How far is
it to the point where the river runs below?"

The question is put to the peon.

"_Cinco leguas, Senor_; not less. It's a long way to get round, after
going down the cliff."

"Five leagues there, and five back up the canon of the stream--quite a
day's journey. If we send a detachment round 'twill take all of that.
Shall we do it?"

"I don't think there's the slightest need for wasting so much time,"
counsels the adjutant.

"But the Indian says any one going down the defile between those hills
can be seen from the house. Supposing they should see us, and retreat
by the opening below?"

"No need to let them see us. We can stay above till night, then descend
in the darkness. As they're not likely to be expecting visitors, there
should be no great difficulty in approaching this grand mansion
unannounced. Let us make our call after the hour of midnight, when,
doubtless, the fair Adela will be dreaming of--"

"Enough!" exclaims Uraga, a cloud suddenly coming over his countenance,
as if the words of his subordinate recalled some unpleasant souvenir.
"We shall do as you say, _ayadante_. Give orders for the men to
dismount. We shall halt here till sunset. Meanwhile, see that this
copper-skin is closely kept. To make safe, you may as well clap the
manacles on him."

In obedience, Roblez takes the Indian back to the halted troop, directs
him to be shackled; then gives the order for dismounting.

But not for a night camp, only for a temporary bivouac; and this without
fires, or even unsaddling of the horses. The troopers are to stay by
the stirrup, ready at any moment to remount.

There stay they; no longer in formation, but, as commanded, silent and
motionless; only such stir as is made by snatching a morsel from their
haversacks or smoking their corn-husk cigarritos.

Thus till near sundown, when, remounting, they move on.

CHAPTER FIFTY.

STALKING THE STALKER!

The spot upon which the lancer troop had halted was less than a league
from the grove that gave shelter to the two Americans. In the
translucent atmosphere of the tableland it looked scarce a mile. The
individual forms of troopers could be distinguished, and the two who had
taken themselves apart. The taller of these was easily identified as
the commanding officer of the troop.

"If they'd only keep thar till arter sundown," mutters Wilder,
"especially him on yur hoss, I ked settle the hul bizness. This hyar
gun the doc