"Ay!" exclaimed Adan, interrupting these pleasant anticipations, "it
rains at last."
A few drops fell; then the rain came with a rush. For some time the wind
had been rising; suddenly it seemed to leap upward to meet the emptying
clouds, then filled the pine-tops with a great roar, rattling the hard
branches, bending the slender trunks. The boys were on the down grade,
and there was no danger of losing the path, although the rain had put
out the sallow flame of the sun. They pricked their horses and made the
descent as rapidly as possible. But it was another hour before they were
on level ground once more. The rain was still falling in torrents; the
wind flung it in their eyes as fast as they dashed it from their lashes.
They could not see a yard ahead. The light of the hacienda was nowhere
visible. If its owner was away from home and his house in darkness, then
was their plight a sorry one indeed.
"There is only one thing to do," said Roldan, putting his hand funnel-
wise to Adan's ear. "We must keep due south until we come to the river.
Then, at least, we cannot go wrong."
"And that river we must cross!" said Adan, with a groan.
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