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It was evident he was not sleeping very soundly while the talk was going on. "This Don Estevan de Arechiza, of whom you speak," resumed the Canadian; "he is the same we saw at La Poza is he not the chief of the expedition?" "The same." "Ha! is that the name he goes by here?" cried Pepe, suddenly rousing himself from his apparent sleep. "You know him, then?" said Tiburcio, interrogatively.
The owner of the book left Salamanca to avoid an epidemic which was then raging there. Luis de Leon had expected a visit from Poza that day, and had intended to burn the volume in Poza's presence. He carried out the main part of his intention by burning the work in the presence of Fray Bartolomé de Carranza, to whom he explained the meaning of this holocaust.
No more was heard of Poza; yet it seems that Luis de Leon's curiosity as to the possibilities of astrology continued with but little abatement. This half-belief in astrology as a kind of black art was widespread during the sixteenth century, and vestiges of this ingenuous credulity have survived in unexpected quarters till our own time.
Perhaps the most powerful of Arab chiefs, the richest patriarch of ancient times, never counted such superb and numerous herds as roamed over the pasturage of the Hacienda del Venado. About an hour before sunset on that same day on which the travellers departed from La Poza two men, one on horseback, the other mounted on a mule, were seen traversing the plain in the direction of the hacienda.
On the route from La Poza it had fallen to the lot of Cuchillo and Tiburcio to ride side by side, but for all this few words had passed between them. Although Cuchillo had not the slightest idea of renouncing his dire design, he continued to hide his thoughts under an air of good-humour which when need be he knew how to assume.
Besides serving as excellent resting-place for travellers, it was a favourite resort of hunters, who used it as a stalking-ground for animals elks and deer as well as jaguars and other fierce beasts that in great numbers came to the well to drink. At a short distance from the cistern of La Poza commenced a tract of thick forest through which ran the path leading to the Hacienda del Venado.
"Hold there, friend Benito!" cried Baraja, interrupting him, "no more of your horrible stories; I have not forgotten that frightful night by the well of La Poza." "Well," rejoined the herdsman, "unless they are firing at either Cuchillo or Gayferos or perhaps at both I cannot divine the cause of their continued fusillade.
Senor Don Estevan," cried Cuchillo, "you surely mistake my character. I am the most humane of mortals that is," continued he in an undertone, "when it is my interest to be so. You may ride forward then; and it will not be my fault, if I don't bring this poor fellow safe to our halting-place at La Poza."
They were interrupted by the arrival of a visitor. Several other friends had called to congratulate Herezuelo on his success. The fresh visitor was in the garb of a laic; but when he threw back the cloak which concealed his features, the advocate and Dona Leonor saw before them their friend Don Domingo de Roxas, the well-known prior and preacher, a son of the Marquis de Poza.
In this occupation the three rode on for about a quarter of an hour, until the gleam of fires ahead discovered the halting-place of the travellers at La Poza. Soon afterwards their camp itself was reached. The place known by the name "La Poza" was the only one, within a circle of many leagues, where at this time of the year water could be found.
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