!"

"Josefa--she has a brother who is a kind of errand-boy to Padre Joaquin.
This morning the Padre took him over to the Presidio, and from there
sent him to guide Captain Roblado to the yellow hunter's hut. The Padre
threatened the boy if he should tell any one; but on his return to the
mission he called on his mother; and Josefa, suspecting he had been on
some strange errand--for he showed a piece of silver--got it all out of
him. He couldn't tell what Roblado and the hunters talked about, but he
fancied the latter were preparing to go somewhere as he left them. Now,
putting one thing with another, I'm of the mind, master, they're on your
trail."

"No doubt of it, amigo--I haven't the slightest doubt of it. So--I'll
be chased out of my cave--that's certain. I believe they have a
suspicion of where I am already. Well, I must try to find another
resting-place. 'Tis well I have got the wind of these rascals--they'll
not catch me asleep, which no doubt they flatter themselves they're
going to do. What other news?"

"Nothing particular. Josefa saw the girl Vicenza last night in company
with Jose, but she has had no opportunity of getting a word with the
senorita, who is watched closely. She has some business with the
portero's wife to-morrow. She hopes to hear something from her."

"Good Antonio," said Carlos, dropping a piece of money into the other's
hand, "give this to Josefa--tell her to be active. Our hopes rest
entirely with her."

"Don't fear, master!" replied the half-blood. "Josefa will do her best,
for the reason that," smiling, "_her_ hopes, I believe, rest entirely
upon _me_."

Carlos laughed at the _naive_ remark of his faithful companion, and then
proceeded to inquire about other matters,--about his mother and sister,
about the troopers, the spies, and Don Juan.

About the last Antonio could give him no information that was new. Don
Juan had been arrested the day after the affair at the Presidio, and
ever since had been kept a close prisoner. The charge against him was
his having been an accomplice of Carlos, and his trial would take place
whenever the latter should be captured.

Half-an-hour was spent in conversation, and then Carlos, having received
from the half-blood the packages containing provisions, prepared to
return to his hiding-place in the Llano Estacado.

"You will meet me here to-morrow night again, Anton," said he at
parting. "If anything should happen to prevent me c