The Tiger Hunter Part 46

As to the two who were still missing the reason for their absence was simple enough. As soon as Suarez had parted from his somnolent companion, the thought occurred to him that since the latter, only a single man, was so careful of his life, he, being married, and with a family, had still greater reason for being careful of his. Having given his companion a proof of his courage, which had cost him nothing, he resolved to imitate the latter in another respect. After going a hundred paces farther, he also stretched himself along the gra.s.s, and entered into the land of dreams--perhaps dreaming of his wife; and how upon his bed of moss he was enjoying the good fortune of escaping from her ill temper. Before falling asleep he had promised himself to awake at an early hour, and after rousing his companion to abuse him for his cowardice.

Unfortunately for Suarez, he reckoned without his host, when supposing he could awake himself; and both he and his partner slept, until long after the other eight had rea.s.sembled at the rendezvous, and commenced deliberating upon a more earnest prosecution of the search.

The moon had already gone down, and the day was beginning to dawn. The grey light falling upon the group of insurgent hors.e.m.e.n--dressed in their half-military, half-peasant costumes, soiled and tattered by long campaigning--presented a tableau of the most picturesque character.

Around the glade, their horses, tied to the trees, were endeavouring to satisfy their hunger by gnawing at the leaves and twigs. Even this miserable pasture was scarce attainable, on account of the bitts which the animals still had in their mouths, and which were heard constantly clanking between their teeth. The eight insurgents had seated themselves in the centre of the glade; and with their carbines resting across their knees, and their daggers sticking in their boot tops, were listening to the discourse of Pepe Lobos.

"Suarez and Pacheco will never return," continued Pepe, in answer to the conjectures of his comrades. "It is as good as certain that this Colonel of Beelzebub has settled the affair with both--just as he did with poor Panchito Jolas; and since we have searched all night without finding any trace--"

"We explored our route with the greatest care!" interrupted one of the beaters who had exhibited the greatest dread of encountering the Colonel.

"We have done the same," added Pepe Lobos. "Ask my partner there.

Although his trace has escaped our observation, it is evident the Royalist is somewhere in this wood--else what has become of Suarez and Pacheco? Yes, he is in it yet, be a.s.sured; and my advice is that we go back to the place where he left the main road, and follow the track of his horse from there. That will be the more likely plan to bring us to the place where he is at this minute."

The other seven gave in their consent to this plan, and it was resolved that it should be carried into execution.

"As for the reward of five hundred dollars," continued Pepe Lobos, "that's all very well. But I say vengeance before everything; and we will do better to kill this fierce devil at once. A fig for the bounty, say I!"

"Perhaps the Captain will pay one half, if we bring him in dead?"

suggested one of the insurgents.

"When we have ascertained exactly where he is hid," continued Pepe, without heeding the suggestion, "we can then separate into two parties of four each. One can approach from one side, and the other party in the opposite direction. We shall thus have him between us; and let whoever sets eye on him fire at him as at a mad dog. That is the only way to make sure; besides, if he should be only wounded and we can carry him to camp with a little life in him, we shall still be ent.i.tled to the reward."

The counsel of Pepe Lobos met with a universal approbation; and it was finally resolved that as soon as day had fairly broken, they should all return to the main road and recommence the search.

Just as the sun commenced gilding the lofty summits of the palm-trees, the eight guerilleros scattered themselves along the road to examine the hoof tracks, and if possible discover the point at which Don Rafael had turned off into the woods. This was by no means so easily accomplished: for the ground was now trodden by their own horses in such a fas.h.i.+on that it seemed impossible to distinguish which of the trails was that of the Royalist dragoon. A native of Europe would have examined them in vain; but to a vaquero of Mexico, a gaucho of Chili, or in fact a native peasant of any part of Spanish-America, it was simply a work of time and patience. In fact, scarce ten minutes had pa.s.sed, before Pepe Lobos called to his comrades to announce that he had discovered the track they were in search of.

Besides the hoof-prints of a horse, a twig broken from the branch of a tree, and some fresh leaves of sa.s.safras laurel lying upon the ground, showed clearly the place where Don Rafael had pa.s.sed through the underwood.

After following his trail for some paces, all believed that the fugitive could not be far distant from the spot. The two parties were then formed: one to advance directly on the trail, the other to make a circuit and enter the thicket from the opposite direction.

While the latter was executing the movement agreed upon, the four men who composed it came suddenly upon the hors.e.m.e.n whom Arroyo had sent in pursuit of Juan de Zapote and the fugitive messenger. By their known watchword the two parties of insurgents recognised each other; and, after joining their forces, they agreed to separate again into three bodies, and thus advance towards the spot where it was conjectured Don Rafael might be hidden. Four parties were now closing in upon a common centre; and just in that centre stood the great cedrela in which Don Rafael had ensconced himself.

As all four were acting under a common understanding that the Royalist Colonel was to be shot down upon sight, it will be perceived that the position of Don Rafael was now one of imminent danger. The very least misfortune that seemed to menace him would be to have the opportunity to die sword in hand--fighting to the death: for this would be far preferable to falling into the hands of his pitiless foeman, the brigand Arroyo. With the Royalist Colonel it was in reality a moment of extreme peril.

CHAPTER SIXTY.

EL ZAPOTE AND GASPAR.

Just about the moment when Pepe Lobos and his comrades had made their dispositions for advancing into the thicket, Don Rafael awoke from his prolonged slumber. On first opening his eyes, the glare of the sunlight so dazzled them, that he inquired of himself where he was. Presently, however, objects appeared more distinctly; and he became aware of the extraordinary situation in which he had placed himself.

He had scarce time for a single reflection, when his attention was drawn to a rustling among the leaves at a short distance off; and, looking diagonally downward, he perceived two men on foot advancing towards the cedrela.

On first awaking, he had felt such an extreme la.s.situde throughout all his limbs, that he could scarce believe himself to have slept as long as he had done. The height of the sun, however, proclaimed that he had slumbered for many hours.

Notwithstanding the strong desire he had to descend from his uncomfortable couch, at the sight of the two men he prudently deferred his intention. He took the precaution, however, to untie the sash that bound him to the branches--doing this as gently as possible--while he kept his eyes fixed upon the new-comers, who, to say the least, presented a suspicious appearance.

The costume of both was odd enough, and altogether unsuited for traversing such a th.o.r.n.y jungle as that through which they were pa.s.sing.

It consisted merely of a s.h.i.+rt and cotton drawers--while each of them carried in hand a large parcel. Although the night had been dry throughout, the garments of both pedestrians appeared saturated with water!

Without the slightest suspicion that Don Rafael was in the tree, or that any other human being was near, the two men were nevertheless moving with cautious steps. Now they looked to the right, and then to the left, with quick earnest glances--as if they were either searching for something, or in dread that an enemy might be concealed in the bushes.

"These droll fellows," said the Colonel to himself, "are either searching for some one, or fear that some one is searching for them-- which of the two?"

He watched them, listening attentively.

The same reason which had induced Don Rafael to select this part of the wood as a hiding-place--that is the impenetrability of the thicket that surrounded it--seemed to have influenced in like manner the two thinly-clad pedestrians.

"We had better stop here," said one to the other, as both came to a halt, "at least until we can put on our clothes again."

"Agreed," was the response; "but we must make our stay as short as possible: we should by this time have been far along the road to Huaj.a.pam."

Each at the same moment untied the parcel which he carried, and which consisted of his upper garments that had been kept dry. Then stripping off their wet s.h.i.+rts and drawers, they commenced dressing themselves in their proper habiliments.

"So, amigo!" said the first speaker, pointing to a small packet which the other had been carrying, "that, you tell me, is worth its weight in gold?"

"Yes; and you shall soon find that you have nothing to regret in helping me to escape, and sharing with me the douceur we shall receive on presenting it. If we are only lucky enough to get away from this neighbourhood--I have no doubt they will pursue us."

"We may be certain of that, _compadre_; but don't be uneasy about their finding us. If we should fall into the hands of any of those who are besieging Del Valle, trust me for getting clear of them. As they are my comrades, and don't know yet that I have run away, I shall be able to mislead them. I can tell them, that I have been sent along with you, to receive the ransom of one of our prisoners."

"What if they should carry us back to Arroyo's camp?"

"Why, in that case we shall both be hanged. What matters it, a little sooner or later--it is the common lot?" philosophically added Juan el Zapote--for it was he, in company with the messenger whom he had aided in making his escape. "Never mind, _compadrito_," he continued in a more cheering tone, "I shall do my best to get _you_ clear of the sc.r.a.pe anyhow."

"_Santa Virgen_!" mentally e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the Colonel. "This droll fellow, who thinks it is the lot of all men to be hanged sooner or later, appears to be so sure of the fact, that it would not expose him to much more risk to conduct me also to a safer harbour."

And in making this reflection, Don Rafael caught hold of the llianas by which he had climbed up; and at the risk of leaving some of his garments behind him, sprang out from between the branches, and dropped down between the two pedestrians with a suddenness that stupefied them.

The man who was to pay so dear for the precious packet sent him by Gertrudis, was now face to face with the messenger who bore it; and yet neither of them knew the other!

"Hus.h.!.+" said the Colonel, taking the initiative, "you have nothing to fear. I promise you my protection; but first lay down your arms!"

Zapote had drawn his long dagger, and stood ready to use it against the first enemy who came near, with that indifference peculiar to one who believed in the rope or garotte as the necessary termination of his life. But Don Rafael had at the same instant caught hold of his arm, which he held with a grasp, that proved he could also become as terrible an antagonist as he might be a powerful protector.

"Who are you?" simultaneously inquired the two fugitives.

"Ah! it might be indiscreet in me to tell you that," replied Don Rafael.

"I am a young man who has just sprung down from the tree above you, as you may see by my hat still sticking up there among the branches."

Without letting go his hold of Zapote the Colonel raised himself on his toes; and, stretching his arm upwards, proceeded to disengage the insurgent's hat from among the branches.

"So, amigos!" continued he as soon as he had recovered his hat. "You are fleeing from the guerilleros of Arroyo? Well--so am I: that is enough for you to know at present. You are two and I only one; but let me plainly tell you, that if you do not make common cause with me, I shall be under the necessity of killing you both. Now you may choose-- Yes or no!"

"_Carrambo_!" exclaimed Zapote, not ill pleased with the frank, off-hand manner of the stranger, "what a capital trader you would make with your roundabout way of coming to terms! Well, cavallero! what can we do for you?"

"Pa.s.s me off with these fellows of Arroyo: as you are intending to do your comrade here. Say that I am charged with the ransom of a prisoner at the hacienda Del Valle, and thus obtain for me permission to pa.s.s the lines. If you do this, I promise you a recompense. And since you are both about to share the bounty of some one between you--"