dered him somewhat eager to close the conversation; for he
noticed that they were not lost on several of the bystanders. The
officers, as well as the priests and alcalde, exchanged significant
glances while she was uttering them.

Placing his sister once more in the carreta, and giving her a parting
embrace, Carlos leaped to the back of his steed, and rode forth upon the
plain. When at some distance he reined in, and bent his eyes for a
moment upon the tiers of benches where sat the senoras and senoritas of
the town. A commotion could be observed among them. They had heard of
the intended feat, and many would have dissuaded the cibolero from the
perilous attempt.

There was one whose heart was full to bursting--full as that of Carlos'
own sister; and yet she dared not show it to those around. She was
constrained to sit in silent agony, and suffer.

Carlos knew this. He drew a white handkerchief from his bosom, and
waved it in the air, as though bidding some one an adieu. Whether he
was answered could not be told; but the next moment he wheeled his
horse, and galloped off towards the cliffs.

There were conjectures among the senoras and senoritas, among the
poblanas too, as to who was the recipient of that parting salute. Many
guesses were made, many names mentioned, and scandal ran the rounds.
One only of all knew in her heart for whom the compliment was meant--in
her heart overflowing with love and fear.

CHAPTER SIX.

All who had horses followed the cibolero, who now directed himself
towards a path that led from the valley to the table above. This path
wound up the cliffs by zigzag turnings, and was the only one by which
the upper plain could be reached at that point. A corresponding road
traversed the opposite bluff, so that the valley might be here crossed;
and this was the only practicable crossing for several miles up and
down.

Though but a thousand feet separated the valley and table-land, the path
leading from one to the other was nearly a mile in length; and as it was
several miles from the scene of the festival to the bottom of the cliff,
only those accompanied Carlos who were mounted, with a few others
determined to witness every manoeuvre of this fearful attempt. Of
course, the officers were of the party who went up. The rest of the
people remained in the valley, but moved forward in the direction of the
cliffs, so that they would be able to observe the more interesting and
thrillin