Glancing around at the Jarochos, half expecting to see the band come rushing in a body to avenge their comrade’s death, the two men grasped their weapons, determined to sell their lives dearly, if such must be. But to their great joy they saw that the outlaws were unconscious of the tragedy just enacted, and then hastily began their perilous descent.
By keeping close to Canelo, and stepping in his footprints, Campos effected it in safety, and in a few minutes they were both standing in the firm path at the foot of the precipice. Then Canelo muttered, in a cautious voice:
“And now the next thing is to procure horses, for we can not go upon foot, as we may be followed at any moment.”
“I have a horse four miles from here, where I left him at a jacale as I came,” returned Tadeo.
“We can do better than that. The stable of the band is not far from here, and in it are the best horses for leagues around, or was, when I was chief. I do not think that there can be any guard left there, as it would be almost impossible for a stranger to find it, even in the daytime. Besides, you said that padre Gayferos bade all the men join in the carousal?”
“He did; and when it began all were present who were at home, or at least so I was told in answer to my questions. But that man whom we threw over the cliff? Who was he?”
“Not one of the regular members, but a sort of spy who lives at the foot of the mountain. He came with news, I presume.”
“Well, then, if you think best, let us hasten to the stable, for the further we are away from this den by daybreak, the safer I will feel about my neck. For my part, I have seen quite enough for one night, although they do not stint one in wine, and it was first-class, too,” said Tadeo, as he closely followed his companion, who now turned up a narrow defile, the bottom of which was thickly strewn with coarse gravel.
“And a little of that same wine would not be amiss now. But silence; we are nearly there,” cautioned Canelo.
After making several abrupt turns, the two men paused in front of a dense thicket, and Canelo uttered a low, peculiar whistle, then repeated it twice, at short intervals. There was no answer, and again he sounded the signal, but with the same result.