Unfortunately, his horse answered the rope bridle clumsily, and splashed in striking out.

The watcher quickly raised his head, and Clarence knew that his only chance was now to suppress him.

Determined to do this at any hazard, with a threatening gesture he charged boldly down upon him.
But he had not crossed half the distance between them when the man uttered an appalling cry, so wild and despairing that it seemed to chill even the hot blood in Clarence's veins, and dashed frenziedly down the cross-road into the interminable plain.

Before Clarence could determine if that cry was a signal or an involuntary outburst, it was followed instantly by the sound of frightened and struggling hoofs clattering against the wall of the casa, and a swaying of the shrubbery near the back gate of the patio.

Here was his real quarry! Without hesitation he dug his heels into the flanks of his horse and rode furiously towards it.