But
no: the moon was on his left; his shadow and that of his horse were
projected to the opposite side. He must still be on the right road.

His heart began to bound more quickly within his breast. If the Indian
had spoken the truth, a danger lay before him against which neither his
carbine nor rapier--neither courage nor a strong arm--could avail him.
His only hope rested in the speed and strength of his horse.

Fortunately, the long journey had not deprived the brave steed of all
his vigour. With ears laid back, and muzzle stretched horizontally
forward, he continued his rapid gallop; his spread nostrils inhaling the
puffs of damp air which came like avant-couriers in advance of the
troubled waters.

It was now a struggle between the horseman and the flood, as to which
should first reach the hacienda of Las Palmas.

The officer slackened his bridle-rein. The tinkling rowels of his spurs
resounded against the ribs of his horse. The trial of speed had
commenced. The plain appeared to glide past him like the current of a
river. The bushes and tall palms seemed flying backward.

The inundation was rolling from west to east. The horseman was
hastening in the opposite direction. Both must soon come together; but
at what place?

The distance between them was rapidly diminishing. The noise of the
flood, at first low, like the muttering of distant thunder, was
gradually growing louder. The palms still appeared to glide past like
spectres, but as yet the belfry of the hacienda had not come in sight.
Neither as yet was visible the threatening mass of the inundation.

At this perilous moment Don Rafael perceived that his horse was sensibly
slackening his pace. The sides of the animal felt swollen, and heaved
with a convulsive panting.

The air, so rapidly cut in his swift course, with difficulty entered his
nostrils. A few seconds longer, and that in his lungs must give out.

The officer drew up for an instant. The breathing of his horse appeared
obstructed, and the hoarse sound, caused by its inspiration, was a
mournful accompaniment to the sough of the waters that were constantly
advancing.

The traveller listened to these sounds with a sentiment of despair.

Just then he heard the clanging of a bell, as if hurriedly tolled. It
was that of the hacienda, giving out its warning notes over the wide
savanna.

A reflection crossed his mind. It had been partly suggested by the
words of the Indian: "_T