brought them into the same path by
which the horseman had lately descended. Up this they rode, keeping
their eyes bent on the cliff to the right--for on that side was the
cave.

They had no fear of their tracks being discernible, even should the
guero return by daylight, for the path lay over hard rock already marked
by the hoofs of his own horse. For all that the mulatto was uneasy; and
at intervals repeated half to himself, and half in the hearing of his
companion--

"Dam! dog give trouble, sure give trouble--dam!"

At length the mouth of the cave, like a dark spot upon the rock,
appeared on one side. After silently dismounting, and leaving his horse
with Pepe, the mulatto crawled up the ledge and reconnoitred the
entrance. Even the probability that some one might have been left there
was not overlooked by this keen hunter, and every precaution was taken.

After listening a moment at the entrance he sent in the dogs, and, as
neither bark nor howl came out again, he was satisfied that all was
safe. He then crawled in himself, keeping on the shadowy side of the
rock. When he had got fairly within the cavern, he struck a light, at
the same time shading it so that the gleam might not fall on the
outside. With this he made a hurried examination of the interior; and,
now satisfied that the place was untenanted, he came out again, and
beckoned his comrade to bring up the horses.

These were led into the cave. Another reconnaissance was made, in which
the few articles used by Carlos for eating and sleeping were discovered
upon a dry ledge. A serape, a small hatchet for cutting firewood, an
olla for cooking, two or three cups, some pieces of jerked meat and
fragments of bread, were the contents of the cavern.

The best of these were appropriated by the intruders; and then, after
fastening their horses in a secure corner, and making themselves
thoroughly acquainted with the shape and position of the rocky interior,
the light was extinguished, and, like beasts of prey, they placed
themselves in readiness to receive their unsuspecting victim.

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.

Carlos, on leaving his cave, proceeded with the caution natural to one
circumstanced as he was. But this night he was more than usually
careful. He scanned every bush and rock that stood near his path, and
that might have sheltered an enemy. Why to-night more cautious than
before? Because a suspicion had crossed his mind--and that, too, having