ne, also turned to the right, and re-entered the valley of San
Ildefonso at its lower extremity. It was quite dark, but all of them
knew the road well, and about midnight they arrived near the house of
the young ranchero.

A reconnaissance was necessary before they dared approach. That was
soon made, and the report brought back that all was right, and no
troopers had yet made their appearance.

Carlos once more embraced his mother hurriedly, related what had passed,
gave some instructions to Don Juan, and then, mounting his horse, rode
off from the place.

He was followed by Antonio and a pack-mule loaded with provisions. They
passed down the valley, and struck out in the direction of the Llano
Estacado.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

On the following day a new incident created a fresh surprise among the
inhabitants of San Ildefonso, already excited by an unusual series of
"novedades." About noon a party of lancers passed through the town on
their way to the Presidio. They were returning from a scout in search
of the "assassin"--so Carlos was designated. Of him they had found no
traces; but they had fallen in with a large body of "Indios bravos"
among the spurs of the mountains, with whom they had had a terrific
conflict! This had resulted in the loss of great numbers killed on the
part of the Indians, who had contrived, as usual, to carry off their
dead--hence, the soldiers had returned without scalps! They had
brought, however,--a far more positive trophy of victory--a young girl
belonging to the settlement, whom they had re-captured from the
savages, and whom Captain Roblado--the gallant leader of the
expedition--_supposed_ to be the same that had been carried off few days
before from a rancho at the lower end of the valley!

The captain halted in the plaza, with a few men--those in charge of the
recovered captive. The remainder of the troop passed on to the
Presidio. Roblado's object in stopping in the town, or in coming that
way--for it did not lie in his return route--was threefold. First, to
deliver his charge into the hands of the civic authorities; secondly, to
make sure that everybody should witness the delivery, and be satisfied
by this living evidence that a great feat had been performed; and
thirdly, that he might have the opportunity of a little swagger in front
of a certain balcony.

These three objects the captain attained, but the last of them did not
turn out quite to his satisfaction.