The maiden and her guide set out therefore at once for the hacienda, but affected by numberless apprehensions, the gallop of the half-breed's horse made them believe a party of the enemy a-head of them, hence they had kept far enough behind to be able to turn and fly at the slightest suspicious movement on the part of their supposed enemies. This explanation did away with all alarm, and Carmela and Lanzi were delighted at having met again thus providentially. While the half-breed was telling his young mistress in what way he had disposed of the Apaches, the hunter, like a prudent man, had taken the horses by the bridle and led them into a thick coppice, where he carefully hid them. He then returned to his new friends, who had seated themselves on the ground, to enjoy a few moments of welcome rest. At this moment, when the hunter returned, Lanzi was saying to his mistress-- "Why, señorita, should you fatigue yourself further this night? Our new friend and I will build you with a few axe strokes a jacal under which you will be famously sheltered; you will sleep till sunrise, and then we can start again for the hacienda. For the present you have no danger to fear, as you are protected by two men who will not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for you, if necessary." "I thank you, my good Lanzi," the young lady answered; "your devotion is known to me, and I could not hesitate to trust to you if I were at this moment affected by fear of the Apaches. Believe me, that the thought of the perils I may have to incur from those pagans goes for nothing in my determination to start again immediately." "What more important consideration can compel you, then, señorita?" the half-breed asked, in surprise. "That, my friend, is an affair between my father and myself; it is sufficient for you to know that I must see and speak to him this very night." "Be it so, as you wish it, señorita, I consent," the half-breed said, with a shake of his head; "still, you must allow that it is a very strange caprice on your part." "No, my good Lanzi," she answered, sadly, "it is not a caprice; when you know the reasons that cause me, to act, I am convinced you will applaud me." "That is possible; but if that is the case, why not tell me them, at once?" "Because that is impossible." "Silence!" the hunter interfered, quickly; "any discussion is unnecessary, for we must start as soon as we can." "What do you mean?" they exclaimed, with a start of terror. "The Apaches have found our trail; they are coming up quickly, and will be here within twenty minutes. This time there is no mistake, they are the men." There was a lengthened silence. Doña Carmela and Lanzi listened attentively. "I hear nothing," the half-breed said, presently. "Nor I," the maiden whispered. The hunter smiled softly.