did it allay the feeling to
learn how, when a path was pointed out to him leading down the other
side, they must have made off. And along such a path pursuit was idle.
No one could say where it led--like enough to a trap.

He was not the only one of the party who felt disappointed at the
failure of the expedition. Its guide had reason to be chagrined, too,
in his own way of thinking, much more than the leader himself. For not
only had he lost the goods obtained under false pretences, but the hope
of reward for his volunteered services.

Still the dwarf was not so down in the mouth. He had another arrow in
his quiver--kept in reserve for reasons of his own--a shaft from which
he expected more profit than all yet spent. And as the Hussar colonel
was swearing and raging around, he saw his opportunity to discharge it.

With half a dozen whispered words he tranquillised the latter; after
which there was a brief conference between the two, its effect upon
Santander showing itself in his countenance, that became all agleam, lit
up with a satisfied but malignant joy.

When, in an hour after, they were again in their saddles riding in
return for the city, a snatch of dialogue between Santander and Ramirez
gave indication of what so gratified the colonel of the Hussars.

"Well, Major," he said, "we've done road enough for this day. You'll be
wanting rest by the time you get to quarters."

"That's true enough, Colonel. Twice to San Augustin and back, with the
additional mileage up the mountains--twenty leagues I take it--to say
nothing of the climbing."

"All of twenty leagues it will be when we've done with it. But our ride
won't be over then. If I'm not mistaken, we'll be back this way before
we lay side on a bed. There's another nest not far off will claim a
visit from us, one we're not likely to find so empty. I'd rob it now if
I had my way; but for certain reasons, mustn't without permit from
headquarters; the which I'm sure of getting! _Carajo_! if the cock
birds have escaped, I'll take care the hens don't."

And as if to make sure of it, he dug the spurs deep into the flanks of
his now jaded charger, again commanding the "quick gallop."

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX.

A DAY OF SUSPENSE.

Dawn was just beginning to show over the eastern _Cordilleras_, its
aurora giving a rose tint to the snowy cone of Popocatepec, as the
Hussars passed back through San Augustin. The bells of the _paroquia_
had commenced t