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The distant roar of the cataract was the only sound which at this hour broke the stillness of the forest. The travellers unsaddled, and having removed their horses' bridles, fastened them at some distance off. As they had travelled all night to escape the heat of the sun, they determined to take their siesta under the shade of the trees. Gayferos was the first who fell asleep.
Who watched over your slumbers during long nights, to hear from your lips the secret wishes of your heart? It was I, who determined to accompany to this spot, Gayferos, whom at your intercession I saved from the hands of the Apaches. Who sent him to seek this beautiful and gracious lady, and learn if in her heart, she still treasured your memory?
Gayferos himself, whom the firing had not roused, shook off his lethargy and murmured, in a trembling voice, "Virgen de los Dolores! Would not one say it was a band of tigers howling in the darkness? Holy Virgin! have pity on me!" "Thank her rather," interrupted the Canadian; "the knaves might deceive a novice like you, but not an old hunter like me.
Bring on the monkey and the show, for I have guests in the inn to-night who will pay well to see the performance." "That's good news," said Peter, going off to hurry up his cart. "Who is this Peter?" asked Don Quixote. "Why, sir," answered the landlord, "he has been going about the country this long time with his play of Melisendra and Don Gayferos, one of the very best shows that ever was seen.
It was the denizens of the forest who welcomed the return of evening. The two sleepers awoke. After a short and substantial repast, of which Gayferos had brought the materials from the Hacienda del Venado, the four travellers awaited in calm meditation the hour of their great trial. Some time passed away before the azure sky above the open clearing was overcast.
"If chance bring here any of the companions from whom you so unluckily separated, I exact from you, as the sole return for the service which we have rendered to you, that you will reveal to none of them our presence here. As for your own, you can account for it in any way you like." Gayferos made the required promise, and they then took leave of him.
Dona Rosarita could not quite suppress a sigh: perhaps she expected to be reminded of a familiar name. Gayferos continued the recital of various facts with which the reader is already acquainted. "Alas, Senorita," he continued, "the poor young man was himself captured by the Indians, and his punishment was to avenge the death of their companions."
"Was if in order to precede us here that you came to take leave of us near Tubac?" asked Fabian. "Doubtless did I not tell you so?" replied Gayferos. "I did not understand you thus," said Fabian, who, without seeming to attach much importance to that which was said or done around him, relapsed into the melancholy silence which had become habitual to him.
Fabian fired, but his rifle having a shorter range, the shot only drew from the Indian at whom he aimed a cry of rage. But Pepe had reloaded, and stood ready to fire again. There was a moment's hesitation among the Indians, by which Bois-Rose profited to draw towards him the body of the unlucky Gayferos.
Starting up, "It shall never be said," cried he, "that in my presence I suffered such a wrong to be done to so famous a knight as Don Gayferos. Stop your unjust pursuit, ye base rascals! Stop! or prepare to meet me in battle." Then, drawing his sword, with one spring he fell with fury on the Moors, hacking some in pieces, beheading others, and sending the rest flying into every corner.
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