qually fearful to endure.

This was of short duration, however; for in a few moments the stillness
of the night was once more interrupted by other and different noises,
that resembled human voices uttered at a considerable distance from the
spot.

Gradually the voices were heard approaching nearer, and Don Cornelio was
under the impression that it was Costal and Clara returning to where
they had left their horses. He was mistaken about this, however, and
soon perceived his error. The voices proceeded from the direction he
had himself followed in approaching the lake. Costal and Clara could
not be coming that way. Moreover, he now saw lights that appeared to be
torches carried by those who were talking; and from the rapidity with
which the lights flitted from point to point, they could only be borne
by men on horseback. The Indian and negro could not be mounted, since
their horses were still standing tied where they had left them, along
with his own steed, that had just taken refuge by their side. It could
not be Costal and Clara who carried the torches.

"Who then?" mentally demanded Don Cornelio; "might it be Arroyo and his
bandits?"

He had scarce given thought to the conjecture, when a troop of horsemen
rode out upon the open ground near the edge of the lake; and two of them
at the head of the others were instantly recognised by Don Cornelio.
They were, in truth, Arroyo and his associate, Bocardo.

The horsemen carrying the torches were seen riding from one point to
another, quartering the ground by numerous crossings, and exploring the
thickets on every side, as if in search of some person that had escaped
them.

On approaching the border of the lake, the horsemen turned off along the
margin of reeds, without having perceived the three horses that stood
under the trees.

The torches were now thrown away; and, riding off under the pale
moonlight, the horsemen disappeared from the eyes of Don Cornelio.

He was not without uneasiness as to the peril in which his two
companions would be placed, should they chance to fall once more into
the hands of the bandits; and he would gladly have warned them of their
danger, had he known how. But ignorant of the locality in which Costal
and Clara were at that exact moment, he could do nothing more than hope
that they might perceive the horsemen first, and conceal themselves
while the latter were passing. From Costal's habitual wariness, Don
Cornelio felt confiden