reach the by-road leading to the
hacienda of San Carlos.

CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE.

LANTEJAS BEHEADED.

The short interval of bluish light between daybreak and sunrise in the
tropics was nearly over, when Captain Lantejas and his two trusty
followers climbed into their saddles to proceed towards the ford of the
Ostuta. A difficulty yet lay in the way of their reaching it: since
before gaining the river it would be necessary for them to pass within
sight of the hacienda Del Valle, and they might be seen, as they
supposed, by the sentinels of the royalist garrison. As yet the three
travellers were ignorant that the place was blockaded by the guerilla of
Arroyo.

"If we were to pass it by night," said Costal, "it would look more
suspicious. Better to go in full daylight. Clara can ride ahead of us.
If any one stops him, he can ask permission for a merchant and his
servants who are travelling southward. If, on the other hand, he sees
no one, he may ride on; and we can follow him without further ceremony."

The advice was to the liking of the Captain; and they accordingly
commenced advancing along the road that would conduct them past the
hacienda.

In about a quarter of an hour they arrived in front of it, near the end
of the long avenue already mentioned. Costal and Don Cornelio halted at
some distance behind while Clara rode forward; and, to make sure that no
one was there, even entered the avenue itself.

Not a human being could be seen. The place appeared deserted--all was
silent as upon that night when Don Rafael rode up to the house to find
only desolation and death.

Still further to guard against surprise, Clara rode on up the avenue;
but he had scarce gone a hundred paces from the main road when a soldier
appeared behind the parapet of the hacienda, evidently watching his
approach.

The black seeing that he was discovered kept on straight for the
building.

The distance hindered Don Cornelio and Costal from distinguishing the
words that passed between Clara and the sentry; but they could see that
the latter was pointing out something to the black which was to them
invisible. Whatever the object was, it appeared to excite the risible
faculties of the negro: for, distant as he was, they could distinctly
hear him laughing.

Meanwhile the sentinel disappeared, and as Clara continued to indulge in
his hilarity, it was evident he had obtained the permission asked for.
At all events, Don Cornelio a