Part 16 (1/2)

Stepping a few paces out from the _tinacal_, he salutes the two hors.e.m.e.n, who have halted in the middle of the road to await his approach. Despite his coa.r.s.e, brutal aspect, and common habiliments, he is evidently on terms of familiarity with both--the style of his salutation showing it. It is with De Lara, however, his business lies, as signified by his saying:

”I want a word with you, Don Francisco.”

”What is it, Rocas?” asks the Creole. ”Anything about _seal-skins_?”

laying a significant emphasis on the last word.

”_Carramba_! No. Something of more importance than that.”

”Money, then?”

”Money.”

”Do you wish our speech to be private?”

”Just now, yes. Perhaps, in time, Don Faustino--”

”Oh!” interrupts the _ganadero_, ”don't let me stand in the way. I'll ride slowly on; you can overtake me, Don Francisco.”

”Do,” says De Lara, at the same time stooping down in his saddle, and continuing the conversation with Rocas, in tone so low as to prevent their speech being overheard by other queer-looking customers who have just stepped out of the _tinacal_, and stand loitering at its door.

Whatever Rocas may have said, it appears to make a vivid impression on the gambler. His eyes kindle up with a strange light, in which surprise is succeeded by an expression of cupidity; while his manner proclaims that the revelation made to him is not only important, as he has been forewarned, but also pleasing.

Their muttered dialogue is of brief duration; ending with a remark which shows it to be only preliminary to a further and more prolonged conference.

”I shall be with you to-morrow, by mid-day.” It is De Lara who has said this; after which adding: ”_Adios, Don Rafael! Hasta manana_!” he gives his horse the spur, and gallops to overtake his travelling companion; Rocas sauntering back towards the _tinacal_.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

A ”GOLPE DE CABALLO.”

On coming up with the _ganadero_, De Lara rides on silently by his side, without exhibiting any desire to satisfy the other's curiosity. He but piques it by saying, that Rocas has a made communication of an intensely interesting kind; which he will impart to him, Faustino, in due time; but now there are other matters of more importance to be attended to.

The fighting is before them; and that cannot be set aside.

Calderon wishes it could: for the flask has been for a time forgotten, and the spirit has been getting cold within him.

”Take another pull!” counsels his companion; ”you may need it. We'll soon be in the town, and, perhaps, the first man we meet there will be your yellow-haired rival.”

Scarcely have the words pa.s.sed De Lara's lips when something in front fixes his attention, as also that of his companion. At some distance along the road a cloud of dust is ascending; in its midst a darker nucleus, distinguishable as the forms of horses with riders on their backs. There appear to be four of them, filed two and two.

Plying their spurs, and galloping closer, the gamblers perceive that this equestrian party is proceeding in the same direction as themselves--towards the town.

But they are soon near enough to know that such is not their destination. For, despite the enshrouding dust, they have no difficulty in identifying the individuals before them. The horses are the same seen that morning, saddled and bridled, in front of Don Gregorio's house. Two of the riders are Carmen Montijo and Inez Alvarez; the other two--

At this point conjecture terminates. De Lara, certain, and no longer able to control himself, cries out:

”_Carajo_! it's they returning from their excursion--paired off, as I supposed they would be! So, Calderon, you have your chance sooner than you expected. And without seeking it--a lucky omen! There's your rival, riding by the side of your sweetheart, and pouring soft speech into her ear! Now's your time to set things straight--insult him to your heart's content. I feel like giving a fresh affront to mine.”

He draws rein, bringing his horse to a halt. The _ganadero_ does the same. Scanning the equestrians ahead, they see them two and two, each pair some ten or twelve paces apart from the other. Crozier and Carmen are in the advance, Cadwallader and Inez behind.