"This is now your home," said Don Torribio "no one will dare to enter without your permission."
Doña Hermosa smiled her thanks, and accompanied them to the entrance of the toldo; Manuela and her escort mounted and departed.
The young Mexican followed them with her eyes till the sound of their horses' feet was lost amid the other noises in the camp, when she returned to the toldo, murmuring: "The first steps are taken: now to discover his intentions!"
A quarter of an hour later, Manuela and her guide arrived within a hundred yards of the pueblo. They had not exchanged a word.
"You have now no further need of me," said Don Torribio. "Keep the horse; he may be useful to you. May God preserve you!"
Without another word, he turned his horse, and rode back to the camp, leaving Manuela alone.
The latter looked about her to discover whereabouts she was, and then rode resolutely towards the town, which was looming in a dark mass before her. She had only gone a few paces, when a rude hand seized her reins, a pistol was presented at her head, and a rough voice exclaimed, in Spanish:
"Who goes there?"
"Friend," she replied, attempting to conceal her trepidation.
"Mother!" cried a joyful voice.