A few minutes sufficed them for making the ascent; and then they appeared at the place where the two men had stood, while cutting down the bridge. Shortly after I could see them hauling hand over hand--as if upon a rope; and looking below, I observed the _puente-hamaca_ slowly ascending above the surface of the water. Gently and gradually was it drawn up, till it hung like a hammock across the chasm--just as we had seen it on first looking out of the hut. A short interval elapsed; and then the voice of the bandit was heard calling to us to come over. "_Vengan ustedes_!" he cried, encouragingly. "You need have no fear. The _puente_ is perfectly safe. If you cross quickly you may yet overtake--" I waited to hear no more. Whether the man meant treason or not, I was determined to be on the other side; and, seizing hold of the _sipo_, which served as a sort of hand-rail, I scrambled across the chasm. My comrades, agile as I, swarmed after me--two or three staying to keep guard over the captives already secured. "Now, sir!" I said to the brigand, as soon as we had secured footing upon the opposite side, "You've earned your thousand dollars by showing us the way to get across. On the word of an American officer I promise it shall be paid you; and another like sum if you guide us to the spot where I can find Torreano Carrasco." I spoke with a serious air, and in a confidential tone--my confidence designed to tempt the cupidity of the brigand. It was not misplaced. It produced the effect intended. "_Bueno_!" replied he, with an assenting movement of the head; "It's only a step from here," he continued in a stage whisper. "Our captain thinks himself safe, because nobody--except one of ourselves--could have brought you over the quebrada. _Nos vamos_! In twenty minutes time you will see your Mercedes." My impatience to be off hindered me from questioning the guide about his last speech; though it struck me as singular, he should know aught of my relations with the captive of Carrasco. I had forgotten that the robber-chief had shouted across the chasm, loud enough to be heard by our prisoner. "Forward!" was my hurried response, "Guide me to _her_, and you may make your own terms about money!" What cared I for the vile dross, of which I had ten thousand dollars in my keeping? True, it was not my own. It belonged to Don Eusebio Villa-Senor. But had I not been intrusted with it for the ransom of his daughters? And was this not the way in which I was employing it? The Mexican seemed to comprehend me, and with a clearness that left nothing misunderstood. Willingly he led the way; and with equal willingness was he followed by myself and comrades. Our journey proved but a short one. After climbing a rocky ridge, we came within sight of a forest-covered tract--lying just under the line of the snow.