of his promises. His daughter, he said, had
repented of her folly, and now looked with indifference upon the fate of
Carlos. Roblado might hope.

It is probable that Don Ambrosio had reasons for believing what he said.
It is probable that Catalina had thrown out such hints, the better to
conceal her desperate design.

The wine flowed freely, and the guests of the Comandante revelled under
its influence. There were toasts, and songs, and patriotic speeches;
and the hour of midnight arrived before the company was half satiated
with enjoyment.

In the midst of their carousal, a proposal was volunteered by some one,
that the outlaw Carlos should be brought in! Odd as was this
proposition, it exactly suited the half-drunken revellers. Many were
curious to have a good sight of the cibolero--now so celebrated a
personage.

The proposal was backed by many voices, and the Comandante pressed to
yield to it.

Vizcarra had no objection to gratify his guests. Both he and Roblado
rather liked the idea. It would be a further humiliation of their hated
enemy.

Enough. Sergeant Gomez was summoned, the cibolero sent for, and the
revelry went on.

But that revelry was soon after brought to a sudden termination, when
Sergeant Gomez burst into the saloon, and announced in a loud voice
that--

_The prisoner had escaped_!

A shell dropping into the midst of that company could not have scattered
it more completely. All sprang to their feet--chairs and tables went
tumbling over--glasses and bottles were dashed to the floor, and the
utmost confusion ensued.

The guests soon cleared themselves of the room. Some ran direct to
their houses to see if their families were safe; while others made their
way to the Calabozo to assure themselves of the truth of the sergeant's
report.

Vizcarra and Roblado were in a state bordering upon madness. Both
stormed and swore, at the same time ordering the whole garrison under
arms.

In a few minutes nearly every soldier of the Presidio had vaulted to his
saddle, and was galloping in the direction of the town.

The Calabozo was surrounded.

There was the hole through which the captive had got off. How had he
unbound his fastenings--who had furnished him with the knife?

The sentries were questioned and flogged--and flogged and questioned--
but could tell nothing. They knew not that their prisoner was gone,
until Gomez and his party came to demand him!

Scouring parties were se