"There are other tall Americans," he said with a smile; "there was a resemblance but that happens frequently in life, my daughter, the other man bore no resemblance to his brothers." The señorita shook her dark head with emphasis.
"It was not nice of Señor James to run away from us, as though we had the plague; it was certainly very far from nice, and I shall make him pay some day."
"Señor James," exclaimed her father, a slight frown on his brow; "you certainly have a remarkable memory, Marie."
"It is not at all wonderful, Father," replied the girl with much spirit; "did he not save me from that terrible Señor Jenkins and his band? I shall remember him as long as there is the breath of life in my little body."
"His memory does not seem to be as retentive as yours," said her father with quiet sarcasm. The señorita's face flushed at this thrust and she sat moodily silent for a while, then something happened which changed the current of her interest.
"Look," she cried, "the man across the street is running. What can be the matter?"
"It is your friend, Señor James, and his comrade is the matter," remarked her father.
Sure enough the two were in fast pursuit of, "the man across the street," and then they turned a corner but crossing to the further side of the thoroughfare they were still in view.
"Oh, dear!" cried the señorita, "I wish I could be informed as to what all this commotion is about and know who will win."
Let us follow them, and perhaps we shall find out. I daresay the astute reader has already guessed the name of the gentleman who caused this distinct and sudden interest and flung consternation and activity into two separate groups. As James Darlington followed the glance of the young girl, he had recognized the dwarfish figure of the Mexican who had robbed him of his treasure and who had previously led him and his party into dire trouble—hence his excitement, but why the interest of the Señorita da Cordova?—Ah! that is another tale, but now to tell the story of the chase, for upon the result much would depend.