Mr. Wheeler sprung from his horse, followed by Sam and Burt. Rushing to Pedro he cried, seizing him by the shoulder:
“For God’s sake, where is my daughter? Tell me, sir, quickly!”
Pedro was a man of few words. In answer, he pointed quietly to the dark aperture in the hillside.
“Where? I do not see her. Sir, you joke with me.”
“No he don’t, nuther,” surlily put in the guide. “He ain’t thet kind of a man, let me tell yer.”
“Perhaps he means there is a cave in the hill,” suggested Carpenter.
“Just so, senor; she is there.”
They stopped not to parley, or to demand an explanation of his sudden appearance, albeit they were greatly surprised; but one and all dismounting, rushed to the cave entrance.
But Pedro, suddenly alarmed for his treasure’s safety, sprung before the hole. Drawing his beautiful dagger, he cried, hoarsely:
“Stand back! back! you shall not enter.”