Just after the ladies had been proclaimed under arrest, but before the
sentinels were posted around the house, a man might have been seen
outside their line, making all haste away from it. He had need, his
capture being also contemplated. Jose it was, who, from a place of
concealment, had not only seen what passed, but heard the conversation
between Santander and the Senoritas. The words spoken by his young
mistress, and the rejoinder received, were all he waited for. Giving
him his cue for departure, they also gave him hopes of something more
than the saving of his own life. That the last was endangered he knew
now--forfeited, indeed, should he fall into the hands of those who had
invaded the place. So, instead of returning to the stable-yard, from
which he had issued on hearing the _fracas_ in front, he retreated
rearwards, first through the ornamental grounds, then over the wall upon
which the hunchback had perched himself on the preceding night. Jose,
however, did not stay on it for more than a second's time. Soon as
mounting to its summit, he slid down on the other side, and ran along
the lane in the direction of the main road.
Before reaching this, however, a reflection caused him to slacken pace,
and then come to a stop. It was still daylight, and there would be a
guard stationed by the front gate, sure to see him along the road. The
ground on the opposite side of the lane was a patch of rocky scrub--in
short, a _chapparal_--into which in an instant after he plunged, and
when well under cover again made stop, this time dropping down on his
hands and knees. The attitude gave him a better opportunity of
listening; and listen he did--all ears.
To hear voices all around the house, loudest in the direction of the
stable-yard. In tones not of triumph, but telling of disappointment.
For in truth it was so; the shouts of the soldiers searching for his
very self, and swearing because he could not be found. He had reason to
congratulate himself in having got outside the enclosure. It was now
being quartered everywhere, gardens, grounds, and all.
For the time he felt comparatively safe; but he dared not return to the
lane. And less show himself on the open road; as scouting parties were
sure of being sent out after him. There was no alternative, therefore,
but stay where he was till the darkness came down. Luckily, he would
not have long to wait for it. The sun had set, and twilight in the
Mexican valley is but a brief interval between day and night. In a few
minutes after commencement it is over.
Short as it was, it gave him time to consider his future course of
action, though that required little consideration. It had been already
traced out for him, partly by the Condesa, in an interview he held with
her but an hour before and partly by instructions he had received when
up at the old convent direct from the lips of Don Ruperto. Therefore,
hurried as was his retreat, he was not making it as one who went blindly
and without definite aim. He had this, with a point to be reached,
which, could he only arrive at, not only might his own safety be
secured, but that of those he was equally anxious about, now more
imperilled than himself.
With a full comprehension of their danger, and the hope of being able to
avert it, soon as the twilight deepened to darkness he forsook his
temporary place of concealment, and, returning to the lane, glided
noiselessly along it towards the main road. Coming out upon this, he
turned to the left, and without looking behind, hurried up the hill as
fast as his limbs could carry him.
Perhaps better for him had he looked behind; and yet in the end it might
have been worse. Whether or no, he was followed by a man--if it were a
man--and, if a thing, not his own shadow. A grotesque creature,
seemingly all arms and legs, moved after, keeping pace with him, no
matter how rapidly he progressed. Not overtaking him; though it looked
as if able to do so, but did not wish. Just so it was--the stalker
being Zorillo.
The stalk had risen rather accidentally. The hunchback--now in a manner
attached to the party of Hussars--had been himself loitering near the
end of the lane, and saw the _cochero_ as he came out on the road. He
knew the latter was being sought for, and by no one more zealously than
himself. Besides cupidity, he was prompted by burning revenge. The
disappearance of his ill-gotten treasure was no longer a mystery to him.
The abandoned halters, with the horses for which they had been
intended, told him all. Only the _cochero_ could have carried the
things off.
And now, seeing the latter as he stole away in retreat, his first
impulse was to raise the hue and cry, and set the soldiers after. But
other reflections, quick succeeding, restrained him. They might not be
in time to secure a capture. In the darkness there was every chance of
the _mertizo_ eluding them. A tract of forest was not far off, and he
would be into it before they could come up. Besides, the hunchback had
also conjectured that the failure of their over-night expedition was due
to Jose. He must have overheard that conversation with the colonel of
Hussars, and carried it direct to those whom it so seriously concerned,
thus saving them from the surprise intended. In all likelihood he was
now on his way to another interview with them.
If so, and if he, Zorillo, could but spot the place, and bring back
report of it to Santander, it would give him a new claim for services,
and some compensation for the loss he had sustained through the now
hated _cochero_.
Soon as resolved he lost not a moment in making after, keeping just such
distance between as to hinder Jose from observing him. He had the
advantage in being behind, as it was all uphill, and from below he could
see the other by the better light above, while himself in obscurity.
But he also availed himself of the turnings of the road, and the scrub
that grew alongside it, through which he now and then made way. His
long legs gave a wonderful power of speed, and he could have come up
with the _mertizo_ at any moment. He knew that, but knew also it would
likely cost him his life. For the _cochero_ must be aware of what he
had done--enough to deserve death at his hands. He might well dread an
encounter, and was careful to avoid it. Indeed, but for his belief that
he was an overmatch for the other in speed, he would not have ventured
after him.
For nearly five miles up the mountain road the stalk was continued.
Then he, whose footsteps were so persistently dogged, was seen to turn
into a side path, which led along a ravine still upward. But the
change, of course, did not throw off the sleuth-hound skulking on his
track, the latter also entering the gorge, and gliding on after.
There it was darker, from the shadow of the overhanging cliffs; and for
a time the hunchback lost sight of him he was following. Still, he kept
on, groping his way, and at length was rewarded by seeing a light--a
great blaze. It came from a bivouac fire, which threw its red glare on
the rocks around, embracing within its circle the forms of men and
horses. Armed men they were, and horses caparisoned for war, as could
be told by the glint of weapons and accoutrement given back to the
fire's blaze.
There appeared to be over a hundred of them; but the hunchback did not
approach near enough to make estimate of their number. Enough for him
to know who they were; and this knowledge he obtained by seeing a man of
gigantic size standing by the side of the fire--the "big _Tejano_!" He
saw, too, that the _cochero_ had got upon the ground, his arrival
creating an excitement. But he stayed to see no more: his purpose was
fulfilled; and turning back down the ravine, he again got out to the
road, where he put on his best speed in return for Tlalpam.