Not to oblige them, but for reasons of his own, Carlos replied in a loud voice. He, too, wished the soldiers, but more particularly the sentry at the gate, to hear what passed between himself and the officers. "Well, your excellency," replied he, "I live in a poor rancho, the last in the settlement, with my old mother and sister. The night before last it was attacked by a party of Indians--my mother left for dead--the rancho set on fire--and my sister carried off!" "I have heard of all this, my friend,--nay, more, I have myself been out in pursuit of the savages." "I know it, your excellency. I was absent on the Plains, and only returned last night. I have heard that your excellency was prompt in pursuing the savages, and I feel grateful." "No need of that; I only performed my duty. I regret the occurrence, and sympathise with you; but the villains have got clear off, and there is no hope of bringing them to punishment just now. Perhaps some other time--when the garrison here is strengthened--I shall make an incursion into their country, and then your sister may be recovered." So completely had Vizcarra been deceived by the cibolero's manner, that his confidence and coolness had returned, and any one knowing nothing more of the affair than could be gathered from that conversation would have certainly been deceived by him. This dissimulation both in speech and manner appeared perfect. By the keen eye of Carlos, however--with his knowledge of the true situation--the tremor of the speaker's lips, slight as it was--his uneasy glance--and an occasional hesitancy in his speech, were all observed. Though Carlos was deceiving _him_, _he_ was not deceiving Carlos. "What favour were you going to ask?" he inquired, after he had delivered his hopeful promise. "This, your excellency; that you would allow your troops to go once more on the trail of the robbers, either under your own command--which I would much like--or one of your brave officers." Roblado felt flattered. "I would act as guide, your excellency. There is not a spot within two hundred miles I am not acquainted with, as well as I am with this valley; and though I should not say it, I assure your excellency, I can follow an Indian trail with any hunter on the Plains. If your excellency will but send the troop, I promise you I shall guide them to the robbers, or lose my reputation. I can follow their trail _wherever it may lead_." "Oh! you could, indeed?" said Vizcarra, exchanging a significant glance with Roblado, while both exhibited evident symptoms of uneasiness. "Yes, your excellency, anywhere." "It would be impossible," said Roblado. "It is now two days old; besides, _we_ followed it beyond the Pecos, and we have no doubt the robbers are by this time far out of reach, of any pursuit. It would be quite useless to attempt such a thing." "Cavalleros!"--Carlos addressed himself to both--"I assure you I could find them. They are not so far off."