did not give an immediate answer. He had evidently not
decided yet, and was debating in his own mind what course to pursue.

"Yes," he replied, at length, in a solemn and deliberate voice. "It is
better to be sure. With all my terrible suspicions, I may be wrong.
_She_ may be wrong. _The two trails may yet come together_."

The latter part of this was spoken in soliloquy, and, though it reached
the ears of Don Juan, he did not comprehend its meaning. He was about
to ask his companion for an explanation, when the latter, suddenly
collecting his energies, struck the spurs into his horse, and, calling
to them to follow, galloped off upon the cattle-track.

After a run of ten miles, which was made in less than an hour, the party
entered a large ravine or point of the plain that protruded, like a deep
bay, into the mountain-like side of the high steppe. As they entered
this, a singular spectacle came under their eyes. The ravine, near its
bottom, was covered with zopilotes, or black vultures. Hundreds of them
were perched upon the rocks, or wheeling overhead in the air; and
hundreds of others hopped about upon the plain, flapping their broad
wings as if in full enjoyment. The coyote, the larger wolf, and the
grizzly bear, were seen moving over the ground, or quarrelling with each
other, though they need not have quarrelled--the repast was plenteous
for all. Between forty and fifty carcases were strewed over the ground,
which Don Juan and his vaqueros as they drew near recognised as the
carcases of his own cattle.

"I told you so, Don Juan," said Carlos, in a voice now husky with
emotion; "but I did not expect this. What a deep-laid plan! They might
have strayed back! and that--oh! horrible villain! My mother was
right--_it is he! it is he_!"

"Who, Carlos! What mean you?" inquired Don Juan, wondering at these
strange and incongruous phrases.

"Ask me not now, Don Juan! Presently I shall tell you all--presently,
but not now; my brain's too hot--my heart is burning: presently--
presently. The mystery is past--I know all--I had suspicion from the
first--I saw him at the fiesta--I saw his bad ruffian gaze bent upon
her. Oh, despot! I'll tear your heart out! Come, Don Juan!--Antonio--
comrades!--After me on the trail! It's easily followed. _I know where
it will lead_--well I know.--On!"

And driving the spur into the flanks of his horse, the cibolero galloped
off in the direction of the crossing.

Th