oans of agonised terror that escaped from their riders were
drowned by the yells of the pursuing horsemen.

In a moment all was over. The terrified mustangs had sprung out from
the cliff--had carried their riders into eternity!

The dusky warriors pulled up near the brink, and sat gazing upon each
other in silent awe.

A horseman dashed to the front; and, poising his horse upon the very
edge, looked down into the abysm. It was the White Chief.

For some moments he regarded the shapeless masses that lay below. He
saw that they moved not. Men and horses were all dead crushed, bruised,
and shattered--a hideous sight to behold!

A deep sigh escaped him, as though some weight had been lifted from his
heart, and, turning around he muttered to his friend--

"Don Juan! I have kept my oath--_she is avenged_!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The setting sun saw that long line of Indian warriors filing from the
valley, and heading for the plain of the Llano Estacado. But they went
not as they had come. They returned to their country laden with the
plunder of San Ildefonso--to them the legitimate spoils of war.

The cibolero still rode at their head, and Don Juan the ranchero was by
his side. The fearful scenes through which they had just passed
shadowed the brows of both; but these shadows became lighter as they
dwelt on the prospect before them. Each looked forward to a happy
greeting at the end of his journey.

Carlos did not remain long among his Indian friends. Loaded with the
treasure they had promised, he proceeded farther east, and established a
plantation upon the Red River of Louisiana. Here, in the company of his
beautiful wife, his sister, Don Juan, and some of his old servants, he
led in after years a life of peace and prosperity.

Now and then no made hunting excursions into the country of his old
friends the Wacoes--who were over glad to see him again, and still
hailed him as their chief.

Of San Ildefonso there is no more heard since that time. No settlement
was ever after made in that beautiful valley. The Tagnos--released from
the bondage which the padres had woven around them--were but too glad to
give up the half-civilisation they had been taught. Some of them sought
other settlements, but most returned to their old habits, and once more
became hunters of the plains.

Perhaps the fate of San Ildefonso might have attracted more attention in
o