guish the form of a fine steed--the steed of the
cibolero--standing near the fire; and, nearer still, the prostrate form
of his master, who seemed asleep! Yes, there were the manga, the
sombrero, the botas and spurs. There was the lazo reaching from the
neck of the horse, and, no doubt, wound around the arm of the sleeper!
All these points could be determined at a glance.

The horse started, struck the ground with his hoof and then stood still
again!

What had he heard? Some wild beast moving near?

No, not a wild beast--worse than that.

Upon the southern edge of the glade a face looked out from the
underwood--a human face! It remained but a moment, and was then drawn
back behind the leaves. That face could easily have been recognised,
his yellow complexion, conspicuous under the glare of the blazing wood,
told to whom it belonged. It was the face of Manuel the mulatto.

For some moments it remained behind the leafy screen. Then it was
protruded as before, and close beside it another face of darker hue.
Both were turned in the same direction. Both regarded the prostrate
form by the fire, that still appeared to be sound asleep! The eyes of
both were gleaming with malignant triumph. Success seemed certain--
their victim was at length within their power!

The faces were again withdrawn, and for a minute neither sound nor sight
gave any indication of their presence. At the end of that minute,
however, the head of the mulatto was again protruded, but this time at a
different point, close to the surface of the ground, and where there was
an opening in the underwood.

In a moment more his whole body was drawn through, and appeared in a
recumbent position within the glade.

The head and body of the zambo followed; and both now glided silently
over the grass in the direction of the sleeper. Flat upon their
bellies, like a pair of huge lizards, they moved, one following in the
other's trail!

The mulatto was in the advance. His right hand grasped a long-blade,
knife, while his gun was carried in the left.

They moved slowly and with great caution--though ready at any moment to
spring forward should their victim awake and become aware of their
presence.

The unconscious sleeper lay between them and the fire. His form cast a
shadow over the sward. Into this they crept, with the view of better
concealment, and proceeded on.

At length the mulatto arrived within three feet of the prostrate body;
and ga