Diogo had immediately decided that if he continued to fly in a straight line, his enemy, mounted on a fresh horse, would not be long in overtaking him, and that even if he escaped him, he would inevitably fall into the hands of the Guaycurus. He had then calculated his flight, so as to deviate by degrees in an imperceptible manner at first, in order to avoid the spot where he supposed their enemies had established their camp. This first stratagem had completely succeeded. Malco Diaz, blinded by the desire to overtake Diogo, had followed him in the tracks that he had made, without caring to explain to himself the reasons for his route. When the Indian had arrived at the outskirts of a wood, he had jumped to the ground, and with that remarkable dexterity which those of his race possess, he had made a sham horseman with grass, and covered it with the clothing which he himself wore; then, after having firmly attached it to the back of the horse, under the saddle and to the flanks of which he had placed piercing thorns, he had started the animal off in the direction which he wished him to take. As to himself, he continued his route on foot. It was a few minutes after his coming out of the wood that Malco Diaz, for the first time, perceived the horse that galloped so rapidly before him. This explanation that Diogo, with a saturnine air, gave to Malco, further increased his fury. "You have killed a horse that I loved--a noble beast, that I shall with difficulty replace. I ought, then, to kill you, Malco; but I shall not redden my knife with your blood." "You would do wrong, Diogo," sullenly answered Malco, "for I swear to you, that on the first opportunity I will kill you." "You will act according to your instincts, Malco. I know that you are a wicked man." "I will kill you--I swear it by my share of paradise." "Your share in paradise would appear to me very doubtful, my poor friend; but that is not the question now." "What do you mean to do, then, since you say you do not wish to kill me?" "What I promise I intend to perform, Malco; no, I will not kill you, but I will place you in a position where it is impossible for you to injure me." The half-caste did not answer; he foamed with fury, and writhed like a serpent on the ground. "Keep still a moment, Malco," said the captain, peaceably; "you are really very troublesome." And so saying, he bound him firmly with his lasso, notwithstanding his prodigious efforts to escape. "There, it is finished," cried Diogo, when the last knot was tied. "Now I have only to gag you." "To gag me!" cried the half-caste; "To gag me! Why?" "Why, my friend, I find you very innocent; permit me to tell you that if I gag you, it is probably to prevent you from crying out." There was a moment of silence. Malco reflected, and Diogo made a gag with the care and attention that he brought to bear on all he did. "How long do you think it will take to put yourself in safety?" asked the half-caste.