must have
passed on the evening before. But as it was now quite day, and their
trail evidently led to the settlements, he dared not ride in that
direction, and therefore returned to his hiding-place.

The incident had rendered him thoughtful and apprehensive throughout the
whole of that day; and as he rode forth his reflections were upon this
very subject--hence the caution of his movements.

As he emerged from the ravine, the dog, as stated, made a demonstration,
by suddenly turning toward the rocks, and uttering a low growl. This
caused Carlos to halt, and look carefully in that direction. But he
could see nothing that appeared suspicious; and the dog, after a
moment's pause, appeared satisfied and trotted on again.

"Some wild animal, perhaps," thought Carlos, as he set his horse in
motion, and continued on over the plain.

When fairly out into the open ground, he quickened his pace; and after a
ride of about six or seven miles arrived on the banks of the Pecos.
Here he turned down-stream, and, once more riding with caution,
approached a grove of low timber that grew upon the bank. This grove
was the point of rendezvous.

When within a hundred yards of it, the cibolero halted upon the plain.
The dog ran on before him, quartered the grove, and then returned to his
master. The horseman then rode boldly in under the shadow of the trees,
and, dismounting, took station upon one side of the timber, to watch for
the coming of his expected messenger.

His vigil was not of long duration. In a few minutes a man on foot,
bent into a crouching attitude, was seen rapidly advancing over the
plain. When he had arrived within three hundred yards of the grove, he
stopped in his tracks, and uttered a low whistle. To this signal the
cibolero replied, and the man, again advancing as before, was soon
within the shadow of the grove. It was Antonio.

"Were you followed, amigo?" asked Carlos.

"As usual, master; but I had no difficulty in throwing them off."

"Hereafter it may not be so easy."

"How, master?"

"I know your news--the yellow hunter has got back?"

"Carrambo! it is even so! How did you hear it, master?"

"This morning, after you had left me, I crossed a trail--I knew it must
be theirs."

"It was theirs, master. They came in last evening but I have worse news
than that."

"Worse!--what?"

"They're after _you_!"

"Ha! already? I guessed that they would be, but not so soon. How know
you, Anton