The hair was of a chestnut brown colour, and hung in luxuriant curls
over a forehead large and of noble outline. Broad shoulders and
well-developed limbs denoted a man of European vigour, whose personal
strength would be equal, if occasion required it, to the execution of
those passionate designs nourished under the tropical skies of Spanish
America.

Tiburcio Arellanos was in truth the type of a noble and ancient race,
transplanted into a country still less than half civilised.

"The very form and bearing of Don Juan de Mediana!" muttered Don Estevan
to himself, more than half convinced that the young man before his eyes
was the son of him whose name he had pronounced. No one could have read
his suspicions, hidden under the mask of perfect calmness.

There was one other man in that group who was struck by the aspect of
Tiburcio. This was the big trapper, who on first sight of the young
man's face under the light of the fire started and closed his eyes, as
if lightning had flashed before them. He was about to rush forward,
when a second look seemed to convince him he had made a mistake; and
smiling at his having done so, he kept his place. His eyes then
wandered around the group of faces that encircled the fire, with that
scrutinising glance, that showed a capacity for reading the characters
of men in their looks.

Having finished this scrutiny, he called out to his companion, who had
not yet got forward:--

"Come along, partner; or people will say you are ashamed to show
yourself. Prove to these gentlemen that you know how to enjoy life like
other folk."

"O certainly--I am coming--all right, comrade."

And the next moment the younger trapper made his appearance within the
circle of light.

An odd-looking object he appeared, with his huge fur cap upon his head,
drawn down in front, so as to cover his eyes, and an old striped cotton
handkerchief fastened over his face and throat, in such a manner as to
conceal the scar made by the claws of the tiger. With the cap and
kerchief, the greater portion of his countenance was masked, leaving
visible only his mouth, with a double row of grand teeth, that promised
to perform their part upon the roast mutton.

Having reached the fire, he sat down with his back to it--so that his
half-masked face was still further concealed in shadow--and being
supplied, as well as his comrade, with a large cut from the joint, he at
once set about satisfying the appetite of h