struck
with the expression upon the servant's countenance.

"Not any, Senor Don Mariano," replied the domestic, "unless to say that
we are here in some accursed place, and the sooner we get out of it the
better."

"Get your arms ready," rejoined Don Mariano, "it must be the jaguars
that are howling near us."

"Ah! Senor master," replied the domestic, with a shake of his head,
"never did jaguar howl after that fashion; and all our weapons will be
useless where the spirit of darkness is against us. Listen, there--
again!"

Once more a series of prolonged vociferations came echoing through the
forest, which certainly had but little resemblance to the voices either
of jaguars or any other known animals.

"There have been many strange things during this night," gravely
continued Castrillo. "Everything in nature seems to be turned upside
down. Dead men have been seen by us wandering about; bells have been
heard tolling where there is neither church nor dwelling, and now the
devil himself is howling in the depths of the forest. Oh, master, let
us fly from this place while we may!"

"But where to? where can we go?" rejoined Don Mariano, casting an
anxious glance towards the _litera_. "My poor child--she can scarce
endure the fatigues of the journey."

"Oh, father," said Gertrudis, "do not think of me. I shall be able to
go on; and I would rather go afoot, than remain longer in this frightful
place."

"Senor Don Mariano," continued the domestic, "if you will pray God to
protect us from the danger that threatens, I and the others will go
after the mules, and we shall get ready for marching. Above all, we
must leave this place at once; for if you stay I could not hinder the
rest from running away."

"Very well, then," said Don Mariano, "be it as you wish. Harness the
animals and let us start at once. We shall endeavour to reach San
Carlos."

That which Don Mariano and his people were about to make--a movement
from the place apparently haunted--the Captain Lantejas would not have
attempted for all the gold in Mexico. Glued by fear to the summit of
his tree, and cursing the evil fortune that had conducted him thither--
regretting, moreover, his foolish curiosity--he continued to listen,
though almost mechanically, to what he believed to be a dialogue between
some Indian divinity and his fearless worshipper, Costal.

All at once the noises came to a termination; and a profound silence
succeeded, which was e