by +terror, waited in horrible anguish until the signal was given. But the +Blackbird pointed to the bare feet of his warriors, and then to the +leather buskins which protected the feet of the white man. They then +saw the latter sit down and take them off slowly, as if to gain a few +seconds. + +"The demons!" cried Fabian. + +"Hush!" said Bois-Rose, "do not by discovering yourself destroy the last +chance of life for the poor wretch!" + +Fabian shut his eyes so as not to witness the horrible scene about to +take place. At length the white man rose to his feet, and the Indians +stood devouring him with their looks, until the Blackbird clapped his +hands together, and then the howlings which followed could only be +compared to those of a troop of jaguars in pursuit of a deer. The +unlucky captive ran with great swiftness, but his pursuers bounded after +him like tigers. Thanks to the start which he had had, he cleared +safely a part of the distance which separated him from the river, but +the stones which cut his feet and the sharp thorns of the nopals soon +caused him to slacken his pace, and one of the Indians rushed up and +made a furious thrust at him with his lance. It passed between his arm +and his body, and the Indian losing his equilibrium, fell on the sand. + +Gayferos, for it was he, appeared to hesitate a moment whether he should +pick up the lance which the Indian had let fall, but then rapidly +continued his course. That instant's hesitation was fatal to him. All +at once, amidst the cloud of dust raised by his feet, a hatchet shone +over the head of the unfortunate Mexican, who was seen falling to the +earth. + +Bois-Rose was about to fire, but the fear of killing him whom he wished +to defend, stopped his hand. For a single moment the wind cleared away +the dust, and he fired, but it was too late, the Indian who fell under +his ball was brandishing in his hand the scalp of the unhappy man. To +this unexpected shot, the savages replied with howls, and then rushed +away from what they believed to be only a corpse. Soon, however, they +saw the man rise, with his head laid bare, who after straggling a few +paces, fell again, while the blood flowed in torrents from his wounds. + +"Ah!" cried Bois-Rose, "if there remains in him a spark of life--and +people do not die only from scalping--we shall save him yet; I swear we +shall!" + + + +CHAPTER FORTY ONE. + +INDIAN CUNNING. + +As the Canadian uttered the generous oath, wrung from him by +indignation, it seemed to him that a supplicating voice reached him. +"Is not the poor wretch calling for aid?" And he raised his head from +behind its shelter. + +At sight of the fox-skin cap which covered the head of the giant, and of +the long and heavy rifle which he raised like a willow wand, the Indians +recognised one of their formidable northern enemies, and recoiled in +astonishment--for the Blackbird alone had been instructed as to whom +they were seeking. Bois-Rose, looking towards the shore now perceived +the unlucky Gayferos stretching out his arms towards him, and feebly +calling for help. The dying Indian still held the scalp in his clenched +hand. + +At this terrible spectacle the Canadian drew himself up to his full +height. "Fire on these dogs!" cried he, "and remember--never let them +take you alive." + +So saying, he resolutely entered the water, and any other man would have +had it up to his head, but the Canadian had all his shoulders above the +surface. + +"Do not fire till after me," said Pepe to Fabian; "my hand is surer than +yours, and my Kentucky rifle carries twice as far as your Liege gun." +And he held his rifle ready to fire at the slightest sign of hostility +from the Indians. + +Meanwhile, Bois-Rose still advanced, the water growing gradually +shallower, when an Indian raised his rifle ready to fire on the intrepid +hunter; but a bullet from Pepe stopped him, and he fell forward on his +face. + +"Now you, Don Fabian!" said Pepe, throwing himself on the ground to +reload, after the American custom in such cases. + +Fabian fired, but his rifle having a shorter range, the shot only drew +from the Indian at whom he aimed a cry of rage. But Pepe had reloaded, +and stood ready to fire again. + +There was a moment's hesitation among the Indians, by which Bois-Rose +profited to draw towards him the body of the unlucky Gayferos. He, +clinging to his shoulders, had the presence of mind to leave his +preserver's arms free; who, with his burden, again entered the water, +going backwards. Then his rifle was heard, and an Indian's death-cry +immediately followed. This valiant retreat, protected by Pepe and +Fabian, awed the Indians, and some minutes after, Bois-Rose triumphantly +placed the fainting Gayferos on the island. + +"There are three of them settled for," said he, "and now we shall have a +few minutes' truce. Well, Fabian, do you see the advantage of firing in +file? You did not do badly for a beginner, and I can assure you that +when you have a Kentucky rifle like us, you will be a good marksman." +Then to Gayferos, "We came too late to save the skin of your head, my +poor fellow, but console yourself, it is no such dreadful thing. I have +many friends in the same condition, who are none the worse for it. Your +life is saved--that is the great thing--and we shall endeavour to bind +up your wounds." + +Some strips torn from the shirt of Gayferos served to bind around his +head a large mass of willow leaves crushed together and steeped in +water, and concealed the hideous wound. The blood was then washed from +his face. + +"You see," said Bois-Rose, still clinging to the idea of keeping Fabian +near him, "you must learn to know the habits of the desert, and of the +Indians. The villains, who see, by the loss of three of their men, what +stuff we are made of, have retired to concoct some stratagem. You hear +how silent all is after so much noise?" + +The desert, indeed, had recovered its silence, the leaves only trembled +in the evening breeze, and the water began to display brilliant colours +in the setting sun. + +"Well, Pepe, they are but seventeen now!" continued Bois-Rose, in a tone +of triumph. + +"Oh! we may succeed, if they do not get reinforcements." + +"That is a chance and a terrible one; but our lives are in God's hands," +replied Bois-Rose. "Tell me, friend!" said he to Gayferos, "you +probably belong to the camp of Don Estevan?" + +"Do you know him then?" said the wounded man, in a feeble voice. + +"Yes; and by what chance are you so far from the camp?" + +The wounded man recounted how, by Don Estevan's orders, he had set off +to seek for their lost guide, and that his evil star had brought him in +contact with the Indians as they were hunting the wild horses. + +"What is the name of your guide?" + +"Cuchillo." + +Fabian and Bois-Rose glanced at each other. + +"Yes," said the latter, "there is some probability that your suspicions +about that white demon were correct, and that he is conducting the +expedition to the Golden Valley; but, my child, if we escape these +Indians, we are close to it; and once we are installed there, were they +a hundred, we should succeed in defending ourselves." + +This was whispered in Fabian's ear. + +"One word more," said Bois-Rose to the wounded man, "and then we shall +leave you to repose. How many men has Don Estevan with him?" + +"Sixty." + +Bois-Rose now again bathed the head of the wounded Gayferos with cold +water: and the unhappy man, refreshed for the moment, and weakened by +loss of blood, fell into a lethargic sleep. + +"Now," continued Bois-Rose, "let us endeavour to build up a rampart +which shall be a little more ball and arrow-proof than this fringe of +moving leaves and reeds. Did you count how many rifles the Indians +had?" + +"Seven, I believe," said Pepe. + +"Then ten of them are less to be feared. They cannot attack us either +on the right or the left--but perhaps they have made a detour to cross +the river, and are about to place us between two fires." + +The side of the islet opposite the shore on which the Indians had shown +themselves was sufficiently defended by enormous roots, bristling like +chevaux-de-frise; but the side where the attack was probably about to +recommence was defended only by a thick row of reeds and osier-shoots. + +Thanks to his great strength, Bois-Rose, aided by Pepe, succeeded in +dragging from the end of the islet which faced the course of the stream, +some large dry branches and fallen trunks of trees. A few minutes +sufficed for the two skilful hunters to protect the feeble side with a +rough but solid entrenchment, which would form a very good defence to +the little garrison of the island. + +"Do you see, Fabian," said Bois-Rose, "you'll be as safe behind these +trunks of trees as in a stone fortress. You'll be exposed only to the +balls that may be fired from the tops of the trees, but I shall take +care that none of these redskins climb so high." + +And quite happy at having raised a barrier between Fabian and death, he +assigned him his post in the place most sheltered from the enemy. + +"Did you remark," said he to Pepe, "how at every effort that we made to +break a branch or disengage a block of wood, the island trembled to its +foundation?" + +"Yes," said Pepe, "one might think that it was about to be torn from its +base and follow the course of the stream." + +The Canadian then cautioned his two companions to be careful of their +ammunition, gave Fabian some instructions as to taking aim, pressed him +to his heart, squeezed the hand of his old comrade, and then the three +stationed themselves at their several posts. The surface of the river, +the tops of the aspens growing on the banks, the banks themselves and +the reeds, were all objects of examination for the hunters, as the night +was fast coming on. + +"This is the hour when the demons of darkness lay their snares," said +Bois-Rose, "when these human jaguars seek for their prey. It was of +them that the Scriptures spoke." + +No one replied to this speech, which was uttered rather as a soliloquy. + +Meanwhile, the darkness was creeping on little by little, and the bushes +which grew on the bank began to assume the fantastic forms given to +objects by the uncertain twilight. + +The green of the trees began to look black; but habit had given to +Bois-Rose and to Pepe eyes as piercing as those of the Indians +themselves, and nothing, with the vigilance they were exerting, could +have deceived them. + +"Pepe," whispered Bois-Rose, pointing to a tuft of osiers, "does it not +seem to you that that bush has changed its form and grown larger?" + +"Yes; it has changed its form!" + +"See, Fabian! you have the piercing sight that I had at your age; does +it not appear to you that at the left-hand side of that tuft of osiers +the leaves no longer look natural?" + +The young man pushed the reeds on one side, and gazed for a while +attentively. + +"I could swear it," said he, "but--" He stopped, and looked in another +direction. + +"Well! do you see anything?" + +"I see, between that willow and the aspen, about ten feet from the tuft +of osiers, a bush which certainly was not there just now." + +"Ah! see what it is to live far from towns;--the least points of the +landscape fix themselves in the memory, and become precious indications. +You are born to live the life of a hunter, Fabian!" + +Pepe levelled his rifle at the bush indicated by Fabian. + +"Pepe understands it at once," said Bois-Rose; "he knows, like me, that +the Indians have employed their time in cutting down branches to form a +temporary shelter; but I think two of us at least may teach them a few +stratagems that they do not yet know. Leave that bush to Fabian, it +will be an easy mark for him; fire at the branches whose leaves are +beginning to wither--there is an Indian behind them. Fire in the +centre, Fabian!" + +The two rifles were heard simultaneously, and the false bush fell, +displaying a red body behind the leaves, while the branches which had +been added were convulsively agitated. All three then threw themselves +on the ground, and a discharge of balls immediately flew over their +heads, covering them with leaves and broken branches, while the war-cry +of the Indians sounded in their ears. + +"If I do not deceive myself, they are now but fifteen," said Bois-Rose, +as he quitted his horizontal posture, and knelt on the ground. + +"Be still!" added he. "I see the leaves of an aspen trembling more than +the wind alone could cause them to do. It is doubtless one of those +fellows who has climbed up into the tree." + +As he spoke, a bullet struck one of the trunks of which the islet was +composed, and proved that he had guessed rightly. + +"Wagh!" said the Canadian, "I must resort to a trick that will force him +to show himself." + +So saying, he took off his cap and coat, and placed them between the +branches, where they could be seen. "Now," said he, "if I were fighting +a white soldier, I would place myself by the side of my coat, for he +would fire at the coat; with an Indian I shall stand behind it, for he +will not be deceived in the same manner, and will aim to one side of it. +Lie down, Fabian and Pepe, and in a minute you shall hear a bullet +whistle either to the right or the left of the mark I have set up." + +As Bois-Rose said this, he knelt down behind his coat, ready to fire at +the aspen. + +He was not wrong in his conjectures; in a moment, the balls of the +Indians cut the leaves on each side of the coat, but without touching +either of the three companions, who had placed themselves in a line. + +"Ah," cried the Canadian, "there are whites who can fight the Indians +with their own weapons; we shall presently have an enemy the less." + +And saying this he fired into the aspen, out of which the body of an +Indian was seen to fall, rolling from branch to branch like a fruit +knocked from its stem. + +At this feat of the Canadian, the savage howlings resounded with so much +fury, that it required nerves of iron not to shudder at them. Gayferos +himself, whom the firing had not roused, shook off his lethargy and +murmured, in a trembling voice, "Virgen de los Dolores! Would not one +say it was a band of tigers howling in the darkness?--Holy Virgin! have +pity on me!" + +"Thank her rather," interrupted the Canadian; "the knaves might deceive +a novice like you, but not an old hunter like me. You have heard the +jackals of an evening in the forest howl and answer each other as though +there were hundreds of them, when there were but three or four. The +Indians imitate the jackals, and I will answer for it there are not more +that a dozen now behind those trees. Ah! if I could but get them to +cross the water, not one of them should return to carry the news of +their disaster." + +Then, as if a sudden thought had flashed across his mind, he directed +his companions to lie down on their backs--in which position they were +protected by the trunks of the trees. "We are in safety as long as we +lie thus," said he, "only keep your eye on the tops of the trees; it is +from these only they can reach us. Fire only if you see them climb up, +but otherwise remain motionless. The knaves will not willingly depart +without our scalps, and must make up their minds at last to attack us." + +This resolution of the hunter seemed to have been inspired by heaven, +for scarcely had they laid down before a shower of balls and arrows tore +to pieces the border of reeds, and broke the branches behind which they +had been kneeling a minute before. Bois-Rose pulled down his coat and +hat, as though he himself had fallen, and then the most profound silence +reigned in the island, after this apparently murderous fire. Cries of +triumph followed this silence, and then a second discharge of bullets +and arrows. + +"Is not that an Indian mounting the willow?" whispered Pepe. + +"Yes, but let us risk his fire without stirring; lie all of us as if we +were dead. Then he will go and tell his companions that he has counted +the corpses of the palefaces." + +In spite of the danger incurred by this stratagem, the proposition of +Bois-Rose was accepted, and each remained motionless, watching, not +without anxiety, the manoeuvres of the Indian. With extreme precaution +the red warrior climbed from branch to branch, until he had reached a +point from which he could overlook the whole islet. + +There remained just sufficient daylight to observe his movements when +the foliage itself did not hide them. When he had reached the desired +height, the Indian, resting on a thick branch, advanced his head with +precaution. The sight of the bodies extended on the ground appeared not +to surprise him, and he now openly pointed his rifle towards them. This +he did several times, apparently taking aim, but not one of the hunters +stirred. Then the Indian uttered a cry of triumph. "The shark takes +the bait," muttered Bois-Rose. + +"I shall recognise this son of a dog," rejoined Pepe, "and if I do not +repay him for the anxiety he has caused me, it is because the bullet he +is about to send will prevent me." + +"It is the Blackbird," said Bois-Rose, "he is both brave and dexterous-- +lie close!" + +The Indian once more took aim, and then fired; a branch knocked from a +tree just above Pepe, fell upon him and hurt his forehead. He stirred +no more than the dead wood against which he leaned, but said, "Rascal of +a redskin, I'll pay you for this before long." + +Some drops of blood fell upon the face of the Canadian. + +"Is any one wounded?" said he, with a shudder. + +"A scratch, nothing more," said Pepe, "God be praised!" + +Just then the Indian uttered a cry of joy, as he descended from the tree +on which he had mounted, and the three friends again breathed freely. + +And yet some doubt seemed to remain in the minds of the Indians, for a +long and solemn silence followed the manoeuvre of their chief. + +The sun had now set, the short twilight had passed away, night had come +on, and the moon shone on the river, yet still the Indians did not stir. + +"Our scalps tempt them, but they still hesitate to come and take them," +said Pepe, who was becoming very tired of doing nothing. + +"Patience!" whispered Bois-Rose, "the Indians are like the vultures, who +dare not attack a body until it begins to decay. We may look out for +them by-and-bye. Let us resume our position behind the reeds." + +The hunters again quickly knelt down and continued to watch their +enemies. + +Before long an Indian showed himself very cautiously, another then +joined him, and both approached with increasing confidence, followed by +others, until Bois-Rose counted ten in the moonlight. + +"They will cross the river in file, I expect," said he. "Fabian, you +fire at the first, Pepe will aim at the centre, and I at the last but +one. In that way they cannot all attack together. It will be a +hand-to-hand struggle, but you, Fabian, while Pepe and I wait for them +knife in hand, shall load our rifles and pass them to us. By the memory +of your mother, I forbid you to fight with these wretches." + +As the Canadian uttered these words, a tall Indian entered the river, +followed by nine others. All advanced with the utmost caution; they +might have been taken for the shades of warriors returned from the land +of spirits. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY TWO. + +THE BLACKBIRD. + +Death seemed to the eyes of the Indians to reign over the island--for +the hunters held even their breath--and yet they advanced with the +utmost care. + +The foremost man, who was the "Blackbird" himself, had reached a place +where the water began to be deep, as the last man was just leaving the +bank. But just as Fabian was about to take aim against the chief, to +the great regret of Pepe, the "Blackbird," either fearful of danger, or +because a ray of moonlight gleaming on the rifles told him his enemy +still lived dived suddenly under the water. + +"Fire!" cried Bois-Rose, and immediately the last Indian of the file +fell to rise no more, and two others appeared struggling in the water, +and were quickly borne off by the stream. Pepe and Bois-Rose then threw +their rifles behind them as agreed upon, for Fabian to reload, while +they themselves stood upon the bank, knives in hand. + +"The Apaches are still seven," shouted Bois-Rose, in a voice of thunder, +anxious to finish the struggle, and feeling all his hatred of the +Indians awakened within him, "will they dare to come and take the scalps +of the whites?" + +But the disappearance of their chief and the death of their comrades had +disconcerted the Indians; they did not fly, but they remained undecided +and motionless, as black rocks bathed by the shining waters of the +river. + +"Can the red warriors only scalp dead bodies?" added Pepe with a +contemptuous laugh. "Are the Apaches like vultures who only attack the +dead? Advance then, dogs, vultures, women without courage!" shouted he, +at the sight of their enemies, who were now rapidly regaining the bank. +Suddenly, however, he noticed a body floating on its back, whose bright +eyes showed that it was not a corpse, as the extended arms and +motionless body seemed to indicate. + +"Don Fabian, my rifle! there is the `Blackbird' pretending to be dead +and floating down the stream." + +Pepe took the rifle from Fabian, and aimed at the floating body, but not +a muscle stirred. The hunter lowered his rifle. "I was wrong," said +he, aloud, "the white men do not, like the Indians, waste their powder +on dead bodies." + +The body still floated, with outspread legs and extended arms. Pepe +again raised his rifle and again lowered it. Then, when he thought that +he had paid off anguish for anguish to the Indian chief, he fired, and +the body floated no longer. + +"Have you killed him?" asked Bois-Rose. + +"No, I only wished to break his shoulder bone, that he may always have +cause to remember the shudder he gave, and the treason he proposed to +me. If he were dead, he would still float." + +"You might have done better to have killed him. But what is to be done +now? I hoped to finish with these demons, and now our work is still to +be done. We cannot cross the river to attack them." + +"It is the best thing we can do." + +"With Fabian, I cannot decide to do it, or I should be now on the bank +opposite, where you know as well as I do they still are breathing their +infernal vengeance." + +The Spaniard shrugged his shoulders with stoical resignation. + +"Doubtless," said he, "but we must decide either to fly or to stay." + +"Carramba!" continued he, "if we two were alone we would gain the +opposite bank in a minute; the seven who are left would catch us no +doubt, but we should come out of it, as we have out of more difficult +situations." + +"It would be better than to stay here like foxes in their hole." + +"I agree: but Fabian! and the unlucky scalped man, whom we cannot +abandon thus to the mercy of the wretches who have already treated him +so cruelly. Let us wait at least until the moon has set, and darkness +comes on." + +And the old man hung his head with an air of discouragement--which made +a painful impression on the Spaniard--raising it only to glance +anxiously at the sky; where the moon held on her ordinary course over +the starry blue. + +"So be it," said Pepe; "but, stay! we killed first five Indians, then +three, that makes eight; there should have been twelve left; why did we +only count ten in the water? Depend upon it, the Blackbird has sent the +two others to seek for reinforcements." + +"It is possible: to remain here or to fly are both terrible." + +For some time the hunters thus continued to deliberate; meanwhile the +moonbeams began to fall more obliquely, and already a part of the tops +of the trees were in shadow. More than an hour had elapsed since the +attempt of the Indians, and Pepe, less absorbed than Bois-Rose, was +watching anxiously. + +"That cursed moon will never go down," said he, "and it seems to me that +I hear something like the noise of feet in the water; the buffaloes do +not come down to drink at this time of night." + +So saying, he rose and leaning right and left, looked up and down the +stream, but on each side extended an impenetrable veil of fog. The +coolness of the American nights which succeeds the burning heat of the +day, condenses thus in thick clouds the exhalations of the ground, and +of the waters heated by the sun. + +"I can see nothing but fog," said he. + +Little by little the vague sounds died away, and the air recovered its +habitual cairn and silence. The moon was fast going down, and all +nature seemed sleeping, when the occupants of the island started up in +terror. + +From both sides of the river rose shouts so piercing that the banks +echoed them long after the mouths that uttered them were closed. +Henceforth flight was impossible; the Indians had encompassed the +island. + +"The moon may go down now," cried Pepe with rage. "Ah! with reason I +feared the two absent men, and the noises that I heard; it was the +Indians who were gaining the opposite bank. Who knows how many enemies +we have around us now?" + +"What matter," replied Bois-Rose gloomily, "whether there are one +hundred vultures to tear our bodies, or a hundred Indians to howl round +us when we are dead?" + +"It is true that the number matters little in such circumstances, but it +will be a day of triumph for them." + +"Are you going to sing your death-song like them, who, when tied to the +stake, recall the number of scalps they have taken?" + +"And why not? it is a very good custom, it helps one to die like a hero, +and to remember that you have lived like a man." + +"Let us rather try to die like Christians," replied Bois-Rose. + +Then drawing Fabian towards him, he said: + +"I scarcely know, my beloved child, what I had dreamed of for you; I am +half savage and half civilised, and my dreams partook of both. +Sometimes I wished to restore you to the honours of this world--to your +honours, your titles--and to add to them all the treasures of the Golden +Valley. Then I dreamed only of the splendour of the desert, and its +majestic harmonies, which lull a man to his rest, and entrance him at +his waking. But I can truly say that the dominant idea in my mind was +that of never quitting you. Must that be accomplished in death? So +young, so brave, so handsome, must you meet the same fate as a man who +would soon be useless in the world?" + +"Who would love me when you were gone?" replied Fabian, in a voice which +their terrible situation deprived neither of its sweetness nor firmness. +"Before I met you, the grave had closed upon all I loved, and the sole +living being who could replace them was--you. What have I to regret in +this world?" + +"The future, my child; the future into which youth longs to plunge, like +the thirsty stag into the lake." + +Distant firing now interrupted the melancholy reflections of the old +hunter; the Indians were attacking the camp of Don Estevan. The reader +knows the result. + +Suddenly they heard a voice from the bank, saying, "Let the white men +open their ears!" + +"It is the `Blackbird' again," cried Pepe. It was indeed he, supported +by two Indians. + +"Why should they open their ears?" answered Pepe. + +"The whites laugh at the menaces of the `Blackbird,' and despise his +promises." + +"Good!" said the Indian; "the whites are brave, and they will need all +their bravery. The white men of the south are being attacked now; why +are the men of the north not against them?" + +"Because you are a bird of doleful plumage! because lions do not hunt +with jackals, for jackals can only howl while the lion devours. Apply +the compliment; it is a fine flower of Indian rhetoric," cried Pepe, +exasperated. + +"Good! the whites are like the conquered Indians, insulting his +conqueror. But the eagle laughs at the words of the mocking-bird, and +it is not to him that the eagle deigns to address himself." + +"To whom then?" cried Pepe. + +"To the giant, his brother, the eagle of the snowy mountains, who +disdains to imitate the language of other birds." + +"What do you want of him?" said Bois-Rose. + +"The Indian would hear the northern warrior ask for life," replied the +Blackbird. + +"I have a different demand to make," said the Canadian. + +"I listen," replied the Indian. + +"If you will swear on the honour of a warrior, and on your father's +bones, that you will spare my companions' lives, I shall cross the river +alone without arms, and bring you my scalp on my head. That will tempt +him," added Bois-Rose. + +"Are you mad, Bois-Rose?" cried Pepe. + +Fabian flew towards the Canadian: "At the first step you make towards +the Indian, I shall kill you," cried he. + +The old hunter felt his heart melt at the sound of the two voices that +he loved so much. A short silence followed, then came the answer from +the bank. + +"The Blackbird wishes the white man to ask for life, and he asks for +death. My wish is this, let the white man of the north quit his +companions, and I swear on my father's bones, that his life shall be +saved, but his alone; the other three must die." + +Bois-Rose disdained to reply to this offer, and the Indian chief waited +vainly for a refusal or an acceptance. Then he continued: "Until the +hour of their death, the whites hear the voice of the Indian chief for +the last time. My warriors surround the island and the river. Indian +blood has been spilled and must be revenged; white blood must flow. But +the Indian does not wish for this blood warmed by the ardour of the +combat, he wishes for it frozen by terror, impoverished by hunger. He +will take the whites living; then, when he holds them in his clutches, +when they are like hungry dogs howling after a bone, he will see what +men are like after fear and privation; he will make of their skin a +saddle for his war-horse, and each of their scalps shall be suspended to +his saddle, as a trophy of vengeance. My warriors shall surround the +island for fifteen days and nights if necessary, in order to make +capture of the white men." + +After these terrible menaces the Indian disappeared behind the trees. +But Pepe not willing that he should believe he had intimidated them, +cried as coldly as anger would permit, "Dog, who can do nothing but +bark, the whites despise your vain bravados. Jackal, unclean polecat, I +despise you--I--I"--but rage prevented him from saying more, and he +finished off by a gesture of contempt; then with a loud laugh he sat +down, satisfied at having had the last word. As for Bois-Rose he saw in +it all only the refusal of his heroic sacrifice. + +"Ah!" sighed the generous old man, "I could have arranged it all; now it +is too late." + +The moon had gone down; the sound of distant firing had ceased, and the +darkness made the three friends feel still more forcibly how easy it +would have been to gain the opposite bank, carrying in their arms the +wounded man. He, insensible to all that was passing, still slept +heavily. + +"Thus," said Pepe, first breaking silence, "we have fifteen days to +live; it is true we have not much provision, but carramba! we shall fish +for food and for amusement." + +"Let us think," said Bois-Rose, "of employing usefully the hours before +daylight." + +"In what?" + +"Parbleu! in escaping!" + +"But how?" + +"That is the question. You can swim, Fabian?" + +"How else should. I have escaped from the Salto de Agua?" + +"True! I believe that fear confuses my brain. Well! it would not be +impossible, perhaps, to dig a hole in the middle of this island, and to +slip through this opening into the water. The night is so dark, that if +the Indians do not see us throw ourselves into the water, we might gain +a place some way off with safety. Stay, I shall try an experiment." So +saying, he detached, with some trouble, one of the trunks from the +little island; and its knotty end looked not unlike a human head. This +he placed carefully on the water, and soon it floated gently down the +stream. The three friends followed its course anxiously; then, when it +had disappeared, Bois-Rose said: + +"You see, a prudent swimmer might pass in the same manner; not an Indian +has noticed it." + +"That is true; but who knows that their eyes cannot distinguish a man +from a piece of wood?" said Pepe. "Besides, we have with with us a man +who cannot swim." + +"Whom?" + +The Spaniard pointed to the wounded man; who groaned in his sleep, as +though his guardian angel warned him that there was a question of +abandoning him to his enemies. + +"What matter?" said Bois-Rose; "is his life worth that of the last of +the Medianas?" + +"No," replied the Spaniard; "and I, who half wanted a short time ago to +abandon the poor wretch, think now I would be cowardly." + +"Perhaps," added Fabian, "he has children, who would weep for their +father." + +"It would be a bad action, and would bring us ill luck," added Pepe. + +All the superstitious tenderness of the Canadian awoke at these words, +and he said-- + +"Well, then, Fabian, you are a good swimmer, follow this plan: Pepe and +I will stay here and guard this man, and if we die here, it will be in +the discharge of our duty, and with the joy of knowing you to be safe." + +But Fabian shook his head. + +"I care not for life without you; I shall stay," said he. + +"What can be done then?" + +"Let us think," said Pepe. + +But it was unluckily one of those cases in which all human resources are +vain, for it was one of those desperate situations from which a higher +power alone could extricate them. In vain the fog thickened and the +night grew darker; the resolution not to abandon the wounded man opposed +an insurmountable obstacle to their escape, and before long the fires +lighted by the Indians along each bank, threw a red light over the +stream, and rendered this plan impracticable. Except for these fires, +the most complete calm reigned, for no enemy was visible, no human voice +troubled the silence of the night. However, the fog grew more and more +dense, the stream disappeared from view, and even the fires looked only +like pale and indistinct lights under the shadowy outline of the trees. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY THREE. + +A FEAT OF HERCULEAN STRENGTH. + +Let us now glance at the spot occupied by the Blackbird. The fires +lighted on the banks threw at first so strong a light that nothing could +escape the eyes of the Indians, and a sentinel placed near each fire was +charged to observe carefully all that passed on the island. Seated and +leaning against the trunk of a tree, his broken shoulder bound up with +strips of leather, the Blackbird only showed on his face an expression +of satisfied ferocity; as for the suffering he was undergoing, he would +have thought it unworthy of him to betray the least indication of it. +His ardent eye was fixed continually on the spot where were the three +men, whom he pictured to himself as full of anguish. + +But as the fog grew thicker, first the opposite bank and then the island +itself, became totally invisible. The Indian chief felt that it was +necessary to redouble his surveillance. He ordered one man to cross the +river, and another to walk along the bank, and exhorted every one to +watchfulness. + +"Go," said he, "and tell those of my warriors who are ordered to watch +these Christians--whose skins and scalps shall serve as ornaments to our +horses--that they must each have four ears, to replace the eyes that the +fog has rendered useless. Tell them that their vigilance will merit +their chief's gratitude; but that if they allow sleep to deaden their +senses, the hatchet of the Blackbird will send them to sleep in the land +of spirits." + +The two messengers set off, and soon returned to tell the chief that he +might rest satisfied that attention would be paid to his orders. +Indeed, stimulated at once by their own hatred of the whites, and by the +hope of a recompense--fearing if sleep surprised them, not so much the +threatened punishment as the idea of awaking in the hunting-grounds of +the land of spirits, bearing on their foreheads the mark of shame which +accompanies the sentinel who gives way to sleep--the sentinels had +redoubled their vigilance. There are few sounds that can escape the +marvellous ears of an Indian, but on this occasion the fog made it +difficult to hear as well as to see, and the strictest attention was +necessary. With closed eyes and open ears, and standing up to chase +away the heaviness that the silence of nature caused them to feel, the +Indian warriors stood motionless near their fires, throwing on on from +time to time some fagots to keep them ablaze. + +Some time passed thus, during which the only sound heard was that of a +distant fall in the river. + +The Blackbird remained on the left bank, and the night air, as it +inflamed his wounds, only excited his hatred the more. His face covered +with hideous paint, and contracted by the pain--of which he disdained to +make complaint--and his brilliant eyes, made him resemble one of the +sanguinary idols of barbarous times. Little by little, however, in +spite of himself, his eyes were weighed down by sleep, and an invincible +drowsiness took possession of his spirit. Before long his sleep became +so profound, that he did not hear the dry branches crackle under a +moccasin, as an Indian of his tribe advanced towards him. + +Straight and motionless as a bamboo stem, an Indian runner covered with +blood and panting for breath, waited for some time until the chief, +before whom he stood, should open his eyes and interrogate him. As the +latter showed no signs of awaking, the runner resolved to announce his +presence, and in a hollow, guttural voice, said-- + +"When the Blackbird shall open his eyes, he will hear from my mouth +words which will chase sleep far from him." + +The chief opened his eyes at the voice, and shook off his drowsiness +with a violent effort. Ashamed at having been surprised asleep, he +muttered: + +"The Blackbird has lost much blood; he has lost so much that the next +sun will not dry it on the ground, and his body is more feeble than his +will." + +"Man is made thus," rejoined the messenger, sententiously. + +The Blackbird continued without noticing the reflection: + +"It is some very important message doubtless, since the Spotted Cat has +chosen the fleetest of his runners to carry it?" + +"The Spotted Cat will send no more messengers," replied the Indian. +"The lance of a white man has pierced his breast, and the chief now +hunts with his fathers in the land of spirits." + +"What matter! he died a conqueror? he saw, before he died, the white +dogs dispersed over the plain?" + +"He died conquered; and the Apaches had to fly after losing their chief +and fifty of their renowned warriors." + +In spite of his wound, and of the empire that an Indian should exercise +over himself, the Blackbird started up at these words. However, he +restrained himself, and replied gravely, though with trembling lips-- + +"Who, then, sends you to me, messenger of ill?" + +"The warriors, who want a chief to repair their defeat. The Blackbird +was but the chief of a tribe, he is now the chief of a whole people." + +Satisfied pride shone in the eye of the Indian, at his augmented +authority. + +"If the rifles of the north had been joined to ours, the whites of the +south would have been conquered." But as he recalled to mind the +insulting manner in which the two hunters had rejected his proposal, his +eyes darted forth flames of hatred, and pointing to his wound, he said, +"What can a wounded chief do? His limbs refuse to carry him, and he can +scarcely sit on his horse." + +"We can tie him on; a chief is at once a head and an arm--if the arm be +powerless the head will act, and the sight of their chief's blood will +animate our warriors. The council fire was lighted anew after the +defeat, and the warriors wait for the Blackbird to make his voice heard; +his battle-horse is ready--let us go!" + +"No," replied the Blackbird, "my warriors encompass, on each bank, the +white hunters whom I wished to have for allies; now they are enemies; +the ball of one of them has rendered useless for six moons, the arm that +was so strong in combat; and were I offered the command of ten nations, +I would refuse it, to await here the hour when the blood that I thirst +for shall flow before my eyes." + +The chief then recounted briefly the captivity of Gayferos, his +deliverance by the Canadian, the rejection of his proposals and the vow +of vengeance he had made. + +The messenger listened gravely; he felt all the importance of making a +new attack on the gold-seekers, at the moment when, delighted at their +victory, they believed themselves safe, and he proposed to the Blackbird +to leave some one behind in his place to watch the island; but the +Blackbird was immovable. + +"Well!" said the runner, "before long the sun will begin to rise; I +shall wait until daylight to report to the Apaches that the Blackbird +prefers his personal vengeance to the honour of the entire nation. By +deferring my departure, I shall have retarded the moment when our +warriors will have to regret the loss of the bravest among them." + +"So be it," said the chief, in a grave tone, although much pleased by +this adroit flattery, "but a messenger has need of repose after a battle +followed by a long journey. Meanwhile, I would listen to the account of +the combat in which the Spotted Cat lost his life." + +The messenger sat down near the fire, with crossed legs, and with one +elbow on his knee and his head leaning on his hand, after a few minutes' +rest, gave a circumstantial account of the attack on the white camp-- +omitting no fact which might awaken the hatred of the Blackbird against +the Mexican invaders. + +This over, he laid down and slept, or seemed to sleep. But the +tumultuous and contrary passions which struggled in the heart of the +Blackbird--ambition on the one hand, and thirst for vengeance on the +other--kept him awake without effort. In about an hour the runner half +rose, and pushing back the cloak of skin which he had drawn over his +head he perceived the Blackbird still sitting in the same attitude. + +"The silence of the night has spoken to me," said he, "and I thought +that a renowned chief like the Blackbird might, before the rising sun, +have his enemies in his power and hear their death-song." + +"My warriors cannot walk on the water as on the warpath," replied he; +"the men of the north do not resemble those of the south, whose rifles +are like reeds in their hands." + +"The blood that the Blackbird has lost deceives his intellect and +obscures his vision; if he shall permit it, I shall act for him, and +to-morrow his vengeance will be complete." + +"Do as you like; from whatever side vengeance comes, it will be +agreeable to me." + +"Enough. I shall soon bring here the three hunters, and him whose scalp +they could not save." + +So saying the messenger rose and was soon hidden by the fog from the +eyes of the Blackbird. + +On the island more generous emotions were felt. From the eyes of its +occupants sleep had also fled--for if there be a moment in life, when +the hearts of the bravest may fail them, it is when danger is terrible +and inevitable, and when not even the last consolation of selling life +dearly is possible to them. Watched by enemies whom they could not see, +the hunters could not satisfy their rage by making their foes fall +beneath their bullets as they had done the evening before. Besides, +both Bois-Rose and Pepe knew too well the implacable obstinacy of the +Indians to suppose that the Blackbird would permit his warriors to reply +to their attacks; a soldier's death would have seemed too easy to him. + +Oppressed by these sad thoughts, the three hunters spoke no more, but +resigned themselves to their fate, rather than abandon the unlucky +stranger by attempting to escape. + +Fabian was as determined to die as the others. The habitual sadness of +his spirit robbed death of its terrors, but still the ardour of his mind +would have caused him to prefer a quicker death, weapon in hand, to the +slow and ignominious one reserved for them. He was the first to break +silence. The profound tranquillity that reigned on the banks was to the +experienced eyes of the Canadian and Pepe only a certain indication of +the invincible resolution of their enemies; but to Fabian it appeared +reassuring--a blessing by which they ought to profit. + +"All sleeps now around us," said he, "not only the Indians on the banks, +but all that has life in the woods and in the desert--the river itself +seems to be running slower! See! the reflections of the fires die away! +would it not be the time to attempt a descent on the bank?" + +"The Indians sleep!" interrupted Pepe, bitterly, "yes, like the water +which seems stagnant, but none the less pursues its course. You could +not take three steps in the river before the Indians would rush after +you as you have often seen wolves rush after a stag. Have _you_ nothing +better to propose, Bois-Rose?" + +"No," replied he as his hand sought that of Fabian, while with the other +he pointed to the sick man, tossing restlessly on his couch of pain. + +"But, in default of all other chance," said Fabian, "we should at least +have that of dying with honour, side by side as we would wish. If we +are victorious, we can then return to the aid of this unfortunate man. +If we fall, God himself, when we appear before him, cannot reproach us +with the sacrifice of his life, since we risked our own for the common +good." + +"No," replied Bois-Rose; "but let us still hope in that God, who +re-united us by a miracle; what does not happen to-day, may to-morrow; +we have time before us before our provisions fail. To attempt to take +the bank now, would be to march to certain death. To die would be +nothing, and we always hold that last resource in our own hands; but we +might perhaps be made prisoners, and then I shudder to think of what +would be our fate. Oh! my beloved Fabian, these Indians in their +determination to take us alive give me at least the happiness of being +yet a few days beside you." + +Silence again resumed its reign; but as Bois-Rose thought of the +terrible denouement he clutched convulsively at some of the trunks of +the dead trees, and under his powerful grasp the islet trembled as +though about to be torn from its base. + +"Ah! the wretches! the demons!" cried Pepe, with a sudden explosion of +rage. "Look yonder!" + +A red light was piercing gradually through the veil of vapour which hung +over the river, and seemed to advance and grow larger; but, strange to +say, the fire floated on the water, and, intense as was the fog, the +mass of flames dissipated it as the sun disperses the clouds. The three +hunters had barely time to be astonished at this apparition, before they +guessed its cause. A long course of life in the desert and its dangers +had imparted to the Canadian a firmness which Pepe had not attained; +therefore, instead of giving way to surprise, he remained perfectly +calm. He knew that this was the only way to surmount any difficulty. + +"Yes," said he, "I understand what it is as well as if the Indians had +told me. You spoke once of foxes smoked out of their holes; now they +want to burn us in ours." + +The globe of fire which floated on the river advanced with alarming +rapidity, and confirmed the words of Bois-Rose. Already amidst the +water, reddened by the flame, the twigs of the willows were becoming +distinct. + +"It is a fire-ship," cried Pepe, "with which they want to set fire to +our island." + +"So much the better," cried Fabian; "better to fight against the fire +than wait quietly for death." + +"Yes," said Bois-Rose; "but fire is a terrible adversary and it fights +for these demons." + +The besieged could oppose nothing to the advancing flames; and they +would soon devour the little island, leaving to its inmates no other +chance of escape but by throwing themselves into the water--where the +Indians could either kill them by rifle-shots, or take them alive, as +they pleased. + +Such had been the idea of the Indian messenger. By his order, the +Apaches had cut down a tree with its leaves on, and a thick mass of wet +grass interlaced in its branches formed a sort of foundation, on which +they placed the branches of a pine tree; and after setting fire to this +construction, they had sent it floating down the stream. As it +approached, the crackling of the wood could be heard; and out of the +black smoke which mixed with the fog arose a bright, clear flame. + +Not far from the bank they could distinguish the form of an Indian. +Pepe could not resist a sudden temptation. "Yon demon," cried he, +"shall at least not live to exult over our death." + +So saying, he fired and the plume of the Indian was seen to go down. + +"Sad and tardy vengeance," remarked Bois-Rose; and as if, indeed, the +Apaches disdained the efforts of a vanquished foe, the shore preserved +its gloomy solitude, and not a single howl accompanied the last groans +of the warrior. + +"Never mind," cried Pepe, stamping his foot in his impotent fury; "I +shall die more calmly, the greater number of those demons I have sent +before me." And he looked round for some other victim. + +Meanwhile Bois-Rose was calmly reconnoitring the burning mass, which, if +it touched the island, would set fire to the dried trees which composed +it. + +"Well," cried Pepe, whose rage blinded his judgment, "it is useless to +look at the fire; have you any method of making it deviate from its +course?" + +"Perhaps," replied the Canadian. Pepe began to whistle with an affected +indifference. + +"I see something that proves to me that the reasonings of the Indians +are not always infallible; and if it were not that we shall receive a +shower of balls, to force us to stay hidden while the islet takes fire, +I should care as little for that burning raft as for a fire-fly in the +air." + +In constructing the floating fire, the Indians had calculated its +thickness, so that the wet grass might be dried by the fire and become +kindled about the time when it should touch the island. But the grass +had been soaked in the water, and this had retarded its combustion; +besides the large branches had not had time to inflame; it was only the +smaller boughs and the leaves that were burning. This had not escaped +the quick eye of the Canadian, who, advancing with a long stick in his +hand, resolved to push it underwater; but just as he was about to risk +this attempt, what he had predicted took place. A shower of balls and +arrows flew towards them; though these shots seemed rather intended to +terrify than to kill them. + +"They are determined," said Bois-Rose, "only to take us alive!" + +The fire almost touched the island, a few minutes and it would be +alight, when with the rapidity of lightning, Bois-Rose glided into the +water and disappeared. Shouts rose from each side of the river, when +the Indians, as well as Fabian and Pepe, saw the floating mass tremble +under his powerful grasp. The fire blazed up brightly for a moment, +then the water hissed and the mass of flame was extinguished in foam, +until darkness and fog once more spread their sombre covering over the +river. The blackened tree, turned from its course, passed by the +island, while, amidst the howls of the Indians Bois-Rose rejoined his +friends. The whole island shook under his efforts to get back upon it. + +"Howl at your ease," cried he, "you have not captured as yet; but," he +added, in a more serious tone, "shall we be always as lucky?" + +Indeed, although this danger was surmounted, how many remained to be +conquered! Who could foresee what new stratagems the Indians might +employ against them? These reflections damped their first feeling of +triumph. All at once Pepe started up, crying out as he did so: + +"Bois-Rose, Fabian, we are saved!" + +"Saved!" said Bois-Rose, "what do you mean?" + +"Did you not remark how a few hours ago the whole islet trembled under +our hands when we tore away some branches to fortify ourselves with, and +how you yourself made it shake just now? well, I thought once of making +a raft, but now I believe we three can uproot the whole island and set +it floating. The fog is thick, the night dark and to-morrow--" + +"We shall be far from here!" cried Bois-Rose. "To work! to work! we +have no time to spare, for the rising wind indicates the approach of +morning, and the river does not run more than three knots an hour." + +"So much the better, the movement will be less visible." + +The brave Canadian grasped the hands of his comrades as he rose to his +feet. + +"What are you going to do?" said Fabian, "cannot we three uproot the +island, as Pepe said?" + +"Doubtless, Fabian, but we risk breaking, it in pieces, and our safety +depends upon keeping it together. It is, perhaps, some large branch or +root which holds it in its place. Many years must have elapsed since +these trees were first driven here, and the water has probably rendered +this branch or root very rotten--that is what I wish to find out." + +At that moment the doleful screech of an owl interrupted them, and those +plaintive cries troubling the silence of night, just as they were about +to entertain some hope, sounded ominous in the ears of Pepe. + +"Ah!" said he, sadly, all his superstition reviving, "the voice of the +owl at this moment seems to me to announce no good fortune to us." + +"The imitation is perfect, I allow," said Bois-Rose, "but you must not +be thus deceived. It is an Indian sentinel who calls to his companions +either to warn them to be watchful, or what is more like their +diabolical spirit, to remind us that they are watching us. It is a kind +of death-song with which they wish to regale us." + +As he spoke, the same sound was repeated from the opposite bank with +different modulations, confirming his words, but it sounded none the +less terrible as it revealed all the perils and ambushes hidden by the +darkness of the night. + +"I have a great mind to call to them to roar more like tigers that they +are." + +"Do not; it would only enable them to know our exact position." + +So saying, the Canadian entered the water with extreme care, while his +comrades followed his movements with anxious eyes. + +"Well," said Pepe, when Bois-Rose came to the surface to take breath, +"are we firmly fixed?" + +"All is well, I think," replied Bois-Rose, "I see at present but one +thing that keeps the islet at anchor. Have patience a while." + +"Take care not to get too far under," said Fabian, "or you may be caught +in the roots and branches." + +"Have no fear, child; a whale may sooner remain fixed to a fishing-boat +which it can toss twenty feet into the air, than I under an islet that I +could break to pieces with a blow." + +The river closed again over his head, and a tolerably long space of time +elapsed during which the presence of Bois-Rose was indicated only by the +eddies formed round the islet, which now tottered on its foundation. +His comrades felt that the giant was making a powerful effort, and +Fabian's heart sank as he thought that he might be struggling with +death; when a crash was heard under their feet, like that of a ship's +timbers striking against a rock, and Bois-Rose reappeared above the +surface, his hair streaming with water. With one bound he regained the +island, which began to move slowly down the river. An enormous root, +some depth in the water, had given way to the vigorous strength of the +colossus, and the islet was set free. + +"God be praised!" cried he, "the last obstacle is vanquished and we are +afloat." As he spoke the island could be perceived advancing down +stream, slowly it is true, but surely. + +"Now," continued he, "our life rests in the hands of God. If the island +floats down the middle of the stream we shall soon, thanks to the fog, +be out of sight or reach of the Indians. Oh! my God," added he, +fervently, "a few hours more of darkness and your creatures will be +saved." + + + +CHAPTER FORTY FOUR. + +THE FLOATING ISLET. + +The three men kept silence as they followed with anxious eyes the +movement of the floating island. Day would soon break, but the +freshness of the night, which always increases an hour or two before +sunrise, had condensed more and more the vapours which rose from the +water. The fires on the bank appeared only like stars, which grow pale +in the heavens at the approach of dawn. From this source, therefore, +they had little to fear; but another danger menaced the three hunters. +The island followed the stream, but turned round as it went, and they +feared that in this continual rotation it might deviate from the centre +of the liver and strike on one of the banks on which the Indians were +encamped. + +Like the sailor who, with a heart full of anguish, follows the movements +of his ship, almost disabled by the storm, and contemplates with terror +the breakers into which he is perhaps destined to be driven, thus the +three hunters--a prey to the most cruel anxiety--regarded in silence the +uncertain progress of their island. When sometimes the border of osiers +and reeds which surrounded the island trembled in the breeze which +proceeded from one of the banks, it seemed then to be driven towards the +opposite side. Sometimes it went straight along with the current, but +in any event, the efforts of those who were on it could do nothing to +direct it. Luckily the fog was so thick that the very trees which +bordered the river were invisible. + +"Courage," muttered Pepe; "as long as we cannot see the trees it is a +sign that we are going on rightly. Ah! if God but favour us, many a +howl will resound along these banks, now so peaceful, when at daybreak +the Indians find neither the island nor those it sheltered." + +"Yes," replied Bois-Rose, "it was a grand idea, Pepe; in the trouble of +my mind I should not have thought of it, and yet it was such a simple +thing." + +"Simple ideas are always the last to present themselves," rejoined Pepe. +"But do you know, Bois-Rose," added he, in a low voice, "it proves that +in the desert it is imprudent to venture with one whom you love more +than life, since fear for him takes away a man's senses. I tell you +frankly, Bois-Rose, you have not been like yourself." + +"It is true; I scarcely recognise myself," replied the Canadian, simply; +"and yet--" + +He did not finish, but fell into a profound reverie, during which, like +a man whose body only is present, and his soul absent, he appeared no +longer to watch the movements of the island. For the hunter who, during +twenty years has lived the free life of the desert, to renounce this +life seemed like death; but to renounce the society of Fabian, and the +consolation of having his eyes closed by his adopted son, was still +worse than death. Fabian and the desert were the two dominant +affections of his life, and to abandon either seemed impossible. + +His reverie, however, was soon interrupted by Pepe, who had for some +minutes been casting uneasy glances towards one of the banks. Through +the fog he fancied he could perceive the fantastic forms which trees +appear to take in a mist. They looked like indistinct phantoms, covered +with long draperies, hanging over the river. + +"We are going wrong, Bois-Rose," said he, "are not those the tops of the +willows on the bank?" + +"It is true," cried Bois-Rose, rousing himself; "and by the fires being +still visible it is evident how little progress we have made in the last +half hour." + +At that moment the island began to move more rapidly, and the trees +became more distinct. The hunters looked anxiously at each other. One +of the fires was more clearly seen, and they could even distinguish an +Indian sentinel in his frightful battle-costume. The long mane of a +bison covered his head, and above that waved a plume of feathers. +Bois-Rose pointed him out to Pepe, but luckily the fog was so thick that +the Indian, rendered himself visible by the fire, near which he stood, +could not yet see the island. However, as if an instinct had warned him +to be watchful, he raised his head and shook back the flowing hair which +ornamented it. + +"Can he have any suspicion?" said Bois-Rose. + +"Ah! if a rifle made no more noise than an arrow, with what pleasure I +should send that human buffalo to mount guard in another world," replied +Pepe. + +Just then they saw the Indian stick his lance in the ground, and leaning +forward, shade his eyes with his hands so as to concentrate their power. +A keen anxiety was in their hearts as they watched him. The ferocious +warrior bending down like a wild beast ready to spring, his face half +covered with the straggling hair, was hideous and terrible to look upon; +but the fugitives would only have laughed at the spectacle had they not +had so much to dread. All at once, the Apache after remaining a few +minutes in this attentive attitude, walked towards the bank and +disappeared from sight--for nothing was visible except in the circle of +light thrown by the fire. It was a moment of intense anxiety for the +fugitives, as the island continued to glide silently on. + +"Has he seen us?" murmured Pepe. + +"I fear so." + +A doleful cry now caused them to start. It was repeated from the +opposite side; it was the signal of the sentinels one to the other, but +all became again silent. Bois-Rose uttered a murmur of relief, as he +saw the man return to his former place and attitude. It was a false +alarm. + +Still the island continued to approach the bank. + +"At this rate," said Bois-Rose, "in ten minutes we shall fall into the +hands of the Indians. If we could but paddle a little with that great +branch, we should soon be in the right direction again, but the noise, I +fear, would betray us." + +"Nevertheless," replied Pepe, "it is what we must do, it is better to +run the chance of betraying ourselves, than be drifted into the hands of +our enemies. But first, let us see if the current in which we now are, +runs towards the bank. If it does, we must hesitate no longer, and +although the branch of a tree is more noisy in the water than an oar, we +must do our best to paddle in silence." + +Pepe then gently broke off a piece of wood and placed it on the water, +and leaning over the edge, he and Bois-Rose watched it anxiously. There +was in that place a violent eddy, caused by some deep hole in the bed of +the river. For a moment the wood turned round as though going to sink, +then it took a direction opposite to the bank, towards which they were +driving. Both uttered a stifled exclamation of joy, as their island +also, after a moment's stoppage, began to float away from the shore, and +the increasing thickness of the fog assured them that they were taking +the right course. + +About an hour passed thus, amidst poignant alternatives of fear and +hope; then the bivouac fires were lost in the distance, and the +fugitives perceived that they were nearly out of danger. Reassured by +this belief Bois-Rose placed himself at one end of the islet, and +paddled vigorously, until the raft, ceasing to gyrate, advanced more +swiftly down the current, like a horse long abandoned to his own +caprices, who feels at last the hand and spur of an able rider. Keeping +where the water was deepest, they now proceeded at a considerable rate +of speed, and began to think themselves entirely out of danger. + +"Daylight will not be long in appearing," said Bois-Rose, "and we must +now land and endeavour to get on faster; we shall go twice as fast on +foot as on this island, which sails slower than a Dutch lugger." + +"Well! land where you like, Bois-Rose, and we will follow. Let us wade +down the stream a bit, so as to hide our traces from the Indians; and +even if we have to carry the wounded man, we can manage two leagues an +hour. Do you think, Don Fabian, that the Golden Valley is far off?" + +"You saw the sun go down behind the foggy mountains which shut in this +valley," replied Fabian. "It lies at their foot--we cannot be many +hours' march from it." + +Bois-Rose now gave to the island an oblique direction, and in about a +quarter of an hour, it struck violently against the bank. While Pepe +and Fabian jumped ashore, the Canadian took the wounded man in his arms, +and laid him gently down. This awoke him, and opening his eyes and +throwing round him an astonished glance, he murmured, "Virgen Santa! +shall I again hear those frightful howls which troubled my sleep?" + +"No, my lad, the Indians are far off now, and we are in safety. Thank +God, who has permitted me to save all that are dear to me--my child +Fabian and my old friend." + +They then prepared to continue their course. + +"If you are not able to walk," said Pepe to Gayferos, "we shall +construct a kind of litter to carry you on. We have no time to lose if +we wish to escape these wretches, who, as soon as daylight appears, will +begin to chase us as eagerly as ever they chased a white enemy." + +So great was the desire of Gayferos to escape, that he almost forgot the +pain he was enduring, and declaring that he would follow his liberators +as quickly as they could go themselves, he begged them to set off at +once. + +"We have some precautions to take first," said Bois-Rose; "rest a few +minutes while we break to pieces and commit to the current this raft, +which has been so useful to us. It is important the Indians should not +trace us." + +All three set to work, and already disjointed by the breaking of the +root which held it, and by the shock it had received on touching the +shore, the floating island opposed no great resistance to their efforts. +The trunks of the trees which composed it, were torn asunder and pushed +into the current--which carried them quickly away--and there soon +remained no vestige of what it had taken years to construct. When the +last branch had disappeared from their eyes, Bois-Rose and Pepe busied +themselves in raising up the stalks of the plants, to efface the marks +of their feet, and then all prepared to start. They first entered the +water and walked along the edge, so as to leave no footmarks, and to +lead the Indians to suppose that they had remained on the island. It +was too fatiguing for them to walk very quickly; but, in about an hour, +just as their wounded feet were about to force them to make halt, they +arrived at the fork of two rivers which formed a delta. In this delta +lay the Golden Valley. Daylight was just beginning to appear in the +horizon, and a grey tint upon the sky was taking the place of darkness. +Luckily the arm of the river that they had to cross was not deep, the +mass of the water flowing in the opposite direction. This was +fortunate, for the wounded man could not swim. Bois-Rose lifted him on +his shoulders, and all three waded through the water, which scarcely +reached to their knees. The chain of mountains was only about a league +off, and after a short rest, all resumed their way with renewed ardour. + +Soon the country changed its aspect. To the fine sand--for the triangle +formed by the junction of the two rivers was inundated during part of +the year--succeeded deep ruts, and then dry beds of streams, hollowed +out by the torrents in the rainy season. Instead of the narrow border +of willows and cotton-trees which shaded the deserted banks, green oaks +rose up, and the landscape terminated in the line of the foggy +mountains. All looked strange and imposing, and rarely had the foot of +a white man pressed this desert clothed in its virgin wildness. Perhaps +Marcos Arellanos and Cuchillo were the only white men who had ever +wandered to this remote place. A vague sentiment of awe caused the +hunters involuntarily to lower their voices before the supernatural +charm of this austere landscape. Those hills, enveloped in mist--even +when the plains shone with the blazing rays of the sun--seemed to hide +some impenetrable mystery. It might be fancied that the invisible +guardians of the treasures, the lords of the mountains according to +Indian superstition, were hidden under this veil of eternal vapour. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. + +THE FINGER OF GOD. + +After a short journey, fatigue and suffering overcame the wounded man; +and as it was imperative that he should not become acquainted with the +situation of the Golden Valley, or even be made aware of its existence, +Bois-Rose and Pepe resolved, now that he was in safety, to leave him for +some hours and employ the time in reconnoitring the places described to +Fabian by his adopted mother. + +"Listen, my lad!" said Bois-Rose to Gayferos, "we have given you quite +sufficient proofs of devotion, and now we must leave you for half or +perhaps a whole day. We have some business in hand which requires three +determined men; if this evening or to-morrow morning we are still alive, +you shall see us return; if not, you know it will not be our fault. +Here is water and dried meat, and twenty-four hours will soon pass." + +It was not without regret that Gayferos consented to this separation; +however, reassured by a new promise from the generous hunters, to whom +he owed so much, he resigned himself to being left behind. + +"I have one last word to say to you," said Bois-Rose. "If chance bring +here any of the companions from whom you so unluckily separated, I exact +from you, as the sole return for the service which we have rendered to +you, that you will reveal to none of them our presence here. As for +your own, you can account for it in any way you like." + +Gayferos made the required promise, and they then took leave of him. + +On the point of accomplishing one of his most ardent desires, that of +enriching the child of his affection and adding immense treasures to his +future fortune, Bois-Rose seemed to forget that it would raise an +additional barrier between Fabian and himself. + +Pepe, anxious to repair as far as possible the involuntary injury that +he had caused to the Mediana family, walked along with an elastic step. +Fabian alone did not seem happy, and after a quarter of an hour he +stopped, saying that he needed rest. All three sat down on a little +hillock, and Pepe, pointing to the mountains, cried, in a tone of gay +reproach, "What! Don Fabian! does not the neighbourhood of those +places, so fertile in gold, give new vigour to your limbs?" + +"No," replied Fabian, "for I shall not go a step further in that +direction till sunrise." + +"Ah!" said Bois-Rose, "and why not?" + +"Why? Because this is a cursed place--a place where he--whom before you +I loved as a father--was assassinated; because a thousand dangers +surround you, and I have already exposed you too much by making you +espouse my cause." + +"What are these dangers that we three together cannot brave? Can they +be greater than what we have just passed through? And if it please Pepe +and I to incur them for you, what then?" + +"These dangers are of all kinds," replied Fabian, "why deceive oneself +longer? Does not everything prove that Don Estevan knows also of the +existence of the Golden Valley?" + +"Well, and what do you conclude from that?" + +"That three men cannot prevail against sixty." + +"Listen, my child," replied Bois-Rose with some impatience, "it was +before engaging in this enterprise that we should have made these +reflections; now they are too late, and why do you not think to-day as +you did yesterday?" + +"Because yesterday I was blinded by passion; because affection has now +taken its place; because I do not hope to-day what I hoped yesterday." + +The contradictory passions which agitated his heart did not permit +Fabian to explain more clearly to the Canadian the alternations of his +wishes. + +"Fabian," said Bois-Rose solemnly, "you have a holy but terrible duty to +perform, and duty must be done; but who tells you that the expedition +commanded by Don Estevan will take the same path as ourselves? And, if +it does, so much the better; the murderer of your mother will fall into +your hands." + +"The guide conducting them," replied Fabian, seeking to hide his real +sentiments, "can only be that miserable Cuchillo. Now, if I am not +wrong, the valley must be known to him; in any case, we should await the +return of daylight before entangling ourselves in a country we know +nothing about, and in which these adventurers may prove enemies as +formidable as the Indians. Do you not think so, Pepe?" + +"Nearly all night, the wind has brought to our ears," replied he, "the +sound of filing, which proves that the troop has been engaged with the +Indians; it is not therefore probable that any one can be in advance of +us. I must say that my opinion is, that we should without loss of time +gain some place in the mountains where we may engage in a last +inevitable struggle with our enemies; some well chosen spot where we can +defend ourselves with a chance of success." + +"It is this unequal struggle that I wish to avoid," replied Fabian, +warmly. "As long as I could hope to overtake, before they readied +Tubac, those whom Providence seemed to point out for my vengeance, and +attack them while they were only five against three, I pursued them +without reflection; as long as I could believe that this expedition had, +like so many others, entered the desert only in search of some unknown +spot, I followed them. But what has happened? After four days in which +we took a different path, do we not find them near these mountains? +Their aim is therefore the same as ours. Three men cannot fight against +sixty; therefore God forbid that to further either my vengeance or my +cupidity, I should sacrifice two generous friends whose lives are more +precious to me than my own!" + +"Child," cried Bois-Rose, "do you not see that every one is here for +himself, and yet that our three interests are but one? When for the +second time, God sent you to my arms, were we not already pursuing the +man who was ruining your hopes, and had already assassinated your +mother, and stolen your name? For ten years Pepe and I have been but +one; the friends of one have been the friends of the other, and you are +Pepe's son, because you are mine, Fabian my child; and thanks be to God +that in serving our own cause we are also serving yours. Whatever +happens, then we shall not take a step backwards." + +"Besides," said Pepe, "do you count for nothing, Don Fabian, heaps of +gold, and a whole life of abundance for an imaginary peril? for I repeat +we must reach the valley first, and a day--an hour--in advance may +enrich us forever; you see then that _we_ are egotists trying to +sacrifice _you_ to our personal interest." + +"Pepe is right," said Bois-Rose, "we want gold." + +"What will you do with it?" asked Fabian, smiling. + +"What will I do with it? the child asks what I will do with it!" cried +Bois-Rose. + +"Yes, I wish to know." + +"What will I do with it?" replied the honest Canadian, whom this +question embarrassed much, "parbleu--I will do--many things, I will give +my rifle a golden barrel," cried he, triumphantly. + +Pepe smiled and shrugged his shoulders. + +"You laugh," said Bois-Rose. "Do you think that when you finish off an +Apache, a Sioux, or a Pawnee with a blow of your knife, it would not be +grand to say to him, `Dog, the ball that broke your head came from a +rifle of solid gold!' Few hunters can say as much." + +"I agree to that," said Fabian; then added he seriously, "No, my +friends! Don Estevan escapes my vengeance, and the gold that I believe +would be mine escapes me also, for it is surrounded by soldiers. What +matters? have I not still, if I should become ambitious, the name and +fortunes of my forefathers to reclaim? Are there not in Spain tribunals +which dispense justice to all? God will do the rest, but I will not +madly expose two noble lives. I do not speak of mine; young as I am, I +have drunk the cup of bitterness to the dregs. You have done enough, +and your generous subterfuges cannot impose upon me." + +So saying, Fabian held out his hands to the two hunters, who pressed +them in an affectionate grasp. The Canadian looked silently for a +minute at the noble face of him whom he was proud to call his son, and +then said: + +"Fabian, my child, all my life has been passed on the sea or in deserts, +but I have preserved sufficient remembrance of cities and their customs +to know that justice is rather sold than given. This gold we shall +employ in making of you what you were intended to be; this gold, will +smooth all the obstacles against which your rightful cause might break +down. Pepe can tell you, like me, that we shall gladly expose our lives +in the hope of restoring to you the property of your ancestors, and the +illustrious name that you are so worthy to bear." + +"Yes," said Pepe, "I have told you that the early part of my life was +not such as I should wish. It was a little the fault of the Spanish +Government, which never paid me for my services; still it is a weight +upon my heart. Often, I think sadly of my past life, but God always +pardons the repentant sinner, and gives him opportunity of repentance. +That day has arrived; my pardon is near, and it is but justice that I +should assist in restoring to you what I helped to take away." + +"Let us go on then!" said Bois-Rose, "God has hitherto shown us our path +and will continue to aid us. If you stay, Fabian, we shall go alone." + +So saying, the Canadian rose, and throwing his rifle over his shoulder +began his march. Fabian was forced to yield, and all proceeded towards +the mountains. + +Daylight had not yet quite appeared when a new actor advanced in his +turn towards the same scenes. He came alone; his horse in its impetuous +course made the sand fly under his feet, and the rider, who was no other +than Cuchillo, showed symptoms on his sinister countenance of some +secret terror. His flight might not have been unobserved even in the +tumult of action, or some of the Indians might have noticed his +desertion, and hence his fears. But Cuchillo was not a man to undertake +a bold stroke without calculating the chances. As a hunter wishing to +take the lion's whelps, throws him some bait to distract his attention, +so Cuchillo had delivered to the lords of the desert his companions as a +prey. He had calculated that the struggle would last a great part of +the night, and that conquered or conquering, the adventurers would not +dare, during the following day, to leave their intrenchments. He would +therefore have long hours before him in which to seize on some of the +treasures of the Golden Valley, with which he would afterwards return to +the protection of his companions, and when they all reached the place he +could still claim his share as soldier and as guide. Pretexts would not +fail him for this second absence, but he had forgotten to calculate on +Don Estevan's suspicions concerning him. To conclude his bargain with +him he had been forced to give such a precise account of the situation +of the valley that Don Estevan could scarcely miss the right road. +After Cuchillo, followed by his horse, had glided out from the camp he +had ridden straight towards the mountains, and cupidity, the most +blinding of passions, had closed his eyes to the danger of his plan. + +His heart palpitating with alternate hopes and fears, he had advanced +rapidly, and only stopped occasionally to listen to the vague murmurs of +the desert. Then recognising the groundlessness of his apprehensions, +he had continued his road with renewed ardour. + +Sometimes also the aspect of the places he had seen before, awakened +gloomy souvenirs. On that hillock, he had rested with Marcos Arellanos; +that nopal had furnished them with refreshing fruit; they had both +contemplated with mysterious terror the strange aspect of the Misty +Mountains, and his horse in its rapid course carried the murderer to the +spot where his victim had fallen beneath his blows! Then to the fear of +enemies succeeded that inspired by conscience, which while it often +sleeps by day, awakes and resumes its empire during the night. The +bushes--the thorny nopals--rose before him like accusing phantoms, +opposing his advance with extended arms; a cold perspiration stood on +his brow, but cupidity, stronger than fear, spurred him on towards the +valley, and he began to laugh at his own apprehensions. + +"Phantoms," said he, "are like alcaldes, who never address poor devils +like me; but let me only get one or two arrobas of gold, and I shall +have so many masses said for the soul of Arellanos, that he will be glad +to have met his death in such generous hands." + +He laughed at this quaint conceit, and then rode on quickly. In a few +minutes he stopped and listened again, but heard no noise save the loud +breathing of his horse. + +"I am alone," thought he; "those brutes whom I have guided are fighting +to give me leisure to despoil the sands of some of that precious gold. +Who is to prevent me presently, when daylight appears, from picking up +as much as I can carry without betraying my secret? This time, it will +not be as when along with Arellanos; I shall not have to fly from the +Indians: they are busy. Afterwards I can come back with such of my +companions as escape the Apaches. How many will remain to partake with +me? Oh! the thought of these treasures makes the blood boil in my +veins. Is it not gold that gives glory, pleasure, and every good of +this world? our priests say its power extends even beyond the tomb!" + +While Cuchillo was advancing blindly to where his destiny led him, Don +Estevan and Pedro Diaz were also on their way. Although the hills were +but six leagues from the camp, yet, uncertain of the time of his +absence, Don Estevan had left orders to his people to await his return. +The two advanced silently, full of desire for the gold, but equally +desirous of intercepting the traitor. Two hours' quick riding had +produced no result. Thanks to his advance, Cuchillo was invisible; and +the darkness would have hidden his track even from the eye of an Indian. + +"There is no doubt," said Pedro Diaz, breaking silence, "that the knave +must have profited by the confusion to fly towards the valley, and seize +on a part of the treasures which he has sold to us." + +"That is not what I fear most," said Don Estevan. "If Cuchillo has not +exaggerated the riches of the place, there will be plenty left for all +of us. But now so near attaining that for which I have crossed the +desert--after having left a position envied by all, to brave the dangers +of an expedition like this--a vague fear of failing agitates me. The +desert is like the sea, abounding in pirates, and the soul of Cuchillo +is full of treason: it seems to me that the villain will be fatal to +us." + +Suddenly Diaz dismounted, and picked up off the sand a dark object; it +was a kind of valise, which Diaz at once recognised as belonging to +Cuchillo. + +"This shows you, Senor," said he, "that we are in the right path, and +that the coming day will bring us into the presence of the traitor." + +"It shall then be his last treason," said Don Estevan; and they now rode +silently on with the certainty that Cuchillo was before them. + +Strange chain of coincidences! When the sun appeared in the horizon, +the different actors in this drama, apparently drawn together by +accident, but in truth impelled onwards by the hand of God, had met in +the most inaccessible part of the great American desert. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY SIX. + +THE GOLDEN VALLEY. + +The darkness was no longer that of midnight--the outlines of the +different objects began to be visible, and the peaks of the hills looked +like domes or fantastic turrets in the half-light. Detached from the +mass of the mountains, a rock in the form of a truncated cone towered up +like an outwork. A cascade fell noisily from an adjacent hill into a +deep gulf below, and in front of the rock a row of willows and +cotton-trees indicated the neighbourhood of a stream. Then the immense +plain of the delta formed by the two arms of the Rio Gila (which from +east to west cuts for itself a double passage through the chain of the +Misty Mountains) displayed itself in all its sombre majesty. Such were +the striking points of the landscape which opened before the travellers. + +Soon the blue light of morning replaced the darkness, and the summits of +the hills one by one became visible. On the top of the rock two pines +could now be seen, their bending stems and dark foliage extending over +the abyss. At their foot the skeleton of a horse, held up by hidden +fastenings, showed upon his whitened bones the savage ornaments with +which he had been embellished, and fragments of the saddle still rested +upon his back. The increasing light soon shone on more sinister +emblems: on posts raised in different places, and human scalps floating +on them. These hideous trophies indicated the burial-place of an Indian +warrior. In fact a renowned chief reposed there; and his spirit +overlooked, like the genius of plunder, those plains where his war-cry +had so often resounded, and which he had ridden over on that +battle-horse whose bones were whitening by his tomb. Birds of prey flew +over his grave, uttering their shrill cries, as if they would awaken him +who slept there forever, and whose cold hand would no longer prepare for +them their bloody feasts. + +A few minutes later the horizon became tinted with pale rose-coloured +clouds, and soon after, like the first spark of a fire, a ray of +sunlight struck like a golden arrow on the thick fog, and floods of +light inundated the depths of the valley. Day had come in all its +glory, but wreaths of vapour still hung capriciously on the leaves of +the trees or clung around the trunks. Soon were displayed wild +precipices, with falls of water foaming down their sides; then deep +defiles, at the entrance of which fantastic offerings of Indian +superstition were suspended. + +Above the tomb of the Indian chief rose the spray of the cascade, in +which was reflected the colours of the rainbow; and lastly, a valley was +visible, closed on one side by peaked rocks, from which hung long +draperies of verdure, and on the other by a lake, whose waters were +half-hidden by the aquatic plants on its surface: this was the Golden +Valley. + +At the first glance the whole scene only offered the sombre features of +a wild nature; but the scrutinising eye would soon have divined the +treasures concealed there. Nothing betrayed the presence of living +things in that deserted place, when the three hunters made their +appearance on the spot. + +"If the devil has an abode anywhere on the earth," said Pepe, pointing +to the mountains, "it must surely be among those wild denies! + +"But if it be true," continued he, "that it is gold which is the cause +of most crimes, it is more probable that the old fellow has chosen the +Golden Valley for his abode, which contains, according to you, Don +Fabian, enough to ruin an entire generation." + +"You are right," said Fabian, who looked pale and grave, "it was here +perhaps that the unlucky Marcos Arellanos was assassinated. Ah! if this +place could speak, I should know the name of him whom I have sworn to +pursue: but the wind and the rain have effaced the traces of the victim +as well as those of the murderer." + +"Patience, my child!" replied Bois-Rose; "I have never in the course of +a long life known crime to go unpunished. Often we recover the traces +that were believed to have been long effaced, and even solitude +sometimes raises its voice against the guilty. If the assassin be not +dead, cupidity will doubtless bring him again to this place, and before +long; for no doubt he is one of those in the Mexican camp. Now, Fabian, +shall we wait for the enemy here, or shall we fill our pockets with gold +and return?" + +"I know not what to decide," replied Fabian; "I came here almost against +my will. I obey your wishes, or else a will stronger than either yours +or mine. I feel that an invisible hand impels me on--as it did on that +evening when, scarcely knowing what I did, I came and sat down by your +fire. Why should I, who do not know what to do with this gold, risk my +life to obtain it? I know not. I know only that here I am, with a sad +heart and a soul filled with cruel uncertainty." + +"Man is but the plaything of Providence, it is true," said Bois-Rose; +"but as for the sadness you feel, the aspect of these places +sufficiently accounts for it; and as for--" + +A hoarse cry, that scarcely appeared human, interrupted the Canadian. +It seemed to come from the Indian tomb, as if it were an accusing voice +against the invaders of this abode of the dead. The three hunters +glanced simultaneously towards the tomb, but no living creature was +visible there. The eye of one of the birds of prey, that were sailing +above the rock, could alone have told where the cry came from. The +imposing solemnity of the place, the bloody souvenirs evoked by it in +Fabian's mind, and the superstitious ones in that of Pepe, joined to the +strange and mysterious sound, inspired in both a feeling akin to terror. +There was something so inexplicable in the sound, that for a moment +they doubted having heard it. + +"Is it really the voice of a man?" said Bois-Rose, "or only one of those +singular echoes which resound in these mountains?" + +"If it were a human voice," asked Fabian, "where did it come from? it +seemed to be above us, and yet I see no one on the top of the hill!" + +"God send," said Pepe, crossing himself, "that in these mountains which +abound in inexplicable noises, and where lightning shines under a calm +sky, we have only men to fight against! But if the fog contained a +legion of devils--if the valley really contains, as you say, several +years' income of the king of Spain, please, Senor Don Fabian, to recall +your recollections, and tell us if we are still far off it." + +Fabian threw a glance around him; the landscape was just what had been +so minutely described to him. + +"We must be close to the spot," said he, "for it should be at the foot +of the tomb of the Indian chief--and these ornaments indicate that the +rock is the tomb. We have no time to lose. You and Bois-Rose walk +around the rock, while I go and examine those cotton-trees and willows." + +"I am suspicious of everything in this mysterious place," said +Bois-Rose; "that cry indicates the presence of a human being; and +whether white or red, he is to be feared. Before we separate, let me +examine the _sign_." + +All three bent on the ground eyes accustomed to read there as in an open +book. The prints of a man's feet were visible on the sand, and one of +them had trodden down the plants, whose stems were still gently rising +up again one after the other. + +"What did I tell you?" cried Bois-Rose. "Here are the tracks of a white +man's feet, and I swear it is not ten minutes since he was here. These +footmarks lead towards yonder cotton-trees." + +"In any case he is alone," suggested Fabian. + +All three were advancing towards the trees, when Bois-Rose halted. + +"Let me go first," said he; "this hedge may hide the enemy. But no, the +man who has left these footprints has only pulled open the vines and +glanced through--he has not gone further in that direction." + +So saying, Bois-Rose, in his turn, pulled aside the branches and the +climbing network which was interwoven with them, and after a short +examination, which had no particular result, he retired and left the +branches to reclose of themselves. He then tried to follow the tracks +but further on the ground became stony, and all traces disappeared. + +"Let us go round this conical rock," suggested Bois-Rose. + +"Come, Pepe; Fabian will wait here for us." + +The two hunters strode off, and Fabian remained alone and pensive. This +Golden Valley, of whose possession he had dreamt at that time when his +heart nourished sweet hopes, was now near to him. What had been a dream +was now a reality, and still he was more unhappy than at the time when +hopeful love caused him to scoff at poverty. It is thus that happiness +flies just as we are about to seize it. Sometimes in the silence of the +forest, the traveller lends a greedy ear to the notes of the +mocking-bird, and advances with precaution towards the place where, +hidden under the foliage, the bird of the solitudes utters its sweet +song. Vain hope! he advances, and the singer flies, his voice still as +distant and himself as invisible as ever! Thus man often hears in the +distance voices which sing to him of happiness; seduced by their charm +he rushes toward them; but they fly at his approach; and his whole life +is passed in pursuing, without ever reaching, the happiness promised by +these delusive sounds. + +For Fabian, happiness lay no longer in the Golden Valley. It existed +nowhere. No voice now sang for him; he had no aim to pursue; no flying +but charming image which he hoped to overtake. He was in one of those +moods that God in His mercy makes rare in our lives--during which all is +dark, as when at sea the light that guides the sailor becomes suddenly +obscured. + +He advanced mechanically towards the thick row of trees that formed an +almost impenetrable hedge before him, but scarcely had he made a passage +for himself when he stopped motionless with surprise. The sunlight +shone on the stones thick as those on a beach, and discovered +innumerable glancing objects. Any other than a gold-seeker might have +been deceived by these stones, which looked like vitrifications at the +foot of a volcano; but the practised eye of Fabian instantly recognised +the virgin gold under its clayey envelope, as it is brought down by the +torrents from the gold-producing mountains. Before his eyes lay the +richest treasure that was ever displayed to the view of man. + +If the breeze could have brought to the ears of the young Count of +Mediana the accents of Rosarita's voice, when she recalled him back to +the hacienda, he would gladly have quitted all these treasures to run +towards her. But the breeze was mute, and there is in gold so +irresistible an attraction that Fabian, in spite of his sadness, was for +the moment fascinated. + +However, the soul of Fabian was not one to be intoxicated by success; +and after a few minutes of this enthusiasm, he called his two +companions. They came at his call. + +"Have you found him?" said Pepe. + +"The treasure, but not the man. See!" added he, pushing aside the +trees. + +"What! those shining stones!" + +"Are pure gold--treasures which God has hidden during centuries." + +"My God!" exclaimed Pepe. + +And with ardent eyes fixed upon the mass of riches before him, the +ex-carabinier fell upon his knees. Passions long kept under seemed to +rush back into his heart; a complete transformation took place in him, +and the sinister expression of his face recalled to mind the hour of +crime, when twenty years before he had bargained for the price of blood. + +"Now," said Fabian, looking sadly at the gold, as he thought that all +these riches were not worth to him a smile or look from her who had +disdained him, "I understand how these two rivers, in their annual rise, +and by their torrents that descend from the Misty Mountains, covering +this narrow valley, bring down gold with them; the position of this +valley is perhaps unique in all the world." + +But the Spaniard heard him not. Riches--which the rough lesson he had +received, and the life of independence and the savage happiness he had +enjoyed, had taught him during the last ten years to disdain--suddenly +resumed their terrible influence over his soul. + +"You could not have imagined, could you, Pepe?" continued Fabian, "that +so much gold could be collected in one place? I, who have been so long +a gold-seeker, could not have imagined it, even after all I had heard." + +Pepe did not reply; his eye wandered eagerly over the blocks of gold, +and cast a strange glance on Fabian and on Bois-Rose. The hitter, +standing in his favourite attitude, his arm resting on his rifle, amidst +all these treasures, looked only at what was dearest to him--the young +man restored to him by heaven. Pepe had before him, on one side, his +old companion in danger--in a hundred different battles they had uttered +their war-cry together, like those brothers in arms in ancient chivalric +times, who fought always under the same banner--who shared cold, hunger, +and thirst together. + +On the other side, the young man, partly orphaned by his crime--a crime +which had occasioned him remorse through so many years--the love and +sole thought of his only friend in the world; and the demon of cupidity +at his heart effaced all these souvenirs, and he already began to +think-- + +A shudder passed through his frame as strange thoughts crossed his mind. +A struggle took place within him, a struggle of the feelings of youth +with the more noble ones developed by the life of nature, where man +seems brought near to God; but this struggle was short: the old outlaw +disappeared, and there remained only the man purified by repentance and +solitude. Still kneeling on the ground, Pepe had closed his eyes, and a +furtive tear, unperceived by his companions, stole from his eyes, and +rolled down his bronzed cheeks. + +"Senor Don Fabian de Mediana!" cried he, starting up, "you are now a +rich and powerful lord, for all this gold belongs to you alone." + +So saying, he advanced and bowed respectfully to Fabian, who appeared +somewhat surprised by the manner of his salutation. + +"God forbid," cried Fabian, "that you, who have shared the peril, should +not share the treasure. What do you say, Bois-Rose? do you not rejoice +to become in your old age rich and powerful?" + +But Bois-Rose, unmoved before all the riches, contented himself with +shaking his head, while a smile of tenderness for Fabian testified to +the only interest that he took in that marvellous spectacle! + +"I think like Pepe," said he, after a pause, "what could I do with this +gold that the world covets? If it has for us an inestimable value, it +is because it is to belong to you; the possession of the least of these +stones would take away in our eyes from the value of the service we have +rendered you. But the time for action has arrived; for certainly we are +not alone in these solitudes." + +Pepe now began to pull aside the branches, but scarcely had he entered +the valley when the sound of a gun was distinctly heard. In a moment +his voice reassured his anxious comrades. + +"It is the devil," cried he, "forbidding us to encroach on his domains; +but at all events it is a devil whose aim is not infallible." + +Before entering the valley Bois-Rose and Fabian raised their eyes to the +top of the hill, whence the shot as well as the voice had proceeded. +But the remains of the fog at that moment covered the top of the rock, +and all three rushed simultaneously towards the isolated mass where they +believed their enemy to be hidden. The sides, although steep, were +covered with brushwood, which rendered them easier to climb; but it was +a dangerous attempt, for the fog prevented them from seeing what enemies +were above. Fabian wished to go first, but the vigorous arm of the +Canadian held him back, and meanwhile Pepe was half-way towards the +summit. Bois-Rose followed, begging Fabian to keep behind him. + +Pepe mounted boldly, undismayed by the foes that might be concealed +behind that mass of vapour, and soon disappeared under the mist. A cry +of triumph soon warned his friends that he had arrived in safety. Both +hastened to join him, but found no one on the rock except Pepe himself! +Just as, disappointed at their want of success, they were preparing to +descend again, a sudden gust of wind drove off the fog, and allowed them +to see to a distance. To the right and left the plain presented the +most complete picture of the desert in its dreary sadness. They beheld +arid steppes over which whirled clouds of sand, a burnt and sterile +ground, everywhere silence, everywhere solitude. At some distance off +two men on horseback were seen advancing towards the rock, but at the +distance at which they were, it was impossible to distinguish either +their dress or the colour of their skin. + +"Must we sustain a new siege here?" said Bois-Rose. "Are these white +men or Indians?" + +"White or red, they are enemies," said Pepe. + +While the three friends bent down, so as not to be observed, a man, +until then invisible, cautiously entered the lake. He lifted with care +the floating leaves of the water lilies, and forming of them a shelter +over its head, remained motionless, and the surface of the lake soon +after appeared as if undisturbed. This man was Cuchillo, the jackal, +who, led by his evil destiny, had ventured to hunt on the ground of the +lion. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN. + +THE PUNISHMENT OF TANTALUS. + +Cuchillo, after reaching the mountains, had halted. He had not +forgotten the appearance of the place, and his heart trembled with fear +and joy. After a few minutes he looked around him more calmly. It was +then dark, and when he arrived at the rock, the damp vapours from the +lake enveloped with a thick veil both the valley and the tomb. The +sound of the waterfall put an end to his uncertainties; he remembered +that it fell into a gulf close by the golden placer. + +He had dismounted his horse, and sat down to wait for daylight; but +scarcely had he done so when he bounded up as though bitten by a +serpent. A fatal chance had led him to sit down on the very spot where +he had struck Marcos Arellanos, and quick as lightning, every detail of +the mortal struggle passed through his mind. However this feeling of +terror was of short duration. + +In that part of America, superstition has not established its empire as +in the old countries of Europe, where the evening mists give to objects +fantastic aspects, and tend naturally to reflections upon the +supernatural. From this arises the sombre poesy of the north, which has +peopled our land with ghosts and phantoms. In the American solitude +people fear the living more than the dead, and Cuchillo had too much to +fear from men to waste many thoughts upon the ghost of Arellanos, and he +had soon quite banished the thought from his mind. + +Although he felt nearly certain that no one had seen him leave the camp, +or had followed him, he resolved to climb the rock and look out over the +desert. The two pines, whose sombre verdure crowned the summit, +appeared marvellously fit to shelter him from the eyes of the Indians +should any be near. As he advanced, however, he could not resist taking +a glance at the valley; for a sudden fear took possession of his mind: +was it still untouched as he had left it? + +One glance reassured him. Nothing was changed in the valley; there were +still the heaps of the shining metal. + +The traveller, devoured with thirst in the sandy desert, does not more +gladly catch sight of the oasis at whose waters he desires to drink than +did Cuchillo the sight of the gold gleaming through the leaves of the +trees. + +Any other man would have hastened to seize as much of it as he could +carry, and make off with his booty. But with Cuchillo, cupidity was a +passion carried to its utmost limits; and before seizing it, the outlaw +wished to feast his eyes on the treasure of which he had dreamed for two +years, and for which he would not hesitate to sacrifice the lives of all +his companions. After some moments of ecstatic contemplation, Cuchillo +led his horse forward by the bridle, and having tied him to a tree, in a +defile where the animal would be hidden from all eyes, he himself +mounted the rock. + +Arrived there, he looked around to assure himself that he was alone. He +was soon satisfied, for at that moment neither of the other two parties +were visible. Assured by the silence that reigned around, he looked +towards the cascade. The water, which seemed as it fell to form a curve +of running silver, opened at one place, and displayed a block of gold, +sparkling in the rays of the sun. The most enormous cocoanut that ever +hung on a tree did not surpass this block in size. Continually washed +by the spray of the cascade, this gold appeared in all its brilliance, +as if ready to escape from the silica which held it, and thus perhaps +for centuries this king's ransom had hung menacingly over the abyss! + +At the sight of this block, which looked as though it might be seized by +stretching out his hands, a thrill of joy passed through Cuchillo's +heart; and hanging over the precipice with extended arms, he gave +utterance to the cry which had been heard by the three hunters below. + +Soon, however, a spectacle, that Cuchillo was far from expecting to +witness, drew from him another cry, but this time of rage. He had seen +a man, possessor like himself of the secret of the valley, treading with +profane foot on the treasure that he had believed wholly his. Bois-Rose +and Fabian were hidden behind the trees; and thinking that Pepe was +alone, Cuchillo had fired at him, without taking time for a proper aim, +and thus Pepe had escaped the ball that whistled past him. + +It would be impossible to paint his rage and stupefaction, when hidden +behind the pine trees, he saw two men join Pepe, especially when in one +of them he recognised the terrible hunter whom he had seen engaged with +the tigers at Poza, and in the other, Fabian, who had already twice +escaped his vengeance. A mortal fear chilled his heart; he almost fell +to the ground. Must he again fly from that Golden Valley, from which +fate seemed always to drive him? + +Lucky for Cuchillo, the fog had hidden him from his enemies, and by the +time they had reached the top he had descended on the opposite side-- +after having just caught a glance of Don Estevan and his companion in +the distance. Here was a fresh subject of fear and surprise for +Cuchillo who, gliding like a serpent along the rocks, hid himself, as we +have seen, amid the leaves of the water lilies, to await the denouement +of this strange adventure. Hidden from all eyes, he held himself in +readiness to profit by the approaching conflict between Don Estevan and +Fabian, and a shudder of diabolical joy mingled with that caused by the +gold; he was like the rapacious bird which awaits the issue of the +battle to seize upon its prey. If the three hunters were victorious he +had little he thought to fear from Fabian, who was still in his eyes +Tiburcio Arellanos. The lower class of Mexicans think little of a blow +with the dagger, and he hoped that the one he had given might be +pardoned, if he were to throw the blame upon Don Estevan. If this last +remained master of the field, he trusted to find some plausible excuse +for his desertion. He decided therefore upon letting them begin the +struggle, and then, at the decisive moment, should come to the +assistance of the strongest. + +While Cuchillo was endeavouring to console himself by these reasonings, +Bois-Rose was able to distinguish the complexion of the new-comers. + +"They are from the Mexican camp," said he. + +"I foresaw," said Fabian, "that we should have the whole troop on our +hands, and be caught like wild horses in a stockade." + +"Hush!" said Bois-Rose, "and trust to me to protect you. Nothing yet +shows that there are any others behind, and in any case we could not be +better placed than on this rock; from here we might defy a whole tribe +of savages. Besides, we do not yet know that they will stop here. Both +of you crouch down. I shall watch them." + +So saying, he lay flat down, hiding his head behind the stones which +surrounded the top like turrets, but without losing sight of the +horsemen. They began now to hear the sound of the horses' feet on the +plain. The old hunter saw them stop and converse, but could not hear +what they were saying. + +"Why this halt, Diaz?" said Don Estevan, impatiently, "we have lost time +enough already." + +"Prudence exacts that we should look about us before proceeding. The +knave may be hidden about here, as we have tracked him up to the rock; +he may not be alone, and we have everything to fear from him." + +Don Estevan made a gesture of disdain. + +"Ah!" said Bois-Rose, in a low voice, "I recognise Don Estevan, or +rather Don Antonio de Mediana, who is at last in our power." + +"Don Antonio de Mediana! Is it possible? Are you sure?" cried Fabian. + +"It is he, I tell you." + +"Ah! now I see that it was the hand of God which brought me here. Shade +of my mother, rejoice!" cried Fabian. + +Pepe kept silence, but at the name of Don Antonio, hatred shone also in +his glance. He raised his head, and his eye seemed to measure the +distance between him and the object of his vengeance, but even the long +rifle of Bois-Rose could scarcely reach them at such a range. + +"Do not rise up, Pepe!" cautioned the Canadian; "you will be seen." + +"Do you observe any others behind?" inquired Fabian. + +"No one; from the point where the river divides to this place I see no +living being; if," added he, after an instant's pause, "that black mass +that I see floating on the river be only the trunk of a tree--but at any +rate it is floating away from us." + +"Never mind that," said Fabian, "describe to me the man who accompanies +Don Antonio; perhaps I shall recognise him." + +"He is tall and straight as a cane; and what a beautiful horse he +rides!" + +"A bay horse? and has he gold lace on his hat, and a fine face?" + +"Precisely." + +"It is Pedro Diaz. Now it would be a cowardice not to show ourselves, +when heaven sends us Don Antonio almost alone." + +"Patience," said Pepe; "I am as interested as you are in not letting him +escape, but haste may ruin all. When one has waited for twenty years, +one may easily wait a few minutes longer. Are you sure they are alone, +Bois-Rose?" + +"The sand whirls down there, but it is only the wind that is stirring +it. They are alone, and now they stop and look about them." + +So saying, Bois-Rose rose slowly, like the eagle who agitates before +completely unfolding his wings--those powerful wings the rapid flight of +which will soon bring him down to the plain. + +"Senor Don Estevan," said Pedro Diaz, "I think we should return to the +camp." + +Don Antonio hesitated a moment. The counsel was good, but it was too +late to follow it. + +From the top of the rock the three hunters watched their every movement. + +"It is time," said Bois-Rose. + +"I must take Don Antonio alive," said Fabian. "Arrange that, and I care +for nothing else." + +Bois-Rose now rose to his fall height, and uttered a cry which struck on +the ears of the new-comers. They uttered an exclamation of surprise, +which surprise was still further increased at sight of the gigantic +Canadian upon the rock. + +"Who are you, and what do you want?" cried a voice, which Fabian +recognised as that of Don Antonio. + +"I shall tell you," replied the hunter; "it will recall to you a truth-- +never contested either in my country or in the desert--that the ground +belongs to the first occupants; we were here before you, and are the +sole masters of this place. We therefore wish one of you to retire with +a good grace, and the other to surrender himself, that we may teach him +a second law of the desert, `blood for blood.'" + +"It is some anchorite whose brain is turned by solitude," said Pedro +Diaz; "I shall terminate the conference with a bullet from my rifle." + +"No!" cried Don Estevan, stopping him, "let us see first how far this +folly will go. And which of us is it, friend," continued he, with an +ironical air, "to whom you wish to teach this law?" + +"To you," cried Fabian, rising. + +"What! you here!" cried Don Estevan with mingled rage and surprise. + +Fabian bowed. + +"And here am I, who have been following you for the last fortnight," +said Pepe, "and who thanks God for the opportunity of paying off a debt +of twenty years' standing." + +"Who are you?" asked Don Estevan, trying to remember who it was, for +years and difference of costume had altered the aspect of the old +coast-guardsman. + +"Pepe the Sleeper, who has not forgotten his residence at Ceuta." + +At this name, which explained Fabian's words at the bridge of Salto de +Agua, Don Estevan lost his air of contempt. A sudden presentiment +seemed to warn him that his fortunes were waning, and he cast around him +an anxious glance. The high rocks, which on one side shut in the +valley, might protect him from the fire of his enemies; a short space +only separated him from their foot, and prudence counselled him to fly +there, but his pride forbade him. + +"Well then!" cried he proudly after a pause, "revenge yourself on an +enemy who disdains to fly." + +"Have we not said that we wish to take you alive?" replied Pepe, coldly. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT. + +THE KING-MAKER A CAPTIVE. + +In the whole course of his adventurous life, Don Estevan had never been +in such danger. The plain offered him no protection against the rifles +of his enemies--two at least of whom had an infallible eye and steady +aim--and who had also the advantage of an impregnable position, and +turrets of rock behind which to intrench themselves. Don Estevan did +not conceal from himself the extent of his danger; but neither did his +courage give way. + +"Let us have done with this trifling," cried the sonorous voice of +Bois-Rose, whose generosity made him averse to profit by his advantages, +and who scrupled always to shed blood if he could avoid it. "You have +heard that we wish no harm to any but your chief, and you must make up +your mind to let us take him. Retire then willingly, if you do not wish +us to treat you as we intend to treat him." + +"Never!" cried Diaz, "shall I commit such a cowardice? You are the +first comers; so be it; we will yield the ground to you, but Don Estevan +must be allowed to go with me." + +"_We_ refuse," cried Pepe; "we particularly want the man you call Don +Estevan." + +"Do not oppose the justice of God," added Fabian; "your cause is only +that of man. We give you five minutes to reflect, after which our +rifles and our good cause shall decide between us." + +"You have but two minutes to decide," said Bois-Rose; "listen to me and +avoid needless bloodshed." + +Mediana kept silence and preserved his haughty air. Unshakable in his +notions of chivalric honour, Pedro Diaz resolved to die with the chief, +whose life he believed to be so precious to his country. He consulted +Don Estevan by a look. + +"Return to the camp," said the latter; "abandon to his fate a man +henceforth useless to your cause, and come back to avenge my death." + +Diaz was not to be moved, but gradually drew his horse close to Don +Estevan, and when their knees touched, with his face still turned toward +his enemies, he murmured, with scarcely a movement of his lips: + +"Keep steady in your stirrups, have your horse ready, and let me act." + +Don Estevan made signs with his hand as though to demand a truce; but he +had taken a desperate determination. + +"Bend down, Fabian; he is going to fire," cried Bois-Rose. + +"Before my mother's murderer? Never!" cried Fabian. Quick as thought, +the hand of the Canadian giant on his shoulder, forced him down. Don +Estevan vainly sought for an aim for his double-barrelled piece. He +could see nothing but the formidable rifle of Bois-Rose directed towards +him, although in obedience to Fabian's wishes, Bois-Rose would not +finish the combat by striking his foe to the ground. + +With as much courage as agility, Diaz now jumped up behind Don Estevan +on his horse, and throwing his arms around him to steady him after the +shock, seized the bridle, turned the animal round, and galloped off, +covering with his body, as with a buckler, the chief whose life he was +willing to save at the expense of his own. While Fabian and Pepe rushed +down the rock, at the risk of breaking their necks, Bois-Rose followed +the movements of the horse glancing along the barrel of his rifle. + +The two men appeared to make but one body: the back of the horse and the +shoulders of Diaz were the only objects at which Bois-Rose could aim; +only now and then the head of the animal was visible. To sacrifice Diaz +would be a useless murder; and Don Estevan would still escape. A moment +more and the fugitives would be out of range; but the Canadian was of +that class of marksmen who lodge a ball in the eye of a beaver, that he +may not injure its skin; and it was the horse he wished to aim at. For +a single moment the head of the noble animal showed itself entirely--but +that moment was sufficient; a shot was heard, and the two men and the +death-stricken horse rolled over together on the ground. + +Bruised by the violence of their fall, both men rose with difficulty; +while, their poignards in their teeth, and their rifles in their hands, +Fabian and Pepe advanced upon them. Bois-Rose followed with great +gigantic strides, loading his rifle as he went. When he had finished, +he again stopped. + +Pedro Diaz, devoted to the last, rushed towards the gun which had fallen +from Don Estevan's hands, picked it up, and returned it to him. + +"Let us defend ourselves to the last!" cried he, drawing his long knife. + +Don Estevan steadied himself and raised his piece, undecided for a +moment whether to aim at Fabian or at Pepe; but Bois-Rose was watching, +and a bullet from his rifle broke the weapon of the chief in his hands, +just where the barrel joins the stock, and Don Estevan himself, losing +his balance, fell forward on the sand. + +"At last, after twenty years!" cried Pepe, rushing towards him, and +placing his knee upon his breast. + +Don Estevan vainly tried to resist; his arm, benumbed by the violence of +the blow which had broken his gun, refused its service. In an instant +Pepe had untied the woollen scarf which was wound several times round +his body, and bound with it the limbs of his enemy. Diaz could offer no +assistance, for he had himself to defend against the attacks of Fabian. + +Fabian scarcely knew the Indian fighter; he had seen him only for a few +hours at the Hacienda del Venado; but the generosity of his conduct had +awakened in the heart of the young man a warm sympathy, and he wished to +spare his life. + +"Surrender, Diaz!" cried he, parrying a dagger blow slimed at him; but +Diaz resolved not to yield, and for the few minutes during which Pepe +was engaged in binding Don Estevan, there was a contest of skill and +ability between him and Fabian. Too generous to use his rifle against a +man who had but a dagger to defend himself with, Fabian tried only to +disarm his adversary; but Diaz, blinded by rage, did not perceive the +generous efforts of the young man, who, holding his rifle by the barrel, +and using it as a club, tried to strike the arm which menaced him. But +Fabian had to deal with an antagonist not less active and vigorous than +himself. Bounding from right to left, Diaz avoided his blows, and just +as Fabian believed he was about to succeed, he found himself striking in +the air, and the knife menacing him afresh. Bois-Rose without waiting +to reload, ran up to put an end to the struggle--in which Fabian's +generosity placed him at a disadvantage--and Pepe, having fast bound his +enemy, advanced also. + +Thus menaced by three men, Diaz determined not to die without vengeance. +He drew his arm back, and made a rapid thrust at Fabian; but the latter +had been carefully watching the movement, and his rifle met the +murdering weapon on its way. The dagger fell to the ground; and Pepe, +seizing Diaz round the body just as Fabian struck him, cried, "Fool! +must we kill you, then? If not, what shall we do with you?" + +"What you have done to that noble gentleman," replied Diaz, pointing to +Don Estevan. + +"Do not ask to share his fate," said Pepe; "that man's days are +numbered." + +"Whatever his fate is to be, I wish to share it," cried Diaz, vainly +trying to free himself. "I accept from you neither quarter nor mercy." + +"Do not play with our anger!" said Pepe, whose passions were roused; "I +am not in the habit of offering mercy twice." + +"I know how to make him accept it," said Fabian, picking up the fallen +knife. "Let him go, Pepe; with a man like Diaz, one can always come to +terms." + +Fabian's tone was so firm, that Pepe opened his arms and loosened the +iron grasp in which the Mexican was bound. + +"Here, Diaz," said Fabian, "take your weapon, and listen to me." + +So saying, Fabian advanced and offered him his knife without any attempt +at guarding himself. Diaz took the weapon, but his adversary had not +presumed too far; at the heroic simplicity of Fabian his anger vanished +on the instant. + +"I listen," said he, flinging his knife to the ground. + +"I knew it would be so," replied Fabian, with a smile. "You interposed +unknowingly between crime and the just vengeance which pursued it. Do +you know who is the man for whom you wish to expose your life? and who +are those who have spared it? Do you know whether or not we have the +right to demand from him, whom you doubtless know only as Don Estevan, a +terrible account of the past? Reply honestly to the questions that I +shall put to you, and then decide on which side justice lies." + +Astonished at these words, Diaz listened in silence, and Fabian went on: + +"If you had been born in a privileged class, heir to a great fortune; if +a man had taken from you your fortune and your name, and reduced you to +the rank of those who have to work for their daily bread, should you be +the friend of that man?" + +"No, I should be his enemy." + +"If that man, to destroy the last souvenir of your birth, had murdered +your mother, what would he deserve from you?" + +"Blow for blow--blood for blood." + +"If, after a long and difficult pursuit, fate had at last delivered the +spoiler into your hands, what would you do?" + +"I should think myself guilty towards God and man if I spared him." + +"Well, then, Diaz," cried Fabian, "there is a man who has taken from me +my name, my fortune, and murdered my mother; I have pursued this +murderer and spoiler--fate has delivered him into my hands, and there he +lies!" + +A cloud passed over the eyes of Diaz at the sight of the chief whose +doom was thus pronounced, for the sentiment of inexorable justice that +God has implanted in the heart of man told him that Don Estevan merited +his fate, if Fabian spoke truly. He sighed, but offered no reply. + +While these events were taking place in the midst of the plain, the +actors of the scene might have observed Cuchillo raise with precaution +the leaves which covered his head, cast an eager glance on the Golden +Valley, and then glide out of the lake. Covered with mud, and his +garments streaming with water, they might have mistaken him for one of +the evil spirits whom the Indians believed to dwell in these solitudes. +But their attention was completely absorbed by what was taking place +among themselves. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY NINE. + +THE TWO MEDIANAS FACE TO FACE. + +Pedro Diaz speedily roused himself from the deep depression and +astonishment which had for a moment overpowered him. + +"According to the rules of war, I am your prisoner," said he, raising +his head, "and I am anxious to know your decision concerning me." + +"You are free, Diaz," replied Fabian, "free without conditions." + +"Not so! not so!" said the Canadian, quickly interrupting him. "We +must, on the contrary, impose a rigorous condition upon your liberty." + +"What is it?" asked the adventurer. + +"You have now, in common with us," replied Bois-Rose, "become possessed +of a secret which we have long since known. I have my reasons for +wishing that the knowledge of this secret should expire with those whose +evil destiny makes them acquainted with it. You only," added the +Canadian, "will be an exception to the rule, because a brave man like +yourself should be a slave to his word. I demand, then, before +restoring you your liberty, a promise upon your honour, never to reveal +to human being, the existence of the Golden Valley." + +"I never indulged any hope in acquiring this treasure," replied the +noble adventurer, in a melancholy tone, "beyond that of the freedom and +aggrandisement of my country. The sad fate which threatens the man, to +whom I looked for the realisation of my hopes, proves to me that in both +cases I have entertained a delusive dream. Even should all the riches +of the Golden Valley remain forever buried in these deserts, what would +it avail me now? I swear then, and you may rely upon my honour, that I +shall never reveal its existence to a living soul. I shall try to +forget that I have ever, for an instant, beheld it." + +"It is well," said Bois-Rose, "you are now free to go." + +"Not yet, with your permission," replied the prisoner. "In all that has +taken place, there is a mystery which I do not seek to penetrate--but--" + +"Carramba! it is very simple," answered Pepe. "This young man," said +he, pointing to Fabian-- + +"Not yet, Pepe," replied the latter solemnly, making a sign to the +hunter to postpone his explanations. "In the court of justice which is +about to be convened--in the presence of the Supreme Judge (Fabian +pointed to heaven), by the accusation as well as the defence, all will +become clear to Diaz, if he will remain a short while with us. In the +desert, time is precious; and we must prepare ourselves, by meditation +and silence, for the terrible deed which we are now compelled to +accomplish." + +"I am most anxious to obtain permission to stay. I do not know if this +man be innocent or guilty; but, I do know that he is the chief whom I +have freely chosen; and I will remain with him to the last, ready to +defend him against you at the cost of my own life, if he is innocent-- +ready to bow before the sentence which condemns him, if he is guilty." + +"Be it so," rejoined Fabian. "You shall hear and judge for yourself." + +"This man is of noble birth," continued Diaz, sadly, "and he lies yonder +in the dust, bound like the meanest criminal." + +"Unloose him, Diaz!" replied Fabian, "but do not endeavour to shield him +from the vengeance which a son must claim for his mother's murderer. +Require from him a promise that he will not attempt to escape; we shall +rely upon you in this matter." + +"I pledge my honour that he will not do so," said the adventurer, "nor +would I assist him in the attempt." And Diaz, as he said this, +proceeded towards Don Estevan. + +In the mean time Fabian, oppressed by sad and anxious thoughts, seated +himself at some distance, and appeared to deplore his unfortunate +victory. + +Pepe turned away his head, and for a while stood as if attentively +observing the mists as they floated above the crests of the mountains. + +Bois-Rose reclined in his usual attitude of repose, while his eyes, +expressive of deep anxiety, were centred upon the young man, and his +noble physiognomy seemed to reflect the clouds which gathered upon the +brow of his beloved protege. + +Meanwhile Diaz had rejoined the prostrate captive. + +Who can guess how many conflicting thoughts crowded upon the mind of the +Spanish nobleman, as he lay upon the ground? His expression retained as +much pride as when in his more prosperous days he had imagined the +possibility of conquering, and bestowing, a throne upon the deposed heir +of the Spanish monarchy. At the sight of Diaz, who, he believed had +abandoned his cause, an expression of deep melancholy came over his +countenance. + +"Do you come as an enemy, or a friend, Diaz?" said he. "Are you one of +those who take a secret pleasure in contemplating the humiliation of the +man whom, in the days of his prosperity, you, like others, would have +flattered?" + +"I am one of those who flatter only the fallen," replied Diaz, "and who +are not offended by the bitterness of speech which is dictated by great +misfortune." + +As he uttered these words, which were confirmed by the dejection of his +manner, Diaz hastened to remove the cords with which the captive's arms +were bound. + +"I have given my word that you will not endeavour to escape the fate, +whatever it may be, which awaits you at the hands of these men, into +whose power we have fallen by an unlucky chance. I believe you have not +even thought of flight." + +"And you are right, Diaz," replied Don Estevan; "but can you guess what +fate these fellows have reserved for me?" + +"They talk of a murder to be avenged, of an accusation, and a judgment." + +"A judgment!" replied Don Antonio with a haughty and bitter smile, "they +may assassinate, but they shall never judge me." + +"In the former case, I shall die with you," said Diaz, simply, "in the +latter--but of what use is it to speak of that which cannot be? you are +innocent of the crime of which they accuse you?" + +"I have a presentiment of the fate which awaits me," replied Don Estevan +without answering the adventurer's interrogation. "A faithful subject +will be lost to his king--Don Carlos the First. But you will carry on +my work? you will restore the prosperity of Sonora. You will return to +the Senator Tragaduros--he knows what he has to do, and you will support +him?" + +"Ah!" cried Diaz, sadly, "such a work cannot be attempted but by you. +In your hands I might have proved a powerful instrument; without you I +shall sink into insignificant obscurity. The hope of my country expires +with you." + +During this interval, Fabian and Bois-Rose had quitted the spot where +the preceding scenes had so rapidly taken place. They had reached the +base of the pyramid. It was there that the solemn assizes were to be +held, in which Fabian and the Duke de Armada were about to act the parts +of judge and criminal. + +Pepe made a sign to Diaz; Don Estevan saw and understood it. + +"It is not enough to have remained a prisoner," said Diaz, "you must +meet your fate; the conquered must obey the conqueror--come!" + +As Diaz ceased speaking, the Spanish nobleman, armed with the pride +which never deserted him, approached the pyramid with a firm step. Pepe +had rejoined his two companions. + +Don Estevan's looks, as he advanced, displayed a dauntless composure +equally removed from bravado or weakness--which won a glance of +admiration from his three enemies--all of them excellent judges of +courage. + +Fabian rose and stepped forward to meet his noble prisoner. A few paces +behind, Diaz also advanced--his head bowed low, and his mind oppressed +by gloomy thoughts. Everything in the manner of the conquerors +convinced him that, on this occasion, right would be on the side of +power. + +"My Lord of Mediana," said Fabian, as, with head uncovered, he paused a +few steps in advance of the noble Spaniard who had approached him, "you +perceive that I recognise you, and you also know who I am." + +The Duke de Armada remained upright and motionless without responding to +his nephew's courtesy. + +"I am entitled to keep my head covered in the presence of the King of +Spain; I shall use that privilege with you," he replied; "also I claim +the right of remaining silent when I think proper, and shall now +exercise that right if it please you." + +Notwithstanding this haughty reply, the younger son of the Medianas +could not but remember how he, a trembling and weeping child, had, +twenty years before, in the castle of Elanchovi quailed beneath the +glance of the man whom he now presumed to judge. + +The timid eaglet had now become the eagle, which, in its turn, held the +prey in its powerful talons. + +The glances of the two Medianas crossed like two swords, and Diaz +contemplated, with mingled astonishment and respect, the adopted son of +the gambusino Arellanos, suddenly transformed and raised above the +humble sphere in which he had for an instant known him. + +The adventurer awaited the solution of this enigma. Fabian armed +himself with a pride which equalled that of the Duke de Armada. + +"As you will," said he, "yet it might be prudent to remember, that here +the right claimed by power is not an empty boast." + +"It is true," replied Don Antonio, who, notwithstanding his apparent +resignation, trembled with rage and despair at the total failure of his +hopes. "I ought not to forget that you are doubtless inclined to profit +by this right. I shall answer your question then when I tell you that I +am aware of but one fact concerning you, which is that some demon has +inspired you continually to cast some impediment in the way of the +object I pursue--I know--" + +Here rage stifled his utterance. + +The impetuous young man listened with a changing countenance to the +words uttered by the assassin of his mother, and whom he even now +suspected was the murderer of his adopted father. + +Truly it is the heroism of moderation, at which those who do not know +the slight value attached to human life in the deserts, cannot be +sufficiently astonished--for here law cannot touch the offender--but the +short space of time which had elapsed since Fabian joined Bois-Rose was +sufficient, under the gentle influence of the old hunter, to calm his +feelings immeasurably. + +He was no longer the young man whose fiery passions were the instruments +of a vengeance to which he yielded blindly. He had learnt that power +should go hand in hand with justice, and may often be combined with +mercy. + +This was the secret of a moderation, hitherto so opposed to his +temperament. It was not, however, difficult to trace, in the changing +expression of his countenance, the efforts he had been compelled to make +to impose a restraint upon his anger. + +On his side, the Spanish noble concealed his passion under the mask of +silence. + +"So then," resumed Fabian, "you know nothing more of me? You are not +acquainted either with my name or rank? I am nothing more to you than +what I seem?" + +"An assassin, perhaps!" replied Mediana, turning his back to Fabian to +show that he did not wish to reply to his question. + +During the dialogue which had taken place between these two men of the +same blood, and of equally unconquerable nature, the wood-rangers had +remained at some distance. + +"Approach," said Fabian to the ex-carabinier, "and say," added he, with +forced calmness, "what you know of me to this man whose lips have dared +to apply to me a name which he only deserves." + +If any doubt could still have remained upon Don Estevan's mind with +regard to the intentions of those into whose hands he had fallen, that +doubt must have disappeared when he beheld the gloomy air with which +Pepe came forward in obedience to Fabian's command. + +The visible exertion he made to repress the rancorous feelings which the +sight of the Spanish noble aroused in him, filled the latter with a sad +presentiment. + +A shudder passed through the frame of Don Estevan, but he did not lower +his eyes, and by the aid of his invincible pride, he waited with +apparent calmness until Pepe began to speak. + +"Carramba!" exclaimed the latter in a tone which he tried in vain to +render agreeable. "It was certainly worth while to send me to catch +sea-fish upon the borders of the Mediterranean, so that, at the end of +my journey, I might, three thousand leagues from Spain, fall in with the +nephew whose mother you murdered. I don't know whether Don Fabian de +Mediana is inclined to pardon you, but for my part," added he, striking +the ground with the butt end of his rifle, "I have sworn that I will not +do so." + +Fabian directed a haughty glance towards Pepe, as though to command his +submission; then addressing himself to the Spaniard: + +"My Lord of Mediana, you are not now in the presence of assassins, but +of judges, and Pepe will not forget it." + +"Before judges!" cried Don Antonio; "my peers only possess the right of +judgment, and I do not recognise as such a malefactor escaped from jail +and a beggarly usurper who has assumed a title to which he has no right. +I do not acknowledge here any other Mediana than myself, and have +therefore no reply to make." + +"Nevertheless I must constitute myself your judge," said Fabian, "yet +believe me I shall be an impartial one, since I take as a witness that +God whose sun shines upon us, when I swear that I no longer entertain +any feelings of animosity or hatred against you." + +There was so much truth in the manner with which Fabian pronounced these +words, that, for an instant, Don Estevan's countenance lost its +expression of gloomy defiance, and was even lit up by a ray of hope, for +the Duke de Armada recollected that he stood face to face with the heir +for whom, in his pride, he had once mourned. It was therefore in a less +severe tone that he asked-- + +"Of what crime am I then accused?" + +"You are about to hear," replied Fabian. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY. + +LYNCH LAW. + +On the frontiers of the America there exists a terrible law, yet it is +not this clause alone which renders it so--"Eye for eye, tooth for +tooth, blood for blood." The application of this law is evident in all +the ways of Providence, to those who observe the course of events here +below. "He who kills by the sword shall perish by the sword," says the +gospel. + +But the law of the desert is terrible by reason of the majesty with +which it is invested, or claims to be invested. + +This law is terrible in common with all laws of blood, and the more so, +since those who have recourse to it usurp a power which does not belong +to them, inasmuch as the injured party constitutes himself judge of his +own cause, and executes the sentence which he himself has pronounced. + +Such is the so-called "Lynch law." + +In the central parts of America, white men as well as Indians execute +this law with cruel severity against each other. Civilised communities +adopt it in a mitigated form as applied to capital punishment, but the +untutored inhabitants of the desert continue to practise it with the +same rigour which belonged to the first ages of mankind. + +And may we not here make the remark, that the similitude of feeling on +this point, between the white man and the savages, casts a stain upon +the former which for his own honour he should endeavour to wipe out? + +Society has provided laws for the protection of all men. The man who +amongst us should assume the right of judgment, and take the law into +his own hands, would thus violate it, and fall under the jurisdiction of +those whom society has appointed to try, and to condemn. + +We are not without a hope that at some future time, as civilisation +advances, men will allow that they who deprive a culprit of that life +which none can recall, commit an act of sacrilege in defiance of those +divine laws which govern the universe and take precedence of all human +decrees. + +A time will come, we would fain believe, when our laws may spare the +life of a guilty man, and suffer him to atone for his errors or his +crimes by repentance. Such a law would respect the life which can never +be restored; and while another exists which casts an irretrievable stain +upon our honour, there would be a law of restoration capable of raising +the man sanctified by repentance to the dignity which punishment would +have prevented his attaining. + +"There is more joy in heaven," says the gospel, "over a sinner who +repents, than a righteous man made perfect." Why then are not human +laws a counterpart of these divine decrees? + +Now, however, liberty is the only boon which society confers upon him +whose misfortunes or whose crimes have deprived him of it. + +Misfortunes did we not say? Is there not in truth a law which +assimilates the criminal with the upright though insolvent debtor, and +compels him to the same fate in prison? + +So much for this subject. Let us now return to the lynch law of the +desert. It was before a tribunal without appeal, and in the presence of +self-constituted judges, that Don Antonio de Mediana was about to +appear. A court assembled in a city, with all its imposing adjuncts, +could not have surpassed in solemnity the assizes which at this moment +were convoked in the desert, where three men represented human justice +armed with all its terrors! + +We have described the singular and fantastic aspect presented by the +spot, in which this scene was to be enacted. In truth, the sombre +mountains, veiled in mist, the mysterious subterranean sounds, the long +tufts of human hair agitated by every breath of wind, the skeleton of +the Indian horse exposed to view, all combined to endue the place with a +strange unearthly appearance in the eyes of the prisoner, so that he +almost believed himself under the influence of some horrible dream. + +One might have imagined himself suddenly transported into the middle +ages, in the midst of some secret society, where previous to the +admission of the candidate, were displayed all the terrors of the earth, +as a means of proving his courage. + +All this however was here a fearful reality. + +Fabian pointed out to the Duke de Armada, one of the flat stones, +resembling tombstones, which were strewed over the plain, and seated +himself upon another so as to form with the Canadian and his companion a +triangle, in which he occupied the most prominent position. + +"It is not becoming for the criminal to sit in the presence of the +judges," said the Spanish noble, with a bitter smile, "I shall therefore +remain standing." + +Fabian made no reply. + +He waited until Diaz, the only disinterested witness in this court of +justice, had chosen a convenient place. + +The adventurer remained at some distance from the actors in the scene, +yet sufficiently near to see and hear all that passed. + +Fabian began: + +"You are about to be told," said he, "of what crime you are accused. +You are to look upon me as the judge who presides at your trial, and who +will either condemn or acquit you." + +Having thus spoken he paused to consider. + +"It will first be necessary to establish the identity of the criminal. +Are you in truth," he continued, "that Don Antonio, whom men here call +the Count de Mediana?" + +"No," replied the Spaniard in a firm voice. + +"Who are you then?" continued Fabian, in a mingled tone of astonishment +and regret, for he repudiated the idea that a Mediana would have +recourse to a cowardly subterfuge. + +"I _was_ the Count de Mediana," replied the prisoner, with a haughty +smile, "until by my sword I acquired other titles. At present I am +known in Spain as the Duke de Armada. It is the name I shall transmit +to the descendant of my line, whom I may choose as my adopted son." + +The latter phrase, incidentally spoken by the prisoner, proved in the +sequel his sole means of defence. + +"Right," said Fabian, "the Duke de Armada shall hear of what crime Don +Antonio de Mediana is accused. Speak Bois-Rose! tell us what you know, +and nothing more." + +The rough and energetic countenance of the gigantic descendant of the +Norman race, as he stood motionless beside them, his carbine supported +on his broad shoulder, was expressive of such calm integrity, that his +appearance alone banished all idea of perjury. Bois-Rose drew himself +up, slowly removed his fur cap, and in doing so discovered his fine open +brow to the gaze of all. + +"I will only speak of what I know," said he. + +"On a foggy night, in the month of November, 1808, I was a sailor on +board a French smuggling-vessel called the Albatros. + +"We had landed according to a plan formed with the captain of the +carabiniers of Elanchovi, on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. I will not +relate to you," and here Pepe could not repress a smile, "how we were +fired upon, and repulsed from the shore where we had landed as friends. +It is sufficient for you to know that when we again reached our vessel, +I was attracted by the screams of a child, which seemed to come from the +depths of the ocean. + +"These cries proceeded from a boat which had been abandoned. + +"I pushed out towards it at the risk of my own life, since a brisk fire +was opened upon our ship. + +"In this boat I found a lady murdered, and lying in her blood. She was +quite dead, and close to her was a little child who appeared to be +dying. + +"I picked up the child--that child is now the man before us; his name is +Fabian. + +"I took the child with me, and left the murdered lady in the boat. I do +not know who committed the crime, and have nothing further to say." + +As he finished speaking, Bois-Rose again covered his head, and seated +himself in silence. + +A mournful silence followed this declaration. + +Fabian lowered his flashing eyes for an instant to the ground, then +raised them, calm and cold, to the face of the ex-carabinier, whose turn +had now come to speak. + +Fabian was prepared to act his terrible part, and the countenance as +well as the attitude of the young man, though clothed in rags, expressed +the nobility which characterised an ancient race, as well as the +collected coolness of a judge. He cast an authoritative glance towards +Pepe, and the half savage trapper was compelled to submit to it in +silence. + +Pepe at length rose, and advanced a few paces, by his manner showing a +determination only to utter that which his conscience approved. + +"I understand you, Count Mediana," said he, addressing himself to +Fabian, who alone in his eyes had the right to assume this title. "I +will try to forget that the man here present is the same who caused me +to spend so many long years among the refuse of mankind at Ceuta. When +I appear before God He may require of me the words I have spoken, but I +should again repeat them, nor regret that they had ever been uttered." + +Fabian made a gesture of approbation. + +"One night in the month of November, 1808," said he, "when I belonged to +the Royal Carabiniers in the service of Spain, I was on duty upon the +coast of Elanchovi, where three men disembarked from the open sea upon +the beach. + +"Our captain had sold to one of them the right of landing in a forbidden +spot. + +"I reproach myself with having been this man's accomplice, and receiving +from him the price of culpable neglect of my duty. + +"The following day it was discovered that the Countess Mediana and her +young son had left the castle during the night. + +"The Countess was murdered--the young Count was never seen again. + +"A short time after, his uncle appeared at Elanchovi and claimed his +nephew's fortune and titles. All was given up to him, and I, who +believed that I had only sold my services to favour an intrigue or an +affair of smuggling, found that I had been the accomplice of a murderer. + +"I upbraided the present Count Mediana before witnesses, and accused him +of this crime. Five years' imprisonment at Ceuta was the reward of my +presumption. + +"Here before another and more righteous tribunal, and in the presence of +God who is my witness, I again accuse the man before me. I declare him +to be the murderer of the Countess, and the usurper of her son's titles. +He was one of the three men, who, during the night entered by escalade +the chateau which Don Fabian's mother never again beheld. + +"Let the murderer refute the charge. I have done." + +"You hear him?" said Fabian, "what have you to say in your defence?" + +A violent struggle between his conscience and his pride took place in +Mediana's breast. + +Pride however triumphed. + +"Nothing," replied Don Antonio. + +"Nothing!" answered Fabian, "but you do not perhaps know what a terrible +duty I have to fulfil?" + +"I can imagine it." + +"And I," cried Fabian passionately, "shall not flinch in accomplishing +it. Yet, though my mother's blood cries out for vengeance, should you +refute the charge, I would bless you still. Swear to me then, in the +name of Mediana, which we bear in common, by your honour and the +salvation of your soul, that you are innocent, and I shall be too happy +to believe you." + +Then, oppressed with an intolerable anguish, Fabian awaited his reply. + +But, gloomy and inflexible as the fallen archangel, Mediana was silent. + +At this moment Diaz advanced towards the judges and the prisoner. + +"I have listened," said he, "with the utmost attention to your +accusation again Don Estevan de Arechiza, whom I also know to be the +Duke de Armada; may I express my thoughts freely?" + +"Speak!" said Fabian. + +"One point seems to me doubtful. I do not know whether the crime you +attribute to this noble cavalier was committed by him; but, admitting +that to be the case, have you any right to condemn him? In accordance +with the laws of our frontier, where no court may be held, it is only +the nearest relatives of the victim who are entitled to claim the blood +of the murderer. + +"Don Tiburcio's youth was passed in this country. I knew him as the +adopted son of Marcos Arellanos. + +"Who can prove that Tiburcio Arellanos is the son of the murdered lady? + +"How, after so many years, can it be possible for this hunter, formerly +a sailor, to recognise in the midst of these solitudes, the young man, +whom as a child he beheld only for an instant on a foggy night?" + +"Answer, Bois-Rose," said Fabian, coldly. + +The Canadian again rose. + +"I ought, in the first place, to state," said the old hunter, "that it +was not only for a few moments on a foggy night that I saw the child in +question. During the space of two years, after having saved him from +certain death, I kept him on board the vessel in which I was a sailor. + +"The features of his son could not be more deeply impressed upon the +memory of a father than those of that child were on mine. + +"How then can you affirm that it is impossible I should recognise him? + +"When you are travelling in the desert, where there is no beaten track, +are you not guided by the course of streams, by the character of the +trees, by the conformation of their trunks, by the growth of the moss +which clothes them, and by the stars of heaven? and when at another +season, or even twenty years afterwards, should the rains have swelled +the streams, or the sun have dried them up, should the once naked trees +be clothed with leaves, should their trunks have expanded, and moss +covered their roots, even should the north star have changed its +position in the heavens, and you again beheld it, would you not +recognise both star and stream?" + +"Doubtless," replied Diaz, "the man who has experience in the desert, is +seldom deceived." + +"When you meet a stranger in the forest, who answers you with the cry of +a bird or the voice of an animal, which is to serve as a rallying signal +to you or your friends, do you not immediately say, `This man is one of +us'?" + +"Assuredly." + +"Well, then; I recognise the child in the grown man, just as you +recognise the small shrub in the tall tree; or the stream that once +murmured softly in the roaring and swollen torrent of to-day. I know +this child again by a mode of speech, which twenty years have scarcely +altered." + +"Is not this meeting a somewhat strange coincidence?" interrupted Diaz, +now almost convinced of the Canadian's veracity. + +"God," cried Bois-Rose, solemnly, "who commands the breeze to waft +across the desert the fertilising seeds of the male palm to the female +date-tree--God, who confides to the wind which destroys, to the +devastating torrent, or to the bird of passage, the grain which is to be +deposited a thousand miles from the plant that produced it--is he not +also able to send upon the same path two human beings made in his +image?" + +Diaz was silent a moment; then having nothing more to advance in +contradiction to the Canadian's truthful words whose honest manner of +speech carried with it an irresistible conviction, he turned towards +Pepe: + +"Did you," said he, "also recognise in Arellanos' adopted child, the +Countess de Mediana's son!" + +"It would be impossible for any one who ever saw his mother long to +mistake him. Enough! let the Duke de Armada contradict me." + +Don Antonio, too proud to utter a falsehood, could not deny the truth +without degrading himself in the eyes of his accusers, unless he +destroyed the only means of defence to which his pride and the secret +wish of his heart allowed him to have recourse. + +"It is true," said he, "that this man is of my own blood. I cannot deny +it without polluting my lips with a lie, and an untruth is the offspring +of cowardice." + +Diaz inclined his head, regained his seat, and was silent. + +"You have heard," said Fabian, "that I am indeed the son of the woman, +whom this man murdered; therefore I claim the right of avenging her. +What then do the laws of the desert decree?" + +"Eye for eye," said Bois-Rose. + +"Tooth for tooth," added Pepe. + +"Blood for blood," continued Fabian; "a death for a death!" + +Then he rose, and addressing Don Antonio in measured accents, said: "You +have shed blood and committed murder. It shall therefore be done to you +as you have done to others. God commanded it to be so." + +Fabian drew his poignard from its sheath. The sun was shedding his +first rays upon the scene, and every object cast a long shadow upon the +ground. + +A bright flash shot from the naked blade which the younger Mediana held +in his hand. + +Fabian buried its point in the sand. + +The shadow of the poignard far exceeded its length. + +"The sun," he said, "shall determine how many moments you have to live. +When the shadow disappears you shall appear before God, and my mother +will be avenged." + +A deathlike silence succeeded Fabian's last words, who, overcome with +long suppressed emotions, fell, rather than seated himself upon the +stone. + +Bois-Rose and Pepe both retained their seats. The judges and the +criminal were alike motionless. + +Diaz perceived that all was over, but he did not wish, to take any part +in the execution of the sentence. + +He approached the Duke de Armada, knelt down before him, took his hand +and raised it to his lips. + +"I will pray for the salvation of your soul," said he in a low tone. +"Do you release me from my oath?" + +"Yes," replied Don Antonio, in a firm voice; "go, and may God bless you +for your fidelity!" + +The noble adventurer retired in silence. + +His horse had remained at some short distance. + +Diaz soon reached it, and holding the bridle in his hands, walked slowly +towards the spot where the river forked. + +In the mean time the sun followed its eternal course--the shadows +gradually contracted--the black vultures flew in circles above the heads +of the four actors in the terrible drama the last scene of which was now +drawing near. From the depths of the Misty Mountains, shrouded in +vapour, might be heard, at intervals, dull rumbling sounds, like +thunder, followed by distant explosions. + +Pale, but resigned, the unfortunate Count de Mediana remained standing. +Buried in deep reverie, he did not appear to notice the continually +decreasing shadow. + +All exterior objects vanished from his sight. His thoughts were divided +between the past which no longer concerned him, and the future he was +about to enter. + +However, pride still struggled within him, and he maintained an +obstinate silence. + +"My Lord Count," said Fabian, who was willing to try a last chance, "in +five minutes the poignard will have ceased to cast a shadow." + +"I have nothing to say of the past," replied Don Antonio. "I must now +think only of the future of my race. Do not, therefore, misjudge the +sense of the words I am about to speak. Whatever may be the form in +which it may come, death has no power to terrify me." + +"I am listening," said Fabian gently. + +"You are very young, Fabian," continued Mediana, "and the thought of the +blood that has been shed will therefore be so much the longer a burthen +to you." + +Fabian's countenance revealed the anguish of his feelings. + +"Why then so soon pollute a life which is scarcely begun? Why refuse to +follow a course which the unlooked-for favour of Providence opens to +you? Here you are poor, and without connections. God restores you to +your family, and, at the same moment, confers wealth upon you. The +inheritance of your race has not been squandered by me. I have for +twenty years borne the name of Mediana, at the head of the Spanish +nobles, and I am ready to restore it to you with all the honours I have +conferred upon it. Accept then a fortune which I joyfully restore to +you, for the isolation of my life is burthensome to me; but do not +purchase it by a crime, for which an imaginary act of justice cannot +absolve you, and which you will repent to your last hour." + +Fabian replied, "A judge who presides at his tribunal must not listen to +the voice of nature. Supported by his conscience, and the service he +renders to society, he may pity the criminal, though his duty requires +that he shall condemn him. In this solitude, these two men and myself +represent human justice. Refute the crime attributed to you, Don +Antonio, and I shall be the happiest of us two; for though I shudder to +accuse you, I cannot escape the fatal mission which heaven has imposed +upon me." + +"Consider well, Fabian, and remember that it not pardon, but oblivion, +for which I sue. Thanks to that oblivion, it rests with you to become, +in my adopted son, the princely heir of the house of Mediana. After my +death my title will expire." + +As he listened to these words the young man became deadly pale; but +spurning in his heart the temptation held out to him, Fabian closed his +ears to that voice which offered him so large a share of the riches of +this world, as though he had but heard the light whispers of the breeze +amid the foliage of the trees. + +"Oh, Count Mediana, why did you kill my mother?" cried Fabian, covering +his face with his hands; then, glancing towards the poignard planted in +the sand, "My lord of Armada," he added, solemnly, "the poignard is +without a shadow!" + +Don Antonio trembled in spite of himself, as he then recalled the +prophetic threat, which twenty years before the Countess de Mediana had +compelled him to hear. + +"Perhaps," she had said, "the God whom you blaspheme will ordain, that +in the heart of a desert, untrodden by the foot of man, you shall find +an accuser, a witness, a judge, and an executioner." + +Accuser, witness, and judge were all before him, but who was to be the +executioner? However, nothing was wanting for the accomplishment of the +dreadful prophecy. + +A noise of branches, suddenly torn apart, was heard at this moment. + +The moment after, a man emerged from the brushwood, his habiliments +dripping with water and soiled with mud. It was Cuchillo. + +The bandit advanced with an air of imperturbable coolness, though he +appeared to limp slightly. + +Not one of the four men, so deeply absorbed in their own terrible +reflections, showed any astonishment at his presence. + +"Carramba! you expected me then?" he cried; "and yet I persisted in +prolonging the most disagreeable bath I have ever taken, for fear of +causing you all a surprise, for which my self-love might have suffered," +(Cuchillo did not allude to his excursion in the mountains); "but the +water of this lake is so icy that rather than perish with cold, I would +have run a greater risk than meeting with old friends." + +"Added to this I felt a wound in my leg reopen. It was received some +time since, in fact, long ago, in my youth. + +"Senor Don Estevan, Don Tiburcio, I am your very humble servant." + +A profound silence succeeded these words. Cuchillo began to feel that +he was acting the part of the hare, who takes refuge in the teeth of the +hounds; but he endeavoured by a great show of assurance to make the best +of a position which was more than precarious. + +The old hunter alone glanced towards Fabian, as though to ask what +motive this man, with his impudent and sinister manner, and his beard +covered with greenish mud, could offer for thus intruding himself upon +them. + +"It is Cuchillo," said Fabian, answering Bois-Rose's look. + +"Cuchillo, your unworthy servant," continued the bandit, "who has been a +witness to your prowess, most worthy hunter of tigers. Decidedly," +thought Cuchillo, "my presence, is not so obnoxious to them as I should +have supposed." + +Then feeling his assurance redoubled at the reception he had met with, +which though cold and silent as that with which every new-comer is +received in the house of death, still gave him courage to say, observing +the severe expression on every face: + +"Pardon me, gentlemen! I observe you have business in hand, and I am +perhaps intruding; I will retire. There are moments when one does not +like to be disturbed: I know it by experience." + +Saying these words, Cuchillo showed his intention of crossing a second +time the green inclosure of the valley of gold, when Bois-Rose's rough +voice arrested him. + +"Stay here, as you value the salvation of your soul, master Cuchillo," +said the hunter. + +"The giant may have heard of my intellectual resources," thought +Cuchillo. "They have need of me. After all, I would rather go shares +with them than get nothing; but without doubt this Golden Valley is +bewitched. You allow, master hunter," he continued, addressing the +Canadian, and feigning a surprise he did not feel at the aspect of his +chief, "I have a--" + +An imperious gesture from Fabian cut short Cuchillo's demand. + +"Silence!" he said, "do not distract the last thought of a Christian who +is about to die." + +We have said that a poignard planted in the ground no longer cast a +shadow. + +"My lord of Mediana," added Fabian, "I ask you once again, by the name +we bear, by your honour, and the salvation of your soul, are you +innocent of my mother's murder?" + +To this lofty interrogation, Don Antonio replied without relaxing his +haughty demeanour-- + +"I have nothing to say, to my peers alone I allow the right of judgment. +Let my fate and yours be accomplished." + +"God sees and hears me," said Fabian. Then taking Cuchillo aside: "A +solemn sentence has been passed upon this man," said he to him. "We, as +the instruments of human justice in this desert, command you to be his +executioner. The treasures contained in this valley will remunerate you +for undertaking this terrible duty. May you never commit a more +iniquitous act!" + +"One cannot live through forty years without having a few little +peccadilloes on one's conscience, Don Tiburcio. However, I shall not +the less object to being an executioner; and I am proud to know that my +talents are estimated at their real value. You promise, then, that all +the gold of this valley shall be mine?" + +"All--without excepting the smallest particle." + +"Carramba! notwithstanding my well-known scruples, it is a good price, +therefore I shall not hesitate; and if at the same time there is any +other little favour you require of me, do not distress yourself--it +shall be done cheaply." + +That which has been previously said explains Cuchillo's unexpected +appearance. + +The outlaw, concealed upon the borders of the neighbouring lake, had +escaped through the prologue which preceded the fearful drama in which +he was about to perform a part. Taking all things into consideration, +he saw that matters were turning out better than he had expected. + +However he could not disguise from himself the fact that there was a +certain amount of danger in his becoming the executioner of a man who +was aware of all his crimes, and who could, by a single word, surrender +him him to the implacable justice enforced in these solitudes. + +He was aware that to gain the promised recompense, and to prevent Don +Antonio from speaking, it would be necessary first to deceive him, and +he found means to whisper in the ear of the prisoner-- + +"Fear nothing--I am on your side." + +The spectators of this terrible scene maintained a profound silence, +under a feeling of awe experienced by each of them. + +A deep dejection of spirit had, in Don Fabian's case, succeeded the +energetic exercise of his will, and his face, bowed towards the earth, +was as pale and as livid as that of the man upon whom he had pronounced +sentence of death. + +Bois-Rose--whom the frequent dangers which belonged to the life of a +sailor and a hunter, had rendered callous to the physical horror with +which one man looks upon the destruction of his fellow--appeared +completely absorbed in the contemplations of this young man, whom he +loved as a son, and whose dejected attitude showed the depth of his +grief. + +Pepe, on his side, endeavoured to conceal under an impenetrable mask the +tumultuous feeling resulting from his now satisfied vengeance. He, as +well as his two companions, remained silent. + +Cuchillo alone--whose sanguinary and vindictive nature would have led +him to accept gratuitously the odious office of executor--could scarcely +conceal his delight at the thoughts of the enormous sum he was to +receive for the wicked service. + +But in this case, for once in his life, Cuchillo was to assist in an +apparently legal proceeding. + +"Carramba!" he ejaculated, taking Pepe's carbine from him, and at the +same time making a sign to Don Antonio; "this is an affair for which +even the judge of Arispe himself would be sorry to grant me absolution." + +He advanced towards Don Antonio. + +Pale, but with flashing eyes; uncertain whether in Cuchillo he beheld a +saviour or an executioner, Don Estevan did not stir. + +"It was foretold that I should die in a desert; I am, what you are +pleased to call, convicted and condemned. God has reserved forme the +infinite disgrace of dying by the hand of this man. I forgive you, +Fabian; but may not this bandit prove as fatal to your life, as he will +be to that of your father's brother, as he was--" + +A cry from Cuchillo--a cry of alarm, here interrupted the Duke de +Armada. + +"To arms! To arms! yonder come the Indians!" cried he. + +Fabian, Bois-Rose, and Pepe rushed to seize their rifles. + +Cuchillo took advantage of this short instant, and sprang towards Don +Antonio. The latter with his neck stretched forward, was also examining +the wide extent of the plain, when Cuchillo twice plunged the poignard +into his throat. + +The unfortunate Mediana fell to the ground, vomiting forth torrents of +blood. + +A smile relaxed Cuchillo's lips: Don Antonio had carried out of the +world the secret which he dreaded. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY ONE. + +THE JUDGMENT OF GOD. + +An instant of stupor succeeded to the murder so suddenly accomplished. +Don Antonio did not stir; Fabian seemed to forget that the bandit had +only hastened the execution of the sentence which he himself had +pronounced. + +"Wretch!" cried he, rushing towards Cuchillo, with the barrel of his +carbine in his hand, as though he did not deign to raise its butt +against the executioner. + +"There, there!" said Cuchillo, drawing back, whilst Pepe, more ready to +acquit Don Antonio's murderer, interposed between them; "you are as +quick and passionate as a fighting-cock, and ready every instant to +sport your horns, like a young bull. The Indians are too busy elsewhere +to trouble themselves about us. It was a stratagem of war, to enable me +more speedily to render you the signal service required of me. Do not +therefore be ungrateful; for, why not admit it? you were just now a +nephew, most unsufferably encumbered with an uncle; you are noble, you +are generous; you would have regretted all your life that you had not +pardoned that uncle? By cutting the matter short for you, I have taken +the remorse upon myself; and so the affair is ended." + +"The rascal knows what he is about, undoubtedly," remarked the +ex-carabinier. + +"Yes," replied Cuchillo, evidently flattered, "I pride myself upon being +no fool, and upon having some notion of the scruples of conscience. I +have taken your doubts upon mine. When I take a fancy to people, I +sacrifice myself for them. It is a fault of mine. When I saw, Don +Tiburcio, that you had so generously pardoned me the blow--the scratch I +inflicted upon you--I did my best to deserve it: the rest must be +settled between me and my conscience." + +"Ah!" sighed Fabian, "I hoped yet to have been able to pardon _him_." + +"Why trouble yourself about it?" said the ex-carabinier. "Pardon your +mother's murderer, Don Fabian! it would have been cowardice! To kill a +man who cannot defend himself, is, I grant, almost a crime, even after +five years' imprisonment. Our friend Cuchillo has saved us the +embarrassment of choosing: that is his affair. What do you say, +Bois-Rose?" + +"With proofs such as those we possess, the tribunal of a city would have +condemned the assassin to atone for his crime; and Indian justice could +not have done less. It was God's will that you should be spared the +necessity of shedding the blood of a white man. I say as you do, Pepe, +it is Cuchillo's affair." + +Fabian inclined his head, without speaking, in acquiescence to the old +hunter's verdict--as though in his own heart he could not determine, +amidst such conflicting thoughts, whether he ought to rejoice, or to +grieve over this unexpected catastrophe. + +Nevertheless, a shade of bitter regret overspread his countenance; but +accustomed, as well as his two companions, to scenes of blood, he +assented, though with a sigh, to their inexorable logic. + +In the mean time, Cuchillo had regained all his audacity, things were +turning out well for him. + +He cast a glance of satisfied hatred upon the corpse of him who could +never more speak, and muttered in a low voice: + +"Why trouble one's self about human destiny?--for twenty years past, my +life has depended upon nothing more than the absence of a tree." + +Then addressing himself to Fabian: + +"It is, then, agreed, that I have rendered you a great service. Ah! +Don Tiburcio, you must resolve to remain in my debt. I think generously +of furnishing you with the means of discharging it. There is immense +wealth yonder; therefore it would not do for you to recall a promise +given to him who, for your sake, was not afraid--for the first time, let +me tell you--to come to an open rupture with his conscience." + +Cuchillo, who, notwithstanding the promise Fabian had made--to satisfy +his cupidity by the possession of the gold,--knew that to make a +promise, and to keep one, are two different things. He waited the reply +with anxiety. + +"It is true; the price of blood is yours," said Fabian to the bandit. + +Cuchillo assumed an indignant air. + +"Well, you will be magnificently recompensed," continued the young man, +contemptuously; "but it shall never be said that I shared it with you:-- +the gold of this place is yours." + +"All?" cried Cuchillo, who could not believe his ears. + +"Have I not said so?" + +"You are mad!" exclaimed Pepe and Bois-Rose, simultaneously, "the fellow +would have killed him for nothing!" + +"You are a god!" cried Cuchillo; "and you estimate my scruples at their +real value. What! all this gold?" + +"All, including the smallest particle," answered Fabian, solemnly: "I +shall have nothing in common with you--not even this gold." + +And he made a sign to Cuchillo to leave the ground. + +The bandit, instead of passing through the hedge of cotton-trees, took +the road to the Misty Mountains, towards the spot where his horse was +fastened. + +A few minutes afterwards he returned with his serape in his hand. He +drew aside the interlacing branches which shut in the valley, and soon +disappeared from Fabian's sight. The sun, in the midst of his course, +poured down a flood of light, causing the gold spread over the surface +of the valley to shoot forth innumerable rays. + +A shudder passed though Cuchillo's veins, as he once more beheld it. + +His heart beat quick at the sight of this mass of wealth. He resembled +the tiger which falling upon a sheepfold cannot determine which victim +to choose. He encompassed with a haggard glance the treasures spread at +his feet; and little was wanting to induce him, in his transports of +joy, to roll himself in these floods of gold. + +Soon, however, restored to calmer thoughts, he spread his mantle on the +sand; and as he saw the impossibility of carrying away all the riches +exposed to his view, he cast around him a glance of observation. + +In the meantime, Diaz, seated at some distance on the plain, had not +lost a single detail of this melancholy scene. + +He had seen Cuchillo suddenly appear, he had imagined the part he would +be required to fulfil, he heard the bandit's cry of false alarm, and +even the bloody catastrophe of the drama had not been unseen by him. + +Until then he had remained motionless in his place, mourning over the +death of his chief, and the hopes which that death had destroyed. + +Cuchillo had disappeared from their sight, when the three hunters saw +Diaz rise and approach them. + +He advanced with slow steps, like the justice of God, whose instrument +he was about to become. + +His arm was passed through his horse's bridle; and his face, clouded by +grief, was turned downwards. + +The adventurer cast a look full of sadness upon the Duke de Armada lying +in his blood; death had not effaced from that countenance its look of +unalterable pride. + +"I do not blame you," said he; "in your place I should have done the +same thing. How much Indian blood have I also not spilt to satisfy my +vengeance!" + +"It is holy bread," interrupted Bois-Rose, passing his hand through his +thick grey hair, and directing a sympathetic glance toward the +adventurer. "Pepe and I can say that, for our part--" + +"I do not blame you, friends, but I grieve because I have seen this man, +of such noble courage, fall almost before my eyes; a man who held in his +hand the destiny of Sonora. I grieve that the glory of my country +expires with him." + +"He was, as you say, a man of noble courage, but with a heart of stone. +May God save his soul!" + +A convulsive grief agitated Don Fabian's breast. Diaz continued the +Duke de Armada's funeral oration. + +"He and I had dreamed of the freedom of a noble province and days of +splendour. Neither he, nor I, nor others, will ever now behold them +shine. Ah! why was not I killed instead of him? No one would have +known that I had ceased, to exist, and one champion less would not have +compromised the cause we served; but the death of our chief ruins it +forever. The treasure which is said to be accumulated here might have +aided us in restoring Sonora; for you do not, perhaps, know that near to +this spot--" + +"We know it," interrupted Fabian. + +"Well," continued Diaz, "I will think no more about this immense +treasure. I have always preferred the life of an Indian, killed by my +own hands, to a sack of gold dust." + +This common feeling of hatred towards the Indians still further added to +the sympathy which Bois-Rose had felt for the disinterestedness and +courage shown by Diaz. + +"We have failed at the onset," continued Diaz, in a tone of great +bitterness, "and all this through the fault of a traitor whom I wish to +deliver up to your justice--not because he deceived us, but because he +has destroyed the instrument which God was willing to grant, in order to +make my country a powerful kingdom." + +"What do you say?" cried Fabian; "is it Cuchillo of whom you speak?" + +"The traitor who twice attempted your life--the first time at the +Hacienda del Venado, the second in the neighbouring forest--is the one +who conducted us to this valley of gold." + +"It was then Cuchillo who told you the secret. I was almost sure of +it--but are you also certain?" + +"As certain as I am that I shall one day appear before God. Poor Don +Estevan related to me how the existence and position of the treasure +became known to Cuchillo; it was in assassinating his associate who had +first discovered it. + +"And now if you decide that this man who has twice attempted your life +deserves exemplary punishment, you have only to determine upon it." + +As he finished these words, Pedro Diaz tightened his horse's girths, and +prepared to depart. + +"One word more!" cried Fabian, "has Cuchillo long possessed this grey +horse, which, as you may be aware, has a habit of stumbling?" + +"More than two years, from what I have heard." + +This last scene had escaped the bandit's observation, the thicket of +cotton-trees concealing it from his sight; besides, he was too much +absorbed in the contemplation of his treasures to turn his eyes away +from them. + +Seated upon the sand, he was crouched down amidst the innumerable pieces +of gold which surrounded him, and he had already begun to pile up upon +his serape all those he had chosen, when Diaz finished his terrible +revelation. + +"Ah! it is a fearful and fatal day," said Fabian, in whose mind the +latter part of this revelation left no room for doubt. "What ought I do +with this man? You, who both know what he has done with my adopted +father, Pepe--Bois-Rose--advise me, for my strength and resolution are +coming to an end. I have experienced too many emotions for one day." + +"Does the vile wretch, who cut your father's throat, deserve more +consideration than the noble gentleman, who murdered your mother, my +son?" answered the Canadian, resolutely. + +"Whether it be your adopted father or any others who have been his +victims, this brigand is worthy of death," added Diaz, as he mounted +upon his saddle, "and I abandon him to your justice." + +"It is with regret that I see you depart," said Bois-Rose to the +adventurer, "a man who like yourself is a bitter enemy to the Indians, +would have been a companion whose society I should have appreciated." + +"My duty recalls me to the camp, which I quitted under the influence of +Don Estevan's unhappy star," replied the adventurer, "but there are two +things I shall never forget; they are, the conduct of generous enemies; +and the oath I have taken never to reveal to a living creature the +existence of this Golden Valley." + +As he finished these words, the loyal Diaz quickly withdrew, reflecting +upon the means of reconciling his respect for his word, with the care +and safety of the expedition entrusted to him by its leader, previous to +his death. + +The three friends speedily lost sight of him. + +The sun shone out, and, glancing down from the Golden Valley, discovered +Cuchillo, greedily bending over his treasures, and the three hunters +holding council amongst themselves respecting him. + +Fabian had listened in silence to Bois-Rose's advice, as well as that +given by Diaz previous to his departure; and he only waited the counsel +of the old carabinier. + +"You have taken," said the latter, in his turn, "a vow, from which +nothing ought to release you; the wife of Arellanos received it from you +on her death-bed; you have her husband's murderer in your power; there +is nothing here to deny it." + +Then, observing a look of anxious indecision in Fabian's countenance, he +added, with that bitter irony which formed a part of his character; "But +after all, if this duty is so repugnant to you, I shall undertake it; +for not having the least ill will against Cuchillo, I can bang him +without a scruple. You will see, Fabian, that the knave will not +testify any surprise at what I am going to tell him. Fellows who have +such a face as Cuchillo's expect to be hung every day." + +As he concluded this judicious reflection, Pepe approached the green +hedge, which separated them from the outlaw. + +The latter, unconscious of all that had taken place around him--dazzled, +blinded, by the golden rays, which reflected the sun's light over the +surface of the valley--had heard and seen nothing. + +With fingers doubled up, he was busied rummaging amongst the sand with +the eagerness of a famished jackal disinterring a corpse. + +"Master Cuchillo! a word, if you please," cried Pepe, drawing aside the +branches of the cotton shrubs; "Master Cuchillo!" + +But Cuchillo did not hear. + +It was only when he had been called three times that he turned around, +and discovered his excited countenance to the carabinier--after having, +by a spontaneous movement of suspicion, thrown a corner of his mantle +over the gold he had collected. + +"Master Cuchillo," resumed Pepe, "I heard you a little while ago give +utterance to a philosophical maxim, which gave me the highest opinion of +your character." + +"Come!" said Cuchillo to himself, wiping the sweat from his forehead, +"here is someone else who requires my services. These gentry are +becoming imprudent, but, por Dios! they pay handsomely." + +Then aloud: + +"A philosophical maxim?" said he, throwing away disdainfully, a handful +of sand, the contents of which would elsewhere have rejoiced a +gold-seeker. "What is it? I utter many, and of the best kind; +philosophy is my strong point." + +Pepe, on one side of the hedge, resting upon his rifle, in a superb +attitude of nonchalance, and the most imperturbable _sangfroid_, and +Cuchillo, on the other side, with his head stretched across the green +inclosure of the little valley, looked very much like two country +neighbours, for the moment chatting familiarly together. + +No one, on seeing them thus, would have suspected the terrible +catastrophe which was to follow this pacific intercourse. The +countenance of the ex-carabinier, only exhibited a gracious smile. + +"You spoke truth," replied Pepe. "What signifies human destiny; for +twenty years past you say you have owed your life to the absence of a +tree?" + +"It is true," affirmed Cuchillo, in an absent tone, "for a long time I +preferred shrubs, but lately I have become reconciled to large trees." + +"Indeed!" + +"And yet it is still one of my favourite maxims, that a wise man must +pass over many little inconveniences." + +"True. And now I think of it," added Pepe, carelessly, "there are on +the summit of yonder steep hill, two magnificent pine trees which +project over the abyss, and which, twenty years ago, might have caused +you very serious anxiety." + +"I do not deny it; but at present I am as easy about it as if they were +only cactus plants." + +"Indeed!" + +"Indeed!" repeated Cuchillo, with some impatience. "So then, you did me +the honour to speak of me, and to what purpose?" + +"Oh! a simple remark. My two companions and myself had some reasons for +suspecting that amongst these mountains a certain valley of gold was to +be found; but nevertheless, it was only after long seeking that we found +it. You also know it now, and even better than ourselves, since +unhesitatingly, and without losing an instant, you have appropriated to +yourself, between what you call a heap and what you have already +collected, carramba--enough to build a church to your patron saint." + +Cuchillo, at the recollection of the imprudence he had been guilty of, +and at this indirect attack, felt his legs give way under him. + +"It is certainly my intention not to employ this gold to any other +purpose than a godly one," said he, concealing his anguish as well as he +could. "As to the knowledge of this wonderful valley, it is to--it is +to chance that I owe it." + +"Chance always comes to the assistance of virtue," replied Pepe, coldly. +"Well, in your place, I should not, nevertheless, be without anxiety +touching the vicinity of those two pine trees." + +"What do you mean?" cried Cuchillo, turning pale. + +"Nothing--unless this may prove to you one of those trifling +inconveniences, about which you just now said a man should not trouble +himself. Por Dios! you have enough booty to render a king jealous." + +"But I acquired this gold legitimately--I committed no murder to obtain +it. What I did was not worthless. The devil! I am not in the habit of +killing for nothing," cried Cuchillo, exasperated, and who, mistaking +the carabinier's intentions, saw only in his alarming innuendoes regret +at his defrauded cupidity. + +Like the sailor, who, overtaken by a storm, throws a part of his cargo +overboard to save the rest, Cuchillo resolved with a sigh, to shun, by +means of a sacrifice, the danger with which he was threatened. + +"I again repeat to you," said he, in a low voice, "chance alone gave me +a knowledge of this treasure; but I don't wish to be selfish. It is my +intention to give you a share. Listen," he continued, "there is in a +certain place, a block of gold of inestimable value; honest fellows +should understand one another, and this block shall be yours. Ah! your +share will be better than mine." + +"I hope so," said Pepe; "and in what place have you reserved me my +portion?" + +"Up yonder!" said Cuchillo, indicating the summit of the pyramid. + +"Up yonder, near the pine trees? Ah, master Cuchillo, how glad I am to +find that you have not taken my foolish little joke amiss, and that +these trees do not affect you any more than if they were cactus plants! +Between ourselves, Don Tiburcio, whom you perceive to be deeply +absorbed, is only regretting in reality the enormous sum he has given +you, for a service which he could equally well have performed himself." + +"An enormous sum! it was but a very fair price, and at any rate I should +have lost it," cried Cuchillo, recovering all his habitual impudence of +manner, on seeing the change that had taken place in the conduct and +tone of the ex-carabinier. + +"Agreed," continued the latter; "but in truth, he may have repented of +the bargain; and I must avow that if he commanded me to blow your brains +out, in order to get rid of you, I should be compelled to obey him. +Allow me, then, to call him here so as to restore his confidence; or, +better still, come and show me the portion, which your munificence +destines for me. Afterwards we each go our own way; and notwithstanding +all you have said about it, the share assigned to you will surpass all +your expectations." + +"Let us set off then," resumed Cuchillo, happy to see a negotiation--the +probable result of which began to cause him serious uneasiness-- +terminate so satisfactorily for him and, casting a glance of passionate +tenderness upon a heap of gold which he had piled up upon his wrapper, +he set off towards the summit of the pyramid. He had scarcely reached +it, when, upon Pepe's invitation, Fabian and Bois-Rose began to ascend +the steep on the other side. + +"No one can escape his fate," said Pepe to Fabian, "and I had already +proved to you that the rascal would testify no astonishment. Be that as +it may remember that you have sworn to avenge the death of your adopted +father, and that in these deserts you ought to shame the justice of +cities, where such crimes go unpunished. To show mercy towards such a +knave is an outrage to society! Bois-Rose! I shall need the assistance +of your arm." + +The Canadian hunter, by a glance, interrogated him, for whom his blind +devotion knew no bounds. + +"Marcos Arellanos craved pardon and did not obtain it," said Fabian, no +longer undecided, "and as this man did to others, so let it be done to +him." + +And these three inexorable men seated themselves solemnly upon the +summit of the pyramid, where Cuchillo already awaited them. At sight of +the severe aspect of those whom he had inwardly so many reasons to +dread, Cuchillo felt all his apprehensions renewed. He endeavoured, +however, to recover his assurance. + +"Do you see," said he, pointing out behind the sheet of water, whose +majestic torrent foamed beside them, "the spot where the block of gold +sheds forth its dazzling rays?" + +But the eyes of his judges did not turn in the direction he indicated. +Fabian rose slowly; his look caused the blood to curdle in the veins of +the outlaw. + +"Cuchillo!" said he, "you saved me from dying of thirst, and you have +not done this for one who is ungrateful. I have forgiven you the stab +with which you wounded me at the Hacienda del Venado. I have pardoned +another attempt you made near El Salto de Agua; also the shot which you +only could have fired upon us from the summit of this pyramid. I might, +in short, have forgiven every attempt you have made to take away a life +you once saved; and with having pardoned you, I have even recompensed +you, as a king does not recompense the executioner of his justice." + +"I do not deny it; but this worthy hunter, who has informed me with a +great deal of circumspection upon the delicate subject you wish to touch +upon, ought also to inform you how reasonable he found me in the +matter." + +"I have forgiven you," continued Fabian, "but there is one crime, +amongst others, from which your own conscience ought not to absolve +you." + +"There is a perfect understanding between my conscience and myself," +resumed Cuchillo, with a graciously sinister smile, "but it seems to me +that we are getting away from our subject." + +"That friend whom you assassinated in such a cowardly manner--" + +"Disputed with me the profits of a booty, and faith, the consumption of +brandy was very considerable," interrupted Cuchillo. "But permit me--" + +"Do not pretend to misunderstand me!" cried Fabian, irritated by the +knave's impudence. + +Cuchillo collected his thoughts. + +"If you allude to Tio Tomas, it is an affair which was never very well +understood, but--" + +Fabian opened his lips to form a distinct accusation with reference to +the assassination of Arellanos, when Pepe broke in-- + +"I should be curious," he said, "to learn the real facts concerning Tio +Tomas: perhaps Master Cuchillo has not sufficient leisure to recollect +himself, which would be a pity." + +"I hold it necessary," continued Cuchillo, flattered at the compliment, +"to prove that men own such a susceptible conscience as mine; here then +are the facts--My friend Tio Tomas had a nephew impatient to inherit his +uncle's fortune; I received a hundred dollars from the nephew to hasten +the moment of his inheritance. It was very little for such a capital +will. + +"It was so little that I gave Tio Tomas warning, and received _two_ +hundred dollars to prevent his nephew becoming his heir. I committed a +fault in--despatching the nephew without giving him warning, as I ought +to have done, perhaps. It was then I felt how inconvenient a +quarrelsome conscience like mine may become. I seized upon the only +means of composition which was left me. The nephew's money was a +continual remorse to me, and I resolved to get rid of it." + +"Of the money?" + +"Not so." + +"And you despatched the uncle as well?" cried Pepe. + +Cuchillo assented. + +"From that time my conscience had but little to reproach me with. I had +gained three hundred dollars by the most ingenious integrity." + +Cuchillo was yet smiling, when Fabian exclaimed-- + +"Were you paid for assassinating Marcos Arellanos?" + +At this astounding accusation a livid paleness overspread Cuchillo's +features. + +He could no longer disguise from himself the fate that awaited him. + +The bandage which covered his eyes fell suddenly; and to the flattering +delusions with which he had deceived himself succeeded a formidable +reality. + +"Marcos Arellanos!" he stammered out in a weak voice, "who told you +that? I did not kill him!" + +Fabian smiled bitterly. + +"Who tells the shepherd," he cried, "where the den of the jaguar is to +be found that devours his sheep? + +"Who tells the vaquero where the horse that he pursues has taken refuge? + +"To the Indian, the enemy he seeks? + +"To the gold-seeker the ore, concealed by God? + +"The surface of the lake only does not preserve the trace of the bird +which flies over its waters, nor the form of the cloud which it +reflects; but the earth, with its herbs and mosses, reveals to us sons +of the desert, the print of the jaguar's foot as well as the horse's +hoof and the Indian's track; do you not know it, even as I do?" + +"I did not kill Arellanos," repeated the assassin. + +"You did kill him; you cut his throat near to our common country; you +threw his corpse into the river; the earth revealed it to me--since I +noticed the defect in the horse you rode, as well as the wound in your +leg, which you received in the struggle." + +"Pardon, Don Tiburcio?" cried Cuchillo, overwhelmed by the sudden +revelation of these facts, to which God alone had been witness. "Take +back all the gold you gave me, but spare my life; and to show my +gratitude, I will kill all your enemies everywhere, and always at a sign +from you--for nothing--even my father, if you command me; but in the +name of the all-powerful God, spare my life--spare me my life!" he +continued, crawling forward and clutching at Fabian's knees. + +"Arellanos also craved for mercy; did you listen to him?" said Fabian, +turning away. + +"But when I killed him, it was that I might possess all this gold +myself. Now I restore it all for my life--what can you want more?" he +continued, while he resisted Pepe's efforts, who was trying to prevent +him from kissing Fabian's feet. + +With features distorted by excess of terror, a whitish foam upon his +lips, his eyes starting from his head, yet seeing nothing, Cuchillo +still sued for mercy, as he endeavoured to crawl towards Fabian. He had +by continued efforts reached the edge of the platform. Behind his head, +the sheet of water fell foaming downwards. + +"Mercy, mercy!" he cried, "in the name of your mother--for Dona +Rosarita's sake, who loves you, for I know that she loves you--I +heard--" + +"What?" cried Fabian, in his turn rushing towards Cuchillo, but the +question expired upon his lips. + +Spurned along the earth by the carabinier's foot Cuchillo with head and +arms stretched back was hurled into the abyss! + +"What have you done, Pepe?" exclaimed Fabian. + +"The wretch," said the ex-carabinier, "was not worth the cord which +might have hung him, nor the bullet that would have sent him out of the +world." + +A piercing cry,--a cry which rose from the abyss--which drowned their +voices and was heard above the roar of the cascade, caused Fabian to +stretch his head forward and withdraw it again in horror. Hanging to +the branches of a shrub which bent beneath his weight, and which scarce +adhering to the sides of the rock, was fast giving way, Cuchillo hung +over the abyss, howling forth his terror and anguish. + +"Help!" he shouted, in a voice despairing as the damned. "Help! if you +are human beings--help!" + +The three friends exchanged a glance of unutterable meaning, as each one +wiped the sweat from his brow. + +Suddenly the bandit's voice grew faint, and amidst horrible bursts of +laughter, like the shrieks of a lunatic, were heard the last +inarticulate words that escaped his lips. + +A moment after, and the noise of the cascade alone broke the silence of +the desert. The abyss had swallowed up him whose life had been a long +tissue of crime. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY TWO. + +THE MAN OF THE RED KERCHIEF. + +Six months have elapsed since the three hunters, without deigning to +carry with them a single grain of the treasures of the valley of gold, +directed their steps, following the course of the Rio Gila, to the +plains of Texas. The rainy had succeeded to the dry season, without +anything being known of their fate, or of the expedition commanded by +Don Estevan de Arechiza. + +Diaz was no more, having carried with him to the tomb the secret of the +wonderful valley--and Gayferos had followed his three liberators. What +had become of these intrepid hunters who had willingly encountered +fatigues, privations and dangers, instead of returning to civilised +life? Were they as rich and powerful as they might have been? Had the +desert claimed these three noble spirits, as it has done so many others? +Like the monk, who seeks in the silence of cloister forgetfulness of +the world's vain show, had Fabian in the sublimity of solitude been able +to forget the woman who loved him, and who secretly hoped for and +expected his return? + +What we are about to relate will answer these questions. + +One sultry afternoon, two men, mounted and armed to the teeth, pursued +the lonely road which leads from the utmost confines of the province of +Sonora to the Presidio of Tubac. Their costume, the coarse equipment of +their steeds, and the beauty of the latter, formed on the whole a +striking contrast and seemed to indicate subalterns despatched by some +rich proprietor, either to carry or to seek information. + +The first was clothed in leather from head to foot, like the vaquero of +some noble hacienda. The second, dark and bearded like a Moor, though +less simply attired than his companion, did not appear to be of much +greater consideration. + +At the end of a journey of some days the white houses of the Presidio +began to appear in the distance. The two cavaliers had probably +exhausted every subject of conversation, for they trotted on in silence. + +The scanty vegetation which covered the plains they were crossing was +again becoming parched by the sun, after the winter rains; and the dry +grass harboured innumerable grasshoppers whose shrill note was heard +incessantly, mingled with the scorching breath of the south wind. The +foliage of the Peruvian trees drooped languidly over the burning sand, +like the willows upon the banks of a stream. + +The two cavaliers arrived at the entrance of the Presidio just as the +church clock sounded the evening _angelus_. + +Tubac was then a village with two cross streets, its houses built of +cement, with only a few windows in the front, as is the custom in places +exposed to the sudden excursions of the Indians. Strong movable +barriers, formed by trunks of trees, protected the four approaches to +the village; and a piece of the artillery of the country, raised upon +its carriage, was erected behind each of these barriers. + +Previous to following the new-comers into the Presidio, we must relate +an incident which, insignificant in itself, nevertheless acquired some +importance in the heart of a solitary village of Tubac. + +During the space of a fortnight a mysterious personage--inasmuch as he +was unknown to the inhabitants of the Presidio--had frequently, and for +a short time, appeared there. He was a man of about forty years of age, +thin, but rough and vigorous in appearance, whose countenance seemed to +tell of dangers overcome, but whose speech was as rare as his +physiognomy was expressive. He replied shortly to any questions +addressed to him; but, on the other hand, he asked a great many, and +appeared particularly anxious to know what was passing at the Hacienda +del Venado. + +Some of the inhabitants of the Presidency knew the rich proprietor very +well by repute, but few amongst them--or, one might rather say, none of +them--were so thoroughly acquainted with Don Augustin Pena, as to be +capable of answering the questions of the stranger. + +Everybody in Tubac remembered the gold-seekers' expedition which had set +out six months previously; and according to some vague replies given by +the mysterious personage, it was suspected that he knew more upon the +matter than he chose to reveal. He had, he pretended, encountered in +the deserts of the Apache country, a troop commanded by Don Estevan in a +very critical position, and he had reason for believing that they must +have fought a last and terrible engagement with the Indians, from the +result of which he augured no good. + +The evening before the arrival of the two travellers, he had inquired +what direction he ought to take to reach Don Augustin's house; and, +above all, he had testified a great wish to learn whether Dona Rosarita +was still unmarried. + +The unknown always wore on his head a red checkered handkerchief, the +folds of which hung down over his eyes; and in consequence of this +head-dress he always went by the name of the "man with the red +kerchief." + +This being explained, let us now return to our two travellers. + +The new-comers--whose arrival created some sensation--on entering the +presidency, directed their steps towards one of the houses of the +village, at the door of which sat a man, who was soothing his leisure +hours by playing upon the guitar. + +One of the cavaliers, addressing him, said-- + +"_Santas tardes_! my master; will you afford hospitality to two +strangers for a day and a night?" + +The musician rose and bowed courteously. + +"Pray dismount, noble cavaliers," he answered, "this dwelling is at your +service as long as you please to remain." + +Such is the simple ceremonial of hospitality still in vogue in these +distant countries. + +The cavaliers dismounted from their horses, in the midst of an idle +group who had collected around them, and who observed the two strangers +with considerable curiosity--for in the Presidio of Tubac an arrival is +a rare event. + +The host silently assisted his guests to unsaddle their horses, but the +more inquisitive of the crowd did not exercise so much discretion, and +without scruple addressed a multitude of questions to the travellers. + +"Good people," said one of the cavaliers, "let us first attend to our +horses, and afterwards, when we have taken a mouthful of food, we shall +have a chat. My comrade and myself have come here for that very +purpose." + +Thus saying, the bearded cavalier unfastened his gigantic spurs, threw +them across his horse's saddle, which he deposited, together with its +woollen covering carefully folded, in the piazza attached to the house. + +The two strangers did not dwell long over their repast. They soon +rejoined their host upon the threshold, and sat down beside him. + +Their questioners had not yet departed from the house. + +"I am the more inclined," resumed the bearded traveller, "to inform you +all of the object of our visit to the Presidio, since we are sent by our +master to ask you a few questions. Will that be agreeable to you?" + +"Perfectly," replied several voices, "and first, may we know who your +master is?" + +"He is Don Augustin Pena; you are not without some knowledge of his +name?" + +"The proprietor of the great Hacienda del Venado--a man worth three +millions! Who does not know him?" replied one of the bystanders. + +"He is the same. This cavalier, whom you see, is a vaquero, entrusted +with the care of the beasts of the hacienda; for myself, I am a +major-domo attached to the service of the proprietor. Would you have +the kindness, my dear friend, to give me a light for my cigar?" +continued the bearded major-domo. + +He paused to light his cigar of maize husk, and then resumed: + +"Six months ago an expedition set out from here in search of gold dust. +This expedition was headed by one named--let me see--_carrai_! I have +heard him called by so many names that I cannot remember any!" + +"Don Estevan Arechiza!" replied one of the interlocutors, "a Spaniard, +and one such as we do not often see in this country; one who seemed, by +his noble deportment and majestic countenance, to have commanded all his +life." + +"Don Estevan Arechiza: the very same," said the major-domo, "a man who +as far exceeds all others in generosity as a gamester who has just won a +fortune. But let me return to the expedition; about how many men +composed it, do you guess?" + +"More than eighty started out with it." + +"More than a hundred," suggested another. + +"You are mistaken--the number was not a hundred in all," interrupted a +third. + +"That matters little to Don Augustin, my master. It is far more +important to know how many returned." + +Upon this point also there were two different opinions. + +"Not a single one," remarked a voice. + +"Yes; there was one, and but one," continued another. + +The major-domo rubbed his hands with an air of satisfaction. + +"Good!" said he, "then at least one is saved, provided this gentleman, +who declares that all the gold-seekers are not dead, be rightly +informed, as I hope he is." + +"Do you not think," said the last who had spoken, "that the man of the +red handkerchief may not be one of those whose departure we witnessed +six months ago? I would swear to it by the cross and Gospel." + +"No! not so!" cried another, "that man never set foot in the Presidio +before the other day." + +"In any case," interrupted a third, "the man of the red handkerchief has +doubtless something of interest in store for Don Augustin Pena, since he +has so often inquired about him. With these gentlemen, he will probably +be more communicative than with us." + +"That will be just what we desire," resumed the major-domo. + +"You must know, then, and I may without indiscretion inform you," +continued he, "that Don Augustin Pena, whom God preserve, was the +intimate friend of Senor Arechiza, and that he has had no news of him +for six months past, which would be natural enough if he has been +massacred by the Indians with all the rest. But my master is anxious +for his return, that he may marry his daughter, Dona Rosarita, a +beautiful and charming person, to the Senator Don Vicente Tragaduros. +Months have elapsed, and since the hacienda is not on the main road from +Arispe to Tubac, and that we cannot gain information from any one upon +the subject of this deplorable expedition, Don Augustin determined upon +sending us here to inquire about it. When he shall have established the +fact that Don Estevan's return is impossible--and as young girls do not +readily meet with Senators in the heart of the desert--nor do the latter +often find there girls whose marriage portion is worth two hundred +thousand piastres--" + +"Carramba! that is a high figure." + +"True, friend," continued the major-domo, "then the projected marriage +will take place to the mutual satisfaction of all parties. Such is the +object of our journey to Tubac. If, therefore, you can conduct me to +him whom you describe as the sole survivor of this expedition, we shall +perhaps learn from him what we wish to discover." + +The conversation had reached this stage, when, at some distance from the +house where it was taking place, a man was seen passing, with his head +bent downwards. + +"See!" said one of the party, pointing to the man in question; "there +goes your sole survivor." + +"In truth, it is a person whose conduct is sufficiently mysterious," +added the host. "For some days past he has done nothing but come and +go, from one place to another, without informing any one of the object +of his journeyings." + +"If it please you, we shall question him?" proposed one. + +"Hola! friend!" cried another of the party; "come this way; here is a +gentleman who is anxious to see and speak with you." + +The mysterious unknown approached at the summons. + +"Senor cavalier," said the major-domo, courteously addressing him, "it +is not to gratify an idle curiosity that I now address you; but the +master whom I serve feels a natural anxiety at the disappearance of a +friend, whose death he would greatly deplore. What do you know of Don +Estevan de Arechiza?" + +"Many things. But, pray what is the name of the master of whom you +speak?" + +"Don Augustin Pena--proprietor of the Hacienda del Venado." + +A ray of joy lit up the countenance of the unknown. + +"I am able," he said, "to furnish Don Augustin with all the information +he may desire. How many days' journey is it from hence to the +hacienda?" + +"Three days' journey, with a good horse." + +"I possess a capital one; and if you can wait for me until to-morrow +evening, I shall accompany you, and communicate with Don Augustin in +person." + +"Be it so," answered the major-domo. + +"Very well," added the man of the red handkerchief; "to-morrow at this +same hour we will start, so that we may travel by night, and so escape +the heat." + +Saying this, he took his departure, when the major-domo remarked: + +"It must be agreed, gentlemen, that nothing can exceed the complaisance +of this cavalier of the red handkerchief." + +The arrangement did not satisfy the bystanders, who were thoroughly +disappointed; but their interest was renewed, on seeing the man of the +red handkerchief pass by on horseback, and depart at full speed towards +the north. + +The unknown kept his promise: and on the day following he returned at +the hour of the evening _angelus_. + +Don Augustin's two envoys took leave of their host, assuring him of a +kind welcome, if ever his affairs led him in the direction of the +Hacienda del Venado. Even the poorest in this primitive country, would +blush to receive any other reward for hospitality than sincere thanks, +and a promise that they in their turn should receive it. + +The three horsemen set off at full speed; the horse of the unknown +equalled in strength and mettle those of Don Augustin's envoys. The +journey was rapidly accomplished; and at dawn of the third day, they +could trace in the distance the clock-tower of the Hacienda del Venado, +and an hour afterwards they dismounted in the court-yard. Although it +was at that early hour when the sun sheds its most enlivening rays, +everything which surrounded this habitation bore the stamp of +melancholy. One might have supposed that the gloomy nature of the +inmates was reflected upon its exterior. + +Dona Rosarita was dying of grief; and this filled the haciendado with +the deepest anxiety. Don Augustin's daughter could not help the belief +that Fabian yet lived. But why, then, had not Tiburcio, as she always +called him, returned to the hacienda? Either he was dead, or he no +longer loved her? It was this uncertainty that gave rise to Dona +Rosarita's deep dejection. + +Another source of anxiety to the haciendado, was the absence of all news +from the Duke de Armada; and to this anxiety was added impatience. The +projected marriage between Rosarita and the Senator had been devised by +Don Estevan. Tragaduros had urged its fulfilment. Don Augustin had +laid the proposal before his daughter, but she replied only by tears; +and her father still hesitated. + +However, at the expiration of six months, it was determined to put an +end to the uncertainty by sending to the Presidio for information +concerning the expedition commanded by Don Estevan. It was the last +respite that poor Rosarita had ventured to demand. + +The Senator had absented himself for some days from the hacienda, when +the major-domo returned, and Don Augustin was informed of the arrival of +a stranger who could remove his uncertainty. He ordered the stranger to +be introduced into the chamber already known to the reader; and Dona +Rosarita, who had been sent for, speedily joined her father. + +In a few moments the stranger presented himself. A wide felt hat, to +which on entering he raised his hand without removing it, shaded his +face, upon which a keen anxiety was visible. From beneath the broad +brim of his hat a red handkerchief fell so low upon his forehead as +almost to conceal his eyebrows, and from beneath its shadow he gazed +with a singular interest upon the pale countenance of the young girl. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY THREE. + +THE STRANGER'S STORY. + +Her head veiled by a silk scarf which partly concealed the luxuriant +tresses of her dark hair as they fell in luxuriant clusters upon her +bosom, Dona Rosarita's countenance gave evidence of long and secret +suffering. + +As she seated herself, a look of deep disquietude increased her +paleness. It seemed as though the young girl feared the approach of a +moment, in which she might be required to renounce those sweet dreams of +the past, for the reality of a future she dared not contemplate. + +When the stranger was also seated the haciendado addressed him. + +"We are indebted to you, my friend," he said, "for travelling thus far +to bring us news which I have been forewarned may prove of a very sad +nature; nevertheless we must hear all. God's will be done!" + +"My news is in truth sad; but as you say, it is necessary," and the +stranger, laying a stress upon these last words, seemed to address +himself more particularly to Dona Rosarita, "that you should hear all. +I have been witness to many things yonder; and the desert does not +conceal so many secrets as one might suppose." + +The young girl trembled slightly, while she fixed upon the man of the +red handkerchief, a deep and searching glance. + +"Go on, friend," said she, in her melodious voice, "we shall have +courage to hear all." + +"What do you know of Don Estevan?" resumed the haciendado. + +"He is dead, Senor." + +A sigh of grief escaped Don Augustin, and he rested his head upon his +hands. + +"Who killed him?" he asked. + +"I know not, but he is dead." + +"And Pedro Diaz--that man of such noble and disinterested feeling?" + +"He, like Don Estevan, is no more of this world." + +"And his friends Cuchillo, Oroche, and Baraja?" + +"Dead as well as Pedro Diaz, all dead except--but with your leave, +Senor, I shall commence my narrative at an earlier period. It is +necessary that you should know all." + +"We shall listen to you patiently." + +"I need not detail," resumed the narrator, "the dangers of every kind, +nor the various combats in which we were engaged since our departure. +Headed by a chief who inspired us with boundless confidence, we shared +his perils cheerfully." + +"Poor Don Estevan!" murmured the haciendado. + +"During the last halt in which I was present, a report spread through +the camp that we were in the vicinity of an immense treasure of gold. +Cuchillo, our guide, deserted us; he was absent two days. It was +doubtless God's will that I should be saved, since it inspired Don +Estevan with the idea of sending me in search of him. He therefore +commanded me to scour the country in the environs of the camp. + +"I obeyed him, notwithstanding the danger of the mission, and went in +search of our guide's footsteps. After some time I was fortunate enough +to find his traces; when all at once I perceived in the distance a party +of Apaches engaged in a hunt of wild horses. I turned my horse's head +round as quickly as possible, but the ferocious yells which burst out on +every side told me that I was discovered." + +The stranger, in whom the reader has doubtless recognised Gayferos, the +unfortunate man who had been scalped, paused an instant as though +overcome by horrible recollections. Then in continuation, he related +the manner in which he was captured by the Indians, his anguish when he +thought of the torments they were preparing for him, the desperate +struggle by which he kept up in his race against them with naked feet, +and the inexpressible sufferings he endured. + +"Seized by one of them," said he, "I was struck by a blow which felled +me to the earth; then I felt the keen edge of a knife trace, as it were, +a circle of fire around my head. I heard a gun fired, a ball hissed +close to my ears, and I lost all consciousness. I cannot tell how many +minutes passed thus. The sound of a second shot caused me to open my +eyes, but the blood which covered my face blinded me; I raised my hand +to my head, which felt both burning and frozen. My skull was bare, the +Indian had torn off the hair with the scalp attached to it. In short, +they had scalped me! That is the reason, Senor, that I now wear this +red handkerchief both by day and by night." + +During his recital, a cold perspiration covered the narrator's +countenance. His two listeners shuddered with horror. + +After a momentary pause, he continued: + +"I ought perhaps to spare you, as well as myself, other sad details." + +Gayferos then related to his auditors the unexpected assistance he had +obtained from the three hunters who had taken refuge upon the little +island, and was describing the moment in which Bois-Rose carried him off +in the presence of the Indians, when this heroic action drew from Don +Augustin's lips a cry of admiration. + +"But there were then a score on this little island?" interrupted he. + +"Reckoning the giant who carried me in his arms there were but three," +continued the narrator. + +"_Santa Virgen_! they were trusty men then--but continue." + +The adventurer resumed: + +"The companion of him who had carried me in his arms was a man of about +the same age--that is, near five-and-forty. There was, besides, a young +man, of a pale but proud countenance, a sparkling eye, and a sweet +smile; by my faith, a handsome young man, Senorita; such a one as a +father might with pride own as a son--such as a lady might be proud and +happy to see at her feet. During a short interval of calm, which +succeeded the horrible agonies I had suffered, I found time to question +the preservers of my life concerning their names and occupation; but I +could learn nothing from them except that they were hunters, and +travelled for their own pleasure. That was not very probable, still I +made no observation." + +Dona Rosarita could not quite suppress a sigh: perhaps she expected to +be reminded of a familiar name. + +Gayferos continued the recital of various facts with which the reader is +already acquainted. + +"Alas, Senorita," he continued, "the poor young man was himself captured +by the Indians, and his punishment was to avenge the death of their +companions." + +At this part of the narrative, Dona Rosarita's cheek became deadly pale. + +"Well, and the young man," interrupted the haciendado, who was almost as +much moved as the daughter, on hearing these sad events, "what became of +him?" + +Rosarita, who had remained silent as the narrator proceeded, returned by +a look of tender acknowledgment, the solicitude her father testified for +the young man, for whom in spite of herself, she felt so deep an +interest. + +"Three days and three nights were consumed in fearful anguish, relieved +only by a feeble ray of hope. At length on the morning of the fourth +day, we were able unawares to fall upon our sanguinary foes; and after a +desperate struggle, the warlike giant succeeded in reconquering the +youth, who, safe and sound, he again pressed to his heart, calling him +his beloved child." + +"Heaven be praised!" exclaimed the haciendado, with a sigh of relief. + +Rosarita remained silent, but her colour suddenly returning, testified +to the pleasure she experienced: while a joyous smile lit up her +countenance on hearing the last words of the narrator. + +"Continue!" said the haciendado; "but, in your recital, which is deeply +interesting to a man who was himself during six months held captive by +the Indians, I seek in vain for any details relative to poor Don +Estevan's death." + +"I am ignorant of them," continued Gayferos, "and I can only repeat the +words spoken by the youngest of the three hunters, when I questioned him +upon the subject." + +"He is dead," said the young man to me, "you yourself are the last +survivor of a numerous expedition; when you shall have returned to your +own country--for," added he, with a sigh, "you have perhaps some one, +who in grief numbers the days of your absence--they will question you +concerning the fate of your chief, and the men he commanded. You will +reply to them, that the men died fighting--as to their chief, that he +was condemned by the justice of God, and that the divine sentence +pronounced against him, was executed in the desert. Don Estevan +Arechiza will never again return to his friends." + +"Poor Don Estevan!" exclaimed the haciendado. + +"And you could never learn the names of these brave, generous, and +devoted men?" asked Dona Rosarita. + +"Not at the moment," continued Gayferos; "only it appeared strange to +me, that the youngest of the three hunters spoke to me of Don Estevan, +Diaz, Oroche, and Baraja, as though he knew them perfectly." + +A pang shot through Dona Rosarita's heart, her bosom heaved, her cheeks +were dyed with a deep crimson, then became pale again as the flowers of +the _datura_, but she still remained silent. + +"I draw towards the close of my recital," continued Gayferos. "After +having recovered the brave warrior's son from the Apaches, we journeyed +towards the plains of Texas. I shall not relate to you all the dangers +we encountered during six months of our wandering life, as hunters of +the otter and the beaver, nevertheless, it had its charms; but there was +one amongst us, who was far from finding this life agreeable. This was +our young companion. + +"When I saw him for the first time I was struck by the melancholy +expression of his countenance, but afterwards, as we journeyed together, +I noticed that this melancholy, instead of decreasing, seemed daily to +augment. The old hunter, whom I believed to be his father (I know now +that he is not), took every opportunity of calling his attention to the +magnificence of the vast forest in which we lived, the imposing scenes +of the desert, or the charm of the perils we encountered. They were +vain efforts, for nothing could banish the grief that consumed him. He +seemed only to forget it in the midst of the dangers he eagerly sought. +One might have supposed that life to him was no more than a heavy burden +which he desired to get rid of. + +"Full of compassion for him, I often said to the old hunter--`Solitude +is only suited to an advanced age, youth delights in activity, and in +the presence of its equals. Let us return to our habitations.' But the +giant only sighed without replying. + +"Soon afterwards the manner of the two hunters, who loved their young +companion as a son, became also saddened. + +"One night while the young man and I were watching, I recalled a name +which six months before he had uttered in his sleep. I then learned the +secret of that grief which was slowly consuming him. He loved, and +solitude had but increased a passion which he vainly sought to stifle." + +Gayferos paused an instant to cast a searching glance upon the +countenances of his auditors, especially upon that of Dona Rosarita. He +appeared to take a secret pleasure in exciting the young girl by the +recital of all the circumstances best calculated to touch the heart of a +woman. + +As a warrior and a hunter, the haciendado did not attempt to conceal the +interest with which the stranger's narrative was inspiring him. + +Rosarita, on the contrary, endeavoured, under a mask of studied +coldness, to conceal the charm she experienced on listening to this +romance of heart and action, whose most stirring pages were so +considerately opened to her by the intelligent narrator. + +But her heightened colour and the fire in her large dark eyes completely +belied her efforts. + +"Ah!" cried Don Augustin, "if these three brave men had been under Don +Estevan's command, the fate of the expedition might have been far +different." + +"I am of the same opinion," replied Gayferos, "but God had ordained it +otherwise. Meanwhile," he continued, "I felt a great longing again to +see my native land, but gratitude required that I should conceal it. +But the old warrior divined my thoughts, and one day addressed me on +this subject. + +"Too generous to suffer me alone to brave the dangers of my homeward +journey, the giant hunter resolved to accompany me as far as Tubac. His +companion did not oppose his resolution, and we set out for the +frontier. The young man alone seemed, to follow us reluctantly in this +direction. + +"I shall not describe our fatigues and the various difficulties we +surmounted, in the course of our long and perilous journey. I wish, +however, to speak of one of our last encounters with the Indians. + +"In order to reach the Presidio we were obliged to cross the chain of +the Rocky Mountains. It was towards the approach of night that we found +ourselves amongst their gloomy solitudes, and we were obliged to halt. + +"This is a spot much frequented by the Indians, and we could not encamp +without the greatest precaution. + +"Nothing, as it seems to me, can better resemble the abode of condemned +souls than these mountains, where we spent the night. At every moment +strange sounds, which appeared to proceed from the cavities of the +rocks, broke upon our ears. At one time it was a volcano, which rumbled +with dull and heavy noise beneath us, or the distant roar of a cataract: +sometimes resembling the howling of wolves or plaintive cries; and from +time to time dreadful flashes of lightning tore aside the veil of mist +which eternally covers these mountains. + +"For fear of a surprise we had encamped upon a rock which projected, in +the form of a table, above a wide open valley about fifty feet below us. +The two elder hunters were asleep; the youngest alone kept watch. It +was his turn, and as usual he had been compelled to insist upon it--for +his companions seemed unwilling thus to allow him to share their toils. + +"As for myself, sick and suffering, I was stretched upon the ground. +After many vain efforts to obtain a little rest, at length I slept, when +a frightful dream awoke me with a start. + +"`Did you hear nothing?' I asked of the young man, in a low voice. +`Nothing,' he replied, `except the rumbling of the subterranean +volcanoes in the mountains.' `Say, rather, that we are here in an +accursed spot,' I continued, and then I related my dream to him. + +"`It is, perhaps a warning,' he said gravely. `I remember one night to +have had just such a dream, when--' + +"The young man paused. He had advanced to the edge of the rock. I +crawled after him mechanically. The same object arrested our attention +at the same moment. + +"One of those spirits of darkness which might have inhabited such a +spot, appeared suddenly to have acquired a visible form. It was a kind +of phantom, with the head and skin of a wolf, but erect upon its legs +like a human being. I made the sign of the cross, and murmured a +prayer, but the phantom did not stir. + +"`It is the devil,' I whispered. + +"`It is an Indian,' replied the young man; `there are his companions at +some distance.' + +"In short, our eyes, well practised in making out objects in the dark, +could distinguish about twenty Indians, stretched upon the ground, and +who, in truth, had no idea of our vicinity. + +"Ah, Senorita!" added the narrator, addressing himself to Dona Rosarita, +"it was one of those opportunities fraught with danger, which the poor +young man sought with so much avidity; and your heart, like mine, would +have been torn at beholding the sad joy which sparkled in his eyes; for +the further we travelled in this direction the more his melancholy +seemed to increase. + +"`Let us wake our friends,' I suggested. + +"`No; let me go alone. These two men have done enough for me. It is +now my turn to run a risk for them and, if I die, I shall forget--' + +"As he spoke these words the young man quitted me, made a detour, and I +lost sight of him--without, however, ceasing to behold the frightful +apparition which continued immovable in the same spot. + +"All at once I saw another dusky shape, which rushed towards the phantom +and seized it by the throat. The two forms grappled with one another. +The struggle was short and noiseless, and one might have believed them +two spirits. I prayed to God in behalf of the poor young man who thus +exposed his life with so much indifference and intrepidity. A short +time afterwards I saw him return; the blood was flowing over his face +from a large wound on his head. + +"`Oh, Heavens!' I cried; `you are wounded.' + +"`It is nothing,' he said; `I will now wake our companions.' + +"What do you think, Senorita?" continued the narrator. "Was not my +dream a warning from God? A party of Indians, whom we had put to flight +on the other side of the mountains--had followed our track in order to +revenge the blood of their companions, which had been spilt upon the +banks of the Gila--at the place where we had rescued the young man. + +"But the Indians had to contend with terrible adversaries. Their +sentinel was the phantom who had been killed by the courageous hunter +before he had time to utter a cry of alarm, and the rest, surprised in +their sleep, were nearly all stabbed; a few sought safety in flight. + +"The night had not passed before this new exploit was accomplished. + +"The tall hunter hastened to dress the wound of the young man, whom he +loved as a son; and the latter, overcome with fatigue, stretched himself +upon the ground and slept. + +"In the mean time his two friends watched by his side to guide his +sleep, whilst I in sadness contemplated his altered countenance, his +reduced figure, and the bloodstained bandage with which his head was +bound." + +"Poor youth," interrupted Dona Rosarita, gently, "still so young, and +yet compelled to lead a life of incessant danger. And his father, also, +he must have trembled for the life of a beloved son?" + +"Beloved, as you say, Senorita," continued the narrator. + +"During a period of six months I was a daily witness to the infinite +tenderness of this father for his child. + +"The young man slept tranquilly, and his lips softly murmured a name-- +that of a woman--the same which had lately been revealed to me in his +slumber." + +Rosarita's dark eyes seemed to question the narrator, but her words +expired upon her parted lips; she dared not utter the name her heart was +whispering in her ears. + +"But I encroach upon your time," continued Gayferos, without appearing +to notice the young girl's agitation. "I draw towards the close of my +narrative. + +"The young man woke just as day began to dawn. `Comrade,' said the +giant to me, `go down yonder and count the dead which these dogs have +left behind them.' + +"Eleven corpses stretched upon the ground," continued Gayferos, "and two +captured horses, attested the victory of these intrepid hunters." + +"Let all due honour be given to these formidable men," cried Don +Augustin, with enthusiasm, whilst his daughter, clapping her little +hands together, exclaimed, with sparkling eyes, and an enthusiasm which +equalled that of her father-- + +"That is splendid! that is sublime! so young, and yet so brave." + +Rosarita only lavished her praises upon the young unknown--though +perhaps the acute perception which belongs to a woman, and which almost +resembles a second sight, may have revealed to her his name. + +The narrator seemed to appreciate the praises bestowed upon his friends. + +"But did you not learn their names?" asked Dona Rosarita, timidly. + +"The elder was called Bois-Rose, the second Pepe. As to the young +man--" + +Gayferos appeared vainly endeavouring to recall the name without +remarking the anguish which was depicted in the young girl's agitated +frame, and visible in her anxious eyes. + +By the similarity of position between Tiburcio and the unknown, she +could not doubt but that it was he; and the poor child was collecting +all her strength to listen to his name, and not to utter, on hearing it, +a cry of happiness and love. + +"As to the young man," continued the narrator, "he was called Fabian." + +At this name, which was unknown to the young girl, and which at once +destroyed her pleasant delusions, she pressed her hand upon her heart, +her lips became white, and the colour which hope had revived in her +cheek faded away. She could only repeat mechanically. + +"Fabian!" + +At this moment the recital was interrupted by the entrance of a servant. +The Chaplain begged the haciendado to come to him for an instant, upon +some business he had to communicate to him. + +Don Augustin quitted the apartment, saying that he should speedily +return. + +Gayferos and the young girl were now left alone; the former observed her +some moments in silence, and with a delight he could scarcely conceal, +saw that Rosarita trembled beneath the folds of her silk scarf. By a +secret feeling the poor child divined that Gayferos had not yet +finished. At length the latter said gently, "Fabian bore another name, +Senorita; do you wish to hear it, while we are alone and without +witnesses?" + +Rosarita turned pale. + +"Another name! oh, speak it?" she cried, in a trembling voice. + +"He was long known as Tiburcio Arellanos." + +A cry of joy escaped the young girl, who rose from her seat, and +approaching the bearer of this good news, seized his hand. + +"Thanks! thanks!" she exclaimed, "if my heart has not already spoken +them." + +Then she tottered across the chamber, and knelt at the feet of a +Madonna, which, framed in gold, hung against the wall. + +"Tiburcio Arellanos," continued the narrator, "is now Fabian, and Fabian +is the last descendant of the Counts of Mediana--a noble and powerful +Spanish family." + +The young girl continued on her knees in prayer without appearing to +listen to Gayferos' words. + +"Immense possessions, a lofty name, titles and honours. All these he +will lay at the feet of the woman who shall accept his hand." + +The young girl continued her fervent prayer without turning her head. + +"And, moreover," resumed the narrator, "the heart of Don Fabian de +Mediana still retains a feeling which was dear to the heart of Tiburcio +Arellanos." + +Rosarita paused in her prayer. + +"Tiburcio Arellanos will be here to-night." + +This time the young girl no longer prayed. It was Tiburcio and not +Fabian, Count of Mediana. Tiburcio, poor, and unknown, for whom she had +wept. At the sound of this name, she listened. Honours, titles, +wealth. What were they to her? Fabian lived, and loved her still, what +more could she desire? + +"If you will come to the breach in the wall, where, full of despair, he +parted from you, you will find him there this very evening. Do you +remember the place?" + +"Oh! my God!" she murmured, softly, "do I not visit it every evening?" + +And once more bending before the image of the Virgin, Rosarita resumed +her interrupted prayer. + +The adventurer contemplated for some instants this enthusiastic and +beautiful creature, her scarf partly concealing her figure, her nude +shoulders caressed by the long tresses of her dark hair, which fell in +soft rings upon their surface; then without interrupting her devotion, +he rose from his seat and silently fitted the chamber. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR. + +THE RETURN. + +When Don Augustin Pena returned, he found his daughter alone, and still +kneeling; he waited until her prayer was finished. The news of Don +Estevan's death so entirely occupied the haciendado's mind that he +naturally attributed Dona Rosarita's pious action to another motive than +the true one. He believed that she was offering up to Heaven a fervent +prayer for the repose of his spirit, whose mysterious end they had just +been made acquainted with. + +"Every day," said he, "during the following year, the Chaplain will, by +my orders, say a mass for Don Estevan's soul, for this man spake of the +justice of God, which was accomplished in the desert. These words are +serious, and the manner with which they were pronounced, leaves no doubt +as to their veracity." + +"May God pardon him!" replied Rosarita, rising from her knees, "and +grant him the mercy he requires." + +"May God pardon him!" repeated Don Augustin, earnestly, "the noble Don +Estevan was no ordinary man, or rather, that you may now know it, +Rosarita, Don Antonia de Mediana, who, in his lifetime, was Knight of +the Grand Cross, and Duke de Armada." + +"Mediana, did you say, my father?" cried the young girl, "what! he must +then be his son?" + +"Of whom do you speak?" asked Don Augustin, in astonishment, "Don +Antonio was never married. What can you mean?" + +"Nothing, my father, unless it be that your daughter is to-day very +happy." + +As she said these words, Dona Rosarita threw her arms round her father's +neck, and leaning her head upon his breast burst into a passion of +tears; but in these tears there was no bitterness, they flowed softly, +like the dew which the American jasmine sheds in the morning from its +purple flowers. + +The haciendado, but little versed in the knowledge of the female heart, +misconstrued the tears, which are sometimes a luxury to women; and he +could conceive nothing of the happiness which was drawing them from his +daughter's eyes. + +He questioned her anew, but she contented herself with answering, while +her lips were parted by a smile, and her eyes were still moist. + +"To-morrow I shall tell you all, my father." + +The good haciendado did indeed require the explanation of this mystery, +when he was left in ignorance of the chief fact concerning it. + +"We have another duty to fulfil," continued he; "the last wish expressed +by Don Antonio, on parting from me, was that you should be united to the +Senator Tragaduros. It will be in compliance with the request of one +who is now no more, that this marriage should no longer be delayed. Do +you see any obstacle to it, Rosarita?" + +The young girl started at these words, which reminded her of the fatal +engagement she had sought to banish from memory. Her bosom swelled, and +her tears flowed afresh. + +"Well," said the haciendado, smiling, "this is another proof of +happiness, is it not?" + +"Of happiness!" repeated Rosarita, bitterly. "Oh! no, no, my father!" + +Don Augustin was now more puzzled than ever; for, as he himself alleged, +his life had been spent more in studying the artifices of Indians, with +whom he had long disputed his domain, than in diving into the hearts of +women. + +"Oh, my father!" cried Rosarita, "this marriage would now prove a +sentence of death to your poor child!" + +At this sudden declaration, which he had not expected, Don Augustin was +quite stupefied, and it was with difficulty he subdued the anger to +which it had given rise. + +"What!" he cried with some warmth, "did you not yourself consent to this +marriage only a month ago? Did you not agree that it should be +consummated when we knew that Don Estevan could not return? He is dead; +what then do you wish?" + +"It is true, father; I did fix that period, but--" + +"Well!" + +"But I did not know that he still lived." + +"Don Antonio de Mediana?" + +"No; Don Fabian de Mediana," replied Rosarita, in a low voice. + +"Don Fabian? who is this Fabian of whom you speak?" + +"He whom we called Tiburcio Arellanos." + +Don Augustin remained mute with surprise: his daughter took advantage of +his silence. + +"When I consented to this marriage," said she, "I believed that Don +Fabian was forever lost to us. I did not know that he still loved me; +and yet--consider whether I do not love you, my father; consider what a +grievous sacrifice I made in my affection for you--I knew well--" + +As she spoke these words--her eyes moist with tears, yet shining with +their own sweet lustre--the poor girl approached, and, by a sudden +impulse, threw herself upon her father's shoulder to hide her rising +blushes. + +"I knew then that I loved him only," she murmured. + +"But of whom do you speak?" + +"Of Tiburcio Arellanos--of the Count Fabian de Mediana--they are one and +the same person." + +"Of the Count Mediana?" repeated Don Augustin. + +"Yes," cried Rosarita, passionately; "I still love in him Tiburcio +Arellanos, however noble, powerful, and rich may be at this hour Count +Fabian de Mediana." + +Noble, powerful, and rich, are words that sound well in the ear of an +ambitious father, when applied to a young man whom he loves and esteems, +but whom he believes to be poor. Tiburcio Arellanos would have met with +a refusal from Don Augustin--softened, it is true, by affectionate +words--but had not Fabian de Mediana a better chance of success? + +"Will you tell me how Tiburcio Arellanos can be Fabian de Mediana?" +asked Don Augustin, with more curiosity than anger. "Who gave you this +information?" + +"You were not present at the close of the stranger's narrative," replied +Dona Rosarita, "or you would have heard that the young companion of the +two brave hunters whose dangers he nobly shared, was no other than +Tiburcio Arellanos, now become the Count Fabian de Mediana. To this day +I am ignorant of how, alone and wounded, he quitted the hacienda, and by +what circumstances he found these unexpected protectors--or what +relationship exists between Tiburcio and the Duke de Armada. But this +man, who knows, will tell you." + +"Let him be instantly sought," said Don Augustin, quickly; and he called +an attendant to whom he gave the order. + +Don Augustin awaited with the greatest impatience, the return of +Gayferos; but they sought him in vain. He had disappeared. We shall +presently explain the motive of his departure. Almost at the same +moment in which the haciendado and his daughter were informed of it, +another attendant entered to announce that Tragaduros was dismounting in +the court-yard of the hacienda. + +The coincidence of the Senator's return with the approaching arrival of +Fabian, was one of those events in which chance, oftener than might be +supposed, sports with the events of real life. + +Rosarita, in order to secure an ally in her father, hastened to embrace +him tenderly, and to testify her astonishment at a miracle, which had +converted the adopted son of a gambusino into the heir of one of the +most powerful families in Spain. After having launched this twofold +dart against the Senator, the young girl vanished from the apartment, +leaving her father alone. + +Tragaduros entered like a man who feels that the announcement of his +arrival is always welcome. His manner was that of a future kinsman, for +he had obtained the father's promise and the daughter's consent, +although that consent was only tacitly given. However, notwithstanding +his self-satisfaction, and his confidence in the future, the Senator +could not fail to remark the grave reserve of Don Augustin's manner. He +thought himself at liberty to remark it. + +"Don Estevan de Arechiza, the Duke of Armada, is no more," said the +haciendado; "both you and I have lost a dear and noble friend." + +"What, dead?" cried the Senator, hiding his face with an embroidered +cambric handkerchief. "Poor Don Estevan! I do not think I shall ever +be able to console myself." + +His future, nevertheless, might not have been obscured by perpetual +grief, for the regret he expressed was far from being in harmony with +his most secret thoughts. While he acknowledged the many obligations he +owed to Don Estevan, he could not help remembering that had he lived, he +would have been compelled to spend in political intrigues the half of +his wife's marriage portion; half a million of money he must thus have +thrown to the dogs. It is true, he said to himself, I shall neither be +a count, marquis, or duke of any kind, but to my thinking, half a +million of money is worth more than a title, and will multiply my +pleasures considerably. This fatal event will besides hasten the period +of my marriage. Perhaps after all Don Estevan's death is not a +misfortune. "Poor Don Estevan," he continued aloud, "what an unexpected +blow!" + +Tragaduros had yet to learn that it might have been better for him had +Don Estevan lived. We will leave him with the haciendado, and follow +Gayferos--for perhaps the reader will be glad to hear from him again. + +The adventurer had saddled his horse, and unseen by anybody had crossed +the plain and again taken the road which led to the Presidio of Tubac. + +The route which he followed for some time brought him in contact with +few travellers, and when by chance some horseman appeared in the +distance, Gayferos, as he passed him, exchanged an impatient salutation, +but failed to recognise the one he sought. + +The day was drawing towards a close, and it was at a late hour when +Gayferos uttered a joyful exclamation on seeing three travellers +advancing at a gallop. + +These travellers were no others than the Canadian, Pepe, and Fabian de +Mediana. The giant was mounted upon a strong mule, larger and more +vigorous than the Mexican horses. Nevertheless this animal was somewhat +out of proportion with the gigantic stature of the rider. + +Fabian and Pepe rode two excellent coursers, which they had taken from +the Indians. + +The young man was greatly changed since the day when he arrived for the +first time at the Hacienda del Venado. + +Painful and indelible recollections had left their traces upon his pale +and wasted cheeks, a few wrinkles furrowed his brow, though the +brilliancy of his eye was heightened by the sorrowful reflection of the +passion which consumed him. But perhaps in the eyes of a woman his pale +and sickly appearance might render the young Count of Mediana still more +handsome and interesting than was that of Tiburcio Arellanos. + +Would not that countenance, ennobled by toil and travel, remind Dona +Rosarita of the love for which she had every reason to feel proud and +happy? Would it not tell of dangers overcome, and surround itself with +a double halo of sacrifice and suffering? + +As to the rough countenances of the hunters, sun, fatigue, and danger of +every kind had left them unchanged. If the hot winds had bronzed their +skin, six months more of the adventurous life to which they were +accustomed left no trace upon their sunburnt features. + +They testified no surprise on seeing the gambusino, but a lively +curiosity was depicted in the glance of each. A look from Gayferos, +however, soon satisfied them. That look doubtless assured them that all +was as they wished. Fabian alone expressed some astonishment on seeing +his old companion so near the Hacienda del Venado. + +"Was if in order to precede us here that you came to take leave of us +near Tubac?" asked Fabian. + +"Doubtless--did I not tell you so?" replied Gayferos. + +"I did not understand you thus," said Fabian, who, without seeming to +attach much importance to that which was said or done around him, +relapsed into the melancholy silence which had become habitual to him. + +Gayferos turned his horse's head round, and the four travellers +continued their journey in silence. + +At the expiration of an hour, during which Gayferos and the Canadian +only exchanged a few words in a low tone, and to which Fabian, always +absorbed in thought, gave no attention, the recollections of a past, not +very remote, crowded upon the memory of the three travellers. They were +again crossing the plain which extends beyond El Salto de Agua, and a +few minutes afterwards they reached the torrent itself which foams down +perpetually between the rocks. A bridge, the same size as the former +one, replaced that which had been precipitated into the gulf below by +those men who now slept their last sleep in the valley of gold, the +object of their ambition. + +The Canadian here dismounted. + +"Now, Fabian," said he, "here Don Estevan was found; the three bandits +(I except, however, poor Diaz, the tenor of the Indians) were there. +See, here are still the prints of your horse's hoofs--when he slipped +from this rock, dragging you downwards in his fall. Ah! Fabian, my +child, I can even now see the water foaming around you--even now hear +the cry of anguish I uttered. What an impetuous young man you then +were!" + +"That I no longer am," said Fabian, smiling sadly. + +"Oh, no! at the present time your manner is imbued with the firm +stoicism of an Indian warrior who smiles at the tortures of the stake. +In the midst of these scenes your face is calm, yet I am convinced the +recollections they recall to you must be harrowing in the extreme; is it +not so, Fabian?" + +"You are mistaken, my father," replied Fabian; "my heart resembles this +rock, where, though you say so, I no longer trace my horse's hoofs; and +my memory is mute as the echo of your own voice, which you seem still to +hear. When, before suffering me to return and live forever removed from +the inhabitants of yonder deserts, you required as a last trial that I +should again behold a spot which might recall old recollections, I told +you those recollections no longer existed." + +A tear dimmed the Canadian's eye, but he concealed it by turning his +back to Fabian as he remounted his mule. + +The travellers then crossed the bridge formed of the trunks of trees. + +"Do you trace upon this moss which covers the ground the print of my +horse's hoofs when I pursued Don Estevan and his troop?" asked Fabian of +Bois-Rose. "No! the dead leaves of the past winter have obliterated +them--the grass which sprung up after the rainy season has grown over +them." + +"Ah! if I raised the leaves, if I tore up the grass, I should again +discover their traces, Fabian; and if I searched the depth of your +heart--" + +"You would find nothing, I tell you," interrupted Fabian with some +impatience; "but I am mistaken," he added, gently, "you would find a +reminiscence of childhood, one of those in which you are associated, my +father." + +"I believe it, Fabian, I believe it--you who have been the delight of my +whole life; but I have told you that I will not accept your sacrifice +until to-morrow at this hour, when you shall have seen all, even the +breach in the old wall, over which you once sprung, wounded in body and +spirit." + +A shudder, like that of the condemned on seeing the last terrible +instrument of torture, passed through Fabian's frame. + +The travellers halted at length, in that part of the forest situated +between the Salto de Agua and the hacienda, in the open space where +Fabian had found in the Canadian and his comrade, friends whom God +seemed to have sent to him from the extreme ends of the earth. + +Now the shades of night no longer obscured the silent depths of the +American forest--a silence in which there is something awful when the +sun in its zenith sends forth burning rays like blades of crimson fire, +when the flower of the lliana closes its chalice, when the stems of the +grass drop languidly downwards, as though in search of nourishment, and +the whole face of nature, silent and inanimate, appears buried in sleep. +The distant roar of the cataract was the only sound which at this hour +broke the stillness of the forest. + +The travellers unsaddled, and having removed their horses' bridles, +fastened them at some distance off. As they had travelled all night to +escape the heat of the sun, they determined to take their siesta under +the shade of the trees. + +Gayferos was the first who fell asleep. His affection for Fabian was +not disturbed by any fears for the future. Pepe was not long in +following his example. The Canadian only and Fabian did not close their +eyes. + +"You are not sleeping, Fabian," said Bois-Rose, in a low voice. + +"No, nor you. Why do you not take some rest, like our companions?" + +"One cannot sleep, Fabian, in a spot consecrated by so many sacred +memories," replied the old hunter. "This place is rendered holy to me. +Was it not here that, by the intervention of a miracle, I again found +you in the heart of this forest, after having lost you upon the wide +ocean? I should be ungrateful to the Almighty if I could forget this-- +even to obtain the rest which He has appointed for us." + +"I think as you do, my father, and listen to your words," replied the +young Count. + +"Thanks, Fabian; thanks also to that God who ordained that I should find +you with a heart so noble and so loving. See! here are still the +remains of the fire near which I sat; here are the brands, still black, +though they have been washed by the rain of an entire season. Here is +the tree against which I leant on the happiest evening of my life, since +it restored you to me; for now that I can again call you my son, each +day of my existence has been fraught with happiness, until I learnt what +I should have understood, that my affection for you was not that to +which the young heart aspires." + +"Why so frequently allude to this subject, my father?" said Fabian, with +that gentle submission which is more cutting than the bitterest +reproach. + +"As you will. Let us not again allude to that which may pain you; we +shall speak of it after the trial to which I have submitted you." + +The father and son--for we may indeed call them so--now maintained a +long silence, listening only to the voices of nature. The sun +approached the horizon, a light breeze sprung up and rustled among the +leaves; already hopping from branch to branch, the birds resumed their +song, the insects swarmed in the grass, and the lowing of cattle was +heard in the distance. It was the denizens of the forest who welcomed +the return of evening. + +The two sleepers awoke. + +After a short and substantial repast, of which Gayferos had brought the +materials from the Hacienda del Venado, the four travellers awaited in +calm meditation the hour of their great trial. + +Some time passed away before the azure sky above the open clearing was +overcast. + +Gradually, however, the light of day diminished on the approach of +twilight, and then myriads of stars shone in the firmament, like sparks +sown by the sun as he quitted the horizon. At length, as on that +evening to which so many recollections belonged, when Fabian, wounded, +reached the wood-rangers by their fire, the moon illumined the summits +of the trees and the glades of the forest. + +"Can we light a fire?" inquired Pepe. + +"Certainly; for it may chance that we shall spend the night here," +replied Bois-Rose. "Is not this your desire, Fabian?" + +"It matters little to me," replied the young man; "here or yonder, are +we not always agreed?" + +Fabian, as we have said, had long felt that the Canadian could not live, +even with him, in the heart of towns, without yearning for the liberty +and free air of the desert. He knew also that to live without him would +be still more impossible for his comrade; and he had generously offered +himself as a sacrifice to the affection of the old hunter. + +Bois-Rose was aware of the full extent of the sacrifice, and the tear he +had that morning shed by stealth, was one of gratitude. We shall +by-and-by enter more fully into the Canadian's feelings. + +The position of the stars indicated eleven o'clock. + +"Go, my son," said Bois-Rose to Fabian. "When you have reached the spot +where you parted from the woman who perhaps loved you, put your hand +upon your heart. If you do not feel its pulses beat quicker, return, +for you will then have overcome the past." + +"I shall return, then," replied Fabian, in a tone of melancholy +firmness: "memory is to me like the breath of the wind which passes by +without resting, and leaves no trace." + +He departed slowly. A fresh breeze tempered the hot exhalations which +rose from the earth. A resplendent moon shone upon the landscape at the +moment when Fabian, having quitted the shadow of the forest, reached the +open space intervening between it and the wall inclosing the hacienda. + +Until that moment he proceeded with a slow but firm step, but when, +through the silver vapours of the night, he perceived the white wall +with the breach in the centre partly visible, his pace slackened, and +his knees trembled under him. + +Did he dread his approaching defeat? for his conscience told him already +that he would be vanquished--or was it rather those recollections which, +now so painfully recalled, rose up before him like the floods of the +sea? + +There was a deep silence, and the night, but for a slight vapour, was +clear. All at once Fabian halted and stood still like the dismayed +traveller, who sees a phantom rise up in his path. A white and airy +form appeared distinctly visible above the breach in the old wall. It +resembled one of the fairies in the old legends of the north, which to +the eye of the Scandinavian idolaters floated amidst vapours and mists. +To the eye of Fabian it bore the angel form of his first and only love! + +For one instant this lovely apparition appeared to Fabian to melt away; +but his eyes deceived him, for in spite of himself they were obscured. +The vision remained stationary. When he had strength to move, he +advanced nearer, and still the vision did not disappear. + +The young man's heart felt as if it would burst, for at this moment a +horrible idea crossed his mind. He believed that what he saw was +Rosarita's spirit, and he would rather a thousand times have known her +living, though pitiless and disdainful, than behold her dead, though she +appeared in the form of a gentle and benignant apparition. + +A voice, whose sweet accents fell upon his ear like heavenly music, +failed to dispel the illusion, though the voice spoke in human accents. + +"Is it you, Tiburcio? I expected you." + +Even the penetration of a spirit from the other world could not have +divined that he would return from such a distance. + +"Is it you, Rosarita?" cried Fabian, in a scarcely perceptible voice, +"or a delusive vision which will quickly disappear?" + +And Fabian stood motionless, fixed to the spot, so greatly did he fear +that the beloved image would vanish from his sight. + +"It is I," said the voice; "I am indeed here." + +"O God! the trial will be more terrible than I dared to think," said +Fabian, inwardly. + +And he advanced a step forward, then paused; the poor young man did not +entertain a hope. + +"By what miracle of heaven do I find you here?" he cried. + +"I come every evening, Tiburcio," replied the young girl. + +This time Fabian began to tremble more with love than hope. + +We have seen that Rosarita, in her last interview with Fabian, chose +rather to run the risk of death than confess that she loved him. Since +then she had suffered so much, she had shed so many tears, that now love +was stronger than virgin purity. + +A young girl may sometimes, by such courage, sanctify and enhance her +modesty. + +"Come nearer, Tiburcio," she said; "see! here is my hand." + +Fabian rushed forward to her feet. He seized the hand she offered +convulsively, but he tried in vain to speak. + +The young girl looked down with anxious tenderness upon his face. + +"Let me see if you are much changed, Tiburcio," she continued. "Ah! +yes. Grief has left its traces on your brow, but honour has ennobled +it. You are as brave as you are handsome, Tiburcio. I learned with +pride that danger had never made your cheek turn pale." + +"You heard, did you say?" cried Fabian; "but what have you heard?" + +"All, Tiburcio; even to your most secret thoughts. I have heard all, +even of your coming here this evening. Do you understand? and I am +here!" + +"Before I dare to comprehend, Rosarita,--for this time a mistake would +kill me," continued Fabian, whose heart was stirred to its very depths +by the young girl's words, and the tenderness of her manner, "will you +answer one question, that is if I dare to ask it?" + +"Dare, then, Tiburcio," said Rosarita, tenderly. "Ask what you wish. I +came to-night to hear you--to deny you nothing." + +"Listen," said the young Count: "six months ago I had to avenge my +mother's death, and that of the man who had stood in my father's place, +Marcos Arellanos; for if you know all, you know that I am no longer--" + +"To me you are the same, Tiburcio; I never knew Don Fabian de Mediana." + +"The wretch who was about to expiate his crime--the assassin of Marcos +Arellanos, in short, Cuchillo--begged for his life. I had no power to +grant it; when he cried, `I ask it in the name of Dona Rosarita, who +loves you, for I heard--,' the suppliant was upon the edge of a +precipice. I would have pardoned him for love of you; when one of my +companions precipitated him into the gulf below. A hundred times, in +the silence of the night, I recalled that suppliant voice, and asked +myself in anguish, What did he then hear? I ask it of you this evening, +Rosarita." + +"Once, once only, did my lips betray the secret of my heart. It was +here, in this very spot, when you had quitted our dwelling. I will +repeat to you what I then said." + +The girl seemed to be collecting all her strength, before she dared tell +the young man that she loved him, and that openly and passionately; +then--her pure countenance shining with virgin innocence, which fears +not, because it knows no ill, she turned towards Tiburcio. + +"I have suffered too much," she said, "from one mistake, to allow of any +other; it is thus, then, with my hands in yours, and my eyes meeting +yours, that I repeat to you what I then said. You had fled from me, +Tiburcio. I knew you were far away, and I thought God alone heard me +when I cried: `_Come back, Tiburcio, come back! I love only you_!'" + +Fabian, trembling with love and happiness, knelt humbly at the feet of +this pure young girl, as he might have done before a Madonna, who had +descended from her pedestal. + +At this moment he was lost to all the world,--Bois-Rose, the past, the +future--all were forgotten like a dream on awaking, and he cried in a +broken voice: + +"Rosarita! I am yours forever! I dedicate my future life to you only." + +Rosarita uttered a faint cry. Fabian turned, and remained mute with +astonishment. + +Leaning quietly upon his long carbine, stood Bois-Rose, a few paces from +them, contemplating, with a look of deep tenderness the two lovers. + +It was the realisation of his dream in the isle of Rio Gila. + +"Oh, my father!" cried Fabian sadly; "do you forgive me for suffering +myself to be vanquished?" + +"Who would not have been, in your place, my beloved Fabian?" said the +Canadian, smiling. + +"I have broken my oath, my father!" continued Fabian; "I had promised +never to love any other but you. Pardon! pardon!" + +"Child, who implores pardon, when it is I who should ask it?" said +Bois-Rose; "you were more generous than I, Fabian. Never did a lioness +snatch her cub from the hands of the hunters, and carry it to her den, +with a more savage love than I dragged you from the habitations of men +to hide you in the desert. I was happy, because all my affections were +centred in you; and I believed that you might also be so. You did not +murmur; you sacrificed, unhesitatingly, all the treasures of your +youth--a thousand times more precious than those of the Golden Valley. +I did not intend it should be so, and it is I who have been selfish, and +not generous, for if you had died of grief, I should have died also." + +"What do you mean?" cried Fabian. + +"What I say, child. Who watched over your slumbers during long nights, +to hear from your lips the secret wishes of your heart? It was I, who +determined to accompany to this spot, Gayferos, whom at your +intercession I saved from the hands of the Apaches. Who sent him to +seek this beautiful and gracious lady, and learn if in her heart, she +still treasured your memory? It was I still, my child, for your +happiness is a thousand times more precious than mine. Who persuaded +you to make this last trial? It was still I, my child, who knew that +you must succumb to it. To-morrow I had said to you, I will accept your +sacrifice; but Gayferos had even then read the most secret pages of this +lady's heart. Why do you ask my pardon, when I tell you it is I, who +should ask yours?" + +The Canadian, as he finished these words, opened his arms to Fabian, who +eagerly rushed into his embrace. + +"Oh, my father," cried he, "so much happiness frightens me, for never +was man happier than I." + +"Grief will come when God wills it," said the Canadian, solemnly. + +"But you, what will become of you?" asked Fabian, anxiously. "Your loss +will be to me the only bitterness in my full cup of joy." + +"As God wills, my child," answered the Canadian. "It is true, I cannot +live in cities, but this dwelling, which will be yours, is on the +borders of the desert. Does not infinity surround me here? I shall +build with Pepe--Ho, Pepe," said the hunter in a loud voice, "come and +ratify my promise." + +Pepe and Gayferos came forward at the hunter's summons. + +"I and Pepe," he continued, "will build a hut of the trunks and bark of +trees upon the spot of ground where I found you again. We shall not +always be at home, it is true, but perhaps some time hence should you +wish to claim the name and fortune of your ancestors in Spain, you will +find two friends ready to follow you to the end of the world. Come, my +Fabian, I have no doubt that I shall be even happier than you, for I +shall experience a double bliss in my happiness and yours." + +But why dwell longer upon such scenes? happiness is so transitory and +impalpable that it will not bear either analysis or description. + +"There remains but one obstacle now," resumed the hunter. "This sweet +lady's father." + +"To-morrow he will expect his son," interrupted Rosarita, who stood by, +listening with singular interest to the dialogue. + +"Then let me bless mine," said the Canadian. + +Fabian knelt before the hunter. + +The latter removed his fur cap, and with moist eyes raised to the starry +heavens, he said-- + +"Oh! my God! bless my son, and grant that his children may love him as +he has been loved by old Bois-Rose." + +The following day the illustrious Senator returned in sadness to Arispe. + +"I was sure," he said, "that I should unceasingly mourn for poor Don +Estevan. I might at least have possessed, besides my wife's marriage +portion, a title of honour and half a million of money. It is certainly +a great misfortune that poor Don Estevan is dead." + +Sometime afterwards a hut made of the bark and trunks of trees was built +in the forest glade so well-known to the reader. Often Fabian de +Mediana, accompanied by Rosarita, to whom he was now united by the holy +ties of marriage, performed a pilgrimage to the dwellers in the hut. + +Perhaps at a later period one of those pilgrimages might be undertaken +with the view of claiming the assistance of the two brave hunters in an +expedition to the Golden Valley or to the coast of Spain; but that is a +thing of the future. Let us for the present be content with saying, +that if the happiness of this world is not a vain delusion, in truth it +exists at the Hacienda del Venado, enjoyed by Fabian, Rosarita, and the +brave _Wood-Rangers_--Pepe and Bois-Rose. + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wood Rangers, by Mayne Reid + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOOD RANGERS *** + +***** This file should be named 27980.txt or 27980.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/9/8/27980/ + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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