eep--only dozing, as a Spanish portero knows how.
Andres put the stratagem in practice, he offered a cigar; and in a few
minutes' time his unsuspicious fellow-servant stepped with him through
the gate, and both stood smoking outside.

Catalina judged their situation by the hum of their voices. She entered
the dark stable; and gliding to the head of one of the horses, caught
the bridle, and led the animal forth. A few moments sufficed to conduct
it to the garden, where she knotted the rein to a tree.

She then returned for the second, and the third, and the fourth and
last--all of which she secured as she had done the first.

Once more she went back to the patio. This time only to shut the
stable-door, and lock that of her own chamber; and, having secured both,
she cast a look towards the zaguan, and then glided back into the
garden. Here she mounted her own horse, took the bridle of another in
her hand, and sat waiting.

She had not long to wait. Andres had well calculated his time, for in a
few minutes he appeared in the entrance; and, having closed the gate
behind him, joined his mistress.

The _ruse_ had succeeded admirably. The portero suspected nothing.
Andres had bidden him "buenas noches," at the same time expressing his
intention of going to bed.

Don Ambrosio might now return when he pleased. He would retire to his
sleeping-room as was his wont. He would not know before morning the
loss he had sustained.

The mufflings were now removed from the feet of the horses, and,
plunging as silently as possible into the water, the four were guided
across the stream. Having ascended the opposite bank, they were first
headed towards the cliffs, but before they had proceeded far in that
direction they turned into a path of the chapparal leading downward.
This path would conduct them to the rancho of Josefa.

CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN.

From the position he occupied, Carlos did not fail to observe the
outlines of his prison, and search for that point that might be pierced
with least trouble. He saw that the walls were of adobe bricks--strong,
enough to shut in an ordinary malefactor, but easily cut through by a
man armed with the proper tool, and the determination to set himself
free. Two hours' work would suffice, but how to work that two hours
without being interrupted and detected? That, was the question that
occupied the mind of the captive.

One thing was very evident; it would be unwise to commenc