Just as the darkness hid them Juan Antonio came into the cave. He was covered with mud. Mendoza followed on horseback. Mounted peons filled the cave entrance.
"Papacito! Papacito!" Carmelita ran toward her father.
"My child, come thou to me!" springing to the ground and clasping her in his arms.
"I'll not have such a commotion in my house," announced the dueña, returning from sleep. "It is not the hour for the fandango."
Light flared from the replenished fire.
"Why, Señor Mendoza!" now quite awake. "How did you manage to find this place on such a dark night?"
Mendoza pointed to Juan Antonio. "He followed your steps even in the darkness. To horse, at once, señora, and you too, my child. The storm abates, only to resume shortly. We must reach the main road before the rising water bars our way. Let us go. May God be thanked for your safety! How made you this fire?"
"Those who are gone built it, my father."
"When we numbered not thy carreta with the others sorrow darker than the night ruled my soul. Now is the blackness light. Hence, and quickly! To horse, all!"
In a moment the cave was alone with the fire and the shadows.