le, 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 passed 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 fron