thering himself, he rose upon his knees with the intention of
making a spring forward. The sudden erection of his body brought his
face full into the light, and rendered it a conspicuous object. His
time was come.

The whip-like crack of a rifle was heard, and at the same instant a
stream of fire shot out from the leafy top of a live-oak that stood near
the entrance of the avenue. The mulatto suddenly sprang to his feet,
threw out his arms with a wild cry, staggered a pace or two, and,
dropping both knife and gun, fell forward into the fire!

The zambo also leaped to his feet; and, believing the shot had come from
the pretended sleeper, precipitated himself upon the latter, knife in
hand, and drove his blade with desperate earnestness into the side of
the prostrate form.

Almost on the instant he leaped back with a yell of terror; and, without
stopping to assist his fallen comrade, rushed off over the glade, and
disappeared into the underwood. The figure by the fire remained
prostrate and motionless.

But at this moment a dark form was seen to descend through the branches
of the live-oak whence the shot had come; a shrill whistle rang through
the glade; and the steed, dragging his lazo, galloped up under the tree.

A man, half-naked, and carrying a long rifle, dropped upon the horse's
back; and the next instant both horse and man disappeared through the
avenue, having gone off at full speed in the direction of the plain!

CHAPTER SIXTY.

Who was he then who lay by the fire? Not Carlos the cibolero! It was
his manga--his botas--his hat and spurs--his complete habiliments!

True, but Carlos was not in them. He it was who, half-naked, had
dropped from the tree, and galloped off upon the horse! A mystery!

Less than two hours before we left him where he had arrived--upon the
edge of the grove. How had he been employed since then? A knowledge of
that will explain the mystery.

On reaching the grove he had ridden direct through the avenue and into
the glade, where he reined up his horse and dismounted. Cibolo was
gently laid upon the soft grass, with a kind expression; but his wounds
remained undressed for the present. His master had no time for that.
He had other work to do, which would occupy him for the next hour.

With a slack bridle his horse was left to refresh himself on the sward,
while Carlos proceeded to the execution of a design that had been
matured in his mind during his long gallop.