"It's the exact direckshin o' the shanty," whispered Sam. "They must be _in_ it. Thar's somethin' goin' on, hear that? There's a bust! Darn me, if they hain't got a _fandango_!" It was an increased swelling in the sound that had called forth this exclamatory language. A violin had joined its continuous strain to the throbbing of the _jarana_; and several voices appeared to take part in the conversation, which was carried on during the intervals of the music. There appeared to be nothing boisterous--no riot or roystering--only such sounds as might be made by a party of pleasure-seekers engaged in a picnic, or _dia de campo_--the chief difference being that it was _in the night_! Certainly the sounds were not such, as I should have expected to proceed from a band of brigands engaged in an interlude of festivity. "It's _them_!" whispered the driver of the diligencia--a better judge of brigand music than myself. "The very chaps we're in search o'. They're doin' a little bit o' divartin; an', cuss me, cap'n, ef I don't b'lieve that them two gurls is joinin' willinly in the spree!" I answered his speech only in thought. And a fell, fearful thought it was. "Dolores Villa-Senor not forced by cruel circumstances, but voluntarily assisting at a carnival of _salteadores_!" All thoughts of strategy were chased out of my mind. Even prudence for the time forsook me. The remembrance of the past--the morbid imaginings of the present--alike maddened me. She upon whom I had fixed my affections--high and holy--the toy of a robber-chief! Worse still; herself wanton and willing! "Go on!" I said, grasping my guide by the arm; "on to the house! Let us see what it means. On, on! There's no danger. In ten minutes I can call my men around me; and if need be, we can run back to them. On! on! I must see with my own eyes, if she can be so degraded!" Without altogether comprehending why, Sam Brown saw that I was determined on advancing; and, yielding to my impulsive command, once more led the way. CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. PARADISE FROM THE PILLORY. Another terrace was ascended; and before us stood the house--a massive structure of quadrangular shape only one story in height, but surmounted by an _azotea_ with a parapet running around it. It was placed upon a platform of limited extent; backed by a precipitous slope, of which the platform was the base; and flanked by two cliffs that scarped off in the opposite direction--downward. What might be called the gables of the dwelling were flush with the flanking cliffs; but between its rear and the ascending slope was an inclosed space--forming a _corral_, or courtyard. Its _facade_ lay towards the smooth space in front; that declined gently from the walls, like the glacis of a fortification.