f as he had leaped from the tree!

Annoyed with this misfortune, he was about turning his horse to hurry
back to the live-oak, when his eye fell upon a dark figure gliding over
the plain, and close in to the fringe of willows by the river. Of
course it was the fleeing zambo--there could be no doubt of that.

Carlos hesitated. Should he return for the powder-horn, and then waste
time in reloading, the zambo might escape. He would soon reach the
horses, and mount. Had it been day Carlos could easily have overtaken
him, but not so under the night darkness. Five hundred yards' start
would have carried him safe out of sight.

The cibolero was full of anxiety. He had ample reasons to wish that
this man should die. Prudence as well as a natural feeling of revenge
prompted this wish. The cowardly manner in which these hired ruffians
had dogged him had awakened his vengeance. Besides, while either lived,
the outlaw knew he would have a dangerous enemy. The zambo must not
escape!

It was but for a moment that Carlos hesitated. Should he wait to reload
his rifle the other would get off. This reflection decided him. He
dropped the piece to the ground, turned his horse's head, and shot
rapidly across the plain in the direction of the river. In a dozen
seconds he reined up in front of his skulking foe.

The latter, seeing himself cut off from the horses, halted and stood at
bay, as if determined to fight. But before Carlos could dismount to
close with him, his heart once more gave way; and, breaking through the
willows, he plunged into the river.

Carlos had not calculated upon this. He stood for some moments in a
state of surprise and dismay. Would the fiend escape him? He had come
to the ground. Whether should he mount again or follow on foot?

He was not long irresolute. He chose the latter course, and, rushing
through the willows where the other had passed, he paused a moment on
the edge of the stream. Just then his enemy emerged upon the opposite
bank, and, without a moment's halt, started off in full run across the
plain. Again Carlos thought of following on horseback, but the banks
were high,--a horse might find it difficult to ford at such a place,--
perhaps impossible. There was no time to be lost in experiments.

"Surely," thought Carlos, "I am swift as he. For a trial then!"

And as he uttered the words he flung himself broad upon the water.

A few strokes carried him across the stream; an