from thirst than hunger,
spread his nostrils to the air, and scenting the fresh exhalations of
water, struck off in the direction whence it came. This was to the
right.

The choice was fortunate for the student of theology, but rather unlucky
for the dragoon captain, as will presently appear.

In fact, the path leading to the left was that which conducted to the
hacienda of Las Palmas--which the Captain, for a certain reason, was
desirous of reaching, and on that very evening.

After following the right-hand branch for some minutes, the horseman
arrived at a spot where the path suddenly gave out. In front appeared
only a thick tangle of trees and bushes, behind which could be heard the
roaring of a torrent.

Don Rafael was now completely at fault. To return on his track would
not only be disagreeable, but there would still exist the same
uncertainty as to his route. Even the right-hand branch of the road
might not be the right one!

After a minute or two spent in considering what was best to be done, the
Captain dismounted, and tying his steed to a tree, commenced making his
way through the thicket in the direction whence came the sound of the
water, evidently a stream. He was in hopes that on reaching the bank,
and following along the water's edge, he might find the continuation of
the road at some point where the stream was fordable. After making his
way with much labour and loss of time through the labyrinthine tangle of
the thicket, he arrived at the bottom of the cascade, just at the moment
when Costal and Clara were about entering upon the ceremony of invoking
the Siren.

Notwithstanding the desire which the dragoon captain had to escape as
soon as possible from the dilemma into which chance had conducted him,
the spectacle of this cascade--one of the most magnificent in America--
drew from him a cry of wonder and admiration. For some minutes he stood
regarding it with admiring eyes, inspired with those sublime feelings
which such a grand sight is calculated to call forth.

At length other thoughts came before his mind; and he was about turning
away to continue his explorations for a path, when an unexpected object
presenting itself to his eyes, caused him to keep his place.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

A LUDICROUS SPECTACLE.

Amid the vapoury mist that soared above the foaming torrent, the tops of
the two _ahuehuetes_ could be seen only indistinctly, but the trunks and
lower limbs were more palpably