"Well, then--the road which is the shortest is not that which you will find the most easy to follow. If you wish to go by the one on which there is the least danger of your getting astray, you will follow up the course of this river. But if you wish a shorter route--one which avoids the windings of the stream--you will go that way." As Costal finished speaking, he pointed in a direction very different from that which he had indicated as the course of the river. The Indian had no design of giving a false direction. Even had the little resentment, which he had conceived for the stranger, not entirely passed, he knew that he dared not mislead a traveller on the way to the hacienda, of which he was himself a servitor. But he no longer held any grudge against the young officer, and his directions were honestly meant. While they were speaking, another of those terrible screams that had perplexed the traveller broke in upon the dialogue. It was the cry of the jaguar, and came from the direction in which lay the route indicated by Costal as the shortest. "What on earth is that?" inquired the officer. "Only a jaguar searching for prey," coolly responded Costal. "Oh!" said the dragoon, "is that all? I was fancying it might be something more fearful." "Your shortest route, then, lies that way," said Costal, resuming his directions, and pointing with his gun towards the spot where the howl of the tiger had been heard. "Thank you!" said the horseman, gathering up his reins, and heading his horse to the path. "If that is the shortest, I shall take it." "Stay!" said Costal, approaching a little nearer, and speaking with more cordiality than he had yet shown. "_Oigate, senor cavallero_! A brave man like you does not need to be warned of every danger; but one ought to be informed of the dangers one must meet." Don Rafael checked his horse. "Speak, friend," said he; "I shall not listen to you ungratefully." "To reach from here the hacienda of Las Palmas," continued Costal, "without going astray, or making detours, be careful always to keep the moon to your left, so that your shadow may be thrown on the right--a little slanting--just as you are at this moment. Moreover, when you have started, never draw bridle till you have reached the house of Don Mariano de Silva. If you meet a ditch, or brake, or ravine, cross them in a direct line, and don't attempt to go round them." The Indian gave these directions in so grave a tone of voice, and with such solemnity of manner, that Don Rafael was struck with surprise. "What frightful danger is it that threatens me?" he inquired at length.