questions, they shook their heads, but gave me no
information. Some remained doggedly silent; others denied all knowledge
of Don Ramon or his daughter. Threats had no effect. They either knew
not, or _feared to tell_ what had befallen them. Oh heaven! could it be
the latter?

I was turning away angered and despairing, when my eyes fell upon a
figure that seemed to skulk under the shadow of the walls. A shout of
joy escaped me as I recognised the boy Cyprio, just emerging from his
place of concealment.

"Cyprio!" I cried.

"_Si, senor's_" answered he, advancing rapidly to where I stood.

"Tell me, Cyprio! where are they gone--where--where?"

"_Carrai, senor's_! these bad men have carried the _dueno_ away; I do
not know whither."

"The senora? the senora?"

"Oh! _cavallero! es una cosa espantosa_!" (It is a terrible thing.)

"Quick, tell me all! Quickly, Cyprio!"

"Senor's, there came men with black masks, who broke into the house and
carried off the master; then they dragged out Dona Isolina into the
patio! _Ay de mi_! I cannot tell you what they did before--_pobre
senorita_! There was blood running down her neck and over her breast:
she was not dressed, and I could see it. Some went to the caballeriza,
and led out the white horse--the steed that was brought from the
_llanos_. Upon his back they bound Dona Isolina. _Valga me dios_! such
a sight!"

"Go on!"

"Then, senor's, they led the horse across the river, and out to the
plain beyond. All went along, to see the sport, as they said--_ay de
mi_! such sport! I did not go, for they beat and threatened to kill me;
but I saw all from the hill-top, where I had hidden myself in the
bushes. _O Santissima Maria_!"

"Go on!"

"Then, senor's, they stuck _cohetes_ in the hips of the horse, and set
them on fire, and pulled off the bridle, and the steed went off, with
fire-rockets after him, and Dona Isolina tied down upon his back--_pobre
senorita_! I could see the horse till he was far, far away upon the
_llano_, and then I could see him no more. _Dios de mi alma! la nina
esta perdida_!" (Alas! the young lady is lost.)

"Some water! Rube! Garey! friends--water! water!--"

I made an attempt to reach the fountain in the patio; but, after
staggering dizzily a pace or two, my strength failed me, and I fell
fainting to the earth.

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.

TAKING THE TRAIL.

I had merely swooned. My nerves and frame were still weak from