"For what?" said Diego, "when his part, which is likely to be worth more than his treason, is here."
"Perhaps he has seen people, and has gone to hide in El Cuervo," said another.
They set out in the direction of the hacienda, avoiding roads and beaten paths, and keeping within the shelter of the trees; but neither there did they find the convict.
"My poor Corso!" said Diego, and a bitter tear shone for a moment in his eyes; but instantly recovering himself he said, "We are sold: but, courage! and let us save ourselves. Down the river; to the frontier; to Ayamonte; to Portugal. Some day I shall find him, and on that day he will wish he had never been born!"
They were leaving, when the gipsy presented herself to claim her share of the money. All assailed her with questions respecting the disappearance of the convict; but she knew nothing, and manifested much uneasiness.
"You are not safe here, and ought to get away as soon as may be," she said. "The elder son of the Countess of Villaoran has sworn to avenge his brother. He has got a troop from the captain-general, and is out after you. I am afraid he has surprised the convict. As for me I am going, the ground burns under my feet."
"Oh! that it would burn you up!" exclaimed one.
"Oh! that it would swallow you!" exclaimed another.
The old hag silently disappeared among the olives, like a viper which crawls away, leaving its venom in the bite it has inflicted.