Though by this time the sun was in the sky, it was still sombre darkness
at the bottom of the barranca. I could barely distinguish the forms of
Sam Brown and the brigand.
I was now convinced that the latter had no thought of treachery,--at
least as regarded us; and with his treason to his old comrades we had
nothing to do. That was an affair between him, and such conscience as
he possessed.
For a second or two, both stage-driver and salteador were out of sight.
When I next set eyes upon them, they were upon the opposite side of the
stream--climbing up the escarpment of the cliff, by a zigzag path that
appeared to conduct to its summit.
A few minutes sufficed them for making the ascent; and then they
appeared at the place where the two men had stood, while cutting down
the bridge.
Shortly after I could see them hauling hand over hand--as if upon a
rope; and looking below, I observed the _puente-hamaca_ slowly ascending
above the surface of the water.
Gently and gradually was it drawn up, till it hung like a hammock across
the chasm--just as we had seen it on first looking out of the hut.
A short interval elapsed; and then the voice of the bandit was heard
calling to us to come over.
"_Vengan ustedes_!" he cried, encouragingly. "You need have no fear.
The _puente_ is perfectly safe. If you cross quickly you may yet
overtake--"
I waited to hear no more. Whether the man meant treason or not, I was
determined to be on the other side; and, seizing hold of the _sipo_,
which served as a sort of hand-rail, I scrambled across the chasm.
My comrades, agile as I, swarmed after me--two or three staying to keep
guard over the captives already secured.
"Now, sir!" I said to the brigand, as soon as we had secured footing
upon the opposite side, "You've earned your thousand dollars by showing
us the way to get across. On the word of an American officer I promise
it shall be paid you; and another like sum if you guide us to the spot
where I can find Torreano Carrasco."
I spoke with a serious air, and in a confidential tone--my confidence
designed to tempt the cupidity of the brigand.
It was not misplaced. It produced the effect intended.
"_Bueno_!" replied he, with an assenting movement of the head; "It's
only a step from here," he continued in a stage whisper. "Our captain
thinks himself safe, because nobody--except one of ourselves--could have
brought you over the quebrada. _Nos vamos_! In twenty minutes time you
will see your Mercedes."
My impatience to be off hindered me from questioning the guide about his
last speech; though it struck me as singular, he should know aught of my
relations with the captive of Carrasco. I had forgotten that the
robber-chief had shouted across the chasm, loud enough to be heard by
our prisoner.
"Forward!" was my hurried response, "Guide me to _her_, and you may make
your own terms about money!"
What cared I for the vile dross, of which I had ten thousand dollars in
my keeping? True, it was not my own. It belonged to Don Eusebio
Villa-Senor. But had I not been intrusted with it for the ransom of his
daughters? And was this not the way in which I was employing it?
The Mexican seemed to comprehend me, and with a clearness that left
nothing misunderstood. Willingly he led the way; and with equal
willingness was he followed by myself and comrades.
Our journey proved but a short one. After climbing a rocky ridge, we
came within sight of a forest-covered tract--lying just under the line
of the snow.
The guide pointed to it--saying that there we should find the man we
were in search of. There was a _rancho_ among the pines. On reaching
it, we might make sure of seeing Carrasco!
This _rancho_ was the "head-quarters" of the _cuadrilla_--the cabin on
the cliff serving as a sort of outlying post, to be used only in cases
of close pursuit. The _salteadores_ had but halted there, to wait for
the morning light--the more safely to make the passage of the swing
bridge.
Their real rendezvous was the _rancho_--a large house in the heart of
the pine-forest, where the renegade assured us we would find his chief,
his comrades, and their captives.
"Lead on!" I cried, roused to renewed energy at thought of the last.
"A hundred _pesos_ for every minute spared. On! on!"
Without another word the Mexican struck off among the trees, the
sergeant treading close upon his tracks.
It was now broad daylight; but in five minutes after we were again in
twilight darkness.
We had entered the pine-forest, and were travelling among trees whose
stems stood thickly around us, and whose leafy boughs, interlocking
overhead, formed an umbrageous canopy scarcely penetrable by the sun.
The path led labyrinthine through the close-standing trunks, and still
more deviously among those that had fallen.
Properly speaking there was no path; for our guide was conducting us by
a route different from that usually taken by the _salteadores_. This
was to secure us against the chance of an ambuscade.
Unless the robbers had taken the precaution to throw out sentinels,
there was not much danger of our approach being perceived; and this
their _ci-devant_ comrade assured us was never done. He was confident
that no picket would be placed: the _salteadores_ considering themselves
safe, after having crossed the _quebrada_.
Notwithstanding his assurance, we advanced with caution. It was not due
to me--too excited to care--but to the sergeant.
The latter kept close to the traitor, holding a cocked pistol to his
ear--with the determination to shoot him down, should he show the
slightest sign of a second treason!
The stage-driver betrayed no such concern. Better acquainted with
Mexican morals, he had full confidence in the fidelity of our guide; who
had but one motive for being false, and two thousand for proving true.
"Let him alone!" he muttered to the suspicious sergeant. "Leave him to
take his own way. I'll go his bail for bringin' us out in the right
place. If thar be any fluke, it won't be his fault. So long as he
meets nobody to promise _more_ than two thousand he'll be true; an' that
bid ain't like to be riz 'mong these here mountings. Leave the skunk to
himself. He'll take us whar we kin trap Carrasco."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The conjecture of Sam Brown proved but partially true; though the
renegade was not responsible for any part of its failure.
He did all in his power to earn the reward promised him, and in the end
was paid it. He had only stipulated to take me into the presence of the
robber-chief; and to the letter was this stipulation carried out.
Through his agency I was brought face to face with Torreano Carrasco,
and my comrades hand to hand with his _cuadrilla_ of _salteadores_.
Reader! I forbear to harrow your heart with a description of the
conflict that followed. It was too sanguinary to be told to your gentle
ear, as it is too sad a _souvenir_, even for my remembrance.
Suffice it to say, that one-third of the faithful followers who
accompanied me in that expedition, slept their last sleep on the cold
sides of Ixticihuatl--the dark pines singing over them their eternal
requiem--that more than two-thirds of our outlawed antagonists were
slain at the same time; and that the rest--including their chief,--
contrived to make their escape across the mountain.
I cared not so much for that, so long as Mercedes remained safe--and to
me. She did so, and I was satisfied.
The _bandoleros_, taken by surprise, had no time either to conceal their
captives, or hurry them out of the way. Each had enough to do in
providing for his own safety; and at the very first rush into the
_rancho_ Mercedes became mine!
As she lay panting upon my breast, I felt like one who has long been in
chase of some beautiful bird--fearing by a too close contact to ruffle
its rich plumage--at length, enfolding it in his embrace, in the full
faith of having a treasure from which he will never more be called upon
to part!
It was the first time I had holden her in my arms--the first of our
exchanging speech--and yet it seemed to both of us like the renewal of
an old love, by some sinister chance long interrupted!
We talked, as if years had sanctified our affection; though a love like
ours needs scarce an hour to carry it to the spring-tide of passion.
On the spot I called her Mercedes--_my_ Mercedes; while she in return
gave me the endearing title of "querido!"