The Pirates of the Prairies

n to Valentine an

ntains; and, about midnight, they stopped at the base of an enorm

unted. His companions followed his example, an

e," he said, "your dwelli

tranger hoarsely answer

distinct forms, ran rapidly along the slopes, bounding with extreme velocity until they arrived close to the astonished travellers, who found themselves all at once sur

," the stranger s

emarked, "You have

e. On many occasions, I have put their attachment to rude tr

o can speak thus is very strong, especial

no answer, but tur

s Shaw?"

man he had asked after

ne exclaimed, "

itle he belongs to me. Now," he added "come, my guests, do not remain any

e ascent was ruder still. It was easy to recognise the steps of a staircase, beneath the roots, creepers, and brambles that overgrew them. The

ped before an excavation made by human hands, throu

son, as he turned to his friends, "to find

Miguel, that I d

," Valentine said with a smile; "this mountain,

oyance he tried in vain to hide, "I have placed

s that it was in this country the Aztecs assemble

dson remarked, "you were well acquain

abitants; yes, se?or caba

torches, fixed in iron sockets, spread a fairylike light over this hall. Bloodson did the honours of this strange abode, as a man perfectly versed in the habits of civilised life. A few min

st; the latter, with the penetration and knowledge of mankind he possessed, at once notic

ering a word, though he did not lose a syllable of what was said around him, and his

on piles of dry leaves which served them as beds. The hunters remained alone with their host, and at a sign from the latter, Shaw took a place by

thing is more simple; the men you, have seen belong to all the Indian tribes that traverse the desert; only one of them is a white man, and that is Shaw

d myself picked up the poor wretch, who gave no sig

nemies, they have sought a refuge with me. There is now another point, I desire to clear up, in o

s bowed re

not ask for yours. We are connected by the strongest bond that can attach men, a common hatred

lly formidable, Don Valentine, as you were good enough to observe, is employed by me to act as the police of the desert; repulsed by the world, I resolved to revenge myself on it by pursuing and destroying those pirates of the prairies who attack and p

hand sympathisingly; "the man who thus comprehends his mission on earth must be one

ults and much miscomprehension. And now, caballeros, I place at your disposal the men who are devote

on is cunning, and we shall only succeed in conquering him by employing the same. A considerable party is soon tracked on the

e then, my friend?

emerge, by securing allies among all the desert Indians; but it is understood that these allies w

though difficult and da

me: tomorrow, at daybreak, Curumilla and myself will go in search o

on Miguel; "an

rn you of the spot where he is. During that time you will have formed alliances

ple, and for that very reason must succeed.

ected; "but why should we

we are about to carry on, a war composed entirely of ambushes and treachery. You and our friends, in spite of your well-known courage, and I might almost say,

riend is in the right, leave him to act

accent of conviction; "that is why I wish

o clever and determined as those we have to fight with, nothing must be left to accident

life you would be obliged to lead; but I am going. I am strong, able to stand fatigue, and long accustomed by Valentine himself to the terrible demands of the desert life

t so," he said to him. "You will come with us, Pablo:

"You have removed an immense weight from my heart. Poo

must take with you, Don

" Valent

departed, I shall go and visit the Indian villages:

ow is it to

ll accom

the young man's eye, althou

ows my hiding places, will be sent off by you to a

lly. Valentine examined him for a moment

or this young man has a greater interest than we suppose in

d his eyes

left. I believe that we have come to a perfect understanding, and that w

entine said, "for I inte

r horses

want them; a trail can only

a man on foot ca

ds, each rose to go and throw h

rm and clutched it firmly, as h

store me my

e hunter said, wit

paces, but then hurriedly re

on," he said in

d, my friend," th

d the hunter's hand, utt

ep in the Teocali, with the exception of the