_you_ feel disposed to risk a doubloon--I am but a poor hunter, and
cannot place more--I shall attempt what a muchachito of ten years
_would_ consider a feat perhaps."

"And what may that be, Senor Cibolero?" asked the officer, sneeringly.

"I will check my horse at full gallop _on the brow of yonder cliff_!"

"Within two lengths from the brow?"

"Within two lengths--less--the same distance that is traced here on the
banks of the zequia!"

The surprise created by this announcement held the bystanders for some
moments in silence. It was a proposal of such wild and reckless daring
that it was difficult to believe that the maker of it was in earnest.
Even the two officers were for a moment staggered by it, and inclined to
fancy the cibolero was not serious but mocking them.

The cliff to which Carlos had pointed was part of the bluff that hemmed
in the valley. It was a sort of promontory, however, that jutted out
from the general line, so as to be a conspicuous object from the plain
below. Its brow was of equal height with the rest of the precipice, of
which it was a part--a sort of buttress--and the grassy turf that
appeared along its edge was but the continuation of the upper plateau.
Its front to the valley was vertical, without terrace or ledge, although
horizontal seams traversing its face showed a stratification of lime and
sandstone alternating with each other. From the sward upon the valley
to the brow above the height was one thousand feet sheer. To gaze up to
it was a trial to delicate nerves--to look down put the stoutest to the
proof.

Such was the cliff upon whose edge the cibolero proposed to rein up his
steed. No wonder the proposal was received with a surprise that caused
a momentary silence in the crowd. When that passed, voices were heard
exclaiming,--"Impossible!"

"He is mad!"

"Pah! he's joking!"

"_Esta burlando los militarios_!" (He's mocking the military gents);
and such-like expressions.

Carlos sat playing with his bridle-rein, and waiting for a reply.

He had not long to wait. Vizcarra and Roblado muttered some hasty words
between themselves; and then, with an eagerness of manner, Roblado cried
out--

"I accept the wager!"

"And I another onza!" added the Comandante.

"Senores," said Carlos, with an air of apparent regret, "I am sorry I
cannot take both. This doubloon is all I have in the world; and it's
not likely I could borrow another just now."

As he said this