by the instinctive cunning of her race, she dropped down flat
upon her breast; and, dragging herself over the grass, she reached the
selvedge of the grove, just in the rear of the arbour. There she
paused, raised her head, and glanced through the leafy screen that
encircled the arbour. She saw what she desired.

Catalina was at this moment upon the bridge, and above the position of
the mestiza--so that the latter could perceive her form outlined against
the blue of the sky. She saw her hold aloft the white kerchief. She
guessed that it was a signal--she saw the flash in answer to it, and
then observed her mistress undo the lock and fling the wicket open.

The cunning spy was now sure that the place of meeting was to be the
grove itself, and might have returned with that information; but Roblado
had distinctly ordered her not to leave until she saw the meeting
itself, and was certain of the spot. She therefore remained where she
was, and awaited the further proceedings of the lovers.

Carlos, on perceiving the signal, had answered it by flashing some
powder already prepared. He lost no time in obeying the well-known
summons. A single moment by the side of his horse--a whisper which the
latter well understood--and he parted from the copse, Cibolo following
at his heels.

On reaching the end of the bridge he bent down, and, addressing some
words in a low voice to the dog, proceeded to cross over. The animal
did not follow him, but lay down on the opposite bank of the stream.

The next moment the lovers were together.

From the spot where she lay the mestiza witnessed their greeting. The
moon shone upon their faces--the fair skin and curly locks of Carlos
were distinctly visible under the light. The girl knew the cibolero--it
was he.

She had seen all that was necessary for Roblado to know. The grove was
the place of meeting. It only remained for her to get back to the
officer, and give the information.

She was about to crawl away, and had already half risen, when to her
dismay, the lovers appeared coming through the grove, and towards the
very arbour behind which she lay!

Their faces were turned towards the spot where she was crouching. If
she rose to her feet, or attempted to go off, she could not fail to be
seen by one or other of them.

She had no alternative but to remain where she was--at least until some
better opportunity offered of getting away--and with this intention she
again squatted