Who rode the Shod Horse?
While waiting for the gaucho to rejoin them by the fire the two youths are not silent, but converse upon the event which saddens and still mystifies them. For up till this moment they have not seen anything, nor can they think of aught to account for the calamity which has befallen them—the double crime that has been committed. No more can they conceive who have been the perpetrators; though Cypriano all along has had his suspicions. And now for the first time he communicates them to his cousin, saying—
“It’s been the work of Tovas Indians.”
“Impossible, Cypriano!” exclaims Ludwig in surprise. “Why should they murder my poor father? What motive could they have had for it?”
“Motive enough; at least one of them had.”
“One! who mean you?”
“Aguara.”
“Aguara! But why he of all the others? And for what?”
“For what? Simply to get possession of your sister.”
Ludwig starts, showing greater astonishment than ever.