Throughout the evening we rode silently side by side, while all around us was the awful stillness of a dead world. The sun went down, and presently the stars gleamed above us, throwing a ghostly light over the sea of sand. Midnight found us still riding, and another hour passed before Castro drew rein at the broken track leading from Tacna to Arica. Throwing the reins over his horse's neck, and jumping down, he examined the ground carefully, reading it as skilfully as the student reads a printed book. To and fro he went, casting off here and there like a hunting-dog, till he was satisfied. Then he returned to me, saying, "Carts have gone by hours since, and the infantry quite recently, but I see no signs of cavalry." "They would remain till the last minute, so as to deceive La Hera." "That is so; but the question is, has the colonel stayed with them? It is to him we want to give our information." "The infantry can tell us." "We shall waste time if he is in the rear, and time is precious." "Let us separate. You go forward; I will ride toward Tacna." "It is dangerous, senor." "You forget that I have been over this route." "Well, as you will. If the colonel has not passed, I shall return. Keep to the track; do not wander from it either to right or to left." "All right, Castro; I will take care." He vaulted to the saddle, wished me a safe journey, and rode off, while I turned my horse's head in the opposite direction. Fortunately the night was clear, while the dawn was not far off, so that I had a great advantage in steering my way. True, I rode at no great pace, being both afraid and unwilling to spur my jaded beast. Now and again I even dismounted and walked at his head to give him some relief. It was perhaps about three o'clock in the morning. A heavy fog had arisen, and I was riding with the greatest care, when suddenly I found a musket pointed straight at me, and heard the demand, "Halt, or I fire!" The man spoke in Spanish, but his accent showed him to be an Indian, and I hoped he was one of Miller's cavalry detachment. Whistling softly, he was at once joined by a second and a third man, the last of whom sharply ordered me to dismount. At the sound of his voice I laughed aloud, saying, "You post your men well, Jose, but they have not made a great capture this time. Is the colonel here?" "We are all here," said Jose, giving my hand a grip; "but I thought you had gone to Arica. Is anything wrong?" "A good deal," I answered, speaking in English, so that the Indians might not understand. "I must see Colonel Miller at once." "Jump down, then. Leave your horse here, and I will take you to him. Mind where you step; the men are all tucked in and sound asleep."