For some seconds there was silence in our midst. It was the silence of
men who have nothing to say to one another.
There was no need for any one to explain what had passed. All saw, and
too clearly, that we had been chicaned; and that the wretched curs who
had "sold" us, were as completely beyond our reach, as if twenty miles
lay between us and them!
To be convinced of this, we had only to look down to the bottom of the
_barranca_--sheer fifty feet, before the eye rested on the white froth
flakes gliding below!
It was superfluous in Sam Brown to tell us, there was no crossing for a
mile above or below. A glance at the twin cliffs, as they faced
frowningly towards each other, seemed to say: that they had parted in
anger, not soon to come together again!
A mile in either direction meant as much as ten--ay, twenty, upon an
ordinary road. It meant the ruin of Mercedes!
"O God!" I exclaimed in my anguish, "is there no chance of our getting
across?"
I was answered by the groaning of the torrent beneath my feet, and the
maniac laugh of the eagle that soared majestically over my head--both
seeming to mock the impuissance of man.
"A thousand dollars!" I shouted out, loud enough to be heard by the
remotest of my followers, "a thousand dollars to the man who can show a
way by which this chasm may be crossed!"
"_Por dios, caballero_!" replied a voice, coming from a quarter where it
was not expected. "For the tenth part of that pretty sum I'd be willing
to pledge my soul: more especially, if by so doing I can redeem my
body."
The words were in Spanish. I turned in the direction whence came the
voice. I could see that it had proceeded from one of the prisoners, we
had taken in the first attack.
The speaker declared himself by endeavouring to struggle to his feet,
and making other gestures to attract our attention.
I hastened towards him, and gave an order for his limbs to be set free
of their fastenings.
This was done.
"You know--?" I was about to ask.
"A way to get across the _quebrada_," said the brigand, interrupting me,
"if you'll let me show it to you. I only stipulate--"
"Hang your stipulations!" interposed one of my men. "We'll shoot you,
if you don't show it! Like a dog we'll shoot you!"
The rude rebuke, with which I punished the interference of my over
zealous follower, had its effect upon the bandolero. It secured me his
confidence--while strengthening his treasonous intention.
"Senor capitan," he said, "I perceive that you are a true caballero, and
can be trusted with a secret. How much, then, for taking you across? I
know you're not in earnest about the thousand _pesos_. Say a hundred,
and the thing's done. I don't bargain for my life. That, of course,
will be part of the price I should claim for my services."
"Your life, and a thousand dollars, if within ten minutes you take us to
the other side!"
"Ten minutes!" answered the robber, reflectingly. "Ten! It's but short
time to do it in. Say twenty, senor capitan?"
"Twenty, then--if it must be."
"Agreed! And don't suppose that I'm going to earn the reward without
some risk. _Carrambo_! I'm staking my life against it! _Silencio,
senores_!" he continued in a commanding tone, "_Hay Moros en la costa_!
I must listen a bit before it will be safe to proceed."
We had released the brigand from his ropes, and conducted him inside the
hut.
As soon as he had entered it, he stole cautiously to the back door; and,
placing himself behind one of the jambs, remained for some seconds
listening.
I had given orders that no one should make a noise. There was none
heard except the hoarse cataract and the shrill _caracara_.
"_Esta bue no_!" he at length ejaculated. "The Moors are gone--the
coast is clear."
"It is?" I mechanically asked.
"_Sin duda, senor_. My _camarados_ have taken their departure. If you
wish to cross to the other side there will be no danger now."
"We wish it! Quick! Show us the way!"
"_Nos vamos_!"
The bandit, stepping out upon the ledge--that served as a sort of sill
to the back door of the cabin--knelt down upon it.
Misled by a former experience, I fancied he was going to offer up a
prayer for the success of his treasonable enterprise!