nt out in every direction--but in the night what
could they do? The houses were all searched, but what was the use of
that? The cibolero was not likely to have remained within the town. No
doubt he was off once more to the Plains!

The night search proved ineffectual; and in the morning the party that
had gone down the valley returned, having found no traces either of
Carlos, his sister, or his mother. It was known that the _hechicera_
had died on the previous night, but where had the body been taken to?
Had she come to life again, and aided the outlaw in his escape? Such
was the conjecture!

At a later hour in the morning some light was thrown on the mysterious
affair. Don Ambrosio, who had gone to rest without disturbing his
daughter, was awaiting her presence in the breakfast-room. What
detained her beyond the usual hour? The father grew impatient--then
anxious. A messenger was at length sent to summon her--no reply to the
knocking at her chamber-door!

The door was burst open. The room was entered--it was found
untenanted--the bed unpressed--the senorita had fled!

She must be pursued! Where is the groom?--the horses? She must be
overtaken and brought back!

The stable is reached, and its door laid open. No groom! no horse!--
they, too, were gone!

Heavens! what a fearful scandal! The daughter of Don Ambrosio had not
only assisted the outlaw to escape, but she had shared his flight, and
was now with him. "_Huyeron_!" was the universal cry.

The trail of the horses was at length taken up, and followed by a large
party, both of dragoons and mounted civilians. It led into the high
plain, and then towards the Pecos, where they had crossed. Upon the
other side the trail was lost. The horses had separated, and gone in
different directions, and their tracks, passing over dry shingle, could
no longer be followed.

After several days' fruitless wandering, the pursuing party returned,
and a fresh one started out; but this, after a while, came back to
announce a similar want of success. Every haunt had been searched; the
old rancho--the groves on the Pecos--even the ravine and its cave had
been visited, and examined carefully. No traces of the fugitives could
be discovered; and it was conjectured that they had gone clear off from
the confines of the settlement.

This conjecture proved correct, and guessing was at length set at rest.
A party of friendly Comanches, who visited the settlement, broug