"Within ten minutes, señorita," the tigrero said, "we shall enter the road that runs from the rancho to the hacienda."
All at once the two men stopped. At the same moment Doña Marianna heard shouts that seemed to answer each other in various directions.
"Forward! Forward!" said Stronghand; "Let us not leave your relatives and friends in anxiety longer than we can help."
"Thanks," she answered.
They continued their march; and, as the tigrero had announced, in scarce ten minutes they reached the road to the hacienda.
"What shall we do now?" Marianna asked.
"I think," Stronghand answered, "that we ought to announce our presence by a cry for help, and then proceed in the direction of those who answer us. What is your opinion, señora?"
"Yes," she said, "I think we ought to do so; for otherwise we run a risk of reaching the hacienda without meeting any of the persons sent to seek me, and who might continue their search till morning, which would be ingratitude on my part."
"You are right, niña; for all these worthy people are attached to you, and besides, your brother and Don Paredes are also seeking you."
"That is a further reason why we should hasten to announce our return," the young lady answered.