"Nothing easier than that, capitan. Go to their house--I should rather say to their hut--for they live in a sort of hovel by the rocks. The place is altogether out of the common track. No one will be likely to see you on your visit. You must pass through a narrow road in the chapparal; but I shall send you a guide who knows the spot, and he will conduct you. I think it like enough the fellows will be expecting you, as I hinted to them to stay at home--that possibly they might be wanted. No doubt you'll find them there at this moment." "When can you send up the guide?" "He is here now--my own attendant will do. He is below in the court-- you need lose no time." "No. Roblado," added the Comandante, "your horse is ready--you cannot do better than go at once." "Then go I shall: your guide, padre?" "Esteban! Hola! Esteban!" cried the padre, leaning over the wall. "_Aqui, Senor_," answered a voice. "_Sube! sube! anda_!" (Come up quickly.) The next moment an Indian boy appeared upon the azotea, and taking off his hat approached the padre with an air of reverence. "You will guide the capitan through the path in the chapparal to the hunters' hut." "Si, Senor." "Don't tell any one you have done so." "No, Senor." "If you do you shall catch the `cuarto.' _Vaya_!" Roblado, followed by the boy, descended the escalera; and, after being helped on his horse, rode away from the gate. The padre, at the invitation of Vizcarra, emptied another cup of Bordeos; and then, telling his host that a luncheon of the new luxury awaited him at the mission, he bade him good day, and shuffled off homeward. Vizcarra remained alone upon the azotea. Had any one been there to watch him, they would have noticed that his countenance assumed a strange and troubled expression every time his eyes chanced to wander in the direction of La Nina. CHAPTER FIFTY ONE. Roblado entered the chapparal, the boy Esteban stepping a few paces in advance of his horse's head. For half-a-mile or so he traversed a leading road that ran between the town and one of the passes. He then struck into a narrow path, but little used except by hunters or vaqueros in search of their cattle. This path conducted him, after a ride of two or three miles, to the base of the cliffs, and there was found the object of his journey--the dwelling-place of the hunters.