e the horses, in an attitude and with an air as if it had been
holding conversation with them. Solely for frolic's sake, he made a
rush towards it, giving a swoop and swinging the halters around his
head. Of course, the affrighted animal turned tail, and retreated;
instantly disappearing from his sight. The little spurt had carried him
in under the shadow of the rocks; and as he faced round to recross the
moonlit causeway, he saw coming along it that which, by some mysterious
instinct, prompted him to keep his place. After all, no mystery about
it; for in the diminutive, crab-like form seen approaching, he
recognised the dwarf-hunchback who had shared the box seat with him on
that day never to be forgotten.

Nothing had been heard of the creature since, so far as Jose knew; and
therefore it might be supposed his appearance would have been welcome,
promising some news of those with whom he had been last seen. But so
far from the _cochero_ stepping out into the road to receive him, he but
drew closer to the cliff, where an embayment in black shadow promised
him perfect concealment.

Soon after Zorillo came shuffling along through the dust, keeping close
to the shaded side of the road. Having cleared the skirts of the
village, however, he was less careful now. Not likely there would be
any one abroad at that hour--for it had gone ten--but if so, there was
the Pedregal alongside, to which he could retreat. Evidently he had not
seen Jose as when first seen himself he was turning a corner, and the
other had been for some time in shadow.

When nearly opposite the meadow gate he also made a stop, with a start,
at perceiving the two horses' heads stretched over it, one with a cleft
ear! His start came through recognition of them.

"Oho!" he exclaimed, "you there, too, my noble _frisones? Caspita_!
this is meeting one's old acquaintances all in a heap! It now only
needs to encounter _cochero_, and the party will be complete! Well, I
may live in hope to see him too, sometime; and won't there be a
reckoning when we're all together again?"

He was about to pass on, when a clattering of hoofs was heard behind, in
the direction of the _pueblo_, as if horsemen were issuing out of it.
Shortly after, a dark clump was seen rounding the corner, and coming on
along the white ribband of road. The sabres clanking against
stirrup-irons proclaimed it a cavalry troop.

Like a tarantula retreating to its tree-cave, the dwarf da