e time appears very long to me when I
am not playing."

"The same with myself," hastily responded Cuchillo.

"What do you say to our staking, on word of honour, a little of that
gold we are going to find?"

"Just what I was thinking myself, but I daren't propose it to you;--I am
quite agreeable."

Without further parley each of the two thrust a hand into his pocket,
and drew forth a pack of cards--with which, notwithstanding the oath
they had taken, both were provided.

The play was about to commence, when the sound of a bell, and the
clattering of hoofs at a distance, announced the approach, most
probably, of the important personage whom Cuchillo awaited.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

THE SENATOR TRAGADUROS.

The two players suspended operations, and turned their faces in the
direction whence came the sounds.

At some distance along the road, a cloud of dust suddenly rising,
indicated the approach of a troop of horses.

They were without riders. One only was mounted; and that was ridden by
the driver of the troop. In short, it was a _remuda_--such as rich
travellers in the north of Mexico usually take along with them for a
remount. These horses, on account of the half-wild life they lead upon
the vast plains where they are pastured, after a gallop of twenty
leagues without carrying a rider, are almost as fresh as if just taken
out of the stable. On long routes, each is saddled and mounted at
regular intervals; and in this way a journey is performed almost as
rapidly as by a mail express, with relays already established.

According to usual custom, a _bell-mare_ preceded this drove, which
appeared to consist of about thirty horses. It was this bell that had
first attracted the attention of the players.

When within a hundred yards or so of the huts, the driver of the
_remuda_ galloped to the front, and catching the bell-mare, brought her
to a stop. The other horses halted on the instant.

Shortly after, five cavaliers appeared through the dust, riding in the
direction of the huts. Two were in advance of the other three, who,
following at a little distance, were acting as attendants or servants.

The most distinguished looking of the two who rode in advance, was a man
of somewhat over medium height. He appeared to have passed the age of
forty. A greyish-coloured _sombrero_, with broad brim, screened his
face from the fervent sunbeams. He was habited in a pelisse, or
_dolman_, of dark blue, richly laced