plan--would have cost a journey to the troop to be
stationed above. But neither Vizcarra nor Roblado would have grudged
either the time or the men to have rendered success thus sure. The
mulatto and his dusky camarado knew all this perfectly, but to have
caused such a plan to be put in execution was the last thought in their
minds. Such a course would have been attended with but little peril to
them, but it would have brought as little pay, for every trooper in the
whole band would have claimed equal share in the promised reward. That
would not be satisfactory to the hunters, whose heads and knowledge had
furnished the means and the ways.

Neither entertained any idea of following such a course. Both were
confident in their ability to effect their object without aid from any
quarter.

From the time they had taken their station on the rock, half-an-hour was
all they had to wait. At the end of that period the quick ears of both
caught the sound of some one coming from the direction of the ravine.
They heard a horse's hoof striking upon loose shingle, and the rattling
of the displaced pebbles. A debris of broken fragments filled the
bottom of the ravine, brought there during rain-torrents. Over this ran
the path. A horseman was coming down it.

"The guero!" muttered the mulatto; "be sure, boy Pepe."

"Trust you for a guess, brother Man'l: you were right about the tracks
we first fell in with. The cave's his hiding-place to a certainty.
We'll have him sure when he comes back. _Carrai_! yonder he comes!"

As the zambo spake, a tall dark form was perceived approaching down the
ravine. By the moon gleaming upon it, they could make out the figure of
a horse and rider. They had no longer any doubt it was their intended
victim.

"Brother Man'l," whispered the zambo, "suppose he passes near! why not
bring down the horse? you can't miss in this fine light--both of us can
aim at the horse; if we stop him we'll easily overtake the guero."

"Won't do, boy Pepe--not easily overtake guero afoot. Get off among
rocks--hide for days--can't track _him_ afoot--be on his guard after--
give us trouble--old plan best--let pass--have him safe when he come
back--have him sure."

"But Man'l--"

"Dam! no need for buts--always in a hurry, boy Pepe--have patience--no
buts, no fear. See, now!"

This last exclamation was intended to point out to Pepe that his
suggestion, even though a wise one, could not have been carried ou