“That there’s been somebody under that old boat. We stood talking there like four fools, calling out one another’s names. Now, suppose one of those sailors was waiting by the boat as we came along, and seeing us, crept under it? He could have heard everything we said; and slipping off, after we went to the wall, might have brought up the rest of the accursed crew. The thing seems odd; at the same time it’s possible enough, and probable too.”
“It is; and now you speak of it. I remember something. While we were under the wall, I fancied I saw a man crouching along the water’s edge, as if going away from the boat.”
“You did?”
“I’m almost certain I did. At the time, I thought nothing of it, as we were watching for the other two; and I had no suspicion of any one else being about. Now, I believe there was one.”
“And now, I believe so too. Carramba! that accounts for everything. I see it all. That’s how the sailor got our names, and knew all about our design—that to do—murder! You needn’t start at the word, nor turn pale. But you may at the prospect before us. Carrai! we’re in danger, Calderon;—no mistake about it. Why the devil didn’t you tell me of it—at the time you saw that man?”
“Because, as I’ve said, I had no thought it could be any one connected with them.”
“Well, your thoughtlessness has got us into a fix indeed—the worst I’ve ever been in, and I can remember a few. No use to think about duelling now, whoever might be challenger. Instead of seconds, they’d meet us with a posse of sheriff’s officers. Likely enough they’ll be setting them after us before this. Although I feel sure our bullets didn’t hit either, it’ll be just as bad. The attempt will tell against us all the same. Therefore, it won’t do to stay here. So direct your servants not to unsaddle. We’ll need to be off, soon as we’ve swallowed a cup of chocolate.”
A call from Don Faustino brings one of his domestics to the door; then a word or two sends him off with the order for keeping the horses in hand.
“Chingara!” fiercely exclaims De Lara, striking the table with his shut fist, “everything has gone against us.”
“Everything, indeed. Our money lost, our love made light of, our revenge baffled—”