Sutter bent over. "I see a hat," he said directly after; "the body cannot be far."
"Unless it has rolled to the bottom of the barranca."
"That is probable," Sutter remarked, "for the rock is almost perpendicular."
"Oh, demonios! Nuestra Señora! How I suffer!" the gambusino groaned.
The squatter had in his turn leant over the precipice; he recognised Don Pablo's hat; he gave a sign of satisfaction, and returned to Andrés.
"Come," he said in a gentle tone, "we cannot stop here all night; can you walk?"
"I do not know, but I will try."
"Try, then, in the demon's name."
The gambusino rose with infinite difficulty and tried to walk a little way, but fell back. "I cannot," he said despondingly.
"Nonsense!" said Sutter; "I will take him on my back, he is not very heavy."