In the next moment Carlos was bending over the corpse of his mother!
There was no shock in this encounter. He had been half prepared for such an event. Besides, his nerves had been already strained to their utmost by the spectacle of the morning. Sorrow may sometimes eclipse sorrow, and drive it from the heart; but that agony which he had already endured could not be supplanted by a greater. The nerve of grief had been touched with such severity that it could vibrate no longer!
Beside him was one who offered consolation—she, his noble preserver.
But it was no hour for idle grief. Carlos kissed the cold lips—hastily embraced his weeping sister—his love.
“The horses?” he inquired.
“They are close at hand—among the trees.”
“Come, then! we must not lose a moment—we must go hence.—Come!”
As he uttered these words, he wrapped the serapé around the corpse, lifted it in his arms, and passed out of the rancho.
The others had already preceded him to the spot where the horses were concealed.
Carlos saw that there were five of these animals. A gleam of joy shot from his eyes as he recognised his noble steed. Antonio had recovered him. Antonio was there, on the spot.