ed as they are, and knowing that certain death
await them, they may cost us, as you say, more men than they are worth.
What is your advice, Lieutenant?"

"That we reduce them by a siege, and starve them into surrendering. For
my part, I don't wish to be baulked about the hanging of them--
especially after the trouble we have taken in bringing these ropes along
with us."

"It will cost time; but I agree with you, it seems the best thing we can
do. They must soon yield to hunger; and perhaps before that time we may
find some opportunity of getting Don Fernando out of their power. At
all events, let us wait for sunrise before renewing the attack.
Meanwhile, I leave you to conduct the blockade. The poor lady,
Marianita, is, no doubt, wandering about in the woods near at hand. I
shall myself go in search of her."

Saying this, and giving orders for half a dozen chosen men to follow
him, Don Rafael leaped into his saddle, and rode off through the gateway
of the hacienda.

He had scarcely passed out of sight, when the sentinels placed by
Veraegui were signalled by two men who wished to enter the courtyard.
Both were afoot, and appeared to have come in such haste that they could
scarce get breath enough to proclaim their errand.

"What do you want?" asked the Catalan, before looking at the men. "Eh!
my droll fellows!" he continued, recognising Gaspar and Zapote, "it is
you, is it? How the devil did you get out of my guard-house?"

"The sentry allowed us to go, your honour," answered Zapote. "He knew
that you did not wish us to be detained, if the Colonel should be found
alive; and as we have an important message to him--"

"The Colonel is gone away from here," interrupted Veraegui.

"Gone!" exclaimed Zapote, with an air of extreme chagrin. "Where is he
gone to, your honour?"

The Lieutenant, after pointing out the direction in which Don Rafael had
ridden away, turned his back upon the two adventurers--who, instead of
being offended at this rudeness, were only too glad to terminate their
interview with the dreaded Catalan. They lost no time, therefore, in
making their exit from the courtyard; and, as fast as their legs could
carry them, they started off in the direction taken by him whom they had
so long unsuccessfully followed.

CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO.

THE ENCHANTED LAKE.

It is ten o'clock at night, and a starry heaven is extended over a large
expanse of level country--here clothed with virgin forest