ens a halt of travellers, beyond doubt," remarked Diaz to
Don Estevan; "but who these travellers can be is a thing that puzzles
me."

"Travellers like any others, I suppose," rejoined the Spaniard, with an
air of abstraction.

"No, that is not likely. Don Augustin Pena is known for his generous
hospitality for twenty leagues around. It is not probable that these
travellers should have halted so near his hacienda without knowing it.
They must be strangers to the country I fancy, or if not, they have no
good purpose in camping where they are."

Pedro Diaz was making almost the same observations that had occurred to
Tiburcio at an earlier hour of the night.

Meanwhile, Cuchillo, with his two comrades, advanced towards the edge of
the forest. As soon as they had reached it the guide dismounted from
his horse.

"Stay here," said he, "while I go fetch something to cure you of your
ill-timed drunkenness."

So saying he glided in among the trees, and in a few seconds came out
again, carrying with him several oblong yellow-coloured fruits that
resembled ripe bananas. They were the fruits of the _jocuistle_, a
species of _asimina_, whose juice is an infallible remedy against the
effects of intoxication. The two inebriates ate of the fruit according
to Cuchillo's direction; and in a minute or two their heads were cleared
of the fumes of the mezcal as if by enchantment.

"Now to business!" cried Cuchillo, without listening to the apologies
his comrades were disposed to make--"to business! You will dismount and
lead your horses forward by the bridle, until you can see the fire; and
when you hear the report of my gun, be ready, for I shall then fall back
upon you."

"All right," responded Oroche, "we are both ready--the Senor Baraja and
myself--to sacrifice all private interests to the common good."

Cuchillo now parted with the two, leading his horse ahead of them. A
little farther on he tied the animal to the branch of a tree, and then
stooping downward he advanced on foot. Still farther on he dropped upon
his hands and knees, and crept through the underwood like a jaguar
stealing upon its prey.

Now and then he paused and listened. He could hear the distant lowing
of the wild bulls, and the crowing of the cocks at the hacienda, mingled
with the lugubrious notes of the great wood owl, perched near him upon a
branch. He could hear the distant sound of water--the cataract of the
_Salto de Agua_--and, in the sam