he
hoof strokes of the horses, all at once it appears to them that these
are not coming down the valley, but up it from below. Is it a sonorous
deception, caused by the sough of the cascade or reverberation from the
rocks?

More intently they bend their ears, more carefully note the quarter
whence proceeds the sound. Soon to answer the above question, each to
himself, in the negative. Unquestionably it comes from below.

They have recovered from this, their first surprise, before a second
seizes upon them. Mingling with the horses' tramp they hear voices of
men. So much they might expect; but not such voices. For amidst the
speeches exchanged arise roars of laughter, not such as could come from
the slender gullets of puny Mexicans, nor men of the Spanish race. Nor
does it resemble the savage cachinnation of the Comanche Indians. Its
rough aspirate, and rude, but hearty, tone could only proceed from
Celtic or Anglo-Saxon throats.

While still wondering at the sound ringing in their ears, a sight comes
before their eyes which but lessens their surprise by changing it into
gladness. Out of the trees at the lower end of the lake a horseman is
seen riding--after him a second. Both so unlike Uraga or any of his
lancers, so different from what they would deem enemies, that the rifles
of Hamersley and the hunter, instead of being aimed to deliver their
fire, are dropped, butts to the ground.

Before clearing the skirt of timber, the two horsemen make halt--only
for an instant, as if to reconnoitre. They appear surprised at seeing
the hut, and not less at sight of a man lying along the ground in front
of it. For they are near enough to perceive that he is tied hand and
foot, and to note the spilled paraphernalia beside him.

As they are men not easily to be daunted, the tableau, though it
somewhat mystifies, does not affright or drive them back. Instead, they
advance without the slightest show of fear. And behind the two first
showing themselves follow two others, and two more, till fifty have
filed out of the timber, and ride across the clear ground, heading
direct for the house.

Clad in rough coats of sombre hue, jeans, blanket, and buckskin, not a
few of them ragged, with hats of all shapes and styles; carrying rifles
in their hands, with revolving pistols and bowie-knives in their belts,
there could be no mistaking them for the gaudily-bedizened troop whose
horses at sunrise of that same day trampled ov