Nor did they halt there for a single second; but, galloping across the plain, re-entered the chapparal, and spurred on to the place where they had so skilfully transformed themselves into Comanches.
The reverse metamorphosis, if not so carefully, was more quickly accomplished.
In haste they washed the war-paint from their skins—availing themselves of some water carried in their canteens;—in haste they dragged their civilised habiliments from the hollow tree, in which they had hidden them; and, putting them on in like haste, they once more mounted their horses, and rode towards the Leona.
On their homeward way they conversed only of the headless horseman: but, with their thoughts under the influence of a supernatural terror, they could not satisfactorily account for an appearance so unprecedented; and they were still undecided as they parted company on the outskirts of the village—each going to his own jacale.
“Carrai!” exclaimed the Coyote, as he stepped across the threshold of his, and dropped down upon his cane couch. “Not much chance of sleeping after that.
Santos Dios! such a sight!
It has chilled the blood to the very bottom of my veins.
And nothing here to warm me. The canteen empty; the posada shut up; everybody in bed!
“Madre de Dios! what can it have been?
Ghost it could not be; flesh and bones I grasped myself; so did Vicente on the other side?
I felt that, or something very like it, under the tiger-skin.
Santissima! it could not be a cheat!
“If a contrivance, why and to what end?
Who cares to play carnival on the prairies—except myself, and my camarados?
Mil demonios! what a grim masquerader!
“Carajo! am I forestalled?
Has some other had the offer, and earned the thousand dollars?
Was it the Irlandes himself, dead, decapitated, carrying his head in his hand?
“Bah! it could not be—ridiculous, unlikely, altogether improbable!
“But what then?
“Ha! I have it! A hundred to one I have it!
He may have got warning of our visit, or, at least, had suspicions of it. ’Twas a trick got up to try us!—perhaps himself in sight, a witness of our disgraceful flight?
Maldito!
“But who could have betrayed us?
No one.
Of course no one could tell of that intent.
How then should he have prepared such an infernal surprise?
“Ah! I forget.
It was broad daylight as we made the crossing of the long prairie.
We may have been seen, and our purpose suspected?
Just so—just so.
And then, while we were making our toilet in the chapparal, the other could have been contrived and effected.
That, and that only, can be the explanation!
“Fools! to have been frightened at a scarecrow!
“Carrambo!
It shan’t long delay the event.
To-morrow I go back to the Alamo.
I’ll touch that thousand yet, if I should have to spend twelve months in earning it; and, whether or not, the deed shall be done all the same.
Enough to have lost Isidora.
It may not be true; but the very suspicion of it puts me beside myself.
If I but find out that she loves him—that they have met since—since—Mother of God!
I shall go mad; and in my madness destroy not only the man I hate, but the woman I love!
O Dona Isidora Covarubio de los Llanos!
Angel of beauty, and demon of mischief!
I could kill you with my caresses—I can kill you with my steel!
One or other shall be your fate.
It is for you to choose between them!”
His spirit becoming a little tranquillised, partly through being relieved by this conditional threat—and partly from the explanation he had been able to arrive at concerning the other thought that had been troubling it—he soon after fell asleep.
Nor did he awake until daylight looked in at his door, and along with it a visitor.
“Jose!” he cried out in a tone of surprise in which pleasure was perceptible—“you here?”