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The zambo's woolly head over the pickets had reflected itself a dozen times on the major's terrified imagination. After examining the corral, I found it excellent for our purpose, provided we could only succeed in driving the mules into it; and, throwing open the bars, we proceeded to make the attempt. The mules were browsing quietly at the distance of a quarter of a mile from the corral.
People say they are haunted; after dark nobody will come near them. But we must not stay many minutes. Take off the zambo's shirt and trousers, and put on your shoes and stockings there they are and I shall doff my cloak of religion." "What next?"
It was quite dark when I at last turned back to our stricken camp, and my last vision as I went was the red gleam of Zambo's fire, the one point of light in the wide world below, as was his faithful presence in my own shadowed soul.
Leaving it all where we descended, we started at once for Zambo's camp. In the early morning we approached it, but only to find, to our amazement, not one fire but a dozen upon the plain. The rescue party had arrived. There were twenty Indians from the river, with stakes, ropes, and all that could be useful for bridging the chasm.
"So far, well," says Carmen, "if we only get safely through the patio and pass the guard! Put the sombrero over your face, imitate the zambo's shuffling gait, and walk carelessly by my side, as if you were conducting me to the gate and a short way down the street. Have you your dagger! Good! Open the door and let us go forth. One word more! If it comes to a fight, back to back.
For all that there was a chance, as the yellow hunter well knew; and it was that which caused him at intervals to mutter "Dam! fear dog give us trouble, boy Pepe." To this the zambo's only response was the bitter shibboleth "Carajo!" showing that both were uneasy about the dog.
Both are powerful men, and cunning as strong; but the mulatto is the zambo's master in everything, villainy not excepted. Neither is troubled with scruples. They would be the very men for our purpose." "And why not get them at once?" "Therein lies the difficulty unfortunately they are not here at present. They are off upon a hunt.
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