The Creole must have changed her mind, and stayed by the jacale—was, perhaps, at that very moment performing the metier Isidora had so fondly traced out for herself?
The belief that she was about to bring shame upon the woman who had brought ruin upon her, was the thought that now consoled her.
The questions put by Poindexter, and his companions, sufficiently disclosed the situation. Still clearer was it made by the final interrogations of Calhoun; and, after her interrogators had passed away, she remained by the side of the thicket—half in doubt whether to ride on to the Leona, or go back and be the spectator of a scene, that, by her own contrivance, could scarce fail to be exciting.
She is upon the edge of the chapparal, just inside the shadow of the timber.
She is astride her grey steed, that stands with spread nostril and dilated eye, gazing after the cavallada that has late parted from the spot—a single horseman in the rear of the rest.
Her horse might wonder why he is being thus ridden about; but he is used to sudden changes in the will of his capricious rider.
She is looking in the same direction—towards the alhuehuete;—whose dark summit towers above the bluffs of the Alamo.
She sees the searchers descend; and, after them, the man who has so minutely questioned her.
As his head sinks below the level of the plain, she fancies herself alone upon it.
In this fancy she is mistaken.
She remains irresolute for a time—ten—fifteen—twenty minutes.
Her thoughts are not to be envied.
There is not much sweetness in the revenge, she believes herself instrumental in having accomplished.
If she has caused humiliation to the woman she hates, along with it she may have brought ruin upon the man whom she loves?
Despite all that has passed, she cannot help loving him!
“Santissima Virgen!” she mutters with a fervent earnestness. “What have I done?
If these men—Los Reguladores—the dreaded judges I’ve heard of—if they should find him guilty, where may it end?
In his death!
Mother of God! I do not desire that.
Not by their hands—no! no!
How wild their looks and gestures—stern—determined!
And when I pointed out the way, how quickly they rode off, without further thought of me!
Oh, they have made up their minds. Don Mauricio is to die!
And he a stranger among them—so have I heard. Not of their country, or kindred; only of the same race.
Alone, friendless, with many enemies.
Santissima! what am I thinking of?
Is not he, who has just left me, that cousin of whom I’ve heard speak! Ay de mi!
Now do I understand the cause of his questioning.
His heart, like mine own—like mine own!”
She sits with her gaze bent over the open plain.
The grey steed still frets under restraint, though the cavallada has long since passed out of sight.
He but responds to the spirit of his rider; which he knows to be vacillating—chafing under some irresolution.
’Tis the horse that first discovers a danger, or something that scents of it. He proclaims it by a low tremulous neigh, as if to attract her attention; while his head, tossed back towards the chapparal, shows that the enemy is to be looked for in that direction.
Who, or what is it?
Warned by the behaviour of her steed, Isidora faces to the thicket, and scans the path by which she has lately passed through it.
It is the road, or trail, leading to the Leona. ’Tis only open to the eye for a straight stretch of about two hundred yards. Beyond, it becomes screened by the bushes, through which it goes circuitously.
No one is seen upon it—nothing save two or three lean coyotes, that skulk under the shadow of the trees—scenting the shod tracks, in the hope of finding some scrap, that may have fallen from the hurrying horsemen.
It is not these that have caused the grey to show such excitement.
He sees them; but what of that?
The prairie-wolf is a sight to him neither startling, nor rare.
There is something else—something he has either scented, or heard.
Isidora listens: for a time without hearing aught to alarm her.
The howl-bark of the jackal does not beget fear at any time; much less in the joy of the daylight.
She hears only this.
Her thoughts again return to the “Tejanos”—especially to him who has last parted from her side.
She is speculating on the purpose of his earnest interrogation; when once more she is interrupted by the action of her horse.
The animal shows impatience at being kept upon the spot; snuffs the air; snorts; and, at length, gives utterance to a neigh, far louder than before!
This time it is answered by several others, from horses that appear to be going along the road—though still hidden behind the trees.
Their hoof-strokes are heard at the same time.
But not after.