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"Quite sure," is the confident rejoinder; "more than once I've observed Aguara's free behaviour towards my cousin; and once would have thrashed the impudent redskin, but for uncle interfering. He was afraid it might get us into trouble with Naraguana." "But did father himself know of it? I mean about Aguara and Francesca?" "No. I rather think not. And I disliked telling him."
Aguara's is on the ground first; and, without waiting for companion or attendant of any kind, he vaults upon the animal's back, and goes off at a gallop along the path, which, after turning around close to the hill, at about a mile's distance, farther on passes the ceiba tree.
This gives the key to Aguara's doubts and fears on returning to the Sacred Town with Francesca Halberger as his captive. Nor are the latter yet allayed, despite three days having elapsed since his return.
Besides, what he is not aware of, she had overheard part of the speech which passed between him and the vaqueano, as the latter was entering the sumac grove, to do that deed which has left her without a father. Instead, therefore, of Aguara's words deceiving her into a false confidence, they but strengthen the feeling of repulsion she has all along had for him.
It alone, her pony might wander at will; but alongside Aguara's horse it keeps pace with the latter, its meek, submissive look, seeming to tell of its being as much a prisoner as its mistress. Beyond the bereavement she has suffered by her father's death for she saw him struck down, and believes him to be dead no ill-treatment has been offered her: not even insult.
"Our lucky star's gone up again," he says, with a significant nod to Aguara's horse, which he has still hold of. "There is now four of us; and as I take it this brisk little musteno is fairly our property, there'll be no need for any of us riding double to say nothing of one having a witch behind his back.
She had a cousin about her own age, by name Cypriano, who was said to be very fond of her; and rumour had it around Assuncion, that they were being brought up for one another." Aguara's brow blackens, and his dark Indian eyes seem to emit sparks of fire. "Cypriano shall never have her!" he exclaims in a tone of angry determination. "How can you help it, amigo?" interrogates his tempter.
All this, by way of making safe her bargain, for well knows she her spell will not bring back Aguara's love, lost to Nacena; and as the bulk of the reward promised will depend upon this, she has yet another proposal to make that may ensure its payment. She acts as one who would hedge a bet, and drawing closer to the victim of her delusion, she says
When found I'll make appeal to him, to help us in getting the nina out of " he has it on his tongue to say "Aguara's clutches," but thinking of the effect of such a phrase falling upon Cypriano's ears, he concludes with the words, "whatever place they're keeping her in."
The feeling among Aguara's followers may be learnt from a dialogue, carried on between two of them who ride in the rear of the troop. They have been speaking of their paleface captive, and extolling her charms, one of them saying how much their young cacique is to be envied his good luck, in possession of such a charming creature.
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