Kearney heard this without comprehending. Some hiding-place, he supposed, known to the Mexican. It could only mean that. But where? Looking ahead, he saw the mountains with their sides forest-clad, and there a fugitive might find concealment. But they were miles off; and how were they to be reached by men afoot--to say nothing of the chains-- with cavalry in hue and cry all around them? He put the question. "Don't be impatient, _amigo_!" said the Mexican in response; "you'll soon see the place I speak of, and that will be better than any description I could give. It's a labyrinth which would have delighted Daedalus himself. _Mira_! You behold it now!" He pointed to a _facade_ of rock, grey, rugged, and precipitous, trending right and left through the _chapparal_ far as they could see. A cliff, in short, though of no great elevation; on its crest, growing yuccas, cactus, and stunted mezquite trees. "The _Pedregal_!" he added, in a cheerful voice, "and glad am I to see it. I've to thank old Vulcan or Pluto for making such a place. It has saved my life once before, and I trust will do the same now, for all of us. But we must be quick about it. _Adelante_!" The horses were urged into a final spurt of speed, and soon after arrived at the base of the rocky escarpment, which would have barred them further advance in that direction, had the intention been to take them on. But it was not. "We must part from them, now," said Rivas. "Dismount all!" All four slipped off together, Rock taking hold of both bridles, as if he waited to be told what to do. "We mustn't leave them here," said the Mexican. "They might neigh, and so guide our pursuers to the spot. In another hour, or half that, we needn't care; it'll be dark then--" He interrupted himself, seeming to reflect, which, the Texan observing, said to Kearney-- "He weeshes the anymals sent off, do he?" "Just that, Cris." "I war thinkin' o' thet same, meself. The groun' for a good spell back hez been hard as flint, an' we hain't left much o' trail, nothin' as a set o' bunglin' yaller-bellies air like ter take up. As for startin' the horses, that's easy as fallin' off a log. Let me do it." "Do it." "Take holt o' one then, Cap. Unbuckle the neck strap and pull off the bridle, when you see me do so wi' t'other. It is a pity to act cruel to the poor brutes arter the sarvice they've did us; but thar ain't no help for 't. Riddy, air ye?" "Ready!" The Texan had taken out his knife; and in another instant its blade was through the horse's ear, the bridle jerked off at the same time. The animal, uttering a terrified snort, reared up, spun round, and broke away in frenzied flight through the thorny _chapparal_. The other, also released, bounded after, both soon passing out of sight. "_Bueno_--_bravo_!" cried the Mexican, admiringly, relieved of his dilemma. "Now, senors, we must continue the march afoot, and over ground that'll need help from our hands, too. _Vamonos_!"