soon meet, like the waves
which, raised by opposing winds, break against each other in the
immensity of the ocean.

Thanks to a skillful manoeuvre of Pedro Diaz, the expedition, on
arriving near the Golden Valley, had concealed for two days from the
Indians the route they had taken. But to associate himself with sixty
companions did not please Cuchillo, who, under the pretence of
reconnoitring the country, had separated himself from his companions.
It was to indicate the position of their bivouac that they had lighted a
fire in the camp, and to find him that Don Estevan had sent out a
messenger. Cuchillo, indeed, was the only one who could guide them to
the Golden Valley.

A bold thought was in Cuchillo's mind, but the executions of this
project was yet to lead him to a fearful punishment, which he well
deserved. We cannot, however, speak of this at present.

A man, as we have said, had arrived at the Indian camp with news. This
man, in seeking the enemies whom they were pursuing, had reached the
bank of the river, and concealed by the willows, had perceived three
white men. These three men could only be Bois-Rose, Pepe the Spaniard,
and Fabian de Mediana. It was indeed this trio of friends.

We left Bois-Rose and Pepe on the banks of the torrent in which the
young Spaniard, excited by the tale he had heard of his mother's
assassination, and full of fury, had nearly found a tomb. Fortunately
the fall had been fatal only to the horse, and the rider had escaped by
a miracle. The three friends had resumed their pursuit; but, forced to
proceed on foot while their enemies were on horseback, they had only
arrived at Tubac on the day the expedition left it, after having
travelled sixty leagues in five days.

Then it became more easy to follow the adventurers--who were retarded by
their baggage--and ten days' march had brought the intrepid companions
to the same point as their enemies; for although forced for safety to
take a different route, they had rarely lost sight of the fires of their
bivouacs. Surrounded as he was, however, Don Estevan could not be
easily captured.

When the Indian messenger had finished his report, the warriors
deliberated afresh. The youngest of the ten called upon to speak first,
said:

"The whites have sometimes the legs of a deer, sometimes the courage of
the puma, and the cunning of the jackal. They have concealed their
route for two days from eyes which can trace that of the e