he
points that most interested me, or had reference to my plans; almost
instantaneously I had mastered the situation, and I next bent my mind
upon the way to take advantage of it.

I saw there was but one way to proceed: my original scheme must be
carried cut. Under so many eyes, there was not the slightest chance
that the captive could be _stolen_ away; she must be taken openly, and
by a bold stroke. Of this was I convinced.

The question arose, when should I make the attempt? At that moment?

She was not ten paces from where I stood! Could I rush forward, and
with my knife set free her limbs? Might we then get off before the
savages could fling themselves upon us?

Hopeless--impossible! She was too near them; she was too near the
renegade who claimed her as his property.

He was standing almost over her, within distance of a single leap. In
his belt I saw the long triangular blade of a Spanish knife. He could
have cut me down ere I could have severed a cord of her fastenings. The
attempt would fail; success was hopeless--impossible. I must wait for a
better opportunity; and I waited.

I remembered Rube's last word of counsel, not to act too hastily--and
his reasons, that if I must make a "desprit strike for it," to leave the
grand _coup_ to the last moment. The circumstances could be no more
unfavourable then than now.

Under the influence of this idea, I checked my impatience, and waited.

I watched Hissoo-royo; I watched the squatted forms around the fire; I
watched the straggling groups behind them. In turn, my eyes wandered
from one to the other. At intervals, too, they rested upon Isolina.

Up to this moment I had not seen her countenance; I saw only the reverse
of that beautiful image so deeply graven upon my heart. But even then--
under that suspense of peril--strange thoughts were passing within me.
I felt a singular longing to look upon her face; I remembered the
_herredero_.

It pleased fortune to smile upon me. So many little incidents were
occurring in my favour, that I began to believe the fates propitious,
and my hopes of success were growing stronger apace.

Just then the captive turned her head, and her face was towards me.
There was no mark on that fair brow; that soft cheek was without a scar;
the delicate skin was intact, smooth, and diaphanous as ever. The
herredero had been merciful!

Perhaps something had occurred to interrupt or hinder him from his
horrid work?