by Mayne Reid
CHAPTER SIX.
All who had horses followed the cibolero, who now directed himselftowards a path that led from the valley to the table above. This pathwound up the cliffs by zigzag turnings, and was the only one by whichthe upper plain could be reached at that point. A corresponding roadtraversed the opposite bluff, so that the valley might be here crossed;and this was the only practicable crossing for several miles up anddown.
Though but a thousand feet separated the valley and table-land, the pathleading from one to the other was nearly a mile in length; and as it wasseveral miles from the scene of the festival to the bottom of the cliff,only those accompanied Carlos who were mounted, with a few othersdetermined to witness every manoeuvre of this fearful attempt. Ofcourse, the officers were of the party who went up. The rest of thepeople remained in the valley, but moved forward in the direction of thecliffs, so that they would be able to observe the more interesting andthrilling part of the spectacle.
For more than an hour those on the plain were kept waiting; but they didnot allow the time to pass unimproved. A _monte_ table had been spreadout over which both gold and silver changed hands rapidly, the twopadres of the mission being among the highest bettors; and the senoras,among themselves, had a quiet little game of their favourite _chuza_. A"main" between a pair of sturdy chanticleers, one belonging to thealcalde and the other to the _cura_ (!), furnished the interlude foranother half-hour. In this contest the representative of the Church wastriumphant. His grey cock ("pardo") killed the alcalde's red one at asingle blow, by striking one of his long steel galves through thelatter's head. This was regarded as a very interesting and pleasantspectacle by all on the ground--ladies included, and alcalde excepted.
By the time the cock-fight was finished, the attention of the crowdbecame directed to the movements of the party who had gone up to theupper plain. These were now seen along the edge of the cliff, and bytheir manoeuvres it was evident they were engaged in arranging thepreliminaries of the perilous adventure. Let us join them.
The cibolero, on gaining the ground, pointed out the spot where he hadproposed to execute his daring design. From the plain above the cliffswere not visible, and even the great abyss of the valley itself couldnot be seen a hundred paces back from the edge of the bluff. There wasno escarpment or slope of any kind. The turf ran in to the very edge ofthe precipice, and on the same level with the rest of the plain. It wassmooth and firm--covered with a short sward of _gramma_ grass. Therewas neither break nor pebble to endanger the hoof. No accident couldarise from that cause.
The spot chosen, as already stated, was a sort of buttress-likepromontory that stood out from the line of bluffs. This formation wasmore conspicuous from below. Viewing it from above, it resembled atongue-like continuation of the plain.
Carlos first rode out to its extremity, and carefully examined the turf.It was just of the proper firmness to preclude the possibility of ahorse's hoof either sliding or sinking into it. He was accompanied byVizcarra, Roblado, and others. Many approached the spot, but kept at asafe distance from the edge of the horrid steep. Though denizens ofthis land of grand geological features, there were many present whodreaded to stand upon the brow of that fearful ledge and look below.
The cibolero sat upon his horse, on its very edge, as calm as if he hadbeen on the banks of the zequia, and directed the marking of the line.His horse showed no symptoms of nervousness. It was evident he waswell-trained to such situations. Now and then he stretched out hisneck, gazed down into the valley, and, recognising some of his kindbelow, uttered a shrill neigh. Carlos purposely kept him on the cliff,in order to accustom him to it before making the terrible trial.
The line was soon traced, less than two lengths of the horse from thelast grass on the turf. Vizcarra and Roblado would have insisted uponshort measure; but their proposal to curtail it was received withmurmurs of disapprobation and mutterings of "Shame!"
What did these men want? Though not evident to the crowd, theycertainly desired the death of the cibolero. Both had their reasons.Both hated the man. The cause or causes of their hatred were of lategrowth,--with Roblado still later than his Comandante. He had observedsomething within the hour that had rendered him furious. He hadobserved the waving of that white kerchief; and as he stood by the standhe had seen to whom the "adios" was addressed. It had filled him withastonishment and indignation; and his language to Carlos had assumed abullying and brutal tone.
Horrible as such a supposition may seem, both he and Vizcarra would haverejoiced to see the cibolero tumble over the bluff. Horrible indeed itseems; but such were the men, and the place, and the times, that thereis nothing improbable in it. On the contrary, cases of equalbarbarity--wishes and _acts_ still more inhuman--are by no means rareunder the skies of "Nuevo Mexico."
The young ranchero, who had accompanied the party to the upper plain,insisted upon fair play. Though but a ranchero, he was classed amongthe "ricos," and, being a fellow of spirit, urged Carlos' rights, evenin the face of the moustached and scowling militarios.
"Here, Carlos!" cried he, while the arrangements were progressing; "Isee you are bent on this madness; and since I cannot turn you from it, Ishall not embarrass you. But you sha'n't risk yourself for such atrifle. My purse! bet what sum you will."
As he said this, he held out a purse to the cibolero, which, from itsbulk, evidently contained a large, amount.
Carlos regarded the purse for a moment without making answer. He wasevidently gratified by the noble offer. His countenance showed that hewas deeply touched by the kindness of the youth. "No," said he, atlength; "no, Don Juan. I thank you with all my heart, but I cannot takeyour purse--one onza, nothing more. I should like to stake one againstthe Comandante."
"As many as you please," urged the ranchero.
"Thank you, Don Juan! only one--that with my own will be two.--Twoonzas!--that, in faith, is the largest bet I have ever made. _Vaya_! apoor cibolero staking a double onza!"
"Well, then," replied Don Juan, "if you don't, I shall. ColonelVizcarra!" said he aloud, addressing himself to the Comandante, "Isuppose you would like to win back your wager. Carlos will now takeyour bet for the onza, and I challenge you to place ten."
"Agreed!" said the Comandante, stiffly.
"Dare you double it?" inquired the ranchero.
"Dare I, sir?" echoed the Colonel, indignant at being thus challenged inthe presence of the spectators. "Quadruple it, if you wish, sir."
"Quadruple then!" retorted the other. "Forty onzas that Carlos performsthe feat!"
"Enough! deposit your stakes!"
The golden coins were counted out, and held by one of the bystanders,and judges were appointed.
The arrangements having been completed, the spectators drew back uponthe plain, and left the cibolero in full possession of the promontory--alone with his horse.