old business, and as
soon as it is daylight, with the permission of the Senor Don Estevan, I
shall go in search of them."

No one made any opposition to the rekindling of the fire, for the night
had grown cooler, and it was not yet midnight. The domestics, no longer
afraid of going out into the woods, collected fresh fagots--enough to
last till morning--and the preparations for supper, which had been
interrupted by the approach of the jaguars, were now continued with
renewed zeal.

The blaze soon flared up bright and joyous as ever--the broiling mutton
sent forth its delicious odour, sharpening to a keen edge the appetites
of the travellers as they stood around the fire.

Don Estevan and the Senator now called before them the two intrepid
hunters, who had rendered them a service that fully deserved their
thanks.

"Come hither, brave hunters!" said the Senator, "you, whose daring
behaviour has been of such service to us. A slice of roast mutton and a
cup of Catalonian wine will not be out of place, after the rude struggle
you have sustained."

"Ugh!" said the eldest of the trappers, in presenting his athletic form
in front of the fire, "throwing a couple of poor tigers is no great
feat. If it had been an affair of a dozen Comanches, or Pawnees, that
would have been different. Howsomever, a chunk of roast mutton is
welcome after a fight, as well as before one, and we're ready for it
with your permission. Come along, comrade! Here's some chawing for
you!"

"And you, young man," continued Don Estevan, addressing himself to
Tiburcio, who stood at some distance apart, "you will also partake of
our hospitality?"

Tiburcio by a sign accepted the invitation, and approached the fire.
For the first time his countenance came fairly under the light; and as
it did so, the eyes of the Spaniard seemed to devour him with their
regard. In truth the physiognomy of Tiburcio Arellanos was of no
ordinary character, and would have merited observation from one less
interested in examining it than was Don Estevan Arechiza.

An aquiline nose, black eyes with thick dark eyebrows and long lashes,
and olive complexion--that appeared almost white in contrast with the
jetty blackness of his beard--but above all, the extreme contraction of
a thin upper lip, indicated the countenance of a man of quick resolves
and fiery passions. A shade of tranquil melancholy over these features
to some extent tempered their half-fierce expression.