een to enter.

A few minutes before they had passed into the forest from the open plain
two men were seen standing near the edge of a thicket, by which they
were hidden from the view of the travellers. These men might have been
easily recognised by their long rifles as strangers to that part of the
country; they were, in fact, the two trappers, the Canadian and his
comrade, who had that morning so abruptly taken leave of the camp.

"You must have been deceived by some accidental resemblance," said the
Canadian to his companion.

"No," replied the latter; "I am sure it is he. Twenty years have not
made much change either in his face or figure. His voice is just the
same as it was when I was the coast-guard, Pepe the Sleeper. My eyes
and ears are as good as they were then, and I assure you, Bois-Rose,
that he's the very man."

"Strange enough," answered Bois-Rose (for the great Canadian trapper was
no other than Bois-Rose himself). "After all, one is more likely to
meet an enemy he is in search of than a friend. It may be the same."

As he finished this speech, the Canadian, leaning upon his long rifle,
stood looking after the cavalcade, which was just disappearing into the
forest road that led to the hacienda.

After remaining a few minutes in this position, the two trappers turned
back again into the forest, and soon disappeared under the shadows of
the trees.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE HACIENDA DEL VENADO.

The Hacienda del Venado--like all buildings of this kind situated upon
the Indian frontier, and of course exposed to the attacks of the
savages--was a species of citadel, as well as a country dwelling-house.
Built with sun-dried bricks and hewn stone, crowned by a crenelled
parapet, and defended by huge, massive doors, it could have sustained a
siege from an enemy more expert in strategy than the tribe of Apaches
who were its neighbours.

At one corner stood a tower of moderate height, which crowned the chapel
belonging to the hacienda, serving for the great clock as well as for a
belfry. In case the principal part of the building should be forced,
this tower would answer for an asylum almost impregnable.

Finally, a strong stockade composed of trunks of the _palmetto_,
completely encircled the building; within which enclosure were the
quarters destined for the domestics of the hacienda--as also for the
herdsmen, and such ordinary guests as from time to time came to seek a
passing hospitality.