ar, and came from the direction in which lay the route indicated
by Costal as the shortest.

"What on earth is that?" inquired the officer.

"Only a jaguar searching for prey," coolly responded Costal.

"Oh!" said the dragoon, "is that all? I was fancying it might be
something more fearful."

"Your shortest route, then, lies that way," said Costal, resuming his
directions, and pointing with his gun towards the spot where the howl of
the tiger had been heard.

"Thank you!" said the horseman, gathering up his reins, and heading his
horse to the path. "If that is the shortest, I shall take it."

"Stay!" said Costal, approaching a little nearer, and speaking with more
cordiality than he had yet shown.

"_Oigate, senor cavallero_! A brave man like you does not need to be
warned of every danger; but one ought to be informed of the dangers one
must meet."

Don Rafael checked his horse.

"Speak, friend," said he; "I shall not listen to you ungratefully."

"To reach from here the hacienda of Las Palmas," continued Costal,
"without going astray, or making detours, be careful always to keep the
moon to your left, so that your shadow may be thrown on the right--a
little slanting--just as you are at this moment. Moreover, when you
have started, never draw bridle till you have reached the house of Don
Mariano de Silva. If you meet a ditch, or brake, or ravine, cross them
in a direct line, and don't attempt to go round them."

The Indian gave these directions in so grave a tone of voice, and with
such solemnity of manner, that Don Rafael was struck with surprise.

"What frightful danger is it that threatens me?" he inquired at length.

"A danger," replied Costal, "compared with which that of all the tigers
that ever howled over these plains is but child's play--the danger of
the _inundation_! Perhaps before an hour has passed, it will come
sweeping over these savannas like a foaming sea. The _arriero_ and his
mules, as well as the shepherd and his flocks, will be carried away by
its flood, if they don't succeed in reaching the shelter of that very
hacienda where you are going. Ay! the very tigers will not escape, with
all their swiftness."

"I shall pay strict attention to the directions you have given me," said
the officer--once more about to ride off--when just then he remembered
his fellow-traveller whom he had left on the road.

In a few hurried words he made known to the Indian the situation of the
young