(ltd " Just as the horse appeared about to spring over the horrid brink, the reins were observed suddenly to tighten, the fore-hoofs became suddenly fixed and spread, and the hips of the noble animal rested upon the plain. He was poised at scarce three feet dis- tance from the edge of the cliff! While in this attitude the horseman raised his right hand, lifted his sombrero, and after waving it round returned it to his head !— Page 51 $J&- TIIE WHITE CHIEF. % f tpo of %stt\ Uteror. BY CAPTAIN MAYN ! . EEID, AUTHOR OP "HUNTERS FEAST," RIFLE-BAMGKRf . •■»*CALP HUNTRRS,'' BTO., KTO. MiOb ©rental $m%ng, Jsnj&nrbrir ^ N- ©ri. NEW YOEK: ROBERT M. DE WITT, PUBLISHER, 160 & 162 NASSAU STREET. r ^5$ • « • * • f' HI. CONTENTS. . pyfr t o CHAPTER I. Tflhs Talley of San Hdefonso— The Legend, . . . • CHAPTER II. R*iigious Festivals— The Feast of San Juan— The Lovely Catalina de Cruces, . 14 CHAPTER III. * Tailing the Bull "—The Sport Described— Carlos the Cibolero— The Successful Horse- man— The Witch— Brother and Sister, 22 CHAPTER IV. Sports Resumed— The Goaded Bull — Fearful Crisis — The Lazo — The Wager — Sergeant Gomez — He Fails — Carlos again Conquers, 29 CHAPTER V. The Taunt — The Offer Despised — A Reckless Proposition — Terrific Suspense — A Sis- ter's Love — A Mother's Bidding, , 87 CHAPTER VI. Bitter Hate — Jealousy— The Golden Onzas 44 CHAPTER VII. Fearful Spectacle— Appeal to the Judges — The Final Trial — The Feat Accomplished, . 49 CHAPTER VIII. Rosita and Don Juan—" Running the Cock" — Description of the Sport — The Graceful Trophy — Hard Words and Fierce Looks— Termination of the Sports, . . .158 CHAPTER IX. Evening on « Feast-Day — Fireworks — Fandangoes— The Company— Arrival of Carlos —The WsLtz— The Sprig of Cedar, 61 CHAPTER X. The "Staned Plain"— Buffalo Hunters — Life of a Cibolero, ...... 68 CHAPTER XI. Antonio, the Half-Blood— The Peons— The Expedition— The Encampment, . . 74 IV CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. pact The Buffalo Hunt— Sudden Alarm— The Indians— The Visit — The Barter— Castles in the Air, 80 CHAPTER XIII. \larm in the Corral— Hostile Indians — The Stampede and Flight of the Mules— Deso- lation and Despair, . , 84 CHAPTER XIV. Suspicion Aroused — A New Resolution — The Rifle-Shot and its Victim— Doubts Solved —Pawnee! 88 CHAPTER XV. New Pears— The Warning— The Deadly Conflict—The Victory, . . . . .94 CHAPTER XVI. The Mystery— The Scalplock not gone ! — The Death Song— Election of a Chief— The Avenger Succeeds to the Title, 100 CHAPTER XVII. The Signal— The Vow Ratified— Its Fulfilment Declined— Grateful Indians— Carlos Secoyers his Property — The Purse of Gold, 106 CHAPTER XVIII. The Scene Changes — A Dinner-Party — A Prolific Theme — A Bit of Biography — Carlos and Rosita — Their Destruction Resolved upon, t09 CHAPTER XIX. The Tete-a-Tete— Roblado's Rival— The Plot— The Spy— His Report— Rosita's Lover —The Commandant in Difficulty, 114 CHAPTER XX. The Lonely House — A Rancho Described — Carlos' Dwelling — Mother and Sister at Home, .... 118 CHAPTER XXI. Maternal Solicitude— A Sister's Love — More Castle Building— The Bugle Note !— Viz- carra Hunts his Prey, . 128 CHAPTER XXII. Tl;e Cup of Water— The Proffered Bribe— The Serpent's Slimy Path— Viacarra Enters the Afcode of Innocence — The Rude Kiss— A Mother's Vengeance — Cibolo the Wolf- Dog, 128 CHAPTER XXIII. The Arrival — Don Juan turned Inquisitor— A Lover H a Quandary — The two Weavers, l&l CONTENTS. V CHAPTER XXIV. -Re Her Failure and Punishment EMM Fizcarra Seeks the Wine-Cup — Reflections — The two Plotters — The " Alcahuette " — CHAPTER XXV. Force Resolved Upon — The " Private " Rooms — Hopes and Fears — A Coward Con- science^ — A Sudden Thought — The Masquerade, 144 CHAPTER XXVI. Trouble Ahead — Yuta Indians — The Commandante in a New Character — " An Ameri- can " is the Pass-Word of Safety — The Attack — The Burning of the Rancho, and Abduction of Rosita, 148 CHAPTER XXVII. Return of Carlos — Day Dreams — Doubts and Fears — Home at Last — Where has it Vanished ?— The Ruins — A Brother's Anguish, 155 CHAPTER XXVIII. The Brother and Lover — The Fearful News— A Stern Resolve — Preparations for Pur- suit — The Crazy Mother — Her Strange Suspicions — The Trail, 160 CHAPTER XXIX. The Wolf-Dog Cibolo — The Strange Footprints — The Ravine and the Vultures — It is He !— The Mystery Solved— The Presidio— She is There ! 166 CHAPTER XXX. Guilty Conscience — The Confederates — Their Scheme of Villainy— Its Success — Fears of Discovery — Rosita the Captive, 173 CHAPTER XXXI. The Dream— Its Terrors— The Struggle— The Cliff— The Fearful Descent— Rosita a Maniac— Arrival of the Cibolero, 179 CHAPTER XXXII. The Consultation — Delays Dangerous — A Maiden's Honor — The Oath — The Plan — The Ambuscade — The Single Horseman, and Cibolo the Wolf-Dog, 188 % CHAPTER XXXIII. A Wily Counsellor— The Interview — The Deceived and the Deceiver — An Expedition resolved on — Roblado Seeks for Glory, 189 CHAPTER XXXIV. Suspense — The Moment of Action— Vizcarra and the Cibolero Face to Face — The Sen- try Passed — The Commandante in Danger— The Demand and Denial — The Dog's Instinct— A Moment of Peril— The Red Knife and Fatal Bullet, . . . .196 CHAPTER XXXV. The Town in an Uproar— Flying Rumors— Carlos Condemned— Catalina Fails him not -One Heart is True, . 20C VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXVI. f Garcia — Roblado Ambit Well! PAG I Death of Garcia — Roblado Ambitious — A Rival Removed — His Life Forfeited — All's CHAPTER XXXVII. Crafty Plottings— A Scheme Devised— The Trap Set— Novel Baitr-Rosita Quits the Presidio, 212 CHAPTER XXXVIII. Carlos Escapes — His Friends in Danger — The Pursuit — The Ruse — Its Success, . . 216 CHAPTER XXXIX. Roblado's Expedition — Rosita is Delivered to the Alcalde — Her Forlorn Condition — Humanity of the Poor— The Disguised Rider — The Love-Token— The Farewell, . 222 CHAPTER XL. Morning Prayers — A Kneeling Multitude — A Fat Priest — The Tinkling Bell — The Ser- vice Ended — The Golden Opportunity — The Billet-doux — The Secret Rendezvous- Love Laughs at Locksmiths, 229 CHAPTER XLI. Vizcarra Plots Vengeance— Death at the Stake— The False Confidant — The Betrayal — Carlos' Head Wanted !— Its Weight in Gold— Jos6 the Spy, 236 CHAPTER XLII. Don Ambrosio de Cruces — His Character and Residence — Hates Dahlias and Loves Doubloons, 242 CHAPTER XLIII. Catalina— Love's First Kiss— Gentle Musings— The Lost Billet— The Soubrette— Her Equivoque and Dismissal — The Billet in the Hands of a Rival— His Hopes and Fears, 245 CHAPTER XLIV. Midnight— The Stealthy Traveller— The Rendezvous— The Signal— The Lovers in Danger, 253 CHAPTER XLV. The Crouching Serpent— The Secret Discovered— One too Many ! 259 CHAPTER XLVI. The Explanation— Cat?. Una Learns the Plot— The Outlaw's Doom— Will Catalita Share it?— "She Willi"— The Alarm— The Warning— Too Late! . . . .262 CHAPTER XLVII. Carlos in Peril— The Two Rivals— The Bullet Sped— The Plunge— The Mystery, 267 CONTENTS. Vll CHAPTER XLVIII. Mufti Fresh Rumors— Catalina Denounced — Woman's Envy— Carlos' Head Increases in Value— The Coal-black Steed, 275 CHAPTER XLIX. The Trap Fails— A New Resource— Set a Thief to Catch a Thief— Lucky Thought, and what came of it, 281 CHAPTER L. Joaquin the Priest — A Gambler and Hypocrite — Old Animosity — The Snare Set for Carlos— Manuel and Pepe, 286 CHAPTER LI. The Buffalo Hunters— Roblado's Compact — The Hunter's Wife — Her Chastisement — The Bargain Struck— The Price of Blood, 292 CHAPTER LII. The Man-Hunters Start for their Prey— The Spanish Bloodhound— Consultation— Plan of Capture, 297 CHAPTER LIII. The Cave— Carlos Asleep— The Faithful Ally— Dreams of Love— The Fair Fugitive, . 804 CHAPTER LIV. Night !— The Grizzly Bear— The Ambushed Hunters— Carlos and Cibolo— Suspicions of the latter — Manuel and Pepe in Danger — It is Past ! 307 CHAPTER LV. The Suspicious Trail — Antonio and his Master — Bad News — The Confidante — The Rendezvous, 812 CHAPTER LV1. Carlos Returns— -Forebodings— The Sure Sign— The Fight— The Bloodhound— The Struggle Ended, 817 CHAPTER LVII. The Wounded Friend— The Hunted Outlaw— The Escape— The Retreat, . . .820 CHAPTER LVIII. The Ambuscade — The Alarm— The Four-footed and Two-footed Brutes — Discretion— tfalse Hopes — Cibolo not Dead, 325 CHAPTER LIX. The Cactus Thicket— The Ruse— The Assassins Elated— They Ejpy their Victim— He Sleeps— The Rifle-Shot— The Victor Vanquished— Death of Manuel 880 Vlll • CONTENTS. CHAPTER LX. for Compa Ready — The Reception, FASS A Mystery— Preparations for Company-^The " Dummy " — The Dog's Hammock— All's CHAPTER LXI. Consternation of Pepe — His Flight— The Pursuit— Unlooked-for Accident — The Zambo —A Foot-Race— Life the Prize— Death the Penalty ! 840 CHAPTER LXII. The Scene Changes— Eager Faces— The Tidings— Treachery— Capture of the White Chief, 345 CHAPTER LXIII. The Prisoner— The Revellers — A Visit to the Dungeon— The Insult— The Retort — A Blow — The Spectacle ! 849 CHAPTER LXIV. The Piazza — Preparations for the Ordeal — The two Mules — Their Unwilling Burdens — Their Faces Revealed — Carlos Beholds his Mother and Sister!— "One Hundred Lashes!" .856 CHAPTER LXV. The Resolve— The Manacles are Off!— The Missive— Its Contents— The two Weapons Gold and the Dagger ! - 861 CHAPTER LXVI. The Banquet— The Faithful Servant— The Four Steeds— Their Muffled Hoofs— Cata- lina Flies, 867 CHAPTER LXVII. The Guard Relieved— Escape Attempted— Alarm— Groundless Fears — The Escape — The Midnight Ride— Vengeance Sworn, . . 873 CHAPTER LXVIII. Midnight Carousings -The Miser— The Proposition— Bring in the Prisoner !— His Flight Revealed— Consternation— The Pursuit, 381 CHAPTER LXIX. Carlos' Return— The Wacoes on a War Trail— Their Ambush— The Midnight Attack- Fate of the Sentry— The Wacoes Triumphant— The City Falls— Punishment of the Priests— Last Act in the Drama— Fate of Vizcarra and Roblado— The Wild Horses —1 he Fearful Leap '.—The White Chief Keeps his Oath! #* THE WHITE chief: CHAPTER I. Deep in the interior of the American Continent — more than & thousand miles from the shores of any sea — lies our scene. Climb with me yonder mountain, and let us look from its summit of snow. We have reached its highest ridge. What dc we behold ? On the north, a chaos of mountains, that continues on through thirty parallels to the shores of the Arctic Sea ! On the south, the same mountains, — here running in separate sierras, and there knotting with each other. On the west, mountains again, profiled along the sky, and alternating with broad tables that stretch between their bases. Now turn we around, and look eastward. Not a mountain to be seen ! Ear as the eye can reach, and a thousand miles farther, not a mountain. Yonder dark line rising above the plain is but the rocky brow of another plain — a steppe of higher elevation. Where are we ? On what summit are we standing ? On the 1* 9 v 10 SlBK< white chief. Sierra Blanca,* known to the hunter as the " Spanish Peaks. We are upon the western rim of the Grand Prairie. Looking eastward, the eye discovers no signs of civilisation. There are none within a month's journeying. North and South, — mountains, mountains. Westward, it is different. Through the telescope we can see cultivated fields afar off, — a mere strip along the banks of a shining river. Those are the settlements of Nuevo Mexico, an oasis irrigated by the Rio Del Norte. The scene of our story lies not there. Face once more to the eastward, and you have it before you. The mountain upon which we stand has its base upon a level plain that extends far to the east. There are no foot-hills. The plain and the mountain touch, and at a single step you pass from the naked turf of the one to the rocky and pine-clad declivities of the other. The aspect of the plain is varied. In some places it is green, where the gramma grass has formed a sward ; but in most parts it is sterile as the Saara. Here it appears brown, where the sun-parched earth is bare ; there it is of a sandy, yellowish hue ; and yonder the salt effervescence renders it as white as the snow upon which we stand. The scant vegetation clothes it not in a livery of verdure. The leaves of the agavef are mottled with scarlet, and the dull green of the cactus is still further obscured by its thickly-set spines. The blades of the yuccas are dimmed by dust, and resemble clusters of half-rusty bayonets ; and the low scrubby copses of acacia scarce offer a shade to the dusky agama and the ground rattlesnake. Here and there a solitary palmetto, with branchless stem and tufted crown, gives an African aspect to the scene. The eye soon tires of a landscape where every object appears angular and thorny ; and upon this plain, not only are * So called because the tops are usually covered with snow. t American Aloe. THE WHITE CHIE*. 11 the trees of that character, but the plants — even the very grass carries its thorns I* With what sensations of pleasure we turn to gaze into a lovely valley, trending eastward from the base of the mountain 1 What a contrast to the arid plain ! Its surface is covered with a carpet of bright green, enamelled by flowers that gleam like many-coloured gems ; while the cotton-wood, the wild china- tree, the live-oak, and the willow, mingle their foliage in soft shady groves, that seem to invite us. Let us descend ! We have reached the plain, yet the valley is still far beneath us — a thousand feet at the least — but, from a promontory of the bluff, projecting over it, we command a view of its entire surface to the distance of many miles. It is a level, like the plain above ; and gazing down upon it, one might fancy it a portion of the latter, that had sunk into the earth's crust, so as to come within the influence of a fertilising power, denied to the higher region. On both sides of it, far as the eye can reach, run the border- ing cliffs, stepping from one level to the other, by a thousand feet sheer, and only passable at certain points. There is a width of ten miles from cliff to cliff ; and these, of equal height, seem the counterparts of each other. Their grim savage fronts, overhanging the soft bright landscape of the valley, suggest the idea of a beautiful picture framed in rough oak-work. A stream, like a silver serpent, bisects the valley — not run- ning in a straight course, but in luxuriant windings, as though it loved to tarry in the midst of that bright scene. Its frequent curves and gentle current show that it passes over a surface almost plane. Its banks are timbered, but not continuously. Here the timber forms a wide belt, there only a fringe scarce shadowing the stream, and yonder the grassy turf can be distin- guished running in to the very water's edge. Copse-like groves are scattered over the ground. These are * Meiquite grass. 12 THE WHITE CHIEF. of varied forms ; some perfectly circular, others oblong or oval, and others curving like the eornueopise of our gardens. Detached trees meet the eye, whose full round tops show that Nature has had her will in their development. The whole scene suggests the idea of some noble park, planted by design, with just timber enough to adorn the picture without concealing its beauties. Is there no palace, no lordly mansion, to correspond ? No. Nor palace nor cottage sends up its smoke. No human form appears within this wild paradise. Herds of deer roam over its surface ; the stately elk reposes within the shade of its leafy groves, but no human being is there. Perhaps the foot of man never Stay ! There is one by our side who tells a different tale. Hear him. " That is the valley of San Ildefonso. Wild though it appears, it was once the abode of civilised man. Near its centre you may note some irregular masses scattered over the ground. But for the trees and rank weeds that cover them, you might there behold the ruins of a city. " Yes ! on that spot once stood a town, large and prosperous. There was a Presidio with the flag of Spain flying from its bat- tlements ; there was a grand mission-house of the Jesuit Padres ; and dwellings of rich miners and haciendados* studded the valley far above and below. A busy populace moved upon the scene ; and all the passions of love and hate, ambition, avarice, and revenge, have had existence there. The hearts stirred by them are long since cold, and the actions to which they gave birth are not chronicled by human pen. They live only in legends that sound more like romance than real history. " And yet these legends are less than a century old ! One century ago, from the summit of yonder mountain could have been seen, not only the settlement of San Ildefonso, but a score * The owner of a large estate. THE WHITE CHIEF. 12 of others — cities, and towns, and villages — where to-day the eye cannot trace a vestige of civilisation. Even the names of these cities are forgetten, and their histories buried among their ruins ! " The Indian has reeked his revenge upon the murderers of Moctezuma ! Had the Saxon permitted him to continue his war of retaliation, in one century more — nay, in half that time — the descendants of Cortez and his conquerors would have dis- appeared from the land of Anahuac ! " Listen to the ' Legend of San Idelfonso !' " 14 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER II. Perhaps in no country has religion so many devoted days as in Mexico. The " fiestas " are supposed to have a good effect in Christianizing the natives, and the saints' calendar has been considerably enlarged in that pseudo-holy land. Nearly every week supplies a festival, with all its mummery of banners, and processions, and priests dressed as if for the altar-scene in " Pizarro," and squibs, and fireworks, and silly citizens kneeling in the dust, and hats off all round. Yery much like a London Guy-Fa wkes procession is the whole affair, and of about like influence upon the morals of the community. Of course the padres do not get up these ceremonial exhibi tions for mere amusement — not they. There are various little " blessings," and "indultos," and sprinklings of sacred water, to be distributed on these occasions — not gratuitously — and the wretched believer is preciously " plucked n while he is in the penitent mood — at the same time he is promised a short and easy route to heaven. As to any solemnity in the character of the ceremonials, there is nothing of the sort. They are in reality days of amusement ; and it is not uncommon to see the kneeling devotee struggling to keep down the cackle of his fighting-cock,* which full-galved, he carries under the folds of his serape ! All this under the roof of the sacred temple of God ! * I have often seen the fighting chanticleer carried inside the church under the arm of Ha owner, while the the latter entered to pray ! THE WHITE CHIEF. 15 On days of fiesta the church genuflexions are soon over ; and then the gambling-booth, the race-course, bull-baiting, the cock- pit, and various minor amusements, come into full operation. In all these you may meet the robed priest of the morning, and stake your dollar or doubloon against his, if you feel so inclined. "San Juan" is one of the "fiestas principales" — one of the most noted of Mexican ceremonials. On this day — particularly in a New Mexican village — the houses are completely deserted. All people turn out, and proceed to some well-known locality, usually a neighbouring plain, to witness the sports — which con- sist of horse-racing, " tailing the bull/' " running the cock," and the like. The intervals are filled up by gambling, smoking, and flirtation. There is much of republican equality exhibited on these occasions. Rich and poor, high and low mingle in the throng, and take part in the amusements of the day. ******* It is the day of San Juan. A broad grassy plain lies just outside the town of San Ildefonso, and upon this the citizens are assembled. It is the scene of the festival, and the sports will soon begin. Before they do, let us stroll through the crowd, and note its component parts. All classes of the community — in fact, all the community — appear to be present. There go the two stout padres of the mission, bustling about in their long gowns of coarse serge, with bead-string and crucifix dangling to their knees, and scalp-lock close shaven. The Apache will find no trophy on their crowns. There is the enra of the town church, conspicuous in his long black cloak, shovel hat, black silk stockings, pumps, and buckles. Now smiling benignly upon the crowd, now darting quick Jesu- itical glances from his dark ill-meaning eyes, and now playing off his white jewelled fingers, as he assists some newly-arrived " senora " to climb to her seat. Great " ladies' men n are these same black-gowned bachelor-churchmen of Mexico. 16 THE WHITE CHIEF. We have arrived in front of several rows of seats, raised above one another. Let us observe who occupy them. At a glance it is apparent they are in possession of the "familias principales," the aristocracy of the settlement. Yes — there is the rich " com- merciante? Don Jose Rincon, his fat wife, and four fat, sleepy- looking daughters. There, too, is the wife and family of the "Alcalde," and this magistrate himself with tasselled official staff ; and the Echevarrias — pretty creatures that they think themselves — under care of their brother, the beau, who has dis- carded the national costume for the mode de Paris ! There is the rich " haciendado," Senor Gomez del Monte, the owner of countless flocks and broad acres in the valley ; and there are others of his class with their senoras and senoritas. And there, too, observed of all, is the lovely Catalina de Cruces, the daugh- ter of Don Ambrosio, the wealthy miner. He will be a lucky fellow who wins the smiles of Catalina, or rather, perhaps, the good graces of her father — for Don Ambrosio will have much to say in the matter of her marriage. Indeed, it is rumoured that that matter is already arranged ; and that Captain Roblado, second in command at the Presidio, is the successful suitor. There stands he, in full moustache, covered with gold lace, back and front, and frowning fiercely on every one who dares to rest eye for a moment upon the fair Catalina. With all his gold lace and gallant strut, Catalina displays no great taste in her choice ; — but is he her choice ? Maybe not — maybe he is the choice of Don Ambrosio ; who, himself of plebeian origin, is ambitious that his blood should be mingled with that of the mili- tary hidalgo. The soldier has no money — beyond his pay j and that is mortgaged for months in advance ; but he is a true Gachv/pino, of u blue blood," a genuine " bija de algo."* Not a singular ambition of the old miser, nor uncommon among par- venus. * Literally, " son of somebody." Hence the word hidalgo. The •* blue blood " (sangr4 aeul) Is the term for blue blood or high birth. THE WHITE CHIEF, IT Vizcarra, the Commandante, is on the ground — a tall colonel of forty — laced and plumed like a peacock. A lively bachelor is he ; and while chatting with padre, cura, or alcalde, his eye wanders to the faces of the pretty poblanas * that are passing the spot. These regard his splendid uniform with astonishment which he, fancying himself " Don Juan Tenorio,"f mistakes for admiration, and repays with a bland smile. There, too, is the third officer — there are but the three — the ieniente, J Garcia by name. He is better-looking, and conse- quently more of a favourite with both poblanas and rich serior- itas, than either of his superiors. I wonder the fair Catalina does not give her preference to him. "Who can tell that she does not ? A Mexican dame does not carry her soul upon her sleeve, nor upon her tongue either. It would be a task to tell of whom Catalina is thinking just now. It is not likely at her age — she is twenty — that her heart is still her own ; but whose ? Roblado's ? I would wager, no. Garcia's ? That would be a fairer bet. After all, there are many others — young " haciendados," employes of the mines, and a few merchant dandies of the town. Her choice may be some one of these. Quien sale ? § Let us on through the crowd ! We see the soldiers of the garrison, with tinkling spurs and long trailing sabres, mingling fraternally with the serape-clad tradesmen, the gambucinos, || and rancheros of the valley. They imitate their officers in strut and swagger — the very character of which enables one to tell that the military power is here in the ascendant. They are all dragoons— infantry would not avail against an Indian enemy — and they fancy that the loud clinking of their spurs, and the rattle of their steel scabbards, add greatly to their importance. They have their eyes after the poblanas, * A Tillage belle. t The original of Byron's Don Juan. X Lieutenant. § Who knows ? 1 A petty miner. 18 THE WHITE CHIEF. and the sweethearts of the poblanas k3ep their eyes after them in a constant vigil of jealousy. The " poblanas " are the pretty girls of the place ; but, pretty or plain, all the girls are out to-day in their best and gayest apparel. Some wear enaguas * of blue — others of scarlet — others of purple ; and many of them tastefully flounced at the bottoms with a trimming of narrow lace. They wear the embroidered chemisette, with its snow-white frills, and the blueish reboso f gracefully arranged, so as to conceal neck, bosom, arms, and, in some cases of coquetry, even the face ! Ere night this jealous garment will have lost half its prudery. Already the prettier faces peep forth ; and you may see, from the softness of the complexion, that they have been just washed free of the " allegria " J that for the last two weeks has rendered them hideous. " The " rancheros n are in their full and beautiful costume- velveteen trousers, wide at the bottoms and open up the sides ; lotas of unstained leather ; jackets of tanned sheepskin, or velveteen richly embroidered ; fancy-worked shirts underneath, and scarfs of rich red silk around the waist. Over all the broad- brimmed sombrero, of black glaze, with silver or gold band, and tags of the same, screwed into the crown. Some have no jacket, but the serape hanging negligently from their shoulder serves in place of one. All of these men have horses with them ; and on their feet may be seen spurs full five pounds in weight, with rowels three, four, and even five inches in diameter ! The " gambucinos," and young men of the town, the smaller trades-people, are very similarly attired ; but those of a higher * The petticoat. t The scarf of greyish or slaty blue, worn by all women in Mexico, except the ladies ol the Upper Ten Thousand, who use it only on occasions. X The " allegria " is used by the New Mexican belles to preserve the complexion, and get It up towards some special occasion, such as a grand fiesta or " fandango," when it is washed off, and the skin comes out clear and free from " tan." The " allegria " is the well-known " poke-weed " of the United States (Phytolacca decandra.) THE WHITE CHIEF. 19 ciass — the officials and commerciantes — are clad in broad-cloth jackets and pantaloons, not exactly of European cut, but approaching it — a sort of compromise between Paris fashions and the native costume of the country. Another costume may be noticed, worn by many of the crowd. This is the dress of the native " Pueblos,' ' or Indios mansos — the poor labourers of the mines, and the neophytes of the mission. It is a simple dress, and consists of an upper gar- ment the tilma, a sort of coat without sleeves. A coffee-sack with a hole ripped in the bottom for the head to pass through, and a slit cut in each side for the arms, would make the " tilma." It has no waist, and hangs nearly to the hips without other fastening than the support at the shoulders. The tilma is usually a piece of coarse rug, a cheap woollen cloth of the country called " gerga," of a whitish colour, with a few dyed threads to give the semblance of a pattern. This with a pair of dressed sheepskin breeches and rude sandals — guaraches — constitutes the wear of most of the " Indios mansos n of Mexico. The head is bare ; and the legs, from the knee to the ankle, shine forth in all their copper-coloured nakedness. Of these dark aborigines — the " peons "* of the mission and the mines — there are hundreds stalking about, while their wive? and daughters sit squatted upon the ground in the rear of theii petates ;f upon which are piled the fruits of the soil — the tunat * The labouring serfs of the country are peons. They are not slaves by the wording of the political law, but most of them are in reality slaves by the law of debtor and credi- tor. t A " petate " is a small mat about the size of a blanket, woven out of palm-strips, or bulrushes, according to the district; it is the universal bed of the Mexican peasant. Tunas and pitahayas are fruits of different species of cactus. Sandias are water- melons. Dulces, preserves. Agua-miel and limonda, refreshing drinks peculiar to Mexico. Piloncillos, loaves of coarse brown sugar, met with in all parts of Mexico, and very much like the maple-sugar of the States. Tortillas, the often-described daily bread of the Mexican people. Chile Colorado, red pepper. Ollas, earthen pots of all sizes— almost the only sort used in the Mexican kitchen. Atole, a thin gruel resembling flour and water, but in reality made out of the finer dust of the maize, boiled and sweetened. PiOole, parched maize mixed with water and sweetened. Clacos, copper cents, or half 20 THE WHITE CHIEF. petahayas, plums, apricots, grapes, sandias, and other species of melons, with roasted nuts of the pinon-tree, the produce of the neighbouring mountains. Others keep stands of dulces and agna- miel or limonada ; while others sell small loaves — piloncillos — of cornstalk sugar, or baked roots of the agave. Some squat before fires, and prepare tortillas and chile Colorado • or melt the sugared chocolate cake in their urn-like earthen ollas. From these humble " hucksters," a hot peppery stew, a dish of atole, or a bowl of pinole, is to be had for a few clacos. There are other stands where you can buy cigarillos of punche, or a drink of the fiery aguardiente from Taos or El Paso ; and these stands are favourite resorts of the thirsty miners and soldiers. There are no " booths," but most of the hucksters protect themselves from the sun by a huge screen of palmetto mat (petate) placed umbrella-like over their heads. There is one class of persons yet to be spoken of — an impor- tant class at the festival of San Juan — they who are to be com- petitors in the sports — the real wrestlers in the games. These are young men of all grades in society, and all of them mounted — of course each in the best way he can. There they go, prancing over the ground, causing their gaily-caparisoned steeds to caper and curvet, especially in front of the tiers of seated senoritas. There are miners among them, and young haciendados, and rancheros, and vaqueros* and ciboleros, and young pence — the copper coin of Mexico. Punche, a species of native grown tobacco. Aguar- diente, whisky distilled from maize, or sometimes from the aloe — literally, agua ardienU^ hot or fiery water. It is the common whisky of the country, and a vile stuff in most cases. * The vanquero is a cattle-herd, from " tJorca," a cow. He is a horseman, however, and usually a bold and fine rider. Cattle-herding is a very different affair in Mexico to the same occupation on an English farm. There the herd sometimes numbers ten thou- sand head. The Spanish breed of cattle is, moreover, of a wilder sort, and there is some danger in dealing with them. Hence the vanquero is never a-foot. His office is per- formed in the saddle, and not unfrequently both he and his horse are put to flight by an angry and untractable bull. The cibolero is the buffalo-hunter of th« frontier settlement* — «o called from " cibolo? the Mexican appellation for the bison. THE WHITE CHIEF. 21 merchants who ride well. Everyone rides well in Mexico-- even the dwellers in cities are good horsemen. Nearly a hundred are there of these youths who intend to take part in the various trials of skill in equitation. Let the sports begin ! 22 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER III The first exhibition on the programme was to be the coleo de toros, which may be rendered in English as " tailing the bull." It is only in the very large cities of Mexico where a regular plaza de toros, or arena for the bull-fight, is to be found ; but in every village, however insignificant, the sport of bull-tailing may be witnessed, as this only requires an open plain, and as wild a bull as can be procured. The sport is not quite so exciting as the bull-fight, as it is less perilous to those engaged in it. Not unfrequently, however, a gored horse or a mutilated rider is produced by the u coleo ;" and fatal accidents have occurred at times. The horses, too, sometimes stumble, and both horse and rider are trampled by the others crowding from behind, so that in the pell-mell drive awkward accidents are anything but uncommon. The coleo is, therefore, a game of strength, courage, and skill ; and to excel in it is an object of high ambition among the youth of a New Mexican settlement. The arrangements having been completed, it was announced by a herald that the coleo was about to begin. These arrange- ments were simple enough, and consisted in collecting the crowd to one side, so that the bull, when let loose, would have a clear track before him in the direction of the open country. Should he not be allowed this favour he might head towards the crowd, — a thing to be apprehended. In fear of this, most of the women were to be seen mounting into the rude carretas* so-ores * Rude carta drawn by oxen. THE WHITE CHIEF, 23 of which were upon the ground, having carried their owners to the spectacle. Of course the senoras and senoritas on the raised benches felt secure. The c6mpetitors were now drawn up in a line. There were a dozen detailed for this first race, — young men of all classes, who were, or fancied themselves, "crack" riders. There were rancheros in their picturesque attire, smart arrieros, miners from the hills, townsmen, haciendados of the valley, vaqueros from the grazing farms, and ciboleros, whose home is for the most part on the wide prairies. Several dragoons, too, were arrayed with the rest, eager to prove their superiority in the manege of the horse. At a given signal the bull was brought forth from a neigh- bouring corral.^ He was not led by men afoot, — that would have been a dangerous undertaking. His conductors were well- mounted vaqueros, who, with their lazoes around his horns, were ready, in case of his showing symptoms of mutiny, to fling him to the earth by a jerk. t A vicious-looking brute he appeared, with shaggy frontlet and scowling lurid eye. It was plain that it only needed a little goading to make him a still more terrible object ; for he already swept his tail angrily against his flanks, tossed his long straight horns in the air, snorted sharply, and beat the turf at intervals with his hoofs. He was evidently one of the fiercest of a fierce race — the race of Spanish bulls. Every eye was fixed upon him with interest, and the specta- tors freely commented upon his qualities. Some thought him too fat, others alleged he was just in the condition to make a good run — as in the coleo, speed, not courage, is the desirable quality. This difference of opinions led to the laying of nume- rous wagers on the result, — that is, the time that should elapse from the start until the bull should be " tailed " and " thrown. n The throwing of the bull, of course, ends the chase. + A cattle-pen. 24 THE WHITE CHIEF. When it is considered that the brute selected is one of the strongest, swiftest and fiercest of his kind, and that no weapon — not even the lazo — is allowed, it will be admitted this is a matter of no easy accomplishment. The animal goes at full run, almost as fast as the horse can gallop ; and to bring him to the ground under these circumstances requires the performance of a feat, and one that demands skill, strength, and the best of horse- manship. That feat is to seize the bull's tail, pass it under one of his hind-legs, and then jerk him over upon his back ! The bull was led out, some two hundred yards beyond the line of horsemen, where he was halted, with his head turned to the open plain. The lazoes, that held him by a leash-knot, were then cautiously slipped, two or three fire-squibs, pointed and barbed, were shot into his hips, and away he went amidst the yells of the spectators ! Next moment the riders spurred after, each shouting in his own fashion. Soon the line was broken, and a confused spread of horsemen, like a "field" of fox-hunters, was seen scouring over the plain. Each moment the troop became elongated, until what had started in line was now strung out in double and single file to a length of several hundred yards. Still on they went, whipping, and spurring, and urging their steeds to the utmost. The bull, maddened by the arrowy squibs, and terrified by their hissing, ran at the top of his speed in a nearly direct line. The start he had been allowed was not so easily taken up, even by fast riders, and he had got a full mile or more before any one neared him. Then a dragoon, mounted on a large bay horse, was seen pressing him closely, and at length laying hold of the tail. He was observed to give it a jerk or two, as though endeavouring to fling the brute by sheer strength. It was a failure, however ; for the next moment the bull shot out in a side direction, and left his pursuer behind. A young haciendado, splendidly horsed, was next upon his THE WHITE CHIEF. 25 flanks ; but each time he reached forth to grasp the tail it was whisked beyond his reach. He succeeded at length in seizing it ; but the bull, making a sudden lurch, whipped his tail from the rider's hands, and left him also in the rear. One condition of the M coleo " was, that each competitor, after having once failed, should retire from the ground ; so that the haciendado and the dragoon were now actually hors de chasse. These were seen riding back, though not directly in front of the spectators. They preferred making a roundabout thing of it so that their fallen faces might not be too closely scanned on their return. On went the bull, and after him the eager and excited horse- men. Another dragoon soon tried his "pluck," and also failed ; and then a vaquero, and another horseman, and another, with like success — each failure being hailed by a groan from the crowd. There were several tumbles, too, at which the spectators laughed heartily ; and one horse was badly gored, having headed the bull and got entangled upon his horns. In less than ten minutes, eleven out of the twelve competitors were seen returning from the chase. Only one now remained to make his trial. The bull had proved a splendid fellow, and was already in high favour, and loudly applauded by the spectators. " Bravo, toro ! bravissimo t " was heard on all sides. All eyes were now turned upon the enraged animal and his one remaining pursuer. Both were still near enough to be well observed, for the chase had led hitherto, not in one line, but in different directions over the plain ; so that the bull was actually no farther from the crowd than when first overtaken by the dra- goon. He was at this moment running in a cross course, so that every movement of both pursuer and pursued could be well observed from the stand. At the first glance it was plain that the bull had now behind 2 - 26 THE WHITE CHIEF. him the handsomest horse and horseman upon the field — woulc they prove the best ? That was to be tried. The horse was a large coal-black mustang, with a long full tail, pointed at the tip, and carried like the brush of a run- ning fox. Even while in gallop, his neck slightly curved, and his proud figure, displayed against the smooth sward, called forth expressions of admiration. The rider was a young man of twenty or over ; and his light curling hair and white-red complexion distinguished him from all his competitors — who were, without exception, dark-skinned men. He was dressed in full ranchero costume, with its rich broidery and trappings ; and instead of the usual " serape," he wore a purple manga — a more graceful, as well as costlier gar- ment. The long skirts of this he had flung behind him, in order to have his arms free ; and its folds opening to the breeze, added to the gracefulness of his carriage in the saddle. The sudden appearance of this splendid horseman — for, hang- ing in the rear with folded manga, he seemed not to have been noticed before, — caused unusual attention, and many were heard inquiring his name. " Carlos the cibolero /" cried a voice, loud enough to satisfy all at once. Some evidently knew who " Carlos the cibolero " was, though by far the greater number on the ground did not. Of the for- mer, one was heard inquiring, " Why hasn't he come up before ? — He could have done so, if he had wished." u Carrambo !* yes," added another. " He might have done so. He only hung back to give the others a trial. He knew none of them could throw that bull Mir a /" * A mild exclamation. " Carrajo /" is less delicate. The former is often pronounced by ladies. The latter is the shibboleth of the lowest vulgar. Mira I (behold !) Bravo I Viva I expressions of applause. THE WHITE CHIEF. 27 The speaker's conjecture was, no doubt, correct. It was plain, at first sight, that this rider could easily over- take the bull. His horse was still in a gentle gallop, and, though his ears were set and his red nostrils staring open, it was only through the excitement of the chase, and chafing at being hitherto checked. The bridle rein was, in fact, still tightly drawn. As the speaker uttered the cautionary phrase " Mir a P a change was suddenly observed in the manner of the horseman. He was about twenty paces from the chase, and directly in the rear. All at once his horse sprang forward at double his former speed, and in a few stretches laid himself alongside the bull. The rider was observed to grasp the long outstretched tail, and then lean forward and downward. The next moment he raised himself with a sudden jerk, and the huge horned creature turned sprawling upon his back. The whole thing seemed to cost him no more effort than if the bull had been a tom-cat. Loud " vivas !" broke from the spectators, and the victorious horseman rode back in front of the stand, modestly bowed his thanks, and then retired into the depth of the crowd. There were not wanting those who fancied that in bowing the eyes of the cibolero were directed on the Catalina de Cruces ; and some went so far as to assert that she smiled and looked content ; — but that could not be. The heiress of the rich Don Ambrosio smile to a compliment from a cibolero ! There was one, however, who did smile. That was a fair- haired, fair-skinned girl, who stood upon one of the carretas, by the side of which the victor had placed himself. Side by side those two faces seemed one. They, were of one blood, — one colour — one race ; were they not brother and sister ? Yes, — the fair girl was the sister of the cibolero. She was smiling from happiness at the thought of her brother's triumph.- A strange-looking woman was seated in the bottom of the carreta — an old woman, with long flowing hair, white as flax 28 THE WHITE CHIEF. She was silent, but her sharp eyes were bent upon the cibolero with a triumphant expression. Some regarded her with curi- osity, but. most with fear, akin to awe. These knew something of her, and whispered strange tales to one another. " Esta una oruxal — una hechicera P (She is a witch ! a charmer !) said they. This they muttered in low tones lest they might be heard by Carlos or the girl. She was their mother I THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER IY. The sports continue. The bull thrown by the cibolero now cowed, walks moodily about the plain. He would not serve for a second run, so he is lazoed and led off, — to be delivered to the victor as his prize. A second is brought forth and started, with a fresh dozen of horsemen at his heels. These seem to be better matched, or rather the bull has not run off so well, as all overtake him at once, riding past him in their headlong speed. Most unexpectedly the animal turns in his tracks, and runs back, heading directly for the stand 1 Loud screams are heard from the poblanas in the carretas — from the senoras and senoritas. No wonder. In ten seconds the enraged brute will be in their midst ! The pursuing horsemen are still far behind him. The sudden turning in their headlong race threw them out of distance. Even the foremost of them cannot come up in time. The other horsemen are all dismounted. No man on foot will dare to check the onward rush of a goaded bull ! Confusion and loud shouting among the men — terror and screaming among the women, are the characteristics of the scene. Lives will be lost — perhaps many. None know but that they themselves may be the victims ! The strings of carretas filled with their terrified occupants flank the stand on each side ; but, running farther out into the plain, form with it a sort of semicircle. The bull enters this 30 THE WHITE CHIEF. semicircle, and guided by the cairetas rushes down, headiDg directly for the benches, as though determined to break through in that direction. The ladies have risen to their feet, and, half- frantic, seem as though they would leap down upon the very horns of the monster they dread ! It is a fearful crisis for them. Just at this moment a man is seen advancing, lazo in hand, in front of the carretas. He is a-foot. As soon as he has detached himself from, the crowd, he spins the lazo round his head, and the noose shooting out is seen to settle over the horns of the bull. Without losing a moment the man runs to a small tree that stands near the centre of the semicircle, and hastily coils the other end of the lazo around its trunk. Another moment, and he would have been too late. The knot is scarcely tied, when a heavy pluck announces that the bull has reached the end of his rope, and the foiled brute is now seen thrown back upon his hips, with the lazo tightly noosed over his horns. He has fallen at the very feet of the spectators ! 11 Bravo ! viva f* cried a hundred voices, as soon as their owners had sufficiently recovered from their terror, to call out. 11 Viva ! Viva ! Carlos the cibolero !" It was he who had performed this second feat of skill and daring. The bull was not yet conquered, however. He was only con- fined within a certain range — the circle of the lazo — and, rising to his feet, with a furious roar he rushed forward at the crowd. Fortunately the lazo was not long enough to enable him to reach the spectators on either side ; and again he tumbled back upon his haunches. There was a scattering on all sides, as it was feared he might still slip the noose ; but the horsemen had now come up. Fresh lazoes were wound about his neck, others tripped up his legs, and he was at length flung violently upon the ground and his quarters well stretched. He was now completely conquered, and would run no more ; THE WHITE CHIEF. 31 and as but two bulls had been provided for the occasion, the w coleo de toros " was for that day at an end. Several lesser feats of horsemanship were next exhibited, while preparations were being made for another of the grand games of the day. These were by way of interlude, and were of various kinds. One was throwing the lazo upon the foot of a person running at full speed, noosing him around the ankle, and of course tripping him up. This was done by men both mounted and a-foot ; and so many accomplished it, that it could hardly be deemed a "feat f nor was it regarded as such among the more skilful, who disdained take part in it. Picking up the hat was next exhibited. This consisted in the rider throwing his hat upon the ground, and then recovering it from the saddle, while his horse swept past at full gallop. Nearly every rider on the spot was equal to this feat, and only the younger ones looked upon it as a proof of skill. Of these some twenty could now be seen wheeling about at a gallop and ducking down for their sombreros, which they had previously dropped. But it is not so easy to pick up smaller objects, and a piece of coin lying flat upon the ground tries the skill of the best " cavallero." The Commandante Yizcarra now stepped forth and com- manded silence. Placing a Spanish dollar upon the smooth turf, he called out, " This to the man who can take it up at the first trial. Five gold onzas that Sergeant Gomez will perform the feat t" There was silence for a while. Five gold "onzas" (doub- loons) was a large sum of money. Only a " rico " could afford to lose such a sum. After a pause, however, there came a reply. A young ran- chero stepped forth : — " Colonel Yizcarra," said he, "I will not bet that Sergeant Gomez cannot perform the feat ; but FU wager there's another 32 THE WHITE CHIEF. on the ground can do it as well as he. Double the amount if you please." " Name your man P said Yizcarra. " Carlos the cibolero." "Enough — I accept your wager. Any one else may have their trial," continued Yizcarra, addressing the crowd. " I shall replace the dollar whenever it is taken up — only one attempt, remember." Several made the attempt and failed. Some touched the coin, and even drew it from its position, but no one succeeded in lift- ing it. At length a dragoon mounted on a large bay appeared in the list, who was recognised as the Sergeant Gomez. He was the same that had first come up with the bull, but failed to fling him ; and no doubt that failure dwelling still in his thoughts added to the natural gloom of his very sallow face. He was a man of large size, unquestionably a good rider, but he lacked that symmetrical shape that gives promise of sinewy activity. The feat required little preparation. The sergeant looked to his saddle-girths, disencumbered himself of his sabre, and belts, and then set his steed in motion. In a few minutes he directed his horse so as to shave past the shining coin, and then, bending down he tried to seize it. He succeeded in lifting it up from the ground ;, but, owing to the slight hold he had taken, it dropped from His fingers before he had got it to the height of the stirrup, A shout, half of applause and half of disapprobation, came from the crowd. Most were disposed to favour him on Yizcarra's account. Not that they loved Colonel Yizcarra, but they feared him, and that made them loyal. The cibolero now rode forth upon his shining black. . All eyes were turned upon him. His handsome face would have won admiration, but for its very fairness. Therein lay a secret pre- judice. They knew he was not of their race ! THE WHITE CUIEF. 33 Woman's heart has no prejudice, however ; and along that line of dark-eyed " doncellas " more than one pair of eyes were sparkling with admiration for the blonde " Americano," for of such race was Carlos the cibolero. Other eyes than woman's looked favourably on the cibolero, and other lips murmured applause. Among the half-brutalized Tagnos,* with bent limbs and downcast look, there were men who dreamt of days gone by ; who knew that their fathers were once free ; who in their secret assemblies in mountain cave, or in the deep darkness of the " estufa," still burned the "sacred fire n of the god Quetzalcoatl — still talked of Moctezuma and Freedom. These, though darker than all others, had no prejudice against the fair skin of Carlos. Even over their benighted minds the future had cast some rays of its light. A sort of mysterious presentiment, apparently instinctive, existed among them, that their deliverers from the yoke of Spanish tyranny would yet come from the East — from beyond the great plains ! The cibolero scarce deigned to make any preparation. He did not even divest himsalf of his manga, but only threw it care- lessly back, and left its long skirts trailing over the hips of his horse. Obedient to the voice of his rider, the animal sprang into a gallop ; and then, guided by the touch of the knees, he com- menced circling round the plain, increasing his speed as he went. Having gained a wide reach, the rider directed his horse towards the glittering coin. When nearly over it, he bent down from the saddle, caught the piece in his fingers, flung it up into the air, and then, suddenly checking his horse underneath, per- mitted it to drop into his outstretched palm ! * The Tagnos were at one time a large tribe of Indians inhabiting the northern and east- ern part of New Mexico. They, like the Pueblos, became Christianised after the conquest. They are now merged among the half-civilised populations of that country, or exist only as a remnant. 34: THE WHITE CHIEF. All this was done with the ease and hability of a Hindoo juggler. Even the prejudiced could not restrain their applause ; and loud vivas for " Carlos the cibolero " again pealed upon the air. The sergeant was humiliated. He had for a long time been victor in these sports —for Carlos had not been present until this day, or had never before taken part in them. Yizcarra was little better pleased. His favourite humbled — himself the loser of ten golden onzas — no small sum, even to the Commandante of a frontier Presidio. Moreover, to be jibed by the fair senoritas for losing a wager he had himself challenged, and which, no doubt, he felt certain of winning. From that moment Yizcarra liked not " Carlos the cibolero." The next exhibition consisted in riding at full gallop to the edge of the deep " zequia " which passed near the spot. The object of this was to show the courage and activity of the rider, as well as the high training of the steed. The zequia * — a canal used for irrigation — was of such width that a horse could not well leap over it, and deep enough to ren- der it no very pleasant matter for a horseman to get into. It, therefore, required both skill and dairing to -accomplish the feat. The animal was to arrive upon the bank of the canal in full run, and be to drawn up suddenly, so that his four feet should rest upon the ground inside a certain line. This line was marked at less than two lengths of himself from the edge of the drain. Of course the bank was quite firm, else the accomplishment of such a feat would have been impossible. Many succeeded in doing it to perfection ; and an admirable piece of horsemanship it was. The horse, suddenly checked in his impetuous gallop, upon the very brink of the zequia, and drawn back on his haunches, with head erect, starting eyeballs, and open smoking nostrils, formed a noble picture to look upon. Written also " acequia," an artificial canal used in Mexico for irrigation. Zanca, » drain or trench filled with water. THE WHITE CHIEF. 35 Several, however, by way of contrast, gave the crowd a ludic- rous picture to laugh at. These were either faint-hearted riders, who stopped short before arriving near the bank, or bold but unskilful ones, who overshot the mark, and went plunge into the deep muddy water. Either class of failure was hailed by groans and laughter, which the appearance of the half-drowned and dripping cavaliers, as they sweltered out on the bank, rendered almost continuous. On the other hand, a well-executed man- oeuvre elicited vivas of applause. No wonder that, under such a system of training and emula- tion, these people are the finest riders in the world, and such they certainly are. It was observed that Carlos the cibolero took no part in this ;ame. What could be the reason ? His friends alleged that le looked upon it as unworthy of him. He had already jxhibited a skill in horsemanship of a superior kind, and to take part in this would be seeking a superfluous triumph. Such was, in fact, the feeling of Carlos. But the chagrined Comraandante had other views. Captain Roblado as well — for the latter had seen, or fancied he had :een a strange expression in the eyes of Catalina at each fresh i.riumph of the cibolero. The two " militarios " had designs of bheir own. Base ones they were, and intended for the humilia- tion of Carlos. Approaching him, they inquired why he had lot attempted the last feat. " I did not think it worth while," answered the cibolero, in a nodest tone. " Ho !" cried Roblado, tauntingly, " my good fellow, you must have other reasons than that. It is not so contemptible a feat to rein up on the edge of that ' zanca.' You fear a duck- ing, I fancy V This was uttered in a tone of banter loud enough for all to hear ; and Captain Roblado wound up his speech with a jeering laugh. 36 THE WHITE CHIEF. Now, it was just this ducking that the militarios wished to see. They had conceived hopes, that if Carlos attempted the feat, some accident, such as the slipping or stumbling of his horse, might lead to that result ; which to them would have been as grateful as it would have been mortifying to the cibo- lero. A man floundering out of a muddy ditch, and drenched to the skin, however daring the attempt that led to it, would cut but a sorry figure in the eyes of a holiday crowd ; and in such a situation did they wish to see Carlos placed. Whether the cibolero suspected their object did not appear. His reply does not show. When it was heard, the " zequia " and its muddy water were at once forgotten. A feat of greater interest occupied the attention of the spectators. THE WHITE CHIEF. 37 CHAPTER V. Carlos, seated in his saddle, was silent for a while. He seemed puzzled for a reply. The manner of the two officers, as well as Roblado's speech, stung him. To have proceeded to the performance of this very common feat after all others had given over, merely on the banter of Roblado and the Com- mandante, would have been vexatious enough ; and yet to refuse it would lay him open to jeers and insinuations ; and, per- haps, this was their design. He had reason to suspect some sinister motive. He knew something of both the men — of their public character — he could not otherwise, as they were lords paramount of the place. But of their private character, too, he had some knowledge, and that was far from being to their credit. With regard to Roblado, the cibolero had particular reasons for disliking him — ■ very particular reasons ; and but that the former was still igno- rant of a certain fact, he had quite as good a reason for recipro- cating the dislike. Up to this moment Roblado knew nothing of the cibolero, who, for the most part of his time, was absent from the valley. Perhaps the officer had never encountered him before, or at all events had never changed words with him. Carlos knew him better; and long ere this encounter, for rea- sons already hinted at, had regarded him with dislike. This feeling was not lessened by the conduct of the officer on the present occasion. On the contrary, the haughty jeering tones fell bitterly upon the ear of the cibolero. He replied, a; 38 THE WHITE CHIEF. length ; — " Captain Roblado, I have said it is not worth my while to perform what a muchachito* of ten years old would hardly deem a feat. I would not wrench my horse's mouth for such a pitiful exhibition as running him up on the edge of that harmless gutter; but if " " Well, if what ?" eagerly inquired Roblado, taking advan- tage of the pause, and half suspecting Carlos' design. " If you feel disposed to risk a doubloon — I am but a poor hunter, and cannot place more — I shall attempt what a mucha- chito often years would consider a feat perhaps." " And what may that be, Senor Cibolero ?" asked the officer, sneeringly. "I will check my horse at full gallop on the brow of yonder cliff r " Within two lengths from the brow ?" " Within two" lengths — less — the same distance that is traced here on the banks of the zequia !" The surprise created by this announcement held the by- standers for some moments in silence. It was a proposal of such wild and reckless daring that it was difficult to believe that the maker of it was in earnest. Even the two officers were for a moment staggered by it, and inclined to fancy the cibolero was not serious, but mocking them. The cliff to which Carlos had pointed was part of the bluff that hemmed in the valley. It was a sort of promontory, how- ever, that jutted out from the general line, so as to be a conspi- cuous object from the plain below. Its brow was of equal height with the rest of the precipice, of which it was a part — a sort of buttress — and the grassy turf that appeared along its edge was but the continuation of the upper plateau. Its front to the valley was vertical, without terrace or ledge, although horizontal seams traversing its face showed a stratification of lime and sandstone alternating with each other. From the sward upon * Muchacho, a little boy; muchaeJiitOy the diminutive of muchacho. THE WHITE CHIEF. 39 the valley to the brow above the height was one thousand feet sheer. To gaze up to it was a trial to delicate nerves — to look down put the stoutest to the proof.- Such was the cliff upon whose edge the cibolero proposed to rein up his steed. No wonder the proposal was received with a surprise that caused a momentary silence in the crowd. When that passed, voices were heard exclaiming, — " Impossible 1" " He is mad !" " Pah ! he's joking I" " Esta, hurlando los militarios P } (He's mocking the military gents), and suchlike expressions. Carlos sat playing with his bridle-rein, and waiting for a reply. He had not long to wait. Yizcarra and Roblado muttered some hasty words between themselves ; and then, with an eager- ness of manner, Roblado cried out, — " I accept the wager !" " And I another onza " added the Commandante. " Senores," said Carlos, with an air of apparent regret, " I am sorry I cannot take both. This doubloon is all I have in the world ; and it's not likely I can borrow another just now." As he said this, Carlos regarded the crowd with a smile, but many of these were in no humour for smiling. They were really awed by the terrible fate which they believed awaited the reckless cibolero. A voice, however, answered : — " Twenty onzas, Carlos, for any other purpose. But I cannot encourage this mad project." It was the young ranchero, his former backer, who spoke. " Thank you, Don Juan," replied the cibolero. " I know you would lend them. Thank you all the same. Do not fear ! I'll win the onza. Ha ! ha ! ha I I haven't been twenty years in the saddle to be bantered by a Gachupino." " Sir ! " thundered Yizcarra and Roblado in a breath, at the same time grasping the hilts of their swords, and frowning in a fierce threatening manner. 40 THE WHITE CHIEF. " Oh ! gentlemen, don't be offended," said Carlos, half sneer- ingly. " It only slipped from my tongue. I meant no insult, I assure you." "Then keep your tongue behind your teeth, my good fellow," threatened Vizcarra. " Another slip of the kind may cost you a fall." M Thank you, Senor Commandante," replied Carlos, still laugh- ing. " Perhaps I'll take your advice." The only rejoinder uttered by the Commandante was a lierce " Carrajo !" which Carlos did not notice ; for at this moment his sister, having heard of his intention, sprang down from the carreta and came running forward, evidently in great distress. " Oh, brother Carlos 1" she cried, reaching out her arms, and grasping him by the knees, "Is it true ? Surely it is not true ? " " What, hermanita ?" (little sister), he asked with a smile. "That you » She could utter no more, but turned her eyes and pointed to the cliff. " Certainly, Rosita, and why not ? For shame, girl ! Don't be alarmed— there's nought to fear I assure you — I've done the like before." " Dear, dear Carlos, I know you are a brave horseman— none braver — but, oh ! think of the danger — Bios de mi alma /* think of " " Pshaw ! sister ! don't shame me before the people — come to mother ! — hear what she will say ! I warrant she won't regard it ;" and, so saying, the cibolero rode up to the carreta followed by his sister. Poor Rosita ! Eyes gleamed upon you at that moment that saw you for the first time — eyes, in whose dark orbs lay an * An exclamation of the Mexican women. It is translatable thus : " God of my soul !" SanUsshna Virgen I Por Dios I Ay de mi I are all interjections with which tb« Spano-Mexican dialogue is thickly interlarded. THE WHITE CHIEF. 41 expression that boded you no good. Your fair form, the angelic beauty of your face — perhaps your very grief — awakened interest in a heart whose love never meant else than ruin to its object. It was the heart of Colonel Yizcarra. " Mira ! Roblado I" muttered he to his subordinate and fellow-villain. " See yonder ! Santissima Virgen ! Saint Gua- dalupe ! Look, man ! Yenus, as I'm a Christian and a soldier, In the name of all the saints, what sky has she fallen from ?" " Por Dios ! I never saw her before," replied the captain ; " she must be the sister of this fellow : yes — hear them ! they address each other as brother and sister ! She is pretty I" " Ay, de mi !" sighed the Commandante. " What a godsend ! I was growing dull — very dull of this monotonous frontier life. With this new excitement, perhaps, I may kill another month. Will she last me that long, think you ?" " Scarcely — if she come and go as easily as the rest. What I already tired of Inez ?" . "Poh ! poh ! loved me too much ; and that I can't bear. 1 would rather too little if anything." 11 Perhaps this blonde may please you better in that respect. But, see ! they are off !" As Hoblado spoke, Carlos and his sister had moved forward to the carreta, which held their aged mother, and were soon in conversation with her. The Commandante and his captain, as well as a large number of the spectators, followed, and crowded around to listen. " She wants to persuade me against it, mother," Carlos was heard to say. He had already communicated his design. II Without your consent, I will not. But hear me, dear mother ; I have half pledged myself, and I wish to make good my pledge. It is a point of honour, mother." The last phrase was spoken loudly and emphatically in the ear of the old woman, who appeared to be a little deaf. 4.2 * THE WHITE CHIEF. " Who wants to dissuade you ?" she asked, raising her head, and glancing upon the circle of faces. " Who ?" " Rosita, mother." " Let Rosita to her loom, and weave rebosos — that's what she's fit for. You, my son, can do greater things — deeds, aye, deeds ; else, have you not in your veins the blood of your father. He did deeds — he — ha 1 ha ! ha !" The strange laugh caused the spectators to start, accom- panied, as it was, with the wild look of her who uttered it. " Go !" cried she, tossing back her long flax-coloured locks, and waving her arms in the air — " go, Carlos the cibolero, and show the tawny cowards — slaves that they are — what a free American can do. To the cliff ! to the cliff !' ; As she uttered the awful command, she sank back into the carreta, and relapsed into her former silence. Carlos interrogated her no further. The expressions she had let slip had rendered him somewhat eager to close the conversa- tion j for he noticed that they were not lost on several of the bystanders. The officers, as well as the priests and alcalde, exchanged significant glances while she was uttering them. Placing his sister once more in the carreta, and giving her a parting emhrace, Carlos leaped to the back of his steed, and rode forth upon the plain. When at some distance he reined in, and bent his eyes for a moment upon the tiers of benches where sat the senoras and senoritas of the town. A commotion could be observed among them. They had heard of the intended feat and many would have dissuaded the cibolero from the perilous attempt. There was one whose heart was full to bursting — full as that of Carlos' own sister ; and yet she dared not show it to those around. She was constrained to sit in silent agony, and suffer. Carlos knew this. He drew a white handkerchief from his bosom, and waved it in the air, as though bidding some one an adieu. Whether he was answered could not be told • but the THE WHITE CHIEF. 43 next moment he wheeled his horse, and galloped oft towards the cliffs. There were conjectures among the senoras and senoritas, among the poblanas too, as to who was the recipient of that parting salute. Many guesses were made, many names men- tioned, and scandal ran the rounds. One only of all knew in her heart for whom the compliment was meant — in her heart over- flowing with love and fear. 44 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER VI. All who had horses followed the cibolero, who now directed himself towards a path that led from the valley to the table above. This path wound up the cliffs by zig-zag turnings, and was the only one by which the upper plain could be reached at that point. A corresponding road traversed the opposite bluff, so that the valley might be here crossed ; and this was the only practicable crossing for several miles up and down. Though but a thousand feet separated the valley and table- land, the path leading from one to the other was nearly a mile in length ; and as it was several miles from the scene of the festival to the bottom of the cliff, only those accompanied Carlos who were mounted, with a few others determined to witness every manoeuvre of this fearful attempt. Of course, the officers were of the party who went up. The rest of the people remained iD the valley, but moved forward in the direction of the cliffs, sc that they would be able to observe the more interesting and thrilling part of the spectacle. For more than an hour those on the plain were kept waiting ; but they did not allow the time to pass unimproved. A mo?ite* table had been spread out, over which both gold and silver * Mont6 is the Mexican national game. It is played with ordinary (Spanish) cards, and upon a table or cloth marked for the purpose. During certain festivals nearly every one plays a little at mont6, and a stranger visiting Mexico at such times would believe that the whole of the people were gamblers. So travellers have alleged. Perhaps there is less gambling in Mexico than in England. In the latter it is upon horses, not cards, that the bets are laid. " Chvea" is another Mexican game, played principally among the ladies. THE WHITE CHIEF. 45 changed hands rapidly, the two padres of the mission being among the highest bettors ; and the senoras, among themselves, had a quiet little game of their favourite chuza. A " main " between a pair of sturdy chanticleers, one belonging to the alcalde and the other to the cura (!), furnished the interlude for another half-hour. In this contest the representative of the Church was triumphant. His grey cock ("pardo") killed the alcalde's red one at a single blow, by striking one of his long steel galves through the latter's head. This was regarded as a very interesting and pleasant spectacle by all on the ground — ladies included, and alcalde excepted. By the time the cock-fight was finished, the attention of the crowd became directed to the movements of the party who had gone up to the upper plain. These were now seen along the edge of the cliff, and by their manoeuvres it was evident they were engaged in arranging the preliminaries of the perilous adventure. Let us join them. The cibolero, on gaining the ground, pointed out the spot where he had proposed to execute his daring design. From the plain above the cliffs were not visible, and even the great abyss of the valley itself could not be seen a hundred paces back from the edge of the bluff. There was no escarpment or slope of any kind. The turf ran in to the very edge of the precipice, and on the same level with the rest of the plain. It was smooth and firm — covered with a short sward of gramma grass. There was neither break nor pebble to endanger the hoof. No accident could arise from that cause. The spot chosen, as already stated, was a sort of buttress-like promontory that stood onjb from the line of bluffs. This forma- tion was more conspicuous from below. Viewing it from above, it resembled a tongue-like continuation of the plain. Carlos first rode out to its extremity, and carefully examined the turf. It was just of the proper firmness to preclude the possibility of a horse's hoof either sliding or sinking into it- He 4:6 THIS WHITE CHIEF. was accompanied by Yizcami, Roblado, and others. Man) approached the spot, but kept at a safe distance from the edge of the horrid steep. Though denizens of this land of grand geological features, there were many present who dreaded to stand upon the brow of that fearful ledge and- look below. The cibolero sat upon his horse, on its very edge, as calm as if he had been on the banks of the zequia, and directed the marking of the line. His horse showed no symptoms of nervous- ness. It was evident he was well trained to such situations. Now and then he stretched out his neck, gazed down into the valley, and, recognising some of his kind below, uttered a shrill neigh. Carlos purposely kept him on the cliff, in order to accustom him to it before making the terrible trial. The line was soon traced, less than two lengths of the horse from the last grass on the turf. Yizcarra and Roblado would have insisted upon short measure ; but their proposal to curtail it was received with murmurs of disapprobation and mutterings of " Shame I" What did these men want ? Though not evident to the crowd, they certainly desired the death of the cibolero. Both had their reasons. Both hated the man. The cause or causes of their hatred were of late growth; — with Roblado still later than his Commandante. He had observed something within the hour that had rendered him furious. He had observed the waving of that white kerchief ; and as he stood by the stand he had seen to whom the " adios"* was addressed. It had filled him with astonishment and indignation ; and his language to Carlos had assumed a bullying and brutal tone. Horrible as such a supposition may seem, both he and Yizcarra would have rejoiced to see the cibolero tumble over the bluff. Horrible indeed, it seems ; but such were the men, and the ♦"Adios," literally "to God," is the usual word of parting, and also when two persons meet it is used. It is the synonyme of " Adieu" when used in its former sense ; but it also corresponds to " How do you do ?" THE WHITE CHIEF. 4:7 place, and the times, that there is nothing improbable in it. On the contrary, cases of equal barbarity — wishes and ads still more inhuman — are by no means rare under the skies of "Nuevo Mexico." The young ranchero, who had accompanied the party to the upper plain, insisted upon fair play. Though but a ranchero, he was classed among the " ricos," and being a fellow of spirit, urged Carlos' rights, even in the face of the moustached and scowling militarios. "Here, Carlos !" cried he, while the arrangements were pro- gressing ; "I see you are bent on this madness ; and since I cannot turn you from it, I shall not embarrass you. But you sha'n't risk yourself for such a trifle. My purse 1 bet what sum you will." As he said this, he held out a purse to the cibolero, which, from its bulk, evidently contained a large amount. Carlos regarded the purse for a moment without making answer. He was evidently gratified by the noble offer. His countenance showed that h'e was deeply touched by the kindness of the youth. "No," said he, at length ; "no, Don Juan. I thank you with all my heart, but I cannot take your purse — one onza, nothing more. I should like to stake one against the Commandante." " As many as you please," urged the ranchero. " Thank you, Don Juan ! only one — that with my own will be two. — Two onzas I-^-that, in faith, is the largest bet I have ever made. Vaya !* a poor cibolero staking a double onza !" " Well, then," replied Don Juan, " if you don't, I shall. Colonel Vizcarra !" said he aloud, addressing himself to the Commandante, " I suppose you would like to win back your wager. Carlos will now take your bet for the onza, and I challenge you to place ten." ♦Literally " Go!" but used also, and frequently, as an interjection without any parli. cular meaning attached. 48 THE WHITE CHIEF. " Agreed t" said the Commandaute, stiffly. ** Dare you double it V inquired the ranchero. "Dare I, sir?" echoed the Colonel, indignant at being thug challenged in the presence of the spectators. " Quadruple it, if you wish, sir." " Quadruple then 1" retorted the other. u Forty onzas that Carlos performs the feat 1" " Enough ! deposit your stakes !" The golden coins were counted out, and held by one of the bystanders, and judges were appointed. The arrangements having been completed, the spectators drew back upon the plain, and left the cibolero in full possession of the promontory — alone with his horse. THE WHITE OHIEF. 49 CHAPTER VII. All stood watching him with interested eyes. Every movement was noted. He first alighted from the saddle, stripped off his manga, had it carried back and placed out of the way. He next looked to his spurs, to see that the straps were properly buckled. After this he re-tied his sash, and placed the sombrero firmly on his head. He buttoned his velveteen calzoneros * down nearly to his ancles, so that their leathern bottoms might not flap open and discommode him. His hunting-knife along with his " whip" were sent back to the charge of Don Juan. His attention was next turned to his horse, that stood all this while, curving his neck proudly as though he divined that he was to be called upon for some signal service. The bridle was first scrutinized. The great bit f — a mameluke — was carefully examined, lest there might be some flaw or crack in the steel. * The overalls or trowsers are " calzoneros." They are tfBually of velveteen, or soft leather, with bottoms of a stiff leather stamped ornamentally. They are open along the outer seam nearly to the waist, and are worn open in fine weather. When it is cold they can be closed by rows of bright buttons, usually of the castle-top pattern, and often of the precious metals. tThe ordinary Mexican bit is that known as a "Mameluke." It is a perfect jaw- breaker, and brings a horse to his haunches with the slightest effort of the rider. It requires tender handling. The bridle-reins used by the Mexicans are usually of plaited hair, often ornamented with tassels and tags of silver, or even gold ! Iron stirrups are al30 unknown to the Mexican horsemen. Large wooden blocks, with holes cut for the feet, serve in place of steel. They are clumsy to the American eye, the more so with a triangle-shaped flap of strong leather attached to them, and reaching be- low the foot. But all this has its use, when we consider the perils which foot and ancle have to undergo amoDg the fish-hook claws of the cactus and the wild aloe. 3 &0 THE WHITE CHIEF. The head-strap was buckled to its proper tightness, and then the reins were minutely scanned. These were of the hair of wild horses' tails closely and neatly plaited. Leather might snap, there was no fear of breaking such cords as these. The saddle now had its turn. Passing from side to side Carlos tried both stirrup-leathers, and examined the great wooden blocks which formed the stirrups. The girth was the last as well as the most important object of his solicitude. He loosed the buckles on both sides, and then tightened them, using his knees to effect his purpose. When drawn to his liking, the tip of the finger could not have been passed under the strong leathern band. No wonder he observed all this caution. The snapping of a strap, or the slipping of a buckle, might have hurled him into eternity. Having satisfied himself that all was right, he gathered up the reins, and leaped lightly into the saddle. He first directed his horse at a walk along the cliff, and within a few feet of its edge. This was to strengthen the nerves both of himself and the animal. Presently the walk became a trot, and then a gentle canter. Even this was an exhibition fearful to behold. To those regarding it from below it was a beautiful but terrible spectacle. After a while he headed back towards the plain, and then stretching into a fair gallop — the gait in which he intended to approach the cliff — he suddenly reined up again, so as to throw his horse nearly on his flanks. Again he resumed the same gallop and again reined up ; and this manoeuvre he repeated at least a dozen of times, now with his horse's head turned towards the cliffs, and now in the direction of the plain. Of course this gallop was far from being the full speed of the animal. That was not bargained for. To draw a horse up at race-course speed within two lengths of himself would be an utter impossi- bility, even by sacrificing the life of the animal. A shot passing THE WHITE CHIEF. 51 through his heart would not check a racer in so short a space. A fair gallop was all that could be expected under the circum- stances, and the judges expressed themselves satisfied with that which was exhibited before them. Carlos had put the question. At length he was seen to turn his horse toward the cliff, and take his firmest seat in the saddle. The determined glance of his eyes showed that the moment had come for the final trial. A slight touch of the spur set the noble brute in motion, and in another second he was in full gallop, and heading directly for the cliff ! The gaze of all was fixed with intense earnestness upon that reckless horseman. Every heart heaved with emotion ; and, beyond their quick breathing, not an utterance escaped from the spectators. The only sounds heard were the hoof-strokes of the horse as they rang back from the hard turf of the plain. The suspense was of short duration. Twenty strides brought horse and horseman close to the verge, within half-a-dozen lengths. The rein still hung loose — Carlos dared not tighten it — a touch he knew would bring his horse to a halt, and that before he had crossed the line would only be a failure. Another leap, — another, — yet another ! Ho ! he is inside — Great God ! He will be over ! Such exclamations rose from the spectators as they saw the horseman cross the line, still in a gallop ; but the next moment a loud cheer broke from both crowds, and the " vivas n of those in the valley were answered by similar shouts from those who witnessed the feat from above. Just as the horse appeared about to spring over the horrid brink, the reins were observed suddenly to tighten, the fore-hoofs became suddenly fixed and spread, and the hips of the noble animal rested upon the plain. He was poised at scarce three feet distance from the edge of the cliff ! While in this attitude 52 THE WHITE CHIEF. the horseman raised his right hand, lifted his sombrero, and after waving it round returned it to his head ! A splendid picture from below. The dark forms of both horse and rider were perceived as they drew up on the cliff, and the imposing and graceful attitude was fully developed against the blue back-ground of the sky. The arms, the limbs, the oval outlines of the steed, even the very trappings, could be seen distinctly ; and for the short period in which they were poised and motionless, the spectator might have fancied an equestrian statue of bronze, its pedestal the pinnacle of the cliff ! This period was but of a moment's duration, but, during its con- tinuance, the loud " vivas n pealed upon the air. Those looking from below saw the horseman suddenly wheel, and disappear beyond the brow-line of the bluff. The daring feat was ended and over ; and hearts, but a moment ago throbbing wildly within tender bosoms, now re- turned to their soft and regular beating. THE WHITE CHIEF. 53 CHAPTER VIII. When the eibolero returned to the plain, he was received ■with a fresh burst of vivas, and kerchiefs were waved to greet him. One only caught his eye — but that was enough. He saw not the rest, nor cared to see them. That little perfumed piece of cambric, with its lace border, was to him an ensign of hope — a banner that would have beckoned him on to achieve deeds of still higher daring, He saw it held aloft by a small jewelled hand, and waved in triumph for him. He was happy. He passed the stand, rode up to the carreta, and dismounting, kissed his mother and sister. He was followed by Don Juan, his backer; — and there were those who noticed that the eyes of the blonde were not always upon her brother : there was ano- ther on the ground who shared their kind glances, and that other was the young ranchero. No one, not even the dullest, could fail to notice that these kind glances were more than repaid. It was an affair of mutual and understood love, beyond a doubt. Though Don Juan was a rich young farmer, and by courtesy a " Don," yet in rank he was but a degree above the eibolero — the degree which wealth confers. He was not one of the high aristocracy of the place — about that he cared little; but he had the character of being a brave, spirited young fellow; and in time, if he desired it, might mingle with the " sangre azul."* It was not likely he ever should — at least through the influence of * Blue blood. Fine blood or family. 54: THE WHITE CHIEF. marriage. Any one who was witness to the ardent glances exchanged between his eyes and those of the cibolero's sister, would prophesy with ease that Don Juan was not going to marry among the aristocracy. It was a happy little group around the carreta, and there was feasting, too, — dulces, and orgeat, and wine from El Paso, of the best vintage. Don Juan was not afraid to spend money, and he had no reason on that occasion, with fifty onzas of clear gain in his pocket — a fact that by no means sat easily on the mind of the Commandante. The latter was observed, with a clouded countenance, stroll ing around, occasionally approaching the carreta, and glancing somewhat rudely towards the group. His glances were, in fact, directed on Rosita, and the consciousness of his almost despotic power rendered him careless of concealing his designs. His admiration was expressed in such a manner that many could per- ceive it. The poor girl's eyes fell timidly when they encountered his, and Don Juan having noticed it, was not without feelings of anger as well as uneasiness. He knew the character of the Commandante, as well as the dangerous power with which he was armed. Liberty ! what a glorious thing art thou ! How many hopes are blighted, how many loves crossed, and hearts crushed, in a land where thou art not ! where myrmidons of tyranny have power to thwart the purposes of life, or arrest the natural flow of its affections ! Several games were yet carried on upon the plain, but they were without general interest. The splendid feat of the cibolero had eclipsed all lesser exhibitions for the time; besides, a num- ber of the head men were out of humour. Yizearra was sad, and Roblado savage — jealous of Catalina. The Alcalde and his assistant were in a vexed state, as both had bet heavy sums on the red cock. Both the padres had lost at monte, and they were no longer in a Christian spirit. The cura alone was in good spirits and ready to back the " pardo," for another main. / THE WHITE CHIEF. 55 The concluding game was at length heralded. It was to be the " Correr el gallo " (running the cock). As this is rather an exciting sport, the monte tables and other minor amusements were once more put aside; and all prepared to watch "el gallo." " Running the cock " is a New Mexican game in all its char- acteristics. It is easily described. Thus : A cock is suspended by the limbs to a horizontal branch, at just such a height that a mounted man may lay hold of his head and neck hanging downward. The bird is fastened in such a manner that a smart pluck will detach him from the tree ; while to render this the more difficult, both head and neck are well covered with soap. The horseman must be in full gallop while passing under the branch; and he who succeeds in plucking down the cock is pur- sued by all the others, who endeavour to rob him of the prize He has a fixed point to run round, and his goal is the tree from which he started. Sometimes he is overtaken before reaching ihis, the cock snatched from him — or, as not unfrequentiy hap- pens, torn to pieces in the contest. Should he succeed in get- ting back — still retaining the bird entire — he is then declared victor. The scene ends by his laying his prize at the feet of his mistress ; and she — usually some pretty poblana — appears that same evening at the fandango with the feathered trophy under her arm — thus signifying her appreciation of the compli- ment paid to her, as well as giving to the fandangueros* ocular proof of the fact that some skilful horseman is her admirer. It is a cruel sport, for it must be remembered that the poor cock who undergoes all this plucking and mangling is a living bird ! It is doubtful whether a thought of the cruelty ever entered the mind of a New Mexican. If so, it must have been a New Mexican woman] for the humanity of these is in an inverse ratio to that of their lords. For the women it may be urged that the sport is a custom of the country; and what country is with * Those who take part in the balls of the lower classes styled " fandangos." 56 THE WHITE CHIEF. out its cruel sports ? Is it rational or consistent to weep over the sufferings of Chanticleer, while we ride gaily upon the heels of poor broken Reynard ? There are two modes of the " Correr el gallo." The first has been described. The second only differs from it in the fact, that the cock, instead of being tied to a tree, is buried up to his shoulders in the earth. The horsemen, as before, pass in routine — each bending from his saddle, and striving to pluck the bird out of the ground. For the rest, the conditions are the same as before. The first cock was hung to a branch ; and the competitors having taken their places in a line, the game commenced. Several made the attempt, and actually seized the bird's head, but the soap foiled them, The dragoon sergeant was once more a competitor ; but whether his colonel made any further bet upon him is not known. The Commandante had gambled enough for that day ; and but for a little peculation which he enjoyed upon the mining " derechos,"* and other little customs dues, he would have felt his losses still more severely. Out of the derechos, however, he knew he could square himself at the expense of the vice-regal government. The sergeant, who, as already stated, had the advantage of a tall figure and a tall horse, was able to get a full grasp at the neck of the bird ; and being already provided, as was afterwards ascertained, with a fistful of sand, he took the prize with him, and galloped off. But there were swifter horses than his on the ground ; and before he could double the turning-post, he was overtaken by an active vaquero, and lost a wing of his bird. Another wing was plucked from him by a second pursuer ; and he returned to the tree with nothing but a fragment left 1 Of course he received neither vivas nor cheers. * Dues — duties. THE WHITE CHIEF. 57 Carlos the cibolero took no part in this contest. He knew that he had won glory enough for that day — that he had made both friends and enemies, and he did not desire to swell the list of either. Some of the bystanders, however, began to banter him, wishing, no doubt, to see him again exhibit his fine horse- manship. He withstood this for some time, until two more cocks were plucked from the tree — the vaquero already alluded to carrying one of them clear, and laying it at the feet of his smiling sweetheart. A new thought seemed to have entered the mind of Carlos, and he was seen riding into the lists, evidently about to take part in the next race. " It will be some time before I can be present at another fiesta," remarked he to Don Juan. " Day after to-morrow I start for the plains. So I'll take all the sport I can out of this one." An innovation was now introduced in the game. The bird was buried in the ground ; and its long neck and sharp-pointed bill showed that it was no cock, but a snow-white '' gruya," one of the beautiful species of herons common in these regions. Its fine tapering neck was not soiled with soap, but left in its natural state. In this case the chances of failure lay in the fact that, loosely buried as it was, the gruya would not allow its head to be approached by a hand, but jerked it from side to side, thus rendering it no easy matter to get hold of it. The signal being given, away went the string o* horsemen ! Carlos was among the last, but on coming up he saw the white bending neck still there. His hand was too quick fo* the bird, and the next moment it was dragged from the yielding sand, and flapping its snowy wings over the withers of his horse. It required not only speed on the part of Carlos, but great adroitness, to pass the crowd of horsemen, who now rushed from all points to intercept him. Here he dashed forward — there reined up — anon wheeled round a rider, and passed behind him , 3* 58 THE WHITE CHIEF. and, after a dozen such manoeuvres, the black horse was seen shooting off towards the turning-post alone. This passed, he galloped back to the goal, and holding up his prize, unstained and intact, received the applause of the spectators. There was a good deal of guessing and wondering as to who would be the recipient of the trophy. Some girl of his own rank, conjectured the crowd ; some poblana or ranchefo's daughter. The cibolero did not seem in haste to gratify their curiosity ; but, after a few minutes, he astonished them all, by flinging the gruya into the air, and suffering it to fly off. The bird rose majestically upward, and then, drawing in its long neck, was seen winging its way toward the lower end of the valley. It was observed, that before parting with the bird Carlos had plucked from its shoulders the long gossamer-like feathers that distinguish the heron species. These he was tying into a plume. Having accomplished this, he put spurs to his horse, and, gal- loping up to the front of the stand, he bent gracefully forward, and deposited the trophy at the feet of Catalina de Cruces ! A murmur of surprise ran through the crowd, and sharp cen- sure followed fast. What ! a cibolero, — a poor devil, of whom nothing was known, aspire to the smiles of a rico's daughter ? It was not a compliment. It was an insult ! Presumption intolerable I And these critiques were not confined to the senoras and seii- oritas. The poblanas and rancheras * were as bitter as they. These felt themselves slighted — passed by — regularly jilted by one of their own class. Catalina de Cruces, indeed ! Catalina — her situation was pleasant, yet painful — painful, because embarrassing. She smiled, then blushed, uttered a soft " Gracias, cavalkro !" f yet hesitated a moment whether to take * Wives of rancheros, or, in general, women who live in a rancho, or country cottage, t " Thanks, sir !" The word " gracias " is ever upon the tongue of this polite people. Pronounced by a pretty poblana, it has a sound inimitably sweet. THE WHITE CHIEF. 59 up the trophy. A scowling father had started to his feet on one side, on the other a scowling lover. The last was Roblado. " Insolent !" cried he, seizing the plume and flinging it to the earth ; " insolent !" Carlos bent down from his saddle, once more laid hold of the plume, and stuck it under the gold band of his hat. Then, turn- ing a defiant glance upon the officer, he said, " Don't lose your temper, Captain Roblado. A jealous lover makes but an indifferent husband ;" and transferring his look to Catalina he added with a smile, and in a changed tone, " Gracias, sen- orita !" As he said this he doffed his sombrero, and waving it grace- fully, turned his horse and rode off. Roblado half drew his sword, and his loud " Carrajo !" along with the muttered imprecations of Don Ambrosio, reached the ears of the cibolero. But the captain was far from brave, with all his swagger ; and seeing the long machete * of the horseman strapped over his hips, he vented his spite in threats only, and suffered Carlos to depart. The incident had created no small excitement, and a good deal of angry feeling. The cibolero had roused the indignation of the aristocracy, and the jealousy and envy of the democracy ; so that, after all his brilliant performances, he was likely to leave the field anything but a favourite. The wild words of his strange old mother had been widely reported, and national hatred was aroused, so that his skill called forth envy instead of admi- ration. An angel, indeed, should he have been to have won friendship there — he an Americano — a "heretico" — for in this far corner of the earth, fanaticism was as fierce as in the Seven- hilled City itself during the gloomiest days of the Inquisition ! Mayhap it was as well for Carlos that the sports were now ended, and the fiesta about to close. * Half sword, half knife. A weapon to be met with in every Mexican house. It has a blade about two feet long, with a horn handle. It is used for cutting brushwood, and la war-time is turned into a sword. 60 THE WHITE CHIEF. In a few minutes the company began to move off. The mules, oxen, and asses, were yoked to the carretas — the rancheros and rancheras climbed inside the deep boxes ; and then, what with the cracking of quirts,* the shouts of drivers, and the hideous screaming of the ungreased axles, a concert of sounds arose, that would have astonished any human being, except a born native of the soil. In half-an-hour the ground was clear, and the lean coyote f might be seen skulking over the spot in search of a morsel for his hungry maw. * A whip without handle. The thick end is wrapped around the hand, and those accus- tomed to the use of it can make the long lash play with severity. " Ouarto " is the Span- ish name — quirt the American translation. t The barking-wolf (Lupus latrans). He is found throughout all Mexico, and upon the prairies is the prairie-wolf. This species is not known east of the meridian of the Missis- sippi. Travellers, and some naturalists, give him the name of cajole or cojote. He is lesa than the American wolf, and his voice differs from the latter. The cry of the coyote is a bark thrice repeated, and ending in a howl of the most woeful import. The fox is leu cunning than the coyot6. THE WHITE CHIEF. 61 CHAPTER IX. Though the field-sports were over, the fiesta of San Juan was not yet ended. There were still many sights to be seen before the crowd scattered to their homes. There was to be another turn at the church — another sale of "indultos," beads, and relics, another sprinkling of sacred water, in order that the coffers of the padres might be replenished towards a fresh bout at the monte table. Then there was an evening procession of the Saint of the day (John), whose image, set upon a platform, was carried about the town, until the five or six fellows who bore the load were seen to perspire freely under its weight. The saint himself was a curiosity. A large wax and plaster doll, dressed in faded silk, that had once been yellow, and stuck all over with feathers and tinsel. A Catholic image Iudianized, for the Mexican divinities are as much Indian as Roman. He appeared tired of the business, as the joinings between head and neck having partially given way, the former drooped over and nodded to the crowd as the image was moved along. This nod- ding, however, which would have been laughed at as supremely ridiculous in any other than a priest-ridden country, was here regarded in a different light. The padres did not fail to put their interpretation upon it, pointing it out to their devout fol- lowers as a mark of condescension on the part of the Saint, who, in thus bowing to the crowd, was expressing his approbation of their proceedings. It was, in fact, a regular miracle. So alleged both padres and cura, and who was there to contra 02 THE WHITE CHIEF. diet them ? It would have been a dangerous matter to have said nay. In San Ildefonso no man dared to disbelieve the word of the Church. The miracle worked well. The religious enthusiasm boiled up ; and when St. John was returned to his niche, and the little "cofre"* placed in front of him, many a " peseta," " real," and " cuartello," were dropped in, which would otherwise have been deposited that night in the monte bank. Nodding Saints and " winking Madonnas " are by no means a novel contrivance of the Holy Church. The padres of its Mexican branch have had their wonderful saints too ; and even in the almost terra ignota of New Mexico can be found a few of them that have performed as smart miracles as any recorded in the whole jugglery of the race. A pyrotechnic display followed — and no mean exhibition of the sort neither — for in this "art" the New Mexicans are adepts. A fondness for "fireworks" is a singular but sure characteristic of a declining nation. Give me the statistics of pyrotechnic powder burnt by a people, and I shall tell you the standard measure of their souls and bodies. If the figure be a maximum, then the physical and moral measure will be the minimum, for the ratio is inverse. I stood in the Place de Concorde and saw a whole nation — its rich and its poor — gazing on one of these pitiful spectacles, got up for the purpose of duping them into contentment. It was the price paid them for parting with their liberty, as a child parts with a valuable gem for a few sugar-plums. They were gazing with a delight that seemed enthusiasm 1 I looked upon scrubby, stunted forms, a foot shorter than were their ancestors. I looked upon eyes that gleamed with demoralized thought. These were the representatives of a once great people, and who still deem themselves the first of mankind. I felt sure that * Box— alms-box. Peseta, quarter dollar. Real, twelve and a half cents. CvarMU half-real. These are the small current silver coins in Mexico. THE WHITE CHIEF. 63 this was an illusion. The pyro-spectacle and its reception con- vinced me that I saw before me a people who had passed the culminating point of their greatness, and were now gliding rapidly down the declining slope that leads to annihilation and nothingness. After the fireworks came the " fandango." There we meet the same faces, without much alteration in the costumes. The senoras and senoritas alone have doffed their morning dresses, and here and there a pretty poblana has changed her coarse woollen " nagua " for a gay flounced muslin. The ball was held in the large saloon of the " Casa de Cabildo,"* which occupied one side of the " Plaza." On this festival day there was no exclusiveness. In the frontier towns of Mexico not much at any time, for, notwithstanding the dis- tinctions of class, and the domineering tyranny of the govern- ment authorities, in matters of mere amusement there is a sort of democratic equality, a mingling of high and low, that in other countries is rare. English, and even American travellers, have observed this with astonishment. All were admitted to the " Salon de baile "f who chose to pay for it ; and, alongside the rico in fine broad cloth you might see the ranchero in his leathern jacket and velveteen calzoneros ; while the daughter of the rich commerciante danced in the same set with the " aldeana," J whose time was taken up in kneading tortillas or weaving rebosos ! The Commandante with Roblado and the lieutenant figured at the fandango in full uniform. The Alcalde was there with his gold-headed cane and tassel ; the cura in his shovel hat ; the padres in their swinging robes ; and all the "familias principales " of the place. There was the rich commerciante, Don Jose Rincon, with his * The honse in which the principal authorities meet to transact business is so called. Cabildo is the corporation, t Dancing saloon, t Village girl, or woman of the humbler classes. 64. THE WHITE CHIEF. fat wife and four fat sleepy-looking daughters — there, too, the wife and family of the Alcalde — there the Echevarrias, with their brother the " beau," in full Paris costume, with dress coat and crush hat — the only one to be seen in the saloon. There, too, the rich haciendado, Senor Gomez del Monte, with his lean wife and several rather lean daughters — differing in that respect from the hundreds of kine that roam over the pastures of his "ganada."* And there, too, observed of all, was the lovely Catalina de Cruces, the daughter of the wealthy minei, Don Ambrosio, who himself is by her side, keeping a watchful eye upon her. Besides these grand people there were employes of the mines of less note, clerks of the commerciantes, young farmers of the valley, gambucinos, vaqueros, ciboleros, and even " leperos,"^ of the town, shrouded in their cheap serapes. A motley throng was the fandango. The music consisted of a bandolon, a harp and fiddle, and the dances were the waltz, the bolero, and the coona. It is but just to say that finer dancing could not have been witnessed in the saloons of Paris. Even the peon, in his leathern spencer and calzoneros, moved as gracefully as a professor of the art ; and the poblanas, in their short skirts and gay-coloured slippers, swept over the floor like so many coryphees of the ballet. Roblado, as usual, was pressing his attentions on Catalina, and danced almost every set with her ; but her eye wandered from his gold epaulettes and seemed to search the room for some other object. She was evidently indifferent to the remarks of her partner, and tired of his company. Yizcarra's eyes were also in search of some one that did not appear to be present, for the Commandante strolled to and fro, peering into every group and corner with a dissatisfied look. * Cattle-farm. Some of these in Northern Mexico number their stock by thousands o\ head. t A " lepero " in Mexico is not a leper in the specific sense of the word. Any ragged fellow is styled a lepero. It is the synonyme of rabble. THE WHITE CHIEF. 65 If it was the fair blonde he was looking for, lie would be unsuccessful. She was not there. Rosita and her mother had returned home after the exhibition of the fire-works. Their house was far down the valley, and they had gone to it, accom- panied by Carlos and the young ranchero. These, however, had returned to be present at the fandango. It was late before they made their appearance, the road having detained them. This was why the eye of Catalina wandered. Unlike Yizcarra, however, she was not to meet with disappointment. While the dance was going on two young men entered the saloon, and soon mingled with the company. One of them was the young ranchero, the other was Carlos. The latter might easily have been distinguished by the heron-plume that waved over his black sombrero. The eye of Catalina was no -longer restless. It was now directed upon an object, though its glances were not fixed, but quick and stolen — stolen, because of the observation of an angry father and a jealous lover. Carlos assumed indifference, though his heart was burning. What would he not have given to have danced with her ? But he kuew her situation too well. He knew that the offer of such a thing would lead to a scene. He dared not propose it. At times he. fancied that she had ceased to regard him — that she even listened with interest to Roblado — to the beau Eche- varria — to others. This was but Catalina's fine acting. It was meant for other eyes than those of Carlos, but he knew not that, and became piqued. He grew reckless, and danced. He chose for his partner a very pretty "aldeana," Inez Gonzales by name, who was delighted to dance with him. Catalina saw this, and became jealous in turn. This play continued for a length of time, but Carlos at length grew tired of his partner, and sat down upon the banqueta* * In most Mexican houses, public or private, a banqueta of brick-work is built along QQ THE WHITE CHIEF. alone. His eyes followed the movements of Catalina. He sa\* that hers were bent upon him with glances of love, — love that had been avowed in words — yes, had already been plighted upon oath. Why should they suspect each other ? The confidence of both hearts was restored ; and now the excitement of the dance, and the less zealous guardianship of Don Ambrosio, half drunk with wine, gave confidence to their eyes, and they gazed more boldly and frequently at one another. The ring of dancers whirling round the room passed close to where Carlos sat. It was a waltz. Catalina was waltzing with the beau Echevarria. At each circle her face was towards Carlos, and then their eyes met. In these transient but oft- recurring glances, the eyes of a Spanish maid will speak volumes, and Carlos was reading in those of Catalina a pleasant tale. As she came round the room for the third time, he noticed some- thing held between her fingers, which rested over the shoulder of her partner. It was a sprig with leaves of a dark greenish hue. When passing close to him, the sprig, dexterously detached, fell upon his knees, while he could just hear, uttered in a soft whisper, the word — " Tuya P'* Carlos caught the sprig, which was a branch of " tuya," or cedar. He well understood its significance ; and after pressing it to his lips, he passed it through the button-hole of his embroidered "jaqueta." As Catalina came round again, the glances exchanged between them were those of mutual and confiding love. ******* The night wore on — Don Ambrosio at length became sleepy, and carried off his daughter, escorted by Roblado. Soon after most of the ricos and fashionables left the saloon, one or more sides of the rooms. With petates placed upon this it serves to seat the inmates, and at night it is used extensively as a bedstead. The banqueta is about the height of an ordinary bench, whose place it supplies. * The tuya of Spanish America is the cedar (Juniperus Yirginiana). Tuya is alsft Bpaoish for "yours." Hence the «prig being thus used as an emblem. THE WHITE CHIEF. CT but some tireless votaries of Terpsichore still lingered until the rosy Aurora peeped through the "rejas"* of the Casa de Cabildo. * There are no glazed windows in Mexico, if we except the houses of a few " ricos." Bars of iron set longitudinally are the defence — not against cold, but thieves. Thi3 iron work is called " reja." Transparent plates of selenite — of which there exists a great deal among the New Mexican mountains— are often used by the natives as a substitute fo< flass. 03 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER X. The "Llano Estacado," or "Staked Plain n of the hunters, is one of the most singular formations of the Great American Prairie. It is a table-land, or " steppe," rising above the regions around it to a height of nearly one thousand feet, and of an oblong, or leg-of-mutton form, trending from north to south. It is four hundred miles in length, and at its widest part between two and three hundred. Its superficial area is about equal to the island of Ireland ! Its surface aspect differs con- siderably from the rest of prairie-land, nor is it of uniform appearance in every part. Its northern division consists of an arid steppe, sometimes treeless, for an extent of fifty miles, and sometimes having a stunted covering of mezquite (acacia), -of which there are two distinct species. This steppe is in several places rent by chasms a thousand feet in depth, and walled in on both sides by rugged, impassable precipices. Yast masses of shapeless rocks lie along the beds of these great clefts, and pools of water appear at long intervals, while stunted cedars grow among the rocks, or cling from the seams of the cliffs. Such chasms, called " canons,"* can only be crossed, or even entered, at certain points ; and these passes are frequently a score of miles distant from each other. On the upper plain the surface is often a dead level for a hundred miles, and as firm as a macadamized road. There are * Huge clefts through a ridge of hills or a mountain, which appear as if channelled w artificially cut out, are called canons (caSones) by the Spano-Mexicans. THE WHITE CHIEF. 69 spots covered with a turf of grass of the varieties known as gramma, buffalo, and mezquite ; and sometimes the traveller encounters a region where shallow ponds of different sizes stud the plain — a few being permanent, and surrounded by sedge. Most of these ponds are more or less brackish, some sulphurous, and others perfectly salt. After heavy rains such aqueous deposits are more numerous, and their waters sweeter ; but rain seems to fall by accident over this desolate region, and after long spells of drought the greater number of these ponds disappear altogether. Towards the southern end of the Llano Estacado the surface exhibits a very singular phenomenon — a belt of sand-hills, nearly twenty miles in breadth and full fifty in length, stretching north and south upon the plain. These hills are of pure white sand, thrown up in ridges, and sometimes in cones, to the height of a hundred feet, and without tree, bush, or shrub, to break their soft outlines, or the uniformity of their colour. But the greatest anomaly of this geological puzzle is, that water-ponds are found in their very midst — even among their highest ridges — and this water not occasional, as from rains, but lying in "lagunas," with reeds, rushes, and nymphce, growing in them, to attest that the water is permanent ! The very last place where water might be expected to make a lodgement. Such formations of drift-sand are common upon the shores of the Mexican Gulf, as well as on the European coasts, and there their existence is easily explained ; but here, in the very heart of a continent, it cannot be regarded as less than a singular phenomenon. This sand-belt is passable at one or two points, but horses sink to the knees at every step, and but for the water it would be a perilous experiment to cross it. Where is the Llano Estacado ? Unrol your map of North America. You will perceive a large river called the Canadian rising in the Rocky Mountains, and running, first southerly, and 70 THE WHITE CHIEF. then east, until it becomes part of the Arkansas. As this river bends eastwardly it brushes the northern end of the Llano Estacado, whose bluffs sometimes approach close to its banks, and at other times are seen far off, resembling a range of mountains — for which they have been frequently mistaken by travellers. The boundary of the west side of the " Staked Plain " is more definite. Near the head-waters of the Canadian another large river has its source. This is the, Pecos. Its course, you will observe, is nearly south, but your map is not correct, as for several hundred miles the Pecos runs within a few degrees of east. It afterwards takes a southerly direction, before it reaches its embouchure in the Rio Grande. Now the Pecos washes the whole western base of the Llano Estacado ; and it is this very plain, elevated as it is, that turns the Pecos into its southerly course, instead of leaving it to flow eastward, like all the other prairie streams that head in the Rocky Mountains. The eastern boundary of the Llano Estacado is not so definitely marked, but a line of some three hundred miles from the Pecos, and cutting the head-waters of the Wichita, the Louisiana Red, the Brazos, and Colorado, will give some idea of its outline. These rivers, and their numerous tributaries, all head in the eastern " ceja" (brow) of the Staked Plain, which is cut and channelled by their streams into tracts of the most rugged and fantastic forms. At the south the Llano Estacado tapers to a point, declining into the mezquite plains and valleys of numerous small streams that debouch into the Lower Rio Grande. This singular tract is without one fixed dweller ; even the Indian never makes abode upon it beyond the few hours necessary to rest from his journey, and there are parts where he — inured as he is to hunger and thirst — dare not venture to cross it. So perilous is the "Jornada,"* or crossing of the Llano * Pronounce Hbrnada. Jornada is a day's journey, but there is a distinction mada THE WHITE CHIEF. 71 Estacado, that throughout all its length of four hundred miles there are only two places where travellers can effect it in safety ! The danger springs from the want of water, for there are spots of grass in abundance ; but even on the well-known routes there are, at certain seasons, stretches of sixty and eighty miles where not a drop of water is to be procured 1 In earlier times one of these routes was known as the " Span- ish Trail," from Santa Fe to San Antonio de Bexar, of Texas ; and lest travellers should lose their way, several points were marked with " palos," or stakes. Henoe the name it has received. The Llano Estacado is now rarely travelled, except by the ciboleros, or Mexican buffalo-hunters, and Comancheros,* or Indian traders. Parties of these cross it from the settlements of New Mexico, for the purpose of hunting the buffalo, and trafficking with the Indian tribes that roam over the plains to the east. Neither the hunt nor the traffic is of any great importance, but it satisfies a singular race of men, whom chance or inclination has led to the adopting it as a means of subsis- tence. These men are to the Mexican frontier pretty much what the hunter and back-woodsman are upon the border of the Anglo-American settlements. They are, however, in many res- pects different from the latter — in arms and equipments, modes of hunting and otherwise. The outfit of a cibolero, who is usually also a coureur de hois, is very simple. For hunting, he is mounted on a tolerable- - j sometimes a fine — horse; and armed with a bow and arrows, a hunting-knife and a long lance. Of fire-arms he knows and cares nothing— though there are exceptional cases. A lazo is an important part of his equipment. For trading, his stock of between the journey of a mule-train — "Jornada de atajo," and a horse's journey — "Jor- nada de cavallo ;" the former being about fifteen miles, while the latter is nearly double 'that distance. * Mexicans engaged in trading with the Comanche Indians are so styled. 72 THE WHITE CHIEF. goods is very limited — often not costing him twenty dollars I A few bags of coarse bread (an article of food which the prairie Indians are fond of), a sack of " pinole," some baubles for Indian ornament, some coarse serapes, and pieces of high-coloured woollen stuffs, woven at home : these constitute his " invoice." Hardware goods he does not furnish to any great extent. These stand him too high in his own market, as they reach it only after long carriage and scandalous imposts. Fire-arms he has nothing to do with : such prairie Indians as use these are furnished from the eastern side; but many Spanish pieces — fusils and escopettes* — have got into the hands of the Comanches through their forays upon the Mexican towns of the south. In return for his outlay and perilous journey, the cibolero carries back dried buffalo-flesh and hides — some the produce of his own hunting, some procured by barter from the Indians. Horses, mules, and asses, are also articles of exchange. Of these the prairie Indians possess vast herds — some individuals owning hundreds; and most of them with Mexican brands !f In other words, they have been stolen from the towns of the Lower Rio Grande, to be sold to the towns of the Upper Rio Grande, and the trade is deemed perfectly legitimate — at least, there is no help for it as the case stands. * A short gun called " escopeta " is very plentiful throughout Mexico. It is usually a razeed musket, with swivels and sling, so as to render it convenient for mounted men. + For the last twenty years a continual system of pillage has been carried on by several prairie tribes upon the Mexican settlements. Not only have the red-skinned robbers carried off horses, but captives, until several thousand women and children are now in their hands — all of Spanish or semi-Spanish lineage. Nearly all the horses and cattle possessed by the Comanche tribe have been stolen, or rather " rieved," from the citizens of the Mexican Republic. But what may seem singular to those who are unacquainted with the Mexican character, the citizens of one prevince encourage these forays upon another by purchas- ing their spoil from the Indian freebooters. The people of New Mexico frequently bargain with the Apaches for horses and cattle, which the latter have taken from the Mexicans of Sonora ; those of Sonora buy the stolen goods of Chihuahua ; and the ChihuahueKos have a receiving house for plunder from Sonora, or the Lower Rio Grande ! In Mexico all cat- tle are "branded," or stamped with the private mark of the owner, burnt in the skin with a hot iron. This mark remains for life, and as an animal frequently changes master! jeveral brands may be seen, very damaging to iim look of a fine horse. THE WHITE CHIEF. 78 The cibolero goes forth on the plains with a rare escort. Sometimes a large number of these men, taking their wives and families with them, travel together just like a tribe of wild Indians. Generally, however, one or two leaders, with their servants and equipage, form the expedition. They experience less molestation from the savages than ordinary travellers. The Comanches and other tribes know their object, and rather encourage them to come amongst them. Notwithstanding, they are often cheated and ill-used by these double-faced deal- ers. Their mode of transport is the pack-mule and the " carreta," drawn by mules or oxen. The carreta is of itself a picture of primitive locomotion. A pair of block-wheels, cut out of a cottonwood tree, are joined by a stout wooden axle. The wheels usually approach nearer to the oval, or square, than the circular form. A long tongue leads out from the axle-tree, and upon top of this a square, deep, box-like body is placed. To this two or more pairs of oxen are attached in the most simple manner — by lashing a cross-piece of wood to their horns which has already been made fast to the tongue. The animals have neither yoke nor harness, and the forward push of the head is the motive power by which the carreta is propelled. Once in motion, the noise of the wooden axle is such as to defy descrip- tion. The cries of a whole family, with children of all sizes, in bitter agony, can alone represent the concert of terrible sounds; and we must go to South Mexico to find its horrid equal in a troop of howling monkeys. 74 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XI. About a week after the fiesta of St. John, a small party of ciboleros was seen crossing the Pecos, at the ford of the " Bos- que Redondo." The party was only five in number, and con- sisted of a white man, a half-blood, and three pure-bred Indians, having with them a small atajo* of pack-mules, and three ox- team carretas. The crouching trot of the Indians, as well as their tilma dresses and sandalled feet,f showed that they were " Indios manzos." They were, in fact, the hired peons of Carlos the cibolero — the white man, and chief of the party. The half-blood — Antonio by name — was " arriero "J of the mule-train, while the three Indians drove the ox-teams, guiding them across the ford with their long goads. Carlos himself was mounted upon his fine black horse, and, muffled in a strong serape, rode in front to pilot the way. His beautiful manga had been left hehind, partly to save it from the rough wear of such an expedition, and also that it might not excite the cupidity of the prairie Indians, who, for such a brilliant mantle as it was, * "Atajo" is the name given to a string or train of pack-mules, usually the property of one individual, and hired by the journey or job. t The civilised Indians — that is, the " Indios manzos," who form the bulk of Mexican population — still wear the sandal or go barefoot. The sandal, called "guarache," is merely a piece of sole leather, cut somewhat to the shape of the foot-print, and tied around the ankles by thongs of raw-hide. It is worn only by the pure Indians, and prin- cipally by those living in the country or the villages. % " Muleteer," — a class of men renowned for honesty and other virtues, that are some- what rare in their country. As there are few roads in Mexico that can be travelled by Wheeled vehicles, the pack-mule becomes an important means of transport, and, of course, the clas3 of men who follow mule-driving exists in considerable numbers. THE WHITE CHIEF. 75 would not hesitate to take his scalp. Besides the manga, the embroidered jacket, the scarlet scarf, and velveteen calzoneros, had all been put off, and others of a coarser kind were now worn in their place. This was an important expedition for Carlos. He carried with him the largest freight he had ever taken upon the prairies. Besides the three carretas with four oxen each, the atajo con- sisted of five pack-mules, all loaded with merchandise — the car- retas with bread, pinole, Spanish beans, Chile peppers ; and the packs were made up of serape blankets, coarse woollen cloth, and a few showy trinkets, as also some Spanish knives, with their pointed triangular blades. It was his bold luck on the day of the fiesta that had enabled him to provide such a stock. In addition to his own original onza and the two he had won, the young ranchero, Don Juan, had insisted upon his accepting the loan of five others towards an outfit for this expedition. The little troop, haviug safely forded the Pecos, headed towards the " ceja " of the Llano Estacado, that was not far distant from the crossing of Bosque Redondo. A sloping ravine brought them to the top of the " mesa,"* where a firm level road lay before them — a smooth plain without break or bush to guide them on their course. But the cibolero needed no guide. No man knew the Staked Plain better than he ; and, setting his horse's head in a direc- tion a little south of east, the train moved on. He was striking for one of the head branches of the Red River of Louisiana, where he had heard that for several seasons pait the buffalo had appeared in great numbers.f It was a new route for him — as * Literally " table." A word applied to certain hills, with flat, table-like tops, existing throughout North Mexico. This formation is characteristic of the desert region of Ame- rica, and particularly of the vast uninhabited tracts west of the Rio Del Norte. South Africa also exhibits a similar geological character, of which " Table Mountain " is a good illustrative specimen. t These animals are not periodical in their migrations, though there is a pretty regular setting in towards the southern prairies when the grass fails them to the north. There are many circumstances, however, to affect their wanderings,— as the drought, the drive ?6 THE WHITE CHIEF. most of his former expeditions had been made to the upper forks of the Texan rivers Brazos and Colorado. But the plains around these rivers were at this time in undisputed possession of the powerful tribe of Comanches, and their allies, the Kiawas, Lipans, and Tonkewas. Hence, these Indians, uninterrupted in their pursuit of the buffalo, had rendered the latter wild and dif- ficult of approach, and had also thinned their numbers. On the waters of the Red River the case was different. This was hos- tile ground. The Wacoes, Panes, Osages, and bands from the Cherokee, Kickapoo, and other nations to the east, occasionally hunted there, and sanguinary conflicts occurred among them ; so that one party or another often lost their season's hunt by the necessity of keeping out of each other's range ; and the game was thus left undisturbed. It is a well-known fact that in a neutral or " hostile ground," the buffalo, as well as other game, are found in greatest abundance, and are there more easily approached than elsewhere. With a knowledge of these facts, Carlos the cibolero had determined to risk an expedition to the Red River, whose head- waters have their source in the eastern " ceja " of the Llano Estacado, and not in the Rocky Mountains as laid down upon maps. Carlos was well armed for hunting the buffalo — so was the half-blood Antonio — and two of the three peons were also expe- rienced hunters. Their arms consisted of the bow and lance, both weapons being preferable to fire-arms for buffalo-hunting.* In one of the carretas, however, might be seen a weapon of another kind — a long brown American rifle. This Carlos kept of the Indian hunters, and wars among the tribes. See "The Hunters' Feast" by the same author. * The Buffalo is best hunted on horseback; consequently, the arrow is readier than the leaden bullet, by reason of the difficulty of reloading the rifle. Of course, the aim is not considered where the object is at no greater distance than a few feet. Indeed, a common horse or holster pistol is a better weapon than a rifle in buffalo-hunting. Some hunters prefer a long spear to either bow or gun. For incidents in Buffalo Hunting, vide "Hunters' Feast." THE WHITE CHIEF. 77 for other and higher game, and he well knew how to use it. But how came such a weapon into the hands of a Mexican cibo- lero ? Remember Carlos was not of Mexican origin. The weapon was a family relic. It had been his father's. We shall not follow Carlos and his " caravan n through all the details of their weary "journeyings" across the desert plain. At one place they made a "Jornada" of seventy miles without water. But the experienced Carlos knew how to accomplish this without the loss of a single animal. He travelled thus. Having given his cattle as much as they would drink at the last watering-place, he started in the after- noon, and travelled until near daybreak. Then a halt of two hours was made, so that the animals should graze while the dew was still on the grass. Another long march followed, continuing until noon, then a rest of three or four hours brought the cool evening, when a fresh spell of marching brought the "Jornada" to its end, far on in the following night. Such is the mode of travelling still practised on the desert steppes of Chihuahua, Sonora, and North Mexico. After several days' travelling the cibolero and his party descended from the high "mesa," and, passing down its eastern slope, arrived on a tributary of the Red River. Here the scenery assumed a new aspect — the aspect of the "rolling" prairie. Gentle declivities, with soft rounded tops declining into smooth verdant vales, along which meandered streams of clear and sparkling water. Here and there along the banks stood groves of trees, such as the evergreen live-oak, the beautiful "pecan" with its oblong edible nuts, the "overcup" with its odd-looking acorns, the hackberry with its nettle-shaped leaves and sweet fruits, and the silvery cotton-wood. Along the swells could be seen large trees standing apart, and at almost equal distances, as though planted for an orchard. Their full leafy tops gave them a fine appearance, and their light pinnate leaves, 78 THE WHITE CHIEF. with the long brown legumes hanging from their branches, told they were the famous " mezquite " trees — the American acacia. The red mulberry could be seen in the creek bottoms, and here and there the beautiful wild-china tree with its pretty lilac flowers. The whole surface both of hill and valley was clad in a rich mantle of short buffalo grass, which gave it the aspect of a meadow lately mown, and springing into fresh verdure. It was a lovely landscape, and no wonder the wild bulls of the prairies chose it for their favourite range. The cibolero had not travelled far through this favoured region until he came upon the buffalo sign — " roads," " wallows," and " bois de vache ;"* and next morning he found himself in the midst of vast herds, roaming about like tame cattle, and browsing at their leisure. So little shy were they, they scarce deigned to make off at his approach ! Of course he had reached the end of his journey. This was his great stock-farm. These were his own cattle — as much his as any one else's ; and he had nothing more to do but set to killing and curing. As to his trade with the Indians, that would take place whenever he should chance to fall in with a party — which he would be certain to do in the course of the season. Like all men of the prairie, rude trappers as well as Indians, Carlos had an eye for the picturesque, and therefore chose a beautiful spot for his camp. It was a grassy bottom, through * Buffalo-roads are a feature of the prairies. They sometimes present the appearance of immense highways trodden by countless herds of cattle. Often they are sunk below the level of the surrounding plain, the rain-water having carried away the loosened earth. Buffalo " wallows " are shallow, circular holes, caused by the animals when' 1 ' wallowing." A curious habit which these quadrupeds indulge in. They lie down upon the plain, and using their shoulder as a pivot, spin themselves around for several minutes at a time. The circular excavation is thus formed, and during seasons of rain these little basins form reservoirs for water, out of which the buffaloes themselves drink. Thus these animals may be said " to dig their own wells," though the motive of their doing so is to get rid of th« "ticks" and flies that in hot weather greatly annoy them. THE WHITE CHIEF. which ran a clear " arroyo "* of sweet water, shaded by pecan, mulberry, and wild-china trees, and under the shadow of a mulberry grove his carretas were halted, and his tent was pitched. • Creek or rirutot. 80 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XII. Carlos had commenced his hunt, and was making rapid progress. In the first two days he had slaughtered no less than twenty buffaloes, and had them all carried to camp. He and Antonio followed the buffalo, and shot them down, while two of the peons skinned the animals, cut up the meat, and packed it to camp. There, under the hands of the third, it underwent the further process of being "jerked," that is, cut into thin slices and dried in the sun. The hunt promised to be profitable. Carlos would no doubt obtain as much "tasajo"* as he could carry home, besides a large supply of hides, both of which found ready sale in the towns of New Mexico. On the third day, however, the hunters noticed a change in the behaviour of the buffalo. They had suddenly grown wild and wary. Now and then vast gangs passed them, running at full speed, as if terrified and pursued ! It was not Carlos and his companion that had so frighted them. What then had set them a running ? Carlos conjectured that some Indian tribe was in the neigh- bourhood, engaged in hunting them. His conjecture proved correct. On ascending a ridge which gave him a view of a beautiful valley beyond, his eye rested upon an Indian encampment. * Meat preserved without salt, by being smoked or sun-dried, is called " tasajo " (pro- nounced tasahd). Most of the meat used by the country people of Mexico is " tasajo." THE WHITE CHIEF. 81 It consisted of about fifty lodges, standing like tents along the edge of the valley, and fronting towards the stream. They were of a conical form, constructed of a framework of poles set in a circle, drawn together at their tops, and then covered with skins of the buffalo. " Waco lodges !" said the cibolero, the moment his practised eye fell upon them. " Master," inquired Antonio, " how do you tell that ?" Antonio's experience fell far short of that of his master, who from childhood had spent his life on the prairies. " How !" replied Carlos, " by the lodges themselves." " I should have taken it for a Comanche camp," said the half- blood. " I have seen just such lodges among the ' Buffalo- eaters.' " " Not so, Anton," rejoined his master. " In the Comanche lodge the poles meet at the top, and are covered over with the skins, leaving no outlet for smoke. You observe it is not so with these. They are lodges of the Wacoes, who, it is true, are allies of the Comanches." Such was in reality the fact. The poles, though bent so as to approach each other at the top, did not quite meet, and an open hole remained for the passage of smoke. The lodge, therefore, was not a perfect cone, but the frustum of one ; and in this it differed from the lodge of the Comanches. "The Wacoes are not hostile," remarked the cibolero. "I think we have nothing to fear from them. No doubt they will trade with us. But where are they ?" This question was drawn forth by the cibolero observing that not a creature was to be seen about the lodges, — neither man, woman, child, nor animal ! And yet it could not be a deserted camp. Indians would not abandon such lodges as these — at least they would not leave behind the fine robes that covered them ! No, the owners must be near : no doubt, among the neighbouring hills f in pursuit of the buffalo. 4* 82 THE WHITE CHIEF. The cibolero guessed aright. As he and his companion stood looking down upon the encampment, a loud shouting reached their ears, and the next moment a body of several hundred horsemen were seen approaching over a swell of the prairie. They were riding slowly, but their panting foaming horses showed that they had just left off harder work. Presently another band, still more numerous, appeared in the rear. These were horses and mules laden with huge brown masses, the buf- falo-meat packed up in the shaggy hides. This train was con- ducted by the women and boys, and followed by troops of dogs and screaming children. As they came toward the encampment from an opposite direc- tion, Carlos and his companion were not for a while seen. The Indians, however had not been long among the lodges before the quick eye of one caught sight of their two heads above the ridge. A warning cry was uttered, and in a moment every one of the dismounted hunters was back in his saddle and ready for action. One or two galloped off towards the meat-train, which had not yet come into camp, while others rode to and fro, exhib- iting symptoms of alarm. No doubt they were under apprehensions that the Panes, their mortal foes, had stolen a march upon them. Carlos soon relieved them from this apprehension. Spurring his horse to the crest of the ridge, he drew up in full view of the Indians. A few signs, which he well knew how to make, and the word " amigo !" shouted at the top of his voice, restored their confidence ; then a young fellow now rode out in front, and advanced up the hill. When sufficiently near to be heard, he hailed ; and a conversation, partly by signs, and partly by means of a little Spanish, enabled him and Carlos to understand each other. The Indian then galloped back, and, after a short inter- val, returned again, and invited the cibolero and his companion to the encampment. Carlos of course accepted the courtesy, and a few minutes THE WHITE CHIEF. 83 tALr fco and Antonio were eating fresh buffalo beef, and chatting in jitrfect amity with their new hosts. The chief a fine-looking man, and evidently possessing full authority, became particularly friendly with Carlos, and was much pleased at hearing that the tatter had a stock of goods. lie promised to visit his camp next morning and allow his tribe to trade. As the cibolero had conjectured, they were Waco Indians — a aoble race, one of the noblest of the prairie tribes. Carlos returned to his camp in high spirits. He would now have his goods exchanged for mules — so the chief promised — ■ and these were the main objects of his expedition. In the morning, according to appointment, the Indians arrived, chief and all ; and the little valley where the cibolero had encamped was filled with men, women, and children. The packs were opened, the goods were set forth, and the whole day was spent in continuous trading. The cibolero found his customers perfectly honest ; and when night came, and they took their departure, not a single item of Carlos' stock remained on his hands. In its place, however, a handsome mulada * of no less than thirty mules was seen picketed in the bottom of the little valley. These were now the property of Carlos the cibolero. Not a bad outlay of his eight onzas ! Not only would they yield well on his return, but it was his intention that each of them should carry back its full load of buffalo-hides, or " tasajo." It would be a successful expedition, indeed ; and dreams of future wealth, with the hope of being some day in a condition to advance a legitimate claim to the hand of the fair Catalina, were already passing through the mind of Carlos. Once a " rico," reflected he, even Don Ambrosio might sanc- tion his suit. On that night soft was the slumber ana pleasant the dreams of Carlos the cibolero. * Mulado, a drove of mules. CabaUada or cavallada, a drove of horses ; hence our ** Cavalcade." Manada, a band of mares. S~i THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XIII. Next day he followed his hunting with increased ardour. He was now provided with the means of transport to any amount. There was no fear he should have to leave either his robes or tasajo behind. With his own mules, he had now thirty-five ; and that number with the three carretas would carry a splendid freight — of the value of hundreds of dollars. He had already obtained some dressed robes from the Indians. For these he had parted with everything for which an Indian would trade. Even the buttons from off his jacket and those of his men, the bullion bands and shining tags of their sombreros — everything about them that glittered ! Their arms of course not. These the Wacoes did not want. They had similar ones themselves, and could manufacture them at will. They would have purchased the long brown rifle ; but that was a souvenir Carlos would not have parted with for a score of mules. For the next day or two the cibolero continued his hunting. He found the buffalo grow every hour more excited and wild. He noticed, too, that the " running " gangs came from the north, while the Wacoes were hunting to the southward of his camp I It could not be the latter that were disturbing them. Who then ? On the third night after his trade with the Indians, Carlos had retired to rest with his people. Antonio kept watch until midnight, at which hour ]xe was to be relieved by one of the peons. THE WHITE CHIEF. 85 Antonio had grown very sleepy. His hard riding after the buffalo had wearied him ; and he was doing his best to keep awake for the last half-hour of his vigil, when a snort reached his ears from the direction of the mulada. This brought him to himself. He placed his ear to the ground and listened. Another snort louder than the first came from the mulada — another — and another — quick in succession ! " What can it mean ? Coyotes ? or perhaps a bear ? I shall wake my master," said Antonio to himself. Stealing gently to the side of Carlos, the half-blood shook the sleeper by the arm. A slight shake was" enough, for in an instant the cibolero was upon his feet and handling his rifle. He always resorted to this weapon in cases of danger, such as a hostile attack by Indians, using his bow only in the chase. After a word or two had passed between Carlos and Antonio the three peons were awaked, and all five stood to their arms. The little party remained in the midst of the carretas, which had been drawn up so as to form a small triangular corral. The high boxes of these would be an excellent protection against arrows ; and, as there was no fire in the camp to make a light, they could not be seen from without. The camp, moreover, was shadowed by the thick foliage of the mulberries, which rendered it still more obscure ; while its occupants commanded a view of the prairie in front. But for the wood copses which stood at intervals, they could have seen the whole ground both up and down the valley and along its sides. These copses, however, might have concealed any number of foes. The hunters remained silent listening intently. At one time they fancied they could see a dark form crouching along the ground in the direction of the mulada, that was picketed not a hundred yards off. The light, however, was so uncertain, not one of the five could be sure of this. Whatever it was, it moved very slowly, for it appeared to remain near the samo spot. *# THE WHITE CHIEF. Carlos at length set himself to observe it more closely. He stole Out from the corral, and, followed by Antonio, crawled along the ground. When the two had got nearer the dark object, it was distinctly seen to move. " There is something !" whispered the cibolero. At that moment the mules again snorted, and one or two of them struck the ground with their hoofs, as if startled. "It must be a bear, I fancy," continued Carlos. "It has the appearance of one. It will stampede the animals — a shot will be less likely to do so." As he said this he raised his rifle, and, taking aim as well as the darkness would allow him, pulled trigger, and fired. It seemed as if the shot had invoked all the demons of the infernal regions. A hundred voices burst forth in one simulta- neous yell, the hoofs of a hundred horses rang upon the turf, the mulada got into motion, the mules squealing and plunging violently, and the next moment every one of them had broken their lariats, and were running at a furious gallop out of the valley ! A dark band of yelling horsemen was seen closing in after and driving them off ; and, before Carlos could recover from his surprise, both mules and Indians had disappeared out of sight and hearing ! Not a single one remained of the whole mulada. The ground upon which they had been picketed was swept perfectly clear ! " An estampeda !"* said the cibblero, in a husky voice ; " my poor mules — all gone — every one of them ! A curse upon Indian duplicity I" Carlos had not the slightest doubt but that the marauders were the Wacoes — the very same from whom he had purchased the mules. He knew that such an occurrence was by no means rare — that oftentimes the traders are robbed in this way ; and not unusual is it for them to purchase a second time the very * The sudden alarm produced among horses or cattle, leading to a general scattering of the drove, is called " estampeda " by the Mexicans. This word is rendered " stampede * In Anglo-American. THE WHITE CHIEF. 87 animals thus carried off, and from the same Indians who have stolen them ! "A curse upon Indian duplicity !" he repeated, with indignant emphasis. "No wonder they were so free and generous in their barter ! It was but a plot on the part of the cowardly thieves to take from me my whole cargo, without daring to do so openly. Carajo ! I am lost !" This last phrase was uttered in a tone that partook equally of anger and grief. The cibolero was certainly placed in an unpleasant situation. All his hopes — lately running so high — were crushed in a single moment. His whole property taken from him — the object of his enterprise lost — his long, perilous, and painful journeyings made for nothing. He should return empty-handed, poorer than when he set out — for his own five pack-mules were gone among the rest. The oxen, and his faithful steed, tied to the carretas, alone remained. These would scarce serve to carry provision for himself and party on their journey home ; no cargo — not a bale of hides — not a "bulta"* of meat more than would be required for their own food ! These reflections all passed through the mind of the cibolero in the space of a few moments, as he stood gazing in the direction in which the marauders had gone. He made no attempt to follow — that would have been worse than useless. On his splendid horse he might have overtaken them — only to die on the points of their lances ! '* A curse upon Indian duplicity I" he once more repeated ; and then, rising to his feet, walked back to the corral, and gave orders for the oxen to be drawn close up and firmly fastened to the carretas. Another surprise might be attempted by some lingering party of the savages ; and, as it would be unsafe to go to sleep, the cibolero and his four companions remained awake and on the alert for the remainder of the night. * Jtale or package of goods. 88 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XIY. That was a noche triste to Carlos — a night of painful refleo tions. Bereft of his property — in the midst of hostile Indians, who might change their minds, return, and massacre him and his party — many hundred miles from home, or from any settlement of whites — a wide desert to be traversed — the further discourage- ment that there was no object for his going home, now that he was stripped of all his trading-stock — perhaps to be laughed at on his return — no prospect of satisfaction or indemnity, for he well knew that his government would send out no expedition to revenge" so humble an individual as he was — he knew, in fact, that no expedition of Spanish soldiery could penetrate to the place, even if they had the will ; but to fancy Yizcarra and Roblado sending one on his account ! No, no ; there was no hope of his obtaining satisfaction. He was cruelly robbed, and he knew that he must endure it ; but what a blighted prospect was before him ! As soon as day broke he would go to the Waco camp — he would boldly upbraid them for their treachery. But what purpose would that serve ? Besides, would he find them still there ? No ; most likely they were moving off to some other part at the time they had planned the robbery ! Several times during the night a wild idea occurred to him. If he could not have indemnity he might obtain revenge. The Wacoes were not without enemies. Several bordering tribes were at war with them ; and Carlos knew they had a powerful foe in the Pan6s. THE WHITE CHIEF. 89 " My fortune is bitter," thought Carlos ; " but revenge is sweet ! What if I seek the Pane, — tell him my intention, — offer him my lance, my bow, and my true rifle ? I have never met the Pane. I know him not ; but I am no weak hand, and now that I have a cause for vengeance, he will not despise my aid. My men will follow me — I know they will — anywhere ; and, tame ' Tagnos ' though they be, they can fight when roused to revenge. I shall seek the Pane !" The last thought was uttered half aloud, and with emphasis that spoke determination. The cibolero was a man of quick resolves, and this resolve he had actually come to. It is not to be wondered at. His indignation at beiDg treated in such a cruel and cowardly manner — the poor prospect before him on returning to the settlement — his natural desire to punish those who had placed him in such a predicament — as well as some hope which he still entertained of recovering, at least a pact of his lost property, all influenced him to this resolve. He had determined upon it, and was just on the point of communicating his determination to his companions, when he was interrupted by the half-blood Antonio. "Master/ 7 said the latter, who appeared to have been for some time busied with his own thoughts, "did you notice nothing strange ?" "When, Antonio?" " During the estampeda V 1 " What was there strange ?" " Why, there appeared to be a good number, full half, of the rascals a-foot." " True ; I observed that." "Now, master, I have seen a cavallada stampeded by the Comanches more than once — they were always mounted." " What signifies that ? These are Wacoes, not Comanches." " True, master ; but I have heard that the Wacoes, like the Comanches, are true Aorse-Indians, and never go a-foot on any business." 90 THE WHITE CHIEF. "That is indeed so," replied the cibolero, in a reflective mood. " Something strange, I confess." "But, master," continued the half-blood, "did you notice nothing else strange during the stampede ?" " No," answered Carlos ; " I was so annoyed — so put out by the loss, I scarce noticed anything. What else, Antonio ?" " Why, in the midst of these yellings, did you not hear a shrill whoop now and then — a whistle ?" " Ha ! did you hear that ?" " More than once — distinctly." " Where were my ears ?" asked the cibolero of himself ; " you are sure, Antonio ?" " Quite sure, master." Carlos remained for a moment silent, evidently engaged in busy reflection. After a pause, he broke out in a half- soliloquy : — " It may have been — it must have been — by heavens ! it must " " What, master ?" 4 The Pane whistle 1" '' Just what I was thinking, master. The Comanches never whoop so — the Kiawa never. I have not heard that the Wacoes give such a signal. Why not Pane ? Besides, their oeing a-foot — that's like Pane !" A sudden revulsion had taken place in the mind of the eibolero. There was every probability that Antonio's conjecture was correct. The "whistle" is a peculiar signal of the Pane tribes. Moreover, the fact of so many of the marauders tyeing on foot — that was another peculiarity. Carlos knew, that among the Southern Indians such a tactic is never resorted to. The Panes are horse-Indians too, but on their marauding expeditions to the South, they often go a-foot, trusting to return mounted — which they almost invariably do. "After all," thought Carlos, "I have been wronging the Wacoes — the robbers are Panes !" THE WfllTE CHIEF. 91 But now a new suspicion entered his mind. It was still the Wacoes that had done it. They had adopted the Pane whistle to deceive him ! A party of them might easily be a-foot — it was not such a distance to their camp, — besides, after the estampeda they had gone in that very direction ! No doubt, should he go there on the morrow, they would tell him that the Panes were in the neighbourhood, that it was they who had stolen his mules — the mules of course he would not see, as these would be safely concealed among the hills. " No, Antonio/' he said, after making these reflections, " our enemies are the Wacoes themselves." " Master," replied Antonio, " I hope not." " I hope not, too, camarado. I had taken a fancy to our friends of but yesterday : I should be sorry to find them our foes — but I fear it is even so." With all, Carlos was not confident ; and now that he reflected, another circumstance came to his mind, in favour of the Wacoes. His companions had also noted it. That circumstance was the running of the buffalos observed during the past few days. The gangs had passed from the north going southward ; and their excited manner was almost a proof that they were pressed by a party of hunters. The Wacoes were all this time hunting to the south of the cibolero's camp ! This would seem to indicate that some other Indians were upon the north. What more likely than a band of Panes ? Again, Carlos reproached himself for his too hasty suspicions of his friends. His mind was filled with doubts. Perhaps these would be resolved by the light of the morning. As soon as the day should arrive, he had resolved to go to the Waco camp, and satisfy himself, or at all events openly make his enquiries. ***** The first streaks of daylight were just falling upon the prairie, when the quick keen eye of the half-blood, ranging the ground 92 THE WHITE CHIEF. in every direction, was arrested by the appearance of something odd upon the grass. It lay near the spot where the mulada had been picketed. It was a darkish object in a recumbent position, Was it bushes or gorse ? No. It could not be that. Its outlines were different. It was more like some animal lying down — perhaps a large wolf ? It was near the place where they had fancied that they saw something in the darkness, and at which Carlos had fired. Antonio, on first perceiving the object, called his master's attention to it, and both now gazed over the box of the carreta, scanning it, as well as the grey light would permit them. As this became brighter the object was seen more distinctly, while at each moment the curiosity of the ciboleros increased. They would have long since gone out to examine it more closely; but they were not yet free from apprehensions of a second attack from the Indians ; and they prudently remained within the corral. At length, however, they could forego an examination no longer. They had formed their suspicion of what the object was ; and Carlos and Antonio climbed over the carretas, and proceeded towards it. On arriving at the spot, they were not so much surprised — for they had partially anticipated such a thing — at finding the body of a dead Indian ! It was lying flat upon the grass, face downwards ; and on closer examination, a wound from which much blood had run, was perceived in the side. There was the mark of a rifle bullet — Carlos had not fired in vain ! They bent down, and turned over the body to examine it. The savage was in full war-costume — that is, naked to the waist, and painted over the breast and face so as to render him as frightful as possible : but what struck the ciboleros as most sig- nificant was the costume of his head ! This was close shaven over the temples and behind the ears. A patch upon the top was clipped short, but in the centre of the crown one long lock THE WHITE CHIEF. 93 of hair remained uncut, and this lock was intermingled with plumes, and plaited so as to hang queue-like, down the back. The naked temples were stained with vermilion, and the cheeks and bosom daubed in a similar manner. These brilliant spots contrasted with the colourless and deathly hue of the skin, and with the blanched lips and glazed eye-balls, gave to the corpse a hideous appearance. Carlos, after gazing upon it for some moments, turned to his companion with a look of intelligence ; and pointing to the shaved head, and then to the moccasins upon thelndian's feet, in a tone that expressed the satisfaction he felt at the discovery, pronounced the word : — "Panel" 94 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XY. ■0- The deal Indian was a Pane beyond doubt. The tonsure of his hair, the cut of his moccasins, his war-paint, enabled Carlos to tell this * The cibolero was glad that he was a Pane. He had several reasons for being so. First, it gratified him to know that his Waco friends were still true. Secondly, that he had punished one of the robbers; and lastly, the knowledge that they were Panes gave him some hope that he might yet recover by the help of the Wacoes, some of the stolen mules ! This was not improbable. As already stated, the Wacoes and Panes were sworn foes; and as soon as the former should hear that the latter were in the neighbourhood, Carlos felt sure they would go in pursuit of them. He would share in this pur- suit with his little band, and, in the event of the Panes being defeated, might get back his mulada. His first impulse, therefore, was, to gallop to the Waco camp - -apprise them of the fact that the Pane was on the war-trail, and then join them in search of the latter. Just then both he and Antonio remembered that the Panes had themselves gone in the direction of the Waco camp ! It was not two miles distant — they could hardly fail to find it, even * The shaving the scalp is a practice confined to the Pan6s, Osages, and a few other tribes. The Comanches, Apaches, and other prairie Indians, wear their hair in all its luxuriance, and even add to it by " splicing." Among those who shave the hair the cen- tral part of the crown is left unshaven, and a long lock growing from this reserved por- tion is the " scalplock." THE WHITE CHIEF. 95 in the night 1 What if they had taken the Wacoes by surprise, and had already made their attack I It was quite probable — more than probable. The time and the hour were just in keeping. The estampeda had occurred before midnight. No doubt they were then on their way to the Waco village ! They would just be in time to make their attack, at the usual hour for such forays, between midnight and morning 1 Carlos feared he might be too late to give warning. His Waco friends ,may have already perished ! Whether or no, he determined to proceed at once to their encampment. Leaving Antonio and the peons with directions to guard and defend his own camp to the last, he rode off, armed both with rifle and bow. It was yet but grey day, but he knew the trail leading to the Waco village, and followed it without difficulty. He rode with caution, scanning the timber copses before approaching them ; and running his eye along the crests of the ridges as he advanced. This caution was not unnecessary. The Panes could not be far off — they might still be in ambush between him and the Waco camp, or halted among the hills. The cibolero had but little fear of meeting one or two of them. He rode a horse in which he had full confidence; and he knew that no Pane could overtake him; but he might be sur- rounded by numbers, and intercepted before he could reach the Waco lodges. That was the reason why he advanced with so much cautiou. His ears were set to listen attentively. Every sound was noted and weighed — the " gobble " of the wild turkey from the branches of the oak; the drumming of the ruffed grouse on some dry knoll; the whistling of the fallow-deer; or the tiny bark of the prairie marmot. All these were well-known sounds; and as each was uttered, the cibolero stopped and listened attentively. Under other circumstances, he would not have heeded them, 96 THE WHITE CHIEF. but he knew that these sounds could be imitated, and hrs ear was bent to detect any counterfeit. He could distinguish the Pane trail of the previous night. A strong band there must have been, by the numerous tracks on the grass. At the crossing of a stream Carlos could detect the prints of moccasins in the sand. There were still some of the party a-foot then, though, no doubt, the stolen mulada had mounted a good many. Carlos rode on with more caution than ever. He was half- way to the Waco village, and still the Pane trail led in that direction. Surely these could not have passed without finding it ? Such skilled warriors as the Panes would not. They would see the trail of the Wacoes leading to the cibolero's own camp — they would soon discover the lodges — perhaps they had already made their attack— perhaps The reflections of the cibolero were suddenly interrupted ; dis* tant sounds fell upon his ear — shouts and cries of fearful import — with that continued murmur that results from the mingling of many voices in loud and confused clamour. Now and then was heard a whoop, or a cheer, or a shrill whistle, rising above the ordinary noises, and carrying far over the plain its tones of tri- umph or revenge. Carlos knew the import of these shouts and cries — they were the sounds of battle ! — of terrible and deadly strife ! They came from behind the hill — the cibolero was just climb- ing it. He spurred his horse, and, galloping forward to its crest looked down into the valley. The conflict was raging before, him ! He had a full view of the dreadful scene. Six hundred dusky horsemen were riding about on the plain ; some dashing at each other with couched lances — some twanging their bows from a distance ; and others close together in the hand-to-hand combat of the deadly tomahawk ? Some were charging in groups with their long spears — some wheeling into flight, and others, dis- mounted, were battling on foot ! Some took shelter among the THE WHITE CHIEF. 97 timber islands, and sprang out again as they saw an opportunity of sending an arrow, or lancing a foeman in the back ; and so the red contest continued. Not a shot was heard — neither bugle nor drum sent forth their inspiring notes ; no cannon rolled its thunder — no rocket blazed — no smoke spread its sulphury cloud upon the air — but without these signs and sounds there was no fear of mistaking that con- test for a mimic game — a tournament of the prairies. The wild war-whoop, and the wilder whistle — the earnest onslaught — the fierce charging cheer — the cries of triumph and vengeance — the neighing steeds without riders — here and there the prostrate savage, with skinless scalp, glaring red in the sun — the spears and hatchets crimsoned with blood— all were evidence of real and deadly strife, and Carlos did not doubt for a moment the character of the scene. Before him was an Indian fight — Waco and Pane engaged in the earnest struggle of life and death ! All this he comprehended at a glance, and after regarding the fight for a moment, he could distinguish the warriors of both tribes from one another. The Panes in full war costume, were easily recognised by their tufted scalp-locks ; while the Wacoes, who had, no doubt, been taken by surprise, were many of them in hunting-skirts and leggins. Some, however, were nearly as naked as their adversaries ; but easily distinguished from them by their full flowing hair. The first impulse of the cibolero was to gallop forward and mingle in the fight — of course, taking side with the Wacoes. The sound of the conflict roused his blood, and the sight of v the robbers who had so lately ruined him rendered him eager for revenge. May of them were mounted upon the very mules they had taken from him, and Carlos was determined to have some of them back again. He was about to put spurs to his horse, and dash forward, when a sudden change seemed to occur in the conflict that 5 98 THE WHITE CHIEF. decided him to remain where he was. The Panes were giving way ! Many of them were seen wheeling out of the plain, and taking to flight. As Carlos looked down the hill, he saw three of the Pane warriors in full run, making up to the spot where he stood. Most of the band were still fighting, or had fled in a different direction ; but these, cut off from the rest, came directly up the hill at a gallop. The cibolero had drawn his horse under the cover of some trees, and was not perceived by them until they were close to the spot. At this moment the war-cry of the Wacoes was heard directly in their rear, and Carlos saw that two mounted warriors of the tribe were in pursuit. The fugitives looked back, and seeing only two adversaries after them, once more wheeled round and gave fight. At their first charge one of the pursuers was killed, and the other — whom Carlos now recognised as the Waco chief — was left alone against three assailants. The whip-like crack of the cibolero's rifle sounded on the air, and one of the Panes dropped out of his saddle. The other two, ignorant of whence the shot had come, continued their onset on the Waco chief, who, dashing close up, split the skull of one of them with his tomahawk. His horse, however, bore him rap- idly past, and before he could wheel round, the remaining Pane — an active warrior — rushed after and thrust his long spear into the back of the chief. Its head passed clear through his body, completely impaling him ; and with a death-whoop, the noble Indian fell from his horse to the ground. But his enemy fell at the same time. The arrow of the cib- olero was too late to save, though not to avenge, the Waco's fall. It pierced the Pane just at the moment the latter had THE WHITE CHIEF. 99 made his thrust, and he fell to the ground simultaneously with his victim, still clutching the handle of the spear ! A fearful group lay dead upon the sward ; but Carlos did not stay to contemplate it. The fight still raged in another part of the field, and, putting spurs to his horse, he galloped off to take part in it. But the Panes had now lost many of their best warriors, and a general panic had seized upon them, ending in their full flight. Carlos followed along with the victorious pursuers, now and then using his rifle upon the fleeing robbers. But fearing that a stray party of them might attack his own little camp, he turned from the line of pursuit, and galloped in that direction. On arriving, he found Antonio and the peons fortified within their corral, and all safe. Stray Indians had passed them, but all apparently too much frightened to have any desire for an attack upon the little' party. As soon as the cibolero had ascertained these facts he turned his horse and rode back towards the scene of the late conflict. 1 00 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XY1. As Carlos approached the spot where the chief had been slain he heard the death-wail chaunted by a chorus of voices. On getting still nearer, he perceived a ring of warriors dismounted and standing around a corpse. It was that of the fallen chief. Others, fresh from the pursuit, were gathering to the place ; each taking up the melancholy dirge as he drew nigh. The cibolero alighted, and walked forward to the ring. Some regarded him with looks of surprise, while others who knew he had aided them in the fight, stepped up and grasped him by the hand. One old warrior taking Carlos' arm in his, led him forward to the ring, and silently pointed to the now ghastlf features, as though he was imparting to the cibolero the news that their chief was dead ! Neither he nor any of the warriors knew what part Carlos had borne in the affair. No one, now alive, had been witness to the conflict in which the chief had fallen. Around the spot were high copses that hid it from the rest of the field, and, at the time this conflict occurred, the fight was raging in a different direction. The warrior, therefore, thought he was imparting to Carlos a piece of news, and the latter remained silent. But there was a mystery among the braves, and Carlos saw this by their manner. Five Indians lay dead upon the ground unscalped ! That was the mystery. They were the three Panes, and the chief with the other Waco. They could not THE WHITE CHIEF. • 101 have slain each other, and all have fallen on the spot. That wag not probable. The Waco and one of the Panes lay apart. The other three were close together, just as they had fallen, the chief impaled by the Pane spear, while his slayer lay behind him still grasping the weapon ! The red tomahawk was clutched firmly in the hands of the chief, and the cleft skull of the second Pane showed where it had last fallen. So far the Indians translated the tableau, but the mystery lay not there. "Who had slain the slayer of their chief ? That was the puzzle. Some one must have survived this deadly strife, where five warriors had died together ! If a Pane, surely he would not have gone oif without that great trophy which would have rendered him famous for life, — the scalp of the "Waco chief ? If a "Waco, where and who was he? These questions passed from lip to lip. No one was found to answer them, but there were yet some warriors to return from the pursuit, and the inquiry was suspended, while the death-song was again chaunted over the fallen chief. At length all the braves had arrived on the spot, and stood in a circle around the body. One of the warriors stepped forward to the midst, and by a signal intimated that he wished to be heard. A breathless silence followed, and the warrior began : — " Wacoes ! our hearts are sad when they should otherwise rejoice. In the midst of victory a great calamity has fallen upon us. We have lost our father, — our brother ! Our great chief — he whom we all loved — has fallen. Alas ! In the very hour of triumph, when his strong right hand had hewn down his enemy on the field — in that moment has he fallen ! " The hearts of his warriors are sad, the hearts of his people will long be sad 1 " Wacoes I our chief has not fallen unrevenged. His slayer lies at his feet pierced with the deadly dart, and weltering in his blood. Who of you hath done this ?" 2.02: :,;/'< the white chief. Here the speaker paused for a moment as if waiting for a reply. None was given. "Wacoes !" he continued, "our beloved chief has fallen, and our hearts are sad. But it glads them to know that his death has been avenged. There lies his slayer, still wearing his hated scalp. What brave warrior claims the trophy ? Let him step forth and take it I" Here there was another pause, but neither voice nor movement answered the challenge. The cibolero was silent with the rest. He did not comprehend what was said, as the speech was in the Waco tongue, and he understood it not. He guessed that it related to the fallen chief and his enemies, but its exact purport was unknown to him. " Brothers !" again resumed the orator, " brave men are modest and silent about their deeds. None but a brave warrior could have done this. We know that a brave warrior will avow it. Let him fear not to speak. The Wacoes will be grateful to the warrior who has avenged the death of their beloved chief." Still the silence was unbroken, except by the voice of the orator. " Brother warriors 1" he continued, raising his voice and speaking in an earnest tone, "I have said that the Wacoes will be grateful for this deed. I have a proposal to make. Hear me!" All signified assent by gestures. "It is our custom," continued the speaker, " to elect our chief from the braves of our tribe. I propose that we elect him now and here — here ! on the red field where his predecessor has fallen. I propose for our chief the warrior who has done this deed /" And the orator pointed to the fallen Pane. " My voice for the brave who has avenged our chief \" cried one. " And mine !" shouted another. THE WHITE CHIEF. 103 " And mine ! and mine ! and mine I" exclaimed all the warriors. " Then solemnly be it proclaimed," said the orator, " that he to whom belongs this trophy," he pointed to the scalp of the Pane, " shall be chief of the Waco nation 1" " Solemnly we avow it 1" cried all the warriors in the ring, each placing his hand over his heart as he spoke. "Enough!" said the orator. "Who is chief of the Waco warriors ? Let him declare himself on the spot !" A dead silence ensued. Every eye was busy scanning the faces around the circle, every heart was beating to hail their new chief. Carlos, unconscious of the honour that was in store for him, was standing a little to one side, observing the movements of his dusky companions with interest. He had not the slightest idea of the question that had been put. Some one near him, however, who spoke Spanish, explained to him the subject of the inquiry, and he was about to make a modest avowal, when one of the braves in the circle exclaimed, — " Why be in doubt longer ? If modesty ties the tongue of the warrior, let his weapon speak. Behold ! his arrow still pierces the body of our foe. Perhaps it will declare its owner, — it is a marked one 1" "True I" ejaculated the orator. "Let us question the arrow !" And stepping forward he drew the shaft from the body of the Pane, and held it aloft. The moment the eyes of the warriors fell upon its barbed head, an exclamation of astonishment passed from their lips. The head was of iron ! No Waco ever used such a weapon as that 1 All eyes were instantly turned on Carlos the cibolero, with looks of inquiry and admiration. All felt that it must be from his bow had sped that deadly shaft ; and they were the more 104 THE WHITE CHIEF. convinced of this because some who had noticed the third Pane pierced with a rifle bullet, had just declared the fact to the crowd. Yes, it must be so. The pale-face was the avenger of their 5hief I THE WHITE CHIEF. 105 CHAPTER XVII. Carlos, who by this time had become aware of the nature of their inquiries, now stepped forward, and in modest phrase detailed through the interpreter how the chief had fallen, and what part he himself had borne in the conflict. A loud murmur of applause broke from the circle of warriors, and the more excited of the young men rushed forward and grasped the cibolero's hand, uttering as they did so expres- sions of gratitude. Most of the warriors already knew that to him they were indebted for their safety. It was the report of his rifle, fired in the night, that had put them on their guard, ' and prevented the Panes from surprising their encampment, else the day's history might have been very different. In fact, the Panes, through this very signal having been heard, had been themselves surprised, and that was the true secret of their dis- aster and sanguinary retreat. When, in addition to this service, it was seen how the cibolero had fought on their side, killing several of their foes, the hearts of the Wacoes were filled with gratitude ; but now that it be- came known that the pale-faced warrior was the avenger of their beloved chief, their gratitude swelled into enthusiasm, and for some minutes their loud expressions of it alone could be heard. When the excitement had to some extent subsided, the war- rior, who seemed to be recognised as the orator of the tribe, and who was regarded with great deference, again stood forth to speak. This time his speech was directed to Carlos alone. 5* 106 THE WHITE CHIEF. " White warrior n he said. "I have spoken with the braves of our nation. They all feel that they owe you deep gratitude, vhich words cannot repay. The purport of our recent delibe- rations has been explained to you. Upon this ground we vowed that the avenger of him who lies cold should be our future chief. We thought not at the time that that brave warrior was our white brother. But now we know ; and should we for that be false to our vow — to our promised word ? No ! — not even in thought ; and here, with equal solemnity, we again repeat that oath." " We repeat it !" echoed around the ring of warriors while each with solemnity of manner placed his hand over his heart. " White warrior ! " continued the speaker, ** our promise remains sacred. The honour we offer you is the greatest that we can bestow. It has never been borne but by a true warrior of the Waco tribe, for no impotent descendant of even a favour- ite chief has ever ruled over the braves of our nation. We do not fear to offer this honour to you. We would rejoice if you would accept it. Stranger ! we will be proud of a white chief when that chief is a warrior such as you ! We know you better than you think. We have heard of you from our allies the Comanche — we have heard of Carlos the cibolero ! " We know you are a great warrior ; and we know too, that in your own country, among your own people, you are nothing. Excuse our freedom, but speak we not the truth ? We despise your people, who are only tyrants and slaves. All these things have our Comanche brothers told us, and much more of you. We know who you are, then ; we knew you when you came amongst us, and were glad to s£e you. We traded with you as a friend. " We now hail you as a brother and thus say, — If you have no ties that bind you to your ungrateful nation, we can offer you one that will not be ungrateful. Live with us, — be our chief ! » THE WHITE CHIEF. 107 As the speaker ended, his last words were borne like an echo from lip to lip until they had gone round the full circle of war- riors, and then a breathless silence ensued. Carlos was so taken by surprise that for some moments he was unable to make reply. He was not alone surprised by the sin- gular proposal thus singularly made to him ; but the knowledge which the speaker betrayed of his circumstances quite astonished him. True, he had traded much among the Comanches, and was on friendly terms with that tribe, some of whom, in times of peace, even visited the settlement of San Ildefonso ; but it seemed odd that these savages should have noticed the fact — for fact it was — that the cibolero was somewhat of an outcast among his own people. Just then he had no time to reflect upon the singularity of the circumstances, as the warriors waited his reply. He scarcely knew what reply to make. Hopeless outcast that he was, for a moment the proposal seemed worthy of accep- tance. At home he was little better than a slave ; here he would be ruler, the lord elect of all. The Wacoes, though savages by name, were warriors, were men of hearts, human and humane. He had proofs of it before him. His mother and sister would share his destiny ; but Cata- lina, — ha ! that one thought resolved him ; he reflected no further. "Generous warriors !" he replied ; "I feel from the bottom of my heart a full sense of the honour you have offered to con- fer upon me. I wish that by words I could prove how much I thank you, but I cannot. My words, therefore, shall be few and frank. It i3 true that in my own land I am not honoured, — I am one of the poorest of its people ; but there is a tie that binds me to it : — a tie of the heart that calls upon me to return. Wacoes, I have spoken !" " Enough !" said the orator ; " enough, brave stranger, it is Dot for us to inquire into the motives that guide your acts. If 108 THE WHITE CHIEF. not our chief, you will remain our friend. We have yet a way — a poor one — left us to show our gratitude : you have suffered from our enemies, you have lost your property, but that has been recovered, and shall be yours again. Further, we entreat you to remain with us for some days, and partake of our rude hospitality. You will stay with us ?" The invitation was promptly echoed by all, and as promptly accepted. ****** About a week after this time an atajo of pack-mules — nearly fifty in number — loaded with buffalo-hides and tasajo, was seen struggling up the eastern ceja of the Llano Estacado, and head- ing in a north-westerly direction over that desert plain. The arriero, mounted upon the mulera, was a half-blood Indian.* Three carretas, drawn by oxen and driven by dusky peons, fol- lowed the mule-train, making noise enough to frighten even the coyotes that behind skulked through the coverts of mezquite. A dashing horseman mounted upon a fine black steed rode in advance, who, ever and anon turning in his saddle, looked back with a satisfied glance upon the fine atajo. That horseman was Carlos. The Wacoes had not forgotten to be generous. That train of mules and those heavy packs were the gift of the tribe to the avenger of their chief. But that was not all. In the breast-pocket of the cibolero's jacket, was a " bolsa,"f filled with rare stuff, also a present from the "Wacoes, who promised some day that their guest should have more of the same. What did that bolsa contain ? coin ? money ? jewels ? No. It con- tained only dust ; but that dust was yellow and glittering. It was gold ! * The " mulera," or bell-mule, is a steady old mule that goes in advance of the atajo, and acts as the guide of the others, that will all follow whenever the bell is heard. A mare is oftener used for the purpose than a mule. t A purse, THE WHITE CHIEF. 109 CHAPTER XVIII. On the second day after the fiesta there was a small dining party at the Presidio. Merely a few bachelor friends of the Commandante — the beaux esprits of the place — including the fashionable Echevarria. The cura was among the number, and also the mission padres, both of whom enjoyed the convivialities of the table equal to any " friar of orders grey." The company had gone through the numerous courses of a Mexican meal — the "pucheros," " guisados," and endless mix- tures of "chile,"* — and the dinner was at that stage, when the cloth has been carried off, and the wine flows freely. " Canario," and " Xeres," " Pedro de Ximenes," " Madeira," and " Bordeos," in bottles of different shapes, stood upon the table ; and for those who liked a stronger beverage there was a flask of golden " Catalan," with another of Maraschino. A well-stored cellar was that of the Commandante. In addition to his being mili- tary governor, he was, as already hinted, collector of the derechos de consume, or custom-house dues. Hence he was the recipient of many a little present, as now and then a basket of champagne or a dozen of Bordeaux. His company had got fairly into the wine. The cura had thrown aside his sanctity and become human like the rest ; the * The " puchero " is a dish of many ingredients, though it is not the famous " olla podrida," as asserted by travellers. " Puchero " answers to our boiled meat and cabbage, and these are its essential elements, though a bit of fowl, a boiled pear, " garbanzos" (a species of pea), pumpkins, and carrot, parsnip or turnip, may all be found in the mixture. It is a common dish on the tables of the wealthier and middle-class Mexicans. " Guisado " is a stew or kash, and may be of many kinds, according to the meat or fowl composing ifc 110 THE WHITE CHIEB. padres had forgotten their sackcloth and bead-roll, and the senior of them, Padre Joaquin, entertained the table with spicy adventures which had occurred to him before he became a mouk. Echevarria related anecdotes of Paris, with many adventures he had encountered among the grisettes. The Spanish officers being the hosts were, of course, least talkative, though the Commandante — vain as any young sub who wore his epaulettes for the first time — could not refrain from alluding occasionally to his terrible list of bonnes fortunes among the fair Sevillanas. He had long been stationed at the city of oranges, and 'Ma gracia Andalusiana" was ever his theme of admiration. Roblado believed in the belles of the Havannah, and descanted upon the plump, material beauty which is characteristic of the Quadroons ; while the lieutenant expressed his penchant for the small-footed Guadalaxarenas — not of old Spain, but of the rich Mexican province Guadalaxara. He had been quartered there. So ran the talk— rough and ribald — upon that delicate theme — woman. The presence of the trio of churchmen was no restraint. On the contrary, both padres and cura boasted of their liaisons with as much bawd and brass as the others, for padres and cura were both as depraved as any of their dining companions. Any little reserve, either might have shown upon ordinary occasions, had disappeared after a few cups of wine ; and none of them feared the company, which on its part, stood as little in awe of them. The affectation of sanctity and self- denial was meant only for the simple poblanos and the simpler peons of the settlement. At the dinner-table it was occasionally, assumed by one or the other, but only by way of joke, — to give point and piquancy to the relation of some adventure. In the midst of the conversation, which had grown somewhat general and confused, a name was pronounced which produced a momen- tary silence. That name was " Carlos the cibolero." THE WHITE CHIEF. Ill At the mention of this name several countenances changed expression. Roblado was seen to frown. On Yizcarra's face were portrayed mixed emotions, and both padres and cura seemed to know the name unfavourably. It was the beau Echevarria who had mentioned it. " Ton the honour of a cavallero ! the most impudent thing I ever witnessed in all my life, even in republican Paris ! A fellow, — a demned trader in hides and tasajo — in short, a butcher of demned buffaloes to aspire Parhleu /" Echevarria, though talking Spanish, always swore in French. It was more polite. "Most insolent — intolerable !" — cried several voices. " I don't think the lady seemed over angry withal," remarked a blunt young fellow, who sat near the lower end of the table. A chorus of voices expressed dissent from this opinion. Roblado's was the loudest. " Don Ramon Diaz," said he, addressing himself to the young fellow, " you certainly could not have observed very carefully on that occasion. I who was beside the lady know that she was filled with disgust " (this was a lie, and Roblado knew it), " and her father " 11 Oh, her father, yes 1" cried Don Ramon, laughing. " Any one could see that he was angry — that was natural enough. Ha ! hal" 11 But who is the fellow ?" inquired one. " A splendid rider/' replied Don Ramon. "The Commandante will admit that," and the free speaker looked at Yizcarra with a smile of intelligence. The latter frowned at the observation. u You lost a good sum, did you not V } inquired the cura of Yizcarra. " Not to him," replied the Commandante, " but to that vulgar fellow who seems his friend. The worst of it is, when one beta with these low people there is no chance of getting a revanche at gome other time. One cannot meet them in the ordinary way." 112 THE WHITE CHIEF. " But who is the fellow ?" again inquired one. " Who ? Why a cibolero— that's all." " True, but is there nothing about his history ? He's a giiero* and that is odd for a native ! Is he a Criollo ? He might be a Biscayan." " Neither one nor the other. 'Tis said he's an Americano.'' " Americano !" " Not exactly that — his father was ; but the padre here can tell all about him." The priest thus appealed to entertained the company with some facts in the history of the cibolero. His father had been an Americano, as it was supposed — some stray personage who had mysteriously found his way to the valley and settled in it long ago. Such instances were rare in the settlements of New Mexico ; but what was rarer still, in this case the " Americano " was accompanied by an " Americana " — the mother of Carlos — and the same old woman who attracted so much attention on the day of San Juan. All the efforts of the padres to christianize either one or the other had been in vain. The old trapper — for such he was — died as he had lived — a blaspheming " heretico ;" and there was a general belief in the settlement that his widow held converse with the devil. All this was a scandal to the Church, and the padres would long since have expelled the giiero family, but that, for some reason or other, they were protected by the old Commandante — Yiz- carra's predecessor — who had restrained the zealous priests in their good intention. " But, caballeros !" said the padre, glancing towards Viz- carra, " such heretics are dangerous citizens. In them lie the seeds of revolution and social disturbance ; and when this giiero is at home, he is seen only in the company of those we cannot * A fair person with light or red hair. Such is rare in all parts of Mexico ; and both giiero and giiera, if at all handsome, are great favourites with the respective opposite sexes. THE WniTE CHIEF. 113 watch too closely : ha has been seen with some of the suspected Tagnos, several of whom are in his service." " Ha ! with them, indeed 1" exclaimed several. ♦ ' A dangerous fellow ! — he should be looked after." The sister of the cibolero now became the subject of conversa- tion, and as remarks were made more or less complimentary to her beauty, the expression upon the face of Yizcarra kept constantly changing. That villain was more interested in the conversation than his guests were aware, and he had already formed his plans. Already his agents were out on the accom- plishment of his atrocious designs. The transition from the cibolero's sister to the other belles of the place, and to the subject of woman in general, was natural ; and the company were soon engaged in their original conversa- tion, which, under the influence of additional wine, grew more "racy" than ever. The scene ended by several of the party becoming " boracho f* and the night being now far advanced, the guests took their leave, some of them requiring to be conducted to their homes. A soldier apiece accompanied the cura and padres, all three of whom were as " drunk as lords f and it was no new thing for them. ♦Intoxicated, drunk. " Embriaguado " is another term used to express the s»»*i condition — a somewhat rare one among Mexicans of the better class. 114: THE WHITE CniEF. CHAPTER XIX. The Commandante, with his friend Roblado, alone remained in the room, and continued the conversation with a fresh glass and cigar. "And yon really think, Roblado, that the fellow had encouragement. I think so too, else he would never have dared to act as he did." "lain quite sure of it now. That he saw her last night, and alone, I am certain. As I approached the house, I saw a man standing before the reja, and leaning against the bars, as if conversing with some one inside. Some friend of Don Ambrosio, thought I. "As I drew nearer, the man, who was muffled in a manga, walked off and leaped upon a horse. Judge my surprise on recognising in the horse the black stallion that was yesterday ridden by the cibolero ! "When I entered the house and made inquiries as to who were at home, the servants informed me that master was at the mineria, and that the Senorita had retired, and could see no one that night ! "By heaven ! I was in such a passion, I hardly knew what I said at the moment. The thing's scarce credible ; but, that this low fellow is on secret terms with her, is as sure as I am a soldier." "It does seem incredible. What do you mean to do, Roblado ?" THE WHITE CdlEF. 115 " Oh ! I'm safe enough about her. She shall be better watched for the future. I've had a hint given to Don Ambrosio. You know my secret well enough, colonel. Her mine is my loadstone ; but it is a cursed queer thing to have for one's rival such a fellow as this ! Ha 1 ha ! ha !" Roblado's laugh was faint and unreal. "Do you know," continued he, striking on a new idea, " the padre don't like the gliero family. That's evident from the hints he let drop to-night. We may get this fellow out of the way without much scandal, if the Church will only interfere. The padres can expel him at once from the settlement if they can only satisfy themselves that he is a ' heretico.' Is it not so ?" " It is," coldly replied Yizcarra, sipping his wine ; " but to expel him, my dear Uoblado, some one else might be also driven off. The rose would be plucked along with the thorn. You understand ?" " Perfectly." " That, then, of course, I don't wish — at least not for the present. After some time we may be satisfied to part with rose, thorn, bush, roots, and all. Ha ! ha 1 ha !" "By the way, colonel 1" asked the Captain, "have you made any progress yet ? — have you been to the house ?" " No, my dear fellow ; I have not had time. It's some dis- tance, remember. Besides I intend to defer my visit until this fellow is out of the way. It will be more convenient to carry on my courtship in his absence." " Out of the way ! what do you mean ?" "That the cibolero will shortly start for the Plains — to be gone, perhaps for several months, cutting up buffalo beef, trick- ing the Indians, and such like employments." " Ho ! that's not so bad." " So you see, querido camarado, there's no need for violence in the matter. Have patience — time enough for everything. Before my bold buffalo-hunter gets back, both our little affairs 11 G THE WHITE CHIEF. will be settled, I trust. You shall be the owner of rich mines, and I " A slight knock at the door, and the voice of Sergeant Gomez was heard, asking to see the Commandante. " Come in, sergeant ! " shouted the colonel. The brutal-look- ing trooper walked into the room, and, from his appearance, it was plain he had just dismounted from a ride. "Well, sergeant ?"* said Yizcarra, as the man drew near; " speak out 1 Captain Roblado may know what you have to say." " The party, colonel, lives in the very last house down the valley, — full ten miles from here. There are but the three, mother, sister, and brother — the same you saw at the fiesta. There are three or four Tagno servants, who help the man in his business. He owns a few mules, oxen, and carts, that's all. These he makes use of in his expeditions, upon one of which he is about to start in three or four days at the furthest. It is to be a long one, I heard, as he is to take a new route over the Llano Estacado." "Over the Llano Estacado ?" " Such I was told was his intention." " Anything else to say, sergeant ?" '* Nothing, coloael, except that the girl has a sweetheart — the same young fellow who bet so heavily against you at the fiesta." " The devil ! " exclaimed Yizcarra, while a deep shadow crossed his forehead. " He, indeed ! I suspected that. Where does he live ?" " Not far above them, colonel. He is the owner of a rancho, and is reputed rich— that is for a ranchero." " Help yourself to a glass of Catalan, sergeant.' ' The trooper stretched out his hand, laid hold of a bottle, and, having filled one of the glasses, bowed respectfully to the officers, and drank off the brandy at a draught. Seeing that he was not wanted further, he touched his shako and withdrew. THE WHITE CHIEF. 117 " So, camarado, you see it is right enough, so far as you are concerned." " And for you also \ n replied Roblado. "Not exactly." "Why not?" "I don't like the story of this sweetheart — this ranchero. The fellow possesses money — a spirit, too, that may be trouble- some. He's not the man one would be called upon to fight — at least not one in my position ; but he w one of these people — what the cibolero is not — and has their sympathies with him. It would be a very different thing to get involved with him in an affair! Bah ! what need I care ? I never yet failed. Good night, camarado ! " " Buenos noches /" replied Roblado ; and both rising simulta- neously from the table, retired to their respective sleeping- rooms. 118 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XX. ; The "ranchos" and "haciendas" of the valley extended nearly ten miles along the stream below San Idelfonso. Near the town they were studded more thickly; but, as you descended the stream, fewer were met with, and these of a poorer class. The fear of the " Indios bravos n prevented those who were well off from building their establishments at any great distance from the Presidio. Poverty, however, induced others to risk them- selves nearer the frontier; and, as for several years the settlement had not been disturbed, a number of small farmers and graziers had established themselves as far as eight or ten miles distance below the town. Half-a-mile beyond all these stood an isolated dwelling — the last to be seen going down the valley. It seemed beyond the pale of protection — so far as the garrison was con- cerned — for no patrol ever extended its rounds to so distant a point. Its owner evidently trusted to fate, or to the clemency of the Apaches — the Indians who usually troubled the settle- ment — for the house in question was in no other way fortified against them. Perhaps its obscure and retired situation con- tributed to its security. It stood somewhat off the road, not near the stream, but back under the shadow of the bluff; in fact, almost built against the cliff. It was but a poor rancho, like all the others in the valley, and, indeed throughout most parts of Mexico, built of large blocks of mud, squared in a mould and sun-dried. Many of the THE WHITE CHIEF. 119 better class of such buildings showed white fronts, because near at hand gypsum was to be had for the digging. Some of greater pretension had windows, that looked as though they were glazed. So they were, but not with glass. The shining plates that resembled it were but lamina of the aforesaid gyp- sum, which is used for that purpose in several districts of New Mexico. The rancho in question was ornamented neither with wash nor windows. It stood under the cliff, its brown mud walls scarce contrasting with the colour of the rock ; and, instead of windows, a pair of dark holes, with a few wooden bars across them, gave light to the interior. This light, however, was only a supplement to that which entered by the door habitually kept open. The front of the house was hardly visible from the valley road. A traveller would never have noticed it, and even the keen eye of an Indian might have failed to discover it. The sin- gular fence that surrounded it hid it from view — singular to the eye of one unaccustomed to the vegetation of this far land. I was a fence of columnar cacti. The plants that formed it were regular fluted columns, six inches thick and from six to ten feet high. They stood side by side like pickets in a stockade, so close together that the eye could scarce see through the interstices, still further closed by the thick beard of thorns. Near their tops in the season these vegetable columns became loaded with beautiful wax-like flowers, which disappeared only to give way to bright and luscious fruits. It was only after passing through the opening in this fence that the little rancho could be seen ; and although its walls were rude, the sweet little flower-garden, that bloomed within the enclosure, told that the hand of care was not absent. Beyond the cactus-fence, and built against the cliff, was ano- ther enclosure — a mere wall of adobe of no great height. This was a " corral" where cattle were kept, and at one corner was 120 THE WHITE CHIEF. a sort of shea or stable of small dimensions. Sometimes half-a- dozen mules and double that number of oxen might be seen in that corral, and in the stable as fine a horse as ever carried sad- dle. Both were empty now, for the animals that usually occu- pied them were out. Horse, mules, and oxen as well as their owner, were far away upon the prairies. Their owner was Carlos the cibolero. Such was the home of the buffalo-hunter, the home of his aged mother and fair sister. Such had been their home since Carlos was a child. And yet they were not of the people of the valley nor the town. Neither race — Spanish nor Indian — claimed them. They differed from both as widely as either did from the other. It was true what the padre had said. True that they were Ameri- cans ; that their father and mother had settled in the valley a long time ago ; that no one knew whence they had come, except that they had crossed the great plains from the eastward ; that they were hereticos, and that the padres could never succeed in bringing them into the fold of the Church ; that these would iave expelled, or otherwise punish them, but for the interference of the military Comm andante ; and, furthermore, that both were always regarded by the common people of the settlement with a feeling of superstitious dread. Latterly this feeling, concentrated on the mother of Carlos, had taken a new shape, and they looked upon her as a hechicera, — a witch — and crossed themselves devoutly whenever she met them. This was not often, for it was rare that she made her appearance among the inhabitants of the valley. Her presence at the fiesta of San Juan was the act of Carlos, who had been desirous of giving a day's amusement to the mother and sister he so much loved. Their American origin had much to do with the isolation in which they lived. Since a period, long preceding that time, bit- ter jealousy existed between the Spano-Mexican and Anglo- American races. This feeling had been planted by national authority, and nursed and fomented by priestcraft. Events that THE WHITE CHIEF. 121 have since taken place had already cast their shadows over the Mexican frontier ; and Florida and Louisiana were regarded as but steps in the ladder of American aggrandisement. A full understanding of these matters was of course confined to the more intelligent ; but all were imbued with the bad passions of international hate. The family of the cibolero suffered under the common preju- dice, and on that account lived almost wholly apart from the inhabitants of the valley. What intercourse they had was mostly with the native Indian population — the poor Tagnos, who felt but little of this anti-American feeling. If we enter the rancho of Carlos we shall see the fair-haired Rosita seated upon a petate t and engaged in weaving rebosos. The piece of mechanism which serves her for a loom consists of only a few pieces of wood rudely carved. So simple is it that it is hardly just to call it a machine. Yet those long bluish threads stretched in parallel lines, and vibrating to the touch of her nimble fingers, will soon be woven into a beautiful scarf to cover the head of some coquettish poblana of the town. None in the valley can produce such rebosos as the cibolero's sister. So much as he can beat all the youth in feats of horsemanship, so much does she excel in the useful art which is her source of subsistence. There are but two rooms in the rancho, and that is one more than will be found in most of its fellows. But the delicate senti- ment still exists in the Saxon mind. The family of the cibolero are not yet Indianised. The kitchen is the larger apartment and the more cheerful, because lighted by the open door. In it you will see a small (i brazero n or altar-like fire-place — half-a-dozen earthen " ollas" shaped like urns — some gourd shell-cups and bowls — a tortilla stone, with its short legs and inclined surface — some petates to sit upon — some buffalo-robes, for a similar purpose — a bag of maize — some bunches of dried herbs, and strings of red and green chile 6 122 THE WHITE CHIEF. — but no pictures of saints ; and, perhaps, it is the only house in the whole valley where your eye will not be gratified by a sight of these. Truly the family of the cibolero are " hereticos." Not last you will see an old woman seated near the fire, and smoking punche in a pipe ! A strange old woman is she, and strange no doubt her history ; but that is revealed to no one. Her sharp, lank features : her blanched, yet still luxuriant hair ; the wild gleam of her eyes ; all render her appearance singular. Others than the ignorant could not fail to fancy her a being dif- ferent from the common order. No wonder, then, that these regard her as " un hechicera 1" THE WHITE CHIEF. 123 CHAPTER XXI. Rosita knelt upon the floor passing her little hand-shuttle through the cotton-woof. Now she sang — and sweetly she sang — some merry air of the American back-woods that had been taught her by her mother ; anon some romantic lay of old Spain — the H Troubadour " perhaps — a fine piece of music, that gives such happy expression to the modern song, " Love Not." This " Troubadour n was a favourite with Rosita ; and when she took up her bandolon, and accompanied herself with its guitar-like notes, the listener would be delighted. She was now singing to beguile the hours and lighten her task ; and although not accompanied by any music, her silvery voice sounded sweet and clear. The mother had laid aside her pipe of punche, and was busy as Rosita herself. She spun the threads with which the rebosos were woven. If the loom was a simple piece of mechanism, much more so was the spinning machine — the " huso " or " mala- cate" — which was nothing more or less than the "whirligig spindle." Yet with this primitive apparatus did the old dame draw out and twist as smooth a thread as ever issued from the "jenny." u Poor dear Carlos ! One, two, three, four, five, six — six notches I have made — he is just in his sixth day. By this time he will be over the Llano, mother. I hope he will have good luck, and get well treated of the Indians." "Never fear, nina — my brave boy has his father's rifle, and 124: THE WHITE CHIEF. knows how to use it — well he does. Never fear for Carlos !" " But then, mother, he goesin a new direction ! What if he fall in with a hostile tribe ?" " Never fear, nina ! Worse enemies than Indians has Carlos — worse enemies nearer home — cowardly slaves ! thay hate us — both Gachupinos and Criollos hate us — Spanish dogs 1 they hate our Saxon blood \ n " Oh mother, say not so ! The are not all our enemies. We have some friends ?" Rosita was thinking of Don Juan. " Few — few — and far between I What care I while my brave son is there ? He is friend enough for us. Soft heart — brave heart — strong arm — who like my Carlos ? And the boy loves his old mother — his strange old mother, as these pelados* think her. He still loves his old mother. Ha ! ha ! ha ! What then cares she for friends ? Ha ! ha ! ha 1" Her speech ended in a laugh of triumph, showing how much she exulted in the possession of such a son. " my ! what a cargaf mother ! He never had such a carga before ! I wonder where Carlos got all the money V Rosita did not know exactly where ; but she had some fond suspicions as to who had stood her brother's friend. " Ay de mi P she continued ; "he will be very rich if he gets a good market for all those fine things — he will bring back troops of mules. How I shall long for his return ! One— two — three — six — yes, there are but six notches in the wood. Oh ! I wish it full along both edges — I do I" Rosita's eyes, as she said this, were bent upon a thin piece of cedar-wood that hung against the wall, and upon which six little notches were observable. That was her clock and calen- dar, which was to receive a fresh mark each day until the * A name literally signifying " naked fellows." " Ragamuffins " may be taken as ita synonyme. t A mule-load is a " carga." THE WHITE CHIEF. 125 cibolero's return — thus keeping her informed of the exact time that had elapsed since his departure. After gazing at the cedar wood for a minute or two, and trying to make the six notches count seven, she gave it up, and went on with her weaving. The old woman, laying down her spindle, raised the lid of an earthen "olla" that stood over a little fire upon the brazero. From the pot proceeded a savory steam, for it contained a stew of tasajo cut into small pieces, and highly seasoned with cebollas (Spanish onions) and chile Colorado (red capsicum). " Nina, the guisado is cooked," said she, after lifting a por- tion of the stew on a wooden spoon, and examining it ; "let us to dinner !" " Yery well, mother," replied Rosita, rising from her loom ; 11 1 shall make the tortillas at once." Tortillas are only eaten warm — that is, are fit only for eating when warm — or fresh from the " comal."* They are, therefore, to be baked immediately before the meal commences, or during its continuance. Rosita set the olla on one side, and placed the comal over the coals. Another olla, which contained maize — already boiled soft — was brought forward, and placed beside the " metate," or tortilla-stone ; and then, by the help of an oblong roller — also of stone — a portion of the boiled maize was soon reduced to snow-white paste. The metate and roller were now laid aside ; and the pretty, rose-coloured fingers of Rosita were thrust into the paste. The proper quantity for a " tortilla " was taken up, first formed into a round ball, and then clapped out between the palms until it was only a wafer's thickness. Nothing remained but to fling it on the hot surface of the comal, let it lie but for an instant, then turn it, and in a moment more it was ready for *The " comal" is a thick plate of metal of any form. Often a flat stone, heated overth* fire, serves for a comal. 126 THE WHITE CHIEF. These operations, which required no ordinary adroitness, were performed by Rosita with a skill that showed she was a practised " tortillera." When a sufficient number were piled upon the plate, Rosita desisted from her labour ; and her mother, having already "dished" the guisado, both commenced their repast, eating without knife, fork, or spoon. The tortillas being still warm, and therefore capable of being twisted into any form, served as a substitute for all these contrivances of civilisation ; which in a Mexican rancho are considered superfluous things. ****** Their simple meal was hardly over when a very unusual sound fell upon their ears. " Ho I what's that V* cried Rosita, starting to her feet, and listening. The sound a second time came pealing through the open door and windows. " I declare it's a bugle !" said the girl. " There must be soldiers." She ran first to the door, and then up to the cactus-fence. She peered through the interstices of the green columns. Sure enough there were soldiers. A troop of lancers was marching by twos down the valley, and not far off. Their glittering armour, and the pennons of their lances, gave them a gay and attractive appearance. As Rosita's eyes fell upon them they were wheeling into line, halting as they finished the move- ment, with their front to the rancho, and not a hundred paces from the fence ! The house was evidently the object of their coming to a halt. What could soldiers want there? This was Rosita's first reflection. A troop often passed up and down the valley, but never came near the rancho, which, as already stated, was far from the main road. What business could the soldiers be upop, to lead them out of their usual track ? THE WHITE CHIEF. 127 Rosita asked herself these questions ; then ran into the house and asked her mother. Neither could answer them ; and the girl turned to the fence, and again looked through. As she did so, she saw one of the soldiers — from his finer dress evidently an officer — separate from the rest, and come galloping towards the house. In a few moments he drew near, and, reining his horse close up to the fence, looked over the tops of the cactus plants. Rosita could just see his plumed hat, and below it his face, but she knew the face at once. It was that of the officer who on the day of San Juan had ogled her so rudely. She knew he was the Commandante Vizcarra. 128 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XXII. The officer, from his position, had a full view of the girl as sho stood in the little enclosure of flowers. She had retreated to the door, and would have gone inside, but she turned to call off Cibolo, a large wolf-dog, who was barking fiercely, and threat- ening the new-comer. The dog, obedient to her voice, ran back into the house growling, but by no means satisfied. He evidently wanted to try his teeth on the shanks of the stranger's horse. " Thank you, fair Senorita," said the officer. " It is very kind of you to protect me from that fierce brute. I would he were the only danger I had to fear in this house." " What have you to fear, Senor ?" inquired Rosita, with some surprise. " 'Your eyes, sweet girl : more dangerous than the sharp teeth of your dog, — they have already wounded me." " Cavallero," replied Rosita, blushing and averting her face, "you have not come here to jest with a poor girl. May I inquire what is your business ?" " Business I have none, lovely Rosita, but to see you, — nay, do not leave me ! — I have business — that is, I am thirsty, and halted for a drink : you will not refuse me a cup of water, fair Senorita ?" These last phrases, broken and hastily delivexed, were meant to restrain the girl from cutting short the interview, which she was about to do by entering the house. Vizcarra was not THE WHITE CHIEF. 129 thirsty, neither did he wish for water ; but the laws of hospitality trould compel the girl to bring it, and the act might further his purposes. She, without replying to his complimentary harangue, stepped into the house, and presently returned with a gourd-shell filled with water. Carrying it to the gate-like opening of the fences, she presented it to him, and stood waiting for the vessel. Yizcarra, to make his request look natural, forced down several gulps of the fluid, and then throwing away the rest, held out the gourd. The girl stretched forth her hand to receive it, but he still held it fast, gazing intently and rudely upon her. " Lovely Senorita," he said, " may I not kiss that pretty hand that has been so kind to me V " Sir ! please return me the cup." " Nay, not till I have paid for my drink. You will accept this ?" He dropped a gold onza into the gourd. "No, Senor, I cannot accept payment for what is only an act of duty. I shall not take your gold," she added, firmly. " Lovely tlosita ! you have already taken my heart, why not this ?" " 1 do not understand you, Senor ; please put back your money, and let me have the cup." " I shall not deliver it up, unless you take it with its contents." " Then you must keep it, Senor," replied she, turning away. " I must to my work." " Nay, further, Senorita !" cried Yizcarra ; " I have another favour to ask, — a light for my cigar ? Here, take the cup ! See ! the coin is no longer in it ! You will pardon me for having offered it ?" Yizcarra saw that she was offended, and by this apology endeavoured to appease her. She received the gourd-shell from his hands, and then went back to the house to bring him the light he had asked for. 6* 130 • THE WHITE CHIEF. Presently she reappeared with some red coals upon a small " brazero." On reaching the gate she was surprised to see that the officer had dismounted, and was fastening his horse to a stake. As she offered him the brazero, he remarked, "I am wearied with my ride ; may I beg, Senorita, you will allow me a few minutes' shelter from the hot sun ?" Though annoyed at this request, the girl could only reply in the affirmative ; and the next moment, with clattering spur and clanking sabre, the Commandante walked into the rancho. Rosita followed him in without a word, and without a word he was received by her mother, who, seated in the corner, took no notice of his entrance, not even by looking up at him. The dog made a circuit around him, growling angrily ; but his young mistress chided him off ; and the brute once more couched him- self upon a petate, and lay with eyes gleaming fiercely at the intruder. Once in the house, Yizcarra did not feel easy. He saw he was not welcome. Not a word of welcome had been uttered by Rosita, and not a sign of it offered either by the old woman or the dog. The contrary symptoms were unmistakeable, and the grand officer felt he was an intruder. But Yizcarra was not accustomed to care much for the feelings of people like these. He paid but little regard to their likes or dislikes, especially where these interfered with his pleasures ] and, after lighting his cigar, he sat down ona" banqueta," with as much nonchalance as if he were in his own quarters. He smoked some time without breaking silence. Meanwhile Rosita had drawn out her loom, and, kneeling down in front of it, went on with her work as if no stranger were present. " Oh, indeed 1" exclaimed the officer, feigning interest in the process, " how very ingenious ! I have often wished to see this I a reboso it is ? Upon my word ! and that is how they are woven ? Can you finish one in a day, Senorita V THE WHITE CHIEF. 131 "Si, Senor," was the curt reply. " And this thread, it is cotton ; is it not V "Si, Senor." " It is very prettily arranged, indeed. Did you place it so yourself ?" "Si, Senor." "Really it requires skill ! I should like much to learn how the threads are passed." And as he said this he left his seat upon the banqueta, and approaching the loom, knelt down beside it. " Indeed, very singular and ingenious. Ah, now, do you think, pretty Rosita, you could teach me V The old woman, who was seated with her eyes bent upon the ground, started at hearing the stranger pronounce her daughter's name, and glanced around at him. " I am really serious," continued he ; " do you think you could teach me this useful art ?" " No, Senor 1" was the laconic reply. " Oh ! surely I am not so stupid ! I think I could learn it — it seems only to hold this thing so ;" here he bent forward, and placed his hand upon the shuttle, so as to touch the fingers of the girl, "and then put it between the threads in this "manner ; is it not ?" At this moment, as if carried away by his wild passions, he seemed to forget himself ; and, turning his eyes upon the blush- ing girl, he continued in an under tone, "Sweetest Rosita ! I love you, — one kiss, — fairest, one kiss !" and before she could escape from his arms, which had already encircled her, he had imprinted a kiss upon her lips 1 A scream escaped from the girl, but another, louder and wilder, answered it from the corner. The old woman sprang up from her crouching position, and running across the floor launched herself like a tigress upon the officer ! Her long bony fingers flew out, and in an instant were clutching his throat j 132 THE WHITE CHIEF. " Off ! beldame ! off 1" cried he, struggling to escape : " off ! I say ; or my sword shall cut short your wretched life, — off ! — ■ off !■— I say !" Still the old woman clutched and screamed, tearing wildly at his throat, his epaulettes, or whatever she could lay hold of. But sharper than her nails were the teeth of the great wolf dog, that sprang almost simultaneously from his lair, and seizing the soldier by the limbs, caused him to bellow out at the top of his voice, — " Without there ! Sergeant Gomez ! Ho ! treason ! to the rescue I to the rescue !" "Ay ! dog of a Gachupino 1" screamed the old woman, — " dog of Spanish blood 1 you may call your cowardly myrmidons ! Oh ! that my brave son were here, or my husband alive I If they were, you would not carry a drop of your villain blood beyond the threshold you have insulted I Go ! — go to your poblauas — your margaritas /* Go — begone !" " Hell and furies ! This dog, take him off ! Ho, there ! Gomez I your pistols. Here ! send a bullet through him ! Haste ! haste 1" And battling with his sabre, the valiant Commandante at length effected a retreat to his horse. He was already well torn about the legs, but, covered by the sergeant, he succeeded in getting into the saddle. The latter fired off both his pistols at the dog, but the bullets did not take effect ; and the animal, perceiving that his enemies out-numbered him, turned and ran back into the house. The dog was now silent, but the Commandante, as he sat in his saddle, heard a derisive laugh within the rancho. In the clear soft tones of that jeering laughter he distinguished the voice of the beautiful giiera ! Chagrined beyond measure, he would have besieged the rancho * Margarita, literally pearl, has an offensive meaning among the Mexicans, and \e used when speaking of women of low character. 2. S ? f SB ^ si i - /?< ll o 5 1 * s. ( o o £ 3} o *~ rf T" * V ^ fa 1 t- 1 i o ' i | B 3 p 3 2. 1 *~~ M o V ' j * | » PS p 2 Vj - ,1/ 5 35* s o B* 5' 1 VI & cr p S CO M DO 3 S3 g | 3 p g 5' 7 J tAILw s* o P" c I fflHf'i 1 ! £ P •# :| o * J IHM' 1 ' i ■ 3* OS 2. 3 B 09 a « o g. 3. £. ■l» o o «5" BxJw/.j i c c; p H iHr/Ji ~ •» ST o 3 (6 O c e»» • c (•tee < ; i ( i t c t < c THE WHITE CHIEF. 183 with his troop, and insisted on killing the dog ; had he not feared that the cause of his ungraceful retreat might become known to his followers. That would be a mortification he did not desire to experience. He returned, therefore, to the troop, gave the word to march, and the cavalcade moved off, taking the backward road to the town. After riding at the head of his men for a short while, Yizcarra • —whose heart was filled with anger and mortification — gave some orders to the sergeant, and then rode off in advance, and in full gallop. The sight of a horseman in blue*- manga, passing in the direction of the rancho — and whom he recognised as the young ranchero, Don Juan — did not do much towards soothing his angry spirit. He neither halted nor spoke, but, casting on the latter a malignant glance, kept on. He did not slacken his pace until he drew bridle in the saguan* of the Presidio. His panting horse had to pay for the bitter reflections that tortured the soul of his master. * The part of the great gateway of a Mexican house where the porter sits — that is, the alley by which you enter the patio, or inside court—is termed the saguan, or zaguan. 134: THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XXIII. The first thing which Rosita did, after the noise without had ceased, was to glide forth and peep through the cactus-fence. She had heard the bugle again, and she wished to be sure that the intruders were gone. To her joy, she beheld the troop some distance off, defiling up the valley. She ran back into the house and communicated the intelli-* gence to her mother, who had again seated herself, and was quietly smoking her pipe of punche. " Dastardly ruffians 1" exclaimed the latter, " I knew they would be gone. Even an old woman and a dog are enough. Oh, that my brave Carlos had been here I He would have taught that proud Gachupino we were not so helpless ! Ha ! that would Carlos 1" "Do not think of it any more, dear mother; I don't think they will return. You have frightened them away — you and our brave Cibolo. How well he behaved ! But I must see," she added, hastily casting her eyes around the room; ■• he may be hurt. Cibolo ! Cibolo ! here, good fellow ! Come, I've got something for you. Ho, brave dog 1" At the call of her well-known voice, the dog came forth from his hiding-place, and bounded up, wagging his tail, and glanc- ing kindly in her face. The girl stooped down, and, passing her hands through his shaggy coat, examined every part of his body and limbs, in fear THE WHITE CHIEF. 135 all the while of meeting with the red stain of a bullet. Fortu- nately the sergeant's aim had not been true. Neither wound npr scratch had Cibolo received; and as he sprang around his young mistress, he appeared in perfect health and spirits. A splendid animal he was — one of those magnificent sheep- dogs of New Mexico — who, though half-wolf themselves, will successfully defend a flock of sheep from the attack of wolves, or even of the more savage bear. The finest sheep-dogs in the world are they, and one of the finest of his race was Cibolo. His mistress, having ascertained that he was uninjured, stepped upon the banqueta, and reached up towards a singular- looking object that hung over a peg in the wall. The object bore some resemblance to a string of ill-formed sausages. But it was not that, though it was something quite as good for Cibolo, who, by his sparkling eyes and short pleased whimpers, showed that he knew what it was. Yes, Cibolo had not to be initiated into the mysteries of a string of tasajo. Dried buffalo-meat was an old and tried favourite; and the moment it reached his jaws, which it did immediately after, he gave proof of this by the earnest manner in which he set to work upon it. The pretty Rosita, still a little apprehensive, once more peeped through the cactus fence to assure herself that no one was near. But this time some one was near, and the sight did not cause her any fear — quite the contrary. The approach of a young man in a blue manga, mounted upon a richly-caparisoned horse, had a contrary effect altogether, and Rosita's little heart now beat with confidence. This young horseman was Don Juan the ranchero. He rode straight up to the opening, and seeing the gliera cried out in a frank friendly voice, " Buenos dias, Rosita /" The reply was as frank and friendly — a simple return of the salutation — " Buenos dias, Don Juan f* 136 THE WHITE CHIEF. " How is the Senora your mother to day V " Muchas gracias, Don Juan ! as usual she is. Ha ! ha ! ha I ha ! ha ! ha !" "Hola!" exclaimed Don Juan. What are you laughing at, Rosita ?" '■ Ha! ha! ha! Saw you nothing of the fine soldiers ?" " True, I did. I met the troop as I came down, going up the valley in a gallop, and the Commandante riding far a-head, as if the Apaches were after him. In truth, I thought they had met the Indios bravos — for I know that to be their usual style of riding after an interview with these gentry." " Ha! ha! ha!" still laughed the little blonde; "but did you notice nothing odd about the officer I* " I think I did. He looked as though he had ridden through the chapparal; but I had scarce a glance at him, he passed so quickly. He gave me one that was anything but friendly. No doubt he remembers the loss of his gold onzas at San Juan. Ha! ha! But, dear Rosita, what may you be laughing at ! Have the soldiers been here ? Anything happened V* Rosita now gave an account of the Commandante's visit; how he had called to light his cigar and get a drink of water ; how he had entered the house and been attacked by Cibolo, which caused the precipitate retreat to his horse, and his hasty departure from the place. She was silent, however, about the most important particulars. She said nothing of the insulting speeches which Yizcarra had made — nothing of the kiss. She feared the effect of such a communication on Don Juan. She knew her lover was of a hot, rash disposition. He would not hear these things quietly ; he would involve himself in some trou- ble on her account ; and these considerations prompted her to conceal the cause that had led to the "scene." She, there- fore, disclosed only the more ludicrous effects, at which she laughed heartily. Don Juan, even knowing only so much, was inclined to regard THE WHITE CHIEF. 137 the affair more seriously. A visit from Yizcarra — a drink of water — light his cigar — enter the rancho — all very strange cir- cumstances, but not at all laughable, thought Don Juan. And then to be attacked and torn by the dog — to be driven from the house in such a humiliating manner — in presence of his own troop, too ! — Yizcarra — the vain-glorious Yizcarra — the great militario of the place — the hero of a hundred Indian battles that never were fought — he to be conquered by a cur ! Seri- ously, thought Don Juan, it was not an affair to laugh at. Yiz- carra would have revenge or try hard to obtain it. The young ranchero had other unpleasant thoughts in con- nexion with this affair. What could have brought the Com- mandante to the rancho ! How had he found out that interest- ing abode — that spot, sequestered as it was, that it seemed to him (Don Juan) to be the centre of the world ? Who had directed him that way ? What brought the troop out of the main road, their usual route of march ? These were questions which Don Juan put to himself. To have asked them of Rosita would have been to disclose the existence of a feeling he would rather keep concealed — jea- lousy. And jealous he was at the moment. The drink, she had served him of course — the cigar, she had lit it for him — perhaps invited him in I Even now she appeared in the highest spirits, and not at all angry at the visit that had been paid her ! Don Juan's reflections had suddenly grown bitter, and he did not join in the laugh which his sweetheart was indulging in. When after a short while she invited him in, his feelings took a turn, and he became himself again. He dismounted from his horse, and followed Rosita through the garden into the house. The girl sat down by the loom and continued her work, while the young ranchero was allowed to kneel upon the petate beside her and converse at will. There was no objection to his occa 138 THE WHITE CHIEF. sionally assisting 1 her to straighten out the woof or untwist a fouled thread; and, on these occasions, their fingers frequently met, and seemed to remain longer in contact than was necessary for the unravelling of the knot. But no one noticed all this. Rosita's mother was indulging in a siesta; and Cibolo, if he saw anything amiss, said nothing about it to any one, but wagged his tail, and looked good* humouredly at Don Juan, as if he entirely approved of the lat- ter*-; conduct. THE WHITE CHIEF. 139 CHAPTER XXIY. When Yizcarra reached his sumptuous quarters, the first thing he did was to call for wine. It was brought, and he drank freely and with fierce determination. He thought by that to drown his chagrin ; and for a while he succeeded. There is relief in wine, but it is only temporary : you may make jealousy drunk and oblivious, but you cannot keep it so. It will be sober as soon — ay, sooner than yourself. Not all the wine that was ever pressed from grapes can drown it into a complete oblivion. Yizcarra's heart was filled by various passions. There was love — that is, such love as a libertine feels — -jealousy ; anger at the coarse handling he had experienced ; wounded self-love, for with his gold-lace and fine plumes he believed himself a con- queror at first sight ; and upon the top of all, bitter disap- pointment. This last was the greater, that he did not see how his suit could be renewed. To attempt a similar visit would lead to similar chagrin, — perhaps worse. It was plain the girl did not care for him, with all his fine feathers and exalted position. He saw that she was very diffe- rent from the others with whom he had had dealings — different from the dark-eyed doncellas of the valley, most of whom, if not all, would have taken his onza without a word or a blush I It was plain to him he could go no more to the rancho I(t0 THE WHITE CHIEF. Where, then, was he to meet her — to see her ? He had ascer- tained that she seldom came to the town — never to the amuse- ments, except when her brother was at home. How, and where, then, was he to see her ? His was a hopeless case — no oppor- tunity of mending his first faux pas — none, any more than if the object of his pursuit was shut up in the cloisters of a nunnery ! Hopeless, indeed ! Thus ran his reflections. Though uttering this phrase, he had no belief in its reality. He had no intention of ending the affair so easily. He — the lady-killer, Yizcarra — to fail in the conquest of a poor ranchera! He had never failed, and would not now. His vanity alone would have urged him farther in the affair ; but he had a suffi- cient incentive to his strong passion, — for strong it had now grown. The opposition it had met — the very difficulty of the situation — only stimulated him to greater energy and ear- nestness. Besides, jealousy was there, and that was another spur to his excited pride. , He was jealous of Don Juan. He had noticed the latter on the day of the fiesta. He had obse'rved him in the company of the cibolero and his sister. He saw them talking, drinking, feasting together. He was jealous then ; but that was light, for then he still anticipated his own easy and early triumph. That was quiet to the feeling that tortured him now — now that hi had failed — now that he had seen in the very hour of his humili- ation that same rival on his road to the rancho — welcome, no doubt, to be told of all that had happened — to join her in jeer- ing laughter at his expense — to Furies! the thought was intolerable. For all that the Commandante had no idea of relinquishing his design. There were still means — foul, if not fair — if he could only think of them. He wanted some head cooler than his own. Where was Roblado ? " Sergeant ! tell Captain Roblado I wish to speak with him." THE WHITE CHIEF. 141 Captain Roblado was just the man to assist him in any scheme of the sort. They were equally villains as regarded women ; but Yizcarra's metier was of a lighter sort — more of the genteel- comedy kind. His forte lay in the seductive process. He made love a la Bon Giovanni, and carried hearts in what he deemed a legitimate manner ; whereas Roblado resorted to any means that would lead most directly to the object — force, if necessary and safe. Of the two, Roblado was the coarser villain. As the Commandante had failed in his way, he was deter- mined to make trial of any other his captain might suggest ; and since the latter knew all the " love stratagems," both of civilized and savage life, he was just the man to suggest some- thing. / It chanced that at this time Roblado wanted counsel himself upon a somewhat similar subject. He had proposed for Catalina, and Don Ambrosio had consented ; but, to the surprise of all, the Senorita had rebelled ! She did not say she would nob accept Captain Roblado. That would have been too much of a defiance, and might have led to a summary interference of paternal authority. But she had appealed to Don Ambrosio for time — she was not ready to be married ! Roblado could not think of time. He was too eager to be rich, but Don Ambrosio had listened to his daughter's appeal, and there lay the cause of the captain's trouble. Perhaps the Commandante's influence with Don Ambrosio might be the means of overruling his decision and hastening the wished-for nuptials. Roblado was therefore but too eager to lay his superior under an obligation. Roblado having arrived, the Commandante explained his case detailing every circumstance that had happened. " My dear colonel, you did not go properly to work. I am astonished at that, considering your skill and experience. You 14:2 THE WHITE CHIEF. dropped like an eagle upon a dove-cot, frightening the birds into their inaccessible holes. You should not have gone to the rancho at all." " And how was I to see her ?" " In your own quarters ; or elsewhere, as you might have arranged it." *' Impossible ! — she would never have consented to come." " Not by your sending for her direct ; I know that." " And how, then ?" " Ha ! ha ! ha !" laughed Roblado ; " are you so innocent as never to have heard of such a thing as a ' alcahuete V "* " Oh ! true — but by my faith I never found use for one." " No ! — you in your fine style have deemed that a superfluity ; but you might find use for one now. A very advantageous character that, I assure you — saves much time and trouble — diminishes the chances of failure, too. It's not too late. I advise you to try one. If that fails, you have still another string to your bow." We shall not follow the conversation of these ruffians further. Enough to say that it led into details of their atrocious plans, which, for more than an hour, they sat concocting over their wine, until the whole scheme was set forth and placed in readi- ness to be carried out. It was carried out, in fine, but led to a different ending from what either anticipated. The " lady," who acted as " alcahuete," soon placed herself en rapport with Rosita ; but her success was more equivocal than that of Yizcarra himself ; in fact, I should rather say unequivocal, for there was no ambiguity about it. As soon as her designs were made known to Rosita, the latter communicated them to her mother ; and the scratches which the Commandante had received were nothing to those which had fallen to the lot of his proxy. The " alcahuete " had, in fact to * The Spanish name of that horrid character known as a " go-between.* THE WHITE CHIEF. 14t> beg for her life before she was allowed to escape from the terri- ble Cibolo. She wonld have sought legal revenge, but that the nature of her business made it wiser for her to pocket the indignities, and remain silent. 144 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XXV. " Now, Roblado," asked the Commandante, " what is the other string to my bow ?" " Can't you guess, my dear colonel ?" "Not exactly," replied Vizcarra, though he knew that he could. It was not long since the other string had been before his mind. He had even thought of it upon the day of his first defeat, and while his anger was hot and revengeful. And since then, too, — often, often. His question was quite superfluous, for he well knew Roblado's answer would be "force." It was " force." That was the very word. " How ?" 11 Take a few of your people, go by night, and carry her off. "What can be more simple ? It would have been the proper way at first, with such a prude as she ! Don't fear the result. It's not so terrible to them. I've known it tried before. Long ere the cibolero can return, she'll be perfectly reconciled, I warrant you." " And if not ?" " If not, what have you to fear V "The talk, Roblado— the talk." " Bah ! my dear colonel, you are timid in the matter. You have mismanaged it so far, but that's no reason you should not use tact for the future. It can be done by night. You have chambers here where no one is allowed to enter — some without windows, if you need them. Who's to be the wiser ? Pick your men — those you can trust. You don't require a whole troop, THE WHITE CHIEF. 145 and half-a-dozen onzas will tie as many tongues. It's as easy as stealing a shirt. It is only stealing a chemisette. Ha 1 ha ! ha !" and the ruffian laughed at his coarse simile and coarser joke, in which laugh he was joined by the Commandante. The latter still hesitated to adopt this extreme measure. Not from any fineness of feeling. Though scarce so rough a villain as his companion, it was not delicacy of sentiment that restrained him now. He had been accustomed all his life to regard with heartless indifference the feelings of those he had wronged ; and it was not out of any consideration for the future happiness or misery of the girl that he hesitated now. No, his motive was of a far different character. Roblado said true when he accused him of being timid. He was. It was sheer cowardice that stayed him. Not that he feared any bodily punishment would ever reach him for the act. He was too powerful, and the relatives of his intended victim too weak, to give him any apprehensions on that score. With a little policy he could administer death — death to the most innocent of the people — and give it a show of justice. Nothing was more easy than to cause suspicion of treason, incar- cerate and slay — and particularly at that time, when both Pueblo revolt and Creole revolution threatened the Spanish rule in America. What Yizcarra feared was " talk." Such an open rape could not well be kept secret for long. It would leak out, and once out it was too piquant a piece of scandal not to have broad fame. All the town would soon enjoy it, but there was a still more unpleasant probability. It might travel beyond the confines of the settlement, perhaps to high quarters, even to the Viceregal ear ! There find we the seeret of the Commandante's fears. Not, indeed, that the Yiceregal court at the time was a model of morality. It would have been lenient enough to any act of despotism or debauchery done in a quiet wav ; but such an open 1 14:6 THE WHITE CHIEF. act of rapine as that contemplated, on the score of policy could hardly be overlooked. In truth, Yizcarra's prudence had reason. He could not believe that it would be possible to keep the thing a secret. Some of the rascals employed might in the end prove traitor. True, they would be his own soldiers, and he might punish them for it at his will, but what satisfaction would that give him ? It would be locking the stable after the steed had been stolen ! Even without their playing him false, how could he hope to keep the affair concealed ? First, there was an angry brother. True, he was out of the way ; but there was a jealous lover on the ground, and the brother would return in time. The very act of the rape would point to him, Yizcarra. His visit, the attempt of the " alcahuete," and the carrying off of the girl, would all be pieced together, and put down to his credit, and the brother — such a one — and such a lover too — would not be silent with their suspicions. He might take measures to get rid of both, but these measures must needs oe violent and dangerous. - Thus reasoned Yizcarra with himself, and thus he argued with Roblado. Not that he wished the latter to dissuade him — for the end he desired with all his heart — but in order that by their united wisdom some safer means of reaching it might be devised. And a safer plan was devised. Roblado, deeper in head, as well as bolder in heart, conceived it. Bringing his glass to the table with a sudden stroke, he exclaimed : — " Vamos, Yizcarra ! By the Yirgin,- 1 have it I" " Bueno — bravo ! " You may enjoy your sweetheart within twenty -four hours, if you wish, and the sharpest scandal-monger in the settlement will be foiled ; at least, you will have nothing to fear. What a devil of a lucky thought ! — the very thing itself, amigo !" " Don't keep me in suspense, camarado 1 your plan I your plan i" THE WHITE CHIEF. 147 "Stop till I've had a gulp of wine. The very thought of such a glorious trick makes me thirsty." " Drink then, drink !" cried Vizcarra, filling out the wine, with a look of pleasant anticipation. Roblado emptied the goblet at a draught, and then leaning nearer to the Commandante, he detailed what he had conceived in a low and confidential tone. It seemed to satisfy his listener, who, when the other had finished, uttered the word " Bravo I" and sprang to his feet like one who had received some joyful news. He walked back and forth for some minutes in an excited manner, and then, bursting into a loud laugh, he cried out, 11 Carrambo, comrade ! you are a tactician ! The great Conde himself would not have shown such strategy. Santissitna Virgen! it is the very master-stroke of design; and I promise, you, camarado, it shall have speedy execution." " Why delay ? Why not set about it at once ?" " True — at once let us prepare for this pleasant masquerade !* 148 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XXYI. Circumstances were arising that would be likely to interrupt the Commandante and his captain in the execution of their design. At least, so it might have been supposed. In less than twenty-four hours after the conversation described, a rumour of Indian incursions was carried to the town, and spread through every house in the valley. The rumour said that a band of "Indios bravos," — whether Apache, Yuta, or Comanche, was not stated,— had made their appearance near the settlement, in full war-paint and costume ! This of course denoted hostile inteutions, and an attack might be expected in some part of the settlement. The first rumour was followed by one still more substantial, — that the Indians had attacked some shepherds on the upper plain, not far from the town itself. The shepherds had escaped, but their dogs had been killed, and a large number of sheep driven off to the mountain-fastnesses of the marauders ! This time the report was more definite. The Indians were Yutas, and belonged to a band of that tribe that had been hunting to the east of the Pecos, and who had no doubt resolved upon this plundering expedition before returning to their home near the heads of the Del Norte. The shepherds had seen them distinctly, and knew the Yuta paint. That the Indians were Yutas was probable enough. The same tribe had lately made a foray upon the settlements in the fine valley of Taos. They had heard of the prosperous condition THE WHITE CHIEF 149 of San Tldefonso, and hence their hostile visit. Besides both Apaches and Comanches were en paz with the settlement, and had for some years confined themselves to ravaging the provinces of Coahuila and Chihuahua. No provocation had been given to these tribes to recommence hostilities, nor had they given any signs of such an intention. Upon the night of the same day in which the sheep were carried off, a more important robbery was committed. That took place in the settlement itself. A large number of cattle were driven off from a grazing-farm near the lower end of the valley. The Indians had been seen in the act, but the frightened vaqueros were but too glad to escape, and shut themselves up in the buildings of the farm. No murders had as yet been committed, but that was because no resistance had been made to the spoliations. Nor had any houses been yet attacked. Perhaps the Indians were only a small band ; but there was no knowing how soon their numbers might be increased, and greater outrages attempted. The people of the valley, as well as those in the town, were now in a state of excitement. Consternation prevailed every- where. Those who lived in the scattered ranchos forsook their homes during the night, and betook themselves to the town and the larger haciendas for shelter. These last were shut up as seen as darkness approached, and regular sentries posted upon their azoteas, who kept watch until morning. The terror of the inhabitants was great, — the greater because for a long period they had lived on good terms with the Indios bravos, and a visit from them was novel as unexpected. No wonder that they were alarmed. They had cause for it. They well knew that in these hostile incursions the savage enemy acts with the utmost barbarity, — murdering the men, and sparing only the younger women, whom they carry off to a cruel captiv- ity. They well knew this, for at that very date there were thousands of their countrywomen in the hands of the wild 150 THE WHITE CHIEF. Indians, lost to their families and friends for ever ! !No wonder that there was fear and trembling. The Comm andante seemed particularly on the alert. At the head of his troops he scoured the neighbouring plains, and made incursions towards the spurs of the mountains. At night his patrols were in constant motion up and down the valley. The people were admonished to keep within their houses and barri- cade their doors in case of attack. All admired the zeal and activity of their military protectors. The Commandante won golden opinions daily. Thi3 was the first real opportunity he had had of showing them his " pluck," for there had been no alarm of Indians since he arrived. In the time of his predecessor several had taken place, and on these occasions it was remembered that the troops, instead of going abroad to search for the " barbaros," shut themselves up in the garrison till the latter were gone clear out of the valley, after having carried off all the cattle they could collect ! What a contrast in the new Commandante ! What a brave officer was Colonel Yizcarra ! This excitement continued for several days. As yet no mur- ders had been committed, nor any women carried off ; and as the Indians had only appeared in the night, the probability was that they were in but small force, — some weak band of robbers. Had it been otherwise, they would have long since boldly shown themselves by daylight, and carried on their depredations on a much larger scale. During all this time, the mother and sister of the cibolero lived in their lone rancho without any protection, and were, per- haps, less in dread of the Indians than any other family in the whole valley. This was to be attributed to several causes. First, their training, which had taught them to make light of dangers that terrified their less courageous neighbours. Secondly, their poor hut was not likely to tempt the cupidity of Indian robbers, whose design was evidently plunder. There were too THE WHITE CHIEF. 151 many well-stocked ranchos a little farther up the valley. The Indians would not be likely to molest them. But there was still a better reason for this feeling of confidence on their part, and that was somewhat of a family secret. Carlos having traded with all the neighbouring tribes was known to the Indians, and was on terms of friendship with nearly every one of their chiefs. One cause of this friendship was, that Carlos was known to them as an American. Such was their feeling in regard to Americans that, at this time, and for a long period after, both the trappers and traders of that nation could pass through the whole Apache and Comanche range in the smallest parties without molestation, while large caravans of Mexicans would be attacked and robbed ! It was only long after, that these tribes assumed a fierce hostility against the Saxon whites ; and this was brought about by several acts of barbarism committed by parties of the whites themselves. In his dealings with the Indios bravos, then, the cibolero had not forgotten his little rancho at home ; and he had always counselled his mother and sister not to fear the Indians in his absence, assuring them that these would not molest them. The only tribe with which Carlos was not on friendly terms was the Jicarilla, a small and miserable band that lived among the mountains north-east of Santa Fe. They were a branch of the Apaches, but lived apart, and had little in common with the great freebooters of the south — the Mezcaleros and Wolf- tetters* For these reasons, then, the little Rosita and her mother, though not entirely without apprehension, were yet less fright- ened by the current rumours of the time than their neighbours. Every now and then Don Juan rode over to the rancho, and advised them to come and stay at his house — a large strong building well defended by himself and his numerous peons. But * Like the Comanches, the Apache is divided into several sub-tribes or bands, as ■ Coy« oieros," eaters of the prairie-wolf; " Mezcaleros," eaters of the mescal, or wild aloe, &c. 152 THE WHITE CHIEF. the mother of Rosita only laughed at the fears of Don Juan ; and Rosita, herself, from motives of delicacy, of course refused to accede to his proposal. ***** * It was the third night from the time the Indians had been first heard of. The mother and daughter had laid aside their spindle and loom, and were about to retire to their primi- tive couches on the earthen floor, when Cibolo was seen to spring from his petate, and rush towards the door growling fiercely. His growl increased to a bark — so earnest, that it was evident some one was outside. The door was shut and barred ; but the old woman, without even inquiring who was there, pulled out the bar, and opened the door. She had scarcely shown herself when the wild whoop of In- dians rang in her ears, and a blow from a heavy club prostrated her upon the threshold. Spite the terrible onset of the dog, several savages, in all the horrid glare of paint and feathers, rushed into the house yelling fearfully, and brandishing their weapons ; and in less than five minutes' time, the young girl, screaming with terror , was borne in their arms to the outside of the rancho, and there tied upon the back of a mule. The few articles which the Indians deemed of any value, were carried away with them ; and the savages, after setting fire to the rancho, made off in haste. Rosita saw the blaze of the rancho as she sat tied upon the mule. She had seen her mother stretched upon the door-step, and was in fact dragged over her apparently lifeless form ; and the roof was now in flames ! " My poor mother !" she muttered in her agony. " God ! God ! what will become of my poor mother V 1 ***** Almost simultaneously with this attack, or a little after it, tliA Indians appeared before the house of the ranchero, Don Juan ; THE WHITE CHIEF. 153 but, after yelling around it and firing several arrows over the azotea* and against the door, they retired. Don Juan was apprehensive for his friends at the rancho. As soon as the Indians had gone away from about his own premises, he stole out ; and, trusting to the darkness, made his way in that direction. He had not gone far, before the blaze of the building came under his eyes, causing the blood to run cold in his veins. He did not stop. He was a-foot, but he was armed, and he dashed madly forward resolved to defend Rosita, or die ! In a few minutes he stood before the door of the rancho ; and there, to his horror, lay the still senseless form of the mother, her wild and ghastly features illuminated by the blaze from the roof. The fire had not yet reached her, though in a few moments more she would have been buried in the flames ! Don Juan drew her forth into the garden, and then rushed frantically around calling on Rosita. But there was no reply. The crackling blaze — the sighing of the night wind — the hooting of the cliff owl and the howling of the coyote, alone answered his anxious calls. After remaining until all hope had vanished, he turned towards the prostrate body, and knelt down to examine it. To his surprise there was still life, and after her lips had been touched with water, the old woman showed symptoms of recov- ery. She had only been stunned by the heavy blow. Don Juan at length lifted her in his arms, and taking a well- known path returned with his burden and with a heavy heart, to his own house. * * * * * Next morning the news of the affair was carried through all the settlement, adding to the terror of the inhabitants. The * The flat roof of the # Mexican house is the azotea. It is a place of resort for the inmates. In large dwellings the azotea, in cool weather, is the pleasantest part of the house. 154: THE WHITE CHIEF. Commandante with a large troop galloped conspicuously through the town ; and after much loud talk and empty demonstrations, went off on the trail which the Indians were supposed to have taken. Long before night the troops returned with their usual report " los barbaros no jmdimos alcanzar." (We could not overtake the savages.) They said that they had followed the trail to the Pecos, where the Indians had crossed, and that the savages had con • tinued on towards the Llano Estacado. This piece of news gave some relief, for it was conjectured, if the marauders had gone in that direction their plundering would end. They had probably proceeded to join the rest of their tribe, known to be somewhere in that quarter. THE WHITE CHIEF. 155 CHAPTER XXVII. Vizcarra and his gay lancers passed up the valley, on their return from the pursuit at an early hour of the evening. Scarcely had a short hour elapsed, when another cavalcade, dusty and way-worn, was seen moving along the same road, and heading toward the settlements. It could hardly be termed a cavalcade, as it consisted of an atajo of pack-mules, with some carretas drawn by oxen. One man only was on horseback, who, by his dress and manner, could be recognised as the owner of the atajo. Despite the fatigue of a long march, despite the coating of dust, which covered both horse and rider, it was not difficult tc tell who the horseman was. Carlos the cibolero ! Thus far had he reached on his homeward way. Another stretch of five miles along the dusty road, and he would halt before the -door of his humble rancho. Another hour, and his aged mother, his fond sister, would fling themselves into his arms, and receive his affectionate embrace ! What a surprise it would be 1 They would not be expecting him for weeks — long weeks. And what a surprise he had for them in another way ! His wonderful luck ! The superb mulada and cargo, — quite a little fortune indeed ! Rosita should have a new dress, — not a coarse woolen nagua, but one of silk — real foreign silk, and a manta, and the prettiest pair of satin slippers — she should wear fine stockings on future fiesta days, she shoukj. be worthy of his friend 156 THE WHITE CHIEF. Don Juan. His old mother, too — she should drink tea, coffee, or chocolate, which she preferred — no more atole for her ! The rancho was rude and old — it should come down, and another and better one go up in its place — no — it would serve as a stable for the horse, and the new rancho should be built beside it. In fact the sale of his mulada would enable him to buy a good strip of land, and stock it well too. What was to hinder him to turn ranchero, and farm or graze on his own account ? It would be far more respectable, and would give him a higher standing in the settlement. Nothing to hinder him. He would do so ; but first one more journey to the plains — one more visit to his Waco friends, who had pro- mised him Ha ! it was this very promise that was the key- stone of all his hopes. The silk dress for Rosita, the luxuries for his old mother, the new house, the farm, were all pleasant dreams to Carlos ; but he indulged a dream of a still pleasanter nature — a dream that eclipsed them all ; and his hopes of its realisation lay in that one more visit to the country of the Wacoes. Carlos believed that his poverty alone was the barrier that separated him from Catalina. He knew that her father was not, properly speaking, one of the " rico" class. True, he was a rico now : but only a few years ago he had been a poor 11 gambucino " — poor as Carlos himself. In fact, they had once been nearer neighbours ; and in his earlier days Don Ambrosio had esteemed the boy Carlos fit company for the little Catalina. What objection, then, could he have to the cibolero — pro- vided the latter could match him in fortune ? " Certainly none," thought Carlos. " If I can prove to him that I, too, am a ' rico/ he will consent to my marrying Catalina. And why not ? The blood in my veins — so says my mother — is as good as that of any hidalgo. And, if the Wacoes have told me the truth, one more journey and Oarjos the cibolero will be able to sIaovt as much gold as Don Ambrosio the miner !" THE WHITE CHIEF. 157 These thoughts had been running in his mind throughout the whole of his homeward journey. Every day — every hour — did he build his aery castles ; every hour did he buy the silk dress for Rosita — the tea, coffee, and chocolate, for his mother — every hour did he erect the new rancho, buy the farm, show a fortune in gold-dust, and demand Catalina from her father ! Chateaux en JSspagne ! Now that he was close to his home, these pleasant visions grew brighter and seemed nearer ; and the countenance of the cibolero was radiant with joy. What a fearful change was soon to pass over it ! Several times he thought of spurring on in advance, the sooner to enjoy the luxury of his mother's and sister's welcome ; and then he changed his mind again. " No," muttered he to himself ; " I will stay by the atajo. I will better enjoy the triumph. We shall all march up in line, and halt in front of the rancho. They will think I have some stranger with me, to whom belong the mules ! When I announce them as my own they will fancy that I have turned Indian, and made a raid on the southern provinces, with my stout retainers. Ha ! ha ! ha I" And Carlos laughed at the conceit. " Poor little Rosy 1" he continued ; V she shall marry Don Juan this time ! I won't withhold my consent any longer ! It would be better, too. He's a bold fellow, and can protect her while I'm off on the plains again ; though one more journey, and I have done with the plains. One more journey, and I shall change my title from Carlos the cibolero to Senor Don Carlo3 R . Ha ! ha ! ha !" Again he laughed at the prospect of becoming a "rico," and being addressed as " Don Carlos." " Yery odd," thought he, "I don't meet any one ! I don't see a soul upon the road up or down. Yet it's not late — the sun's above the bluff still. Where can the people be ? And yet the road's covered thick with fresh horse-tracks ! Ha ! th* 15& THE WHITE CHIEF. troops have been here ! they have just passed up ! But that's no reason why the people are not abroad ; and I don't see even a straggler ! Now I could have believed there was an alarm of Indians had I not seen these tracks ; but I know very well that, were the Apaches on their war-trail, my Comraandante and his whisker an dos would never have ventured so far from the Presidio — that I know. " Well, there's something extraordinary ! I can't make it out. Perhaps they're all up to the town at some fiesta. Anton, my boy, you know all the feast-days ! Is this one ?" "No, master." " And where are all the folks ?" " Can't guess, master ! Strange we don't see some !" "So I was thinking. You don't suppose there have been wild Indians in the neighbourhood ?" " No master — mira ! They're the tracks of the * lanzeros ' — only an hour ago. No Indians where they are 1" As Antonio said this, both his accent and look had an expres- sion which guided his master to the true meaning of his words, which might otherwise have been ambiguous. He did not mean that the fact of the lancers having been on the ground would prevent the Indians from occupying it, but exactly the reverse. It was, not " lancers no Indians," but " Indians no lancers," that Antonio meant. Carlos understood him ; and, as this had been his own inter- pretation of the tracks, he burst out into a fit of laughter. Still no travellers appeared, and Carlos did not like it. As yet he had not thought of any misfortune to those he loved ; but the unpeopled road had an air of loneliness about it, and did not seem to welcome him. As he passed on a feeling of sadness came stealing over him, which after it had fairly taken possession he could not get rid of. He had not yet passed a settlement. There were none before reaching his own rancho, which, as already stated, was the lowest in the valley. Still the inhabitants fed their flocks far THE WHITE CHIEF. 159 below that ; and it was usual, at such an hour, to see them driving their cattle home. He neither saw cattle nor vaqueros. The meadows on both sides, where cattle used to graze, were empty 1 What could it mean ? As he noticed these things an indefinite sense of uneasiness and alarm began to creep over him ; and this feeling increased until he had arrived at the turning which led to his own rancho. At length he headed around the forking angle of the road j and, having passed the little coppices of evergreen oaks, came within sight of the house. With a mechanical jerk he drew his horse upon his haunches, and sat in the saddle with open jaw and eyes glaring and protruded I The rancho he could not see — for the covering interposed colums of the cacti — but through the openings along their tops a black line was visible, that had an unnatural look, and a strange film of smoke hung over the azotea ! " God of heaven ! what can it mean ?" cried he, with a choking voice ; but, without waiting to answer himself, he lanced the flanks of his horse till the animal shot off like an an arrow. The intervening ground was passed ; and, flinging himself from the saddle, the cibolero rushed through the cactus-fence. * * * * . * * The atajo soon after came up. Antonio hurried through ; and there, inside the hot, smoke-blackened walls, half-seated, half-lying on the banqueta, was his master, his head hanging forward upon his breast, and both hands nervously twisted in the long curls of his hair. Antonio's foot-fall caused him to took up — only for a moment. " O God ! My mother — my sister I" and, as he repeated the words, his head once more fell forward, while his broad breast rose and fell in convulsed heaving. It was an hour of mortal agony ; for some secret instinct had revealed to him the terrible truth. 160 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XXYIII For some minutes Carlos remained stupefied with the shock, and made no effort to rouse himself. A friendly hand laid upon his shoulder caused him to look up. Don Juan the ranchero was bending over him. Don Juan's face wore a look as wretched as his own. It gave him no hope; and it was almost mechanically the words escaped his lips — " My mother ? my sister ?" " Your mother is at my house,' 7 replied Don Juan. " And Rosita V Don Juan made no reply — the tears were rolling down his cheeks. " Come, man !" said Carlos, seeing the other in as much need of consolation as himself ; " out with it — let me know the worst! Is she dead V\ " No, — no, — no ! — I hope not dead !" "Carried off?" " Alas, yes 1" " By whom ?" " The Indians." " You are sure by Indians ?" As Carlos asked this question, a look of strange meaning glanced from his eyes. " Quite sure. I saw them myself — your mother — . — " " My mother ! What of her V THE WHITE CHIEF. 161 '- She is safe. She met the savages in the doorway, was knocked senseless by a blow and saw no more." " But Rosita ?" " ]STo one saw her ; but certainly she was taken away by the Indians." " You are sure they were Indians, Don Juan \ n 11 Sure of it. They attacked my house almost at the same time. They had previously driven off my cattle, and for that, one of my people was on the look-out. He saw them approach; and, before they got near, we were shut up and ready to defend ourselves. Finding this, they soon went off. Fearing for your people, I stole out as soon as they were gone, and came here. When I arrived the roof was blazing, and your mother lying senseless in the doorway. Rosita was gone ! Madre de dios ! she was gone I" And the young ranchero wept afresh. " Don Juan 1" said Carlos, in a firm voice; " you have been a friend — a brother — to me and mine. I know you suffer as much as I do. Let there be no tears ! See! mine are dried up! I weep no more — perhaps sleep not, till Rosita is rescued or revenged. Let us to business, then? Tell me all that is known about these Indians — and quick, Don Juan ! I have a keen appetite for your news !" The ranchero detailed the various rumours that had been afloat for the three or four days preceding — as well as the actual occurrences — how the Indians had been first seen upon the upper plain; their encounter with the shepherds and the driving off of the sheep ; their appearance in the valley, and their raid upon his own cattle — for it was his ganaderia that had suffered — and then the after circumstances' already known to Carlos. He also informed the latter of the activity shown by the iroops; how they had followed that morning upon the trail of the robbers; how he had desired to accompany them with some 162 THE WHITE CHIEF. of his people; and how the request was refused by the Com* mandante. M Refused ?" exclaimed Carlos, interrogatively. "Yes," replied Don Juan; "he said we would only hinder the troops ! I fancy his motive was his chagrin with ine. He does not like me ever since the fiesta." "Well! what then?" " The troops returned but an hour ago. They report that they followed the trail as far as the Pecos, where it crossed, striking direct for the Llano Estacado ; and, as the Indians had evidently gone off to the great plains, it would have been use- less to attempt pursuing them farther. So they alleged. "The people," continued Don Juan, "will be only too glad that the savages have gone away, and will trouble themselves no farther about it. I have been trying to get up a party to follow them, but not one would venture. Hopeless as it was, I intended a pursuit with my own people; but thank God ! you have come 1" " Ay, pray God it may not be too late to follow their trail. But no; only last night at midnight, you say? There's been neither rain nor high wind — it will be fresh as dew; and if ever hound Ha ! where's Cibolo ?" "At my house the dog is. He was lost this morning; we thought he had been killed or carried off ; but, at midday, my people found him by the rancho here, covered with mud, and bleeding where he had received the prick of a spear. We think the Indians must have taken him along, and that he escaped from them on the read." "It is strange enough — Oh ! my poor Rosita ! — poor lost sister ! — where art thou at this moment ? — where ? — where ? Shall I ever see you again ? — My God ! my God !" And Carlos once more sunk back into his attitude of despair. Then suddenly springing to his feet, with clenched fist and flashing eyes, he cried out, — -THE WHITE CHIEfl. 163 11 Wide though the prairie plains, and faint the trail of these dastardly robbers, yet keen is the eye of Carlos the cibolero ! I shall find thee yet— I shall find thee, though it cost me the search of a life. Fear not, Rosita ! fear not, sweet sister ! I come to your rescue ! If thou art wronged, woe, woe, to the tribe that has done it !" Then turning to Don Juan, he con- tinued, — " The night is on — we can do nothing to-night. Don Juan ! — friend, brother ! — bring me to her — to my mother." There is a wild poetry in the language of grief, and there was poetry in the words of the cibolero ; but these bursts of poetic utterance were brief, and he again returned to the serious reality of his situation. Every circumstance that could aid him in his purposed pursuit was considered and arranged in a sober and practical manner. His arms and accoutrements, his horse, all were cared for, so as to be ready by the earliest hour of light. His servants, and those of Don Juan, were to accompany him, and for these horses were also prepared. Pack-mules, too, with provisions and other necessaries for a long journey — for Carlos had no intention of returning without the accomplishment of his sworn purpose — rescue or revenge. His was no pursuit to be baffled by slight obstacles. He was not going to bring back the report " that he had been unsuccess- ful." He was resolved to trail the robbers to the farthest point of the prairies — to follow them to their fastness, wherever that might be. Don Juan was with him heart and soul, for the ranchero's interest in the result was equal to his own — his agony was the same. Their peons numbered a score — trusty Tagnos all, who loved their masters, and who, if not warriors by trade, were made so by sympathy and zeal. Should they overtake the robbers in time, there would be no fear of the result. From all circumstances known, the latter formed but a weak band. Had this not been the case, they 164: THE WHITE CHIEF. would never have left the valley with so trifling a booty. Could they be overtaken before joining their tribe, all might yet be well. They would be compelled to give up both their plunder and their captive, and, perhaps, pay dearly for the distress they had occasioned. Time, therefore, was a most important consideration, and the pursuers had resolved to take the trail with the earliest light of the morning. Carlos slept not — and Don Juan only in short and feverish intervals. Both sat up in their dresses, — Carlos by the bedside of his mother, who, still suffering from the effects of the blow, appeared to rave in her sleep. The cibolero sat silent, and in deep thought He was busied with plans and conjectures — conjectures as to what tribe of Indians the marauders could belong. Apaches or Comanches they were not. He had met parties of both on his return. They treated him in a friendly manner, and they said nothing of hostilities against the people of San Ildefonso. Besides no bands of these would have been in such small force as the late robbers evidently were. Carlos wished it had been they. He knew that in such a case, when it was known that the captive was his sister, she would be restored to him. But no ; they had nothing to do with it. Who then ? — -the Yutas ? Such was the belief -among the peo- ple of the valley, as he had been told by Don Juan. If so, there was still a hope — Carlos had traded with a branch of this pow- erful and warlike tribe. He was also on friendly terms with some of their chiefs, though these were now at war with the more northern settlements. But the Jicarillis still returned to his mind. These were Indians of a cowardly, brutal disposition, and his mortal foes. They would have scalped him on sight. If his sister was their captive, her lot was hard indeed ; and the very thought of such a fate caused the cibolero to start up with a shudder, and clench his hands in a convulsive effort of passion. * * * * * THE WHITE CHIEF. 105 It was near morning. The peons were astir and armed. The horses and mules were saddled in the patio, and Don Juan had announced that all were ready. Carlos stood by the bedside of his mother to take leave. She beckoned him near. She was still weak, for blood had flown freely from her, and her voice was low and feeble. " My son," said she, as Carlos bent over her, " know you what Indians you are going to pursue ?" " No, mother," replied Carlos, " but I fear they are our ene- mies the Jicarillas." " Have the Jicarillas beards on their faces and jewels on their fingers ?" " No, mother ; why do you ask such a question ? — you know they have no beards ! My poor mother !" added he, turning to Don Juan, " this terrible stroke has taken her senses !" " Follow the trail, then !" she continued without noticing the last remark uttered by Carlos in a whisper ; " follow the trail — perhaps it will guide thee to " and she whispered the rest into his ear. "What, mother?" said he, starting as if at some strange information. " Dost thou think so ?" " I have some suspicion — only suspicion — but follow the trail —it will guide thee — follow it and be satisfied !" " Do not doubt me, mother ; I shall be satisfied of that." " One promise before you go. Be not rash — be prudent." " Fear not, mother 1 I will." "Kit be so " "If it be so, mother, you'll soon see me back — Grod bless you ! — My blood's on fire — I cannot stay ! — God bless you, mother ! — Farewell 1" Next minute the train of mounted men, with Don Juan and Carlos at its head, passed out of the great gate, and took the road that led out from the valley. 166 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XXIX. It was not yet daybreak when the party left the house, but they had not started too early. Carlos knew that they could follow the road so far as the lancers had gone, in the darkness , and it would be light enough, by the time they had got to the point where these had turned back. Five miles below the house of Don Juan the road forked — one leading southward, was that by which Carlos had returned the evening before ; the other, or left fork, led nearly in a direct line towards the Pecos, where there was a ford. The left fork had been that taken by the troopers, as their horse-tracks showed. It was now day. They could have followed the trail at a gallop, as it was a much travelled and well-known path. But the eye of the cibolero was not bent upon this plain trail, but upon the ground on each side of it, and this double scrutiny caused him to ride more slowly. On both sides were cattle-tracks. These were, no doubt, made by the cattle stolen from Don Juan — in all numbering about fifty. The cibolero said they must have passed over the ground two days before. That would correspond with the time when they had been taken. The trackers soon passed the limits of the valley, and entered the plain through which runs the Pecos. They were about approaching that stream in a direct line, and were still two miles from its banks, when the dog Cibolo, who had been THE WHITE CHIEF. 167 trotting in advance of the party, suddenly turned to the left, ind ran on in that direction ! The keen eye of Carlos detected \ new trail upon which the dog was running, and which parted from the track of the troopers. It ran in a direction due north. What appeared singular both to Carlos and Don Juan was the fact of Cibolo having taken this new route, as it was not marked by a road or path of any kind, but merely by the footprints of some animals that had lately passed over it ! Had Cibolo gone that way before ? Carlos dismounted to examine the tracks " Four horses and one mule l" he said, speaking to Don Juan. " Two of the horses shod on the fore feet only ; the other two, with the mule, barefoot. All of them mounted — the mule led, — perhaps with a pack. No !" he added, after a little further examination, "it's not a pack-mule !" It scarce cost the cibolero five minutes to arrive at these conclusions. How he did so was a mystery to most of his companions, — perhaps to all, except the half-blood, Antonio. And yet he was right in every particular. He continued to scrutinise the new trail for some moments longer. " The time corresponds," said he, still addressing Don Juan " They passed yesterday morning before the dew was dry. You are sure it was not midnight when they left your house V\ " Quite sure," replied the ranchero. " It was still only midnight when I returned with your mother from the rancho. I am quite sure of that." " One more question, Don Juan : How many Indians, think you, were in the party that made their appearance at your house — few or many ?" " Not many, I think. Two or three only could be heard yelling at once ; but the trees prevented us from seeing them. I fancy, from their traces left, that the band was a very small one. It might be the same that burned the rancho Thej 168 THE WHITE CHTEF. could have arrived at my house afterwards. There was time enough." 11 1 have reason to believe they were the same," said Carlos, still bending over the hoof-prints, " and this may he their trail." " Think you so ?" inquired Don Juan. " I do. — See — there ! Is this not strange ?" The speaker pointed to the dog, who, meanwhile, had returned to the spot, and stood whimpering, and showing an evident desire to proceed by the trace newly discovered 1 " Yery strange," replied Don Juan. " He must have travelled it before 1" " Perhaps so," said Carlos. "But it will not spoil by an hour's keeping. Let us first see where these valiant troopers have been to. I want to know that before I leave this main path. Let us on, and briskly !" All spurred their animals into a gentle gallop, the cibolero leading as before. As before, also, his eyes swept the ground ^on both sides in search of any trail that might diverge from that on which they travelled. Now and then cross-paths appeared, but these were old. No horses had passed recently upon them, and he did not slacken nis pace to examine them. After a twenty minutes' gallop, the party halted upon the bank of the Pecos, at the ford. It was plain that the troopers had also halted there, and turned back without crossing ! But cattle had crossed two days before — so said the cibolero — and mounted drivers. The tracks of both were visible in the mud. Carlos rode through the shallow water to examine the other side. At a glance he saw that no troops had crossed, but some forty or fifty head of cattle. After a long and careful examination, not only of the muddy bank but of the plain above, he beckoned to Don Juan and the rest to ford the stream and join him. THE WHITE CHIEF. 169 When Don Juan came up, the cibolero said to him, in a tone lull of intelligence, — " Amigo ! you stand a fair chance to recover your cattle." " Why do you think so ?" " Because their drivers, four in number, have been near this spot not much over twenty-four hours ago. The animals, there- fore, cannot be far off." " But how know you this V " Oh ! that is plain enough," coolly responded the cibolero. " The men who drove your beasts were mounted on the same horses that made yonder trail." The speaker indicated the trail which he had halted to examine, and continued, — "Yery probably we'll find the herd among the spurs of the ceja yonder. As Carlos said this, he pointed to a number of ragged ridges that from the brow of the Llano Estacado jutted out into the plain. They appeared to be at the distance of some ten miles from the crossing. " Shall we push on there V } asked Don Juan. The cibolero did not give an immediate answer. He had evidently not decided yet, and was debating in his own mind what course to pursue. " Yes," he replied, at length, in a solemn and deliberate voice. " It is better to be sure. With all my terrible suspicions, I may be wrong. She may be wrong. The two trails may yet come together. 11 The latter part of this was spoken in soliloquy, and though it reached the ears of Don Juan, he did not comprehend its mean- ing. He was about to ask his companion for an explanation, when the latter, suddenly collecting his energies, struck the spurs into his horse, and calling to them to follow, galloped off upon the cattle-track. After a run of ten miles, which was made in less than an hour, the party entered a large ravine or point of the plain that pro- 8 170 THE WHITE CHIEF. truded, like a deep bay, into the mountain-like side of the high steppe. As they entered this, a singular spectacle came under their eyes. The ravine, near its bottom, was covered with zopilotes, or black vultures Hundreds of them were perched upon the rocks, or wheeling overhead in the air ; and hundreds of others hopped about upon the plain, flapping their broad wings as if in full enjoyment. The coyote, the larger wolf, and the grizzly bear, were seen moving over the ground, or quarrel- ling with each other, though they need not have quarrelled — the repast was plenteous for all. Between forty and fifty carcasses were strewed over the ground, which Don Juan and his vaqueros as they drew near recognised as the carcasses of his own cattle ! " I told you so, Don Juan," said Carlos, in a voice now husky with emotion ; " but I did not expect this. What a deep-laid plan ! They might have strayed back ! and that oh ! horrible villain ! My mother was right — it is he ! it is he /" " Who, Carlos ? What mean you ?" inquired Don Juan, wondering at these strange and incongruous phrases. " Ask me not now, Don Juan ! Presently I shall tell you all —presently, but not now ; my brain's too hot — my heart is burning : presently, presently. The mystery is past. I know all ; I had suspicion from the first ; I saw him at the fiesta ; I saw his bad ruffian gaze bent upon her. Oh, despot ! I'll tear your heart out ! Come, Don Juan ! Antonio — comrades ! After me on the trail ! It's easily followed. / know where it will lead — well I know. On !" And driving the spur into the flanks of his horse, the cibolero galloped off in the direction of the crossing. The wondering troop, Don Juan among the rest, set their animals in motion, and galloped after. There was no halt made at the ford. Carlos dashed his horse through the water, and the rest imitated his example. There was no halt either on arriving at the trace that led northward. THE WHITE CHIEF. 171 The dog scampered along it, yelping at intervals ; and the troop kept close after his heels. They had not followed it quite a mile, when it suddenly turned at right angles, and took the direction of the town ! Don Juan and the rest expressed surprise, but there was nothing in all this to surprise the cibolero. He was expecting that. The expression on his face was not that of astonishment. It was far different — far more terrible to behold ! His eyes were sunk in their sockets and gleaming with a lurid light, as if fire was burning within them. His teeth were firmly set, his lips white and tightly drawn, as if he was meditating, or had already made, some desperate resolve. He scarce looked at the tracks, he needed their guidance no longer. He knew where he was going * The trail crossed a muddy arroyo. The dog sweltered through, and the red clay adhered to his shaggy coat. It corresponded with that with which he had been already besmeared ! Don Juan noticed the circumstance, and pointed it out. " He has been here before !" said he. " I know it," replied Carlos, " I know it all — all. There is no mystery now. Patience, amigo ! You shall know all, but now let rhe think. I have no time for aught else." The trail still led in the direction of the town. It did not re- enter the valley, but passed over a sloping country to the upper plain, and then ran nearly parallel with the bluffs. " Master !" said Antonio, riding up by the side of Carlos. u These are not the tracks of Indian horses, unless they have stolen them. Two of them are troop horses. I know it well.. They are officers' horses, too — I can tell that from the shoeing." The cibolero showed no signs of being astonished by this information, nor made he reply. He seemed engrossed with his thoughts. Antonio, thinking he had not been heard or understood, repeated what he had said. 172 THE WHITE CHIEF. " Good Antonio f" said the cibolero, turning his eyes on his follower. " do you think me blind or stupid ?" This was not said angrily. Antonio understood its meaning, and fell back among his companions. On moved the trackers — now at a gallop, now more slowly, for their animals were by this time somewhat jaded. On they moved, still keeping the trail, and still heading straight for the town ! At length they reached a point, where a road from the upper plain led by a zig-zag path to the valley below. It was the same by which Carlos had ascended to perform his great feat on the day of the fiesta. At the top of the descent, Carlos ordered the party to halt, and with Don Juan rode forward to the edge of the projecting cliff — at the very spot where he had exhibited his skill — the cliff of Nina Perdida. Both drew up, when near the edge. They commanded a full view of the valley and the town. % Do you see that building ?" inquired the cibolero, pointing to the detached pile which lay between them and the town. "The Presidio?" " The Presidio." "Yes— what of it ?" " She is there!" THE WHITE CHIEF. 173 CHAPTER XXX. At that moment upon the azotea a man was pacing to and fro. He was not a sentinel, though at opposite angles of the building two of these could be seen who carried carbines — their heads and shoulders just appearing above the crenated top of the battlement towers. The man en promenade was an officer, and the part of the azotea upon which he moved was the roof of the officers' quarter, separated from the rest by a wall of equal height with the par- apet. It was, moreover, a sacred precinct — not to be disturbed by the tread of common troopers on ordinary occasions. It was the " quarterdeck ? of the Presidio. The officer was in full dress, though not on any duty ; but a single glance at the style and cut of his uniform would convince any one that he was a " dandy soldier," and loved to appear at all times in fine feathers. The gold lace and bright-coloured broad-cloth seemed to affect him, as his rich plumage does the peacock. Every now and again he paused in his promenade, glanced down at his lacquered boots, examined the tournure of his limbs, or feasted his eyes upon the jewels that studded his delicate white fingers. He was no beauty withal nor hero either ; but that did not prevent him from indulging in the fancy that he was both — a combination of Mars and Apollo. He was a colonel in the Spanish army, however, and Comman- dante of the Presidio — for the promenader in question was Viz- rarra himself. 174: THE WHITE CHIEF. Though satisfied with his own appearance, he was evidently not satisfied about something else. There was a cloud upon his features that not even the contemplation of the lacquered boots or lily-white hands could banish. Some disagreeable thought was pressing upon his mind, causing him at intervals to make fitful starts, and look nervously around him. " Bah ! 'twas but a dream I" he muttered to himself. " Why should I think of it ? 'twas only a dream !" His eyes were bent downward as he gave expression to these abrupt phrases, and as he raised them again chance guided his look in the direction of "La Nina Perdida." No, it was not chance, for La Nina had figured in his dream, and his eyes were but following his thoughts. The moment they rested on the cliff, he started back as if some terrible spectre were before him, and mechanically caught hold of the parapet. His cheeks suddenly blanched, his jaws fell, and his chest heaved in hurried and convulsive breathing ! What can cause these symptoms of strong emotion ? Is it the sight of yonder horseman standing upon the very pinnacle of the bluff, and outlined against the pale sky ? What is there in such an appearance to terrify the Commandante — for terrified he is ? Hear him ! " My God ! my God ! — it is he ! The form of his horse — of himself— just as he appeared — it is he ! I fear to look at him ! I cannot " And the officer averted his face for a moment, covering it with his hands. It was but a moment, and again he looked upwards. Not curiosity, but the fascination of fear, caused him to look again. The horseman had disappeared. Neither horse nor man — no object of any sort, broke the line of the bluffs ! " Surely I have been dreaming again ?" muttered the still trembling caitiff. " Surely I have ? There was no one there, least of all How could he ? He is hundreds of miles off ! THE WHITE CHIEF. 175 It was an illusion ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! What the devil is the matter with my senses, I wonder ! That horrid dream of last night has bewitched them ! Carrambo ! I'll think no more of it ?" As be said this he resumed his pace more briskly, believing that that might rid him of his unpleasant reflections. At every turn, however, his eyes again sought the bluff, and swept along its edge with a glance that betokened fear. But they saw no more of the spectre horseman, and their owner began to feel at ease again. A footstep was heard upon the stone steps of the " escalera." Some one was ascending to the roof. The next moment the head and shoulders of a man were visi- ble ; and Captain Roblado stepped out upon the azotea. The " good day " that passed between him and Yizcarra showed that it was their first meeting for that day. In fact, neither had been long up ; for the hour was not yet too late for fashionable sleepers. Roblado had just breakfasted, and come out on the azotea to enjoy his Havannah. " Ha ! ha ! ha !" laughed he, as he lighted the cigar ; " what a droll masquerade it has been ! Ton my soul ! I can scarce get the paint off ; and my voice, after such yelling, won't recover for a week ! Ha ! ha ! Never was maiden wooed and won in 6uch a romantic, roundabout way. Shepherds attacked — sheep driven off, and scattered to the winds — cattle carried away and killed in regular battue — old woman knocked over, and rancho given to the flames — besides three days of marching and counter- marching, travestieing Indian, and whooping till one is hoarse ; and all this trouble for a poor peasant — daughter of a reputed witch ! Ha ! ha ! ha I It would read like a chapter in some Eastern romance — Aladdin, for instance — only that the maiden was not rescued by some process of magic or knight-errantry Ha ! ha 1 ha 1" This speech of Roblado will disclose what is, perhaps, guessed 176 THE WHITE CHIEF. at already — that the late incursions of "the Indians " was neither more nor less than an affair got up by Yizcarra and himself to cover the abduction of the cibolero's sister. The Indians who had harried the sheep and cattle — who had attacked the hacienda of Don Juan — who had fired therancho and carried off Rosita — were Colonel Yizcarra, his officer Captain Roblado, his sergeant Gomez, and a soldier named Jose — another minion of his confidence and will. There were but the four, as that number was deemed suffi- cient for the accomplishment of the atrocious deed ; and rumour, backed by fear, gave them the strength of four hundred. Be- sides, the fewer in the secret the better. This was the prudence or cunning of Roblado. Most cunningly, too, had they taken their measures. The game, from beginning to end, was played with design and execu- tion worthy of a better cause. The shepherds were first attacked on the upper plain, to give certainty to the report that hostile Indians were near. The scouting-parties were sent out from the Presidio, and proclamations issued to the inhabitants to be on their guard — all for effect ; and the further swoop upon the cattle was clear proof of the presence of " Indians " in the valley. In this foray the fiendish masquers took an opportunity of " killing two birds with one stone ;" for, in addition to carry- ing out their general design, they gratified the mean revenge which they held against the young ranchero. Their slaughtering his cattle in the ravine had a double object, First, the loss it would be to him gave them satisfaction ; but their principal motive was that the animals might not stray back to the settlement. Had they done so, after having been captured by Indians, it would have looked suspicious. As it was, they hoped that, long before any one should discover the battue, the wolves and buzzards would do their wort ; and the bones would only supply food for conjecture. This was the more probable, as it was not likely, while the Indian alarm lasted, THE WHITE CHIEF. 177 that any one would be bold enough to venture that way. There was no settlement or road, except Indian trails, leading in that direction. Even when the final step was taken, and the victim carried off, she was not brought directly to the Presidio ; for even she, was to be hoodwinked. On the contrary, she was tied upon a mule, led by one of the ruffians, and permitted to see the way they were going, until they had reached the point where their trail turned back. She was then blinded by a lantern " tapado," and in that state carried to the Presidio, and within its walls — utterly ignorant of the distance she had travelled, and the place where she was finally permitted to rest. Every act in the diabolical drama was conceived with astute- ness, and enacted with a precision which must do credit to the head of Captain Roblado, if not to his heart. He was the principal actor in the whole affair. Yizcarra had, at first, some scruples about the affair — not on the score of conscience, but of impracticability and fear of detec- tion. This would indeed have done him a serious injury. The discovery of such a villanous scheme would have spread like wildfire over the whole country. It would have been ruin to him. Roblado's eloquence, combined with his own vile desires, overruled the slight opposition of his superior ; and, once entered on the affair, the latter found himself highly amused in carrying it out. The burlesque proclamations, the exaggerated stories of Indians, the terror of the citizens, their encomiums on his own energetic and valorous conduct — all these were a pleasant relief to the ennui of a barrack life ; and, during the several days' visit of " the Indians," the Commandante and his Captain were never without a theme for mirth and laughter. So adroitly had they managed the whole matter that, upon the morning after the final coup of the robbers — the abduction of Rosita — there was not a soul in the settlement, themselves 8* 178 THE WHITE CHIEF. and their two aids excepted, that had the slightest suspicion but that real hostile Indians were the actors ! " Yes, there was one other who had a suspicion — only a sus- picion — Rosita's mother. Even the girl believed herself in the hands of Indians — if belief she had I THE WHITE CHIEF. 179 CHAPTER XXXI. "Ha 1 ha ! ha ! A capital joke, by my honour !" continued Roblado, laughing as he puffed his cigar. " It's the only piece of fun I've enjoyed since we came to this stupid place; even in a frontier post I find that one may have a little amusement if he know how to make it. Ha! ha! ha! After all, there was a devilish deal of trouble. But come, tell me, my dear Command- ante — for you know by this time — in confidence, was it worth the trouble ?" " I am sorry we have taken it," was the reply, delivered in a serious tone. Roblado looked up in the other's face, and now, for the first time, noticed its gloomy expression. Busied with his cigar he had not observed this before. " Hola!" exclaimed he; "what's the matter, my Colonel? This is not the look a man should wear who has spent the last twelve hours as pleasantly as you must have done. Something amiss ?" "Everything amiss." " Pray what? Surely you were with her ?" " But a moment, and that was enough " " Explain, my dear Colonel." " She is mad 1" "Mad!" " Raving mad ! Her talk terrified me. I was but too glad to come away, and leave her to the care of Jose, who waits upon her. I could not bear to listen to her strange jabberings, I assure you, camarado, it robbed me of all desire to remain." " Oh," said Roblado, " that's nothing — she'll get over it in a day or so. She still thinks herself in the hands of the savages who are going to murder and scalp her ! It may be as well for 180 THE WHITE CHIEF. you to undeceive her of this, as soon as she comes to her senses I don't see any harm in letting her know. You must do so in the end, and the sooner the better — you will have the longer time to get her reconciled to it. Now that you have her snug within earless and eyeless walls, you can manage the thing at your leisure. No one suspects — no one can suspect. They are full of the Indians to-day — ha! ha! ha! and 'tis said her inamo- rato, Don Juan, talks of getting up a party to pursue them ! Ha! ha! He'll not do that — the fellow hasn't influence enough, and nobody cares either about his cattle or the witch's daugh- ter. Had it been some one else, the case might have been diffe- rent. As it is, there's no fear of discovery. Even were the cibolero himself to make his appearance " 11 Koblado !" cried the Commandante, interrupting him, and speaking in a deep earnest voice. " Well ?" inquired the Captain, regarding Yizcarra with astonishment. "I have had a dream — a fearful dream; and that — not the ravings of the girl — it is that is now troubling me. Diablos ! a fearful dream ! " You, Commandante — a valiant soldier — to let a silly dream trouble you ! But come ! what was it ? I'm a good inter- preter of dreams. I warrant I read it to your better satis- faction." " Simple enough it is, then. I thought myself upon the cliff of La Nina. I thought that I was alone with Carlos the cibo- lero ! I thought that he knew all, and that he had brought me there to punish me — to avenge her. I had no power to resist, but was led forward to the brink. I thought that we closed, and struggled for a while; but at length I was shaken from his grasp, and pushed over the precipice ! I felt myself falling — falling ! I could see above me the cibolero, with his sister by his side, and on the extremest point the hideous witch, their mother, who laughed a wild, maniac laugh, and clapped her THE WHITE CHIEF. 181 long bony hands ! I felt myself falling — falling — yet stiUm reaching the ground ; and this horrible feeling continue into long, long time — in fact, until the fearful though f Even then I could scarce believe I had been di\ter edge of pable was the impression that remained. Oh, v ing up to tin a dreadful dream 1" ^apet, and " And but a dream; and what signifies ?" " Stay, Roblado ! I have not told you all. Within the hour — ay, within the quarter of that time — while I was on this spot thinking over it, I chanced to look up to the cliff ; and yonder upon the extreme point, was a horseman clearly outlined against the sky — and that horseman the very image of the cibolero ! I noted the horse and the seat of the rider, which I well remem- ber. I could not trust my eyes to look at him. I averted them for a moment — only a moment; and, when I looked again, he was gone ! So quickly had he retired, that I was inclined to think it was only a fancy — that there had been none — and that my dream had produced the illusion !" "That is likely enough," said Roblado, desirous of comfort- ing his companion; " likely enough — nothing more natural. In the first place from where we stand to the top of La Nina is a good five thousand varas as the crow flies ; and for you at that distance, to distinguish Carlos the cibolero from any other horse- man, is a plain impossibility. In the second place, Carlos the cibolero is at this moment full five hundred miles from the tip of my cigar, risking his precious carcass for a cartload of stink- ing hides, and a few bultos of dried buffalo-beef. Let us hope that some of his copper-coloured friends will raise his hay- coloured hair, which some of our poblanas so much admire. And now, my dear Commandante, as to your dream, that is as natural as may be. It could hardly be otherwise than that you should have such a dream. The remembrance of the cibolero's feat of horsemanship on that very cliff, and the later affair with the sister, together with the suspicion you may naturally enter- 182 THE WHITE CHIEF. ^ that Sefior Carlos wouldn't be too kind to you if he knew , H had you in his power — all these things being in your the end, ana u J .. \ . . ° ° . . one time, must come together incongruously in a time to get her , , . c , ... ,, . , ° old woman, too — if she wasn't in your thoughts within earless am . . T , ,. . . , . ,, a mine, ever since I gave her that knock in the J.,, . , ' who could forget such a picture as she then pre- , _ .a i Ha! ha! ha!" The brutal villain laughed, not so much from any ludicrous recollection, as to make the whole thing appear light and tri- vial in the eyes of his companion. " What does it all amount to ?" he continued. " A dream! a simple, everyday dream ! Come, my dear friend 1 don't let it remain on your mind for another instant 1" 14 1 cannot help it, Roblado. It clings to me like my shadow. It feels like a presentiment. I wish I had left this paisana ia her mud hut. By heaven ! I wish she were back there. I shall not be myself till I have got rid of her. I seem to loathe is much as I loved the jabbering idiot." " Tut, tut, man ! you will soon change your way of thinking — you'll soon take^a fresh liking " "No, Koblado, no 1 I'm disgusted — I can't tell why; but I am. Would to God she were off my hands !" " Oh ! that's easy enough, and without hurting anybody. She can go the way she came. It will only be another scene in the masquerade, and no one will be the wiser. If you are really in earnest " *' Roblado !" cried the Commandante, grasping his Captain by the arm, " I never was more in earnest in my life. Tell me the plan to get her back without making a noise about it. Tell me quick, for I cannot bear this horrid feeling any longer." " Why, then," began Roblado, " we must have another tra- vestie of Indians — we must " He was suddenly interrupted. A short, sharp groan escaped THE WHITE CHIEF. 183 from Vizcarra. His eyes looked as though about to start from his head. His lips grew white, and the perspiration leaped into drops upon his forehead ! What could it mean ? Yizcarra stood by the outer edge of the azotea, that commanded a view of the road leading up to tin gate of the Presidio. He was gazing over the parapet, and pointing with outstretched arm. Roblado was farther back, near the centre of the azotea. He sprang forward, and looked in the direction indicated. A horseman, covered with sweat and dust, was galloping up the road. He was near enough for Roblado to distinguish his fea- tures. Yizcarra had already distinguished them. It was Carlos the cibolero ! CHAPTER XXXII. The announcement made by the cibolero on the bluff startled Don Juan, as if a shot had passed through him. Up to this time the simple ranchero had no thought but that they were on the trail of Indians. Even the singular fact of the trail leading back to the valley had not undeceived him. He supposed the Indians had made some other and later foray in that quarter, and that they would hear of them as soon as they should descend the cliffs. When Carlos pointed to the Presidio, and said " She is there !" he received the announcement at first with surprise, then with incredulity. Another word from the cibolero, and a few moments' reflec- tion, and his incredulity vanished. The terrible truth flashed upon his mind, for he, too, remembered the conduct of Yizcarra * on the day of the fiesta. His visit to the rancho,. and other 184: THE WHITE CHIEF. circumstances now rushed before Mm, aiding the conviction that Carlos spoke the truth. For some moments the lover could scarce give utterance to his thoughts, so painful were they. More painful than ever ! Even while under the belief that his mistress was in the hands of wild Indians he suffered less. There was still some hope, that, by their strange code in relation to female captives, she might escape that dreaded fate, until he and Carlos might come up and rescue her. But now the time that had elapsed — Yizcarra's character — God ! it was a terrible thought ; and the young man reeled in his saddle as it crossed his mind. He rode back a few paces, flung himself from his horse, and staggered to the ground in the bitterness of his anguish. Carlos remained on the bluff, still gazing down on the Presidio. He seemed to be maturing some plan. He could see the sentries on the battlements, the troopers lounging around the walls in their dark blue and crimson uniforms. He could even hear the call of the cavalry bugle, as its clear echoes came dancing along the cliffs. He could see the figure of a man — an officer pacing to and fro on the azotea, and he could perceive that the latter had halted, and was observing him. It was at this very moment that Vizcarra had caught sight of the horseman on the bluff — the sight that had so terrified him,_and which indeed was no illusion. " Can it be that fiend himself ?" thought Carlos, regarding the officer for a moment. " Quite likely it is he. Oh ! that he were within range of my rifle ! Patience — patience ! I will yet have my revenge i n And as the speaker muttered these words, he reined back from the bluff, and rejoined his campanion. A consultation was now held as to what would be the best mode of proceeding. Antonio was called to their council, and to him Carlos declared his belief that his sister was a captive within the Presidio. It was telling Antonio what he had THE WHITE CHIEF. 185 already divined. The servant had been to the fiesta as well as his master, and his keen eyes had been busy on that day. He, too, had obserred the conduct of Vizcarra ; and long before their halt he had arrived at an elucidation of the many mysteries that marked the late Indian incursion. He knew all — his master might have saved words in telling him. Neither words nor time were wasted. The hearts of "both brother and lover were beating too hurriedly for that. Perhaps at that moment the object of their affection was in peril, — ■ perhaps struggling with her ruffian abductor 1 Their timely arrival might save her ! These considerations took precedence of all plans ; in fact, there was no plan they could adopt. To remain concealed — to skulk about the place — to wait for opportunity — what oppor- tunity ? They might spend days in fruitless waiting. Days ! — hours — even minutes would be too long. Not a moment was to be lost before some action must be taken. And what action ? They could think of none — none but open action. What ! dare a man not claim his own sister ? Demand her restoration ? But the thought of refusal — the thought of subterfuge — in fact, the certainty that such would be the result, quite terrified them both. And yet how else could they act ? They would at least give publicity to the atrocious deed ;. that might serve them. There would be sympathy in their favour — perhaps more. Perhaps the people, slaves as they were, might surround the Presidio, and clamour loudly ; — in some way the captive might be rescued. Such were their hurried reflections. " If not rescued," said Carlos, grinding his teeth together, " she shall be revenged. Though the garotta press my throat, he shall not live if she be dishonoured. I swear it I" " I echo the oath !" cried Don Juan, grasping the hilt of his dagger. . 186 THE WHITE CHIEF. " Masters ! dear masters 1" said Antonio, " you both know I am not a coward. I shall aid you with my arm or my life ; but it is a terrible business. Let us have caution, or we fail. Let us be prudent V* " True, we must be prudent. I have already promised that to my mother ; but how, comrades ? — how ? In what does prudence consist — to wait and watch, while she oh !" All three were silent for a while. None of them could think of a feasible plan to be pursued. The situation was, indeed, a most difficult one. There was the Presidio, and within its walls — perhaps in some dark chamber — the cibolero well knew his sister was a captive ; but under such peculiar circumstances, that her release would be a most difficult enterprise. In the first place, the villain who held her would assuredly deny that she was there. To have released her would be an acknowledgment of his guilt. What proof of it could Carlos give ? The soldiers of the garrison, no doubt, were ignorant of the whole transaction — with the exception of the two or three miscreants who had acted as aids. Were the cibolero to assert such a thing in the town, he would be laughed at — no doubt arrested and punished. Even could he offer proofs, what authority was there to help him to justice ? The military was the law of the place, and the little show of civic authority that existed would be more disposed to take sides against him than in his favour. He could expect no justice from any quarter. All the proof of his accusation would rest only on such facts as would neither be understood nor regarded by those to whom he might appeal. The return trail would be easily accounted for by Yizcarra — if he should deign to take so much trouble — and the accusation of Carlos would be scouted as the fancy of a madman. No one would give credence to it. The very atrocious- ness of the deed rendered it incredible ! Carlos and his companions were aware of all these things THE WHITE CHIEF. 187 They had no hope of help from any quarter. There was no authority that could give them aid or redress. The cibolero, who had remained for a while silent and thought- ful, at length spoke out. His tone was altered. He seemed to have conceived some plan that held out a hope. " Comrades I" he said, " I can think of nothing but an open demand, and that must be made within the hour. I cannot live another hour without attempting her rescue — another hour; and what we dread — No ! within the hour it must be. I have formed a sort of plan — it may not be the most prudent — but there is no time for reflection. Hear it." "Goon!" " It will be of no use our appearing before the gate of the Presidio in full force. There are hundreds of soldiers within the walls, and our twenty Tagnos, though brave as lions, would be of no service in such an unequal fight. I shall go alone." " Alone 1" " Yes ; I trust to chance for an interview with him. If I can get that it is all I want. He is her gaoler ; and when the gaoler sleeps, the captive may be freed. He shall sleep then /" The last words were uttered in a significant tone, while the speaker placed his hand mechanically upon the handle of a large knife that was stuck in his waist-belt. " He shall sleep, then 1" he repeated ; " and soon, if Fate favours me. For the rest I care not : I am too desperate. If she be dishonoured I care not to live, but I shall have full revenge !" " But how will you obtain an interview ?" suggested Don Juan. " He will not give you one. Would it not be better to disguise yourself ? There would be more chance of seeing him that way ?" "No ! I am not easily disguised, with my light hair and skin. Besides it would cost too much time. Trust me, I will not be rash. I have a plan by which I hope to get near him — to see 188 THE WHITE CHIEF. him, at all events. If it fail, I intend to make no demonstra- tion for the present. None of the wretches shall know my real errand. Afterwards I may do as you advise, but now I cannot wait. I must on to the work. I believe it is he that is at this moment pacing yonder azotea, and that is why I cannot wait, Don Juan. If it be he " " But what shall we do ?" asked Don Juan. " Can we not assist in any way ?" " Yes, perhaps in my escape. Come on, I shall place you. Come on quickly. Moments are days. My brain's on fire. Come on 1" So saying the cibolero leaped into his saddle and struck rapidly down the precipitous path that led to the valley. From the point where the road touched the valley bottom, for more than a mile in the direction of the Presidio, it ran through a thick growth of low trees and bushes forming a " chapparal,"* difficult to pass through, exept by following the road itself. But there were several cattle-paths through the thicket, by which it might be traversed ; and these were known to Antonio the half-blood, who had formerly lived in this neighbourhood. By one of these, a party of mounted men might approach within half-a-mile of the Presidio without attracting the obser- vation of the sentries upon the walls. To this point then, Anto- nio was directed to guide the party ; and in due time they arrived near the edge of the jungle, where, at the command of Carlos all dismounted, keeping themselves and their horses under cover of the bushes. "Now," said the cibolero, speaking to Don Juan, "remain here. If I escape, I shall gallop direct to this point. If I lose my horse, you shall see me a-foot all the same. For such a short stretch I can run like a deer : I shall not be overtaken. When I return, I shall tell you how to act. " See ! Don Juan I* be continued, grasping the ranchero by * A thorny thicket. THE WHITE CHIEF. 189 the arm, and drawing him forward to the edge of the chapparal; 1 * it is he ! by heaven ! it is he !" Carlos pointed to 'the azotea of the presidio, where the head and shoulders of a man were seen above the line of the parapet. " It. is the Commandante himself !" said Don Juan, also recognizing him. " Enough 1 I have no time for more talk," cried the cibolero. u Now, or never ! If I return, you shall know what to do. If not, I am taken or killed. But stay here. Stay till late in the night ; I may still escape. Their prisons are not too strong ; besides, I carry this gold. It may help me. No more. Adios ! true friend, adios I" With a grasp of the ranchero's hand, Carlos leaped back to his saddle, and rode off. He did not go in the direction of the Presidio, as that would have discovered him too soon. Btu a path that led through the chapparal would bring him out on the main road that ran up to the front gate ; and this path he took. Antonio guided him to the edge of the timber, and then returned to the rest. Carlos, once on the road, spurred his horse into a gallop, and dashed boldly forward to the great gate of the Presidio. The dog Cibolo followed, keeping close up to the heels of the horse CHAPTER XXXIII. " By the Virgin, it is he ! exclaimed Roblado, with a look of astonishment and alarm. " The fellow himself, as I live !" "I knew it ! — I knew it P shrieked Vizcarra. "I saw him on the cliff : it was no vision !" " Where can he have come from ? In the name of all the saints, where has the fellow " 190 THE WHITE CHIEF. " Roblado, I must go below ! I must go in. I will not stay to meet him ! I cannot P " Nay, Colonel, better let him speak with us. He has seen and recognised you already. If you appear to shun him, it will arouse suspicion. He has come to ask our help to pursue the Indians ; and that's his errand, I warrant you I 1 ' " Do you think so ?" inquired Yizcarra, partially recovering his self-possession at this conjecture. " No doubt of it ! What else ? He can have no suspicion of the truth. How is it possible he could, unless he were a witch, like his mother ? Stay where you are, and let us hear what he has got to say. Of course, you can talk to him from the azotea, while he remains below. If he show any signs of being insolent, as he has already been to both of us, let us have him arrested, and cooled a few hours in the calabozo. I hope the fellow will give us an excuse for it, for I haven't forgotten his impudence at the fiesta." " You are right, Roblado : I shall stay and hear him.. It will be better, I think, and will allay any suspicion. But, as you say, he can have none I" ** On the contrary, by your giving him the aid he is about to ask you for, you may put him entirely off the spent — make him your friend, in fact. — Ha ! ha !" The idea was plausible, and pleased Yizcarra. He at once determined to act upon it. This conversation had been hurriedly carried on, and lasted but a few moments — from the time the approaching horseman had been first seen, until he drew up under the wall. For the last two hundred yards he had ridden slowly, and with an air of apparent respect — as though he feared it might be deemed rude to approach the place of power by any swagger- ing exhibition of horsemanship. On his fine features traces of grief might be observed, but not one sign of the feeling that was at that moment uppermost in his heart. THE WHITE CHIEF. 191 As he drew near, he raised his sombrero in a respectful salute to the two officers, whose heads and shoulders were just visible over the parapet ; and having arrived within a dozen paces of the wall, he reined up, and, taking off his hat again, waited to be addressed. " What is your business ?" demanded Roblado. " Cavalleros ! I wish to speak with the Commandante." This was delivered in the tone of one who was about to ask a favour. It gave confidence to Yizcarra, as well as to the bolder villain — who, notwithstanding all his assurances to the contrary, had still some secret misgivings about the cibolero's errand. Now, however, it was clear, that his first conjecture was correct ; Carlos had come to solicit their assistance. " I am he 1" answered Vizcarra, now quite recovered from his fright. " Iara the Commandante. What have you to commu- nicate my man ?" " Your excellency, I have a favour to ask f and the cibolero again saluted with an humble bow. " I fold you so," whispered Roblado to his superior. "All safe, my Colonel." " Well, my good fellow," replied Yizcarra, in his usual haughty and patronising manner " let me hear it. If not unreason- able " " Your excellency, it is a very heavy favour I would ask, but I hope not unreasonable. I am sure that if it do not interfere with your manifold duties, you will not refuse to grant it, as the interest and trouble you have already taken in the cause are but too well known." " Told you so," muttered Roblado a second time. " Speak out, man !' said Yizcarra, encouragingly ; " I can only give an answer when I have heard your request." " It is this, your excellency. I am but a poor cibolero." " You are Carlos the cibolero ! I know you If " Yes, your excellency, we have met — at the fiesta of San Juan " 192 THE WHITE CHIEF. " Yes, yes ! I recollect your splendid horsemanship." " Your excellency is kind to call it so. It does not avail me now. I am in great trouble I* " What has befallen ? Speak out, man 1" Both Yizcarra and Roblado guessed the purport of the cibol- ero's request. They desired that it should be heard by the few- soldiers lounging about the gate, and for that reason they spoke in a loud tone themselves, anxious that their petitioner might do the same. Not to oblige them, but for a reason of his own, Carlos replied in a loud voice. He, too, wished the soldiers, but more particu- larly the sentry at the gate, to hear what passed between himself and the officers. " Well, your excellency," replied he, "I live in a poor rancho, the last in the settlement, with my old mother and sister. The night before last it was attacked by a party of Indians — my mother left for dead — the rancho set on fire, and my sister car- ried off I" " I have heard of all this, my friend— nay, more, I have myself been out in pursuit of the savages." " I know it, your excellency. I was absent on the Plains, and only returned last night. I have heard that your excellency was prompt in pursuing the savages, and I feel grateful." " No need of that ; I only performed my duty. I regret the occurrence, and sympathise with you ; but the villains have got clear off, and there is no hope of bringing them to punishment just now. Perhaps some other time — when the garrison here is strengthened — I shall make an incursion into their country, and then your sister may be recovered." So completely had Yizcarra been deceived by the cibolero's manner, that his confidence aud coolness had returned, and any one knowing nothing more of the affair than could be gathered from that conversation, would have certainly been deceived by him. This dissimulation both in speech and manner appeared perfect. By the keen eye of Carlos, however — with his know- THE WHITE CHIEF. 193 edge of the true situation — the tremor of the speaker's lips — slight as it was — his uneasy glance, and an occasional hesitancy in his speech, were all observed. Though Carlos was deceiving him, he was not deceiving Carlos. " What favour were you going to ask V* he inquired, after he had delivered his hopeful promise. "This, your excellency j that you would allow your troops to go once more on the trail of the robbers, either under your own command — which 1 would much like — or one of your brave officers." Roblado felt flattered. "I would act as guide, your excellency. There is not a spot within two hundred miles I am not acquainted with, as well as I am with this valley ; and though I should not say it, I assure your excellency, I can follow an Indian trail with any hunter on the Plains. If your excel- lency will but send the troop, I promise you I shall guide them to the robbers, or lose my reputation. I can follow their trail wherever it may lead? " Oh ! you could, indeed ?" said Vizcarra, exchanging a sig- nificant glance with Roblado, while both exhibited evident sym- toms of uneasiness. 11 Yes, your excellency, anywhere." 11 It would be impossible," said Roblado. " It is now two days old ; besides we followed it beyond the Pecos, and we have no doubt the robbers are by this time far out of reach of any pursuit. It would be quite useless to attempt such a thing." " Cavalleros !" Carlos addressed himself to both, " I assure you I could find them. They are not so far off." Both the Commandante and his captain started, and visibly turned pale. The cibolero did not affect to notice this. " Nonsense ! my good fellow 1" stammered Roblado ; they are — at least — hundreds of miles off by this — away over the Staked Plain — or to — to the mountains." " Pardon me, Captain, for differing with you ; but I believe I know these Indians — I know to what tribe they belong." 9 194: THE WHITE CHIEF. " What tribe ?" simultaneously inquired the officers, both with an earnestness of manner and a slight trepidation in their voices ; " What tribe ? — Were they not Yutas ?" " No," answered the cibolero, while he observed the continued confusion of his questioners. " Who, then I* "I believe," replied Carlos, n they were not Yutas — more likely my sworn foes, the Jicarillas." " Quite possible I" assented both in a breath, and _evidently relieved at the enunciation. " Quite possible 1" repeated Roblado. " From the description given us by the people who saw them, we had fancied they were the Yutas. It may be a mistake, however. The people were so affrighted, they could tell but little about them. Besides, the Indians were only seen in the night." " Why think you they are the Jicarillas ?" asked the Comman- dante, once more breathing freely. " Partly because there were so few of them," replied Carlos. " Had they been Yutas " " But they were not so few ? The shepherds report a large band. They have carried off immense numbers of cattle. There must have been a considerable force of them, else they would not have ventnred into the valley — that is certain." " I am convinced, your excellency, there could not have been many. A small troop of your brave soldiers would be enough to bring back both them and their booty." Here the lounging lanzeros erected their dwarfish bodies, and endeavoured to look taller. " If they were Jicarillas," continued Carlos, " I should not need to follow their trail. They are not in the direction of the Llano. If they have gone that way, it was to mislead you in the pursuit. I know where they are at this moment — in the mountains." " Ha ! you think they are in the mountains ?" THE WHITE CHIEF. 195 " I am sure of it ; and not fifty miles from here. If your excellency would but send a troop, I could guide it direct to the spot, and without following the trail they have taken out of the valley — which I believe was only a false one." The Commandante and Roblado drew back from the parapet, and for some minutes talked together in a low tone. 11 It would look well," muttered Roblado ; " in fact, the very thing you want. The trump cards seem to drop right into your hands. You send a force at the request of this fellow, who is a nobody here ! You do him a service, and yourself at the same time. It will tell well, I warrant you." "But for him to act as guide ?" " Let him ! So much the better — that will satisfy all parties. He won't find his Jicarillas, — ha ! ha ! ha ! — of course ; but let the fool have his whim 1" " But suppose, camarado, he falls upon our trail ? — the cattle ?" "He is not going in that direction ; besides, if he did, we are not bound to follow such trails as he may choose for us ; but he has said he is not going that way — he don't intend to follow a trail. He knows some nest of these Jicarillas in the moun- tains, — like enough ; and to rout them — there's a bit of glory for some one. A few scalps would look well over the gate. It has'nt had a fresh ornament of that sort since we've been here ! What say you ? It's but a fifty-mile ride ?" " I have no objection to the thing — it would look well ; but I shall not go myself. I don't like being along with the fellow out there or anywhere else — you can understand that feeling, I suppose ?" Here the Commandante looked significantly at his companion. " Oh 1 certainly, — certainly," replied the latter. " You may take the troop ; or if you are not inclined, send Garcia or the sergeant with them." 196 THE WHITE CHIEF. " 111 go myself," replied Roblado. " It will be safer. Should the cibolero incline to follow certain trails, I can lead him away from them, or refuse — yes, it will be better for me to go myself. By my soul ! I want to have a brush with these redskins. I hope to bring back some ' hair/ as they say. Ha ! ha ! ha !" " When would you start ?" " Instantly — the sooner the better. That will be more agreea- ble to all parties, and will prove our promptitude and patriot- ism. Ha ! ha ! ha \ n " You had better give the sergeant his orders to get the mea ready, while I make our cibolero happy.'' Roblado hastened down from the azotea, and the next moment the bugle was heard sounding " boots and saddles." CHAPTER XXXIY. During the conversation that had taken place the cibolero sat motionless upon his horse where he had first halted. The two officers were no longer in view, as they had stepped back upon the azotea, and the high parapet concealed them. But Carlos guessed the object of their temporary retirement, and waited patiently. The group of soldiers, lounging in the gateway, and scanning him and his horse, now amounted to thirty or forty men ; but the bugle sounding the well-known call, summoned them off to the stables, and the sentry alone remained by the gate. Both he and the soldiers having overheard the late conversation, guessed the object of the summons. Carlos felt assured that his request was about to be granted, though as yet the Comman- dante had not told him. THE WHITE CHIEF. 197 Up to that moment the cibolero had conceived no fixed plan of action. How could he, where so much depended on chance ? Only one idea was before his mind, that could be called definite — that was to get Vizcarra alone. If but for a single minute, it would suffice. Entreaty, he felt, would be idle, and might waste time and end in his own defeat and death. A minute would be enough for vengeance ; and with the thoughts of his sister's ruin fresh on his mind, he was burning for this. To anything after he scarce gave a thought. For escape, he trusted to chance and his own superior energy. Up to that moment, then, he had conceived no fixed plan of action. It had just occurred to him that the Commandants himself might lead the party going out. If so he would take no immediate step. While acting as guide, his opportunity would be excellent — not only for destroying his enemy, but for his own escape. Once on the wide plains, he would have no fear of ten times the number of lancers. His true steed would carry him far beyond their reach. The troop was going. The bugle told him so. Would Yizr carra go with it ? That was the question that now engrossed, his thoughts, as he sat immobile on his horse, regarding with anxious look the line of the parapet above. Once more the hated face appeared over the wall — this time to announce what the Commandante believed would be glad news to his wretched petitioner. With all the pompous import- ance of one who grants a great favour he announced it. A gleam of joy shot over the features of the cibolero — not at the announcement, though Yizcarra thought so ; but at hi? observation of the fact that the latter seemed to be now alow upon the azotea. Roblado's face was not above the wall. "It is exceedingly gracious of your excellency, to grant thif> favour to an humble individual like myself. I know not how to thank you." 198 THE WHITE CHIEF. " No thanks — no thanks — an officer of his Catholic Majesty wants no thanks for doing his duty." As the Commandante said this, he waved his hand with proud dignity, and seemed about to retire backward. Carlos interrupted his intention by putting a question : " Am I to have the honour of acting as guide to your excellency ?" "No ; I do not go myself on this expedition ; but my best officer, Captain Roblado, will lead it. He is now getting ready. You may wait for him." As Yizcarra said this, he turned abruptly away from the wall, and continued his promenade along the azotea. No doubt he felt ill at ease in a tete-a-tete with the cibolero, and was glad to end it. Why he had condescended to give all this informa- tion need not be inquired into ; but it was just what the cibolero desired to know. The latter saw that the time was come — not a moment was to be lost, and, quick as thought, he resolved himself for action. Up to this moment he had remained in his saddle. His rifle — its butt resting in the stirrup, its barrel extending up to his shoulder — had been seen by no one. The water-guards covering his legs, and the serape his shoulders, had completely concealed it. In addition to this, his sharp hunting-knife, strapped along his left thigh, escaped observation under the hanging corner of the serape. These were his only weapon. During the short conversation between the Commandante and Roblado, he had not been idle, though apparently so. He had made a full reconnaissance of the walls. He saw that out of the saguan, or gateway, an escalera of stone steps led up to the azotea. This communication was intended for the soldiers, when any duty required them to mount to the roof ; but Carlos knew that there was another escalera, by which the officers ascended ; and although he had never been inside the Presidio, he rightly conjectured that this was at the adjacent end of tho building. He had observed, too, that but one sentry was THE WHITE CHIEF. 199 posted at the gate, and that the stone banquette, inside the saguan, used as a lounging place by the guard, was at the moment unoccupied. The guard were either inside the house, or had strayed away to their quarters. In fact, the discipline of the place was of the loosest kind. Vizcarra, though a dandy himself, was no martinet with his men. His time was too much taken up with his own pleasures, to allow him to care for aught else. All these points had passed under the keen observation of the cibolero, before Vizcarra returned to announce his intention of sending the troop. He had scarce parted out of sight the second time, ere the former had taken his measures. Silently dismounting from his horse, Carlos left the animal standing where he had halted him. He did not fasten him to either rail or post, but simply hooked the bridle-rein over the "horn" of the saddle. He knew that his well-trained steed would await him there. His rifle he still carried under his serape, though the butt was now visible below the edge, pressed closely against the calf of his leg. In this way he walked forward to the gate. One doubt troubled him — would the sentry permit him to pass in ? If not, the sentry must die ! This resolve was quickly made ; and the cibolero under his serape kept his grasp on the handle of his hunting-knife as he approached the gate. The attempt was made to pass through. Fortunately for Carlos, and for the sentry as well, it was successful. The latter — a slouching, careless fellow — had heard the late conversation, and had no suspicion of the other's design. He made some feeble opposition, notwithstanding; but Carlos hastily replied that he had something to say to the Commandante, who had beckoned him up to the azotea. This but half satisfied the fellow, who, however, reluctantly allowed him to pass. Once inside, Carlos sprang to the steps, and glided up with 200 THE WHITE CHIEF. the stealthy silent tread of a cat. So little noise had his moc* casins made upon the stones, that when he arrived upon the roof, its occupant — although standing but six feefc from the head of the escalera — was not aware of his presence ! There was he — Yizcarra himself — the despot, the despoiler — the violater of a sister's innocence and honour — there was he within six feet of the avenging brother — six feet from the muz- zle of his ready rifle, and still ignorant of the terrible situation! His face was turned in an opposite direction — he saw not his peril. The glance of the cibolero rested on him but an instant, and then swept the walls to ascertain if any one was above. He knew there were two sentries on the towers. They were not visi- ble — they were on the outer walls and could not be seen from Car- los's position. No one else was above. His enemy alone was there, and his glance again restejd upon him. Carlos could have sent the bullet into his back, and such a thought crossed his mind, but was gone in an instant. He had come to take the man's life, but not in that manner. Even pru- dence suggested a better plan. His knife would be more silent, and afford him a safer chance of escape when the deed was done ! With this idea, he brought the butt of his rifle gently to the ground, and rested its barrel against the parapet. The iron coming in contact with the stone wall gave a tiny clink. Slight as it was, it reached the ear of the Commandante, who wheeled suddenly round, and started at the sight of the intruder. At first he exhibited anger, but the countenance of the cibo- lero, that had undergone a complete metamorphosis during the short interval, soon changed his anger into alarm. " How dare you intrude, sir ? — how dare " " Not so loud, Colonel 1 — not so loud — you will be heard ?" The low husky voice, and the firm tone of command in which they were uttered, terrified the cowardly wretch to whom these THE WHITE CHIEF. 201 word/ were addressed. He saw that the man who stood before him bore in his face and attitude the expression of desperate and irresistible resolve, that plainly said, " Disobey, and you are a dead man !" This expression was heightened by the gleaming blade of a long knife, whose haft was firmly grasped by the hand of the cibolero. At sight of these demonstrations, Yizcarra turned white with terror. He now comprehended what was meant. The asking for the troop had been but a subterfuge to get near his own person I The cibolero had tracked him; his guilt was known; and the brother was now come to demand redress or have ven- geance ! The horrors of his night dream returned, now min- gling with the horrors of the fearful reality before him. He scarce knew what to say; he could scarce speak. He looked wildly around in hopes of seeing some help. Not a face or form was in sight, nothing but the grey walls, and before him the frowning face of his terrible antagonist. He would have called for help; but that face, that angry attitude told him that the shout would be his last. He gasped out at length — " What want you ?" " I want my sister !" " Your sister ?" " My sister !" " Carlos, I know not, she is not here, I " " Liar 1 she is within these walls. See! yonder the dog howls by the door. Why is that ?" Carlos pointed to a door in the lower part of the building, where the dog Cibolo was at that moment seen, whining and making other demonstrations, as if he wanted to get inside ! A soldier was endeavouring to drive him off. Yizcarra looked mechanically as directed. He saw the dog. He saw the soldier too ; but dared not make &. sig- nal to him. The keen blade was gleaming before his eyes. The question of the cibolero was repeated. 9* ' 202 THE WHITE CHIEF. M Why is that ?" « I— I— know not " " Liar again ! She has gone in that door. Where is she now ? Quick, tell me !" " I declare, I know not. Believe me -" " False villain ! she is here. I have tracked you through all your paths — your tricks have not served you. Deny her once more, and this to your heart. She is here ! Where — where — I say?" - ' ' ■ " Oh ! do not murder me. I shall tell all. She — she — is — here. I swear I have not wronged her j I swear I have not 11 Here, ruffian — stand at this point — close to the wall here . —Quick I" The cibolero had indicated a spot from which part of the patio, or courtyard, was visible. His command was instantly obeyed, for the craven Commandante saw that certain death was the alternative. " Now, give orders that she be brought forth ! You know to whom she is entrusted. Be cool and calm, do you hear ? Any sign to your minions, either word or gesture, and this knife will pass through your ribs ! Now !" " my God ! — my God ! — it would ruin me — all would know — ruin — ruin — I pray you — have mercy — have patience 1 — She shall be restored to you — I swear it — this very night 1" " This very moment, villain ! Quick, proceed — call those who know — let her be brought forth ! Quick, I am on fire — one moment more " " O heaven ! you will murder me — a moment — Stay I Hal" The last exclamation was in a different tone from the rest. It was a shout of exultation, of triumph ! The face of the Commandante was turned towards the escalera by which Carlos had ascended, while that of the latter looked ^ THE WHITE CHIEF. 203 iu +t opposite direction. Carlos, therefore, did not perceive tha^ a third person had reached the roof, until he felt his upraised right arm grasped by a strong hand, and held back ! He wrenched his arm free, turning as he did so, when he found him- self face to face with a man, whom he recognised as the Lieu- tenant Garcia. " I have no quarrel with you" cried the cibolero ; " keep away from me." The officer, without saying a word, had drawn a pistol, and was levelling it at his head. Carlos rushed upon him. The report rang, and for a moment the smoke shrouded both Garcia and the cibolero. One was heard to fall heavily on the tiles, and the next moment the other sprang from the cloud evi- dently unhurt. It was the cibolero who came forth ; and his knife, still in his grasp, was reeking with blood ! He rushed forward towards the spot where he had parted with the Commandante, but the latter was gone ! He was some distance off on the azotea, and running toward the private stairway. Carlos saw at a glance he could not overtake him before he should reach the escalera and make his descent ; and to follow im below would now be madness, for the shot had given the alarm. } It was a moment of despair, — a short moment ; for in the next a bright thought rushed into the mind of the cibolero — he remembered his rifle ! There might be still time to overtake the Commandante w T ith that ! He seized the weapon, and springing beyond the circle of smoke, raised it to his shoulder. Yizcarra had reached the stairway, and was already sinking into its trap-like entrance. His head and shoulders alone appeared above the line of wall, when some half-involuntary thought induced him to stop and look back The coward had THE WHITE CHIEF. # 204 partly got over his fright, now that he had arrived within reach of succour, and he glanced back from a feeling of curiosity, to see if the struggle between Garcia and the cibolero was yet over. He meant to stop only for an instant, but just as he turned his head, the rifle cracked, and the bullet sent him tumb- ling to the bottom of the escalera ! The cibolero saw that his shot had taken effect — be saw, moreover, that the other was dead — he .heard the wild shouts of vengeance from below ; and he knew that unless he could escape by flight he would be surrounded, and pierced by an hundred lances. His first thought was to descend by the escalera, up which he had come. The other way only led into the patio, already fill- ing with men. He leaped over the body of Garcia, and ran toward the stairway. A crowd of armed men was coming up. His escape was cut off! Again he crossed the dead body, and running along the azotea, sprang upon the outer parapet and looked below. It was a fearful leap to take, but there was no other hope of escaping. Several lancers had reached the roof, and were charg- ing forward with their pointed weapons. Already carbines were ringing, and bullets whistling about his ears. It was no time to hesitate. His eye fell upon his brave horse, as he stood proudly curving his neck and champing the bit. " Thank heaven, he is yet alive !" Nerved by the sight, Carlos dropped down from the wall, and reached the ground without injury. A shrill whistle brought his steed to his side, and the next moment the cibolero had sprung into the saddle, and was gallop- ing out into the open plain ! Bullets hissed after, and men mounted in hot pursuit ; but before they could spur their horses out of the gateway, Carlos 205 THE WHITE CHIEF. had reached the edge of the chapparal, and disappeared under the leafy screen of its thick foliage. A body of lancers, with Roblado and Gomez at their head, rode after. As they approached the edge of the chapparal, to their astonishment a score of heads appeared above the bushes, and a wild yell hailed their advance I " Indios bravos ! Los barbaros !" cried the lancers halting, while some of them wheeled back in alarm. A general halt was made, and the pursuers waited until reinforcements should come up. The whole garrison turned out, and the chapparal was surrounded, and at length entered. But no Indians could be found, though the tracks of their animals led through the thicket in every direction. After beating about for several hours, Roblado and his troopers returned to the Presidio. CHAPTER XXXY. Garcia was dead. Yizcarra was not ; though, when takert up from where he had fallen, he looked like one who had not long to live, and behaved like one who was afraid to die. His face was covered with blood, and his cheek showed the scar of a shot. He was alive however, — moaning and mumbling. Fine talking was out of the question, for several of his teeth had been carried away by the bullet. His wound was a mere face wound. There was not the slightest danger j but the physician of the place, a young practitioner, was not sufficiently master of his art to give him that assurance, and for some hours Yizcarra remained in any thing but blissful ignorance of his fate. 206 THE WHITE CHIEF. The garrison doctor had died but a short time before, and his place was not yet supplied. A scene of excitement for the rest of that day was the Presidio — not less so the town. The whole settlement was roused by the astounding news, which spread like a prairie fire throughout the length and breadth of the valley. It travelled in two different shapes. One was, that the settlement was surrounded by "the Indians," headed by Carlos the cibolero ; that they must be in great numbers, since they had made an open attack upon the military stronghold itself ; but that they had been beaten off b^ the valiant soldiers after a desperate conflict, in which many were killed on both sides ; that the officers were all killed, including the Commandante ; and that another attack might be looked for that night, which would most likely be directed against the town ! This was the first shape of the news. Another rumour had it that the "Indian servants" had revolted ; that they were headed by Carlos the cibolero ; that they had made an unsuccessful attempt upon the Presidio, in which, as before, the valiant soldiers had repulsed them with great loss on both sides, including the Commandante and his officers ; that this was but the first outbreak of a great con- spiracy, which extended to all the Tagnos of the settlement, and that no doubt the attack would be renewed that night ! To those who reflected both forms of the rumour were incom- prehensible. Why should " Indios bravos " attack the Presidio before proceeding against the more defenceless town as well as the several rich haciendas ? And how could Carlos the cibolero be their leader ? Why should he of all men, — he who had just suffered at the hands of the savages? It was well known through the settlement that it was the cibolero's sister who had been carried off. The idea of an Indian incursion, with him at the head of it, seemed too improbable. Then, again, as to the conspiracy and revolt. Why, the tamo THE WHITE CHIEF. 207 Indians were seen labouring quietly in the fields, and those belonging to the mission were engaged at their usual occupations ! News, too, had come down from the mines — no symptoms of conspiracy had been observed there ! A revolt of the Tagnos, with the cibolero at their head, would, of the two rumours, have been the more likely to be true ; for it was well known to all that these were far from content with their lot — but at present there was no appearance of such a thing around. There were they all at their ordinary employments. Who, then, were the revolters ? Both rumours, therefore, were highly improbable. Half the town-people were soon gathered around the Presidio, and after stories of all shapes had been carried back and forward, the definite facts at length became known. These, however, were as mysterious and puzzling as the rumours. For what reason could the cibolero have attacked the officers of the garrison ? Who were the Indians that accompanied him ? Were they " bravos " or " mansos ?" — savages or rebels ? The most remarkable thing was, that the soldiers themselves who had taken part in the imaginary " fight" could not answer these questions. Some said this, and some that. Many had heard the conversation between Carlos and the officers ; but that portion of the affair, though perfectly natural in itself when taken in connexion with after circumstances, only rendered the whole more complicated and mysterious ! The soldiers could give no explanation ; and the people returned home, to canvass and discuss the affair among themselves. Yarious versions were in vogue. Some believed that the cibolero had come with the bona fide desire to obtain help against the Indians — that those who accompanied him were only a few Tagnos whom he had collected to aid in the pursuit — and that the Commandante, having first promised to aid him, had afterwards refused, and that this had led to the strange conduct of the cibolero ! There was another hypothesis that gained more credit than 208 TIIE WHITE CHIEF. this. It was that Captain Roblado was the man whom the cibolero had desired to make a victim ; that he was guided against him by motives of jealousy ; for the conduct of Carlos on the day of the fiesta was well known, and had been much ridiculed — that, in failing to reach Roblado, he had quarrelled with the Commandante, and so forth. Improbable as was this conjecture, it had many supporters, in the absence of the true motive for the conduct of the cibolero. There were but four men within the Presidio to whom it was known, and only three outside of it. By the general public it was not even suspected. In one thing all agreed — in condemning Carlos the cibolero. The garotta was too good for him ; and when taken, they could all promise him ample punishment. The very ingratitude of the act was magnified. It was but the day before that these same officers had gone forth with their valiant soldiers to do him a service ! The man must have been mad ! His mother had no doubt bewitched him ! To have killed Lieutenant Garcia ! — he who was such a favourite ! Carrambo ! This was true. Garcia was liked by the people of the settle- ment ; perhaps not so much from the possession of any peculiar virtues, but in contrast with his superiors. He was an affable, harmless sort of person, and had won general esteem. That night the cibolero had not one friend in San Ildefonso. Nay, we speak wrongly. He had otw. There was one heart beating for him as fondly as ever — Catalina's ; but she, too, was ignorant of the motives which had led to his mysterious conduct. Whatever these motives were, she knew they could not be otherwise than just. What to her were the calumnies — the gibes — that were heaped upon him ? What to her if he had taken the life of a fellow creature ? He had not done so without good cause — without some fearful provocation. She believed that in her soul. She knew his noble nature too well to think THE WHITE CHIEF. otherwise. He was the lord of her heart, and could do no wrong 1 Sorrowful, heart-breaking news was it to her. It boded long separation — perhaps forever ! He dared no more visit the town — not even the settlement ! He would be driven to the wild plains — hunted like the wolf or the savage bison — perhaps taken and slain ! Bitter were her reflections. When should she see him again ? Maybe, never ! CHAPTER XXXYI. During all this time Yizcarra lay groaning upon his couch — not so much with pain as fear, for the fear of death still haunted him. But for that, his rage would have been boundless; but this passion was in abeyance — eclipsed by the terrors that flitted across his conscience. Even had he been assured of recovery he would still have been in dread. His imagination was diseased by his dream and the after reality. Even surrounded by his soldiers, he feared the cibolero, who appeared able to accomplish any deed and escape its consequences. He did not even feel secure there in his cham- ber, with guards at the entrance, against that avenging arm ! Now, more than ever, he was desirous of getting rid of the cause — more than ever anxious that she should be got rid of ; but he reflected that now, more than ever, was that a delicate and difficult matter. It would undoubtedly get abroad why the cibolero had made such a desperate attempt upon his life ; it would spread until it reached high quarters ; such a report could not be passed over ; an investigation might be ordered ; and that, unless he could destroy every trace of suspicion, might be his ruin. These were his reflections while in the belief that he was going 210 THE WHITE CHIEF. to recover ; when a doubt of this crossed his mind, he grew still more anxious about the result. Roblado had hinted at a way in which all might be arranged. He waited with impatience for the latter to make his appearance. The warlike Captaiu was still engaged in beating the chapparal ; but Gomez had come in and reported, that he was about to give up the search, and return to the Presidio. To Roblado the occurrences of the day had been rather plea- sant than otherwise ; and a close observer of his conduct could have told this. If there was anything in the whole business that really annoyed him, it was the wound of the Commandante — it was not mortal 1 Roblado, more experienced than the surgeon, knew this well. The friendship that existed between the twc was a fellow-feeling in wickedness — a sort of felon 7 s bond — dura- ble enough so long as there was no benefit to either in breaking it. But this friendship did not prevent Roblado from regretting with all his heart, that the bullet had not hit his friend a little higher up or a little lower down — either in the skull or the throat 1 He entertained this regret from no malice or ill-will towards the Commandante, but simply from a desire to benefit himself. It was long since Roblado had been dreaming of pro- motion. He was not too humble to hope he might one day command the Presidio himself. Yizcarra's death would have given him that station at once ; but Yizcarra was not to die just then, and this knowledge somewhat clouded the joy he was then experiencing. And it was joy. Garcia and he had been enemies. There had been jealousy and ill-will between them for long ; therefore the lieutenant's death was no source of regret to him. But the joy of Roblado owed partly its origin to another consequence of that day's drama — one that affected him more than any — one that was nearest his heart and his hopes. Absurd as appeared the pretensions of the cibolero in regard to Catalina, Roblado had learned enough of late to make him THE WHITE CHIEF. 211 jealous — aye, even to give him real uneasiness. She was a strange creature Catalina de Cruces — one who had shown proofs of a rare spirit — one not to be bought and sold Tike a package of goods. She had taught both her father and Roblado a lesson of late. She had taught them that. She had struck the ground with her little foot, and threatened a convent — the grave — if too rudely pressed ! She had not rejected Roblado — that is, in word; but she insisted on having her own time to make answer; and Don Ambrosio was compelled to concede the point. Under such circumstances her suitor felt uneasy. Not so much that he was jealous, though he did love her after his own fashion and was piqued at the thought of such rival, but he feared that spirit of hers, and dreaded that her splendid fortune might yet escape him. Such a woman was capable of the wild- est resolve. She might take to a convent ; or maybe to the plains with this base-born cibolero ! Such an event in the life of such a woman would be neither impossible nor unlikely. In either case she could not take her fortune with her; but what mattered ? it would not remain with him, Roblado. The conduct of the cibolero had removed all obstacles, so far as he was concerned. There was no longer any dread of rivalry from that source. His life was now forfeited. Not only would he be cut off from all communication with her, but he would not dare to show himself in the settlement. A constant vigilance would be kept on foot to guard against that, and Roblado even promised himself the enjoyment of rare sport in hunting down his rival, and becoming at the same time his captor and execu* tioner. These were the ideas that crossed the mind of the savage captain, and that made him feel satisfied at the events of the day. After scouring the chapparal, and following the track of the supposed Indians to the ceja of the table plain, he returned with his men to the Presidio, to make preparations for a more pro longed pursuit. 212 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XXXVII. Roblado's arrival brought relief to Yizcarra, as he lay chaf ing and fretting. Their conversation was, of course, upon the late occurrence, and Roblado gave his account of the pursuit. "And do you really think," inquired the Commandante, " that the fellow had a party of savages with him ?" " No 1" answered Roblado. "I did think so at first — that is, the men thought so, and I was deceived by their reports. I am now convinced they were not Indian bravos, but some of those Tagno friends of his ; for it appears the padre was right. He has a suspicious connexion. That of itself might have been suffi- cient cause for us to have arrested him long ago; but now we need no cause. He is ours when we can catch him. " How do you propose to act ?" " Why, I have no doubt he will lead us a long chase. We must do the best we can to follow his trail. I came back to provision the men so that we can keep on for a sufficient time. The rascals have gone out of the valley by the upper pass, and perhaps have taken to the mountains. So thinks Gomez. We shall have to follow, and endeavour to overtake them. We must send express to the other settlements, so that the cibolero may be captured if he make his appearance in any of them. I don't think he will attempt that." " Why ?" " Why ! because it appears the old witch is still alive ? and, moreover, he will hang around here so long as he has any hopes of recovering the sister." " Ha ! you are right ; he will do so. He will never leave me till she " " So much the better ; we shall have all the finer opportunity THE WHITE CHIEff. 213 of laying hands on him, which, believe me, my dear Colonel, will be no easy matter. The fellow will be watchful as a wolf, and on that superb horse of his can escape from our whole troop, We'll have to capture him by some stratagem." " Can you think of none ?" " I have been thinking of one." "What?" " Why, it is simply this — in the first place, for the reasons I have given, the fellow will hang around the settlement. He may visit now and then the old beldame, but not often. The other would be a better decoy." "You mean her?" Yizcarra indicated the direction of the room in which Rosita was confined. " I do. He is said to be foolishly fond of this sister. ]Sow, were she in a place where he could visit her, I'll warrant he would come there ; and then we could trap him at our pleasure." "Ina place ! — where ?" eagerly demanded Yizcarra. "Why, back to her own neighbourhood. They'll find some residence. If you will consent to let her go for a while, you can easily recover her — the more easily when we have settled with him !" " Consent, Koblado 1 — it is the very thing I desire above all things. My mind will not be easy while she is here. We are both in danger if such a report should get in circulation. If it should reach certain ears, we are ruined — are we not ?" " Why, now there is some truth in what you say. Garcia's death must be reported, and the cause will be inquired into. We must have our story as plausible as it can be made. There must be no colour of a suspicion — no rumour ! It will be well to get her off hands for the present." " But how — that it is that troubles me — how, without increasing the chances of suspicion ? If we send her home, how is it to be explained ? That would not be the act of Indians ? You said you had some plan ?" 2l£ THE WHITE CHIEF. " I think I have. But first tell me, Colonel, what did you mean by saying she was mad V "That she was so; is so still, — so says Jose, — within the hour, muttering strange incongruities — knows not what is said to her. I tell you, Roblado, it terrified me,P " You are sure she knows not what is said to her V u Sure of it." " So much the better. She will then not remember where she is or has been. Now I know that I have a plan — nothing easier than to get her off. She shall go back and tell — if she can tell anything — that she has been in the hands of the Indians ! That will satisfy you ?" " But how can it be arranged ?" " My dear Commandante, no difficulty in it. Listen ! To- night, or before day in the morning, Gomes and Jose, in Indian costume as before, can carry her off to some spot, which I shall indicate. In the mountains be it. No matter how far off or how near. She may be tied, and found in their company in the morning, in such a way as to appear their captive. So much the better if she has recovered her senses enough to think so. Well ; I with the troopers, in hunt after the cibolero, will come upon these Indians by accident. A few shots may be fired, at sufficient distance to do them no hurt. They will make off, leaving their captive, whom we will rescue and bring back to the town, where she can be delivered out of our hands ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! What think you, Commandante, of my scheme ?V " Excellent !" replied Yizcarra, his mind seemingly relieved at the prospect of its execution. 11 Why, it would blind the very devil ! We shall not only be free from suspicion, but we'll get credit by it. What ! a successful affair with the savages ! — rescue of a female captive ! — restore her to her friends ! — she, too, the sister of the very man who has endeavoured to assassinate you ! I tell you ; Commandante, the cibolero himself, if that will be any comfort THE WHITE CHIEF. 215 to you, will be humbugged by it ! She will swear — if her word be worth anything — that she has been in the hands of the savages all the while I She will give the lie even to her own brother 1" " The plan is excellent. It must be done to-night !" " To-night, of course. As soon as the men have gone to bed, Gomez can start with her. I must give over the idea of following the trail to-day ; and, in truth, I regard that as idle Our only chance for taking him will be to set our trap, with her for its bait ; and that we can arrange hereafter. Give yourself no farther uneasiness about it. By late breakfast to-morrow I shall make my report to you, — Desperate affair with Jicarillas, or Yutas — several warriors killed — female captive rescued — valiant conduct of troops — recommend Corporal for pro- motion, &c. Ha ! ha ! ha !" The Commandante joined in this laugh, which, perhaps, he would not have done, but that Roblado had already assured him that his wound was not of the slightest danger, and would heal in a couple of weeks. Roblado had given him assurance of this by calling the doctor a fool, and heaping upon him other opprobrious epithets. The delivery, therefore, from the fear of apprehended death, as well as from the other thought that was torturing him, had restored Vizcarra to a composure he had not enjoyed for the twenty-four hours preceding ; and he now began to imbibe, to its full extent, another passion — that of vengeance against the cibolero. % * * * * That night, after the tattoo had sounded, and the soldiers had retired to their respective quarters, a small mounted party was seen to issue from the gateway of the Presidio, and take a road that led in the direction of the mountains. The party consisted of three individuals. One, closely wrapped, and mounted upon a mule, appeared to be a female. The other two, oddly attired, and fantastically adorned with paint and feathers, might have> 216 THE WHITE CHIEF. been taken for a brace of Indian warriors. But they were not Indians. They were Spanish soldiers in Indian disguise. They were Sergeant Gomez and the soldier Jose, in charge of the cibolero's sister. CHAPTER XXXVIII. When Carlos reached the edge of the chapparal, his pursuers were still ouly parting from the walls of the Presidio. Of course none followed him on foot, and it had taken the men some time to get their arms and horses ready. So far as he was concerned, he no longer feared pursuit, and would have scorned to take a circuitous path. He had such confidence in the steed he bestrode, that he knew he could escape before the eyes of his pursuers, and need not have hidden himself in the chapparal. As he rode into the ambuscade he was thinking no longer of his own safety, but of that of Don Juan and his party. Their critical situation suddenly came before his mind. How were they to escape ? Even before he had half crossed the open ground, this thought had troubled him more than his own peril, and a plan had been before him : — to make direct for the pass of La Nina, and shun the chapparal altogether. This would have drawn the dragoons in the same direct course ; and Don Juan, with his Tagnos, might have got off at his leisure. Carlos would have put this plan in execution, could he have trusted to the prudence of Don Juan ; but he feared to do so. The latter was somewhat rash, and not over-sagacious. Seeing Carlos in the act of escape, he might think it was his duty, as agreed upon, to show himself and his men on the edge of the thicket— the very thing Carlos now wished to prevent. For THE WHITE CHIEF. 217 that reason the cibolero galloped direct to the place of ambus- cade, where Don Juan and his men were waiting in their saddles. " Thank God you are safe !" cried Don Juan ; " but they are after you. Yonder they come in scores !" "Yes V replied Carlos, looking back ; "and a good start I've gained on them 1" " What's best to be done ?" inquired Don Juan. " Shall we scatter through the chapparal, or keep together ? They'll be upon us soon 1" Carlos hesitated a moment before making reply. Three plans of action were possible, offering more or less chance of safety. First, to scatter through the chapparal as Don Juan had sug- gested ; second, to make off together and at once without show- ing themselves, taking the back track, as they had come ; and, third, to show themselves in front to the pursuers, and then retire on the back path. Of course the idea of fight was not enter- tained for a moment. That would have been idle, even absurd, under the circumstances. The mind of the cibolero, used to quick action, examined these plans with the rapidity of thought itself. The first was rejected without a moment's consideration. To have scattered through the chapparal, would have resulted in certain capture. The jungle was too small, not over a couple of miles iu width, though extending to twice that length. There were soldiers enough to surround it, which they would do. They would beat it from side to side. They could not fail to capture half the party ; and though these had made no demonstration as yet, they would )e connected with the affair at the Presidio, and would be severely punished, if not shot down on the spot. To attempt to get off through the chapparal without showing themselves at all, would have been the plan that Carlos would have adopted, had he not feared that they would be overtaken before night. The Tagnos were mounted on mules, already jaded, while most of the troopers rode good and swift horses. 10 218 THE WHITE CHIEF. Bat for that Carlos might have hoped that they would escape unseen, and thus neither Don Juan nor his people would have been suspected of having had any part in the affair. This would be an important consideration for the future ; but the plan was not to be thought of. The third plan was adopted. The hesitation of the cibolero was not half so long as the time you have occupied in reading of it. Scarce ten seconds elapsed ere he made reply, not to Don Juan alone, but to the whole band, in a voice loud enough for all to hear. The reply was in the form of a command. " Ride through the bush, all cf you ! Show yourselves near the front ! your heads and shoulders only, with your bows ! Give your war-cry ! and then back till you are out of sight ! Scatter right and left ! — Follow me !" As Carlos delivered these hurried directions, he dashed for- ward through the underwood and soon appeared near its edge. The Tagnos, guarded by Don Juan on one side and Antonio on the other, showed almost simultaneously in an irregular line along the margin of the thicket ; and flourishing their bows above their heads they uttered a defiant war-whoop, as though they were a party of savage Indians. It would have required a practised eye to have told from a short distance that they were not. Most of them were bare- headed, with long flowing hair ; and, in fact, differing very little in appearance from their brethren of the plains. They all had bows, a weapon still carried by the domesticated Indians when engaged in any hostilities • and their war-cry differed not at all from some tribes called " bravos," " wild." Many in the band had but a short time left aside the full practice of warfare. Many of them were but neophytes to the arts of peace. The effect of the demonstration was just what the cibolero had calculated on. The soldiers, who were galloping forward in straggling knots, and some of whom had got within three hun- dred paces of the chapparal, reined up in surprise. Several THE WHITE CHIEF. 219 showed symptoms of a desire to gallop back again, but these were restrained at sight of a large body of their comrades now issuing from the Presidio. The whole of them were taken by surprise. They believed that the wild Indians were in the chapparal, and no doubt in overwhelming numbers. Their belief was strengthened by the proceedings of the previous days, in which they had done naught else, as they supposed, but ride scout after '* los barbaros." The latter had now come after them ! They halted, therefore, on the plains, and waited for their fellows to come up. That this would be the effect of his ruse Carlos foresaw. He now directed his companions to rein gently back, until they were once more under cover of the brush; and the whole party arrived at the spot where they had waited in ambush. Antonio then took the trail, and guided them through the chapparal; not as they had come to La Nina, but by a path that led to the upper plain by another pass in the cliffs. From a point in this pass they obtained a distant view of the chappa- ral and the whole plain beyond. Though now full three miles from their place of ambush, they could see the valiant troopers still figuring on the open ground in front of it. They had not yet ventured to penetrate the dangerous underwood which they believed to be alive with ferocious savages ! Carlos, having reached the upper plain, struck off with his band in a direction nearly north. His object was to reach a ravine at some ten miles distance across the plain, and this was gained without a single pursuer having appeared in the rear. This ravine led in an easterly direction as far as the Pecos bottom. It was the channel of a stream, in which water flowed in the rainy season, but was now quite dry. Its bed was covered with small pebbles, and a horse trail upon these was scarcely to be followed, as the track only displaced the pebbles, leaving no "sign" that could be "read" to any advantage. Old and new foot-marks were all the same. 220 THE WHITE CHIEF. Into this ravine the party descended, and after travelling down it for five or six miles, halted. Carlos called the halt for a special object — to detail a plan for their future proceeding, which had been occupying his attention during the last hour or two. As yet, none of the party were compromised but himself. It would not advantage him that they should be, but the contrary. Neither Don Juan nor Antonio had shown themselves out of the thicket ; and the other dusky faces, seen but for an instant through the brambles, could not have been recognised by the frightened troopers. If, therefore, Don Juan and his peons could get back to their home without observation, for them all would still be well. This was a possible event. At starting Carlos had cau- tioned secresy as to the expedition. It had left at an early hour, before any one was abroad, and no one knew of it. Indeed, no one in the valley was aware that the cibolero had returned before the news of the affair at the Presidio. His mules had been quietly unpacked, and were herded at a distance from the rancho by one of his men. If, then, the troopers should not visit that neighbourhood before the following day, Don Juan and his people could go back in the night and engage in their usual occupations without any suspicion. No doubt Koblado would be there in the morning, but not likely before. It was natural to suppose, he would first endeavour to follow the route they had taken, and it led almost in the opposite direction from the house of Don Juan. To track them along all the windings of that route would be the work of one day at least. Then their pursuers would be no wiser as to where they had betaken themselves, for Carlos, from the point of halting, intended to adopt a plan that would be certain to throw the troopers off the trail. It was decided, in fine, that Don Juan and his people should return home — that the peons of Carlos should also go back to the rancho; roof it on the following day — for it only wanted THE WHITE CHIEF. 221 that — and remain by it as if nothing had occurred. They could not be made answerable for the deeds of their master. As for the cibolero himself, his residence must remain unknown, except to one or two of his tried friends. He knew where he should find a shelter. To him the open plain or the mountain was alike a home. He needed no roof. The starry canopy was as welcome as the gilded ceiling of a palace. The Tagnos were enjoined to secrecy. They were not sworn. A Tagno is not the man to talk ; besides, they all knew that their own safety, perhaps their lives, depended on their silence. All these matters were at length arranged, but the party remained where they had halted till near sunset. They then mounted, and continued on down the channel. When they had gone a mile or so, one of them climbed out of the ravine, and heading southward, rode off across the plain. This direction would bring him back to the valley, by a pass near the lower end of the settlement. It would be night by the time he could reach this pass, and he was not likely to encounter any one on the route — now that the " wild n Indians were abroad ! Shortly after, a second Tagno left the ravine, and rode off in a line nearly parallel to that taken by the first. Soon another imitated the example, and another and another, until all had forsaken the ravine except Don Juan, Antonio, and the cibolero himself. The Tagnos had been instructed to reach home by different passes, and some of them, more sagacious, were sent by the more circuitous paths. There was no trooper belonging to the Presidio likely to follow that trail ! Carlos and his two companions, after riding to the farthest end of the ravine, also turned to the right, and re-entered the valley of San Ildefonso at its lower extremity. It was quite dark, but all of them knew the road well, and about midnight they arrived near the house of the young ranchero. A reconnaisance was necessary before they dared approach 222 THE WHITE CHIEF. That was soon made, and the report brought back that all was right, and no troopers had yet made their appearance. Carlos once more embraced his mother, hurriedly related what had passed, gave some instructions to Don Juan, and then mounting his horse rode off from the place. He was followed by Antonio and a pack-mule loaded with provisions. They passed down the valley, and struck out in the direction of the Llano Estacado. CHAPTER XXXIX. On the following day a new incident created a fresh surprise among the inhabitants of San Ildefonso, already excited by an unusual series of " novedades." About noon, a party of lancers passed through the town on their way to the Presidio. They were returning from a scout in search of the " assassin n — so Carlos was designated. Of him they had found no traces ; but they had fallen in with a large body of " Indios bravos " among the spurs of the mountains, with whom they had a terrific conflict ! This had resulted in the loss of great numbers killed on the part of the Indians, who had contrived, as usual, to carry off their dead — hence, the sol- diers had returned without scalps ! They had brought, however, a far more positive trophy of victory — a young girl belonging to the settlement, whom they had re-captured from the savages, and whom, Captain Koblado — the gallant leader of the expedi- tion — supposed to be the same that had been carried off a few days before from a rancho at the lower end of the valley 1 The Captain halted in the piazza, with a few men — those in charge of the recovered captive. The remainder of the troop passed on to the Presidio. THE WHITE CHIEF. 223 Roblado's object in stopping in. the town, or in coming that way — for it did not lie in his return route — was threefold. First, to deliver his charge into the hands of the civic authorities. Secondly, to make sure that everybody should witness the delivery, and be satisfied by this living evidence that a great feat had been performed ; and thirdly, that he might have the opportunity of a little swagger in front of a certain balcony. These three objects the captain attained, but the last of them did not turn out quite to his satisfaction. Although the bugle had played continuously, announcing the approach of a troop — although the recovered captive was placed conspicuously in the ranks — and although his (Roblado's) horse, under the influence of sharp spurs, pitched himself into the most superb attitudes, all went for nothing — Catalina did not show in the balcony ! Among the faces of " dependants " and " male servants " hers was not to be seen ; and the triumphant look of the victorious leader, as soon as he had ridden past, changed to a gloomy expression of disappointment. A few minutes after he dismounted in front of the " Casa de Cabildo, ,; where he delivered the girl into the hands of the alcade and other authorities of the town. This ceremony was accom- panied by a grandiloquent speech, in which an account of the re-capture was given with some startling details ; sympathy was expressed for the parents of the girl, whoever they might be ; and the speaker wound up by expressing his opinion that the unfortunate captive could be no other than the young girl reported to have been carried off a few days before ! All this was very plausible and proper ; and Roblado, having resigned his charge to the keeping of the alcade, mounted and rode off amidst a storm of complimentary phrases from the authorities, and " vivas" of applause from the populace. " God reward you, captain I" was the prayer that reached his ears as he pushed through the crowd I A keen physiognomist could at that moment have detected in the corner of Roblado's eye a very odd expression — a mingling 224 THE WHITE CHIEF. of irony with a strong desire to laugh. In fact, the gallant cap. tain could hardly keep from bursting out in the faces of bis admirers, and was only restrained from doing so by the desire of keeping the joke bottled up till he could enjoy it in the com- pany of the Commandante — to whom he was now hastening. Back to the captive. The crowd pressed around her, all eager to gratify their curi- osity. Strange to say that this feeling predominated. There was less appearance of sympathy than might have been looked for under the circumstances. The number of those that uttered the "pobrecita !" — that tender expression of Mexican pity — was few ; and they were principally the poor dark-skinned native women. The well-dressed shopkeepers, both Gachupinos and Criollos, both men and women, looked on with indifference, or with no other feeling than that of morbid curiosity. Such an indifference to suffering is by no means a character- istic of the New Mexican people — I should rather say of the females of that land — for the men are brutal enough. As regards the former, the very opposite character is theirs. The conduct would be unaccountable, therefore, but for the knowledge of a fact which guided it on this occasion. They knew who the captive girl was — they knew she was the sister of Carlos the cibolero — Carlos the murderer ! This it was that checked the flow of their better feelings. Against Carlos, the popular indignation was strong. " Assas- sin," "robber," " ingrate/' were the terms used in speaking of him. A wretch ! to have murdered the good lieutenant — the favourite of the place ; and for what motive ? Some paltry quarrel or jealousy ! What motive, indeed ? There seemed no motive but a thirst of blood on the part of this " demon," thiy "white-haired heretic." Ungrateful wretch, too, to have attempted the life of the valiant Commandante — he who had been striving all he could to recover the assassin's sister from the Indian savages ! And now he had actually succeeded ! Only think of it ! THE WHITE CHIEF. 225 There she was, brought safe home again by the agency of this very Commandante, who had sent his Captain and soldiers for her, this very man whom he would have killed ! Demon ! assassin ! robber ! They would all be glad to see him seated in the chair of the garrote. No " good Catholic " would have acted as he had done — no one but a sinful "heretic" — a blood-loving " Americano 1" How he would be punished when caught ! Such were the feelings of all the populace, except, perhaps, the poor slaves — the mansos — and a very few Criollos, who, although not approving of the acts of Carlos, held revolutionary principles, and hated the Spanish regime with all their hearts. With such prejudice against the cibolero, no wonder that there was but little sympathy for the forlorn creature, his sister. That it was his sister no one doubted, although there were few on the spot who knew either. Up to the day of the fiesta her brother, now so notorious, was but little known to the inhabitants of the town, which he rarely visited — she less ; and there were but few in the place who had ever seen her before that hour. But the identity was unmistakeabla. The fair, golden hair, the white skin, the glowing red o £ the cheeks, though common in other parts of the world, were rare charac- teristics in North Mexico. The proclamation upon the walls described the " assassin " as possessing them. This could be no other than his sister. Besides, there were those who had seen her at the fiesta, where her beauty had not failed to attract both admiration and envy. She looked beautiful as ever, though the red was not so bright on her cheek, and a singular, wild expression appeared in her eyes. To the questions put to her she either answered not or returned vague replies. She sat in silence ; but several times broke forth into strange, unintelligible, exclamatory phrases, in which the words " Indians " and " savages " repeatedly occurred "Esto loco !" ("She is mad 1") muttered one to another; " she fancies she is still with the savages \" 10* 226 THE WHITE CHIEF. Perhaps it was so. Certainly she was not among friends. The alcalde inquired if there was any one present-^relative oi friend — to whom he could deliver her up. A young girl, a poblana, who had just arrived on the spot, came forward. She knew the poor thing. She would take charge of her, and conduct her to her home. A half-Indian woman was in company with the poblana. It might have been her mother. Between the two the restored captive was led away ; and the crowd soon dispersed, and returned to their various avocations. The girl and her conductors turned into a narrow street that led through the suburb where the poorest people lived. Passing this, they emerged into the open country ; and then, following an unfrequented path through the chapparal, a few hundred yards brought them to a small mud rancho, which they entered. In a few minutes after a carreta, in which sat a peon, was driven up to the door, and stopped there. The poblana, leading the girl by the hand, came out of the house, and both mounted into the carreta. As soon as the two were seated upon the bunches of dry grass thrown into the carreta for this purpose, the driver goaded his oxen and moved off. The vehicle, after passing out of the chapparal path, took the main road leading to the lower settle- ments of the valley. As they moved on, the poblana regarded her companion with kind looks, and assisted her in arranging her seat, so as to defend her as much as possible against the joltings of the carreta. She added numerous expressions of a sympathizing and con- solatory character, but none that bespoke recognition or old acquaintance. It was evident that the girl had never seen Kosita before ! When they had got about a mile from the town, and were moving along an unfrequented part of the road, a horseman was seen coming after, and at such a speed as to overtake them in a THE WHITE CHIEF. 227 few minutes. He was mounted on a pretty mustang, that bore the signs of being well cared for. Its flanks were rounded with fat, and it capered as it galloped along. As it came close to the carreta the rider called out to the driver to stop ; and it then appeared that the horseman was a woman, as the soft, sweet voice at once indicated. More than that, the rider was a young lady of the aristocracy, as the soft cheek, the silky hair, and the delicate features, showed. At a distance it was natural enough to have taken her for one of the opposite sex. A common serape covered her shoulders ; a broad- brimmed sombrero concealed most of her black shining hair ; and she rode according to the general custom of the country — the custom of its men. " Why, Senorita ! — is it you ?" asked the poblana, in a tone of surprise, and with a gesture of respect. " Ha ! ha ! you did not know me, then, Josefa ?" " ISTo, Senorita ; — how could I in that disguise ?" " Disguise do you call it ? Why, it is the usual costume !" " True, Senorita ; but not for a grand senora like you. Car- rambo !" "Well, I think I must be disguised, as I passed several acquaintances who would not bow to me ! Ha ! ha !" " Poor thing ! alas ! alas 1" continued she, suddenly changing her tone, and regarding Josefa's companion with a look of kind sympathy. " How she must have suffered ! Poor dear girl ! I fear it is true what they have told me. Holy "Virgin ! how like " The phrase was left unfinished. The speaker had forgotten the presence of Josefa and the peon, and was delivering her thoughts in too loud a soliloquy. The unfinished sentence bad involuntarily escaped from her lips. Suddenly checking herself, she looked sharply towards the two. The peon was busy with his oxen, but the poblana's face wore an expression of curiosity. " Like whom, Sefiorita ?" innocently inquired she. 228 THE WHITE CHIEF. " One whom I know. No matter, Josefa f and, as the lady said this, she raised her finger to her lips, and looked significantly towards the peon. Josefa, who knew her secret, and who guessed the "one" meant, remained silent. After a moment the lady drew her mustang nearer the carreta, upon the side on which Josefa sat, and, bending over, whispered to the latter : — " Remain below till the morning ; you will be too late to return to-night. Remain ! perhaps you may hear something. Come early — not to the house. Be in time for morning prayers. You will find me in the church. Perhaps you may see Antonio. If so, give him this." A diamond set in a golden circlet sparkled a moment at the tips of the lady's fingers, and then lay hid in the shut fist of the poblana. " Tell him for whom — he need not know who sent it. There is money for your expenses, and some to give her ; or give it to her mother, if they will accept it." Here a purse fell in Josefa's lap. " Bring me news ! oh, bring me news, dear Josefa ! Farewell !" The last salutation was uttered hurriedly ; and, as the lady pronounced it, she wheeled her glossy mustang and galloped back towards the town. She need not have doubted that Josefa would fulfil her instructions about " remaining below until the morning f for the poblana was nearly, if not quite, as much interested as herself in this journey. The rather pretty Josefa chanced to be the sweetheart of the half-blood, Antonio ; and whether she saw Antonio or not, she was not likely to hurry back that night. If she did see him, so much the pleasanter to remain ; if not, she should remain in the hope of such an event. With a full purse of " pesos" — a sixth of which would pay all expenses — and the prospect of meeting with Antonio, the rough carreta seemed all at once transformed to an elegant coach, with springs and velvet cushions, — such as Josefa had heard of, but had never seen ! The &'nd-bearted girl readjusted the seats, placed the head of THE WHITE CHIEF. 229 Rosita on her lap, spread her reboso over her to keep off the evening dew, and then told the peon to move on. The latter uttered a loud " ho-ha !" touched his oxen with the goad, and once more set them in motion along the dusty road. CHAPTER XL Early morning prayer in the church is a fashionable custom among the seiioras of Mexico — particularly among those who dwell in cities and towns. Close upon the heels of daybreak, you may see them issuing from the great doors of their houses, and hurrying through the street towards the chapel, where the bell has already begun its deafening " ding-dong." They are muffled beyond the possibility of recognition — the richer in their silken shawls and mantas, the poorer in their slate-coloured rebosos ; under the folds of which each carries a little bound volume — the missal. Let us follow them into the sacred temple, and see what passes there. If we arrive late, and take station near the door, we shall be presented with the spectacle of several hundred backs in a kneel- ing position — that is, the individuals to whom the backs belong will be found kneeling. These backs are by no means alike — no more than faces are. They are all shapes, and sizes, and colours, and classes in the social scale. You will see the backs of ladies in shawls — some of whom have permitted that elegant garment to fall to the shoulders, while others retain it over the crowns of their heads, thus creating two very different styles of back. You will sea the backs of pretty poblanas, with the end of their rebosos hang- ing gracefully over them ; and the back of the pobl ana's mother 230 THE WHITE CHIEF. with the reboso ill arranged, and not over clean. You will see the back of the merchant scarcely covered with a short cloth jacket, and the back of the "aguador" cased in well-worn leather ; the back of the " guapo " muffled in a cloak of fine broad-cloth, and that of the " lepero " shrouded in a ragged serape ; and then you will see broad backs and slender ones ; straight backs and crooked ones ; and you run a good chance of beholding a hunch or two — especially if the church be in a large town. But wheresoever you enter a Mexican iglesia during prayer time, I promise you the view of an extensive assortment of backs. Not classified, however. Quite the contrary. The back of" the shawled lady may be inclusive between two greasy rebosos, and the striped or speckled back of the lepero may rise up alongside the shining broad-cloth of the dandy 1 I do not answer for any classification of the backs ; I only guarantee their extensive number and variety. The only face that is likely to confront you at this moment will be the shaven phiz of a fat priest, in full sacerdotal robes of linen, that were once, no doubt clean and white, but that look now as if they had been sent to the buck-basket, and by some mistake brought back before reaching the laundry. This individual, with a look as unlike heaven as the wickedest of his flock, will be seen stirring about on his little stage ; now carrying a wand — now a brazen pot of smoking " incense," and anon some waxen doll — the image of a saint ; while in the midst of his manipulations you may hear him "mumming" a gibberish of ill-pronounced Latin. If you have witnessed the performance of M. Robin, or the " Great Wizard," you cannot fail to be reminded of them at this moment. The tinkling of a little bell, which you will presently hear, has a magical effect upon the backs. For a short while you may have observed them in an odd attitude — not erect as backs ought to be, but slouching and one-sided. During this interval, too, you may catch a glance of a face — merely the profile — and if it be pretty, you will forget the back ; but then the party is THE WHITE CHIEF. 231 no longer a back in the proper sense. You won't be struck with the devotion of the profile, if you are with the prettiness. You may observe it wink or look cunningly, and if your observation be good, you may note another profile, of coarser mould, corre- sponding to that wink or cunning glance. This goes on while the backs are in their " slouch " or attitude of repose. How that attitude is produced will be to you a mystery, an anatomical puzzle ; but it may be explained. It is simple enough to those who know it. It is brought about by the back changing its base, from the marrow-bones to the hips ; and this is done so adroitly, that, under cover of shawls, mantas, rebosos, and skirts, it is no wonder you are puzzled by it. The little bell, however, brings the backs all right again. It is to these devotees what the " Attention \V is to the rank and file of an army ; and the moment the first tinkle is heard, backs up is the movement and all become suddenly elevated several inches above their former standard. Thus they remain, stiff and erect, while the priest mumbles a fresh " Ave Maria," or " Pater noster," and goes through a fresh exhibition of pantomime. Then the backs are suddenly shortened again, the profiles appear as before — nods, and winks, and cunning glances, are exchanged — and that till the little bell sounds a second time. And then there will be a third course of this performance, and a fourth, and so on, till the worship is ended. This ridiculous genuflexion of mummery you may see repeated every morning in a Mexican church, long before the hour of breakfast. Both men and women engage in it, but by far the greater number of the devotees are of the gentler sex, and many of them the fashionable senoras of the place. One is inclined to inquire into the motives that draw so many people out of their beds, to shiver through the streets and in the cold church at such an early hour. Is it religion ? Is it supersti- tion ? Is it penance ? Is it devotion ? No doubt many of these silly creatures really believe that the act is pleasing to God ; 232 THE WHITE CHIEF. that these genuflexions and orisons, mechanically repeated, will give them grace in His eyes. But it is very certain that many of the most constant attendants on these morning prayers are actuated by very different feelings. In a land of jealous men, you will find the women peculiarly intelligent and cunning, and the matutinal hour is to them the " golden opportunity." He is a very jealous guardian, indeed, whose vigil tempts him from his couch at so chill an hour ! Await the end of the performance by the door of the church There stands a large vase filled with the consecrated water. Each, in passing out, takes a dip and a sprinkle. In this basin you will see the small jewelled hand immerse its finger tips, and the next moment adroitly deliver a billet-doux to some cloaked cavalier. Perhaps you may see the wealthy senora, in the safe disguise of the serape, leave the church in a direction opposite to that by which" she came. If you are curious enough to follow — which would be extremely ill-bred — you might witness under the trees of the public garden, or some unfrequented quarter, the forbidden interview. The morning, in a Mexican city, has its adventures as well as the night. ****** The bell of the church of San Ildefouso had just commenced to ring for early prayers, when a female form was seen issuing from the gateway of one of the largest mansions of the town, and taking the direction of the church. It was yet scarce daybreak, and the person thus observed was closely muffled ; but her tall upright form, the dignity and grace of her carriage, and the proud elastic step, told that she was a grand senora. As she reached the portal of the church she stopped for some moments, and looked around. Her face was not visible, as it was concealed under the folds of a closely-drawn manta : but her attitude, with her head occasionally moving around, showed that she was scanning the figures that, at the summons of the bell, approached THE WHITE CHIEF. 233 like shadows through the grey light. She was evidently expecting some one ; and from the eager scrutiny with which she regarded each new form that entered the piazza, it was some one whose presence was much desired. The last of the devotees had arrived and entered the church It would be idle to remain longer ; and, turning on her heel with an air that betokened disappointment, the lady glided across the portal, and disappeared through the door. In another moment she was kneeling in front of the altar, repeating her orisons and telling over the beads of her rosary. She was not the last to enter the church ; still another devotee came later. About the time that she was leaving the portal, a carreta drove into the piazza, and halted in a remote corner. A young girl leaped out of the carreta, tripped nimbly across the square, in the direction of the church, and passed within the portal. The dress of this new-comer — a flaming red petticoat, broidered chemisette, and reboso — showed that she belonged to the poorer class of citizens. She was a poblana. She entered the church, but before kneeling she threw an inquiring glance along the array of backs. Her eye became fixed upon one that was covered with a manta. It was that of the lady of whom we have spoken. This seemed to satisfy the poblana, who, gliding over the floor, knelt down in such a position that her elbow almost rested against that of the lady. So silently had this movement been executed, that the lady did not perceive her new neighbour until a slight " nudge n upon the elbow caused her to start and look round. A gleam of satisfaction lit up her features, though her lips continued to repeat the prayer, as if nothing had happened. After a while came the cue for adopting the pose of rest, and then the two kneeling figures — senorita and poblana — dropped towards each other, so that their arms touched. A moment later, and two hands became uncovered — one a little brown 234. THE WHITE CHIEF. skinned paw from under the reboso — the other, a delicate arrangement of white and jewelled fingers, from the manta. They came in contact, as if by a mutual understanding, and though they were in contact but a half second, a close observer might have noticed a small roll of paper passed from one to the other — from the brown fingers to the white ones ! It would have required a close observer to have noticed this manoeuvre, for so adroitly was it executed, that none of those kneeling around, either in front or rear, saw anything amiss. The two hands again disappeared under their respective covers ; the little bell tinkled, and both senora and poblana once more shot into an upright position, and, with most devout looks, repeated the prayers of the missal. When the service was over, and while sprinkling themselves at the sacred fount, a few hurried words passed between them ; but they went out of the church separately, and walked off in separate directions. The poblana hastened across the square, and disappeared into a narrow street. The senora walked proudly back to the mansion whence she had come, her coun- tenance radiant with joyful anticipation. As soon as she had entered the house, she proceeded directly to her own chamber, and, opening the little folded slip of paper, read : — " Dearest Catalina ! — You have made me happy. But an hour ago, I was the most wretched of men. I had lost my sister, and I feared your esteem. Both are restored to me. My sister is by my side, and the gem that sparkles on my finger tells me that even calumny has failed to rob me of your friend- ship — your love. You do not deem me an assassin. No. Nor am I one. I have been an avenger, but no assassin. You shall know all — the fearful plot of which I and mine have been thi victims. It is scarce credible — so great is its atrocity ! I am indeed its victim. I can no more show myself in the settlement. THE WHITE CHIEF. 235 I am henceforth to be hunted like the wolf, and treated as one, if captured. I care not for that, so long as I know that you are not among my enemies. " But for you, I should go far hence. I cannot leave you. I would sooner risk life every hour in the day, than exile myself from the spot where you dwell — you, the only being I can ever love. "I have -kissed the gem a hundred times. In life, the sweet token can never part from me. " My foes are after me like bloodhounds, but I fear them not. My brave steed is never out of my sight, and with him I can scorn my cowardly pursuers. But I must venture one visit to the town. I must see you once, querida. I have words for you I cannot trust to paper. Do not refuse to see me, and I shall come to the old place of meeting. To-morrow night— midnight. Do not refuse me, dearest love. I have much to explain that I cannot without seeing you face t6 face. You shall know that I am not an assassin — that I am still worthy of being your lover. "Thanks ! — thanks for your kindness to my poor little wounded bird ! I trust to God she will soon be well again. My dearest, Adieu ! " C." When the beautiful lady had finished reading the note, she pressed it to her lips, and fervently kissed it. " Worthy of being my lover !" she murmured ; " aye, worthy to be the lover of a queen I Brave noble Carlos !" Again she kissed the paper, and, thrusting it into her bosom, glided softly from the apartment. 236 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XLI. Vizcarra's desire for revenge grew stronger every hour. The almost joyful reaction he had experienced, when relieved from the fear of death, was short-lived. So, too, was that which followed his relief from the anxiety about his captive. The thought that now tortured him was of a different character. The very breath of his existence — his personal appearance — was ruined for ever. He was disfigured for life ! When the mirror was passed before his face, it caused his heart to burn like a coal of fire. Coward though he was, he would almost as soon have been killed outright. Several of his teeth were gone. They might have been replaced ; but not so could be restored the mutilated cheek. A portion had been carried off by the " tear n of the bullet. There would be a hideous scar never to be healed ! The sight was horrible. His thoughts were horrible. He groaned outright, as he contemplated the countenance which the cibolero had given him. He swore vengeance. Death — and torture if he could but capture Carlos — death to him and his. At times, he even repented that he had sent away the sister. Why should he have cared for consequences ? Why had he not revenged himself upon her ? He no longer loved her. Her scornful laugh still rankled in his heart. She had been the cause of all his sufferings — of sufferings that would never end but with his life — chagrin and mortification for the rest of his days ! Why had he not taken her life ? That would have been sweet revenge upon the brother. It would almost have been satisfac- tion. He tossed upon his couch, tortured with these reflections, and giving utterance at intervals to groans of anguish and horrid imprecations. THE WHITE CHIEF. 237 Carlos must be captured. No effort must be spared to ensure that event. And captured alive, if possible. He should measure out the punishment. It should be death ; but not sudden death. No. The savages of the plains should be his teachers. The cibolero should die like a captive Indian— by fire at the stake. Yizcarra swore this ! After him, the mother, too. She was deemed a witch. She should be punished as often witches have been. In this he would not have to act alone. He knew that the padres would endorse the act. They were well inclined to such fanatical ■jruelties. Then the sister, alone — uncared for by any one. She would be wholly in his power — to do with her as he would, and no one to stay his will. It was not love, but revenge. • Such terrible resolves passed through the mind of the wretched caitiff. Roblado was equally eager for the death of the cibolero. His vanity had been scathed as well, for he was now satisfied that Catalina was deeply interested in the man, if not already on terms of intimacy — on terms of love, mutually reciprocated and understood. He had visited her since the tragical occurrence at the Presidio. He had observed a marked change in her manner. He had thought to triumph by the malignant abuse heaped on the assassin • but she, although she said nothing in defence of the latter, — of course she could not — was equally silent on the other side, and showed no symptoms of indignation at the deed. His (Roblado's) abusive epithets, joined to those which her own father liberally heaped upon the man, seemed to give her pain. It was plain she would have defended him, had she dared ! All this Roblado had noticed during his morning call. But more still had he learnt, for he had a spy upon her acts. One of her maids, Yicenza, who for some reason had taken a dislike to her mistress, was false to her, and had, for a lengtb 238 THE WHITE CHIEF. of time, been the confidant of the military wooer. A little gold and flattery, and a soldier-sweetheart — who chanced to be Jose — had rendered Yicenza accessible. Roblado was master of her thoughts, and through Jose he received information regarding Catalina, of which the latter never dreamt. This system of espionage had been but lately established, but it had already produced fruits. Through it Roblado had gained the knowledge that he himself was hated by the object of his regard, and that she loved some other ! What other even Yicenza could not tell. That other Roblado could easily guess. It is not strange that he desired the capture and death of Carlos the cibolero. He was as eager for that event as Yizcarra himself. Both were making every exertion to bring it about. Already scouting parties had been sent out in different directions. A proclamation had been posted on the walls of the town, — the joint production of the Commandante and his captain, offering a high reward for the cibolero's head, and a still higher sum for the cibolero himself if captured alive ! The citizens, to show their zeal and loyalty, had also issued a proclamation to the same effect, heading it with a large sum subscribed among them — a very fortune to the man who should be so lucky as to be the captor of Carlos. This proclamation was signed by all the principal men of the place, and the name of Don Ambrosio figured high upon the list ! There was even some talk of getting up a volunteer company to assist the sol- diers in the pursuit of the heretic, assassin, or rather to earn the golden price of his capture. With such a forfeit on his head, it was an enigma how Carlos should be long alive! Roblado sat in his quarters, busy devising plans for the cap- ture. He had already sent his trustiest spies to the lower end of the valley, and these were to hover day and night in the neighbourhood. Any information of the haunts of the cibolero, THE WHITE CHIEF. . 239 or of those with whom he was formerly in correspondence, was to be immediately brought to him, and would be well paid for. A watch was placed on the house of the young ranchero, Don Juan; and though both Yizcarra and Roblada had determined on special action with regard to him, they agreed upon leaving him undisturbed for the present, as that might facilitate their plans. The spies who had been employed were not soldiers, but men of the town, and poor rancheros. A military force appearing below would frustrate their design. That, however, was kept in readiness, but its continued presence near the ran- cho, thought Yizcarra and his captain, would only frighten the bird, and prevent it from returning to its nest. There was good logic in this. Roblado, as stated, was in his quarters, completing his arrangements. A knock aroused him from the contemplation of some documents. They were communications from his spies, which had just reached the Presidio, addressed both to himself and the Commandante. They were concerning the affair. " Who is it V he asked, before giving the privilege to enter. " I, captain," answered a sharp squeaky voice. Roblado evidently knew the voice, for he called out — " Oh ! it is you ? Come in then." The door opened, and a small dark man, of sharp weasel-like aspect, entered the room. He had a skulking shuffling gait, and, notwithstanding his soldier's dress, his sabre and his spurs, the man looked mean. He spoke with a cringing accent, and saluted his officer with a cringing gesture. He was just the sort of person to be employed upon some equivocal service, and by such men as Yizcarra and Roblado; and in that way he had more than once served them. It was the soldier Jose. u Well! what have you to say ? Have you seen Yicenza ?" " I have, captain. Last night I met her out." " Any news ?" " I don't know whether it may be news to the captain; but 240 THE WHITE CHIEF. she has told me, that it was the Senorita who sent her home yesterday." "Her?" "Yes, captain the fair-haired girl." " Ha! go on!" "Why, you know when you left her with the alcalde she was offered to whoever would take her. Well, a young girl came up and claimed to be an acquaintance, and a woman who was the girl's mother. She was given up to them without more ado, and they took her away to a house in the chapparal below the town." " She did not stay there. I know she's gone down, but I have not yet heard the particulars. How did she go ?" " Well, captain ; only very shortly after she arrived at the house of the woman, a carreta came up to the door driven by a Tagno, and the girl — that is, the daughter, who is called Josefa . — mounted into the carreta, taking the girl along with her; and off they went down below. " Now, neither this girl nor her mother ever saw the stranger before, and who does captain think sent them, and the carreta, too ?" 11 Who says Yicenza ?" " The Senorita, captain." " Ha !" sharply exclaimed Roblado. " Yicenza is sure of that." " More than that, captain. About the time the carreta drove away, or a little after, the Senorita left the house on her horse, and with a common serape over her, and a sombrero on her head, like any ranchera ; and in this — which I take to be a dis- guise for a lady of quality like her — she rode off by the back road. Yicenza, however, thinks that she turned into the lower road, after she got past the houses, and overtook the carreta. She was gone long enough to have done so." This communication seemed to make a deep impression upon THE WHITE CHIEF. 241 the listener. Shadows flitted over his dark brow, and gleams of some new intelligence or design appeared in his eyes. He was silent for a moment, engaged in communicating with his thoughts. At length he inquired — " Is that all your information, Jose V " All, captain." 14 There may be more from the same source. See Yicenza to- night again. Tell her to keep a close watch. If she succeed in discovering that there is a correspondence going on, she shall be well rewarded, and you shall not be forgoten. Find out more about this woman and her daughter. Know the Tagno who drove them. Lose no time about it. Go, Jose !" The minion returned his thanks in a cringing tone, made another cringing salute, and shuffled out of the room. As soon as he had left, Roblado sprang to his feet, and walking about the room in an agitated manner, uttered his thoughts aloud : — " By heaven ! I had not thought of this. A correspondence, I have no doubt. Fiends ! such a woman ! She must know all ere this — if the fellow himself is not deceived by us ! I must watch in that quarter too. Who knows but that will be the trap in which we'll take him ? Love is even a stronger lure than brotherly affection. Ha ! Senorita ; if this be true, I'll yet have a purchase upon you that you little expect. Fll bring you to terms without the aid of your stupid father !'' After figuring about for some minutes, indulging in these alter- nate dreams of vengeance and triumph, he left his room, and proceeded towards that of the Commandante, for the purpose of communicating to the latter his new-gotten knowledge. n 242 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER XLII. The house of Don Ambrosio de Cruces was not a town man- sion. It was suburban — that is, it stood upon the outskirts of the village, some seven or eight hundred yards from the Piazza. It was detached from the other buildings, and at some distance from any of them. It was neither a " villa " nor a " cottage." There are no such buildings in Mexico, nor anything at all resembling them. In fact, the architecture of that country is of unique and uniform style, from north to south, through some thousand miles of latitude ! The smaller kinds of houses, — the "ranchos" of the poorer classes, — show a variety corre- sponding to the three thermal divisions arising from different elevations — warm, temperate, and cold. In the hot lands of the coast, and some low valleys in the interior, the rancho is a frail structure of cane and poles with a thatch of palm-leaves. On the elevated " valles," or table-plains — and here, be it observed, dwell most of the population — it is built of " adobes," and this rule is universal. On the forest-covered sides of the more eleva- ted mountains, the rancho is a house of logs, a " log-cabin," with long hanging eaves and shingled roof, differing entirely from the log-cabin of the American back-woods, and far excelling the lat- ter in neatness and picturesque appearance. So much for the " ranchos." About them there is some vari- ety of style.. Not so with " casas grandes," or houses of the rich. A sameness characterises them through thirty degrees of latitude — from one extremity of Mexico to the other ; and, we might almost add, throughout all Spanish America. If now and then a " whimsical " structure be observed, you may find on inquiry, that the owner is some foreigner resident — an English miner, a Scotch manufacturer, or a German merchant. These remarks are meant only for the houses of the country. THE WHITE CHIEF. 243 In small villages the same style as the country-houses is observed, with very slight modifications ; but in large towns, although some of the characteristics are still retained, there is an approxi- mation to the architecture of European cities — more particularly, of course, to those of Spain. The house of Don Ambrosio differed very little from the gen- eral fashion of " casas grandes " of country style. It had the same aspect of gaol, fortress, convent, or workhouse — whichever you please — but this aspect was considerably lightened by the peculiar colouring of the walls, which was done in broad vertical bands of red, white, and yellow, alternating with each other ! The effect produced by this arrangement of gay colours is quite Oriental and is a decided relief to the otherwise heavy appear- ance of a Mexican dwelling. In some parts of the country this fashion is common. In shape there was no peculiarity. Standing upon the road in front you see a long wall, with a large gateway near the mid- dle, and three or four windows irregularly set. The windows are shielded with bars of wrought-iron standing vertically. That is the " reja." None of them have either sash or glass. The gate- way is closed by a heavy wooden door, strongly clasped and bolted with iron. This front wall is but one story high, but its top is continued so as to form a parapet, breast-high above the roof, and this gives it a loftier appearance. The roof being flat behind, the parapet is not visible from below. Look around the corner at either end of this front wall. You will see no gable — there is no such thing on a house of the kind we are describing. In its place you will see a dead wall of the same height as the parapet, running back for a long distance ; and were you to go to the end of it, and again look around the corner, you would find a similar wall at the back closing in the parallelogram. In reality you have not yet seen the true front of Don Ambrosio's house, if we mean by that the part most embellished. A Mexican spends but little thought on the outside appearance 244 THE WHITE CHIEF. of his mansion. It is only from the courtyard, or " patio," you can get a view of the front upon which the taste of the owner is displayed, and this often exhibits both grandeur and elegance. Let us pass through the gateway, and enter the " patio." The porter, when summoned by knock or bell, admits us by a small door, forming part of the great gate already mentioned. We traverse an arched way, the "zaguan," running through the breadth of the building, and then we are in the patio. From this we have a view of the real front of the house. The patio itself is paved with painted bricks — a tessellated pavement. A fountain, with jet and ornamental basin, occupies its centre ; and several trees, well trimmed, stand in large vessels, so that their roots may not injure the pavement. Around this court you see the doors of the different apartments, some of them glazed and tastefully curtained. The doors of the "saloon," the "cuarto," and the sleeping-rooms, are on three sides, while the kitchen, the store-room, granary, with the stables and coach-house, make up the remaining part of the square. There is still an important portion of the mansion to be spoken of — the " azotea," or roof. It is reached by an " escalera," or stone staircase. It is flat and quite firm, being covered with a cement that is proof against rain. It is enclosed by a parapet running all round it — of such a height as not to hinder the view of the surrounding country, while it protects those occupying it from the intrusive gaze of persons passing below. When the sun is down, or behind a cloud, the azotea is a most agreeable promenade ; and to render it still more so — that over the house of Don Ambrosio had been arranged so as to resemble a flower- garden. Richly japanned pots, containing rare flowers, were placed around, and green boughs and gay blossoms, rising above the top of the wall, produced a fine effect on viewing the building from without. But this was not the only garden belonging to the mansion of the rich miner. Another, of oblong shape, extended from th« THE WHITE ' CHIEF. 245 rear of the house, enclosed by a high wall of adobes on either side. These, ending upon the bank of the stream, formed the boundary of the garden. Along the stream there was no fence, as it was here of sufficient breadth and depth to form an enclosure of itself. The garden was of large extent, including an orchard of fruit-trees, at its lower part, and it was tastefully laid out in walks, flower-beds, and arbours of different shapes and sizes. Don Ambrosio, although but a rich parvenu, might have been supposed to be a man of refined taste, by any one viewing this garden — the more so, as such delightful retreats are by no means common in that country. But it was to another mind than his that these shadowy trees and fragrant arbours owed their existence. They were the "ideas" of his fair daughter, many of whose hours were spent beneath their shade. To Don Ambrosio the sight of a great cavity in the earth, with huge quarries of quartz rock or scoria, and a rich "veta" at the back, was more agreeable than all the flowers in the world. A pile of u bars of silver ? would be to his eyes more interesting than a whole country covered with black tulips and blue dahlias. Not so his fair daughter, Catalina. Her taste was. both elevated and refined. The thought of wealth, the pride of riches, never entered her mind. She would willingly have surrendered all her much-talked-of inheritance to have shared the humble rancho of him she loved. CHAPTER XLIII. It was near sunset. The yellow orb was hastening to kiss the snowy summit of the Sierra Blanca, that barred the western horizon. The white mantle, that draped the shoulders of the 246 THE WHITE CHIEF. mountain, reflected beautiful roseate tints deepening into red and purple in the hollows of the ravines, and seeming all the more lovely from the contrast of the dark forests that covered the Sierra farther down. It was a sunset more brilliant than common. The western sky was filled with masses of coloured clouds, in which gold and purple and cerulean blue mingled together in gorgeous magni- ficence ; and in which the eye of the beholder could not fail to note the outlines of strange forms, and fancy them bright and glorious beings of another world. It was a picture to gladden the eye, to give joy to the heart that was sad, and make happier the happy. It was not unobserved. Eyes were dwelling upon it — beau tiful eyes ; and yet there was a sadness in their look that ill accorded with the picture on which they were gazing. But those eyes were not drawing their inspiration from the sky-painting before them. Though apparently regarding it, the thoughts which gave them expression were drawn from a far different source. The heart within was dwelling upon another object. The owner of those eyes was a beautiful girl, or rather a fully developed woman still unmarried. She was standing upon the azotea of a noble mansion, apparently regarding the rich sunset, while, in reality, her thoughts were busy with another theme, and one that was less pleasant to contemplate. Even the brilliant glow of the sky, reflected upon her countenance, did not dissipate the shadows that were passing over it. The clouds from within overcame the light from without. There were shadows flitting over her heart that corresponded to those that darkened her fair face. It was a beautiful face withal, and a beautiful form — tall, majestic, of soft graces and waving outlines. The lady was Catalina de Cruces. She was alone upon the azotea — surrounded only by the plants THE WHITE CHIEF. 24:7 and flowers. Bending over the low parapet, that overlooked the garden to the rear, she at the same time faced toward the sinking orb, — for the garden extended westward. Now and then her eyes were lifted to the sky and the sun ; but oftener they sought the shaded coppice of wild china trees at the bottom of the enclosure, through whose slender trunks gleamed the silvery surface of the stream. Upon this spot they rested from time to time, with an expression of strange interest. No wonder that to those eyes that was an interesting spot — it was that where love's first vows had been uttered in her delighted ear — it had been consecrated by a kiss, and in her thoughts it was hallowed from the "earth's profound' 7 to the high heaven above her. No wonder she regarded it as the fairest on earth. The most famed gardens of the world — even Paradise itself — in her imagination, had no spot so sweet, no nook so shady, as the little arbour she had herself trained amid the foliage of those wild china trees. Why was she regarding it with a look of sadness ? In that very arbour, and on that very night, did she expect to meet him — the one who had rendered it sacred. Why then was she sad ? Such a prospect should have rendered her countenance radiant with joy. And so was it, at intervals, when this thought came into her mind; but there was another — some other thought — that brought those clouds upon her brow, and imparted that air of uneasy apprehension. What was that thought 1 In her hand she held a bandolon. She flung herself upon a bench, and began to play some old Spanish air. The effort was too much for her. Her thoughts wandered from the melody and her fingers from the strings. She laid down the instrument, and, again rising to her feet, paced backwards aud forwards upon the azotea. Her walk was irregular. At intervals she stopped, and, lowering her eyes, seemed to think intently on something that was absent. Then 248 THE WHITE CHIEF. she would start forward, and stop again in the same manner aa before. This she repeated several times, without uttering either word or exclamation. Once she continued her walk all around the azotea, casting a scrutinising look among the plants and flowerpots on both sides, as if in search of something ; but whatever it was, she was unsuccessful, as nothing appeared to arrest her attention. She returned once more, and took up the bandolon. But her fingers had hardly touched the strings, before she had laid the instrument down again, and rose from the bench, as if some sud- den resolution had taken possession of her. " I never thought of that — I may have dropped it in the gar- den !" she muttered to herself, as she glided toward a small escalera that led down into the patio. From this point an avenue communicated with the garden ; and the next moment she had passed through this and was trip- ping over the sanded walks, bending from side to side, and peep- ing behind every plant and bush that could have concealed the object of her search. She explored every part of the enclosure, and lingered a moment in the arbour among the china-trees — as if she enjoyed that spot more than any other — but she came back at length with the same anxious expression, that told she was not rewarded by the recovery of whatever she had lost. The lady once more returned to the azotea — once more took up the bandolon ; but after a few touches of the strings, laid it down, and again rose to her feet. Again she soliloquised " Carrambo — it is very strange ! — neither in my chamber — the sala, the cuarto, the azotea, the garden ! — where can it be ? Dios ! if it should fall into the hands of papa ! It is too intelligible — it could not fail to be understood — no — no — no! Dios ! if it should reach other hands ! — those of his enemies ! It names to-night — true, it does not tell the place, but the time is mentioned — the place would be easily discovered. Oh ! that THE WHITE CHIEF. 24:9 I knew where to communicate with him ! But I know not, and he will come. Alas ! for me ! it cannot be prevented now. I must hope no enemy has got it. But where can it be ! Madre de Dios 1 where can it be V All these phrases were uttered in a tone and emphasis that showed the concern of the speaker at the loss of some object that greatly interested her. That object was no other than the note brought by Josefa, and written by Carlos the cibolero, in wliich the assignation for that night had been appointed. No wonder she was uneasy at its loss ! The wording not only compromised herself, but placed the life of her lover in extreme peril. This it was that was casting the dark shadows over her countenance — this it was that was causing her to traverse the azotea and the garden in such anxious search. H I must ask Vicenza," she contined. " I like not to do it, for I have lost confidence in her of late. Something has changed this girl. She used to be frank and honest, but now she has grown false and hypocritical. Twice have I detected her in the act of deceiving me. What does it mean ?" She paused a moment as if in thought. "I must ask her notwithstanding. She may have found the paper, and not deeming it of any use, may have thrown it in the fire. Fortu- nately she does not read, but she has to do with others who can. Ha ! I forgot her soldier sweetheart ! If she should have found it, and shown it to him ! Dios de mi alma 1" This supposition seemed a painful one, for it caused the lady's heart to beat louder, and her breathing became short and quick. 11 That would be terrible !" she continued, — ° that would be the very worst thing that could happen. I do not like that soldier — he appears mean and cunning, and I have heard is a bad fellow, though favoured by the Commanclante. God fore- fend he should have gotten this paper 1 I shall lose no more time. I shall call Yicenza, and question her." She stepped forward to the parapet that overlooked the patio 11* 250 THE WHITE CHIEF. " Vicenza ! — Viceuza \ n " Yes, Senorita," answered a voice from the interior of tho house. " Come hither ! come hither !" " Yes, lady." " Quick ! quick I" A girl, in a short bright- coloured nagua, and white chemisette without sleeves, came out into the patio, and climbed up the escalera that led to the roof. She was a mestiza, or half-blood, of Indian and Spanish mixture, as her brownish-white skin testified. She was not ill- looking ; but there was an expression upon her countenance that precluded the idea of either virtue, honesty, or amiability. It was a mixed expression of malice and cunning. Her manner, too, was bold and offensive, like that of one who had been guilty of some known crime, and had become reckless. It was only of late she had assumed that tone, and her mistress had observed it among other changes. "What want you, my lady ?" " Yicenza, I have lost a small piece of paper. It was folded in an oblong shape — not like a letter, but this." Here a piece of paper, similarly put up, was held out for the inspection of the girl. " Have you seen anything of it ?" " JNo, Senorita," was the prompt and ready answer. " Perhaps you may have swept it out, or thrown it into the fire? It looked insignificant, and, indeed, was not of much importance, but there were some patterns upon it I wished to copy. Do you think it has been destroyed ?" " I know not that, Senorita. I know that I did not destroy it. I neither swept it out nor threw it into the fire ? I should not do that with any paper, as I cannot read myself, and might destroy something that was valuable." Whatever truth there was in the last part of her harangue, THE WHITE CHIEF. 251 the mestiza knew that its earlier declarations were true enough. She had not destroyed it, either by sweeping out or burning. Her answer was delivered with an ingenuous ndiveU, accom- panied with a slight accent of anger, as though she was not overpleased at being suspected, of negligence. Whether her mistress noticed the latter did not appear from her answer, but she expressed herself satisfied. " It is of no consequence, then," said she. " You may go, Vicenza." The girl walked off, looking sulky. When her head was just disappearing below the top of the escalera, her face was towards her mistress, whose back was now turned to her. A scornful pouting of the lips, accompanied by a demoniac smile, was visible upon it. It was evident from that look that she knew something more of the lost paper than was admitted in her late declaration. Catalina's gaze was once more turned upon the setting sun. In a few minutes he would disappear behind the snowy ridge of the mountain. Then a few hours, and then moments of bliss ! * * * * * * Roblado was seated in his cuartel as before. As before, a tiny knock sounded upon the door. As before, he called out, "Who's there 1" and was answered, "I!" and, as before, he recognised the voice and gave the order for its owner to enter. As before, it was the soldier Jose, who, in a cringing voice and with a cringing salute, approached his officer. " Well, Jose, what news V " Only this," replied the soldier, holding out a slip of paper folded into an oblong shape. . " What is it V f demanded Roblado. " Who is it from ?" in the same breath. " The captain will understand it better than I can, as I can't read ; but it comes from the Senorita, and /ooks inside like a 252 THE WHITE CHIEF. letter. The Senorita got it from somebody at church yesterday, morning : so thinks Yicenza, for she saw her read it as soon as she got back from morning prayers. Yicenza thinks that the girl Josefa brought it up'the yalley, but the captain most likely can tell for himself." Roblado had not listened to half of his talk ; but had instead been swallowing the contents of the paper. As soon as he had got to the end of it he sprang from his chair as if a needle had been stuck into him, and paced the room in great agitation. " Quick ! quick, Jose 1" he exclaimed. " Send Gomez here. Say nothing to any one. Hold yourself in readiness — I shall want you, too. Send Gomez instantly. Go 1" The soldier made a salute less cringing because more hurried, and precipitately retired from the apartment. Roblado continued, — " By heaven ! this is a piece of luck ! Who ever failed to catch a fool when love was his lure ? This very night, too, and at midnight ! I shall have time to prepare. Oh ! if I but knew the place ! 'Tis not given here." Again he read over the note. " Carajo, no ! that is unfortunate. What's to be done ? I must not go guessing in the dark ! Ha ! I have it ! She shall be watched ! — watched^to the very spot ! Yicenza can do that while we lie somewhere in ambush. The girl can bring us to it. We shall have time to surround them. Their interview will last long enough for that. We shall take them in the very moment of their bliss. Hell and furies ! to think of it — this low dog-- this butcher of buffaloes — to thwart me in my purposes ! But patience, Roblado ! patience ! to-night — to-night ! " A knocking at the door. Sergeant Gomez was admitted. " Gomez, get ready twenty of your men ! picked fellows, do you hear ? Be ready by eleven o'clock. You have ample time, but see that you be ready the moment I call you. Not a word to any pne without. Let the men saddle up and be quiet about THE WHITE CHIEF. 253 it. Load your carbines. There's work for you. You shali know what it is by and by. Go ! get ready !" Without saying a word, the sergeant went off to obey the order. "Curses on the luck ! if I but knew the place, or anything near it. Would it be about the house ? or in the garden ? Maybe outside — in the country somewhere ? That is not unlikely. He would hardly venture so near the town, lest some one might recognise him or his horse. Death to that horse ! No, no ! I shall have that horse yet, or I much mistake. Oh ! if I could find this place before the hour of meeting, then my game were sure. But no, nothing said of the place — yes, the old place. Hell and furies ! they have met before — often — often — oh I" A groan of agony broke from the speaker, and he paced to and fro like one bereft of his senses. " Shall I tell Vizcarra now," he continued, " or wait till it is over ? I shall wait. It will be a dainty bit of news along with supper. Perhaps I may garnish the table with the ears of the cibolero. Ha! ha! ha!" And uttering a diabolical laugh, the ruffian took down his sabre and buckled the belt around his waist. H* then armed himself with a pair of heavy pistols; and after liking to the straps of his spurs, strode out of the room. CHAPTER XL1V. It wanted but an hour of midnight. There was » moon in the sky, but so near the horizon, that the bluff beopdwg the southern side of the valley threw out a shadow to te distance of many yards upon the plain. Parallel to the line of the cliffs, and close in to their base, a 25i THE WHITE CHIEF. horseman could be seen advancing up the valley from the lower end of the settlement. His cautious pace, and the anxious glances which he at intervals cast before him, showed that he was travelling with some apprehension, and was desirous of remaining unseen. It was evident, too, that this was his object in keeping within the shadow of the cliff : for on arriving at cer- tain points where the precipice became slanting and cast no sha- dow, he would halt for a while, and, after carefully reconnoi- tering the ground, pass rapidly over it. Concealment could be his only object in thus closely hugging the bluffs, for a much better road could have been found at a little distance out from them. After travelling for many miles in this way, the horseman at length arrived opposite the town, which still, however, was three miles distant from the cliff. From this point a road led off to the town, communicating between it and a pass up the bluffs to the left. The horseman halted, and gazed awhile along the road, as if undecided whether to take it or not. Having resolved in the negative, he moved on, and rode nearly a mile farther under the shadow of the bluffs. Again he halted, and scanned the country to his right. A bridle path seemed to run in the direc- tion of the town, or towards a point somewhat above it. After a short examination the horseman seemed to recognise this path as one he was in search of, and, heading his horse into it, he parted from the shadow of the bluffs, and rode out under the full moonlight. This, shining down upon him, showed a young man of fine proportions, dressed in ranchero costume, and mounted upon a noble steed, whose sleek black coat glittered under the silvery light. It was easy to know the rider. His bright com- plexion and light-coloured hair curling thickly under the brim of his sombrero, were characteristics not to be mistaken in that land of dark faces. He was Carlos the cibolero. It could be geen now that a large wolf-like dog trotted near the heels cf the horse. That dog was Cibolo. THE WHITE CHIEF. 255 Advancing in the direction of the town, the caution of the horseman seemed to increase. The country before him was not quite open. It was level • but fortunately for him, its surface was studded with copse-like islands of timber, and here and there straggling patches of chapparal through which the path led. Before entering these the dog preceded him, but without noise or bark j and when emerging into the open plain again, the horseman each time halted and scanned the ground that separated him from the next copse, before attempting to pass over it. Proceeding in this way, he arrived at length within several hundred yards of the outskirts of the town, and could see the walls, with the church cupola shining over the tops of the trees. One line of wall on which his eyes were fixed lay nearer than the rest. He recognised its outline. It was the parapet* over the house of Don Ambrosio — in the rear of which he had now arrived. He halted in a small copse of timber, the last upon the plain. Beyond, in the direction of Don Ambrosio's house, the ground was open and level up to the bank of the stream — already described as running along the bottom of the garden. The tract was a meadow belonging to Don Ambrosio and used for pasturing the horses of his establishment. It was accessible to these by means of a rude bridge that crossed the stream outside the walls of the garden. Another bridge, however, joined the garden itself to the meadow. This was much slighter and of neater construction — intended only for foot-passengers. It was, in fact, a mere private bridge, by which the fair daughter of Don Ambrosio could cross to enjoy her walk in the pleasant meadow beyond. Upon this little bridge, at its middle part, was a gate with lock and key, to keep intruders from entering the precincts of the garden. This bridge was not over three hundred yards from the copse in Tfhich Carlos had halted, and nothing intervened but the 256 TUE WHITE CHIEF. darkness to prevent him from having a view of it. However, as the moon was still up, he could distinctly see the tall posterns, and light-coloured palings of the gate, glimmering in her light. The stream he could not see — as at this point it ran between high banks — and the garden itself was hidden from view by the grove of cotton-woods and china-trees growing along its bottom. After arriving in the copse, Carlos dismounted ; and having led his horse into the darkest shadow of the trees, there left him. He did not tie him to anything, but merely rested the bridle over the pommel of the saddle, so that it might not draggle upon the ground. He had long ago trained the noble animal to remain where he was placed without other fastening than this. This arrangement completed, he walked forward to the edge of the underwood, and there stood, with his eyes fixed upon the bridge and the dark grove beyond it. It was not the first time for him to go through all the manoeuvres here described — no, not by many — but, perhaps, on no other occasion were his emo- tions so strong and strange as on the present. He had prepared himself for the interview he was now expect- ing — he had promised himself a frankness of speech, his modesty had never before permitted him to indulge in — he had resolved on proposals — the rejection or acceptance of which might deter- mine his future fate. His heart beat within his breast so as to be audible to his own ears. ****** Perfect stillness reigned through the town. The inhabitants had all retired to their beds, and not a light appeared from door or window. All were close shut and fast bolted. ~No one appeared in the streets, except the half-dozen " serenos " who formed the night-watch of the place. These could be seen muf- fled up in their dark cloaks, sitting half asleep on the banquetas of houses, and grasping in one hand their huge halberds, while their lanthorns rested upon the pavement at their feet. Perfect stillness reigned around the mansion of Don Ambro- THE WHITE CHIEF. 267 sio. The great gate of the zaguan was closed and barred, and the portero had retired within his " lodge," thus signifying that all the inmates of the dwelling had returned home. If silence denoted sleep, all were asleep ; but a ray of light escaping through the silken curtains of a glass door, and falling dimly upon the pavement of the patio, showed that one at least still kept vigil. That light proceeded from the chamber of Catalina. All at once the stillness of the night was broken by the loud tolling of a bell. It was the clock of the paroquia announcing the hour of midnight. The last stroke had not ceased to reverberate when the light in the chamber appeared to be suddenly extinguished — for it no longer glowed through the curtain. Shortly after, the glass door was silently opened from the inside ; and a female form closely muffled came forth, and glided with stealthy and sinuous step around the shadowy side of the patio. The tall elegant figure could not be hidden by the dis- guise of the ample cloak in which it was muffled, and the grace- ful gait appeared even when constrained and stealthy. It was the Senorita herself. Having passed round the patio, she entered the avenue that led to the garden. Here a heavy door barred the egress from the house, and before this she stopped. Only a moment. A key appeared from under her cloak, and the large bolt with some difficulty yielded to her woman's strength. It did not yield silently. The rusty iron sounded as it sprang back into the lock, causing her to start and tremble. She even turned back through the avenue, to make sure whether any one had heard it ; and, standing in the dark entrance, glanced round the patio. Had she not heard a door closing as she came back ? She fan- cied so ; and alarmed by it, she stood for some time gazing upon the different doors tliat opened upon the court. They were all close shut, her own not excepted, for she had closed it on coming 258 THE WHITE CHIEF. out. Still her fancy troubled her, and, but half satisfied, she returned to the gate. This she opened with caution, and passing through, traversed the rest of the avenue, and came out in the open ground. Keep- ing under the shadow of the trees and shrubbery, she soon reached the grove at the bottom of the garden. Here she paused for a moment, and, looking through the stems of the trees, scanned the open surface in the direction of the copse where Carlos had halted. No object was visible but the outlines of the timber island itself, under whose shadow a human form in dark clothing could not have been recognised at such a distance. After pausing a moment, she glided among the trees of the grove, and the next moment stood upon the centre and highest point of the bridge in front of the little gate. Here she again stopped, drew from under her cloak a white cambric handker- chief, and raising herself to her full height, held it spread out between her hands. The air was filled with fire-flies, whose lights sparkled thickly against the dark background of the copsewood ; but these did not prevent her from distinguishing a brighter flash, like the snapping of a lucifer-match, that appeared among them. Her signal was answered ! She lowered the handkerchief, and, taking out a small key, applied it to the lock of the gate. This was undone in a second, and, having thrown open the wicket, she retired within the shadow of the grove, and stood waiting. Even in that dark shadow her eyes sparkled with the light of love, as she saw a form — the form of a man on foot, parting from the copse, and coming in the direction of the bridge. It was to her the dearest on earth ; and she awaited the approach with a flushed cheek and a heart full of joyful emotion. THE WHITE CHIEF. 259 CHAPTER XLY. It was no fancy of Cataltna's that she heard the shutting of a door as she returned up the avenue. A door in reality had been closed at that moment, — the door that led to the sleeping apartments of the maid-servants. Had her steps been quicker, she might have seen some one rush across the patio and enter this door. But she arrived too late for this. The door was closed, and all was silent again. It might have been fancy, thought she. It was no fancy. From the hour when the family had retired to rest, the door of Catalina's chamber had been watched. An eye had been bent all the time upon that ray of light escaping through the curtained glass, — the eye of the girl Yicenza. During the early part of the evening the maid had asked leave to go out for a while. It had been granted. She had been gone for nearly an hour. Conducted by the soldier Jose, she had had an interview with Roblado. At that interview all had been arranged between them. She was to watch her mistress from the house, and follow her to the place of assignation. When that should be determined she was to return with all haste to Roblado, — who appointed a place of meeting her — and then guide him and his troop to the lovers. This, thought Roblado, would be the surest plan to proceed upon. He had taken his measures accordingly. The door of ^;he maid's sleeping-room was just opposite that of Catalina's chamber. Through the keyhole the girl had seen the light go out, and the Senorita gliding around the patio. She had watched her into the avenue, and then gently opening her own door had stolen after. At the moment the Senorita had succeeded in unlocking the great gate of the garden, the mestiza was peeping around the 260 THE WHI1E CHIEF. wall at the entrance of the avenue ; but on hearing the other return, — for it was by the sound of her footsteps she was warned, — the wily spy had darted back into her room, and closed the door behind her. It was some time before she dared venture out again, as the keyhole no longer did her any service. She kept her eye to it, however, and, seeing that her mistress did not return to her chamber, she concluded that the latter had continued on into the garden. Again gently opening her door, she stole forth, and on tiptoe approaching the avenue, peeped into it. It was no longer dark. The gate was open, and the moon shining in lit up the whole passage. It was evident, therefore, that the Senorita had gone through, and was now in the garden. Was she in the garden ? The mestiza remembered the bridge, and knew that her mistress carried the key of the wicket, and often used it both by day and night. She might by this have crossed the bridge, and got far beyond into the open country. She — the spy — might not find the direction she had taken, and thus spoil the whole plan ! * With these thoughts passing through her mind, the girl hurried through the avenue, and crouching down, hastened along the walk as fast as she was able. Seeing no one among the fruit-trees and flower-beds, she began to despair ; but the thick grove at the bottom of the garden gave her promise — that was a likely place of meeting — capital for such a purpose, as the mestiza, experienced in such matters, well knew. To approach the grove, however, presented a difficulty. There was a space of open ground — a green parterre — between it and the flower-beds. Any one, already in the grove, could perceive the approach of another in that direction, and especially under a bright moonlight. This the mestiza saw, and it compelled her to pause and reflect how she was to get nearer. But one chance seemed to offer. The high adobe wall threw THE WHITE CHIEF. 261 a shadow of some feet along one side of the open ground. In this shadow it might be possible to reach the timber unobserved. The girl resolved to attempt it. Guided by the instinctive cunning of her race, she dropped down flat upon her breast ; and dragging herself over the grass, she reached the selvidge of the grove, just in the rear of the arbour. There she paused, raised her head, and glanced through the leafy screen that encircled the arbour. She saw what she desired. Catalina was at this moment upon the bridge, and above the position of the mestiza — so that the latter could perceive her form outlined against the blue of the sky. She saw her hold aloft the white kerchief. She guessed that it was a signal — she saw the flash in answer to it, and then observed her mistress undo the lock and fling the wicket open. The cunning spy was now sure that the place of meeting was to be the grove itself, and might have returned with that information ; but Roblado had distinctly ordered her not to leave until she saw the meeting itself, and was certain of the spot. She therefore remained where she was, and awaited the further proceedings of the lovers. Carlos, on perceiving the signal, had answered it by flashing some powder already prepared. He lost no time in obeying the well-known summons. A single moment by the side of his horse — a whisper which the latter well understood, and he parted from the copse ; Cibolo following at his heels. On reaching the end of the bridge, he bent down ; and, addressing some words in a low voice to the dog, proceeded to cross over. The animal did not follow him, but lay down on the opposite bank of the stream. The next moment the lovers were together. From the spot where she lay the mestiza witnessed their greeting. The moon shone upon their faces — the fair skin and curly locks of Carlos were distinctly visible under the light. The girl knew the cibolero — it was he. 262 THE WHITE CHIEF. She had seen all that was necessary for Roblado to know. The grove was the place of meeting. It only remained for her to get back to the officer, and give the information. She was about to crawl away, and had already half risen, when, to her dismay, the lovers appeared coming through the grove and towards the very arbour behind which she lay ! Their faces were turned towards the spot where she was crouching. If she rose to her feet, or attempted to go off, she could not fail to be seen by one or other of them. She had no alternative but to remain where she was — at least until some better opportunity offered of getting away — and with this intention she again squatted down close under the shadow of the arbour. A moment after the lovers entered, and seated themselves upon the benches with which the little bower was provided. CHAPTER XLYI. The hearts of both were so agitated that for some moments neither gave utterence to their thoughts. Catalina was the first to speak. " Your sister V 1 she inquired. ■ She is better. I have had the rancho restored. They have returned to it, and the old scenes seem to have worked a miracle upon her. Her senses came at once, and relapse only at long intervals. I have hopes it will be all well again." "lam glad to hear this. Poor child ! she must have suffered sadly in the hands of these rude savages." " Rude savages ! Ay, Catalina, you have styled them appro- priately, though you little know of whom you are speaking." "Of whom?" echoed the lady in surprise. Up to this THE WHITE CHIEF. 263 moment even she had no other than the popular and universal belief that Carlos' sister had been a captive in the hands of the Indians ! "It is partly for this that I have sought an interview to- night. I could not exist without explaining to you my late con- duct, which must have appeared to you a mystery. It shall be so no longer. Hear me, Catalina I" Carlos revealed the horrid plot, detailing every circumstance, to the utter astonisment of his fair companion. " Oh ! fiends ! fiends !" she exclaimed, " who could have ima- gined such atrocity ? Who would suppose that on the earth were wretches like these ? But that you, dear Carlos, have told me, I could not have believed in such villany ! I knew that both were bad ; I have heard many a tale of the vileness of these two men ; but this is wickedness beyond the power of fancy ! Holy mother ! what men ! what monsters ! It is incre- dible |» 41 You know now with what justice I am called a murderer ?" " Oh, dear Carlos 1 think not of that. I never gave it a thought. I knew you had some cause just and good. Fear not ! The world shall yet know all " 11 The world," interrupted Carlos, with a sneer. " For me there is no world. I have no home. Even among those with whom I have been brought up, I* have been but a stranger — a heretic outcast. Now I am worse — a hunted outlaw with a price upon my head, and a good large one too. In truth, I never thought I was worth so much before." Here a laugh escaped from the speaker ; but his merriment was of short dura- tion. He continued, — "No world have I but you, Catalina, — and you no longer except in my heart. I must leave you and go far away. Death — worse than death — awaits me here. I must go hence. 1 must return to the people from whom my parents are sprucg— to our long forgotten kindred. Perhaps there I may find a new 264 THE WHITE CHIEF. home and new friends, but happiness I cannot without you — No, never 1" Catalina was silent, with tearful eyes bent upon the ground. She trembled at the thought that was passing in her mind. She feared to give it expression. But it was no time for the affecta- tion of false modesty, for idle bashfulness ; and neither were her characteristics. Upon a single word depended the happiness of her life — of her lover's. Away with womanly coyness ! let the thought be spoken ! She turned towards her lover, took his hand in hers, leant forward till her lips were close to his, and looking in his face, said in a soft, but firm voice : " Carlos, is it your wish that I go with you ?" In a moment his arms were around her, their lips had met. • M heavens \" he exclaimed ; "is this possible? do I hear aright ? Dearest Catalina, it was this I would have proposed, but I dared not do it. I feared to make the proposal, so wild does it seem. What ! forsake all for me ? Oh, dearest ! dear- est ! tell me that this is what your words mean ! Say you will go with me 1" " I will I" was the short, but firm reply. " O God 1 I am too happy; a week of terrible suffering, and I am again happy. But a week ago, Catalina, and I was happy. I had met with a strange adventure, one that promised fortune. I was full of hope — hope of winning you ; not you, dearest, but your father. Of winning him with gold. See !" Here the speaker held forth his hand filled with shining ore. " It is gold. Of this I have discovered a mine, and I had hoped with it to have rivalled your father in his wealth, and then to have won his consent. Alas ! alas I that is now hopeless, but your words have given me new happiness. Think not of the fortune you leave behind. I know you do not, dear Catalina. I shall give you one equal to it — perhaps far greater. I know where this THE WHITE CHIEF. 265 precious trash is to be procured, but I shall tell you all when we have time. To-night " He was interrupted by Catalina. Her quick ear had caught a sound that appeared odd to her. It was but a slight rustling among the leaves near the back of the arbour, and might have been caused by the wind, had there been any. But not a breath was stirring. Something else had c sed it. What could it be ? After a moment or two both stepped out, and examined the bushes whence the sound was supposed to have proceeded ; but nothing was to be seen. They looked around and up towards the garden — there was no appearance of anything that could have caused the noise ! It was now much darker than when they had entered the arbour. The moon had gone down, and the silvery light had turned to grey; but it was still clear enough to have distinguished any large object at several yards distance. Catalina could not be mistaken. She had heard a rust- ling sound to a certainty. Could it have been the dog? Carlos stepped forward on the bridge. It was not — the animal still lay where he had been placed ; it could not have been he! What then ? Some lizard ? perhaps a dangerous serpent ? At all events they would not again enter the arbour, but remained standing outside. Still Catalina was not without apprehensions, for she now remembered the loss of the note, and, later still, the shutting of the door; both of which she hastily communicated to her companion. Hitherto Carlos had paid but little attention to what he believed to be some natural occurrence — the fluttering of a bird which had been disturbed by them, or the gliding of a snake or lizard. But the information now given made a different impres- sion upon him. Used to Indian wiles, he was a ready reasoner and he perceived at once that there might be something sinister in the sound which had been heard. He resolved, therefore, to examine the ground more carefully. 12 266 THE WHITE CHIEF. Once more he proceeded to the back of the arbour, and drop- ping to his knees, scanned the grass and bushes. In a moment lie raised his head with an exclamation of surprise. " As I live, Catalina, you were right!. Some one has been here, beyond a doubt! Some one has lain in this very spot ! Where can they have gone to ? By heaven, it was a woman ! Here is the trail of her dress!" "Yicenza!" exclaimed the lady. "It can be no other — my maid, Yicenza! Dios de mi alma! she has heard every word !" " No doubt it was Yicenza. She has watched and followed you from the house. What could have tempted her to such an act f * " Ay de mi ! Heaven only knows: her conduct has been very strange of late. It is quite annoying! Dear Carlos!" she con- tinued changing her tone of regret to one of anxiety, " you must stay no longer. Who knows what she may do ? Perhaps summon my father ! Perhaps still worse — Santissima Yirgen ! may it not be!" Here Catalina hastily communicated the fact of Yicenza'a intimacy with the soldier Jose, as well as other circumstances relating to the girl, and urged upon her lover the necessity of instant departure. " I shall go, then," said he. " Not that I much fear themj it is too dark for their carbines, and their sabres will never reach me, while my brave steed stands yonder ready to obey my call. But it is better for me to go. There may be some- thing in it. I cannot explain curiosity that attempts so much as this girl. I shall go at once then." Aud so Carlos had resolved. But much remained to be said: fresh vows of love to be pronounced; an hour to be fixed for a future meeting — perhaps the last before taking the final step — their flight across the great plains. More than once had Carlos placed his foot upon the bridge, and more than once had he returned to have another sweet word — another parting kiss. THE WHITE CHIEF. 267 The final " adios " had at length been exchanged, the lovers had parted from each other ; Catalina had turned towards the house; and Carlos was advancing to the bridge with the inten- tion of crossing, when a growl from Cibolo caused him to halt and listen ! Again the dog growled, this time more fiercely, following with a series of earnest barks, that told his master some danger was nigh ! The first thought of the latter was to rush across the bridge, and make towards his steed. Had he done so, he would have had time enough to escape; but the desire to warn her, so that she might hasten to the house, impelled him to turn back through the grove. She had already reached the open parterre, and was crossing it, when the barking of the dog caused her to stop, and the moment after Carlos came up. But he had not addressed a word to her before the trampling of horses sounded outside the adobe walls of the garden — horsemen galloped down on both sides, while the confused striking of hoofs showed that some were halting outside, while others deployed around the enclosure. The rattling of the timbers of the large bridge was heard almost at the same instant; then the dog breaking into a fierce attack; and then through the stems of the trees, the dark forms of horsemen became visible upon the opposite bank of the stream. The garden was surrounded! CHAPTER XLVII. Long after the lovers had entered the arbour, the mestiza had remained in her squatting attitude, listening to the conversation, of which not a word escaped her. It was not, however, her interest in that which bound her to the spot, but her fear of 268 THE WHITE CHIEF. being discovered snould she attempt to leave it. She had reason while it was still moonlight, for the open ground she must pass over was distinctly visible from the arbour. It was only after the moon went down that she saw the prospect of retiring unseen ; and, choosing a moment when the lovers had their faces turned from her, she crawled a few yards back, rose to her feet, and ran nimbly off in the darkness. Strange to say, the rustling heard by the Senorita was not made by the girl at the moment of her leaving the arbour. It was caused by a twig which she had bent behind a branch, the better to conceal herself, and this releasing itself had sprung back to its place. That was why no object was visible to the lovers although coming hastily out of the arbour. The spy at that instant was beyond the reach of sight as well as hearing. She had got through the avenue before the twig moved. She did not stop for a moment. She did not return to her apart- ment, but crossing the patio hastily entered the zaguan. This she traversed with stealthy steps, as if afraid to awake the portero. On reaching the gate, she drew from her pocket a key. It was not the key of the main lock, but of the lesser one, belonging to the postern door which opened through the great gate. This key she had secured at an earlier hour of the evening, for the very use she was now about to make of it. She placed it in the lock, and then shot the bolt, using all the care she could to prevent it from making a noise. She raised the latch with like caution ; and then, opening the door, stepped gently to the outside. She next closed the door after her, slowly and silently ; and this done, she ran with all her speed along the road towards some woods that were outside the town, and not far from the house of Don Ambrosio. It was in these woods that Roblado held his men in ambush. He had brought them thither at a late hour, and by a circuitous route, so that no one should see them as they entered the timber, THE WHITE CHIEF. 269 and thus prevent the possibility of a frustration of his plans. Here he was waiting the arrival of his spy. The girl soon reached the spot, and in a few minutes detailed to the officer the whole of what she had witnessed. What she had heard there was no time to tell, for she communicated to Roblado how she had been detained, and the latter saw there was not a moment to be lost. The interview might end before he should be ready, and his prey might still escape him. Had Roblado felt more confidence as to time he would now have acted differently. He would have sent some men by a lower crossing, and let them approach the bottom of the garden directly from the meadow ; he would, moreover, have spent more time and caution about the " surround." But he saw he might be too late, should he adopt this surer course. A quicker one recommended itself, and he at once gave the orders to his followers. These were divided into two parties of different sizes. Each was to take a side of the garden, and deploy along the wall, but the larger party was to drop only a few of its men, while the rest were to ride hastily over the greater bridge, and gallop round to the bottom of the garden. Roblado himself was to lead this party, whose duty would likely be of most importance. As the leader well knew, the garden walls could not be scaled without a ladder, and the cibolero, if found within the garden, would attempt to escape by the bridge at the bottom. Lest he might endeavour to get through the avenue and off by the front of the house, the girl Yicenza was to conduct Gomez with several men on foot through the patio, and guide them to the avenue entrance. The plan was well enough conceived. Roblado knew the ground well. He had often strolled through that garden, and its walls and approaches were perfectly familiar to him. Should he be enabled to surround it, before the cibolero could get notice of their approach, he was sure of his victim. The latter must either be killed or captured. 270 THE WHITE CHIEF. In five minutes after the arrival of the spy, he had com- municated the whole of their duties to the men ; and in five minutes more they had ridden out of the woods, crossed the small tract that separated them from the house, and were in the act of surrounding the garden ! It was at this moment that the dog Cibolo first uttered his growl of alarm. " Fly — fly I" cried Catalina, as she saw her lover approach. " Oh ! do not think of me ! They dare not take my life. I have committed no offence. Oh, Carlos, leave me ! fly ! Madre de Dios I they come this way 1" As she spoke a number of dark forms were seen entering from the avenue, and coming down the garden. Their scabbards clanked among the bushes as they rushed through them. They were soldiers on foot ! Several remained by the entrance, while the rest ran forward. Carlos had for a moment contemplated escape in that direction. It occurred to him, if he could get up to the house and on the azotea, he might drop off on either side, and, favoured by the darkness, return to the meadow at some distant point. This idea vanished the moment he saw that the entrance was occupied. He glanced to the walls. They were too high to be scaled. He would be attacked while attempting it. No other chance offered but to cut his way through by the bridge. He now saw the error he had committed in returning. She was in no danger — at least in no peril of her life. Indeed her greater danger would arise from his remaining near her. He should have crossed the bridge at first. He was now separated from his horse. He might summon the latter by his call — he knew that — but it would only bring the noble animal within reach of his foes — perhaps to be captured. That would be as much as taking his own life. No ; he could not summon his steed from where he was, and he did not utter the signal. What was he to do ? To remain by the side of Catalina, to be surrounded and captured, perhaps cut down like a dog ! To imperil her life aa THE WHITE CHIEF. 271 well ! — No. He must make a desperate struggle to get out of the enclosure, to reach the open country if possible, and then His thoughts went no farther. He cried out, — 14 Dearest, farewell ! I must leave you — do not despair. If I die, I shall carry your love tq heaven ! Farewell, farewell 1" These words were uttered in the parting haste of the moment, and he had sprung away so suddenly, that he did not hear the answering farewell. The moment he was gone the lady dropped to her knees, and with hands clasped, and eyes raised to heaven, offered her prayer for his safety. Half-a-dozen springs brought Carlos once more under the shadow of the grove. He saw his foes on the opposite bank, and from their voices he could tell there were many of them. They were talking loudly and shouting directions to one another. He could distinguish the voice of Roblado above the rest. He was calling upon some of the men to dismount and follow hira over the bridge. He was himself on foot, for the purpose of crossing. Carlos saw no other prospect of escape than by making a quick rush across the bridge, and cutting his way through the crowd. By that means he might reach the open plain, and fight his way until his horse could come up. Once in the saddle he would have laughed at their attempts to take him. It was a desperate resolve, — a perilous running of the gauntlet,— almost certain death — but still more certain death was the alternative if he remained where he was. There was no time for hesitation. Already several men had dismounted, and were making towards the bridge. He must cross before they had reached it, one was already upon it. He must be beaten back. Carlos, cocking his pistol, rushed forward to the gate. The man had reached it from the other side. They met face to face 272 THE WHITE CHIEF. with the gate still shut between them. Carlos saw that hia antagonist was Roblado himself I Not a word was spoken between them. Roblado also had his pistol in readiness and fired first, but missed his aim. He per- ceived this, and dreading the fire from his adversary, he staggered back to the bank, shouting to his followers to discharge their carbines. Before they could obey the order, the cracK of the cibolero's pistol rang upon the air, and Roblado, with a loud oath, rolled down by the edge of the water. Carlos dashed open the gate, and was about to rush onward, when he perceived through the smoke and darkness several carbines brought to the level, and aimed at him. A sudden thought came into his mind, and ho changed bis design of crossing the bridge. The time was but the pulling of a trigger, but, short as it was, he effected his pur- pose. The carbines blazed and cracked, all nearly at the same instant, and when the smoke cleared away Carlos was no longer on the bridge 1 Had he gone back into the garden ? No — already half-a-dozen men had cut off his retreat in that direction ! ** He is killed (" cried several voices, " Carajo ! — he has fal- len into the river ! Hurrah !" All eyes were turned upon the stream. Certainly a body had plunged into it, as the bubbles and circling waves testified, but only these were to be seen ! " He has sunk ! he's gone to the bottom !" cried some. " Be sure he hasn't swam away !" counselled a voice ; and several ran along the banks with their eyes searching the surface. " Impossible! there are no waves." " He could not have passed here," said one who stood a little below the bridge. " I have been watching the water." " So I," cried another from above. " He has not passed my position." u Then he is dead and gone down 1" " Carajo 1 let us fish him out 1" THE WHITE CHIEF. 273 Aud they were proceeding to put this idea into execution when Roblado, who had now got to his feet, and finding that & wounded arm was all he had suffered, ordered them to desist. " Up and down !" he thundered; " scatter both ways — quick, or he may yet escape us. Go !" The men did as they were ordered, but the party who turned down-stream halted through sheer surprise. The figure of a man was seen, in a bent attitude and crawling up the bank, at the distance of a hundred yards below. The next moment it rose into an erect position, and glided over the plain with light- ning speed, in the direction of the copse of timber ! " Behold !" exclaimed several voices, ''yonder he goes ! By all the saints, it is he I" Amidst the cracking of carbines that followed, a shrill whistle was heard ; and before any of the mounted men could ride for- ward, a horse was seen shooting out from the copse and meeting the man upon the open meadow ! Quick as thought the latter vaulted into the saddle, and after uttering a wild and scornful laugh galloped off, and soon disappeared in the darkness ! Most of the dragoons sprang upon their horses and followed; but after a short gallop over the plain they gave up the chase, and one by one returned to their wounded leader. To say that Roblado was furious would be to characterise very faintly the state he was in. But he had still one captive on which to vent his rage and chagrin. Catalina had been captured in the garden, — taken while pray- ing for the safe escape of her lover. Jose had remained in charge of her, while the rest rushed down to assist in the capture of Carlos, at which Jose, knowing the cibolero as he did, and not being over brave, evinced no desire to be present. Catalina heard the shots and shouts that denoted the terrible struggle. She had heard, too, the shrill whistle and the scorn- ful laugh that rang loudly above the din. She had heard the Rhouts of the pursuers dying away in the distance 12* 274: THE WHITE CHIEF. Her heart beat with joy. She knew that her lover was free! She thought then, and then only, of herself. She thought, too, of escape. She knew the rude taunts she would have to listen to from the brutal leader of these miscreants. What could she do to avoid an encounter ? She had but one to deal with — Jose. She knew the despicable character of the man. Would gold tempt him ? She would make the trial. It was made, and succeeded. The large sum offered was irresistible. The villain knew that there could be no great punishment for letting go a captive who could at any time be taken again. He would risk the chances of his captain's dis- pleasure for such a sum. His captain might have reasons for not dealing too severely with him. The purse was paid, and the lady was allowed to go. She was to close the door, locking it from the inside, as though she had escaped by flight ; and this direction of Jose was followed to the letter. As Roblado crossed the bridge he was met by the soldier, who, breathless and stammering, announced that the fair pris- oner had got into the house. She had slipped from his side and ran off. Had it been an ordinary captive, he could have fired upon her ; but he was unable to overtake her until she had passed the door, which was closed and locked before he could get near ! For a moment Roblado hesitated whether to " storm the house." His rage almost induced him to the act. He reflected, however, that the proceedings might appear somewhat ridicu- lous and could not much better his position ; besides, the pain of his wounded arm admonished him to retire from the field. He recrossed the bridge, was helped upon his horse, and, summoning around him his valiant troop, he rode back to the Presidio — leaving the roused town to conjecture the cause of th« alarm. THE WHITE CHIEF. 275 CHAPTER XLVIII. "Next morning the town was full of rumors. At first it was supposed there had been an attack of Indians repelled as usual by the troops. What valiant protectors the people had ! After a while it was rumoured that Carlos the murderer had been captured, and that was the cause of the firing, — that Cap- tain Roblado was killed in the affair. Presently Carlos was not taken, but he had been chased and came very near being taken ! Roblado had engaged him singly, hand to hand, and had wounded him, but in the darkness he had got off by diving down the river. In the encounter the outlaw had shot the captain through the arm, which prevented the latter from making him a prisoner. This rumour came direct from the Presidio. It was partly true. The wounding of Carlos by Roblada was an addition to the truth, intended to give a little eclat to the latter, for it became known afterwards that the cibolero had escaped without even a scratch. People wondered why the outlaw should have ventured to approach the town, knowing as he did that there was a price upon his head. Some very powerful motive must have drawn him thither. The motive soon became known, — the whole story leaked out ; and then, indeed, did scandal enjoy a feast. Catal- ina had been for some time the acknowledged bell of the place, and, what with envious women and jealous men, she was now treated with slight show of charity. The very blackest con- struction was put upon her false step. It was worse even than a bad marriage. The " society " were horrified at her conduct in stooping to intimacy with a " lepero ;" while even the lepero class, itself fanatically religious, condemned her for her associa- tion with " an assassin * but still worse, a heretic ! 276 THE WHITE CHIEF. The excitement produced by this new affair was great indeed, — a perfect panic. The cibolero's head rose in value, like the funds. The magistrates and principal men assembled in the Casa de Cabildo. A new proclamation was drawn out. A larger sum was offered for the capture of Carlos, and the document was rendered still stronger by a declaration of severe punishment to all who should give him food or protection. If captured beneath the roof of any citizen who had voluntarily sheltered him, the latter was to suffer full confiscation of his property, besides such further punishment as might be fixed upon. The church was not silent. The padres promised excommuni- cation and the wrath of Heaven against those who would stay justice from the heretic murderer ! These were terrible terms for the outlaw ! Fortunate for him, he knew how to live without a roof over his head. He could maintain existence where his enemies would have starved, and where they were unable to follow him, — on the wide desert plain, or in the rocky ravines of the mountains. Had he depended for food or shelter on his fellow-citizens of the settlement, he would soon have met with betrayal and denouncement. But the cibol- ero was as independent of such a necessity as the wild savage of the prairies. He could sleep on the grassy sward or the naked rock, he could draw sustenance even from the arid surface of the Llano Estacado, and there he could bid defiance to a whole army of pursuers. At the council Don Ambrosio was not present. Grief and rage kept him within doors. A stormy scene had been enacted between him and his daughter. Henceforth she was to be strictly guarded — to be kept a prisoner in her father's house — to be taught repentance by the exercise of penance. To describe the feelings of Roblado and the Commandante would be impossible. These gentlemen were well nigh at their wits' end with mortification. Disappointment, humiliation, physical and moral pain, had worked them into a frenzy of rage; THE WHITE CHIEF. 277 and they were engaged together during all the day in plotting schemes and plans for the capture of their outlawed enemy. Roblado was not less earnest than the Commandante for the success of their endeavours. Carlos had now given both of them good cause to hate him, and both hated him from the bottom of their hearts. What vexed Roblado most was, that he was no longer able to take the field — nor was he likely to be for several weeks. His wound, though not dangerous, would oblige him to sling his arm for some time, and to manage a horse would be out of the ques- tion. The strategetic designs of the Commandante and himself would have to be carried out by those who felt far less interest in the capture of the outlaw than they did. Indeed, but for the arrival of a brace of lieutenants, sent from division head- quarters at Santa Fe, the garrison would have been without a commissioned officer fit for duty. These new-comers — Lieuten- ants Yanez and Ortiga — were neither of them the men to catch the cibolero. They were brave enough — Ortiga in particular — but both were late arrivals from Spain, and knew nothing what- ever of border warfare. The soldiers were desirous of hunting the outlaw down, and acted with sufficient zeal. The stimulus of a large reward which was promised to them, rendered them eager of effecting his cap- ture; and they went forth on each fresh scout with alacrity. But they were not likely to attack the cibolero unless a goodly number of them were together. No one or two of them — including the celebrated Sergeant Gomez — would venture within range of his rifle, much less go near enough to lay hands upon him. The actual experience of his prowess by some of them, and the exaggerated reports of it known to others, had made such an impression upon the whole troop, that the cibolero could have put a considerable body of them to flight only by showing himself 1 But in addition to the skill, strength, and 278 THE WHITE CHIEF. daring which he had in reality exhibited — in addition to the exaggeration of those qualities by the fancy — the soldiers as well as people had become possessed with a strange belief — that was, that the cibolero was under the protection of his mother — under the protection of the devil — in other words, that he was bewitched, and therefore invincible! Some asserted that he was impervious to shot, spear, or sabre. Those who had fired their carbines at him while on the bridge fully believed this. They were ready to swear — each one of them — that they had hit the cibolero, and must have killed him had he not been under supernatural protection! Wonderful stories now circulated among the soldiers and throughout the settlement. The cibolero was seen every- where, and always mounted on his coal-black horse, who shared his supernatural fame. He had been seen riding along the top of the cliffs at full gallop, and so close to their edge that he might have blown the stump of his cigar into the valley below! Others had met him in the night on lonely paths amid the chap- paral, and according to them his face and hands had appeared red and luminous as coals of fire ! He had been seen on the high plains by the hateros — on the cliff of " La Nina," — in many parts of the valley ; but no one had ventured near enough to exchange words with him. Every one had fled or shunned him. It was asserted that he had been seen crossing the little bridge that led out of Don Ambrosio's garden, and this brought down a fresh shower of scandal on the devoted head of Catalina. The scan- dal-mongers, however, were sadly disappointed on hearing that this bridge no longer existed, but had been removed by Don Ambrosio on the day following the discovery of his daughter's misconduct! In no part of the world is superstition stronger than among the ignorant populace of the settlements of New Mexico. In fact it may. be regarded as forming part of their religion. The missionary padres, in grafting the religion of Rome upon the THE WHITE CHIEF. 279 sun-worship of QuetzalcoatI, admitted for their own purposes a goodly string of superstitions. It would be strange if their peo- ple did not believe in others, however absurd. Witchcraft, therefore, and all like things, were among the New Mexicans as much matters of belief as the Deity himself. It is not then to be wondered at that Carlos the cibolero became associated with the devil. His feats of horsemanship and hair-breadth 'scapes from his enemies were, to say the least, something wonderful and romantic, even when viewed in a natural sense. But the populace of San Ildefonso no longer regarded them in this light. With them his skill in the tailing the bull, in " running the cock," — his feat of horsemanship on the cliff — his singular escapes from carbine and lance, were no longer due to himself, but to the devil. The " diablo " was at the bottom of all 1 If the outlaw appeared so often during the next few days to those who did not wish to see him, it was somewhat strange that those who were desirous of a sight and an interview could get neither one nor the other. The lieutenants, Yafiez and Ortiga, with their following of troopers, were on the scout and look-out from morning till night, and from one day's end to the other. The spies that were thickly set in all parts where there was a probability he might appear, could see nothing of Carlos ! To-day he was reported here, to-morrow there ; but on tracing these reports to their sources, it usually turned out that some ranchero with a black horse had been taken for him ; and thus the troopers were led from place to place, and misled by false reports until both horses and men were nearly worn out in the hopeless pursuit. This, however, had become the sole duty on which the soldiers were employed — as the Commandante had no idea of giving up the chase, so long as there was a trooper left to take the trail. One place was closely watched both by day and by night. It was watched by soldiers disguised, and also by spies employed 280 THE WHITE CHIEF. for the purpose. This was the rancho of the cibolero himself. The disguised soldiers and spies were placed around it, in such positions that they could see every movement that took place outside the walls without being themselves seen. These positions they held during the day, taking others at night ; and the surveillance was thus continual, by these secret sentries relieving one another. Should the cibolero appear, it was not the duty of the spies to attack him. They were only to communicate with a troop — kept in readiness not far off — that thus insured a sufficient force for the object. The mother and sister of the cibolero had returned to live in the rancho. The peons had re-roofed and repaired it — an easy task, as the walls had not been injured by the fire. It was now as comfortable a dwelling as ever. The mother and sister were not molested — in fact, they were supposed to know nothing of the fact that eyes were continually upon them. But there was a design in this toleration. They were to be narrowly watched in their movements. They were never to leave the rancho without being closely followed, and the circumstance of their going out reported to the leader of the ambushed troop at the moment of its occurrence. These orders were of the strictest kind, and their disobedience threatened with severe punishment. The reasons for all this were quite simple. Both Yizcarra and Roblado believed or suspected, that Carlos might leave the set- tlement altogether — why should he not ? — and take both mother and sister along with him. Indeed, why should he not ? The place could be no more a home to him, and he would easily find another beyond the Great Plains. No time could ever release him from the ban that hung over him. He could never pay the forfeit of his life — but by that life. It was, therefore, perfectly natural in the two officers to suspect him of the intention of moving elsewhere. But, reasoned they, so long as we hold the mother and sistef THE WHITE CHIEF. 281 as hostages, he will not leave them. He will still continue to lurk around the settlement, and if not now, some time shall the fox be caught and destroyed. So reasoned the Commandante and his captain, and hence the strictness of their orders about guarding the rancho. Its inmates were really prisoners, though — as Yizcarra and Roblado sup- posed — they were ignorant of the fact. Notwithstanding all their ingenious plans — notwithstanding all their spies, and scouts, and soldiers — notwithstanding their promises of reward and threats of punishment — day followed day, and still the outlaw remained at large. CHAPTER XLIX. For a long time Carlos had neither been seen nor heard of except through reports, that on being examined turned out to be false. Both the Commandante and his confrere began to grow uneasy. They began to fear he had in reality left the settlement and gone elsewhere to live, and this they dreaded above all things. Both had a reason for wishing him thus out of the place, and until late occurrences nothing would have pleased them better. But their feelings had undergone a change, and neither the intended seducer nor the fortune-hunter desired that things should end just in that way. The passion of revenge had almost destroyed the ruffian love of the+one, and the avarice of the other. The very sympathy which both received on account of their misfortunes whetted this passion to a continued keenness. There was no danger of its dying within the breast of either. The looking-glass alone would keep it alive in Yizcarra's bosom for the rest of his life. They were together on the azotea of the Presidio, talking the 282 THE WHITE CHIEF. matter between them, and casting over the probabilities of their late suspicion. "He is fond of the sister," remarked the Commandante ; 11 and mother too, for that matter, hag as she is I Still, my dear Roblado, a man likes his own life better than anything else. Near is the shirt, &c. He knows well that to stay here is to get into our hands some time or other, and he knows what we'll do with him if he should. Though he has made some clever escapes, I'll admit, that may not always be his fortune. The pitcher may go to the well once too often. He's a cunning rascal — no doubt knows this riddle — and therefore I begin to fear he has taken himself off, — at least for a long while. He may return again, but how the deuce are we to sustain this constant espionage ? It would weary down the devil ! It will become as tiresome as the siege of Granada was to the good king Fernando and his warlike spouse of the soiled chemise. Por Dios ! I'm sick of it already !" " Rather than let him escape us," replied Roblado, " I'd wear out my life at it." "So I — so I, Captain. Don't fear I have the slightest intention of dropping our system of vigilance. No — no look if. this face. Carajo 1" And, as the speaker reflected upon his spoiled features, the bitterest scowl passed over them, making them still more hideous. " And yet," continued Yizcarra, following out the original theme, " it does not seem natural that he should leave them behind him — even for a short period, after what has occurred, and after the risk he ran to recover her ; does it ?" " No," replied the other, thoughtfully, M no. What I most wonder at is his not setting off with them the night she got back, — that very night, — for by the letter he was there upon the spot ! But, true, it takes some time to prepare for a journey across the prairies. He would never have gone to on* THE WHITE CHIEF. 283 of our own settlements — not likely — and to have travelled elsewhere would have required some preparation for the women at least ; for himself, I believe he is as much at home in the desert as either the antelope or the prairie wolf. Still with an effort he might have gone away at that time and taken them along with him. It was bad management on our part not to send our men down that night." "I had no fear of his going off, else I should have done so." " How ? — no fear ? was it not highly probable ?" " Not in the least," replied Roblado. " I cannot understand you, my dear Captain. Why not ?" "Because there is a magnet in this valley that held him tighter than either mother or sister could, and I knew that." " Oh ! now I understand you." "Yes," continued Roblado, grinding his teeth against each other, and speaking in a bitter tone ; " that precious ' light- o' love/ that is yet to be my wife, — ha ! ha ! He was not likely to be off without having a talk with her. They have had it. God knows whether they agreed to make it their last, but I, with the help of Don Ambrosio, have arranged that for them. Carrai ! she'll make no more midnight sorties, I fancy. No — he's not gone. I cannot think it, — for two reasons. First, on her account. Have you ever loved, Commandante ? I mean truly loved ! Ha ! ha ! ha !" " Ha ! ha I ha ! well I think I was caught once." "Then you will know that when a man really loves — for I myself count that foolish act among my experiences — when a man really loves, there's no rope strong enough to pull him away from the spot where the object of his love resides. No, I believe this fellow, low as he is, not only loves but worships this future wife of mine, — ha ! ha ! — and I believe also that no danger, not even the prospect of the garotta, will frighten him from the settlement so long as he has the hope of another clandestine 284: THE WHITE CHIEF. tete-a-tete with her ; and, knowing that she is ready to meet him half-way in such a matter, he will not have lost hope yet. " But my second reason for believing he is still lurking about, is that which you yourself have brought forward. He is not likely to leave them behind after what has happened. We have not blinded him ; though, thanks to God, or the devil, — we have dusted the eyes of everybody besides ! He knows all, as the girl Yicenza can well testify. Now, I have no belief that, knowing all this, he would leave them for any lengthened period. What I do believe is that the fellow is as cunning as a coyote, sees our trap, knows the bait, and won't be caught if he can help it. He is not far off, and, through these accursed peons of his, communicates with the women regularly and continually." " What can be done ?" " I have been thinking." " If we stop the peons from going back and forth they would be sure to know the trap that was set around them." " Exactly so, Commandante. That would never dc -'' " Have you considered any other plan ?" " Partly I have." "Let us hear it I" " It is this. Some of these peons regularly visit the fellow in his lair. I feel certain of it. Of course they have been followed, but only in daylight, and then they are found to be on their ordinary business. But there is one of them who goes abroad at night ; and all attempts at following him have proved abortive. He loses himself in the chapparal paths, in spite of the spies. That is why I am certain he visits the cibolero." " It seems highly probable." " Now if we can find one who could either follow this fellow or track him ; but there's the difficulty. We are badly off for a good tracker. There is not one in the whole troop." " There are other ciboleros and hunters in the valley Why not procure one of them ?" THE WHITE CHIEF. 2S5 " True, we might — there are none of them over well disposed to the outiaw — so it is said. But I fear there is none of them fit, that is, none who combines both the skill and the courage necessary for this purpose, — for both are necessary. They hate the fellow enough, but they fear him as well. The is one whom I have heard of, — in fact know something of him, who would be the very man for us. He not only would not fear an encounter with the cibolero, but would hardly shun one with the devil ; and, as for his skill, in all sorts of Indian craft, his reputation among his kind is even greater than that of Carlos himself." " Who is he ?» 11 1 should say there are two of them, for the two always go together; one is a mulatto, who has formerly been a slave among the Americanos. He is now a runaway, and therefore hates everything that reminds him of his former masters. Among other souvenirs, as I am told, he hates our cibolero with a good stout hatred. This springs partly from the feeling already men- tioned, and partly from the rivalry of hunter-fame. So much in our favour. The alter ego of the mulatto is a man of somewhat kindred race, a zambo from the coast near Matamoras or Tarn- pico. How he strayed this way, no one knows, but it is a good while ago, and the mulatto and he have for long been shadows of each other ; live together, hunt together, and fight for one another. Both are powerful men, and cunning as strong ; but the mulatto is the zambo's master in everything, villany not excepted. Neither is troubled with scruples. They would be the very men for our purpose." " And why not get them at once V " Therein lies the difficulty — unfortunatelv they are not here at present. They are off upon a hunt. They are hangers-on of the mission, occasionally employed by the Padres in procur- ing venison and other game. "Now, it seems that the stomachs of our good abstemious fathers have lately taken a fancy to buffalo-tongue cured in a cer 286 THE WHITE CHIEF. tain way, which can only be done when the animal is fresh killed. In order to procure this delicacy they have sent these hunters to the buffalo range." " How long have they been gone ? — can you tell ?" " Several weeks — long before the return of our cibolero." " It is possible they may be on the way back. Is it not V " 1 think it quite probable, but I shall ride over to the mission this very hour and inquire." " Do so ; it would be well if we could secure them. A brace of fellows, such as you describe these to be, would be worth our whole command. Lose no time I" " I shall not waste a minute," Roblado replied, and leaning over the wall he called out, " Hola ! Jose ! my horse there !" Shortly after a messenger came up to say that his horse was saddled and ready. He was about to descend the escalera, when a large closely-cropped head — with a circular patch about the size of a blister shaven out of the crown — made its appearance over the stone-work at the top of the escalera. It was the head of the Padre Joaquin ; and the next moment the owner, bland and smiling, appeared upon the azotea. CHAPTER L. The monk who presented himself was the same who had figured at the dinner-party. He was the senior of the two that directed the mission, and in every respect the ruler of the estab- lishment. He was known as the Padre Joaquin while his junior was the Padre Jorge. The latter was a late addition to the post, whereas Padre Joaquin had been its director almost since the time of its establishment. He was, therefore, an old resi- dent, and knew the history and character of every settler in the THE WHITE CHIEF. 287 valley. For some reason or other he held an inveterate dislike to the family of the cibolero, to which he had given expression upon the evening of the dinner-party — although he assigned no cause for his hostility. It could not have been because he regarded them as heretics, for though the Padre Joaquin was loud in his denunciations of all who were outside the pale of the Church, yet in his own heart he cared but little about such things. His zeal for religion was sheer hypocrisy and worldly cunning. There was no vice practised in the settlement in which Padre Joaquin did not take a leading part. An adroit monte player he was — ready to do a little cheating upon occasions — a capital judge of game-cocks, ever ready to strike his onzas upon a " main." In addition to these accomplishments, the padre boasted of others. In his cups, — and this was nothing unusual, — he was in the habit of relating the liaisons and amourettes of his earlier life, and even some of later date. Although the neo- phytes of the mission were supposed to be all native Tagnos with dark skins, yet there was to be seen upon the establish- ment quite a crowd of young mestizoes, both boys and girls, who were known as the " sobrinos " and " sobrinas P of Padre Joa- quin. You cannot otherwise than deem this an exaggeration : you will imagine that no reverend father could practice such conduct and still be held in any sort of respect by the people among whom he dwelt ? So should I have thought had I not witnessed with my own eyes and ears the "priest-life" of Mexico. The immoralities here ascribed to Padre Joaquin can scarcely be called exceptional in his class. They are rather common than otherwise — some have even said universal. It was no zealous feeling of religion, then, that could have " set " the monk in such hostile attitude against the family of the poor cibolero. No. It was some old grudge against the deceased father — some cross which the padre had experienced from him in the days of the former Commandante. 288 THE WHITE CHIEF. As Padre Joaquin walked forward on the azotea, his busy, oustling air showed that he was charged with some news; and the triumphant smile upon his countenance told that he calcu- lated upon its being of interest to those to whom he was about to communicate it. " Good day, father! — Good day, your reverence!" said the Commandante and Roblado speaking at the same time. " Good day, gentlemen/' responded the padre. " Glad to see you good father!" said Roblado. "You have saved me a ride. I was just in the act of starting for the mis- sion to wait upon your reverence." " And if you had come, capitan, I could have given you a luxury to lunch upon. We have received our buffalo-tongues." " Oh! you have!" cried Yizcarra and Roblado in the same breath, and with an expression of interest that somewhat sur- prised the padre; " Ha! you greedy ladrones ! I see what you would be after. You would have me send you some of them. You shan't have a slice though — that is, unless you can give me something that will wash this dust out of my throat. I'm woeful thirsty this morning." " Ha ! ha ! ha !" laughed the officers. " What shall it be, father ?" "Well — let me see. — Ah! — a cup of ' Bordeos ' — that you received by last arrival." The claret was ordered and brought up; and the padre, toss- ing off a glassful, smacked his lips after it with the air of one who well knew and appreciated the good quality of the wine. 14 Capital! capital!" he exclaimed, rolling his eyes up to hea- ven, as if everything good should come and go in that direc- tion. " And so, padre," said the impatient Roblado, " you have got your buffalo-tongues ? Your hunters then have returned V " They have; that is the business that brought me over." THE WHITE CHIEF. 289' " Good! that was the business that was about to take me to the mission." 11 An onza we were both on the same errand!" challenged the padre. " I won*t bet, father; you always win." " Come ! you'd be glad to give an onza for my news." " What news ? — what news ?" asked the officers at once, and with hurried impatience of manner. "Another cup of Bordeos, or I choke! The dust of that road is worse than purgatory. Ah ! this is a relief I" And again the padre swallowed a large glassful of claret, and smacked his lips as before. " Now your news, dear padre ?" 11 Then, cavalleros — our hunters have returned!" " What then ?" "Why then! they have brought news." "Of what?" " Of our friend the cibolero." " Of Carlos ?" " Precisely of that individual." " What news ? Have they seen him ? ■* No, not exactly him but his trail. They have discovered his lair, and know where he is at this moment." " Good!" exclaimed Yizcarra and Koblado. " They can find him at any time." 11 Excellent!" "Now, cavalleros; that is my news at your service. Use it to your advantage, if you can." "Dear padre!" replied Yizcarra, "yours is a wiser head than ours. You know the situation of affairs. Our troopers cannot catch this villian. How would you advise us to act ?" The padre felt flattered by this confidence. " Amigos!" said he, drawing both of them together, " I have been thinking of this; and it is my opinion you will do just as 13 290 THE WHITE CHIEF. well without the help of a single soldier. Take these two hunters into your confidence — so far as may be necessary — equip them for the work — set them on the trail ; and if they don't hunt down the heretic rascal, then I, Padre Joaquin, have no knowledge of men." " Why, padre !" said Roblado ; " it's the very thing we have been thinking about — the very business for which I was about to seek you." " You had good reason, cavalleros. In my opinion, it's the best course to be followed." " But will your hunters go willingly to work ? They are free men, and may not like to engage in so dangerous an enter- prise." " Dangerous !" repeated the padre. " The danger will be no obstacle to them, I promise you. They have the courage of lions and the agility of tigers. You need not fear that danger will stand in the way." " You think, then, they will be disposed to it ?" " They are disposed — I have sounded them. They have some reason of their own for not loving the cibolero too dearly ; and therefore, cavalleros, you won't require to use much persuasiou on that score. I fancy you'll find them ready enough, for they have been reading the proclamation, and, if I mistake not, have been turning over in their thoughts the fine promises it holds out. Make it sure to them that they will be well rewarded, and they'll bring you the cibolero's ears, or his scalp, or his whole carcass, if you prefer it, in less than three days from the pres- ent time ! They'll track him down, I warrant." u Should we send some troops along with them ? The cibol- ero may not be alone. We have reason to believe he has a half- blood with him — a sort of right-hand man of his own — and with this help he may be quite a match for your punters." " Not likely — they are very devils. But you can consult themselves about that. They will know best whether they need THE WHITE CHIEF. 291 assistance. That is their own affair, cavalleros. Let them decide." 11 Shall we send for them ? or will you send them to us ?" inquired Roblado. 11 Do you not think it would be better for one of you to go to them ? The matter should be managed privately. If they make their appearance here, and hold an interview with either of you, your business with them will be suspected, and perchance get known to him. If it should reach his ears that these fellows are after him, their chances of taking him would be greatly dim- inished." " You are right, father," said Roblado. " How can we com- municate with these fellows privately ?" M Nothing easier than that, captain. Go to their house— I should rather say to their hut — for they live in a sort of hovel by the rocks. The place is altogether out of the common track. No one will be likely to see you on your visit. You must pass through a narrow road in the chapparal ; but — I shall send you a guide who knows the spot, and he will conduct you. I think it like enough the fellows will be expecting you, as I hinted to them to stay at home — that possibly they might be wanted. No doubt you'll find them there at this moment." " When can you send up the guide ?" " He is here now — my own attendant will do. He is below in the court — you need lose no time." " No ; Roblado," added the Commandante, " your horse is ready — you cannot do better than go at once." " Then go I shall ; your guide, padre ?" " Esteban ! Hola ! Esteban !" cried the padre, leaning over the wall. " Here, Senor," answered a voice. " Come up quickly." The next moment an Indian boy appeared upon the azotea, and taking off his hat approached the padre with an air of reverence. 292 THE WHITE CHIEF. " You will guide the captain through the path in the chap- paral to the hunters' hut." " Si, Seiior." " Don't tell any one you have done so." " No, Senor." • " If you do you shall catch the ' cuarto 1' " Koblado, followed by the boy, descended the escalera ; and, after being helped on his horse, rode away from the gate. The padre, at the invitation of Yizcarrra, emptied another cup of Bordeos ; and then, telling his host that a luncheon of the new luxury awaited him at the mission, he bade him good day, and shuffled off homeward. Yizcarra remained alone upon the azotea. Had any one been there to watch him, they would notice that his countenance assumed a strange and troubled expression every time his eyes chanced to wander in the direction of La Nina. CHAPTER LI. Roblado entered the chapparal, the boy Esteban trotting a few paces in advance of his horse's head. Eor half-a-mile or so he traversed a leading road that ran between the town and one of the passes. He then struck into a narrow path, but little used except by hunters or vaqueros in search of their cattle. This path conducted him, after a ride of two or three miles, to the base of the cliffs, and there was found the object of his jour ney — the dwelling-place of the hunters. It was a mere hut — a few upright posts supporting a single roof, which slanted up, with a very slight inclination, against the v face of the rock. The posts were trunks of a species of arbor- escent yucca that grew plentifully around the spot, and the roof THE WHITE CHIEF. 293 thatch was the stiff leaves of the same, piled thickly over each other. There was a sort of rude door, made of boards split from the larger trunks of the yucca, and hung with strong straps of parfieche, or thick buffalo leather. Also a hole that served for a window, with a shutter of the same material, and similarly suspended. The walls were a wattle of vines and slender poles bent around the uprights, and daubed carelessly with a lining of mud. The smooth vertical rock served for one side of the house — so that so much labour had been spared in the building — and the chimney, which was nothing better than a hole in the roof, conducted the smoke in such a manner, that a sooty streak marked its course up the face of the cliff. The door entered at one end, close in by the rock, but the window was in the side or front. Through the latter the inmates of the hut could com- mand a view of any one approaching by the regular path. This, however, was a rare occurrence, as the brace of rude hunters had but few acquaintances, and their dwelling was far removed from any frequented route. Indeed, the general track of travel that led along the bottom line of the bluffs did not approach within several hundred yards of this point, in consequence of the indentation or bay in which the hut was placed. Moreover, the thick chapparal screened it from observation on one side, while the cliffs shut it in upon the other. Behind the house — that is, at the hinder end of it — was a small corral, its walls rudely constructed with fragments of rock. In this stood three lean and sore-backed mules, and a brace of mustangs no better off. There was a field adjoining the corral, or what had once been a field, but from neglect had run into a bed of grass and weeds. A portion of it, however, showed signs of cultivation — a patch here and there — on which stood some maize plants, irregularly set and badly hoed, and between their stems the trailing tendrils of the melon and calabash. It was a true squatter's plantation. Around the door lay half-a-dozen wolfish-looking dogs ; and 294: THE WHITE CHIEF. under the shelter of the overhanging rock, two or three old pack- saddles rested upon the ground. Upon a horizontal pole two riding saddles were set astride — old, worn, and torn — and from the same pole hung a pair of bridles, and some strings of jerked meat and pods of chile pepper. Inside the house might have been seen a couple of Indian women, not over cleanly in their appearance, engaged in knead- ing coarse bread and stewing tasajo. A fire burnt against the rock, between two stones — earthern pots and gourd dishes lay littered over the floor. The walls were garnished with bows, quivers, and skins of animals, and a pair of embankments of stones and mud, one at each corner of the room — there was but one room — served as bedstead and beds. A brace of long spears rested in one corner, alongside a rifle and a Spanish escopeta ; and above hung a machete or sword knife, with powder-horns, pouches, and other equipments necessary to a hunter of the Rocky Mountains. There were nets, and other implements for fishing and taking small game, and these constituted the chief furniture of the hovel. All these things Roblado might have seen by entering the hut; but he did not enter, as the men he was in search of chanced to be outside — the mulatto lying stretched along the ground, and the zambo swinging in a hammock between two trees, according to the custom of his native country — the coast- lands of the tierra caliente. The aspect of these men, that would have been displeasing to almost any one else, satisfied Roblado. They were just the men for his work. He had seen both before, but had never scruti- nised them till now ; and, as he glanced at their bold swarth faces and brawny muscular frames, he thought to himself, " These are just the fellows to deal with the cibolero." A formidable pair they looked. Each one of them, so far as appearance went, might with safety assail an antagonist like the cibolero — for either of them was bigger and bulkier than he. THE WHITE CHIEF. 295 The mulatto was the taller of the two. He was also superior in strength, courage, and sagacity. A more unamiable countenance it would have been difficult to meet in all that land, without appealing to that of the zambo. There you found its parallel. The skin of the former was dull yellow in colour, with a thin beard over the cheeks and around the lips. The lips were negro- like, thick, and purplish, and behind them appeared a double row of large wolfish teeth. The eyes were sunken — their whites mottled with yellowish flakes. Heavy dark brows shadowed them, standing far apart, separated by the broad flattish nose, the nostrils of which stood so widely open as to cause a protu- berance on each side. Large ears were hidden under a thick frizzled shock that partook of the character both of hair and wool. Over this was bound, turban fashion, an old check Madras kerchief that had not come in contact with soap for many a day ; and from under its folds, the woolly hair straggled down over the forehead so as to add to the wild and fierce expression of the face. It was a countenance that proclaimed ferocity, reckless daring, cunning, and an utter absence of all humane sentiment. The dress of the man had little in it differing from others who lead the life of a prairie-hunter. It was a mixture of leather and blanket. The head-dress only was peculiar. That was an old souvenir of the Southern States and their negro life. The zambo had a face as ferocious in its expression as that of his confrere. It differed in colour. It was a coppery black — combining the hues of both races from whom he derived his origin. He had the thick lips and retreating forehead of the negro, but the Indian showed itself in his hair, which scarcely waved, but hung in long snaky tresses about his neck and shoulders. He was altogether less distinguished-looking than his comrade the mulatto. His dress partook of the character of his tribe — wide trousers of coarse cotton stuff, with a sleeve- 296 THE WHITE CHIEF. less shirt of the same material, — a waist scarf, and coarse serape. Half the upper part of his body was nude, and his thick copper- coloured arms were quite bare. Roblado arrived just in time to witness the finale of an incident, that would serve to illustrate the character of the zarabo. He was half sitting, half laying in his hammock, in the enjoyment of a husk cigar, and occasionally striking at the flies with his rawhide whip. He called out to one of the women — his wife, for the time, — " Nina ! I want to eat something — is the guisado ready ?" " Not yet," answered a voice from the hut. " Bring me a tortilla then, with chile Colorado." " Querido — you know there is no chile Colorado in the house," was the reply. "Nina ! come here ! I want you." The woman came out, and approached the hammock, but evidently with some mistrust. The zambo sat perfectly silent until she was close enough for his purpose, and then suddenly raising the rawhide, which he had hitherto held behind him, he laid it with all his strength over her back and shoulders. A thin chemisette was all that intervened to hinder the full severity of the blows, and these fell thick and fast, until the sufferer took courage and retreated out of reach ! "Now, Nina, dear love ! the next time I call for a tortilla with chile Colorado you'll have it — won't you, dear pet?" And then laying himself back in his hammock, the savage uttered a roar of laughter, in which he was joined by the mulatto, who would have done just the same by his better half for a like provocation 1 It was just at this crisis Roblado pulled up in front of the hovel. Both got to their feet to receive him, and both saluted him with a gesture of respect. They knew who he was. The <'• THE WHITE CHIEF. 297 mulatto, as the principal man, took the principal part in the conversation, while the zambo hung in the back-ground. The dialogue was carried on in a low tone on account of the women and the boy Esteban. It resulted, however, in the hunters being engaged, as the padre had suggested, to track and follow the cibolero Carlos to death or capture. If the former, a large sum was to be their reward — if the latter, a sum still larger — nearly double ! With regard to assistance from the troops, neither mulatto nor zambo wished for any. Quite the contrary. They had no desire that the magnificent bounty should be diminished by subdivision. As it stood, it would be a small fortune to both of them, and the brilliant prospect whetted their appetite for the success of the job. His errand having been thus accomplished, the officer rode back to the Presidio ; while the man-hunters immediately set about making preparations for their expedition. CHAPTER LII. The mulatto and zambo, — Manuel and Pepe were their respective names — in half-an-hour after, were ready for the road. Their preparations did not cost them half that time ; but a quarter of an hour was spent on the guisado, and each smoked a husk cigarrito, while their horses were grinding up the half-dozen heads of green maize that had been thrown them. Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off. The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort, since known as a " Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double- 13* 298 THE WHITE CHIEF. edged for some inches from the point — a terrible weapon in close combat. These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them. The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a " machete " upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back. The last of these weapons — for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable — is preferred to any sort of fire-arms. Arrows can be delivered more rapidly than bullets, and, should the first shot fail, the intended victim is less likely to be made aware of the presence of his enemy. In addition to these weapons, both had pistols stuck in their belts, and lazos hanging coiled from their saddle-bows. Behind them on the croup each carried his provisions — a few strips of tasajo with some cold tortillas tied in a piece of buck- skin. A double-headed calabash for water, with sundry horns, pouches, and bags, completed their equipment. A pair of huge gaunt dogs trotted behind their horses' heels, fierce and savage- looking as their masters. One was the wolf-dog of the country, the other a Spanish bloodhound. " What road, Man'l ?" inquired the zambo as they parted from the hut j " straight down to the Pecos ?" " No, Pepe, boy ; must climb, go round. Seen making down valley, somebody guess what we're after — send him word we're coming. He suspect — we not grow rich so easily. No — must get up by old track — cross to dry gully — down that to Pecos. Take longer — make things surer, boy Pepe." " Carrambo !" exclaimed Pepe. " It's a murderous climb. My poor beast's so jaded with the buffalo running, that he'll scarce get up. Carrai !" After a short ride through the thicket and along the bottom of the cliffs, they arrived at a point where a ravine sloped to the upper plain. Up the bottom of this ravine was a difficult pass — difficult on account of its steepness. Any other horses, than THE WHITE CHIEF. 299 mountain-reared mustangs, would have refused it, but these can climb like cats. Even the dogs could scarcely crawl up this ascent. In spite of its almost vertical slope, the hunters dismounted, crawled up, and, pulling their horses after them, soon reached the table-land above. After breathing themselves and their animals, they once more jot astride, and, heading northward, rode rapidly off over the plain. "Now, boy Pepe," muttered the mulatto, "chance meet any sheep-keepers, going after antelope ; you hear V* " Aye, Man'l ; I understand." These were the last words exchanged between them for ten miles. They rode in file — the mulatto in the lead, the zambo in his tracks, and the dogs following in the rear. These two went also in file, the bloodhound heading the wolf. At the end of ten miles they reached a dry river channel, that ran transversely across their route. It was the same which Carlos and his party had followed on the day of their escape after the affair at the Presidio. The hunters entered it, and turning downward, as Carlos had done, followed it to its mouth upon the banks of the Pecos. Here was a grove of timber, which they entered, and, having dismounted, tied their horses to the trees. These animals, though lately arrived from a long journey, and now having passed over more than thirty miles at a brisk rate, showed no symptoms of being done up. Lean though they were, they possessed the tough wiry strength of their race, and either of them could have gone another hundred miles without breaking down. This their masters well knew, else they would have gone upon their man-hunt with less confidence of success. " May gallop away on his fine black," remarked the mulatto, as he glanced at the mustangs. " Soon overhaul him again— won't we, boy Pepe ?" " Chinga !* we will." ♦An oath, used only by the lowest classes— so also Is CMngara. 300 THE WHITE CHIEF. "Brace of hacks tire out racer, — won't they, boy Pepe ?" " Chingara ! So they will, Man'l." " Don't want to try that game though — do the job easier ; won't we, boy Pepe ?" " I hope so, Man'l." " Cibolero in the cave sure — stays there — no better place for him. Won't be caught sleeping, — troopers never follow him up the pass. Convenient to valley. Goes back and forward spite of spies. Tracks could lead nowhere else — sure in the cave, horse and all. When ? that the trouble, boy Pepe." " That's true ! if we knew when he was in, or when he was out, either." " Aye, knew that, no difficulty, — set our trap easy enough, boy Pepe." " He must surely be there in daytime ?" "Just been thinking — goes to the settlements — must be by- night, that's clear — goes there, boy Pepe,-— maybe not to rancho, somewhere near. Must go "to meet Anton. Not like Anton meet him at cave — giiero too sharp for that — goes out to meet Anton, sure !" " Might we not track Anton ?" " Might track Anton — no good that — would have to deal with both together. Besides, don't want kill Anton — no ill-will to Anton — make things worse if find Anton with him. Never do, boy Pepe — have hands full with giiero himself — plenty do capture him. Must not forget capture — not kill — leave that to them. No use track Anton — know where t'other keeps. If didn't know that, then might track Anton." " Can't we get near the cave in daylight, Man'l ? I don't have a good memory of the place." "Mile — no nearer — unless he sleep — when sleep? Tell me that, boy Pepe !" " And suppose he be awake ?" " See us enter the canon, mile off— jump into saddle, pass up THE WHITE CHIEF. 301 to plain above — maybe three days before find him again — maybe not find at all, boy Pepe." " Well, brother Man'l — I have a plan. Let us get near the mouth of the canon, and hide outside of it till night — then as soon as it is dark creep into where it narrows. He will come down that way to go out. What then ? we can have a shot at him as he passes !" " Pooh, boy Pepe ! Think lose chance of half reward — risk whole by shot in dark ? Dam ! no — have whole or none — set us up for life — take him alive, take him alive, sure." " Well then," rejoined the zambo, " let him pass out of the canon, and when he's gone clear out of reach, we can go up, get into the cave, and wait his return. What say you to that ?" " Talk sense now, boy Pepe — something like plan about that — what we do — but not go inside canon till guero clear away. Only near enough see him go out, then for cave — right plan to take him. Sun near down, time we start — come 1" " Let us go !" Both mounted, and rode forward to the bank of the river. There was no ford at the spot, but what of that ? With scarce a moment's delay, they plunged their horses into the stream, and swam across. The dogs followed their example, and all came out dripping on the opposite bank. The evening was chill, but what was heat or cold to such men ? Nothing signified their wet clothes to them ; and without halting they rode straight forward to the ceja of the Llano Estacado, and having reached it turned to the right, and rode along the base of the bluffs. After following the line of the ceja for two or three miles they approached a spur of the cliff that ran out into the plain, and gradually tapered to a point, sinking lower as it receded from the Llano. It ended in a clump, or rather several clusters of isolated rocks, and boulders, that stood near each other. The place was not timbered, but the dark rocks irregularly piled upon each other gave it a shaggy appearance ; and among their 302 THE WHITE CHIEF. crevices, and the spaces between them, was ample room for even a large party, both of men and horses, to lie concealed. The end of this rocky promontory was the point towards which the mulatto was steering. It formed one side of the ravine in which lay the cave, while another similar ridge bounded the ravine on its southern side. Between them a deep bay indented the cliff, from which a narrow difficult pass opened up to the high plain above. It was the same ravine in which the cattle of the young ranchero Don Juan had beeu slaugh- tered ! These were no longer to be seen, but their bones were still visible, scattered over the plain, and already bleached white. The wolves, vultures, and bears, had prepared them for that. The man-hunters at length reached their destination ; and, having led their horses in among the loose boulders, fastened them securely. They then crept up through crevices in the rocks, until they had reached the crest of the ridge. From this point they commanded a view of the whole month of the land- bay, about three hundred yards in width, so that no object, such as a man or horse, could pass out or in without their observing it — unless the night should chance to be very dark indeed. But they expected moonlight, by the help of which not even a cat could enter the ravine without their seeing it. Having found a spot to their liking they lay down, with their bodies concealed from any one who might be passing on the plain below either in front of or behind them. Their horses were already hidden among the large masses of rock. To the minds of both their purposed plan of action was clearly understood. They had their reasons for believing that the cibo- lero, during his period of outlawry, was dwelling in a cave that opened into this ravine, and which was well known to the mulatto— that Carlos came out in the night, and approached the settlements, the place was but ten miles from his own rancho — and that he was met somewhere by Antonio, who gave him infor* THE WHITE CHIEF. 303 mation of what was going on, bringing him provisions at the same time. It was their intention to wait until Carlos should pass out, then occupy the cave themselves, and attack him on his return, True they might have waylaid him on his going forth, but that might result in a failure. Catch him they could not while mounted. They might have crept near enough to get a shot at him; but, as the mulatto had said, that would have risked their losing him altogether. Moreover, neither wanted to take only his scalp. The mulatto in particular had resolved on earning the double price by taking him alive. Even though it cost them some additional risk, his capture would doubly reward them, and for money these desperadoes were ready to venture anything. Withal, they were not so daring as to have cared for an open encounter. They knew something of the mettle of "el giiero," but they trusted to the advantage they should obtain over him by strata- gem. On starting out, they had resolved to follow him up, and steal upon him when asleep — and the plan which they had now formed had been the result of cogitations by the way. In Manuel's mind it had been developed long before the suggestion of the zambo. They rested their hopes upon the belief that their victim would not know that they were after him — he could not have heard of their return from the buffalo-hunt, and therefore would be less on the alert. They knew if Carlos became aware that they were upon his trail he would pursue a very different course from that observed towards his soldier-pursuers. From these he could easily hide at any time upon the Llano Estacado, but it was different with men like the hunters, who, though they might not overtake him at the first burst, could follow on and find him again wherever he should ride to. But both mulatto and zambo believed that their presence would be unsuspected by the giiero, until they had laid hands upon him. Hence their confidence of success. 304: THE WHITE CHIEF. They certainly had taken measures that promised it — suppos« ing their hypothesis to be correct — that is, supposing the cibo- fero to be in the cave at that moment, and that during the night he should come out of the ravine. They were soon to know — the sun had already gone down. They would not have long to watch. CHAPTER LIII. Carlos was in the cave, and at that very moment. Ever since the affair at the Presidio he had made it his dwelling, his " lair," and for reasons very similar to those which the mulatto had imparted to his companion. It afforded him a safe retreat, and at a convenient distance from his friends in the valley. Out of the ravine he could pass with safety by night, returning before day. During the day he slept. He had little fear of being tracked thither by the troopers; but even had they done so, his cave entrance commanded a full view of the ravine, to its mouth at nearly a mile's distance, and any one approaching from that direction could be perceived long before they were near. If a force of troopers should enter by the mouth of the ravine, though both sides were inaccessible cliffs, the cibolero had his way of escape. As already stated, a narrow pass, steep and difficult, led from the upper end of the gully to the plain above. Steep and difficult as it was, it could be scaled by the black horse ; and, once on the wide plain of the Llano Estacado, Carlos could laugh at his soldier-pursuers. The only time his enemies could have reached him would be during the hours of sleep, or after darkness had fallen. But Carlos was not afraid even then. He went to sleep with as much unconcern as if he had been surrounded by a body-guard ! This is explained by a knowledge of the fact that he had his THE WHITE CHIEF. 305 guard — a faithful guard — the dog Cibolo — for although Cibolo had received some lance-thrusts in his last terrible encounter, he had escaped without any fatal wound. He was still by the side of his master. While the latter slept the sagacious animal sat upon the ledge, and watched the ravine below. The sight of a soldier's uniform would have raised the hair along Cibolo's back, and drawn from him the warning growl. Even in the darkness no one could have got within several hundred yards of the cave without attracting the notice of the dog, who would have given his master time to get off from the most rapid pursuers. The cave was a large one, large enough to hold both men and horses. Water, pure crystal water, dripped from the rocks near its inner end, and lay collected in a tank, that from its round bowl-like shape seemed to have been fashioned by the hand of man. But it was not so. Nature had formed this bowl and filled it with choicest water. Such a formation is by no means uncommon in that region. Caves containing similar tanks exist in the Waco and Guadalupe Mountains lying still farther to the south. It was just the spot for a hiding-place — a refuge for either robber, outlaw, or other fugitive — and circumstanced as Carlos was it was the very dwelling for him. He had long known of its existence, and he shared that knowledge only with hunters like himself and the wild Indians. No settlers of the valley ever ventured up that dark and dismal ravine. In his lair Carlos had ample time for reflection, and bitter often were his reflections. He had information of all that passed. Antonio managed that. Nightly did he meet Antonio at a point on the Pecos, and receive from him the "novedades" of the settlement. The cunning mulatto had guessed correctly. Had Antonio brought his news direct to the cave, he might have been followed, and the hiding-place of Carlos have been thus discov- ered. To prevent that the cibolero nightly went forth to meet him. 306 THE WHITE CHIEF. Antonio, in collecting the news of the settlement, found in the young girl Josefa an able adjutant. Through her he learnt that Catalina de Cruces was kept under lock and key — that Roblado had only been wounded, and would recover — that new officers went out with the scouting parties — and that his master's head had risen in price. The shallow artifice of the spies around the rancho had long been known to Carlos. Shallow as it was, it greatly annoyed him, as by these he was prevented from visit- ing his mother and sister. Through Antonio, however, he kept up almost daily communication with them. He might have been apprehensive in regard to his sister, after what had occurred, but the villain Yizcarra was an invalid, and Carlos rightly judged why Rosita was permitted to go unmolested. He had little fear for her — at least for a time — and ere that time expired he should bear her away, far out of the reach of such a danger. It was for that opportunity he was now waiting. With all the vigilance of his foes, he had no fear but that he could steal his own mother and sister almost at any time. But another was to be the companion of their flight — another dear as they, and far more closely guarded ! For her only did he risk life daily — for her only did he sit hour after hour in that lone cave brooding over plans, and forming schemes of desperate peril. Kept under lock and key — closely watched from morn to night, and night till morning — how was she to be rescued from such a situation? — This was the problem upon which his mind now dwelt. She had given him the assurance of her willingness to go. Oh ! why had he not proposed instant flight ? Why did he neglect that golden moment ? Why should either have thought of delay ? That delay had been fatal — might retard their pur- pose for months, for years — perhaps for ever ! But little cared Carlos for the anger of his enemies — little for the contempt in which he was held throughout the settlement — THE WHITE CHIEF. 307 she alone was his care — his constant solicitude. His waking hours were all given to that one thought — how he would rescue, not himself, but his mistress. N"o wonder he looked anxiously for the night — no wonder he rode with impatient eagerness towards that lone rendezvous on the Pecos. Night had come again ; and, leading his horse down the slope in front of the cave, he mounted and rode off towards the mouth of the canon. The dog Cibolo trotted in advance of him. CHAPTER LIT. The man-hunters had not long to wait. They had anticipated this. There was a moon which they had also expected. It was a bright moon at intervals, and then obscured — for minutes at a time — by the passage of dark clouds over the canopy. There was no wind, however, and the air was perfectly still. The slightest noise could have been heard for a long distance in the atmosphere of that elevated region — so pure and light that it vibrated afar with the slightest concussion. Sounds were heard, but they were not made by either the dogs or horses of the hunters — well trained to silence — nor by the hunters themselves. Both lay stretched in silence ; or if they spoke, it was only in whispers and low mutterings. The sounds were those of nature — such as it exists in that wild region. The "snort" of the grizzly bear from the rocky ledge — the howling bark of the coyote* — the " hoo-hoop " of the burrowing owl, and the shrill periodical cries of the bull-bat * For most interesting descriptions of the habits of these various animals vide "ThI Huhter's Feast." 308 THE WHITE CHIEF. and goat-sucker. For a while these were the only sounds ths fell upon the ears of the ambushed hunters. Half-an-hour elapsed, and during all that time neither per- mitted their eyes or ears to rest for a moment. They gazed up the ravine, and at intervals glanced outwards upon the plain. There was a probability that their victim might be abroad — even in the day — and with such men no probability was allowed to pass without examination. Should it prove to be so, and he were to return at that time, it would frustrate the plan they had arranged. But for such a contingency the mulatto had conceived another — that was, to steal during the night, as near the cave as possible — within rifle-shot if he could — wait until the giiero should make his appearance in the morning, and wing him with a bullet from his rifle — in the use of which weapon the yellow hunter was well skilled. To shoot the horse was another design. The horse once killed or crippled, the cibolero would be captured to a certainty ; and both had made up their minds, in case a good opportunity offered, to despatch the noble animal. These men knew a certain plan by which their victim could be killed or captured — that is, supposing they had been certain he was in the cave — a plan which could scarce have failed. But yet, for reasons of their own, they would not adopt it. It would have been simple enough to have conducted a party of dragoons to the head of the pass, and there have stationed them, while another party entered the canon from below. As the sides of the ravine were impassable precipices, the retreat of the cibolero would have been thus cut off at both ends. True, to have reached the upper plain, without going through the ravine itself — and that, as we have seen, would have defeated such a plan — would have cost a journey to the troop to bo stationed above. But neither Yizcarra nor Roblado would have grudged either the time or the men to have rendered success thus sure. The mulatto and his dusky camarado knew all this perfectly, THE WHITE CHIEF. 300 but to have caused such a plan to be put in execution, was the last thought in their minds. Such a course would have been attended with but little peril to them, but it would have brought as little pay, for every trooper in the whole band would have claimed equal share in the promised reward. That would not be very satisfactory to the hunters, whose heads and knowledge had furnished the means and the ways. Neither entertained any idea of following such a course. Both were confident in their ability to affect their object, with- out aid from any quarter. From the time they had taken their station on the rock, half- an-hour was all they had to wait. At the end of that period, the quick ears of both caught the sound of some one coming from the direction of the ravine. They heard a horse's hoof striking upon loose shingle, and the rattling of the displaced pebbles. A debris of broken fragments filled the bottom of the ravine, brought there during rain-torrents. Over this ran the path. A horseman was coming down it. " The guero I" muttered the mulatto ; " be sure, boy Pepe." "Trust you for a guess, brother Man'l ; you were right about the tracks we first fell in with. The cave's his hiding-place to a certainty. We'll have him sure when he comes back. — Carrai I yonder he comes I" As the zambo spoke, a tall dark form was perceived approach- ing down the ravine. By the moon gleaming upon it, they could make out the figure of a horse and rider. . They had no longer any doubt it was their intended victim. " Brother Man'l," whispered the zambo, " suppose he passes near ! why not bring down the horse — you can't miss in this fine light — both of us can aim at the horse — if we stop him we'll easily overtake the guero." " Won't do, boy Pepe — not easily overtake guero a-foot. Get off among rocks — hide for days — can't track him a-foot— be on 310 THE WHITE CHIEF. his guard after — give us trouble — old plan best — let pass— have him safe when he come back — have him sure." " But, Man'l " " Dam ! no need for buts — always in a hurry, boy Pepe — have patience — no buts, no fear. See, now V 9 This last exclamation was intended to point out to Pepe that his suggestion, even though a wise one, could not have been car- ried out, as the horseman was not going to pass within range of either rifle or escopeta. It was plain he was heading down the middle of the canon, keeping equally distant from the sides, and this course would carry him out into the open plain two hundred yards from the ambush of the hunters. . So did it, for in a few moments he was opposite the spot where they lay, and at full that distance from them. A shot from a hunter's rifle would not have reached him, and the bullet of an escopeta would have been an uncertain messenger. Neither thought of firing, but lay in perfect silence, firmly holding their dogs down in the crevice of the rocks, and by gestures enjoining them to be still. The horseman advanced, guiding his horse at a slow pace, and evidently observing caution as he went. While passing, the moon shone full upon him, and the bright points of his harness and arms were seen sparkling under her light. His fair com- plexion, too, could be distinguished easily, as also his fine erect figure, and the noble outlines of his horse. " The giiero 1" muttered Manuel ; " all right, boy Pepe I" " What's yon ahead ?" inquired the zambo. " Ha ! didn't notice that. Dam ! a dog ! dog, sure." " It is a dog. Curses !" a Devil roast that dog ! — heard of him before— splendid dog, boy Pepe. Dam I that dog give us trouble. Lucky, wink t'other way. Safe enough now. Dam ! see 1" At this moment the horseman suddenly stopped, looking THE WHITE CHIEF. 311 suspiciously in the direction of the rocky spur where they lay. The dog had given some sign. "Dam 1" again muttered the mulatto ; "that dog give us trouble yet — thank our luck, wind t'other way." There was not much wind either way, but what there was, was in the faces of the hunters, and blowing from the horseman. Fortunately for them it was so, else Cibolo would have scented them to a certainty. Even as things stood, their ambush was near enough discovery. Some slight noise from that quarter — perhaps the hoof of one of their horses against the turf — had awakened the dog's suspicions — though nothing had been heard by his master. Neither was the dog sure — for the next moment he threw down his head and trotted on. The horseman followed, and in a few minutes both were out of sight. " Now, boy Pepe, for the cave l" "Let's go!" Both descended from the ridge, and mounting their horses rode through among the scattered rocks. They entered the ravine, kept up its edge until the gradual narrowing brought them into the same path by which the horseman had lately descended. Up this they rode, keeping their eyes bent on the cliff to the right — for on that side was the cave. They had no fear of their tracks being discernible, even should the giiero return by daylight, for the path lay over hard rock already marked by the hoofs of his own horse. For all that the mulatto was uneasy ; and at intervals repeated half to himself, and half in the hearing of his companion, — " Dam ! dog give trouble, sure give trouble — dam !" At length the mouth of the cave, like a dark spot upon the rock, appeared on one side. After silently dismounting, and leaving his horse with Pepe, the mulatto crawled up the ledge and reconnoitred the entrance. Even the probability that some one might have been left there was not overlooked by this keen hunter, and every precaution was taken. 312 THE WHITE CHIEF. After listening a moment at the entrance he sent in the dogs, and as neither bark nor howl came out again, he was satisfied that all was safe. He then crawled in himself, keeping on the shadowy side of the rock. When he had got fairly within the cavern, he struck a light, at the same time shading it so that its gleam might not fall on the outside. With this he made a hurried examination of the interior ; and, now satisfied that the place was untenanted, he came out again, and beckoned his comrade to bring up the horses.. These were led into the cave. Another reconnaissance was made, in which the few articles used by Carlos for eating and sleeping were discovered upon a dry ledge. A serape, a small hatchet for cutting firewood, an olla for cooking, two or three cups, some pieces of jerked meat and fragments of bread, were the contents of the cavern. The best of these were appropriated by the intruders ; and then, after fastening their horses in a secure corner and making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the shape and position of the rocky interior, the light was extinguished, and, like beasts of prey, they placed themselves in readiness to receive their unsuspecting victim. CHAPTER LT. Carlos, on leaving his cave, proceeded with the caution natu- ral to one circumstanced as he was. But this night he was more than usually careful. He scanned every bush and rock that stood near his path, and that might have sheltered an enemy. Why to-night more cautious than before? Because a suspicion had crossed his mind — and that, too, having reference to the very men who were at the moment in ambush so near him! THE WHITE CHIEF 313 At various times of late had his thoughts reverted to these men. He knew them well, and knew the hostile feelings with which both, but particularly the mulatto, regarded him. Ho thought of the probability of their being set upon his trail, and he knew their capability to follow it. This had made him more uneasy than all the scouting of the dragoons with their unprac- tised leaders. He was aware that if the cunning mulatto and his scarce less sagacious comrade were sent after him, his cave would not shelter him long, and there would be an end to his easy communication with the settlement. These thoughts were sources of uneasiness; and would have been still more so, had he not believed that the hunters were absent upon the plains. Under this belief he had hopes of being able to settle his affairs and get off before their return. That morning, however, his hopes had met with discouragement. It was a little after daylight when he returned to his hiding- place. Antonio, watched closely by the spies, had not been able to reach the rendezvous until a late hour — hence the deten- of Carlos. On going back to his cave he had crossed a fresh trail coming in from the northern end of the Llano Estacado. It was a trail of horses, mules, and dogs; and Carlos on scruti- nising it, soon acquainted himself with the number of each that had passed. He knew it was the exact number of these ani- mals possessed by the yellow hunter and his comrade; and this . startled him with the suspicion that it was the return trail of these men from their hunt upon the prairies! A further examination quite assured him of the truth of this. The footprints of one of the dogs differed from the rest; and although a large one, it was not the track of the common wolf- dog of the country. He had heard that the yellow hunter had lately became possessed of a large bloodhound. These must be his tracks I Carlos rode along the trail to a point where it had crossed an old path of his own leading to the ravine. To his astonishment H 314: THE WHITE CHIEF. he perceived, that, from this point one of the horsemen, wit several of the dogs, had turned off and followed his own tracks in that direction I No doubt the man had been trailing him. After going some distance, however, the latter had turned again and ridden back upon his former course. Carlos would have traced this party farther, as he knew they must have passed on the evening before. But as it was now quite day, and their trail evidently led to the settlements, he dared not ride in that direction, and therefore returned to his hiding-place. The incident had rendered him thoughtful and apprehensive throughout the whole of that day; and as he rode forth his reflections were upon this very subject — hence the caution of his movements. As he emerged from the ravine, the dog, as stated, made a demonstration, by suddenly turning towards the rocks, and uttering a low growl. This caused Carlos to halt, and look carefully in that direction. But he could see nothing that appeared suspicious; and the dog, after a moment's pause, appeared satisfied and trotted on again. " Some wild animal, perhaps," thought Carlos, as he set his horse in motion, and continued on over the plain. When fairly out into the open ground, he quickened his pace; and after a ride of about six or seven miles arrived on the banks of the Pecos. Here he turned down-stream, and once more, riding with caution, approached a grove of low timber that grew upon the bank. This grove was the point of rendezvous. When within a hundred yards of it, the cibolero halted upon the plain. The dog ran on before him, quartered the grove, and then returned to his master. The horseman then rode boldly in under the shadow of the trees, and, dismounting, took station upon one side of the timber, to watch for the coming of his expected messenger. His vigil was not of long duration. In a few minutes a man THE WHITE CHIEF. 315 on foot, bent into a crouching attitude, was seen rapidly advanc- ing over the plain. When he had arrived within three hun- dred yards of the grove, he stopped in his tracks, and uttered a low whistle. To this signal the cibolero replied, and the man advancing as before, was soon within the shadow of the grove. It was Antonio. M Were you followed, amigo?" asked Carlos. "As usual, master; but I had no difficulty in throwing them off." " Hereafter it may not be so easy." " How, master?" * k I know your news, the yellow hunter has got back?" " Carrambo! it is even so! How did you hear it master?" " This morning after you had left me, I crossed a trail — J knew it must be theirs." "It was theirs, master. They came in last evening; but I have worse news than that." "Worse!— what?" " They're after you /" " Ha ! already? I guessed they would be, but not so soon. How know you, Anton ?" " Josefa — she has a brother who is a kind of errand boy to Padre Joaquin. This morning the padre took him over to the Presidio, and from there sent him to guide Captain Roblado to to the yellow hunter's hut. The padre threatened the boy if he should tell any one, but on his return to the mission he called on his mother ; and Josefa suspecting he had been on some strange errand — for he showed a piece of silver — got it all out of him. He couldn't tell what Roblado and the hunters talked about, but he fancied the latter were preparing to go somewhere as he left them. Now, putting one thing with another, I'm of the mind, master, they're on your trail." " No doubt of it, amigo — I haven't the slightest doubt of it. So— I'll be chased out of my cave— that's certain. I believe 316 THE WHITE CHIEF. they have a suspicion of where I am already. Well, I must try to find out another resting-place. 'Tis well I have got the wind of these rascals — they'll not catch me asleep, which, no doubt, they flatter themseves they're going to do. What other news?" " Nothing particular. Josefa saw the girl Yicenza last night in company with Jose, but she has had no opportunity of getting a word with the senorita, who is watched closely. She has some business with the portero's wife to-morrow. She hopes to hear something from her." " Good Antonio !" said Carlos, dropping a piece of money into the other's hand, " give this to Josefa — tell her to be active. Our hopes rest entirely with her." " Don't fear master I" replied the half-blood. " Josefa will do her best, for the reason that," smiling, " her hopes, I believe, rest entirely upon me." Carlos laughed at the naive remark of his faithful companion, and then proceeded to inquire about other matters,- — about his mother and sister, about the troopers, the spies, and Don Juan. About the last Antonio could give him no information that was new. Don Jaan had been arrested the day after the affair at the Presidio, and ever since had been kept a close prisoner. The charge against him was his having been an accomplice of Carlos, and his trial would take place whenever the latter should be captured. Half-an-hour was spent in conversation, and then Carlos, hav- ing received from the half-blood the packages containing provis- ions, prepared to return to his hiding-place in the Llano Estacado. " You will meet me here to-morrow night again, Anton," said he at parting. " If anything should happen to prevent me com* ing, then look for me the night after, and the night after that. So good night, my friend !" " Good night, master !" And with this salutation the friends — for they were so- turned their backs on each other and parted. THE WHITE CHIEF. 317 Antonio went crouching back in the direction of the valley ; while the cibolero springing to his saddle, rode off 'toward the frowning bluffs of the Llano. CHAPTER LYI. The a report " delivered by Antonio was of a character to have caused serious apprehension to the cibolero — fear, in fact, had he been the man to have such a feeling. It had the effect of still further increasing his caution, and his mind was now bent with all its energies upon the craft of taking care of himself. Had he contemplated an open fight, even with the swo strong men who were seeking him, he would have been less uneasy about the result ; but he knew, that, strong as they were, these ruffians would not attack him without some advantage. They would make every effort to surprise him asleep, or otherwise take him unawares. Against their wiles he had now to guard himself. He rode slowly back to the ravine, his thoughts all the while busied about the yellow hunter and his companion. " They must know of the cave," so ran his reflections. u Their following my trail yesterday is an evidence that they suspected something in the direction of the ravine. They had no doubt heard of late affairs before getting so far. Some herdsman on the outer plains has told them all — very like ; well, what then ? They have hastened on to the mission. Ha ! the Padre Joaquin took the boy over to the Presidio. I see — I see — the Padre is the ' patron ' of these two ruffians. They have told him something, else why should he be off to the Pres- idio so early ? News from them — and then Roblado starting directly after to seek them ! Clear — clear — they have discov ered my hiding-place !" 318 THE WHITE CHIEF. After a pause : — " What if they have reached the ravine in my absence ? Let me see. Yes, they've had time enough to get round ; that is, if they started soon after Roblado's interview. The boy thinks they did. By heaven ! it's not too soon for me to be on the alert." As this thought passed through the cibolero's mind, he reined up his horse ; and, lowering his head, glanced along the neck of the animal into the darkness before him. He had now arrived at the mouth of the canon, and nearly on the same track by which he had ridden out of it ; but the moon was under thick clouds, and the gloom of the ravine was no longer relieved by her light. " It would be their trick," reflected he, " to get inside the canon, at its narrow part, and wait for me to come out of the cave. They would waylay me pretty handy there. Now sup- pose they o^re up the canon at this moment ?" For a moment he paused and dwelt upon this hypothesis. He proceeded again. ** Well, let them ; I'll ride on. Cibolo can beat the rocks a shot's range'ahead of me. If they're ambushed there without him finding them, they'll be sharper fellows than I take them to be ; and I don't consider them flats, either, the scoundrels ! If he start them, I can soon gallop back out of their reach. Here! Cibolo !" The dog, that had stopped a few paces in front, now came running back, and looked up in his master's face. The latter gave him a sign, uttering the simple word " Anda !" At the word the animal sprang off, and commenced quarter- ing the ground for a couple of hundred yards in advance. Following him, the horseman moved forward. In this way he approached the point where, the two walls converging, narrowed the canon to a space of little more than a hundred yards. Along the bases of the cliffs, on both sides, lay large loose rocks, that would have given cover to men in THE WHITE CHIEF. 319 ambush, and even horses might have been concealed behind them. " This," thought Carlos, " would be the place chosen for their cowardly attack. They might hit me from either side with half an aim. But Cibolo makes no sign. — Ha ?" The last exclamation was uttered in a short sharp tone. It had been called forth by a low yelp from the dog. The animal had struck the trail where the yellow hunter and his companion had crossed to the middle of the ravine. The moon had again emerged from the clouds, and Carlos could see the dog dashing swiftly along the pebbles and up the ravine towards the mouth of the cavern ! His master would have called him back, for he was leaving the loose rocks unsearched, and, without that being done, Carlos felt that it would be perilous to proceed farther ; but the swift- ness with which the dog had gone forward showed that he was on a fresh trail ; and it now occurred to the cibolero that his enemies might be within the cave itself ! The thought had hardly crossed his mind when the dog uttered several successive yelps ! Although he had got out of sight, hia master knew that he was at that moment approaching the mouth of the cave, and running upon a fresh scent. Carlos drew up his horse and listened. He dare proceed no farther. He dared not recall the dog. His voice would have been heard if any one were near. He reflected that he could do no better than wait till the dog should return, or by his attack give some sign of what he was after. It might, after all, be the grizzly bear, or some other animal, he was pursuing. The cibolero sat upon his horse in perfect silence — not unpre- pared though for any sudden attack. His true rifle lay across his thighs, and he had already looked to its flint and priming. He listened to every sound, while his eyes pierced the dark recesses of the ravine before and around him. For only a few moments this uncertainty lasted, and then back 320 THE WHITE CHIEF. down the chasm came a noise that caused the listener to start in his saddle. It resembled the worrying of dogs, and for a moment Carlos fancied that Cibolo had made his attack upon a bear ! Only a moment did this illusion last, for his quick ear soon detected the voices of more dogs than one ; and in the fierce confusion he distinguished the deep-toned bark of a blood- hound ! The whole situation became clear to him at once. His enemies had been awaiting him in the cave — for from it he was certain that the sounds proceeded ! His first instinct was to wheel his horse and gallop out of the canon. He waited a moment, however, and listened. The worrying noise continued, but, amid the roar and barking of the dogs, Carlos could distinguish the voices of men, uttered in low hurried tones, as if addressing the dogs and also one another. All at once the conflict appeared to cease, for the animals became silent, except the hound, who at intervals gave out his deep loud bay. In a moment more he, too, was silent. Carlos knew by this silence that Cibolo had either been killed upon the spot, or, having been attacked by men, had sheered off. In either case it would be of no use waiting his return. If alive, he knew that the dog would follow and overtake him. Without further delay, therefore, he turned his horse's head, and galloped back down the ravine. CHAPTER LYII. On arriving at the mouth of the ravine, he halted — not in the middle of the plain, but under the shadow of the rocks — the same rocks where the hunters had placed themselves in ambush THE WHITE CHIEF. 321 He did not dismount, but sat in his saddle, gazing up the canon, and listening for some token of the expected pursuit. He had not been long in this spot, when he perceived a dark object approaching him. It gave him joy, for he recognised Cibolo coming along his trail. The next moment the dog was by his stirrup. The cibolero bent down in his saddle, and per- ceived that the poor brute was badly cut and bleeding profusely. Several gashes appeared along his sides, and one near his shoulder exhibited a flap of hanging skin, over which the red stream was pouring. The animal was evidently weak from loss of blood, and tottered in his tracks. " Amigo !" said Carlos, "you have saved my life to a cer- tainty. It's my turn to save yours — if I can." As he said this he dismounted, and, taking the dog in his arms, climbed back into the saddle. For a while he sat reflecting what to do, with his eyes turned in the direction from which he expected the pursuit. He had now no doubt as to who were the occupants of the cave. The bay of the hound was satisfactory evidence of the presence of the yellow hunter, and of course the zambo was along with him. Carlos knew of no other bloodhound in the settlement — the one heard must be that of the mulatto. For some minutes he remained by the rocks, considering what course he had best take. " I'll ride on to the grove," reflected he, " and hide in it till Antonio comes. They can't track me this night, it will be too dark. The whole sky is becoming clouded — there will be no more moon to-night. I can lie hid all day to-morrow, if they don't follow. If they do, why, I can see them far enough off to ride away. My poor Cibolo, how you bleed! Heavens, what a gashl Patience, brave friend 1 When we halt your wounds shall be looked to. Yes! to the grove I'll go. They won't suspect me of taking that direction, as it is towards the settlements. Besides, they can't trail me in the darkness. Ha! what am I 14* 322 THE WHITE CHIEF. thinking of? — not trail me in the darkness! What! I had for- gotten the boodhound? God, preserve me! These fiends can follow me were it as dark as pitch ! God preserve me !" -An anxious expression came over his countenance, and partly from the burden he held in his arms, and partly from the weight of his thoughts, he dropped into an attitude that betokened deep depression. For the first time the hunted outlaw showed symptoms of despair. For a long while he remained with his head leaning forward, and his body bent over the neck of his horse. But he had not yet yielded to despair. All at once he started up, as if some thought, suddenly con- ceived, had given him hopes. A new resolution seemed to have been taken. " Yes," he soliloquised, " I shall go to the grove — direct to the grove. Ha ! you blood-thirsty yellow-skin, I'll try your boasted skill. We shall see — we shall see. Maybe you'll get your reward, but not that you are counting upon. You have yet something to do before you take the scalp of Carlos the cibolero!" Muttering these words he turned his horse's head, renewed his hold of the dog and the bridle, and set off across the plain. He rode at a rapid pace, and without casting a look behind him. He appeared to be in a hurry, though it could not be from fear of being overtaken. JSTo one was likely to come up to him so long as he kept on at such a pace. He was silent except now and then when he addressed some kind word to the dog Cibolo, whose blood ran over his thighs, and down the flanks of the horse. The poor brute was weak, and could no longer have kept his feet. "Patience, old friend! — patience !— you shall soon have rest from this jolting." In less than an hour he had reached the long grove on the Pecos — the same where he had lately parted with Antonio, THE WHITE CHIEF. 323 Here he halted. It was the goal of his journey. Within that grove he had resolved on passing the remainder of the night, and, if not disturbed, the whole of the following day. The Pecos at this point, and for many miles above and below, ran between low banks that rose vertically from the water. On both sides its " bottom" was a smooth plain, extending for miles back, where it stepped up to a higher level. It was nearly tree- less. Scattered clumps grew at distant intervals, and along its margin a slight fringing of willows. This fringe was not continu- ous, but broken here and there by gaps, through which the water might be seen. The timber clumps were composed of cot- ton-wood trees and live-oak, with acacias forming an underwood, and occasionally plants of cactus growing near. These groves were so small, and so distant from each other, that they did not intercept the general view of the surface, and a person occupying one of them could see a horseman, or other large object, at a great distance. A man concealed in them could not have been approached by his enemy in daylight, if awake and watching. At night, of course, it was different, and the security then afforded depended upon the degree of dark- ness. The " motte," at which the cibolero had arrived, was far apart from any of the others, and commanded a view of the river bottom on both sides for more than a mile's distance. The grove itself was but a few acres in size, but the fringe of willows run- ning along the stream at both ends gave it, when viewed from a distance, the appearance of a wood of larger dimensions. It stood upon the very bank of the stream, and the selvidge of willows looked like its prolongation. These, however, reached but a few feet from the water's edge, while the grove timber ran out several hundred yards into the plain. About this grove there was a peculiarity. Its central part was not timbered, but open, and covered only with a smooth sward of gramma grass. It was, in fact, a glade, nearly circular in 324 THE WHITE CHIEF. shape, and about a hundred yards in diameter. On one side of this glade the river impinged, its bank being almost a tan- gent line to it. Here there was a gap in the timber, so that out of the glade could be obtained a view of the bottom on the other side of the stream. Diametrically opposite to this gap another opening, of an avenue-like form, led out into the adja- cent plain, so that the grove was in reality bisected by an open line which separated it into two groves, nearly equal in extent. This separation could only be observed from certain positions in the plain — one on each side of the river. The glade, the avenue of a dozen yards leading from it to the outside plain, and the plain itself, were all perfectly level, and covered with a smooth turf. Any object upon their surface would be easily perceptible at a distance. The grove was thickly stocked with underwood — principally the smaller species of " mezquite." There was also a network of vines and llianas that, stretching upward, twined around the limbs of the live oaks — the latter forming the highest and largest timber of all. The underwood was impenetrable to the eye, though a hunter could have crept through it in pursuit of game. At night, however, even under moonlight, it appeared a dark and impassable thicket. On one side of the glade, where the ground was dry and sandy, there stood a small clump of pitahaya cactus. There were not aver a dozen plants in all, but two or three of them were large specimens, sending up their soft succulent limbs nearly as high as the live oaks. Standing by themselves in massive columns, and so unlike the trees that surrounded them, they gave a pecu- liar character to the scene ; and the eye, unaccustomed to these gigantic candelabra, would scarce have known to what kingdom of nature they belonged — so unlike were they to the ordinary forms of vegetation. Such were the features of the spot where the hunted outlaw gought shelter for the night. THE WHITE CHIEF. 325 CHAPTER LYIII. Carlos spoke the truth when he gave his dog the credit of having saved his life, or, at all events, his liberty, which in the end amounted to the same thing. But for the sagacious brute having preceded him, he would certainly have entered the cave, and as certainly would he have been captured. His cunning adversaries had taken every step necessary for securing him. They had hidden their horses far back in the cavern. They had placed themselves behind the jutting rocks — one on each side of the entrance — so that the moment he should have shown himself they were prepared to spring upon him like a brace of tigers. Their dogs, too, were there to aid them — crouched by the side of their masters, and along with them, ready to seize upan the unsuspecting victim. It was a well-planned ambuscade, and so far well executed. The secrecy with which the hunters had left the settlement, and made their roundabout journey — their adroit approach to the ravine — their patient behaviour in watching till Carlos had ridden out of the way, and their then taking possession ot the cave, were all admirably executed manoeuvres. How was it possible the cibolero could be aware of, or even suspect, their presence ? They did not for a moment fancy that he knew of their return from their hunting expedition. It was quifce dark the night before, when they had passed up the valley to the mission ; and after unpacking the produce of their hunt, which had been done without observation, the Padre Joaquin had enjoined on them not to show themselves in the town before he should send them word. But few of the mission servants, then, knew of their return ; and for the rest, no one knew any thing who would or could have communicated it to Carina. 326 THE WHITE CHIEF. Therefore, reasoned they, he could have no suspicion of their being in the cave. As to their trail up the ravine he would not notice it on his return. He would only strike it where it led over the shingle, and, of course, there it would not be visible even in daylight. Never was a trap better set. He would walk into the cave unsuspectingly, and perhaps leading his horse. They would spring upon him — dogs and all — and pinion him before he could draw either pistol or knife ! There seemed no chance for him. For all that there was a chance, as the yellow hunter well knew ; and it was that which caused him at intervals to mutter, — " Dam ! fear dog give us trouble, boy Pepe." To this the zambo's only response was the bitter shibboleth — n Carajo f showing that both were uneasy about the dog. Long before this time both had heard of the fame of Cibolo, though neither had a full knowledge of the perfect training to which that sagacious animal had attained. They reflected that, should the dog enter the cave first, they would be discovered by him, and warning given to his master. Should he enter it before the latter had got near, the chances were that their ambuscade would prove a failure. On the other hand, should the dog remain in the rear, all would go right. Even should he approach at the same time with his master, so that the latter might get near without being alarmed, there would still be a chance of their rushing out upon and shooting either horse or rider. Thus reasoned these two treacherous ruffians in the interim of the cibolero's absence. They had not yet seated themselves in the positions they designed to take by the entrance to the cave. They could occupy these at a moment's warning. They stood under the shadow of the rocks, keeping watch down the ravine. They knew they might be a long time on their vigil, and they made themselves as comfortable as possible, by consuming the meagre THE WHITE CHIEF. 327 stock of provisions which the cibolero had left in the cave. The mulatto, to keep out the cold, had thrown the newly appropriated blanket upon his shoulders. A gourd of chingarito, which they had taken care to bring with them, enabled them to pass the time cheerfully enough. The only drawback upon their mirth was the thought of the dog Cibolo, which every now and again intruded itself upon the mind of the yellow hunter, as well as upon that of his darker confrere. Their vigil was shorter than either had anticipated. They .fancied that their intended victim might make a long ride of it — perhaps to the borders of the settlement — that he might have business that would detain him, and that it might be near morn- ing before he would get back. In the midst of these conjectures, and while it still wanted some hours of midnight, the mulatto, whose eyes were bent down the ravine, was seen suddenly to start, and grasp his com- panion by the sleeve. " Look ! — yonder, boy Pepe 1 Yonder come guero I" The speaker pointed to a form approaching from the plain, and nearing the narrow part of the ravine. It was scarce visi- ble by the uncertain light, and just possible to distinguish it as the form of a man on horseback. " Carr-rr-a-ai ! it is — carr-r-ai 1" replied the zambo, after peering for some time through the darkness. " Keep close in, boy Pepe ! hwish ! Pull back dog ! take place — lie close — I watch outside — hwish \" The zambo took his station according to the plan they had agreed upon ; while the yellow hunter, bloodhound in hand, remained by the entrance of the cave. In a few moments the latter was seen to start up with a gesture of alarm. " Dam !" he exclaimed. " Dam ! told you so — all lost — ready, boy Pepe — dog on our trail !" " Carajo, Man'l ! what's to be done Y* eagerly inquired the zambo. " In — in — let come in — kill 'im in cave — in I" 328 THE WHITE CHIEF. Both rushed inside and stood waiting. They had hastily formed the design of seizing the cibolero's dog the moment he should enter the cave and strangling him if possible. In this design they were disappointed ; for the animal, on reaching the mouth of the cave, refused to enter, but stopped upon the ledge outside and commenced barking loudly. The mulatto uttered a cry of disappointment, and, dropping the bloodhound, rushed forward, knife in hand, to attack Cibolo, At the same moment the hound sprang forward, and the two dogs became engaged in a desperate conflict. This would have terminated to the disadvantage of the hound, but, in another moment, all four — mulatto, zambo, hound, and, wolf — were assailing Cibolo both with knives and teeth. The latter, seeing himself thus overmatched, and having already received several bad cuts, prudently retreated among the rocks. He was not followed, as the ruffians had still some hopes that the cibolero, not suspecting what it could mean, might yet advance towards the cave. But these hopes were of short dura- tion. Next moment through the dim light they perceived the horseman wheel round, and gallop off towards the mouth of the ravine ! Exclamations of disappointment, profane ejaculations, and wild oaths, echoed for some minutes through the vaulted cavern. The excited ruffians at length became more cool, and, groping about in the darkness, got hold of their horses, and led them out upon the ledge. Here they stopped to give further vent to their chagrin, and to deliberate on their future course. To attempt immediate pursuit would not avail them, as they well knew the cibolero would be many a mile out of their reach, before they could descend to the'plain. For a long time they continued to give utterance to expres- sions of chagrin, mingled with anathemas upon the head of the dog Cibolo. At length becoming tired of this, they once more set their heads to business. The zambo was of opinion it would be useless to go farther THE WHITE CHIEF. 329 that night — they had no chance of coming np with the cibolero before morning — in daylight they would more easily make out his trail. " Boy Pepe, fool 1" was the mulatto's reply to these observa- tions. " Track by daylight — be seen — spoil all, fool Pepe 1" " Then what way, brother Man'l ?" " Dam ! forgot bloodhound ? Trail by night fast as ride-^ soon overtake giiero." " But, brother Man'l, he's not going to stop short of ten leagues from here ! We can't come up with him to-night, can we ?" 11 Fool again, boy Pepe ! Stop within ten miles — stop because won't think of bloodhound — won't think can trail 'im — ■ stop, sure. Dam ! that dog played devil — thought he would — dam !" " Curses ! he won't trouble us any more." " Why think that, boy Pepe ?" " Why, brother Man'l ! because I had my blade into him. He'll not limp much farther, I warrant." " Dam ! wish could think so — if could think so, give double onza. But for dog have gtiero now. But for dog, get giiero before sun up. Stop soon — don't suspect us yet — don't suspect hound — stop, I say. By mighty God — sure !" " How, brother Man'l ? you think he'll not go far off ?" " Sure of it. Giiero not ride far — nowhere to go — soon trail 'im — find 'im asleep — crawl on 'im but for dog — crawl on 'im sure." " If you think so then, I don't believe you need trouble your- self about the dog. If he lives twenty minutes after the stab I gave him, he's a tough brute, that's all. You find the giiero, I promise you'll find no dog with him." 11 Hope so, boy Pepe — try anyhow — Come I" Saying this the yellow hunter straddled his horse, and followed by the zambo and the dogs commenced moving down the rocky channel of the ravine. 830 THE WHITE CHIEF. CHAPTER LIX. Having arrived at the point where the horseman had been last seen, the mulatto dismounted, and called up the bloodhound. He addressed some words to the dog, and by a sign set him on the trail. The animal understood what was wanted, and, laying his nose to the ground, ran forward silently. The hunter again climbed back to his saddle, and both he and his companion spur- red their horses so as to keep pace with the bloodhound. This was easy enough, though the moon was no longer seen. The colour of the dog — a very light red — rendered him conspicu- ous against the dark green sward, and there were neither bushes nor long grass to hide him. Moreover, by the instruction of his master, he moved slowly along the trail — although the scent was still fresh, and he could have gone at a much faster rate. He had been trained to track slowly in the night, and also to be silent about it, so that the " bay" peculiar to his race was not heard. It was two hours, full time, before they came in sight of the grove where the cibolero had halted. The moment the mulatto saw the timber, he pointed to it, muttering to his companion : — " See, boy Pepe ! dog make for island — see ! Bet onzagtiero there. Dam ! there sure !" When they had arrived within five or six hundred yards of the grove — it was still but dimly visible under the darkening sky — the yellow hunter called the dog off the trail and ordered him to keep behind. He knew that the horseman must have passed either into the grove or close beside it. In either case his trail could be easily taken up again. If — as the mulatto from his excited manner evidently believed — their victim was still in the grove, then the dog's sagacity was no longer needed. The time was come for them to take other measures. THE WHITE CHIEF. 331 Diverging from his forward course, the yellow hunter rode in a circle, keeping at about the same distance from the edge of the timber. He was followed by his companion and the dogs. When opposite the gap made by the avenue, a bright blaze struck suddenly upon their eyes, causing both to rein up with an exclamation of surprise. They had arrived at a point command- ing a view of the glade, in the centre of which they perceived a large firel "Told so, boy Pepe! fooPs asleep yonder — never dream could trail him by night — don't like cold — good fire — believe safe enough. Know that glade — cunning place — only see fire from two points. Ha! yonder horse!" The figure of a horse standing near the fire was plainly dis- cernible under the light. " Dam !" continued the hunter ; " giiero bigger fool than thought 'im. Mighty God, see! believe 'im asleep yonder! him, sure !" As the mulatto uttered these words, he pointed to a dark form by the fire. It appeared to be the body of a man prostrate and asleep. " Santissima, it is!" replied the zambo. "Snug by the fire, too. He is a fool! but, sure enough, he could have no thought of our following him in a night so dark as this." " Hwish, dam! dog not there, giiero ours. No more talk, boy Pepe! follow me!" The mulatto headed his horse, not direct for the grove, hut for a point on the bank of the river some distance below. They rode silently, but now with more rapidity. Their victim was just where they would have wished him, and they were in a hurry to take advantage of his situation. The nature of the ground was well known to both, for they had shot deer from the cover of that very copse. 332 THE WHITE CHIEF. On arriving at the river bank, both dismounted, and having tied both their horses and dogs to the willows, they commenced moving forward in the direction of the grove. They observed .less caution than they might otherwise have done. They felt certain their victim was asleep by the fire. Fool, they thought him! but then, how was he to have suspected their presence ? The most cunning might have deemed himself secure under such circumstances. It was natural enough that he had gone to sleep, wearied as no doubt he was. Natural, too, that he had kindled a fire. The night had become unpleasantly cold, and it would have been impossible to sleep without a fire. All that seemed natural enough. They reached the edge of the grove, and without hesitation crawled into the underwood. The night was still, the breeze scarce turned a leaf, and the slightest rustling among the bushes could have been heard in any part of the glade. A low murmer of water from a distant rapid, a light ripple in the nearer stream, the occasional howl of the prairie wolf, and the dismal wailing of night-birds, were the only sounds that fell upon the ear. But although the man-stalkers were making their way through thick underwood, not a sound betokened their advance. There was no rustling of leaves, no snapping of twigs, no crackling of dead sticks, under the pressure of hand or knee, no signs of human presence within that dark shrubbery. These men well knew how to thread the thicket. Silent, as the snake glides through the grass, was their advance. In the glade reigned perfect silence. In its very- centre blazed a large fire that lit up the whole surface with its bril- liant flames. It was easy to distinguish the form of a fine steed — the steed of the cibolero — standing near the fire; and, nearer still, the prostrate form of his master, who seemed asleep I Yes, there was the manga, the sombrero, the boots and spurs. There THE WHITE CHIEF. 333 was the lazo reaching from the neck of the horse, and, no doubt, wound around the arm of the sleeper I All these points could be determined at a glance. The horse started, struck the ground with his hoof, and then stood still again! What had he heard ? Some wild beast moving near ? No, not a wild beast — worse than that. Upon the southern edge of the glade a face looked out from the underwood — a human face ! It remained but a moment, and was then drawn back behind the leaves. That face could easily have been recognised. Its yellow complexion, conspicu- ous under the glare of the blazing wood, told to whom it belonged. It was the face of Manuel the mulatto. For some moments it remained behind the leafy screen. Then it was protruded as before, and close beside it another face of darker hue. Both were turned in the same direction. Both regarded the prostrate form by the fire, that still appeared to be sound asleep ! The eyes of both were gleaming with malignant tri- umph. Success seemed certain — their victim was at length within their power! The faces were again withdrawn, and for a minute neither sound nor sight gave any indication of their presence. At the end of that minute, however, the head of the mulatto was again protruded, but this time at a different point, close to the sur- face of the ground, and where there was an opening in the underwood. In a moment more his whole body was drawn through, and appeared in a recumbent position within the glade. The head and body of the zambo followed ; and both now glided silently over the grass in the direction of the sleeper. Flat upon their bellies, like a pair of huge lizards, they moved, one following in the other's trail! The mulatto was in the advance. His right hand grasped a long-bladed knife, while his gun was carried in the left. 334: THE WHITE CHIEF. They moved slowly and with great caution — though ready at any moment to spring forward should their victim awake, and become aware of their presence. The unconscious sleeper lay between them and the fire. His form cast a shadow over the sward. Into this they crept, with the view of better concealment, and proceeded on. At length the mulatto arrived within three feet of the pros- trate body; and gathering himself he rose upon his knees with the intention of making a spring forward. The sudden erection of his body brought his face full into the light, and rendered it a conspicuous object. His time was come. The whip-like crack of a rifle was heard, and at the same instant a stream of fire shot out from the leafy top of a live oak that stood near the entrance of the avenue. The mulatto sud- denly sprang to his feet, threw out his arms with a wild cry, staggered a pace or two, and dropping both knife and gun, fell forward into the fire! The zambo also leaped to his feet ; and, believing the shot had come from the pretended sleeper, precipitated himself upon the latter, knife in hand, and drove his blade with desperate earnestness into the side of the prostrate form. Almost on the instant he leaped back with a yell of terror ; and, without stopping to assist his fallen comrade, rushed off over the glade, and disappeared into the underwood. The figure by the fire remained prostrate and motionless ! But at this moment a dark form was seen to descend through the branches of the live oak, whence the shot had come; a shrill whistle rang through the glade ; and the steed, dragging his lazo, galloped up under the tree. 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