n?"

"Sure of it. They attacked my house almost at the same time. They had
previously driven off my cattle, and for that, one of my people was on
the look-out. He saw them approach; and, before they got near, we were
shut up and ready to defend ourselves. Finding this, they soon went
off. Fearing for your people, I stole out as soon as they were gone,
and came here. When I arrived the roof was blazing, and your mother
lying senseless in the doorway. Rosita was gone! _Madre de Dios_! she
was gone!"

And the young ranchero wept afresh.

"Don Juan!" said Carlos, in a firm voice; "you have been a friend--a
brother--to me and mine. I know you suffer as much as I do. Let there
be no tears! See! mine are dried up! I weep no more--perhaps sleep
not--till Rosita is rescued or revenged. Let us to business, then!
Tell me all that is known about these Indians--and quick, Don Juan! I
have a keen appetite for your news!"

The ranchero detailed the various rumours that had been afloat for the
three or four days preceding--as well as the actual occurrences,--how
the Indians had been first seen upon the upper plain; their encounter
with the shepherds and the driving off of the sheep; their appearance in
the valley, and their raid upon his own cattle--for it was his
_ganaderia_ that had suffered--and then the after circumstances already
known to Carlos.

He also informed the latter of the activity shown by the troops; how
they had followed that morning upon the trail of the robbers; how he had
desired to accompany them with some of his people; and how the request
was refused by the Comandante.

"Refused?" exclaimed Carlos, interrogatively.

"Yes," replied Don Juan; "he said we would only hinder the troops! I
fancy his motive was his chagrin with me. He does not like me ever
since the fiesta."

"Well! what then?"

"The troops returned but an hour ago. They report that they followed
the trail as far as the Pecos, where it crossed, striking direct for the
Llano Estacado; and, as the Indians had evidently gone off to the great
plains, it would have been useless to attempt pursuing them farther. So
they alleged.

"The people," continued Don Juan, "will be only too glad that the
savages have gone away, and will trouble themselves no farther about it.
I have been trying to get up a party to follow them, but not one would
venture. Hopeless as it was, I intended a pursuit with my own people;
but, thank God! _you_