ight quarter, but prevent his
telling it at all.

Just where the path diverged to the left, going down to the Pedregal, a
mass of rocks rose bare above the tops of the trees. Clambering to its
summit he obtained a view of what lay below; the whole valley bathed in
bright moonlight, green meadows, fields of maize, and maguey, great
sheets of water with haze hanging over them, white and gauzy as a bridal
veil. The city itself was distinguishable at a long distance, and in
places nearer specklings of white telling of some _pueblita_, or single
spots where stood a _rancho_ or _hacienda_. Closer still, almost under
his feet, a clump of those mottlings was more conspicuous; which he
recognised as the _pueblo_ of San Augustin. A narrow ribbon-like strip
of greyish white passing through it, and on to the city, he knew to be
the Great Southern or Acapulco Road, which enters the capital by the
_garita_ of San Antonio de Abad. This route he decided on taking.

Having made note of the necessary bearings, he slipped back down the
side of the rock, and looked about for a path leading to the right.

Not long till he discovered one, a mere trace made by wild animals
through the underwood--sufficiently practicable for him, as he could
work his way through any tangle of thicket. Sprawling along it, and
rapidly, despite all obstructions, he at length came out on the Acapulco
Road, a wide causeway, with the moon full upon it.

The track was easy and clear even now, too clear to satisfy him. He
would have preferred a darker night San Augustin had to be passed
through, and he knew that in it were both _serenos_ and _alguazils_.
Besides, he had heard the _moxos_ at the monastery speak of troops
stationed there, and patrols at all hours along the roads around. If
taken up by these he might still hope to reach his intended destination;
but neither in the time he desired, nor the way he wished. He must
approach the man with whom he meant seeking an interview, not as a
prisoner but voluntarily. And he must see this man soon, to make things
effectual, as the reward he was dreaming of sure.

Urged by these reflections, he made no further delay; but taking to the
dusty road, moved in all haste along it. In one way the moon was in his
favour. The causeway was not straight, for it was still a deep descent
towards the valley, and carried by zig-zags; so that at each angle he
was enabled to scan the stretch ahead, and see that it was cle