In another moment the vacqueros had hastily mounted, and, with Clarence at their head, were dashing down the road towards Santa Inez.

Here he spread them in open order in the grain, on either side of the track, himself taking the road.
They did not proceed very far.

For when they had reached the gradual slope which marked the decline to the second terrace, Clarence, obeying an instinct as irresistible as it was unaccountable, which for the last few moments had been forcing itself upon him, ordered a halt.

The casa and corral had already sunk in the plain behind them; it was the spot where the lasso had been thrown at him a few evenings before! Bidding the men converge slowly towards the road, he went on more cautiously, with his eyes upon the track before him.

Presently he stopped.