to be perceived by
the sentinels; and when he saw the Indians who pursued him halt at sight
of the column of smoke, he stopped altogether. His plan was to go into
the camp as late as possible, so as only to give the alarm at the last
moment. He knew enough of the Indians to play this dangerous game with
the most perfect _sang froid_; he knew that they never attacked but with
superior numbers, also that some hours would elapse before they decided
on attacking the camp at all; that, satisfied with having recovered the
track of their enemies, his pursuers would return and carry the report
to their companions.

He was right; and enchanted at the effect of his ruse, the outlaw lay
down behind a mound of earth, ready to resume his course when his senses
should warn him of the approach of danger. By regaining the camp only a
few minutes before the attack, he hoped also to escape the questions of
Don Estevan.

"We should have sixty to divide the treasure," thought he, "had I not
taken care to diminish that number. Then, while the whites and reds are
fighting together, I--"

A distant explosion, like that of a rifle, interrupted his meditations.
This sound appeared to come from the north, and indeed proceeded from
the river, where were Bois-Rose and his companions.

"It is strange that such a sound should proceed from that quarter," said
Cuchillo, "for the white camp is eastward and the red westward."

A second shot was heard; then a third, followed by a short silence, to
which succeeded a continual firing. Cuchillo trembled. He fancied that
a second white party, distinct from his, were about to seize the coveted
treasures. Then he feared that Don Estevan had despatched a detachment
to take possession of the Golden Valley. But reason soon showed him the
little probability of either of these surmises. A party of men must
have left traces which he should have discovered during the two days he
had been scouring the country; and then it was not probable that Don
Estevan would have dared to weaken his force by dividing it. He
therefore lay still, and concluded that the sounds proceeded from some
party of American hunters surprised by the natives.

We must return to the camp of Don Antonio, where the firing had also
been heard, and where it had given rise to a host of conjectures.

Evening had come on, and red clouds marked the fiery trace of the
setting sun; the earth began to freshen up at the approach of night, and