g Carlos in the act of
escape, he might think it was his duty, as agreed upon, to show himself
and his men on the edge of the thicket--the very thing Carlos now wished
to prevent. For that reason the cibolero galloped direct to the place
of ambuscade, where Don Juan and his men were waiting in their saddles.

"Thank God you are safe!" cried Don Juan; "but they are after you.
Yonder they come in scores!"

"Yes!" replied Carlos, looking back; "and a good start I've gained on
them!"

"What's best to be done?" inquired Don Juan. "Shall we scatter through
the chapparal, or keep together? They'll be upon us soon!"

Carlos hesitated a moment before making reply. Three plans of action
were possible, offering more or less chance of safety. First, to
scatter through the chapparal as Don Juan had suggested; second, to make
off together and at once _without showing themselves_, taking the back
track, as they had come; and, third, to _show themselves_ in front to
the pursuers, and then retire on the back path. Of course the idea of
fight was not entertained for a moment. That would have been idle, even
absurd, under the circumstances.

The mind of the cibolero, used to quick action, examined these plans
with the rapidity of thought itself. The first was rejected without a
moment's consideration. To have scattered through the chapparal would
have resulted in certain capture. The jungle was too small, not over a
couple of miles in width, though extending to twice that length. There
were soldiers enough to surround it, which they would do. They would
beat it from side to side. They could not fail to capture half the
party; and though these had made no demonstration as yet, they would be
connected with the affair at the Presidio, and would be severely
punished, if not shot down on the spot.

To attempt to get off through the chapparal without showing themselves
at all would have been the plan that Carlos would have adopted, had he
not feared that they would be overtaken before night. The Tagnos were
mounted on mules, already jaded, while most of the troopers rode good
and swift horses. But for that Carlos might have hoped that they would
escape unseen, and thus neither Don Juan nor his people would have been
suspected of having had any part in the affair. This would be an
important consideration for the future; but the plan was not to be
thought of. The third plan was adopted.

The hesitation of the cibolero was