he atmosphere
was exquisitely clear, revealing every object in the landscape with
photographic sharpness, and Arima paused for a few minutes, with the
double object of breathing the animals and taking a good, long,
comprehensive view of the scene before him. For some minutes he gazed
intently at the many landmarks, that stretched away before him and on
either hand, and at length turned to Escombe and said, pointing:

"You see those twin peaks yonder, Senor?"

"Assuredly," assented Harry.

"And you also see that hill between them and us--the one, I mean, with
the cloud shadow resting upon it which causes it to tell up dark against
the sunlit mountain slopes beyond?"

"Certainly," again assented Harry.

"It is a few miles on the other side of that hill that we shall find the
spot of which Mama Cachama spoke," explained Arima.

"Then you recognise the various marks which she described for your
guidance, do you, and believe that she actually saw them in her trance?"

"Without doubt, Senor," answered the Indian in a tone of surprise, as
though he wondered at the slight hint of incredulity suggested by the
question.

"And do you think that, when we arrive, we shall find the chief there?"
asked Harry.

"Nay, Senor, that I cannot say," answered Arima. "But this I know, that
if he is still there when we reach the spot he will be dead."

"Yes," assented Escombe, "I fear you are right. And how long will it
take us to reach the spot?"

"We shall do well if we get there before the sun sinks half-way down the
heavens to-morrow," was the answer.

"To-morrow!" ejaculated Harry incredulously. "How far, then, is it from
where we now stand?"

"If we could ride straight to it we might reach it to-day some two hours
before sunset," answered Arima. "But that is impossible, Senor; our
road lies off yonder to the right, along the slope of the mountain, to
the nearest point at which it will be possible for us to cross the
ravine; and when we have accomplished that, there will still be a
toilsome ride of some three hours before us, ere we can hope to emerge
from the ravine on the other side. We shall be fortunate if we
accomplish so much before we are overtaken by the darkness."

"Is that so?" questioned Harry. "Then in that case we had better press
forward without further delay." And, digging his heels into the ribs of
his mule, the young Englishman resumed his march.

It was shortly after three o'clock on the followi