able
time and surer opportunity. A safer means, too--this more than aught
else restraining him. While still in intense agitation, he sees
Hamersley depart, leaving the other two to themselves. And now, as
other kisses are exchanged between the lovers, his jealous fury becomes
freshly excited, and for the second time he is half resolved to rush
forward and kill--kill.

But again his fears gain the ascendency, and his hand refuses to obey
the dictates of his angry heart. With the bare blade held tremblingly,
he continues spectator of that scene which fills his breast with
blackest, bitterest emotion. He has not the courage to interrupt it.
Calculating the chances, he perceives they are against him. Should he
succeed in killing the Texan, with Conchita standing by and bearing
witness to the deed, would be to forfeit his own life. He could find it
in his heart to kill her too; but that would lead to the same result.
Failing in his first blow, the great hunter would have him under his
heel, to be crushed as a crawling reptile.

Thus cogitating, he sticks to his place of concealment, and overlooks
the love scene to its termination; then permits the lovers to depart in
peace--the woman he so wildly loves, the man he so madly hates.

After they have gone out of the grove, he advances towards the log upon
which they were seated. Himself taking seat on it, he there ponders
upon a plan of vengeance surer and safer than the assassin's steel.

It is no longer his intent to employ poison. A new idea has entered his
brain--has been in it ever since receiving notice of the journey on
which he is about to set forth; in truth, suggested by this. A scheme
quite as efficient as poisoning, but also having a purpose far more
comprehensive, for it includes others besides his rival the Ranger. Of
late neglectful of his duties, Colonel Miranda has severely chided him,
thus kindling the hereditary antipathy of his race towards the white
man.

His master is to be among the victims--in short, all of them, his
fellow-servant, Chico, excepted. Should the diabolical plan prove a
success, not one of them can escape ruin, and most of them may meet
death.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

A TALE OF PERIL.

Thanks to the skill of Don Prospero, exerted with kind assiduity,
Hamersley's wounds are soon healed, his strength completely restored.
Doubtless the tender nursing of the "angel" has something to do with his
rapid recovery, while her p