wink, and I
can't keep my eyes open any longer. When you have captured the Colonel,
come back and rouse me; but, whether you take him or no, mind you, good
Suarez, come this way and wake me before daylight--else I may sleep too
long."

"Coward!" exclaimed Suarez, "I shall keep on without you, and get the
reward for myself."

The answer to these remarks was a loud snore, for Suarez' comrade had
fallen asleep on the instant.

Of the ten enemies of Don Rafael three had thus withdrawn themselves
from the pursuit.

Two others, at no great distance off, held the following conversation.

"_Santissima_!" exclaimed one, looking up to the sky. "Did you ever see
a moon so ridiculously clear? This Royalist Colonel, if hidden about
here, cannot fail to see us."

"That would be unfortunate," rejoined the second. "If he should see us,
he would be certain to make off."

"Ah! hum!" muttered the first speaker, "I'm not so sure about that: he's
not one of the kind that cares about making off. Have you heard how he
lifted Panchito Jolas out of his stirrups?"

"Yes; I have myself had some falls from a horse, but when I think of
poor Jolas it makes my blood run cold. _Ave Maria_! did you not hear
something?"

The two searchers stopped in their tracks, and stood listening: with far
more fear in their hearts than could be in that of him for whom they
were searching.

It was only a false alarm; but it had the effect of causing them to
betray to one another the dread with which the fame of the Colonel had
inspired them. The mask thus removed, mutual confidence became
established between the two; and both were equally agreed upon the
prudence of at once returning to the appointed rendezvous.

The other four pursuers continued to advance; but with such easy
nonchalance that in two or three hours afterwards eight of the ten had
returned to the glade, all equally unsuccessful in their search.

As to the two who were still missing the reason for their absence was
simple enough. As soon as Suarez had parted from his somnolent
companion, the thought occurred to him that since the latter, only a
single man, was so careful of his life, he, being married, and with a
family, had still greater reason for being careful of his. Having given
his companion a proof of his courage, which had cost him nothing, he
resolved to imitate the latter in another respect. After going a
hundred paces farther, he also stretched himself along the gr