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diff --git a/25127.txt b/25127.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a0c7d58 --- /dev/null +++ b/25127.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15728 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tiger Hunter, by Mayne Reid + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Tiger Hunter + +Author: Mayne Reid + +Release Date: April 22, 2008 [EBook #25127] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TIGER HUNTER *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + + + +The Tiger Hunter, by Captain Mayne Reid. + +________________________________________________________________________ +Strictly speaking this book is a free translation by Reid (1818-1883) of +an earlier (1851) book by the Frenchman Luis de Bellemare (pseudonym of +Gabriel Ferry, 1809-1852), "Costal l'Indien." The subject is the +1811-1812 Mexican War of Independence from Spain. Reid, having fought +in the Mexican-American War of the 1850s, and having written books about +the subject, would have wanted to make this excellent book available to +an English-speaking readership, and his translation was published in +1861 with the title "A Hero In Spite Of Himself." The edition used was +published by Routledge in 1890, some years after the author's death, +with the title "The Tiger Hunter," which is what Costal was, though the +tigers referred to were actually jaguars. + +The type-setting in this book was not very good, and it seems likely +that Routledge used the type from an earlier edition. To make matters +worse practically every page of the copy used had been defaced by a +rubber stamp of a previous owner, which made a day's work for the +transcriber to clean up. Nevertheless the result is excellent, the book +is very readable, and it makes a good audiobook. + +________________________________________________________________________ +THE TIGER HUNTER, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. + + + +PROLOGUE. + +During one of many journeyings through the remote provinces of the +Mexican republic, it was my fortune to encounter an old revolutionary +officer, in the person of Captain Castanos. From time to time as we +travelled together, he was good enough to give me an account of some of +the more noted actions of the prolonged and sanguinary war of the +Independence; and, among other narratives, one which especially +interested me was the famed battle of the _Puente de Calderon_, where +the Captain himself had fought during the whole length of a summer's +day! + +Of all the leaders of the Mexican revolution, there was none in whose +history I felt so much interest as in the _priest-soldier_, Morelos--or, +as he is familiarly styled in Mexican annals, the "illustrious +Morelos"--and yet there was none of whose private life I could obtain so +few details. His public career having become historic, was, of course, +known to every one who chose to read of him. But what I desired was a +more personal and intimate knowledge of this remarkable man, who from +being the humble curate of an obscure village in Oajaca, became in a few +short months the victorious leader of a well-appointed army, and master +of all the southern provinces of New Spain. + +"Can you give me any information regarding Morelos?" I asked of Captain +Castanos, as we were journeying along the route between Tepic and +Guadalaxara. + +"Ah! Morelos? he was a great soldier," replied the ex-captain of +guerilleros. "In the single year of 1811, he fought no less than +twenty-six battles with the Spaniards. Of these he won twenty-two; and +though he lost the other four, each time he retreated with honour--" + +"Hum! I know all that already," said I, interrupting my +fellow-traveller. "You are narrating history to me, while I want only +chronicles. In other words, I want to hear those more private and +particular details of Morelos' life which the historians have not +given." + +"Ah! I understand you," said the captain, "and I am sorry that I cannot +satisfy your desires: since, during the war I was mostly engaged in the +northern provinces, and had no opportunity of knowing much of Morelos +personally. But if my good friend, Don Cornelio Lantejas, is still +living at Tepic, when we arrive there, I shall put you in communication +with him. He can tell you more about Morelos than any other living man: +since he was _aide-de-camp_ to the General through all his campaigns, +and served him faithfully up to the hour of his death." + +Our conversation here ended, for we had arrived at the inn where we +intended to pass the night--the _Venta de la Sierra Madre_. + +Early on the following morning, before any one had yet arisen, I left my +chamber--in a corner of which, rolled in his ample _manga_, Captain +Castanos was still soundly asleep. Without making any noise to disturb +him, I converted my coverlet into a cloak--that is, I folded my serape +around my shoulders, and walked forth from the inn. Other travellers, +along with the people of the hostelry inside, with the domestics and +muleteers out of doors, were still slumbering profoundly, and an +imposing silence reigned over the mountain platform on which the venta +stood. + +Nothing appeared awake around me save the voices of the _sierras_, that +never sleep--with the sound of distant waterfalls, as they rushed +through vast ravines, keeping up, as it were, an eternal dialogue +between the highest summits of the mountains and the deepest gulfs that +yawned around their bases. + +I walked forward to the edge of the table-like platform on which the +venta was built; and halting there stood listening to these mysterious +conversations of nature. And at once it appeared to me that other +sounds were mingling with them--sounds that suggested the presence of +human beings. At first they appeared like the intonations of a hunter's +horn--but of so harsh and hoarse a character, that I could scarcely +believe them to be produced by such an instrument. As a profound +silence succeeded, I began to think my senses had been deceiving me; but +once more the same rude melody broke upon my ears, in a tone that, taken +in connexion with the place where I listened to it, impressed me with an +idea of the supernatural. It had something of the character of those +horns used by the shepherds of the Swiss valleys; and it seemed to +ascend out of the bottom of a deep ravine that yawned far beneath my +feet. + +I stepped forward to the extreme edge of the rock, and looked downwards. +Again the hoarse cornet resounded in my ears; and this time so near, +that I no longer doubted as to its proceeding from some human agency. +In fact, the moment after, a man's form appeared ascending from below, +along the narrow pathway that zigzagged up the face of the cliff. + +I had scarce time to make this observation, when the man, suddenly +turning the angle of the rock, stood close by my side, where he halted +apparently to recover his breath. + +His costume at once revealed to me that he was an Indian; though his +garments, his tall stature, and haughty mien, lent to him an aspect +altogether different from that of most of the Indians I had hitherto +encountered in Mexico. The proud air with which he bore himself, the +fiery expression of his eye, his athletic limbs, and odd apparel, were +none of them in keeping with the abject mien which now characterises the +descendants of the ancient masters of Anahuac. In the grey light of the +morning, I could see suspended from his shoulders the instrument that +had made the mysterious music--a large sea-shell--a long, slender, +curved conch, that hung glistening under his arm. + +Struck with the singular appearance of this man, I could not help +entering into conversation with him; though he appeared as if he would +have passed me without speaking a word. + +"You are early abroad, friend?" I remarked. + +"Yes, master," he replied; "early for a man as old as I am." + +I could not help regarding this as a jest; for over the shoulders of the +Indian fell immense masses of jet black hair, which seemed to give +contradiction to the statement of his being an old man. + +I looked more narrowly into his countenance. His bronzed skin appeared +to cling closely to his angular features, but there were none of those +deep furrows that betray the presence of advanced age. + +"How old are you?" I asked at length. + +"That I cannot tell, cavallero," replied he. "I tried from the time I +was able to distinguish the dry season from that of the rains to keep an +account of my age; and I succeeded in doing so up till I was fifty. +After that, for particular reasons, I did not care to know it, and so I +left off counting." + +"You say you are more than fifty years old?" and as I put this inquiry I +glanced at the long purple black tresses that hung over his shoulders. + +"Nearly half as much more," was the reply. "You are looking at the +colour of my hair. There are ravens who have seen a hundred seasons of +rain without having a feather whitened. Ah! what matters the course of +years to me? A raven croaked upon the roof of my father's cabin when I +was born, at the same instant that my father had traced upon the floor +the figure of one of these birds. Well, then! of course I shall live as +long as that raven lives. What use then to keep a reckoning of years +that cannot be numbered?" + +"You think, then, that your life is in some way attached to that of the +raven that perched on the paternal roof when you came into the world?" + +"It is the belief of my ancestors, the Zapoteques, and it is also mine," +seriously responded the Indian. + +It was not my desire to combat the superstitions of the Zapoteques; and, +dropping the subject, I inquired from him his purpose in carrying the +conch--whether it was for whiling away his time upon the journey, or +whether there was not also connected with it some other belief of his +ancestors? + +The Indian hesitated a moment before making reply. + +"It is only a remembrance of my country," he said, after a short +silence. "When I hear the echoes of the Sierra repeat the sounds of my +shell, I can fancy myself among the mountains of Tehuantepec, where I +used to hunt the tiger--in pursuing my profession of _tigrero_. Or at +other times I may fancy it to be the signals of the pearl-seekers in the +Gulf, when I followed the calling of a _buzo_ (diver); for I have hunted +the sea tigers who guard the banks of pearls under the water, as I have +those that ravage the herds of cattle upon the great savannas. But time +passes, cavallero; I must say good day to you. I have to reach the +hacienda of Portezuelo by noon, and it's a long journey to make in the +time. _Puez, adios, cavallero_!" + +So saying, the Indian strode off with that measured step peculiar to his +race; and was soon lost to my sight, as he descended into the ravine on +the opposite side of the plateau. + +As I returned towards the inn I could hear the prolonged notes of his +marine trumpet rising up out of the chasm, and reverberating afar off +against the precipitous sides of the Sierra Madre. + +"What the devil is all this row about?" inquired Captain Ruperto +Castanos, as he issued forth from the venta. + +I recounted to him the interview I had just had; and the singular +communications I had received from the Indian. + +"It don't astonish me," said he; "the Zapoteques are still more pagan +than Christian, and given to superstitious practices to a greater degree +than any other Indians in Mexico. Our Catholic _curas_ in their +villages are there only for the name of the thing, and as a matter of +formality. The business of the worthy padres among them must be a +perfect sinecure. I fancy I understand what the fellow meant, well +enough. Whenever a Zapoteque woman is about to add one to the number of +their community, the expectant father of the child assembles all his +relations in his cabin; and, having traced out the figures of certain +animals on the floor, he rubs them out one after another in their turn. +That which is being blotted out, at the precise moment when the child is +born, is called its _tona_. They believe that, ever after, the life of +the newborn is connected in some mysterious manner with that of the +animal which is its _tona_; and that when the latter dies so will the +former! The child thus consecrated to the tona, while growing up, seeks +out some animal of the kind, takes care of it, and pays respect to it, +as the negroes of Africa do to their _fetish_." + +"It is to be presumed, then, that the Indian father will make choice +only of such animals as may be gifted with longevity?" + +The captain made no reply to my suggestion, farther than to say that the +Zapoteque Indians were a brave race, easily disciplined, and out of whom +excellent soldiers had been made during the war of the Revolution. + +After a hasty _desayuno_ at the venta, my travelling companion and I +resumed our journey; and, crossing the second great chain of the Mexican +Andes, at the end of six days of fatiguing travel we reached the ancient +town of Tepic. + +Here it was necessary for me to remain some time, awaiting the arrival +of important letters which I expected to receive from the capital of +Mexico. + +During the first week of my stay at Tepic, I saw but very little of my +fellow-voyager--who was all the time busy with his own affairs, and most +part of it absent from the little _fonda_ where we had taken up our +abode. What these affairs might be, God only knows; but I could not +help thinking that the worthy ex-captain of guerilleros carried on his +commercial transactions, as in past times he had his military ones--a +little after the partisan fashion, and not altogether in accordance with +legal rules. + +After all, it was no affair of mine. What most concerned me, was that +with all his running about he had not yet been able to meet with his +friend, Don Cornelio Lantejas--whom no one in Tepic seemed to know +anything of--and I was beginning to suspect that the existence of this +individual was as problematical as the business of the captain himself, +when a lucky chance led to the discovery of the ex-aide-de-camp of +Morelos. + +"Don Ruperto appears to have gone crazy," said Dona Faustina, our +hostess of the fonda, one morning as I seated myself to breakfast. + +"Why, Dona Faustina?" I inquired. + +"Because, Cavallero," replied she, evidently piqued at the captain's +disregard of her hospitable board, "he is hardly ever here at meal +times, and when he does show himself, it is so late that the _tortillas +enchiladas_ are quite cold, and scarce fit to eat." + +"Ah, senora!" replied I, by way of excusing the irregularity of the +captain's habits, "that is not astonishing. An old soldier of the +Revolution is not likely to be very punctual about his time of eating." + +"That is no reason at all," rejoined the hostess. "We have here, for +instance, the good _presbitero_, Don Lucas de Alacuesta, who was an +insurgent officer through the whole campaign of the illustrious Morelos, +and yet he is to-day a very model of regularity in his habits." + +"What! an officer of Morelos, was he?" + +"Certainly; all the world knows that." + +"Do you chance to know another old officer of Morelos, who is said to +live here in Tepic, Don Cornelio Lantejas?" + +"Never heard of him, Senor." + +At this moment Don Ruperto's voice sounded outside, announcing his +return from one of his matutinal expeditions. + +"To the devil with your tortillas and black beans!" cried he, rushing +into the room, and making answer to the reproaches of his hostess. "No, +Dona Faustina--I have breakfasted already; and what is more, I shall +dine to-day as a man should dine--with viands at discretion, and wine, +as much as I can drink, of the best vintage of Xeres! I have +breakfasted to-day, good clerical fashion. Who with, do you think?" +asked he, turning to me. + +"Don Lucas de Alacuesta, perhaps?" + +"Precisely; otherwise Don Cornelio Lantejas, who, on changing his +profession, has made a slight alteration in his name; and who, but for a +lucky chance, I should never have found till the day of judgment, since +the worthy _presbitero_ hardly ever stirs out from his house. Who would +have believed that an old soldier of the Independence should so change +his habits? In fact, however, we have had so many priests turned +officers during the Revolution, that it is only natural one officer +should become a priest, by way of compensation." + +In continuation, Don Ruperto announced to me, that we were both invited +to dine with his old acquaintance; and further, that the latter had +promised to place at my disposition such souvenirs of the illustrious +Morelos as I desired to be made acquainted with. + +I eagerly accepted the invitation; and in three hours after under the +conduct of the captain, I entered the domicile of the worthy padre, Don +Lucas de Alacuesta. It was a large house, situated near the outskirts +of the town, with an extensive garden, enclosed by a high wall, rendered +still higher by a stockade of the organ cactus that grew along its top. + +We found our host awaiting us--a thin little man, of some fifty years of +age, nimble in his movements, and extremely courteous and affable. He +appeared to be one who occupied himself, much less with the affairs of +his parish, than with the cultivation of his garden, and the +preservation of entomological specimens--of which he possessed a +bountiful collection. + +Nothing either in his speech or features, as in those of Captain +Castanos, recalled the _ex-militario_, who had borne a conspicuous part +in the long and bloody campaigns of the revolutionary war. + +It is not necessary to give any details of the dinner--which was after +the fashion of the Mexican _cuisine_, and excellent of its kind. +Neither shall I repeat the conversation upon general topics; but enter +at once upon those scenes described by the ex-aide-de-camp of Morelos, +and that of which our drama has been constructed. + + + +CHAPTER ONE. + +THE GRITO OF HIDALGO. + +The great revolutionary war of 1790 was not confined to France, nor yet +to Europe. Crossing the Atlantic, it equally affected the nations of +the New World--especially those who for three centuries had submitted to +the yoke of Spain. These, profiting by the example set them by the +English colonies in the north, had taken advantage of the confusion of +affairs in Europe, and declared their independence of the mother +country. + +Of the Spanish-American vice-kingdoms, New Spain--or Mexico more +properly called--was the last to raise the standard of independence; and +perhaps had the wise measures of her viceroy, Iturrigaray, been endorsed +by the court of Madrid, the revolution might have been still further +delayed, if not altogether prevented. + +Don Jose Iturrigaray, then vice-king of New Spain, on the eve of the +insurrection had deemed it wise policy to grant large political +concessions to the Creoles, or native white population of the country, +and confer upon them certain rights of citizenship hitherto withheld +from them. + +These concessions might have satisfied the Creoles with the government +of the mother country, and perhaps rendered their loyalty permanent. +Mexico, like Cuba, might still have been a "precious jewel" in the +Spanish crown, had it not been that the decrees of Iturrigaray produced +dissatisfaction in another quarter--that is, among the pure Spaniards +themselves--the _Gachupinos_, or colonists from Old Spain, established +in Mexico; and who had up to this time managed the government of the +country, to the complete exclusion of the Creoles from every office of +honour or emolument. + +These egoists, considering the acts of the viceroy ruinous to their +selfish interests, and the privileges they had hitherto enjoyed, seized +upon his person, and sent him to Spain to give an account of his +conduct. + +Tyrannous counsels prevailed; the prudent plans of Iturrigaray were +rejected, and Mexico fell back into the same political bondage under +which she had groaned since the conquest of Cortez. + +The dismissal of Iturrigaray took place in 1808. The Gachupinos were +not without apprehensions of an outbreak; but as two years passed over +in tranquillity, their doubts became dissipated, and they ceased to +believe in the possibility of such an event. + +Theirs was but fancied security, and lasted only two years. In 1810 it +was abruptly terminated by the rising of Hidalgo in one of the northern +provinces, the news of which event descended upon the Gachupinos like a +thunderbolt. + +Strange enough that a priest should be the leader of this movement in +favour of liberty: since it was through priestly influence that Mexico +had all along been governed and oppressed! But in truth Hidalgo, and +the other priests who figured in this insurrection, were a very +different class of men from the great metropolitan ecclesiastics of the +capital and the larger cities, who conducted the affairs of state. +Hidalgo was but a simple village _cura_--a child of the people--and so, +too, were most of the other patriot priests who espoused the popular +cause. + +In October 1810, Hidalgo had nearly one hundred thousand men in the +ranks of his army. They were badly armed and equipped, but still +formidable from their very numbers. This immense host, which consisted +principally of native Indians, overspreading the country like a torrent, +could not fail to produce consternation in the minds of the Gachupinos. + +Even among the Creoles themselves it created a certain confusion of +ideas. All these were the sons or descendants of Spaniards, and of +course connected with the latter by ties of consanguinity. It was but +natural, therefore, that some of them should believe it to be their duty +to take the part of the government against the insurrection, while +others should sacrifice the ties of family relationship to the more +noble idea of liberating their country from a foreign yoke. + +This difference of opinion among the Creoles existed only in families of +the higher and wealthier classes. Among the poorer Mexicans--the +people--whether white or half caste, there existed only one sentiment, +and that was in favour of independence from Spain. The Indians of pure +blood had their own ideas. They had been more enslaved than the +Creoles, and of course readily united with them for the expulsion of the +Spaniard--their common oppressor. Some of them also indulged in the +idle dream that circumstances might restore the ancient splendour of the +Aztec race. + + + +CHAPTER TWO. + +AN IRKSOME JOURNEY. + +In a morning of the month of October, a solitary traveller was pursuing +his route across the vast plains which extend from the limits of the +state of Vera Cruz through that of Oajaca. It is scarcely necessary to +say that the traveller was on horseback--in a country where no one ever +thinks of journeying on foot. He was armed also, as well as mounted; +but both horse and weapon were of such an indifferent character as to be +ill suited for an encounter with an enemy of any kind. This, too, in a +country just then in a state of revolution, where the traveller might +expect to meet with an enemy at any moment--either a political +adversary, or one of those professional bandits with whom Mexico at this +time abounded, and who robbed all alike, irrespective of party. + +The only weapon our traveller possessed was an old curved sabre; but it +was doubtful whether it could be drawn from its iron scabbard, which +appeared as rusty as if it had lain for years at the bottom of a river. +It was carried obliquely along the flap of the saddle, and under the +thigh of the horseman--the common mode in Mexico--thus transferring the +weight of the weapon from the hip of the rider to the ribs of his horse. + +The steed of our traveller showed evident signs of having been at one +time the property of some _picador de toros_: as was manifested by the +numerous scars that traversed his flanks and counter; but whatever good +qualities he may have once possessed, he was evidently now one of the +sorriest of jades--worth no more than the value of his own skin. +Notwithstanding the repeated strokes of the spur, which his rider +administered without stint, it was impossible to force him into anything +more rapid than a shambling walk, and at this slow pace was he +proceeding, evidently to the great chagrin of the impatient traveller. + +The costume of the horseman thus ill mounted consisted of a sort of +jacket of white cotton stuff, with open _calzoneros_ of olive-coloured +velveteen. On his feet were short boots of goat-skin--dressed in +imitation of cordovar leather--and covering his head was a broad-brimmed +hat of common palmetto plait. Though not positively shabby, his +garments had the appearance of having been a long time in wear, out of +regard to economy. There was something, however, in their cut and +texture that bespoke the wearer to belong to a class above that of the +mere peasant. + +He was a young man--apparently two or three and twenty--of slender +figure and rather thin in flesh. His countenance bespoke gentleness of +disposition, amounting almost to simplicity; and this would have been +the impression produced upon an observer, but for a pair of lively +spiritual eyes that sparkled in sockets somewhat sunken. These, +combined with a well-formed mouth, and lips of a sarcastic cut, relieved +the otherwise too ingenuous expression of his features, and proved that +the young man was capable, when occasion required, of exhibiting a +considerable power of repartee and acute observation. Just then the +predominant expression upon his features was that of chagrin, mixed with +a certain degree of uneasiness. + +The scenes through which he was passing were of a character to cause +apprehension--especially to one journeying alone. On all sides extended +a vast plain of sterile soil--the brown earth but thinly covered with a +growth of cactus and wild aloes, under the shadow of which appeared a +sparse herbage, wild, and of yellowish hue. The aspect was monotonous +and dreary beyond expression; while here and there vast clouds of dust +rose in whirlwinds, and moved like spectres over the plain. The +straggling huts encountered at long intervals on the way were all +empty--apparently abandoned by their owners! This strange circumstance +combined with the heat of a tropic sun, the absence of all signs of +water, the profound silence that reigned over these solitary steppes, +had created a sense of discouragement in the mind of the young +traveller, amounting almost to fear. + +Notwithstanding a liberal use of the spur, his horse could not be +induced to depart from a walk. If by a desperate effort he was once or +twice forced into a trot it was only to return again to his old gait as +soon as the spur was taken from his flanks. The painful exertions of +the rider had no other result than to cause the perspiration to flow +profusely over his face, rendering it necessary for him every now and +then to make use of his pocket-kerchief. + +"_Maldito cavallo_!" (Good-for-nothing beast!) he exclaimed at +intervals as his patience became exhausted; but the horse, fatigued with +a long journey, was as insensible to the insults of his rider's speech +as he had been to the strokes of his spur, and moved not a whit the +faster. + +Wearied with these idle efforts to increase the speed of the animal, the +young traveller turned in his saddle and looked back. His object was to +compare the route he had come with that which lay before him--in order +to form some calculation as to the distance yet to be travelled before +he could reach the other side of the desert plain. + +The observation did not appear to gratify him. On the contrary, his +countenance became clouded with a still deeper shade of chagrin; and, +abandoning himself to a complete despair, he made no further attempt to +urge forward his unwilling roadster, but left the sorry brute to his +creeping pace. + +For several hours the traveller kept on his slow course--his spirit +alternately exasperated and depressed. + +Mid-day had arrived, and the tropic sun, glaring down vertically from a +cloudless sky, was causing a degree of heat almost intolerable. The +breeze had ceased to cool the atmosphere; and even the dry leaves of the +trees hung motionless from the boughs. At every moment the horse, +crawling painfully forward, threatened to become motionless as they. + +Suffering from thirst, and wearied with the journey he had already made, +the young traveller at length dismounted, and threw his bridle-rein over +the neck of his horse. He had no fear that the animal would take +advantage of the freedom thus given him. There was not the slightest +danger of its running away. + +Leaving the steed to himself, therefore, the rider walked towards a +clump of _nopals_--in hopes of finding some fruit upon them, by which he +might relieve his thirst. + +As good luck would have it, he was not deceived in his expectation. The +_nopals_ were in fruit; and having plucked a number of these "Indian +figs," and stripped them of their spinous skins, he was enabled, by +swallowing a quantity of the sweetish pulp, to allay in some measure the +excessive thirst that had been hitherto torturing him. Thus satisfied, +he once more mounted into his saddle, and continued his interrupted +journey. + + + +CHAPTER THREE. + +AN ENIGMA. + +After riding several miles farther, he arrived at a small village, +situated in the same plain through which he had been journeying. There, +as all along the route, he found the houses deserted and abandoned by +their owners! Not a soul was to be seen--no one to offer him +hospitality; and as nothing could be found in the empty houses--neither +food to satisfy his hunger, nor water to quench his thirst--the +traveller was compelled to ride on without halting. "_Cosa estrana_!" +muttered he to himself, "what on earth can be the meaning of this +complete depopulation?" + +In addition to the desertion of the houses, another odd circumstance had +struck his attention. Almost at every hut which he passed, he saw +canoes and _periaguas_ suspended from the branches of the trees, and +raised many feet above the ground! In a part of the country where there +is neither lake nor river--not so much as the tiniest stream--no wonder +the sight astonished our traveller, considering that he was a stranger +to the district, and had not yet encountered a single individual who +might explain the ludicrous phenomenon. + +Just as he was pondering over an explanation of these singularities, a +sound fell upon his ear, that produced within him a feeling of joy. It +was the hoof-stroke of a horse, breaking upon the profound solitude. It +came from behind him; and betokened that some horseman was approaching +in his rear, though still invisible on account of a turning in the road, +which the young traveller had just doubled. + +In a few seconds' time the horseman appeared in sight; and galloping +freely forward, soon came side by side with our traveller. + +"_Santos Dios_!" saluted the new-comer, at the same time raising his +hand to his hat. + +"_Santos Dios_!" responded the young man, with a similar gesture. + +The meeting of two travellers in the midst of a profound solitude is +always an event, which leads to their regarding one another with a +certain degree of curiosity; and such occurred in the present instance. + +He who had just arrived was also a young man--apparently of twenty-four +or twenty-five years; and this conformity of age was the only point in +which the two travellers resembled each other. The new-comer was +somewhat above medium stature, with a figure combining both elegance and +strength. His features were regular and well defined; his eyes black +and brilliant; his moustache thick and curving, and his complexion +deeply embrowned with the sun. All these circumstances tended to show +that he was a man of action; while a certain air of energy and command +bespoke fiery passions, and the hot Arabian blood, which flows in the +veins of many Spanish-Mexican families. + +His horse was a bay-brown, whose slender limbs and sinewy form declared +him also to be descended from an oriental race. The ease with which his +rider managed him, and his firm graceful seat in the saddle, betokened a +horseman of the first quality. + +His costume was both costly and elegant. A vest of unbleached cambric +suited well the heat of the climate. His limbs were covered with +_calzoneros_ of silk velvet of a bright purple colour; while boots of +buff leather, armed with long glancing spurs, encased his feet. A hat +of _vicuna_ cloth, with its trimming of gold lace, completed a costume +half-military, half-civilian. To strengthen its military character a +rapier in a leathern sheath hung from his waist-belt, and a carbine, +suspended in front, rested against the pommel of his saddle. + +"_Puez, amigo_!" said the newly-arrived horseman, after a pause, and +glancing significantly at the back of the traveller. "May I ask if you +have far to go upon that horse?" + +"No, thank goodness!" replied the other; "only to the hacienda of San +Salvador; which, if I'm not mistaken, is scarce six leagues distant." + +"San Salvador? I think I've heard the name. Is it not near to an +estate called hacienda of Las Palmas?" + +"Within two leagues of it, I believe." + +"Ah! then we are following the same route," said he in the laced cap; "I +fear, however," he continued, checking the ardour of his steed, "that +there will soon be some distance between us. Your horse does not appear +to be in any particular hurry?" + +The last speech was accompanied by a significant smile. + +"It is quite true," rejoined the other, also smiling, as he spoke; "and +more than once upon my journey I have had reason to blame the mistaken +economy of my good father, who, instead of letting me have a proper +roadster, has munificently furnished me with a steed that has escaped +from the horns of all the bulls of the Valladolid Circus; the +consequence of which is, that the poor beast cannot see even a cow on +the distant horizon without taking to his heels in the opposite +direction." + +"_Carrambo_! and do you mean to say you have come all the way from +Valladolid on that sorry hack?" + +"Indeed, yes, Senor--only I have been two months on the way." + +Just then the Rosinante of the circus, roused by the presence of the +other horse, appeared to pique himself on a point of honour, and made an +effort to keep up with his new companion. Thanks to the courtesy of the +moustached cavalier, who continued to restrain the ardour of his fine +steed, the two horses kept abreast, and the travellers were left free to +continue the conversation. + +"You have been courteous enough," said the stranger, "to inform me that +you are from Valladolid. In return, let me tell you that I am from +Mexico, and that my name is Rafael Tres-Villas, captain in the Queen's +dragoons." + +"And mine," rejoined the young traveller, "is Cornelio Lantejas, student +in the University of Valladolid." + +"Well, Senor Don Cornelio, can you give me the solution of an enigma +which has puzzled me for two days, and which I have been unable to ask +any one else, for the reason that I have not met with a soul since I +entered this accursed country. How do you explain this complete +solitude--the houses, and villages without inhabitant, and skiffs and +canoes suspended from the trees in a district where you may go ten +leagues without finding a drop of water?" + +"I cannot explain it at all, Senor Don Rafael," replied the student; "it +has equally astonished myself; and more than that--has caused me most +horrible fear." + +"Fear!" echoed the captain of dragoons; "of what?" + +"The truth is, Senor Capitan, I have a bad habit of being more afraid of +dangers which I cannot comprehend, than those which I know. I fear that +the insurrection has gained this province--though I was told to the +contrary--and that the State of Oajaca was perfectly tranquil. Like +enough the people have abandoned their dwellings to avoid falling into +the hands of some party of insurgents that may be scouring the country?" + +"Bah!" exclaimed the dragoon, with a contemptuous toss of his head. +"Poor devils like them are not in the habit of fleeing from marauders. +Besides, the country-people have nothing to fear from those who follow +the banner of the insurrection. In any case, it was not for sailing +through these sandy plains that the canoes and _periaguas_ have been +hung up to the trees? There's some other cause, than the panic of the +insurrection, that has breathed a spirit of vertigo into the people +here; though, for the life of me, I can't guess what it is." + +For a while the two travellers continued their journey in silence--each +absorbed in speculating upon the singular mystery that surrounded them, +and of which neither could give an explanation. + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. + +THE HUNGRY TRAVELLERS. + +The dragoon was the first to resume the conversation. + +"You, Senor Don Cornelio," said he, "you who have come from Valladolid, +perhaps you can give me some later news, than I have received about the +march of Hidalgo and his army?" + +"Not any, I fear," replied the student; "you forget, Senor, that, thanks +to the slow pace of my old horse, I have been two months on the route? +When I left Valladolid, nobody had any more thought of an insurrection +than of a new deluge. All I know of it is what I have heard from public +rumour--that is, so much as could be divulged without fear of the Holy +Inquisition. If, moreover, we are to believe the mandate of the Lord +Bishop of Oajaca, the insurrection will not find many supporters in his +diocese." + +"And for what reason?" asked the captain of dragoons, with a certain +hauteur, which proved, without committing himself to any disclosure of +his political opinions, that the insurgent cause would not find an enemy +in him. "What reason does the bishop assign?" + +"What reason?" replied the student. "Simply because my Lord Bishop +Bergosa y Jordan will excommunicate them. He affirms, moreover, that +every insurgent will be recognisable by his horns and cloven hoofs, +which before long they will all have from the hands of the devil!" + +Instead of smiling at the childish credulity of the young student, the +dragoon shook his head with an air of discontent, while the hairs of his +black moustachios curled with indignation. + +"Yes," said he, as if speaking to himself, "thus is it that our priests +fight with the weapons of calumny and falsehood, perverting the minds of +the Creoles with fanatical superstition! So, Senor Lantejas," he +continued in a louder tone, addressing himself to the student, "you are +afraid to enrol yourself in the ranks of the insurgents, lest you might +obtain these diabolical ornaments promised by the bishop?" + +"Heaven preserve me from doing such a thing!" replied the student. "Is +it not an article of faith? And who should know better than the +respectable Lord Bishop of Oajaca? Besides," continued he, hastening +his explanation, as he saw the angry flash of his companion's eye, "I am +altogether of a peaceable disposition, and about to enter into holy +orders. Whatever party I might take, it would be with prayer alone I +should seek to make it triumph. The Church has a horror of blood." + +While the student was thus delivering himself, the dragoon regarded him +with a side glance; which seemed to say: that it mattered little which +side he might take, as neither would be much benefited by such a sorry +champion. + +"Is it for the purpose of passing your thesis that you have come to +Oajaca?" + +"No," replied Lantejas, "my errand into this country is altogether +different. I am here in obedience to the commands of my father, whose +brother is the proprietor of the rich estate of San Salvador. I am to +remind my uncle that he is a widower--rich--and without children; and +that he has half-a-dozen nephews to provide for. That is my business at +San Salvador. What can I do? My honoured father is more attached to +the good things of this life than is perhaps right; and I have been +obliged to make this journey of two hundred leagues, for the purpose of +sounding our relative's disposition in regard to us." + +"And ascertaining the value of his property as well?" + +"Oh! as to that, we know exactly how much it is worth; though none of us +has ever been on the estate." + +This answer of the young student did more honour to his heart than to +his discretion. + +"Well," continued he, after a pause, "I may safely say, that never did +nephew present himself before an uncle in a more famished condition than +I shall do. Thanks to the inexplicable desertion of all the houses and +villages through which I have passed--and the care which their owners +have taken to carry with them even the leanest chicken--there is not a +jackal in the country hungrier than I at this minute." + +The dragoon was in pretty much the same case. For two days he had been +travelling without seeing a soul, and though his horse had picked up a +little forage along the road, he had been unable to obtain food for +himself--other than such wild fruits and berries as he could gather by +the way. + +The sympathy for a like suffering at once dissipated any ill-blood which +the difference in their political sentiments might have stirred up; and +harmony was restored between them. + +The captain in his turn informed his new _compagnon du voyage_, that, +since the imprisonment of the Viceroy, Iturrigaray, his own father, a +Spanish gentleman, had retired to his estate of Del Valle, where he was +now proceeding to join him. He was not acquainted with this estate, +having never been upon it since he was a mere child; but he knew that it +was not far from the hacienda of Las Palmas, already mentioned. Less +communicative than Don Cornelio, he did not inform the student of +another motive for his journey, though there was one that interested him +far more than revisiting the scenes of his childhood. + +As the travellers rode on, the evanescent ardour of Don Cornelio's +roadster insensibly cooled down; while the student himself, fatigued by +the incessant application of whip and spur, gradually allowed to +languish a conversation, that had enabled them to kill a long hour of +their monotonous journey. + +The sun was now declining towards the western horizon, and the shadows +of the two horsemen were beaming elongated upon the dusty road, while +from the tops of the palm-trees the red cardinals and parroquets had +commenced to chaunt their evening song. + +Thirst--from which both the travellers suffered even more than from +hunger--was still increasing upon them; and at intervals the dragoon +captain cast a look of impatience toward the horse of his companion. He +could not help observing that the poor brute, for the want of water, was +every moment slackening his pace. + +On his side, Don Cornelio perceived, that, from a generous motive, his +travelling companion was resisting the temptation to ride forward. By +putting his fine horse into a gallop, the latter could in a short time +reach the hacienda--now less than three leagues distant. Under the +apprehension of losing his company, therefore, the student redoubled his +efforts to keep his old circus hack abreast with the bay-brown of the +dragoon. + +The journey thus continued for half an hour longer; when it became +evident to both travellers that the _escapado_ of the bull-ring was +every moment growing more unable to proceed. + +"Senor student," said the dragoon, after a long spell of silence, "have +you ever read of those shipwrecks, where the poor devils, to avoid +starvation, cast lots to see which shall be eaten by the others?" + +"Alas! yes, I have," answered Lantejas, with a slight trembling in his +speech; "but I hope with us it will not come to that deplorable +extremity." + +"_Carrambo_!" rejoined the dragoon with a grave air, "I feel at this +moment hungry enough to eat a relative--even if he were rich and I his +heir, as you of your uncle, the _haciendado_ of San Salvador!" + +"But we are not at sea, Senor captain, and in a boat from which there is +no chance of escape?" + +The dragoon fancied that he might amuse himself a little at the expense +of the young student of divinity--of whose excessive credulity he had +already had proofs. Perhaps he meant also to revenge himself on this +foolish credulity, upon which the fulmination of the Bishop Bergosa-- +already celebrated throughout Mexico--had made such an impression. His +chief motive, however, was to demonstrate to his travelling companion +the necessity for their parting company; in order, that, by riding +forward himself, he might be able to send back succour to his +fellow-traveller. He was no little surprised, therefore, to perceive +that his pleasantry was taken in actually a serious light; and therefore +had determined to desist from making any further innuendos. + +"I hope, Senor captain," said Don Cornelio, "I hope neither of us will +ever be in such extremities." + +Then casting a glance over the arid waste that stretched before them, a +new idea seemed to strike the student; and with a haste that bespoke his +agitation he continued-- + +"As for me, if I were mounted on a horse equal in strength and vigour to +yours, I should gallop either to the hacienda of Las Palmas or San +Salvador, without drawing bridle; and from there send assistance to the +fellow-traveller I had left behind." + +"Ah! is that your advice?" + +"I could not think of giving any other." + +"Good, then!" cried the dragoon; "I shall follow it; for to be candid, I +felt a delicacy in parting company with you." + +As Don Rafael spoke, he held out his hand to the student. + +"Senor Lantejas," said he, "we part friends. Let us hope we may never +meet as enemies! Who can foresee the future? You appear disposed to +look with an evil eye on those attempts at emancipation of a country, +that has been enslaved for three hundred years. As for myself, it is +possible I may offer my arm--and, if need be, my life--to aid her in +conquering her liberty. _Hasta luego_! I shall not forget to send you +assistance." + +Saying this, the officer clasped warmly the chill attenuated fingers of +the student of theology, gave the reign to his horse, that needed no +spur, and disappeared the moment after amidst a cloud of dust. + +"God be praised!" said Lantejas, breathing freely; "I do believe the +famished Lestrygon would have been quite capable of devouring me! As +for my being found on a field of battle in front of this Goliath, or any +other, there's not much danger. I defy the devil with all his horns to +make a soldier of me, either _for_ the insurrection or _against_ it." + +The student proceeded on his solitary route--congratulating himself on +having escaped, from what his credulous fancy had believed to be a +danger. + +Some time had passed, and the red clouds of sunset were tinting the +horizon, when he saw before him the form of a man, whose gait and +complexion proved him to be an Indian. In hopes of obtaining some +provisions from this man, or, at all events, an explanation of the +singular circumstances already mentioned, the student urged his horse +into a more rapid pace, heading him towards the Indian. + +He saw that the latter was driving two cows before him, whose distended +udders proved them to be milch cattle. This increased the desire of the +horseman, hungry and thirsty as he was, to join company with the +cowherd. + +"_Hola_! Jose!" cried he, at the top of his voice. + +An Indian will always respond to the name _Jose_, as an Irishman to that +of _Pat_ or _Paddy_. On hearing it, the cow-driver looked round in +alarm. At that moment the _escapado_ of the bull-ring caught sight of +the two cows, and suddenly broke off into a gallop--unfortunately, +however, in a direction the very opposite to that which his rider +desired him to take! + +Notwithstanding this, the student still continued to shout to the +cowherd, in hopes of bringing him to comprehend his dilemma. But the +odd spectacle of a horseman calling to him to approach, while he himself +kept riding off in the opposite direction, so astounded the Indian that, +uttering a cry of affright, he also took to his heels, followed in a +long shambling trot by the two cows! + +It was not until all three were out of sight, that the student could +prevail on his affrighted steed to return into the proper path. + +"In the name of the Holy Virgin!" soliloquised he, "what has got into +the people of this country? Every one of them appears to have gone +mad!" + +And once more setting his horse to the road, he proceeded onward--now, +however, hungrier and more disconsolate than ever. + +Just as night was coming down, he arrived at a place where two or three +small huts stood by the side of the road. These, like all the others, +he found deserted. At sight of them, however, the old horse came to a +dead stop, and refused to proceed. His rider, equally fatigued, +resolved upon remaining by the huts, until the assistance promised by +the dragoon captain should arrive. + +In front of one of the huts stood two tall tamarind trees--between which +a hammock was suspended, at the height of seven or eight feet from the +ground. It was a capacious one, made of the strong plaited thread of +the _maguey_. It seemed to invite the wearied traveller to repose--as +if placed there on purpose for him. + +As the heat was still suffocating, instead of entering one of the huts, +he unsaddled his horse, permitted the animal to go at will, and by the +trunk of one of the tamarinds climbed up into the hammock. There, +stretching himself, he lay a good while listening attentively, in hopes +of hearing some sound that might announce the approach of the promised +succour. + +It was now dark night. All nature had gone to sleep; and the profound +silence was unbroken by any sound that resembled the tramp of a horse. +Nothing was heard to indicate the approach of the expected relief. + +As the student continued to listen, however, he became sensible of +sounds, of a singular and mysterious character. There was a continuous +noise, like the rumbling of distant thunder, or the roaring of the ocean +during a storm. Although the air was calm around him, he fancied he +could hear a strong wind blowing at a distance, mingled with hoarse +bellowings of unearthly voices! + +Affrighted by these inexplicable noises--which seemed the warning voices +of an approaching tempest--he lay for a while awake; but fatigue +overcoming him, he sunk at length into a profound sleep. + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. + +BLACK AND RED. + +On that same evening, and about an hour before sunset, two men made +their appearance on the banks of a small river that traversed the +country not far from the group of huts where the traveller had halted-- +at a point about halfway between them and the hacienda Las Palmas. + +At the place where the two men appeared upon its banks, the river in +question ran through the middle of a narrow valley; flowing so gently +along, that its unrippled surface mirrored the blue sky. At this place +the water filled its channel up to the level of the banks, that were +treeless, and covered with a sward of grass. Farther down trees grew +along the edge of the stream--tall oaks and cotton woods, whose branches +were interlaced by flowering llianas. Still farther down, the river +entered between high banks of wilder appearance, and covered with yet +more luxuriant vegetation. From the grassy meadow, in which the two men +were standing, the noise of a cataract, like the breaking of the sea +upon a rocky beach, was distinctly audible. + +The complexion and costume of one of the men pronounced him an Indian. +The former was a copper-brown, the well-known colour of the American +aboriginal. His dress consisted of a coarse shirt of greyish woollen +stuff, rayed with black stripes. Its short sleeves, scarce reaching to +the elbows, permitted to be seen a pair of strong, sinewy arms of +deepest bronze. It was confined round the waist with a thick leathern +belt, while its skirt hung down to mid-thigh. Below this appeared the +legs of a pair of trowsers, wide, but reaching only to the knee. These +were of tanned sheep-skin, and of a reddish brown hue. From the bottoms +of the trowsers, the legs and ankles of the Indian were naked; while the +_chaussure_ consisted of leathern buskins, also of a brownish red +colour. A hat of rush plaiting covered his head, from under which hung +two long tresses of black hair--one over each cheek--and reaching down +to his elbows. + +He was a man of tall stature, and with a physiognomy remarkable for one +of his race. Instead of the servile aspect so characteristic of the +_Indios mangos_ (subdued Indians) of Mexico, he had more the air of the +true savage, or _Indio bravo_. This appearance was strengthened by the +fact of his having a slight moustache and beard--a rare distinction +among the aborigines of Mexico. + +Over his shoulder he carried a short, thick carbine, somewhat rusty; +while a long _machete_ (half sword, half knife), was stuck behind his +belt. + +His companion was a negro, whose clothing consisted of little else than +rags. Otherwise there was nothing remarkable about him--if we except +the air of stupified credulity with which he appeared to be listening to +the discourse of the Indian. From time to time his features assumed an +expression of ill-concealed fear. + +The red man, closely followed by the black, was advancing along the bank +at a place destitute of timber and where the ground was smooth and soft. +He was going slowly, his body bent slightly forwards, and his eyes +turned upon the earth as if in search of some object, or tracking an +animal. Suddenly he came to a top-- + +"Now!" he exclaimed, turning to the negro, and pointing to the ground, +"I told you I should find their traces in less than half an hour. Look +there!" + +The Indian spoke in a tone of triumph; but the feeling was far from +being shared by his companion, who bent his eyes upon the earth rather +with a look of dismay. The sight was sufficient to have caused +uneasiness to any one other than a hunter of wild beasts. In the soft +mud was exhibited a number of tracks--twenty of them in all. They were +of different sizes, too; and appeared to have been recently made. The +marks of sharp claws, distinctly outlined in the clayey soil, told what +kind of animal had made the tracks. It was the fierce jaguar--the tiger +(_tigre_) of the Spanish-Americans. + +"It's not half an hour since they have been here," continued the Indian. +"_Mira_!" exclaimed he, pointing to a little eddy on the edge of the +stream, "they have been drinking there not ten minutes ago: the water is +yet muddy!" + +"Let us get away," suggested the negro, whose black face was now pale +with fear. "I see no use in our remaining here. See! there are many +tracks, and of different sizes, too. Lord bless me! a whole procession +of tigers must have passed here." + +"Oh! you are exaggerating," rejoined the Indian, with a sneering laugh. +"Let us count them," he continued, bending down over the foot-prints, +"one--two--three--four: a male, a female, and her two _cachorros_ +(cubs). That is all. _Carrambo_! what a sight for a _tigrero_ +(tiger-hunter)." + +"Ah! indeed!" assented the negro, in a hesitating way. + +"Yes," rejoined the other; "but we shan't go after them to-day. We have +more important business on our hands." + +"Would it not be better to defer the business you were speaking of till +to-morrow, and now return to the hacienda? However curious I am to see +the wonderful things you promised, still--" + +"What!" exclaimed the Indian, interrupting his companion's speech, +"defer that business till another day? Impossible. The opportunity +would not come round for another month, and then we shall be far from +this place. No, no, Clara," continued he, addressing the black by this +_very_ odd cognomen, "no, no; we must about it to-day and at this very +moment. Sit down, then." + +Suiting the action to the word, the Indian squatted himself on the +grass; and the negro, willing or unwilling, was forced to follow his +example. + + + +CHAPTER SIX. + +THE TIGER-HUNTER. + +Notwithstanding the change of attitude, the negro still continued the +victim of his fears. Instead of paying proper attention to what his +companion was saying, his eyes wandered abroad, searching the horizon on +every side of him, as if at every moment he expected to see the jaguars +returning to attack them. + +Noticing his uneasiness, the Indian made an attempt to reassure him. + +"You have nothing to fear, comrade," said he. "The tigers have the +whole river to drink out of; and it is not likely they will come back +here." + +"They may be hungry," rejoined Clara, "and I have heard say that they +prefer a black man, like me, to either a white or an Indian." + +"Ha, ha!" laughed his companion. "You need not flatter yourself on that +score. Bah, man! there's not a tiger in all the State that would be +fool enough to prefer a carcass tough and black as yours, to the flesh +of a young colt or heifer, either of which they can have at any time. +Ha, ha! If the jaguars only heard what you've said, they would shake +their sides with laughter." + +The fearlessness exhibited by the Indian himself in regard to the +jaguars is easily explained, since it was by the destruction of these +fierce animals that he got his living. His calling was a peculiar one, +though common enough throughout the tropical regions of America. He +was, in fact, a _tigrero_, or tiger-hunter, a class of men whose sole +occupation consists in pursuing, _a l'outrance_, the different beasts of +prey that ravage the flocks and herds of the great _haciendas de +ganado_, or grazing estates. Among these predatory creatures the jaguar +is the most destructive; and the hunting and slaying of these animals is +followed by many men--usually Indians or half-breeds--as a regular +profession. + +As the jaguar (_Felis onca_) in all parts of Spanish-America is +erroneously called the tiger (_tigre)_, so the hunter of this animal is +termed a tiger-hunter (_tigrero_). Many of the more extensive estates +keep one or more of these hunters in their pay; and the Indian we have +introduced to the reader was the _tigrero_ of the hacienda Del Valle. +His name and nation were declared by himself in the speech that +followed-- + +"Ah!" he exclaimed with an air of savage exultation, "neither tigers nor +men may laugh with impunity at Costal, the Zapoteque. As for these +jaguars," he continued after a pause, "let them go for this night. +There will be nothing lost by waiting till to-morrow. I can soon get +upon their trail again; and a jaguar whose haunt is once known to me, is +a dead animal. To-night we have other business. There will be a new +moon; and that is the time when, in the foam of the cascade, and the +surface of the solitary lake, the Siren shows herself--the Siren of the +dishevelled hair." + +"The Siren of the dishevelled hair?" + +"Yes; she who points out to the gold-seeker the rich _placers_ of gold-- +to the diver the pearls that lie sparkling within their shells at the +bottom of the great ocean." + +"But who has told you this?" inquired Clara, with a look of incredulity. + +"My fathers--the Zapoteques," replied Costal, in a solemn tone of voice; +"and why should _they_ not know? They have learnt these things from +Tlaloc and Matlacuezc--gods they were, as powerful as the Christ of the +pale faces. Why--" + +"Don't speak so loud!" interrupted Clara, in a voice that betokened +alarm. "The priests of the Christians have their ears everywhere. They +might call it blasphemy; and _carrambo_! the Inquisition has its dangers +for blacks as well as whites!" + +On hearing the word Inquisition the Indian involuntarily lowered his +voice; but continued speaking in a tone that his companion could still +hear him. + +"My fathers," said he, "have told me that the Siren never appears to any +one who is alone. It is necessary that two be present--two men of tried +courage they must be--for the divinity is often wrathful at being +invoked, and at such times her anger is terrible. As two men are +required, I need another besides myself. Will you then be my +companion?" + +"Hum!" said Clara. "I may boast that I am not afraid of a man; though I +confess I cannot say the same about a tiger. As to your Siren, that +appears to be the very devil--" + +"Man, tiger, or devil," cried Costal, "why fear any of the three? What +need one care for them--one who has a stout heart--especially when the +reward of his courage is gold, and enough of it to make a grand lord out +of a poor Indian?" + +"And of a negro as well?" + +"Without doubt." + +"Say, rather," rejoined Clara, with an air of discouragement, "that gold +could serve neither one nor the other. Black and Indian, both are +slaves, and our masters would soon take it from us." + +"True enough what you say; but let me tell you, Clara, that the bondage +of the Indian is approaching its end. Have you not heard that up in the +north--in the _tierra adentro_--a priest has proclaimed the emancipation +of all races, and equal liberty for all?" + +"No," replied the negro, betraying his total ignorance of the political +affairs of the country, "I have heard nothing about it." + +"Know, then, that the day is at hand when the Indian will be on an +equality with the white, the Creole with the Spaniard; and when an +Indian, such as I, will be the master of both!" + +The descendant of the Zapoteques delivered this speech with an air of +proud exultation. + +"Yes!" continued he, "the day of our ancient splendour will soon return. +That is why I am desirous at present of acquiring gold. Hitherto I +have not troubled myself about finding it; since, as you say, it would +soon be wrested from the hands of a poor slave. Now that I am to be +free, the circumstances are changed; and I want gold, by which I may +revive the glories of my ancestors." + +Clara could not help casting a look of astonishment at his companion. +The air of savage grandeur, visible in the countenance of the +tiger-hunter--vassal of the hacienda Las Palmas--surprised him, as did +also the pretentious manner in which he spoke about reviving the ancient +splendours of his race. + +The look and its meaning did not escape the observation of the Indian. + +"Friend Clara!" said he, in a confidential tone, "listen to me, while I +reveal to you a secret which I have kept for many long years--long +enough for me to have seen fifty dry seasons, and fifty seasons of rain; +and this fact can be confirmed to you by all of my colour and race." + +"You have seen fifty seasons of rain?" cried the negro, in a tone of +astonishment, at the same time regarding his companion attentively, who +in truth did not appear to be over thirty years of age. "Fifty seasons +of rain?" + +"Well, not quite fifty," replied Costal, with a smile, "but very near +it." + +"Ah! I shall see fifty more," continued he. "Omens have told me that I +shall live as long as the ravens." + +The negro remained silent, still held in surprise by the wild +declarations which his companion was volunteering to make to him. + +"Listen, friend Clara!" continued the tiger-hunter, extending his arm in +a circle, and designating the four points of the compass; "in all the +space that a horseman could traverse between sunrise and sunset--from +north to south, from east to west--there is not a spot of ground that +was not once possessed by my ancestors--the ancient lords of Zapoteca. +Before the vessels of the white men touched upon our coasts, they were +sovereign masters of all this land--from ocean to ocean. The sea alone +was their boundary. Thousands of warriors followed their banners, and +crowded around their plume-bedecked standards of war. In the ocean the +pearl-banks, and on the land the _placers_ of gold belonged to them. +The yellow metal glanced upon their dresses and armour, or ornamented +the very sandals upon their feet. They possessed it in such abundance, +they scarce knew what to do with it. + +"Where now are the once powerful Caciques of Tehuantepec? Most of their +subjects have been slaughtered by the thunder of the white men, or +buried in the dark mines--while the conquerors have divided among them +and made slaves of the survivors! An hundred needy adventurers have +been transformed into grand magnates--each endowed with a portion of the +conquered territory; and at this moment the last descendant of the +Caciques is forced to earn his subsistence almost as a slave--to submit +to the tyranny of a white master--to expose his life daily for the +destruction of fierce beasts, lest they should ravage the flocks and +herds of his thankless employer; while, of the vast plains over which he +is compelled to pursue his perilous calling, there remains to him not a +spot he can call his own--not even the ground occupied by his miserable +hut." + +The speaker might have gone on much longer without fear of his hearer +interrupting him. The latter was held mute with astonishment, as well +as by a kind of involuntary respect with which the words of his +companion had inspired him. In all probability the negro had never +before heard that a powerful and civilised people existed in that +country previous to the arrival of the Spaniards. At all events he had +never suspected that the man who was thus enlightening him--the +half-Pagan, half-Christian tiger-hunter--was the descendant of the +ancient masters of Tehuantepec. + +As for Costal himself, after making these statements of the former +splendours of his family--in which, notwithstanding his pompous mode of +declaring them, there was much truth--he lapsed into a profound silence; +and, his face turned with a melancholy expression upon the ground, he +took no notice of the effect produced on the mind of his black +companion. + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. + +THE CHASE OF THE JAGUAR. + +The sun was gradually inclining towards the horizon, when a prolonged +howl, shrill at first, but ending in a hoarse roar, fell upon the ears +of the two adventurers. It appeared to come from a brake some distance +down the river; but, near or distant, it at once changed the expression +upon the countenance of the negro. Fear took the place of astonishment; +and, on hearing the sound, he sprang suddenly to his feet. + +"_Jesus Maria_!" exclaimed he, "it is the jaguar again!" + +"Well, what if it be?" said Costal, who had neither risen, nor made the +slightest gesture. + +"The jaguar!" repeated the negro in his terror. + +"The jaguar? You are mistaken," said Costal. + +"God grant that I may be," rejoined the black, beginning to hope that +the sounds had deceived him. + +"You are mistaken as to the number," coolly proceeded Costal. "There is +not one jaguar, but four--if you include the _cachorros_!" + +Perceiving the sense in which Costal meant he was mistaken, the negro, +with terror gleaming in his eyes, appeared as if about to start off +towards the hacienda. + +"Take care what you do!" said the Indian, apparently inclined to amuse +himself with the fears of his companion. "It is quite true, I believe, +that these animals are very fond of black men's flesh." + +"_Carrambo_! just now you told me the contrary?" + +"Well, perhaps I am mistaken upon that point; but one thing I know +well--for I have proved it a hundred times--that is, that a brace of +tigers, when the male and female are together, seldom roar in that +fashion--especially if they suspect the presence of a human being. It +is more likely, therefore, that at this moment they are separated; and +by going towards the hacienda, you might risk getting between the two." + +"Heaven preserve me from getting into such a scrap," muttered the negro. + +"Well, then; the best thing you can do is to stay where you are--beside +a man who don't care a _claco_ for the jaguars." + +The negro hesitated, not quite certain that it would be the best thing +for him. At that moment, however, a second howl, coming in a direction +entirely opposite to the first, decided his uncertainty, and convinced +him that the _tigrero_ had spoken the truth. + +"You see," said Costal, "the brutes are in search of something to eat. +That's why they are calling to one another. Well, now! if you're still +in the mind, off with you to the hacienda!" + +This was of course meant as a taunt; for the negro, who now perceived +that there was a jaguar howling in the way that led to the hacienda, had +given up all notion of proceeding in that direction. On the contrary, +while his black face turned of an ashen-grey colour, he drew closer to +his imperturbable companion--who had not even attempted to take hold of +the carbine which lay on the grass by his side! + +"Bah!" muttered Costal, speaking to himself, "this comrade of mine is +scarce brave enough for my purpose. I must defer it, till I meet with +one possessed of more courage." Then resuming the current of his +thoughts, which had been interrupted by the howling of the jaguars, he +said aloud--"Where is the red man, where the black, who would not lift +his arm to aid this brave priest?--he who has risen against the +oppressor--the oppressor of all Zapoteques, Creoles, and Aztecs. Have +these Spaniards not been more ferocious than even the tigers +themselves?" + +"I should not fear _them_, at any rate," interposed Clara. + +"Good! I am glad you talk that way, comrade. To-morrow let us give +warning to our master, Don Mariano de Silva. He must find another +tigrero; and we shall go and join the insurgents in the west." + +The Indian had scarce finished his speech, when another howl came from +the jaguars, as if to put the patience of the tiger-hunter to the test. +It was even more spitefully prolonged, coming in the direction in which +the first had been heard--that is, from a point upon the river a little +above where the two men were seated. + +On hearing it, thus uttered as a signal of defiance, the eyes of the +tigrero began to sparkle with an irresistible desire for the chase. + +"By the souls of the Caciques of Tehuantepec!" exclaimed he, "this is +too much for human patience. I shall teach those two braggarts not to +talk so loud of their affairs. Now, Clara!" continued he, springing to +his feet, "you shall have the opportunity of becoming acquainted with a +jaguar at closer quarters than you have hitherto been." + +"_Carrambo_!" exclaimed the black, "why should I go near them? I have +no weapon, and would be of no use to you?" + +"Hear me, Clara!" said the Indian, without replying to the speech of his +comrade. "The one that howled last is the male. He was calling to the +female, his mate. He is a good distance from here, up stream. We must +go up to him; and as there's not a stream on all the estate, where I +haven't either a canoe or _periagua_, for the purposes of my calling--" + +"You have one here, then?" interrupted Clara. + +"Certainly I have. We can go up the river; and in the canoe you will +not be in the slightest danger. I have my own notions as to how we may +best approach this noisy brute." + +"But the jaguars can swim like seals, I have heard?" + +"I don't deny it. Never mind that; come on!" + +Without deigning further speech, the tigrero started forward; and going +cautiously, approached that part of the bank where his canoe was moored. + +Clara seeing that it would be perhaps less dangerous to accompany him +than remain where he was alone, reluctantly followed. + +In a few minutes they arrived at the place where the canoe was fastened +to the bank; a rude craft, just large enough to carry two men. A paddle +lay at the bottom; along with a piece of matting of plaited palm-leaf, +which on occasions was called into requisition as a sail. But Costal +threw out the matting, as there was no likelihood of its being required +upon the present occasion. + +Having loosed the cord by which the canoe was attached to the branch of +a willow, the Indian leaped aboard, and seated himself near the stem. +The negro took his place abaft. A vigorous push was given against the +bank, the little craft shot out into the middle of the stream, and, +impelled by the paddle, commenced ascending the current. + +The sun was still shining on the river, but with his last rays; and the +willows and _alamos_ that grew along the bank threw their trembling +shadows far over the water. The breeze of the desert sighed among their +leaves, bearing upon its wings sweet perfumes stolen from a thousand +flowers. It seemed the intoxicating incense of liberty. + +Costal, an Indian and a hunter, inhaled it with an instinctive delight. +Clara was altogether insensible to the sweetness of the scene; and his +anxious countenance offered as great a contrast to the calm unmoved +features of his companion, as the black shadows of the trees thrown upon +the water with the brilliant hues of the sky. + +The canoe for a time kept close along the bank, and followed the +windings of the stream. Here and there the bushes hung over; and in +passing such places Clara kept a sharp look out, in dread of seeing a +pair of fiery orbs glancing upon him through the leaves. + +"_Por Dios_!" cried he, every time the canoe approached too closely to +the bank, "keep her farther off, friend Costal. Who knows but that the +jaguars may be up there, ready to spring down upon us?" + +"Possible enough," rejoined Costal, vigorously plying his paddle; and +without giving any farther thought to the appeals of his companion. +"Possible enough; but I have my idea--" + +"What is it?" asked Clara, interrupting him. + +"A very simple one, and one which I have no doubt you will approve of." + +"Let us hear it first." + +"Well, then; there are two jaguars, without speaking of the brace of +_cachorros_. These I shall leave to you, since you have no weapon. +Your plan will be this: take up one of the whelps in each hand, and +break in their skulls, by striking them one against the rather. Nothing +can be more simple." + +"On the contrary, friend Costal, it appears to me very complicated. +Besides, how can I lay hold upon them if they should run away?" + +"Very likely, they will save you that trouble by laying hold on you. +Never fear your getting close enough. If I'm not mistaken, we shall +have all four of them within arm's length in less than a quarter of an +hour." + +"All four!" exclaimed the negro, with a start that caused the canoe to +oscillate as if it would upset. + +"Beyond doubt," rejoined Costal, making an effort to counterbalance the +shock which the frail bark had received. "It is the only plan by which +we can bring the chase to a speedy termination; and when one is pressed +for time, one must do his best. I was going to tell you, when you +interrupted me, that there are two jaguars--one on the right bank, the +other on the left--the male and female, beyond doubt. Now by their +cries I can tell that these animals are desirous of rejoining one +another; and if we place ourselves between the two, it is evident they +will both come upon us at once. What say you? I defy you to prove the +contrary?" + +Clara made no reply to the challenge. His profound belief in the +infallibility of his companion's perceptions kept him silent. + +"Look out now, Clara!" continued the hunter, "we are going to double +that bend in the river where the bushes hide the plain from our view. +Your face will be turned the right way. Tell me, then, what you see." + +From his position in the canoe, Costal, who plied the paddle, was seated +with his back to the open ground towards which they were advancing; and +he could only see in front by turning his head, which from time to time +he had been doing. But he needed not to look around very often. The +countenance of the negro, who was face to face with him, resembled a +faithful mirror, in which he could read whatever might be passing behind +him. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. + +A GRAND SPECTACLE. + +Hitherto the features of Clara had expressed nothing more than a kind of +vague fear; but at the moment when the canoe rounded the last turn in +the river, a sudden terror became depicted upon them. The hunter thus +warned quickly faced round. An immense plain came before his eye, that +seemed to stretch to the verge of the horizon. Through this ran the +river, its waters almost on a level with the banks--which were covered +with a grassy sward, and without a single tree. At some distance from +the curve the stream almost doubled back on itself--forming a verdant +delta, around the apex of which ran the road that led to the hacienda +Las Palmas. + +The rays of the setting sun were flooding the plain with a transparent +golden haze, which hung over the empurpled bosom of the water on which +the canoe was floating. Just above, in the middle of the current, and +scarce two shots distant from where the two men were, a sight appeared +to the ravished eyes of the tiger-hunter that caused him at once to +change his position in the boat. + +"_Mira_!" exclaimed he in a half-whisper. "Look, Clara! Did you ever +behold a more beautiful sight?" + +With his claws stuck into the floating carcass of a colt upon which he +was feeding, an enormous jaguar was suffering himself to float gently +down the stream. It was the male one, the same from which the last +howlings had proceeded. + +With his head outstretched and curving over his fore paws, his hind legs +drawn up under his belly, his back highly arched, and his flanks +quivering with a supple undulation that betokened activity and power, +was seen the royal beast of the American jungle. The dying rays of the +sun falling upon his glossy skin displayed his splendid coat of bright +yellow ocellated with spots of deepest black. + +It was one of those beautiful savage spectacles often exhibited to the +eyes of the Indian hunter--a magnificent episode in that eternal poem +which the wilderness is constantly repeating. + +Scarce taking time to gaze upon it, Costal passed the paddle to his +companion; and, gun in hand, crouched down in the bottom of the canoe. + +Clara accepted the oar, and half mechanically commenced rowing. He had +made no reply to the enthusiastic interrogatory of the hunter. Fear +held him speechless. + +At that moment a growl, resembling the deepest tones of an ophicleide, +resounded from the throat of the jaguar, rolling over the surface of the +water to the ears of the men seated in the canoe. He had seen his +enemies, and this was his signal of defiance. + +The Indian replied by a cry somewhat similar, as the bloodhound utters +his wild bay on seeing his victim before him. + +"It's the male!" said Costal, apparently pleased that it was so. + +"Fire, then!" cried Clara, at last finding his tongue. + +"Fire, _Carrambo_! no. My gun does not carry so far. Besides, I shoot +best when my game is nearer the muzzle. I wonder," continued he, +looking up to the bank, "that the female has not found him! No doubt, +if we wait a little, we'll see her coming bounding up with the +_cachorros_ at her heels." + +"_Dios nos ampare_!" (God preserve us!) muttered the negro in a +melancholy tone; for he feared that Costal would still insist upon his +carrying out the plan he had proposed. "God preserve us! I hope not: +one at a time is sufficient." + +The words were scarce out of the negro's mouth, when a sharp screech, +heard at some distance, proclaimed the coming of the other jaguar; and +the moment after she was seen bounding over the savanna, with a rapidity +and gracefulness superb beyond admiration. + +At the distance of about two hundred yards from the bank, as also from +the canoe, she came to a sudden stop; and with muzzle raised aloft, +scenting the air, and flanks quivering like an arrow after striking its +mark, she remained for some moments fixed to the spot. Meanwhile the +two whelps, that had been left in the covert of the bushes, were seen +hastening to join her. The canoe, no longer propelled by the paddle, +began to spin round with the ripple, keeping about the same distance +between it and the tiger crouched on the floating carcass. + +"For Heaven's sake, Clara," said Costal impatiently, "keep the boat's +head to the current, or I shall never get close enough to fire. There +now--that is right--keep a steady hand--mine never shakes. It is +important I should kill this jaguar at the first shot. If not, one of +us is lost, to a certainty. Perhaps both; for if I miss we shall have +both the brutes to contend with, to say nothing of the brace of whelps." + +All this while the jaguar was quietly descending the stream upon his +floating pedestal, and the distance between him and the canoe was +gradually diminishing. Already could be seen his fiery eyeballs rolling +in their sockets, and the quick oscillations of his tail, expressive of +his gathering rage. + +The hunter had taken aim, and was about to pull trigger, when the canoe +commenced rocking about, as if tossed upon a stormy sea! + +"What the devil are you about, Clara?" inquired the Indian in an angry +tone. "If you move in that way I could not hit one in a whole crowd of +tigers." + +Whether it was through design, or that fear was troubling his senses, +and causing him to shift about, Clara, instead of keeping quiet, only +seemed to shake all the more. + +"A thousand devils take you!" cried Costal, with increased rage. "Just +then I had him between the eyes." + +Laying down his gun, the hunter snatched the paddle from the hands of +the black, and set about turning the canoe into its proper position. + +This proved a work of some little time; and before Costal could succeed +in accomplishing his purpose, the tiger had taken to flight. Giving +utterance to a loud scream, the animal buried his sharp teeth in the +carcass, tore from it a large mouthful, and then making a desperate +bound passed from the floating body to the bank. In another moment he +had rejoined his mate with her young ones, and all were soon beyond the +range of the hunter's carbine. The two terrible creatures appeared to +hesitate as to whether they should return to the attack, or retreat. +Then giving a simultaneous scream, both stretched off at full gallop +across the plain, followed by their _cachorros_. + +The disappointed hunter looked after them, giving utterance to a fierce +exclamation expressive of his disappointment. Then seating himself in +the stern of the canoe, he turned its head down stream, and put forth +all his strength to regain the point from which they had set out. + + + +CHAPTER NINE. + +THE CASCADE. + +The canoe carrying the two men continued slowly to descend the course of +the river--the negro felicitating himself on his escape from the claws +of the jaguars; while the thoughts of the Indian were dwelling with +regret upon his want of success. + +Clara, however, did not enjoy an unalloyed satisfaction. The jaguars +had fled, it was true, but in what direction? It was evident they had +gone down stream, and might be encountered below. + +This thought troubling Clara, he inquired of his companion if there was +any probability of their again falling in with this dangerous enemy. + +"Probable enough," responded Costal, "and more than probable. If we +descend below the cascade, we shall be almost certain of seeing the +jaguars there. The carcass of a fine young colt is not to be met with +every day; and these brutes can reason like a man. They know well +though that the current will carry the floating body over the fall, and +that, below, it will be rendered up to them again. I do not say it will +then be whole; for I have seen the trunks of great trees broken into +fragments from being carried over that very cascade." + +"Then you really think the jaguars may be waiting below?" + +"No doubt but they will be there. If I don't mistake, you shall hear +their roar before ten minutes have passed, and it will come from the +bottom of the cascade, just where our business is now taking us." + +"But they may feel inclined to take revenue on us for having driven them +from the carcass?" + +"And if they should, what care I? Not a straw. _Vamos_! friend Clara, +we've given too much thought to these animals. Fortunately we have not +lost much; and now to our affair. The young moon will be up in a trice, +and I must invoke Tlaloc, the god of the waters, to bestow some gold on +the Caciques of Tehuantepec." + +The two men had by this time arrived at the place from which the canoe +had been taken; and here both disembarked, Costal carefully refastening +the craft to the trunk of the willow. Then leaving his companion, he +walked off down the bank alone. + +"Do not go far away!" said Clara, entreatingly, still troubled with the +fear of the jaguars. + +"Bah!" exclaimed Costal, "I leave my gun with you!" + +"Oh, indeed!" murmured the negro; "what signifies that? one bullet for +four tigers!" + +Without vouchsafing any reply to this last speech, the Indian advanced a +little farther along the bank, and then came to a pause. A large tree +grew upon the edge of the stream, its branches extending outwards. Into +this he climbed; and then stretching out his arms over the water, he +commenced chaunting a lugubrious measure--a species of Indian +invocation, of which Clara could hear the words, but without in the +least comprehending their signification. + +There was something in the wild melody of the Indian's voice to cause +his companion a certain mysterious dread; and this was increased by +additional notes of an equally mournful character that came pealing up +the ravine, mingling with the hoarse roaring of the cascade. It was the +scream of the jaguar; though it actually appeared as if some demon was +answering to the invocations of the Indian. The lugubrious chaunt of +the pagan, and the coincident scream of the tiger, formed a kind of +infernal accompaniment, well calculated to strike awe into the mind of +one of Clara's superstitious race; and as he stood upon the bank he +fancied he saw fiery eyes glaring upon him through the leaves, and the +Siren with the dishevelled hair rising above the surface of the water. + +A double chill passed through his black skin, from the soles of his feet +to the roots of his kinky hair. + +At this moment Costal returned to him. + +"Are you ready?" inquired the Indian. + +"For what?" + +"To accompany me to the cascade--there to invoke the Siren, and ask if +she may be seen." + +"What! down there, where the tigers are roaring?" + +"Oh, a fig for them! Remember, Clara, it is gold _we_ seek; and, +believe me, if fortunate in our application, the Siren will tell us +where it is to be found. Gold in masses!" + +"Enough!" cried Clara, overcome by the rich prospect. "I am with you," +continued he--"lead on! From this hour I am the slave of the Siren who +can show us the _placers_ of gold!" + +The Indian took up his hat and carbine, both of which he had laid aside +while chaunting his invocation; and, throwing the gun over his shoulder, +started down stream. Clara followed close at his heels--his spirit +alternately possessed with cupidity and fear. + +As they advanced, the banks rose higher above the surface of the stream, +and the channel became the bottom of a deep, narrow ravine, where the +water rushed foaming among rocks. The great trees growing on each side +stretched towards one another, until their branches interlocked, forming +a dark sombre tunnel underneath. At the lower end of this, the stream, +once more bursting forth into light, leaped vertically at one bound +through a space of two hundred feet sheer, falling into the bottom of a +deep gorge, with a noise louder than the roar of the mighty ocean. + +Just where the foaming flood broke over the crest of the rocks, grew two +enormous cypresses of the kind known to the Mexicans as _ahuehuetes_, or +"lords of the water." They stood on opposite sides of the stream, with +their long arms extended towards each other. Thickly loaded with +llianas, and profusely festooned with the silvery Spanish moss, which, +drooping downwards, every now and then dipped into the foaming arch of +the cascade, these two great trees looked like the ancient genii of the +waters. + +At this point the two men made a halt. Although they were now very near +to the place where the jaguars were supposed to be, Clara had become +more regardless of the danger. His fear, both of wild beasts and evil +spirits, had yielded to his thirst for gold, which had been gradually +growing stronger. + +"Now, Clara!" said Costal, turning a severe look upon his comrade; +"listen attentively to the instructions I am about to give you. If the +Siren should appear to you, and you should exhibit, either by look or +gesture, the slightest symptoms of fear, you are a lost man!" + +"All right!" replied the negro. "The hope of being shown a mine of gold +gives me courage to risk even my neck in a halter, if need be. Never +fear, Costal. Speak on--I am ready to listen." + +As the negro pronounced these words, his countenance to all appearance +expressed as much firmness as that of Costal himself. The Indian, thus +assured, seated himself upon the very edge of the precipice, overlooking +the gorge into which the waters were precipitated, while Clara, without +invitation, sat down by his side. + + + +CHAPTER TEN. + +STRAYED FROM THE TRACK. + +The ravine, below the spot where the Indian and negro had seated +themselves, was covered with a luxuriant vegetation--plants and trees of +tropical growth so thickly standing over the ground that the rays of the +sun could not have penetrated through the umbrageous foliage. +Notwithstanding this abundance of vegetation, if the two gold-seekers +had not been so absorbed in their designs, they might have seen below +them the figure of a man, who was standing at the bottom of the cascade, +directly under their feet. + +This man, who had just arrived on the spot, and who appeared to be +regarding the waterfall with looks of curiosity and admiration, was no +other than Rafael Tres-Villas, Captain of the Queen's Dragoons. + +It is necessary to explain how Don Rafael had come to be found in this +wild spot, altogether away from the path which he should have followed +to the hacienda Las Palmas. Accident, not design, had conducted him to +the bottom of the cascade. + +On parting from the student of theology, who, recalling the classic +scenes of his Odyssey, had mistaken him for a man-eater--a Lestrygon-- +the dragoon captain, without searching any longer for an explanation of +the odd circumstances observed along the way, at once stretched his +horse into a gallop. The animal required no propulsion of the spur. +His instinct enabled him to scent the proximity of a stable; and he +responded to the wishes of his rider by galloping swiftly forward. + +Unfortunately the Captain, though a Creole or native Mexican, was +entirely unacquainted with this part of the country. He had been born +in it, as already hinted; but at a very early age had been taken to +reside in the capital; and since then had never revisited the place of +his nativity. He was consequently ignorant of the road leading to the +paternal hacienda Del Valle--as also to that of Las Palmas--for both +were one. + +He had not ridden many miles when he arrived at a point where the road +forked into two separate paths. Both however continued on, running at +no great distance from each other. + +Not knowing which he should take, and having met no human being that +could direct him, the Captain left the choice to his horse. + +The animal, that was no doubt suffering more from thirst than hunger, +spread his nostrils to the air, and scenting the fresh exhalations of +water, struck off in the direction whence it came. This was to the +right. + +The choice was fortunate for the student of theology, but rather unlucky +for the dragoon captain, as will presently appear. + +In fact, the path leading to the left was that which conducted to the +hacienda of Las Palmas--which the Captain, for a certain reason, was +desirous of reaching, and on that very evening. + +After following the right-hand branch for some minutes, the horseman +arrived at a spot where the path suddenly gave out. In front appeared +only a thick tangle of trees and bushes, behind which could be heard the +roaring of a torrent. + +Don Rafael was now completely at fault. To return on his track would +not only be disagreeable, but there would still exist the same +uncertainty as to his route. Even the right-hand branch of the road +might not be the right one! + +After a minute or two spent in considering what was best to be done, the +Captain dismounted, and tying his steed to a tree, commenced making his +way through the thicket in the direction whence came the sound of the +water, evidently a stream. He was in hopes that on reaching the bank, +and following along the water's edge, he might find the continuation of +the road at some point where the stream was fordable. After making his +way with much labour and loss of time through the labyrinthine tangle of +the thicket, he arrived at the bottom of the cascade, just at the moment +when Costal and Clara were about entering upon the ceremony of invoking +the Siren. + +Notwithstanding the desire which the dragoon captain had to escape as +soon as possible from the dilemma into which chance had conducted him, +the spectacle of this cascade--one of the most magnificent in America-- +drew from him a cry of wonder and admiration. For some minutes he stood +regarding it with admiring eyes, inspired with those sublime feelings +which such a grand sight is calculated to call forth. + +At length other thoughts came before his mind; and he was about turning +away to continue his explorations for a path, when an unexpected object +presenting itself to his eyes, caused him to keep his place. + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. + +A LUDICROUS SPECTACLE. + +Amid the vapoury mist that soared above the foaming torrent, the tops of +the two _ahuehuetes_ could be seen only indistinctly, but the trunks and +lower limbs were more palpably visible. On one of these, that projected +obliquely over the water, the dragoon fancied he could perceive the +figure of a man. On closer scrutiny he became certain it was the figure +of a man, and the bronze-coloured skin told him the man was an Indian. + +Looking further, he observed another apparition equally singular. +Through the fork of the second _ahuehuete_, appeared a face with a +complexion black as ebony. It could be no other than the face of a +negro. + +Here, then, were three distinct types of the human race met in this wild +spot. Why he was himself there, Don Rafael knew well enough; but what +had brought the Indian and negro into such a place, and at such an hour, +was what was now puzzling him. + +Without saying a word, he stood watching the movements of the two men, +in hopes that the event would furnish him with an explanation. Soon the +entire bodies of both negro and Indian appeared in sight, as the two men +crawled outward on the overleaning limbs of the trees; but still more +plainly, as, hanging by the branches, they let themselves down till +their feet dipped in the foam; and swinging there, appeared to go +through a series of the most grotesque contortions! The sight made the +head of the officer to swim, as if suddenly struck with vertigo. + +Thus engaged, neither of the two perceived Don Rafael, though he was +standing upon a spot of open ground immediately below them. + +For his life, the officer could not guess the nature of these singular +proceedings. He concluded that some object--unseen to him--was engaging +their attention; and he could not help fancying that it was some nymph +of the waters, whom the negro appeared to be wooing, to judge by his +impassioned gestures and animated physiognomy. + +The large mouth of the darkey was open from ear to ear, displaying his +double row of white teeth set in the most winning smile; while ever and +anon he stretched his neck out over the water, as if the object of his +regards was hid under the shining sheet of foam! + +The Indian was acting in a similar fashion, but with a more serious +expression of countenance, and greater dignity of manner. + +The officer carefully scrutinised the whole surface of the cascade; but +he could see nothing but the glistening sheen of the water, and the mass +of white foam where it broke over the rock. + +At that moment the Indian made a sign to the black to cease from his +grimaces; and, letting go his hold with one hand, he swung his body +wholly upon the other over the fearful abyss. + +The recklessness of the action caused a renewed surprise to the +spectator standing below, amounting almost to a feeling of awe. Before +he had time to reflect upon it, a human voice reached his ears, rising +high above the roaring of the torrent. It was the voice of the Indian, +who, with outstretched arm, was chaunting a solemn invocation to the +spirit of the waters. The words could not be distinguished, but Don +Rafael saw, by the muscular play of the man's lips, that he was singing +with all the strength of his lungs. + +Curiosity might have prompted the dragoon captain to watch these strange +proceedings to the end, but the desire of learning something about his +route influenced him to act otherwise. He fancied that by waiting +longer the opportunity might be lost. The two persons might disappear +in a manner as mysterious as was their behaviour. + +To attract their attention, therefore, he shouted, and at the top of his +voice; but to no purpose. The deafening roar of the cataract hindered +him from being heard; and partly, perhaps, the engrossing occupation in +which the two men were engaged. + +Failing to attract their notice, he resolved upon ascending the side of +the ravine, and going round to the place where they were. For that +purpose he retraced his steps through the thicket; and after a difficult +climb he reached the top of the cliff, at the point where the +_ahuehuetes_ formed the arcade over the water. The two personages had +disappeared! + +Curious as to the object of their ludicrous proceedings, the dragoon +climbed up one of the trees, and from a commanding point carefully +scrutinised the water underneath. He there perceived nothing more than +he had seen already--nothing to justify the strange conduct he had +witnessed. + +While in the tree, he looked down into the ravine below; first upon the +frothing river, and then over the tops of the bushes that grew upon its +bank. In an instant he perceived that some of these were in motion, as +if some one was making way through the thicket which he had himself +traversed. + +Presently two men emerged from the cover, and stepped out upon the open +bank, at the spot where but the moment before Don Rafael had stood. A +glance satisfied him that they were the same he had seen upon the +_ahuehuetes_--the negro and Indian. + +The sun had already set, but there was still light enough, even in the +bottom of the ravine, for Don Rafael to distinguish, not only the +movements of the men, but the expression upon their features. Both wore +a solemn cast, but those of the negro exhibited evidence of his being +influenced by a secret fear. + +Near the bank, and where the stream was shallow, a large round boulder +of rock stood up out of the water. Towards this the two were directing +their steps. + +At a signal from the Indian, the negro collected a number of dry sticks; +and having piled them upon the flat top of the rock, set them on fire. + +In a short time the blaze shot up, and cast its red glare over the +stream, tinging with purple flakes the foam of the cataract. + +The negro, after kindling the fire, seated himself on the bank, and +appeared to contemplate the blaze and its reflections with a feeling of +awe. The Indian, on the other hand, threw off his hat, and untwined the +plaits of his hair--black as the wing of the raven--whose age he +expected to attain. Leaving the long tresses to fall wildly over his +shoulders, he walked out into the water, and halted by the side of the +rock. The dragoon now saw for the first time a huge sea-shell--a +conch--in the hands of the Indian, which had hitherto hung by his side +suspended in a string. Placing the conch to his month, he blew several +loud, prolonged notes upon it, as if with the intention of arousing the +spirit of the waters. Then suffering the shell to fall back upon its +string, he commenced leaping around the rock in a sort of grotesque +dance, splashing and plunging through the water until the spray rose up +and wetted him over the crown of the head. + +The whole spectacle was at once ludicrous and imposing. The stoical +composure of the negro, who sat perfectly silent upon the bank watching +with a solemn air the grotesque capers of his companion--the red light +reflected upon the savage figures of the two men--reflected also upon +the foaming cataract, which appeared to roll over the cliff like an +avalanche of fire--all combined to form a scene in which the ludicrous +and the sublime were singularly commingled. + +Don Rafael might have desired to witness the _finale_; but time was +pressing, and he had a strong motive urging him to proceed upon his +journey. + +"_Santos Dios_!" cried he, in an impatient tone, "I should like very +well to wait and see what pagan divinity these droll savages are +invoking; but it will not do to tarry longer here. I must onwards; and +to find my way it will be necessary to interrupt their proceedings." + +Saying this, the officer raised his voice and shouted "Hola!" with all +the strength of his lungs. + +The hail was not heeded: it was not heard. + +"_Maldito_!" exclaimed he, "I must try some other means of drawing their +attention." + +A method at once suggested itself; and stooping, the officer took up a +handful of small pebbles, and launched them down upon the two adorers of +the demon. + +So far as drawing their attention went, the means proved efficacious; +for the instant that the pebbles fell upon the water, the Indian, with a +stroke of his hand, swept the fire from the rock, and the ravine became +instantaneously as dark as Erebus. The forms of the two +water-worshippers disappeared in the gloom; and Don Rafael found himself +alone in the presence of the foaming cataract. + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. + +THE DIADEM. + +Chagrined at the result, the traveller had no course left but to return +to the place where he had left his horse. He was now in a worse +predicament than ever; since it had become dark, and it would be +difficult not only to find a path, but to follow it when found. The +moon, however, had already risen, or rather had been all the while above +the horizon, but hidden by a thick band of cumulus clouds that hung over +the west. As the clouds did not cover the whole canopy, and it was +likely that the moon would soon be visible, the traveller saw that he +had no other resource than to wait: in hopes that by her light he might +extricate himself from the difficulty into which his mischances had +guided him. + +On arriving where he had left his horse, Don Rafael sat down upon a +fallen tree; and, lighting a cigar, awaited the appearance of the moon. +He knew he should not have long to wait, for the yellow sheen, which +betokened the situation of the luminary of night, was at no great +distance from the edge of the cloud. + +He had not been seated more than a few seconds, when a singular sound +fell upon his ear. It was not the rushing noise of the cascade--for to +that he had been accustomed for some time--but a sound that resembled +the scream of some wild animal, ending in a hoarse and fiercely intoned +roaring. He had heard it once or twice before; and although he could +tell that it was not the howl of the coyote, he knew not what sort of +creature was causing it. + +Despite his ignorance of the cause, there was something in the sound +that denoted danger; and, instinctively influenced by this idea, the +young officer rose from his seat upon the log; and, untying his horse, +leaped into the saddle. It was not with the intention of moving away +from the spot--for the moon was not visible as yet--but with the +knowledge that on horseback he would be the better prepared for any +event that might arise. Still further to provide against possible +danger, he unbuckled the strap of his carbine, and tried whether the +piece was primed and in order. Don Rafael, although young, had seen +some military service on the northern frontier of Mexico--where Indian +warfare had taught him the wisdom of keeping habitually upon his guard. + +Again he heard the wild lugubrious scream rising above the roar of the +waters; and perceived that his horse, hearing it also, trembled between +his thighs! + +Coupling the sound with the strange spectacle to which he had just been +a witness, the young officer could not help feeling a slight sensation +of fear. He was a Creole, brought up consequently in the midst of +ecclesiastical superstition, scarce less monstrous and absurd than that +of pure paganism itself. He had heard in his youth how animals in +presence of beings of the other world are seized with a shivering--such +as that exhibited at the moment by his own horse--and he could almost +fancy that the scene he had just witnessed was some evocation of the +Prince of Darkness, to which the lugubrious sounds now reaching him were +the response. + +But Don Rafael was one of those bold spirits whom fear may visit but not +subdue; and he remained immobile in his saddle, without showing any +further symptoms of apprehension than by the twitching of his lips +against his cigar, the light of which at intervals gleamed like a meteor +through the darkness. + +While thus patiently waiting the moonlight, the horseman fancied that he +heard other sounds, and of a different import. Human voices they +appeared to be; and it at once occurred to him, that it might be the two +men whom he had disturbed and driven from their incantations. The +voices were each moment more distinctly uttered; and it was evident that +the speakers were approaching him. He perceived that it was probable +they would come out somewhere near where he was stationed; and in order +to have the advantage of a preliminary survey, in case they might turn +out to be enemies, he drew his horse back under the darker shadow of the +trees--placing himself in such a position that he commanded a view of +the path. + +The voices he heard were in reality those of the Indian and negro or +Costal and Clara: for it need scarce be told that it was they who were +the heroes of the mysterious spectacle of which Don Rafael had been the +sole spectator. + +The two worthies, on being interrupted in their pagan ceremony by the +shower of pebbles, had given up the performance; and were now threading +their way through the thicket to reach the road beyond it. + +The Indian was venting his wrath against the unknown personage who had +intruded upon their sacred devotions, and who had very probably hindered +the Siren of the dishevelled hair from showing herself. The negro +appeared to be equally indignant; but his anger was probably only +pretended. + +"Is it only at the first appearance of a new moon that the Siren shows +herself?" inquired Clara, as if the opportunity for seeing her had +escaped them. + +"Of course," replied Costal, "only then; but if there is a profane +person in the neighbourhood--and by profane I mean a _white_--the spirit +will not appear." + +"Perhaps she is afraid of the Inquisition?" naively suggested the negro. + +"Bah! Clara, you're a ninny! Why the devil should you suppose that the +powerful divinity of the waters has any fear of long-robed monks? It is +they, more likely, who would have cause to tremble in her presence, and +prostrate themselves before her." + +"_Carrambo_! if she's afraid to show herself before one white man, more +reason why she should fear a whole host of monks--who, it must be +confessed, are ugly enough to frighten anything." + +"May the devil drown the man who interrupted us!" cried Costal, rendered +the more indignant by the justice of the negro's reasoning. "A few +minutes more, and I am certain the Siren would have showed herself." + +"Why did you extinguish the fire so soon? I think, friend Costal, you +did wrong in that," remonstrated Clara. + +"I did it to hide from the eyes of the profane white man the mystery +about to be accomplished. Besides, I knew after what happened there was +no chance of her appearing." + +"So you really think it was some one who disturbed us?" + +"I am sure of it." + +"And is that how you account for the shower of stones?" + +"Of course." + +"By my faith, then," said the negro in a serious tone, "I differ with +you in opinion about that." + +"You do? And what is your opinion about it?" inquired Costal, stopping +and turning his eyes upon his companion. + +"I would stake my life upon it," replied the negro, still speaking +seriously, "that while you were dancing around the rock, I saw the +Siren." + +"Saw the Siren?" + +"Yes. Just where we had been--up by the _ahuehuetes_--I saw by the +blaze of our fire a face, surrounded by a diadem of shining gold. What +could that have been but the Siren?" + +"You must have been mistaken, friend Clara." + +"I was not mistaken. I saw what I tell you, and I shouldn't a bit +wonder that what we took for pebbles were neither more nor less than a +shower of _pepitas_ (nuggets) of gold, which the spirit had thrown down +to us." + +"_Carajo_! why did you allow us to leave the place without telling me of +this?" + +"Because it has just occurred to me now that it was _pepitas_, and not +pebbles; besides, our touchwood is all gone, and we could not have +kindled another fire." + +"We might have groped in the dark." + +"Nonsense, friend Costal! How could we tell grains of gold from gravel +or anything else in the midst of such darkness as there is down here. +Besides, if I came away, it was only with the thought of returning +again. We can come back in the morning at daybreak." + +"Aha!" cried Costal, suddenly starting with an alarmed air, and striking +his forehead with his hand. "We shan't return here to-morrow morning. +_Carrai_! I had forgotten; we shall do well to get out of this ravine +as quickly as possible." + +"Why so?" hastily inquired the black, astounded beyond measure at the +altered demeanour of his companion. + +"_Carrai_! I had forgotten," said Costal, repeating his words. +"To-night is new moon; and it is just at this season that the rivers +rise, break over their banks, and inundate the whole country. Yes! the +flood will come upon us like an avalanche, and almost without warning. +Ha! I do believe that is the warning now! Do you not hear a distant +hissing sound?" And as he said this the Indian bent his head and stood +listening. + +"The cascade, is it not?" + +"No--it is very different--it is a distant sound, and I can distinguish +it from the roar of the river. I am almost certain it is the +inundation." + +"Heaven have mercy upon us!" exclaimed the black. "What are we to do?" + +"Oh! make your mind easy," rejoined Costal in a consolatory tone. "We +are not in much danger. Once out of the ravine, we can climb a tree. +If the flood should find us here, it would be all over with us." + +"_Por Dios_! let us make haste then," said Clara, "and get out of this +accursed place, fit only for demons and tigers!" + +A few steps more brought the two adventurers out into the open ground; +and close to the spot where the dragoon captain was sitting silently on +his horse. The red coal glowing at the end of his cigar shone at +intervals in the darkness, lighting up his face, and the gold band of +lace that encircled his hat. Clara was the first to perceive this +unexpected apparition. + +"Look, Costal!" said he, hastily grasping his companion by the arm, and +whispering in his ear; "look there! As I live, the diadem of the +Siren!" + +The Indian turned his eyes in the direction indicated, and there, sure +enough, beheld something of a circular shape, shining in the glow of a +reddish-coloured spot of fire. + +He might have been as much puzzled to account for this strange +appearance as was his companion; but at that moment the moon shot up +from behind the bank of clouds that had hitherto hindered her from being +seen, and the figures of both horse and rider were brought fully into +the light. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. + +WHO GOES THERE? + +At a glance Costal saw what the strange object was--a broad band of gold +lace encircling a _sombrero_, and placed, Mexican fashion, around the +under edge of the brim. The cigar illuminating the lace had deceived +the negro, guiding him to the idea of a diadem! + +"_Carajo_!" muttered Costal between his teeth, "I told you so. Did I +not say that some profane white had hindered the Siren from appearing?" + +"You were right," replied Clara, ashamed at the mistake he had made, and +from that time losing all belief in the _genius_ of the cascade. + +"An officer!" murmured Costal, recognising the military equipments of +the dragoon, who, with a carbine in one hand, and his bridle in the +other, sat smoking his cigar, as immoveable as a statue. + +"Who goes there?" cried Costal, saluting him in a loud, bold voice. + +"Say, rather, who stands there?" responded Don Rafael, with equal +firmness, at the same moment that he recognised in the speaker the +Indian whose incantation he had witnessed. + +"Delighted to hear you speak at last, my fine fellows," continued the +dragoon in his military off-hand way, at the same time causing his horse +to step forward face to face with the adventurers. + +"Perhaps we are not so much pleased to hear you," replied Costal +roughly, as he spoke, shifting his gun from one shoulder to the other. + +"Ah! I am sorry for that," rejoined the dragoon, smiling frankly +through his thick moustache, "for I'm not inclined to solitary habits, +and I'm tired of being here alone." + +As Don Rafael said this, he placed his carbine back into its sling, and +rebuckled the straps around it, as if it was no longer required. This +he did notwithstanding the half-hostile attitude of the adventurers. + +The act did not escape the quick perception of the Indian; and, along +with the good-humour manifest in the stranger's speech, made an +instantaneous impression upon him. + +"Perhaps," added Don Rafael, plunging his hand into the pocket of his +_jaqueta_, "you have no good feeling towards me for disturbing you in +your proceedings, which I confess I did not understand. Neither did +they concern me; but you will excuse a strayed traveller, who wished to +inquire his way; and as I had no means of making myself heard to you, I +was forced to adopt the method I did to draw your attention. I hope +that on reflection you will do justice to my dexterity in taking care +that none of the stones should hit you." + +As he finished speaking the dragoon took a dollar from his purse, and +offered it to the Indian. + +"Thank you," said Costal, delicately refusing the piece, but which +Clara, less scrupulous, transferred to his pocket. "Thank you, +_cavallero_! May I ask where you are going?" + +"To the hacienda Las Palmas." + +"Las Palmas?" + +"Yes--am I far from it?" + +"Well," replied Costal, "that depends on the road you take." + +"I wish to take the shortest. I am rather pressed for time." + +"Well, then--the road which is the shortest is not that which you will +find the most easy to follow. If you wish to go by the one on which +there is the least danger of your getting astray, you will follow up the +course of this river. But if you wish a shorter route--one which avoids +the windings of the stream--you will go that way." + +As Costal finished speaking, he pointed in a direction very different +from that which he had indicated as the course of the river. + +The Indian had no design of giving a false direction. Even had the +little resentment, which he had conceived for the stranger, not entirely +passed, he knew that he dared not mislead a traveller on the way to the +hacienda, of which he was himself a servitor. But he no longer held any +grudge against the young officer, and his directions were honestly +meant. + +While they were speaking, another of those terrible screams that had +perplexed the traveller broke in upon the dialogue. It was the cry of +the jaguar, and came from the direction in which lay the route indicated +by Costal as the shortest. + +"What on earth is that?" inquired the officer. + +"Only a jaguar searching for prey," coolly responded Costal. + +"Oh!" said the dragoon, "is that all? I was fancying it might be +something more fearful." + +"Your shortest route, then, lies that way," said Costal, resuming his +directions, and pointing with his gun towards the spot where the howl of +the tiger had been heard. + +"Thank you!" said the horseman, gathering up his reins, and heading his +horse to the path. "If that is the shortest, I shall take it." + +"Stay!" said Costal, approaching a little nearer, and speaking with more +cordiality than he had yet shown. + +"_Oigate, senor cavallero_! A brave man like you does not need to be +warned of every danger; but one ought to be informed of the dangers one +must meet." + +Don Rafael checked his horse. + +"Speak, friend," said he; "I shall not listen to you ungratefully." + +"To reach from here the hacienda of Las Palmas," continued Costal, +"without going astray, or making detours, be careful always to keep the +moon to your left, so that your shadow may be thrown on the right--a +little slanting--just as you are at this moment. Moreover, when you +have started, never draw bridle till you have reached the house of Don +Mariano de Silva. If you meet a ditch, or brake, or ravine, cross them +in a direct line, and don't attempt to go round them." + +The Indian gave these directions in so grave a tone of voice, and with +such solemnity of manner, that Don Rafael was struck with surprise. + +"What frightful danger is it that threatens me?" he inquired at length. + +"A danger," replied Costal, "compared with which that of all the tigers +that ever howled over these plains is but child's play--the danger of +the _inundation_! Perhaps before an hour has passed, it will come +sweeping over these savannas like a foaming sea. The _arriero_ and his +mules, as well as the shepherd and his flocks, will be carried away by +its flood, if they don't succeed in reaching the shelter of that very +hacienda where you are going. Ay! the very tigers will not escape, with +all their swiftness." + +"I shall pay strict attention to the directions you have given me," said +the officer--once more about to ride off--when just then he remembered +his fellow-traveller whom he had left on the road. + +In a few hurried words he made known to the Indian the situation of the +young student of theology. + +"Make your mind easy about him," replied the latter. "We shall bring +him to the hacienda to-morrow, if we find him still alive. Think only +of yourself, and those who might bewail your death. If you meet the +jaguars don't trouble yourself about them. Should your horse refuse to +pass them, speak to him. If the brutes come too near you, let them hear +you as well. The human voice was given us to procure respect, which it +will do from the most ferocious of animals. The whites don't know +this--because fighting the tiger is not their trade, as it is that of +the red man; and I can tell you an adventure of this kind that I once +had with a jaguar--Bah; he's gone!" + +The last exclamatory phrases were drawn from the speaker, on perceiving +that the horseman, instead of staying to listen to his tale of +adventure, had put spurs to his horse, and suddenly ridden away. + +In another instant he was beyond earshot, galloping over the moonlit +plain in the direction of the hacienda Las Palmas. + +"Well!" cried Costal, as he stood gazing after him, "he's a frank brave +fellow, and I should be very sorry if any mischance were to happen to +him. I was not pleased about his interrupting us. It was a pity, to be +sure; but after all, had I been in his place I should have done just as +he did. Never mind," he added, after a pause, "all is not over--we +shall find another opportunity." + +"Hum!" said Clara, "I think the sooner we get out of the neighbourhood +of these tigers the better for our skins. For my part, I've had enough +adventure for one day." + +"Bah! still frightened about the tigers! For shame, Clara! Look at +this young man, who never saw a jaguar in his life; and heeds them no +more than so many field mice. Come along!" + +"What have we to do now?" + +"The spirit of the waters," replied Costal, "does not show herself in +the cascade alone. She appears also to those who invoke her with the +conch, amidst the yellow waves of the inundation. To-morrow we may try +again." + +"What about the young fellow whom the officer has recommended to our +care?" + +"We shall go to look after him in the morning. Meanwhile, we must have +some rest ourselves. Let us climb out of the ravine, and carry the +canoe up to the summit of the _Cerro de la Mesa_. There we shall sleep +tranquilly, without fear either of floods or jaguars." + +"That's just the thing," said Clara, his black face brightening up at +the prospect of a good night's rest. "To say the truth, friend Costal, +I'm tired enough myself. Our gymnastics up yonder, on the _ahuehuetes_, +have made every bone in my body as sore as a blister." + +And as the two _confreres_ ended their dialogue, they stepped briskly +forward, and were soon at the top of the precipitous path that led up +from the ravine. + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. + +PRECIOUS MOMENTS. + +The Captain of the Queen's Dragoons continued his gallop towards the +hacienda of Las Palmas. + +For the first mile or two of his route, he passed over the broad plain +that lay silent under the soft light of the moon. The frondage of the +palms swayed gently under a sky sparkling with stars, and the +penetrating odour of the guavas loaded the atmosphere with a delicious +perfume. So tranquil was the scene, that Don Rafael began to think the +Indian had been playing upon his credulity. Mechanically he relaxed his +pace, and delivered himself up to one of those sweet reveries which the +tropic night often awakens within the spirit of the traveller. At such +an hour one experiences a degree of rapture in listening to the voices +of earth and heaven, like a hymn which each alternately chants to the +other. + +All at once the traveller remembered what for the last two days of his +journey had been perplexing him--the houses abandoned--the canoes +suspended from the trees. Now, for the first time, did he comprehend +the meaning of these circumstances, no longer strange. The canoes and +_periaguas_ had been thus placed as a last means of safety, for those +who might be so unfortunate as to be overtaken by the inundation. + +Suddenly rousing himself from his reverie, Don Rafael again spurred his +horse into a gallop. + +He had ridden scarce a mile further, when all at once the voices of the +night became hushed. The cicadas in the trees, and the crickets under +the grass, as if by mutual consent, discontinued their cheerful chirrup; +and the breeze, hitherto soft and balmy, was succeeded by puffs of wind, +exhaling a marshy odour, stifling as the breath of some noisome +pestilence. + +This ominous silence was not of long duration. Presently the traveller +perceived a hoarse distant roaring, not unlike that of the cataract he +had left behind him; but from a point diametrically opposite--in fact, +from the direction towards which he was heading. + +At first he fancied that in his momentary fit of abstraction he had +taken a wrong direction, and might be returning upon the stream. But +no: the moon was on his left; his shadow and that of his horse were +projected to the opposite side. He must still be on the right road. + +His heart began to bound more quickly within his breast. If the Indian +had spoken the truth, a danger lay before him against which neither his +carbine nor rapier--neither courage nor a strong arm--could avail him. +His only hope rested in the speed and strength of his horse. + +Fortunately, the long journey had not deprived the brave steed of all +his vigour. With ears laid back, and muzzle stretched horizontally +forward, he continued his rapid gallop; his spread nostrils inhaling the +puffs of damp air which came like avant-couriers in advance of the +troubled waters. + +It was now a struggle between the horseman and the flood, as to which +should first reach the hacienda of Las Palmas. + +The officer slackened his bridle-rein. The tinkling rowels of his spurs +resounded against the ribs of his horse. The trial of speed had +commenced. The plain appeared to glide past him like the current of a +river. The bushes and tall palms seemed flying backward. + +The inundation was rolling from west to east. The horseman was +hastening in the opposite direction. Both must soon come together; but +at what place? + +The distance between them was rapidly diminishing. The noise of the +flood, at first low, like the muttering of distant thunder, was +gradually growing louder. The palms still appeared to glide past like +spectres, but as yet the belfry of the hacienda had not come in sight. +Neither as yet was visible the threatening mass of the inundation. + +At this perilous moment Don Rafael perceived that his horse was sensibly +slackening his pace. The sides of the animal felt swollen, and heaved +with a convulsive panting. + +The air, so rapidly cut in his swift course, with difficulty entered his +nostrils. A few seconds longer, and that in his lungs must give out. + +The officer drew up for an instant. The breathing of his horse appeared +obstructed, and the hoarse sound, caused by its inspiration, was a +mournful accompaniment to the sough of the waters that were constantly +advancing. + +The traveller listened to these sounds with a sentiment of despair. + +Just then he heard the clanging of a bell, as if hurriedly tolled. It +was that of the hacienda, giving out its warning notes over the wide +savanna. + +A reflection crossed his mind. It had been partly suggested by the +words of the Indian: "_Think only of those who may bewail your death_." +Was there in that hacienda, where he was hourly expected, one who would +bewail it? Perhaps yes, and bitterly! + +The thought would have urged him onward; but Don Rafael still remained +halted. He saw that his horse required a moment of rest, in order to +recover his wind, otherwise he could not have proceeded. + +The dragoon had the presence of mind to perceive this imperious +necessity; and, in spite of the danger that threatened he dismounted, +loosened the girdle of his saddle, thus permitting the horse to breathe +more freely. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. + +A FRIEND IN NEED. + +He was counting with anxiety the minutes that passed, when at that +moment there echoed upon his ear the hoof-strokes of another horse, +going at full gallop. + +It was a horseman following the same route, and running the same risk as +himself. He was mounted upon a strong, swift animal, that appeared to +pass over the ground like a bird upon the wing. + +In an instant the horseman came up, and drawing vigorously on the +bridle, halted alongside. + +"What are you about?" cried the new-comer, speaking in hurried phrase. +"Do you not hear the alarm-bell? Don't you know that the flood is +coming down?" + +"Yes; but my horse has given out. I am waiting till he recovers his +wind." + +The stranger cast a glance towards the bay-brown of Don Rafael, and then +threw himself out of his saddle. "Take hold of this," he said, flinging +his bridle to the officer. "Let me examine your horse." + +Raising the saddle-flap, he placed his hand underneath, to feel the +pulsations of the lungs. + +"All right yet," he exclaimed, after a pause, apparently satisfied that +the animal would recover. + +Then stooping down, he took up a large stone, and began to rub it +vigorously over the ribs and along the belly of the panting steed. + +Don Rafael could not help gazing with curious interest on a man who, +thus careless of his own life, was occupying himself so generously about +the safety of another--that other, too, a perfect stranger! + +The man was costumed as an _arriero_ (muleteer). A species of +tight-fitting blouse, of coarse greyish-coloured wool, striped black, +covered the upper part of his body, over which, in front, hung a short +leathern apron. Wide calzoneros of linen flapped about his legs. His +feet were encased in buskins of brown goat-skin, while over his face +fell the shadow of a broad-brimmed hat of coarse felt cloth. + +He was a man of less than medium size; but with a sweet expression of +features, from which his sunburnt complexion did not detract. Even at +that terrible moment his countenance appeared calm and serene! + +Don Rafael did not attempt to interrupt his proceedings, but stood +regarding him with a feeling of deep gratitude. + +For some moments the muleteer continued to use the stone. Then stopping +the process, he placed his hand once more to feel the pulsation. This +time he appeared less satisfied than before. + +"He will founder," said he, "if something be not done to prevent it. He +must have more breath through his nostrils. There is but one way to +save him. Assist me to try it. We must haste, for the bell is tolling +with double violence to give warning that the waters are near." + +As he was speaking, he drew a cord from the pocket of his leathern +apron; and, forming a running noose at one end of it, he drew it tightly +around the muzzle of the horse, just above the nostrils. + +"Now," said he, handing the cord to Don Rafael. "First cover the +horse's eyes with your handkerchief; and then hold the cord with all +your might." + +While Don Rafael hastened to obey the directions, the muleteer took a +knife from his belt, and with a quick cut divided the transparent +partition between the nostrils of the animal. The blood gushed forth in +copious jets; and the horse, notwithstanding the efforts of Don Rafael +to hold him to the ground, reared up on his hind legs, and struck +forward with his hoofs. A hollow gurgling noise came forth from his +nostrils as the air rushed in through the opening that had been made. + +"Now!" exclaimed the muleteer, "you need no longer fear for his wind. +Your horse can run as far as his legs will carry him. You will be saved +if you are to be saved." + +"Your name," cried Don Rafael, stretching out his hand to the muleteer; +"your name, that I may always keep it in remembrance." + +"Valerio Trujano, a poor _arriero_; not very fortunate in his affairs, +but who consoles himself with the belief that he has done his duty, and +leaves the rest to God. Our lives are now in His hands. Let us pray +that He may preserve them from the awful danger that is before us." + +Repeating these words with an air of solemnity, the muleteer took off +his hat, displaying to view a mass of black curling hair. Then kneeling +upon the sand, he raised his eyes to heaven, and in a voice of prayer +pronounced the words:-- + +"_De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine! Domine, exaudi vocem meam_!" + +While the muleteer was engaged in his devotion, the dragoon tightened +his girths for the last struggle; and both at the same time springing +into their saddles, resumed the gallop that had been so unfortunately +interrupted. The damp, chill wind which preceded the coming of the +waters bore loudly to their ears the warning notes of the bell--mingled +with the sinister sounds that betokened the approach of the inundation. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. + +LAS PALMAS AND ITS PEOPLE. + +The southern portion of the state of Vera Cruz, bordering on +Tehuantepec, exhibits a singular hydrographic system. A number of great +rivers, as the _Rio Blanc_, the _Plaza Vicente_, the _Goazacoalcos_, and +the _Papatoapan_, with many of smaller note, form a complete network +over the country. Most of these rivers have their sources in the +_Sierra Madre_, and traversing the plains of the _tierra caliente_, +debouch into the Gulf of Mexico. + +Every one has heard how profusely the rain falls in tropical countries +during that period of the year known as the "rainy season." It is the +American winter of these southern latitudes, commencing in the month of +June, and ending in October. At this time the waters of the rivers +above mentioned, augmented by torrents of rain falling daily, break over +the boundaries of their channels, and, free as the wild horses upon +their banks, rush impetuously over the surrounding plains. + +Almost with the rapidity of a galloping steed, the yellow flood rolls +onward, as if impelled by the breath of a demon, carrying terror and +desolation in its track. Woe to the living thing unable to flee before +its watery phalanx! + +The inundations proceeding simultaneously from the different streams +soon become joined to one another; and the waters, now spread over a +vast tract of country, flow in a more tranquil current. Thus united +together, they form an immense sea, covering the whole extent of the +savannas; upon the tranquil surface of which may be seen the _debris_ of +their destructive violence, with the carcasses of all sorts of animals. + +In the country thus inundated a singular spectacle may at this time be +witnessed: villages completely surrounded by water, as if built upon +islands; trees with their trunks submerged, their leafy tops alone +visible; canoes and large _periaguas_, decked with flags and filled with +people in their holiday suits, trying to outdo each other in speed or +elegance of adornment; while groups of young girls, gaily dressed and +crowned with flowers, may be seen seated in the boats, singing to the +inspiriting accompaniment of the harp or mandolin. + +The situation in which the hacienda of Las Palmas stood had been chosen +with a view to provide against these annual floods. It was upon the +north side of a plait apparently boundless towards the south, east, and +west. The house stood upon an eminence of no great elevation--a sort of +outlying spur of a higher ridge that backed it upon the north. It was +isolated, however, and at some distance from the ridge, whose direction +was eastward and westward. The hill upon which the hacienda stood was +one of those singular eminences known in Spanish-America by the name of +_mesa_ (table). Its flat top formed an oblong parallelogram, at one end +of which stood the dwelling-house, the other being occupied by the +storehouses and stables. These were upon an extensive scale, all +enclosed within a wall of strong mason-work. In the same enclosure were +rows of chambers for the lodgment of the _peons, vaqueros_, and other +retainers of the establishment. + +The dwelling-house, standing upon the southern extremity of the _mesa_, +fronted towards the great plain. In its centre a massive double door +opened into the courtyard, or _patio_; and this entrance was reached by +a broad causeway, sloping upward with a gentle declivity from the plain, +and fenced along each edge by a parapet of strong mason-work. Thus +situated, the hacienda of Las Palmas--so named from the numerous topes +of palm-trees which mottled the plain in front--not only defied the +flood, but might have served as a fortress of no despicable strength. +The proprietor of this dwelling, as well as the extensive estate +surrounding it, was Don Mariano de Silva. + +The bell of the hacienda had tolled the evening _oration_, and the +tinkling of the _angelus_ was sounding the summons to prayer. At that +moment might be witnessed an interesting spectacle upon the plain +adjoining the dwelling of Don Mariano de Silva. The Indian labourers, +who never work a moment beyond the prescribed time, at the first sound +of the bell had all suddenly stopped as if struck by paralysis. The +pickaxe raised aloft, the spade half buried in the earth, the goad +lifted to prick forward the ox, fell simultaneously from their hands; +while the oxen themselves, accustomed to imitate their drivers, came at +once to a stand, leaving the plough in the half-finished furrow. The +_vaqueros_ galloped straight to their stables and unsaddled their +horses; the peons came crowding in from the fields; and while the plain +was thus deserted the corral and outhouses became crowded. + +In the midst of this crowd women were seen hurrying to and fro, carrying +hot plates of _comal, tortillas_, and _chile colorado_, destined for the +evening repast. + +The sun was yet shining brightly, and his last rays darted their golden +light through the iron bars and green trelliswork of the windows of the +hacienda. One, however, that looked eastward was sheltered from his +beams; and a traveller coming in that direction might have observed that +the lattice blind was raised up, and the rich amber-coloured curtains +were visible behind it, although partially drawn. The window was at no +great height from the ground, in fact on the ground-floor itself; but +the house standing upon the pedestal of the _mesa_ was elevated several +feet above the level of the plain, and a horseman, however high his +horse, could not have looked into the chamber thus situated. + +There was no traveller, however, in sight; no one except some belated +labourers, who, through the luminous haze of the setting sun, could be +seen making their way towards the hacienda. + +Any one who could have looked into this chamber would have there beheld +a scene of more than ordinary interest. Though a mansion in the western +world, the style and furnishing of the apartment exhibited a certain +character of _orientalism_: for Mexico has long held traffic with the +countries of the far East. + +At that moment the chamber contained something of more interest than +even its rich furniture. Three young girls graced it by their presence. +Two of them were evidently sisters--judging by the air of familiarity +that existed between them, rather than by any very marked personal +resemblance. They were the daughters of Don Mariano, the proprietor of +the mansion. The third was simply a servant--their waiting-maid. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. + +A CREOLE TOILETTE. + +It is customary in Europe to accuse the Creole ladies of tropical +America of the crime of indolence. This custom is common with those who +talk of woman and her political rights, and who believe that woman was +created to share man's labours instead of soothing them. He, however, +who has looked upon these fair Creole women and observed their tranquil +repose of spirit--perhaps a certain sensualism, which only adds to their +beauty--he, I say, who has seen this, will be disposed to look with a +more lenient eye upon their so-called indolence, and will scarce believe +it a crime. + +The two daughters of Don Mariano de Silva offered at this moment, though +in degrees somewhat different, examples of this peculiar characteristic +of their countrywomen. One of them, with her limbs crossed in the +oriental fashion, was seated upon a Chinese mat. Her long black hair, +that had been plaited in several tresses, and recently combed out, still +preserved the wavy outlines of the plaits, as it fell profusely over her +shoulders. + +Perhaps there are no women in the world who take more pride in their +hair than do the Creoles of Spanish-America. It is never desecrated by +the touch of the scissors; and several hours of every day are bestowed +upon the dressing of it. For all this, the young girl in question, as +she sat with her head pensively inclined, seemed to give but little +thought to those luxuriant tresses that, undulating over her white +shoulders, lay in clusters upon the mat. She appeared rather to deliver +them up mechanically to the hands of her attendant, who was occupied in +arranging them. + +The face encircled by these exuberant masses of glossy hair, possessed +all the characteristics of the finest Creole beauty. Her features, at +once proud and calm, denoted an ardent and enthusiastic spirit +habitually hidden under an expression of indolent serenity. The +elegance of the Spanish race was also manifest in her small white hands, +and in those little feet possessed by Mexican and South American women +of whatever class. Blue satin slippers covered those of the young girl, +otherwise nude: for stockings are not a rigorous necessity of Creole +costume. + +The young lady thus described was Dona Gertrudis, the elder of the two +daughters of Don Mariano. + +The younger, Marianita, was scarce less beautiful, but her beauty was of +a different style. Quick-witted, and prone to laughter, her sparkling +glances formed a contrast to the calm yet brilliant gaze of her sister; +while varying expressions passed as rapidly over her countenance as the +fleeting shadows of an April sky. With Dona Gertrudis it was altogether +different; she resembled the volcanoes of her country, with their +perpetual fire hidden under a robe of snow. + +Neither of the young girls had yet reached the age of womanhood. +Gertrudis was only seventeen, while the other was a year and a half +younger. Both, however, had acquired that full development of feminine +beauty which a tropical climate often calls forth at a much earlier age. + +While the hair of Gertrudis was being arranged by her waiting woman, +Marianita was tying around her ankle the ribbons that were to confine +the tiny slipper upon her pretty little foot. + +The grand political events at this time occurring had disturbed the +quietude of this family, as well as that of most others. There were +some probabilities, too, of there being a difference of opinion among +its members, for at the moment when our narrative commences, a marriage +was on the _tapis_ between a young Spaniard of the neighbourhood and +Dona Marianita. + +Previous to the Mexican revolution, the most ardent wish of a young +Creole lady was to obtain for a husband some new arrival from the mother +country--Spain. Gertrudis, nevertheless, had more than once declined +this honour, which Marianita, as we have seen, had accepted. Why did +the Dona Gertrudis form an exception to the general rule? The sequel +will show. + +We have presented these two young girls in the act of making their +toilet; we may add, that these preparations were in view of the arrival +of two gentlemen who were that evening expected. One was the young +Spaniard, the betrothed lover of Marianita; the other Don Rafael +Tres-Villas, Captain in the Queen's Dragoons. The former lived within +less than two leagues of the hacienda Las Palmas, and might be expected +at any moment--the other, having two hundred to travel, could scarce be +looked for with equal punctuality; for although he had sent positive +word that he would arrive on that evening, it was reasonable to suppose +that upon such a long journey some incident might arise to derange his +calculations. Was this uncertainty the reason why Gertrudis had scarce +commenced making her toilet, while Marianita had finished hers? Was Don +Rafael the only man in whose eyes Gertrudis cared to appear beautiful? +We shall presently know. + +One of the daily cares of a young Creole lady is to take down the +abundant plaits of her hair, and combing out the separate tresses, leave +them hanging over her shoulders, so that the air may circulate freely +among them. As soon as the attendant of Gertrudis, charged with this +duty in the present instance, had accomplished her task, she passed out +of the chamber, and the two sisters were left alone. + +There are certain subjects of conversation which young girls, of +whatever country, love only to talk of between themselves, and in their +own private apartment. + +Scarce had the servant closed the door behind her, than Marianita--who +had just finished placing some pomegranate flowers behind her +tortoiseshell comb--glided eagerly towards the window. On reaching it +she stood for some moments with her eyes bent inquiringly on the plain. +Gertrudis had changed her oriental posture for a seat upon a leathern +_fauteuil_. After casting back, by an indolent movement of her arms, +the dark masses of her hair, she delivered herself up to a silent +reverie. + +"I have examined the plain with all my eyes," said Marianita after a +while spent at the window; "it appears entirely deserted. I cannot see +a human creature upon it, much less Don Fernando, or Don Rafael. +Santissima! I fear I have had all this trouble for nothing; in half an +hour it will be sunset." + +"You need not be uneasy. Don Fernando will come," said Gertrudis, in a +calm voice. + +"Ah!" exclaimed Marianita, "one might tell by the tone in which you +speak that you are not expecting your _novio_ (betrothed), as I am. My +very impatience makes me despair of seeing him. Ah! Gertrudis, you +have never experienced the emotion of love." + +"Were I in your place I should feel more chagrin than impatience." + +"Chagrin, oh! no; if Don Fernando don't choose to come this evening, he +will lose the pleasure of seeing me in this beautiful white dress which +he admires so much, and with these purple pomegranates in my hair, which +I put in just to please him. For my part I prefer the white blossoms of +the orange; but they say that a woman when married must make some +sacrifices, and I may as well accustom myself to them." + +In saying these words the young girl snapped her fingers together till +they cracked like castanets; while her countenance, instead of +expressing any very painful emotion, exhibited an air of perfect +contentment. + +Gertrudis made no answer, except by a sigh, half-suppressed. She sat +motionless, with the exception of her foot, which kept balancing upward +and downward the little slipper of blue satin, while the fresh breeze of +the evening blowing in from the window, caused a gentle tremulous +movement among the tresses of her hair. + +"It's very tiresome--this country life," continued Marianita; "it's true +one can pass the day by combing out one's hair, and taking a siesta; but +in the evening, to have nothing else to do but walk in the garden and +listen to the sighing breeze, instead of singing and dancing in a +_tertulia_! Oh, it is wearisome--very, very wearisome, I declare. We +are here, like the captive princesses in an Eastern romance, which I +commenced reading last year, but which I have not yet finished. Santa +Virgen! I see a cloud of dust upon the horizon at last--a horseman! +_Que clicha_! (what happiness!)" + +"A horseman!--what is the colour of his steed?" inquired Gertrudis, +suddenly aroused. + +"Ha--ha! As I live his horse is a mule--what a pity it was not some +knight-errant! but I have heard that these fine gentry no longer exist." + +Gertrudis again sighed. + +"Ah! I can distinguish him now," continued Marianita. "It is a priest +who rides the mule. Well, a priest is better than nobody--especially if +he can play as well on the mandolin as the last one that travelled this +way, and stayed two days with us. He! He is coming on a gallop--that's +not a bad sign. But no! he has a very grave, demure look. Ah! he sees +me; he is waving a salute. Well, I must go down and kiss his hand, I +suppose." + +Saying these words, the young Creole--whose education taught her that it +was her duty to kiss the hand of every priest who came to the hacienda-- +pursed up her pretty rose-coloured lips in a saucy mocking fashion. + +"Come, Gertrudis!" continued she; "come along with me. He is just by +the entrance gate!" + +"Do you see no one upon the plain?" inquired Gertrudis, not appearing to +trouble herself about the arrival of the priest. "No other horseman-- +Don Fernando, for instance?" + +"Ah, yes!" answered Marianita, once more looking from the window. "Don +Fernando transformed into a mule-driver, who is forcing his _recua_ into +a gallop, as if he wished the loaded animals to run a race with one +another! Why, the muleteer is making for the hacienda, as well as the +priest, and galloping like him, too! What on earth can be the matter +with the people? One would think that they had taken leave of their +senses!" + +The clanging of bolts and creaking hinges announced the opening of the +great gate; and this, followed by a confused clatter of hoof-strokes, +told that the mule-driver with his train of animals was also about to +receive the hospitality of the hacienda. This circumstance, contrary to +all usage, somewhat surprised the young girls, who were wondering why +the house was being thus turned into an hostelry. They were further +surprised at hearing an unusual stir in the courtyard--the servants of +the establishment talking in a clamorous medley of voices, and footsteps +falling heavily on the pavements and stone stairs leading up to the +_azotea_ of the building. + +"Jesus!" exclaimed Marianita, making the sign of the cross; "is the +hacienda going to be besieged, I wonder? Mercy on us! I hope the +insurgent brigands may not be coming to attack us!" + +"Shame, sister!" said Gertrudis, in a tone of calm reproach. "Why do +you call them brigands?--these men who are fighting for their liberties, +and who are led by venerable priests?" + +"Why do I call them brigands?" brusquely responded Marianita. "Because +they hate the Spaniards, whose pure blood runs in our veins; and +because," continued she--the impetuous Creole blood mounting to her +cheek--"because _I_ love a Spaniard!" + +"Ah!" replied Gertrudis, in the same reproachful tone; "you perhaps only +fancy you love him? In my opinion, sister, true love presents certain +symptoms which I don't perceive in you." + +"And what matters if I do not love him, so long as he loves me? Am I +not soon to belong to him? And why, then, should I think different to +what he does? No, no!" added the young girl, with that air of +passionate devotion which the women of her country and race lavish +without limits on those whom they love. + +At this moment, the sudden and unexpected strokes of the alarm-bell +breaking upon their ears interrupted the dialogue between the two +sisters, putting an end to a conversation which promised to engender +ill-feeling between them--just as the same topic had already caused +dissension in more than one family circle, breaking the nearest and +dearest ties of friendship and kindred. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. + +THE INUNDATION. + +Just as Marianita was about to open the door and inquire the cause of +the tumult, the _femme-de-chambre_ rushed into the room; and, without +waiting to be questioned, cried out-- + +"_Ave Maria, senoritas! the inundation is coming_! A vaquero has just +galloped in to say that the waters are already within a league or two of +the hacienda!" + +"The inundation!" echoed both the sisters in a breath; Marianita +repeating the sign of the cross, while Gertrudis bounded up from the +_fauteuil_, and, gathering her long hair around her wrists, rushed +towards the window. + +"_Jesus! senorita_," cried the waiting-maid, addressing herself to +Gertrudis, "one would think you were going to leap down to the plain, as +if to save some one in danger." + +"Don Rafael, God have pity on him!" exclaimed Gertrudis in a state of +distraction. + +"Don Fernando!" cried Marianita, shuddering as she spoke. + +"The plain will soon be one great lake," continued the servant; "woe to +them who may be caught upon it! But as for Don Fernando, you may make +yourself easy, senorita. The vaquero who came in was sent by Don +Fernando with a message to master, to say that he would be here in the +morning in his boat." + +After delivering this intelligence the attendant retired, leaving the +young girls once more alone. + +"In a boat!" exclaimed Marianita, as soon as the servant had gone out. +"Oh, Gertrudis!" she continued, suddenly passing from sadness to a +transport of joy, "won't that be delightful? We shall sail upon the +water in our state barge crowned with flowers, and--" + +As Marianita turned round, her transport of frivolous egotism was +suddenly checked, as she saw her sister, with her long dark tresses +hanging dishevelled around her, kneeling in front of an image of the +Madonna. Giving way to a feeling of reproach, she also knelt down and +mingled her prayers with those of Gertrudis, while the alarm-bell +continued to peal forth to the four quarters of the compass its notes of +solemn and lugubrious import. + +"Oh, my poor Gertrudis!" said she, taking her sister's hand in her own, +while her tears fell fast upon the glistening tresses; "pardon me if, in +the fulness of my own joy, I did not perceive that your heart was +breaking. Don Rafael--you love him then?" + +"If he die I shall die too--that is all I know," murmured Gertrudis, +with a choking sigh. + +"Nay, do not fear, Gertrudis; God will protect him. He will send one of +his messengers to save him," said the young girl, in the simplicity of +her faith; and then returning, she mingled her prayers with those of her +sister, now and then alternating them with words of consolation. + +"Go to the window!" said Gertrudis, after some time had passed. "See if +there is yet any one upon the plain. I cannot, for my eyes are filled +with tears. I shall remain here." + +And, saying these words, Gertrudis again knelt before the image of the +Virgin. + +Marianita instantly obeyed the request, and, gliding across the floor, +took her stand by the open window. The golden haze that had hitherto +hung over the plain was darkening into a purple violet colour, but no +horseman appeared in the distance. + +"The horse he will be riding," said Gertrudis, at the moment +interrupting her devotions, "will be his bay-brown. He knows how much I +admire that beautiful steed--his noble war-horse that carried him +through all his campaigns against the Indians. I have often taken the +flowers from my hair to place them upon the frontlet of the brave +bay-brown. Oh! _Virgen Santissima_! O Jesus! sweet Lord! Don Rafael! +my beautiful! my loved! who will bring you to me?" cried the young +girl--her wild, passionate ejaculations mingling with the words of her +prayer. + +The plain was every moment becoming less visible to the eye, as the +twilight deepened into the shadows of night, when all at once it was +re-illuminated by the pale rays of the moon. Still no horseman could be +seen either near or afar off--nothing but the tall, dark palm-trees that +stood motionless in the midst of the silent savanna. + +"He has been warned in time," suggested Marianita, in hopes of +tranquillising her sister. "Most likely he will not have set out +to-day." + +"Oh, no--no!" cried Gertrudis, wringing her hands in anguish; "you are +wrong. I know Don Rafael too well. I judge his heart by my own. I am +sure he would try to be here this very evening. Another day would be +too long for him. He would brave every danger, if only to see me a few +hours sooner--I know he would. I know he will be coming at this +moment!" + +Just then a noise as of distant thunder was heard mingling with the +metallic notes of the bell; and simultaneous with this ominous dialogue, +between the hoarse muffled rumbling of the waters and the lugubrious +clanging, a sheen of reddish light was seen to gleam suddenly over the +moon-whitened plain, and, as it glared far into the distance, +illuminating the dark forms of the palm-trees. It was proceeding from +the beacon fires which Don Mariano had caused to be kindled both on the +platform of the hacienda and on the higher ridge behind it--in hopes +that their light might serve as a guide to those who might be still +wandering upon the plain. + +Both the eye and the ear were thus warned of the threatening danger; +and, as the people moved around the blazing fires, their shadows, +magnified to gigantic proportions, were projected far out upon the +savanna. + +The moments passed slowly, amidst fearful and ominous sounds. The +muffled roar of the inundation was every instant heard more distinctly, +as the exasperated flood came rolling onward. Already it resembled the +noise of the loudest thunder, when the mass of dense waters was seen +glistening under the light of the fires, only a few hundred paces +distant from the western wall of the hacienda! + +"Oh, sister!" cried Gertrudis, in a voice of despair, "look again! Is +no one in sight? O mercy!" + +Marianita still stood by the window, eagerly directing her glance over +the plain, and endeavouring to penetrate the obscure gleam outside the +circle lighted by the glare of the fires. + +"No--no one," replied she; and then her tone suddenly changing into one +of terror, she shrieked out--"O mercy! I see two horsemen--yes; they +are horsemen. _Madre de Dios_! they are flying like the wind! Alas! +alas! they will be too late!" + +As she spoke, loud shouts were heard from above--from the _azotea_ of +the house--to which Don Mariano and a crowd of servants had ascended. +Other men, mounted on horseback, galloped along the terrace upon which +the house stood, waving long lazoes around their heads, and ready to +fling them out as soon as the two travellers should approach within +reach. The men below were also uttering loud cries, unable to restrain +their voices at the sight of the two horsemen thus desperately +struggling to anticipate the approach of the mass of roaring waters. +Already the flood was rushing forward upon the walls of the hacienda, +approaching like waves of fire under the glare of the flaming beacons. + +The sisters within the chamber heard the cries, without seeing those +that gave utterance to them, or knowing aught of the movements that were +being made for rescuing the two horsemen from their perilous position. + +"Oh, Gertrudis!" cried Marianita, now leaning out from the window, and +clinging convulsively to one of the iron bars, "come hither and see +them! You can tell whether it be Don Rafael. I do not know him. If it +be he, your voice might encourage him." + +"I cannot--I cannot!" replied Gertrudis, in a voice quivering with +emotion. "Oh, sister! I dare not look upon such a spectacle. 'Tis +he--too well my heart tells me it is he--oh, I can only pray for him!" + +"They are both mounted on dark-coloured horses. One of them is a little +man. He is in the costume of an arriero. That cannot be Don Rafael!" + +"The other? the other?" cried Gertrudis in a low but anxious tone. + +"The other," answered Marianita, "is a head taller than the first. He +sits his horse like a centaur. Now I can see his face distinctly. He +has a fine noble countenance, with black moustaches. There is a band of +gold lace on his hat. The danger does not appear to alarm him. Ah! he +is a noble, handsome fellow." + +"It is he!" cried Gertrudis, in a voice that could be heard high above +the _melee_ of sounds. "Yes--it is Don Rafael!" she repeated, springing +to her feet, as if with the intention of beholding him once more before +he should be engulfed in the flood of waters. "Where, sister? where?" +she continued, gliding towards the window; but before she had made three +steps across the chamber, her strength failed her, and she sank +half-fainting upon the floor. + +"Mercy!" exclaimed Marianita, half stupified with terror. "Oh! _Jesus +Maria_! another bound of their horses, and they will be safe! _Valga me +Dios_! too late--too late! there are the waters. Oh! their wild roar! +hear how they beat against the walls. Mother of God! shield these brave +men! They hold one another by the hand! They bury their spurs in their +horses' flanks! They ride forward without fear! They advance upon the +frothing flood, as if they were charging upon an enemy! Virgin of +Paradise! one of them, the smaller, is actually chaunting a hymn!" + +In effect, at that moment the voice of a man was heard above the rush of +the water, crying out in measured accents-- + +"_In manus tuas, Domine! commendo animam meam_!" + +"Merciful Father!" cried Marianita, "I see them no more, the waters are +over them both!" + +For a moment a death-like silence reigned in the apartment, broken only +by the groaning of the waters, and the shouts of those clustering upon +the _azotea_ without. + +Gertrudis, prostrate amidst the tresses of her dishevelled hair, was no +longer able to give utterance to a word even in prayer. + +The voice of Marianita once more aroused her. + +"Now I see them again," continued she, "but no, only one! There is only +one of them in the saddle. It is the taller one--he with the moustache. +The other is gone. No! I see him, but he is dismounted, and borne off +upon the flood. There! the other has seized hold of him! he raises him +up, and draws him across his horse. What a powerful arm the brave man +must have--he lifts the other like a child! The horse too appears +strong as his master. How gallantly he breasts the flood with both men +upon his back! What a strange sound comes from his nostrils! Now they +are heading for the walls. _Santissima Virgen_! will you allow this +brave cavalier to perish? he who overcomes that which has rooted up the +trees of the forest?" + +"Oh!" cried Gertrudis, recovering her strength, and speaking in a burst +of passionate pride; "it is Don Rafael, I am sure! No other could +perform such a deed!" + +Her heart suddenly sank again, as she observed that her sister once more +spoke in a tone of anguish. + +"Alas, alas!" cried Marianita, "an enormous tree is drifting towards +them! Oh! it will strike the horse! they will be overwhelmed by it." + +"Angel, whose name he bears!" shrieked Gertrudis, "angel, protect him! +Virgin Mary, appease the rage of the waters, and shield him from +destruction! Holy Virgin, save him, _and I vow to sacrifice my hair for +his life_!" + +This was the most precious offering the young Creole could think of +making to the Virgin, and as if the vow had been accepted, the voice of +Marianita was at that moment heard in a more cheerful tone. + +"Blessed be God!" exclaimed she, "they will yet be saved! A dozen +lazoes are around the tree. They have been thrown by people from the +house. Good! the trunk no longer rolls onward. It is checked and held +by the ropes. The brave horseman might easily mount upon it. But no! +he will not abandon his noble horse, nor the man he is holding in his +arms. See, he is riding around the tree, his brave steed plunging +through the water with all his strength. Once more he is breasting the +flood--on--on--ah! hear those shouts of triumph! He is up to the walls! +he is saved!" + +A loud triumphant cheer rising from below, and blending with a similar +cry that pealed along the roof of the hacienda, confirmed the words of +Marianita; and the two sisters rushing together became locked in a +mutual embrace. + +"Ah, Gertrudis!" said Marianita, after a moment, "you have vowed your +hair to the Virgin? your beautiful hair, worth a kingdom!" + +"Yes," responded Gertrudis, "and, were it worth a world, I should have +given it all the same for the life of my noble Don Rafael. Ah! yes; and +he shall cut it from my head with his own hands!" + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN. + +THE LAST OF THE ZAPOTEQUES. + +At no great distance from the cascade already introduced to the reader, +there rises a little hill, with a flat or table-shaped top, as if it had +once been a cone, whose apex had been cut off by some freak of nature. +As already observed, such eminences are not uncommon throughout the +plains of America, where they are generally termed _mesas_, or _cerros +de la mesa_ (table hills). The archaeologists of the province, in +speaking of the hill in question--which simply bore the name of +_Cerro-de-la-mesa_--declared it to be an ancient shrine of the +Zapoteques. Tradition says that a temple once stood upon it; but, if +so, it must have been constructed of very perishable materials; since no +ruin testifies to the truth of this tradition. Costal, however, +believed it, for the _tigrero_, though apparently a Christianised +Indian, was still a faithful believer in many of the pagan rites of his +fathers; and, influenced by a superstitious feeling, he was in the habit +of sleeping upon the summit of the _Cerro-de-la-mesa_, whenever the +necessities of his calling compelled him to remain over night in that +neighbourhood. A little hut which he had constructed out of bamboos, +with the broad leaves of bananas thrown over it for thatch, served him +sufficiently well for this occasional and temporary shelter. + +Costal had told Clara no more than the truth. He was descended from the +ancient Caciques of Tehuantepec; and, while wandering through the midst +of the solitary savannas, the falling grandeur of his ancient race was +often the subject of his thoughts. Perfectly indifferent to the +political quarrels of the whites, he would have regarded the new +insurrection of Hidalgo without the slightest interest or enthusiasm; +but another motive had kindled within his breast the hope that in the +end he might himself profit by the revolutionary movement, and that by +the aid of the gold which he vainly dreamt of one day discovering, he +might revive in his own person the title of Cacique, and the sovereignty +which his ancestors had exercised. The pagan doctrines in which he had +been brought up, the solitudes in which he dwelt while engaged in his +calling of tiger-hunter, the contemplation of the boundless sea, whose +depths he had often explored--for previous to his becoming a _tigrero_ +he had long practised the perilous profession of a pearl-diver--all +these circumstances had contributed to give to his character a tone of +singular exaltation which bordered upon frenzy. + +Visionary dreamer though he was, he had acquired as much ascendancy over +the negro Clara as ever Don Quixote had over his squire Sancho Panza. +Nay more, for, unlike the _Manchego_ gentleman, he might easily have +persuaded his black associate that windmills were giants, since the +latter had already taken a captain in the Queen's dragoons for the Siren +with the dishevelled hair! + +About an hour after this incident we find the two adventurers upon the +summit of the _Cerro-de-la-mesa_. Thither they had just transported the +canoe of Costal, which, being a light craft, they had carried up on +their shoulders without much difficulty. They had placed it keel +upwards close to the wall of the bamboo hovel. + +"Ouf!" grunted the negro as he sat down upon it. "I think we have +fairly earned a minute's rest. What's your opinion, Costal?" + +"Didn't you travel through the province of Valladolid?" asked the Indian +without replying to Clara's idle question. + +"Of course I did," answered the black. "Valladolid, Acapulco, and +several other of the south-western provinces. Ah, I know them well-- +from the smallest path to the most frequented of the great roads--every +foot of them. How could I help knowing them? for, in my capacity of +_mozo de mulas_, did I not travel them over and over again with my +master, Don Vallerio Trujano, a worthy man, whose service I only quitted +to turn proprietor in this province of Oajaca?" + +Clara pronounced the word _proprietor_ emphatically, and with an +important air. His proprietorship consisted in being the owner of a +small _jacal_, or bamboo hut, and the few feet of ground on which it was +built--of which, however, he was only a renter under Don Mariano de +Silva. To the haciendado he hired himself out a part of each year, +during the gathering of the cochineal crop. The rest of his time he +usually passed in a sort of idle independence. + +"Why do you ask me these questions?" he added. + +"I don't see," said Costal, speaking as much to himself as to his +companion, "how we can enrol ourselves in the army of Hidalgo. As a +descendant of the Caciques of Tehuantepec, I am not above hiring myself +out as a tiger-hunter; but I can never consent to wear a soldier's +uniform." + +"And why not?" asked Clara. "For my part, I think it would be very fine +to have a splendid green coat with red facings, and bright yellow +trowsers, like one of these pretty parroquets. I think, however, we +need not quarrel on that score. It's not likely that the Senor Hidalgo, +though he is generalissimo of the American insurgent army, will have +many uniforms to spare; and unless we enrol ourselves as officers, which +is not likely, I fear--" + +"Stay!" said Costal, interrupting him. "Why couldn't we act as guides +and scouts, since you know the country so well? In that capacity we +could go and come as we pleased, and would have every opportunity to +search for the Siren with the dishevelled hair." + +"But is the Siren to be seen everywhere?" naively inquired Clara. + +"Certainly; she can appear at any place to her faithful worshippers, +wherever there is a pool of water in which she can mirror herself, a +stream or a cascade in which she may bathe herself, or in the great sea +where she searches for pearls to adorn her hair." + +"And did you never see her when you were yourself a pearl-fisher on the +coast of the Gulf?" + +"Certainly I have," replied Costal; "yes, more than once, too, I have +seen her at night; and by moonlight I have heard her singing as she +combed out her shining hair and twisted long strings of pearls about her +neck, while _we_ could not find a single one. Several times, too, I +have invoked her without feeling the slightest sensation of fear, and +intreated her to show me the rich pearl-banks. But it was all to no +purpose: no matter how courageous one is, the Siren will not do anything +unless there are two men present." + +"What can be the reason of that?" inquired Clara. "Perhaps her husband +is jealous, and don't allow her to talk to one man alone." + +"The truth is, friend Clara," continued Costal, without congratulating +the negro on the cleverness of his conjecture, "I have not much hopes of +seeing her until after I am fifty years old. If I interpret correctly +the traditions I have received from my fathers, neither Tlaloc nor +Matlacuezc ever reveal their secrets to any man who is less than half a +century old. Heaven has willed it that from the time of the conquest up +to my day none of my ancestors has lived beyond his forty-ninth year. I +have passed that age; and in me alone can be verified the tradition of +my family, which has been passed down in regular succession from father +to son. But there is only one day in which it may be done: the day of +full moon after the summer solstice of the year, in which I am fifty. +That is this very year." + +"Ah, then," said the negro, "that will explain why all our efforts to +invoke the Siren has proved fruitless. The time has not yet come." + +"Just so," said Costal. "It will be some months yet before we can be +certain of seeing her. But whatever happens we must start to-morrow for +Valladolid. In the morning we can go to the hacienda in our canoe, and +take leave of our master Don Mariano as two respectable servants ought +to do." + +"Agreed," said Clara; "but are we not forgetting an important matter?" + +"What?" + +"The student whom the officer left near the tamarind trees? Poor devil! +he's in danger of being caught by the inundation!" + +"I had not forgotten him," rejoined Costal. "We can go that way in the +morning, and take him to the hacienda in the canoe along with us--that +is, if we still find him alive. I hope he will have sense enough, +before the flood reaches him, to climb into one of the trees." + +As Costal said this, he rose from his seat, and glanced westward over +the plain. Already the hoarse murmur of the inundation was making +itself heard in the direction of the hacienda. + +"Listen!" said he, "to the growling of the waters. _Carrambo_! Who +knows if the officer himself has had time to escape? He would have done +better had he passed the night with us here. He appeared so anxious +about going on to the hacienda. Probably he has his own private reasons +for that; besides, I never thought of asking him to stay with us." + +"Well," said Clara, "we may congratulate ourselves upon being safe here; +but I feel rather hungry just now; do you chance to have a bit of +_tasajo_ in any corner of your cabin? I could put up with that and a +drink of water." + +"I think I can manage to find a morsel or two," said Costal, going +inside the hut, whither he was followed by the negro. + +A fire of dried sticks soon crackled upon the hearth, among the embers +of which, as soon as they had burnt to a certain degree of redness, +Costal placed several pieces of jerked meat--which he had taken from a +string suspended across the room. This species of viand requires but a +slight process of cooking; and, as soon as it was deemed sufficiently +done, the two adventurers entered upon their frugal repast, which a keen +appetite rendered palatable, if not absolutely luxurious. + +Supper over, they stretched themselves along the floor, and for a time +lay listening to the hoarse mutterings of the flood that every moment +grew louder and louder. To this, however, they paid but little +attention, having full confidence in the security of their elevated +position; and even the noise of the water as the great waves came +dashing against the hill did not hinder Costal from falling into a +profound slumber. The negro also fell asleep, but awoke from time to +time--fancying that he heard the screams of the jaguars mingling with +the confused surging of the waters! In truth it was no fancy. What the +negro heard was in reality the voices of the savage creatures they had +that evening encountered. On becoming aware of the approach of the +inundation, all four of them had made for the _Cerro-de-la-mesa_; but +perceiving that its summit was already occupied by the two men, they had +halted by its base, and stood for some moments growling their chagrin. +The near approach of the waters inspiring them with terror, started them +off afresh; and bounding rapidly onward, they were soon far distant from +the hill, fleeing at utmost speed from the danger of the inundation, +well understood even by them. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY. + +A CANOPY OF JAGUARS. + +Considering the circumstances in which he has been left, it is time to +return to the poor student of theology--Don Cornelio Lantejas. We left +him sleeping in a hammock, between two great tamarind trees; and +certainly it must have been his good star that had conducted him into +that comfortable situation. + +All at once he awoke with a start--his slumber having been interrupted +by a chilly sensation that had suddenly crept upon him. On opening his +eyes, he perceived that he was suspended over a vast sea that rolled its +yellow waves beneath the hammock, and within six inches of his body! At +this unexpected sight, a cry of terror escaped him, which was instantly +responded to by a growling, sniffing noise, that appeared to proceed +from the tops of the tamarinds over his head! + +As yet he saw nothing there; but casting his eyes around, he perceived +that the whole country was under water sweeping onward in a frothy, +turbulent current! + +A moment's reflection sufficed to explain to him this singular +phenomenon. He now remembered having heard of the great annual +inundation to which the plains of Oajaca are subject, and which occur +almost at a fixed day and hour; and this also explained the +circumstances which had been mystifying him--the abandoned dwellings, +and the boats suspended from the trees. He had arrived in the midst of +one of these great floods, which he might have shunned but for the slow +and gentle gait at which his _cavallo de picador_ had carried him along +the route. + +What was he to do? He scarce knew how to swim. But even had he been as +accomplished in the art of natation as a pearl-diver himself, it would +not have availed him in the midst of that immense sheet of water, on all +sides apparently stretching to the limits of the horizon! + +His situation, sufficiently unpleasant on account of the danger of the +rising inundation, soon became absolutely frightful from another and a +very different reason. + +Some shining objects, which appeared to him among the leaves of the +tamarinds, and that looked like burning coals, just then caught his +glance; and a closer scrutiny convinced him that these could be no other +than the eyes of some fierce animals that had taken refuge upon the +trees--jaguars, no doubt: since he could think of no other creatures +that could have climbed up the smooth trunks of the tamarinds! + +His terror was now complete. Beneath rushed the surging waters. He +knew not how soon they might mount higher and engulf him--for the flood +might still be far from its maximum height! On the other hand, he dare +not climb upwards. The fierce animals in the tree would be certain to +dispute his ascent, even should they feel disposed to leave him +unassailed where he was! + +In this horrid state of uncertainty--dreading the double danger--he was +compelled to pass the remainder of the night. + +We need not detail the unpleasant reflections to which his situation +gave rise: for a volume would scarce contain the thousand alternations +from hope to fear that passed through his spirit before the light of the +morning broke upon his longing eyes. + +Though he had longed for morning to come, the daylight did not add much +to the joyfulness of his situation. The animals, whose glancing orbs +had kept him all night in a state of apprehension, were now plainly seen +among the branches of the trees. They _were_ jaguars--four of them--two +large ones, and two others of smaller size, or _cachorras_. This was +not all that Don Cornelio saw to alarm him. In addition to the fierce +quadrupeds, the tops of the tamarinds were occupied by other living +creatures of equally frightful aspect. These were reptiles: large +serpents of hideous appearance twined spirally round the branches, with +their heads projected outwards, and their forked tongues glistening +beyond their teeth! + +The terrified student cast an inquiring glance over the waters, to see +if there was no means of escape from his perilous position. He saw only +the bubbling surface, here and there mottled with huge uprooted trees, +upon which appeared wolves and other wild animals half dead with +affright. High overhead, eagles, vultures, and other birds of prey +wheeled in circles through the air, uttering their piercing cries--fit +accompaniment to this scene of desolation and death. + +Don Cornelio again turned his eyes towards the fierce jaguars crouching +among the branches of the trees. These brutes appeared to struggle +against the ferocious instincts of their nature, which prompted them to +seize hold of a prey almost within reach of their claws. Fear for their +own lives alone prevented them from taking that of the student; and at +intervals they closed their eyes, as if to escape the temptation caused +by his presence! + +At the same time the serpents, not far above his face, kept continually +coiling their long viscous bodies round the branches, and rapidly +uncoiling them again--equally uneasy at the presence of the man and the +tigers. + +Mechanically closing the folds of the hammock over him, and thus holding +them with both hands, the student lay perfectly still. He feared either +to speak or make a motion, lest his voice or movement might tempt either +the reptiles or quadrupeds to make an attack upon him. + +In this way more than an hour had passed, when over the surface of the +waters, which now flowed in a more tranquil current, Don Cornelio +fancied he heard a singular sound. It resembled the notes of a bugle, +but at times the intonation was hoarser and more grave, not unlike a +certain utterance of his two formidable neighbours, which from time to +time the student heard swelling from the tops of the tamarinds. + +It was neither more nor less than the conch of Costal; who, making his +way towards the spot in his canoe, was employing the time to advantage +in endeavouring to invoke the goddess of the waters. + +Presently the student was able to make out in the distance the little +canoe gliding over the water, with the two adventurers seated in the +stem and stern. At intervals, the Indian, accustomed to this sort of +navigation, was seen to drop his oars and hold the shell to his mouth. +Lantejas then saw that it was from this instrument the sounds that had +so puzzled him were proceeding. + +Absorbed in their odd occupation, neither Costal nor Clara had as yet +perceived the student of theology--hidden as he was by the thick network +of the hammock, and almost afraid to make the slightest movement. Just +then, however, a muffled voice, as of some one speaking from under a +mask, reached their ears. + +"Did you hear anything, Costal?" inquired the negro. + +"Yes, I heard a sort of cry," replied Costal; "like enough it's the poor +devil of a student who is calling us. _Carrambo_! where can he be? I +see only a hammock hung between two trees. Eh! as I live, he is inside +it. _Carrai_!" + +As Costal finished speaking, a loud peal of laughter burst from his +lips, which to him in the hammock appeared like heavenly music. It told +him that the two men had discovered his situation; and the student at +once fervently returned thanks to God for this interposition of His +mercy. + +Clara was sharing the mirth of the Indian, when music of a very +different sort stifled the laugh upon his lips. It was the cry of the +jaguars, that, suddenly excited by the voice of the student, had all +four of them sent forth a simultaneous scream. + +"_Carrambo_!" exclaimed Clara, with a fresh terror depicted upon his +face; "the tigers again." + +"Rather strange!" said the Indian. "Certainly their howls appeared to +come from the same place as the voice of the man. Hola! Senor +student," he continued, raising his voice, so as to be heard by him in +the hammock, "are you making your siesta alone, or have you company +under the shade of those tamarinds?" + +Don Cornelio attempted to reply, but his speech was unintelligible both +to the Indian and the negro. In fact, terror had so paralysed his +tongue, as to render him incapable of pronouncing his words distinctly! + +For a moment his arm was seen elevated above the folds of the hammock, +as if to point out his terrible neighbours upon the tree. But the thick +foliage still concealing the jaguars from the eye of Costal, rendered +the gesture of the student as unintelligible as his cry. + +"For the love of God, hold your oar!" cried Clara; "perhaps the tigers +have taken refuge on the top of the tamarinds!" + +"All the more reason why we should get up to them," replied the Indian. +"Would you leave this young man to smother in his hammock till the +waters had subsided?" + +In saying this, Costal plied his oars more vigorously than ever; and, in +spite of the remonstrances of his companion, headed the canoe in a +direct line towards the hammock. + +"If these be the same tigers we encountered yesterday," said Clara, in +an anxious tone of voice, "and I am almost sure they are, by the mewing +of their whelps, think for a moment, Costal, how desperately spiteful +they will be against us." + +"And do you think I am not equally spiteful against them?" replied +Costal, urging his canoe onwards with more rapidity than ever. + +A few strokes of the paddle brought the light craft within gunshot +distance of the tamarinds; and now for the first time did Costal obtain +a good view of the theological student couched within the hammock--where +he appeared to be indolently reposing, like some Oriental satrap, under +a dais of tigers and serpents! + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. + +THE STUDENT RESCUED. + +The odd spectacle once more overcame the gravity of the Indian; and, +resting upon his oars, he delivered himself up to a renewed spell of +laughter. + +Through the network of the hammock the student could now note the +movements of those who were coming to his rescue. He saw the Indian +turn towards his companion, pointing at the same time to the singular +tableau among the tops of the trees, which the negro appeared to +contemplate with a countenance that betrayed an anxiety equal to his +own. + +Don Cornelio could not make out what there was to laugh at in a +spectacle that for two mortal hours--ever since daybreak--had been +causing him the extreme of fear; but, without saying a word, he waited +for the explanation of this ill-timed hilarity. + +"Let us get a little farther off!" stammered the negro; "we can +deliberate better what we should do." + +"What we should do!" cried Costal, now speaking seriously; "it needs no +deliberation to tell that." + +"Quite true," assented Clara, "it does not. Of course we should push +off a little; and the sooner we do it the better." + +"Bah!" exclaimed Costal, "that's not what I meant;" as he spoke coolly +laying his paddle in the bottom of the canoe, and taking up his carbine. + +"But what are you going to do?" anxiously asked Clara. + +"_Por Dios_! to shoot one of the jaguars; what else? You shall see +presently. Keep yourself quiet, Senor student," he continued, speaking +to Don Cornelio, who still lay crouched up within the hammock, and who, +from very fear, could neither speak nor move. + +At this moment one of the jaguars uttered a growl that caused the blood +to run cold through the veins of Clara. At the same time the fierce +creature was seen tearing the bark from the tamarind with his curving +claws; while, with mouth agape, and teeth set, as if in menace, he fixed +his fiery eyes upon Costal, who was nearest to him. His angry glance +had no terrors for the _tigrero_, who, gazing firmly back upon the +fierce brute, appeared to subdue him by some power of fascination. + +Costal now raised the carbine to his shoulder, took deliberate aim, and +fired. Almost simultaneously with the report, the huge animal came +tumbling down from the tree, and fell with a dull, dead plash upon the +water. It was the male. + +"Quick, Clara!" cried the Indian. "A stroke of the paddle--quick, or we +shall have the other upon us!" + +And, as Costal spoke, he drew his long knife to be ready for defending +himself. + +Anxious as the negro was to get out of the way, and making all the haste +in his power, his fears had so unnerved him that his efforts were in +vain. The female jaguar, furious at the death of her mate, and anxious +for the safety of her whelps, stayed only to utter one savage yell; and +then, bounding downward from the branches, she launched herself upon the +student. The hammock, however, oscillating violently to one side, +caused her to let go her hold, and making a second spring, she dropped +down into the canoe. The weight of her body, combined with the impetus +which her anger had given to it, at once capsized the little craft; and +Indian, negro, and jaguar went all together under water! + +In a second's time all three reappeared on the surface--Clara +half-frightened out of his senses, and striking out with all the energy +of despair. + +Fortunately for the negro, the old pearl-diver could swim like a shark; +and, in the twinkling of an eye, the latter had darted betwixt him and +the jaguar--his knife slung between his clenched teeth. + +The two adversaries, now face to face, paused for an instant as if to +measure the distance between them. Their eyes met--those of the +tiger-hunter expressing coolness and resolution, while the orbs of the +jaguar rolled furiously in their sockets. + +All at once the hunter was seen to dive; and the jaguar, astonished at +the sudden disappearance of her enemy, paused, and for a moment balanced +herself in the water. Then turning round, she commenced swimming back +towards the tree upon which she had left her young ones. + +Before reaching it, however, she was seen to struggle, and sink +partially below the surface--as if some whirlpool was sucking her +underneath; then rising up again, she turned over on her back, and +floated lifeless down the current. A long red gash appeared freshly +opened in her belly; and the water around was fast becoming tinged with +the crimson stream that gushed copiously from the wound. + +The Indian, in turn, came to the surface; and, after casting a look +around him, swam towards the canoe--which the current had already +carried to some distance from the trees. Overtaking it, he once more +turned the craft deck upwards; and, mounting aboard, paddled back +towards the student. + +Lantejas had not yet recovered from the surprise with which the +encounter, as well as the audacious _sang-froid_ exhibited by the +_tigrero_, had inspired him, when the latter arrived underneath; and, +with the same blade with which he had almost disembowelled the tiger, +opened the bottom of the hammock by cutting it lengthwise. By this +means he had resolved on delivering the student more easily than by +endeavouring to get him out over the edge. + +At that moment was heard the voice of Clara, still swimming about in the +water. + +"The skins of the jaguars!" cried he; "are you going to let them be +lost? They are worth twenty dollars, Costal!" + +"Well, if they are," replied the Indian, "swim after and secure them. I +have no time to spare," added he, as he pulled Lantejas through the +bottom of the hammock, and lowered him down into the canoe. + +"_Dios me libre_!" responded Clara; "I shall do nothing of the kind. +Who knows whether the life's quite out of them yet? They may go to the +devil for me! Heigh! Costal! paddle this way, and take me in. I have +no desire to go under those tamarinds--laced as they are by half a mile +of rattlesnakes." + +"Get in gently, then!" said Costal, directing the canoe towards the +negro. "Gently, or you may capsize us a second time." + +"Jesus God!" exclaimed Don Cornelio, who now for the first time had +found the power of speech; "Jesus God!" he repeated, seeing himself, not +without some apprehension, between two strange beings--the one red, the +other black--both dripping with water, and their hair covered with the +yellow scum of the waves! + +"Eh! Senor student," rejoined Clara, in a good-humoured way, "is that +all the thanks you give us for the service we have done you?" + +"Pardon me, _gentlemen_," stammered out Don Cornelio; "I was dreadfully +frightened. I have every reason to be thankful to you." + +And, his confidence now restored, the student expressed, in fit terms, +his warm gratitude; and finished his speech by congratulating the Indian +on his escape from the dangers he had encountered. + +"By my faith! it is true enough," rejoined Costal, "I have run some +little danger. I was all over of a sweat; and this cursed water coming +down from the mountains as cold as ice--_Carrambo_! I shouldn't wonder +if I should get a bad cold from the ducking." + +The student listened with astonishment to this unexpected declaration. +The man whose fearful intrepidity he had just witnessed to be thinking +only of the risk he ran of getting a cold! + +"Who are you?" he mechanically inquired. + +"I?" said Costal. "Well, I am an Indian, as you see--a Zapoteque-- +formerly the _tigrero_ of Don Matias de la Zanca; at present in the +service of Don Mariano de Silva--to-morrow, who knows?" + +"Don Matias de la Zanca!" echoed the student, interrupting him; "why, +that is my uncle!" + +"Oh!" said Costal, "your uncle! Well, Senor student, if you wish to go +to his house I am sorry I cannot take you there, since it lies up among +the hills, and could not be reached in a canoe. But perhaps you have a +horse?" + +"I had one; but the flood has carried him off, I suppose. No matter. I +have good reasons for not regretting his loss." + +"Well," rejoined Costal, "your best way will be to go with us to the +Hacienda las Palmas. There you will get a steed that will carry you to +the house of your uncle. But first," added he, turning his eyes towards +the tamarinds, "I must look after my carbine, which has been spilled out +of the canoe. It's too good a gun to be thrown away; and I can say that +it don't miss fire once in ten times. It should be yonder, where the +brute capsized us; and with your permission, Senor student, I'll just go +in search of it. Ho, Clara! paddle us back under the hammock!" + +Clara obeyed, though evidently with some reluctance. The hissing of the +serpents still sounded ominously in his ears. + +On arriving near the spot where the canoe had turned over, Costal stood +up in the bow; and then raising his hands, and joining them above his +head, he plunged once more under the water. + +For a long time the spectators saw nothing of him; but the bubbles here +and there rising to the surface, showed where he was engaged in +searching for his incomparable carbine. + +At length his head appeared above water, then his whole body. He held +the gun tightly grasped in one of his hands, and making a few strokes +towards the canoe he once more climbed aboard. + +Costal now took hold of the paddle; and turning the head of the canoe in +a westerly direction commenced making way across the turbid waters +towards the Hacienda las Palmas. + +Although the fury of the inundation had by this time partially subsided, +still the flood ran onward with a swift current; and what with the +danger from floating trees, and other objects that swelled the surface +of the water, it was necessary to manage the canoe with caution. Thus +retarded, it was near mid-day before the voyageurs arrived within sight +of the hacienda. Along the way Don Cornelio had inquired from his new +companions, what strange accident had conducted them to the spot where +they had found him. + +"Not an accident," said Costal; "but a horseman, who appeared to be in a +terrible hurry himself, as _Por Dios_! he had need to be. He was on his +way to the house of Don Mariano, for what purpose I can't say. It +remains to be known, Senor student, whether he has been as fortunate as +you, in escaping the flood. God grant that he has! for it would be a +sad pity if such a brave young fellow was to die by drowning. Brave men +are not so plentiful." + +"Happy for them who are brave!" sighed Don Cornelio. + +"Here is my friend, Clara," continued Costal, without noticing the +rejoinder of the student, "who has no fear of man; and yet he is as much +afraid of tigers as if he were a child. Well, I hope we shall find that +the gallant young officer has escaped the danger, and is now safe within +the walls of the hacienda." + +At that moment the canoe passed round a tope of half-submerged +palm-trees, and the hacienda itself appeared in sight, as if suddenly +rising from the bosom of the waters. A cry of joy escaped from the lips +of the student, who, half-famished with hunger, thought of the abundance +that would be found behind those hospitable walls. + +While gazing upon them a bell commenced to toll; and its tones fell upon +his ears like the music of birds, for it appeared as if summoning the +occupants of the hacienda to pass into the refectory. It was, however, +the _angelus_ of noon. + +At the same instant two barges were seen parting from the causeway that +led down in front, and heading towards the high ridge that ran behind +the hacienda, at a little distance on the north. In the first of these +boats appeared two rowers, with a person in a travelling costume of +somewhat clerical cut, and a mule saddled and bridled. In the second +were two gentlemen and the same number of ladies. The latter were young +girls, both crowned with luxuriant chaplets of flowers, and each +grasping an oar in her white delicate fingers, which she managed with +skill and adroitness. They were the two daughters of Don Mariano de +Silva. One of the gentlemen was Don Mariano himself, while the other +was joyfully recognised by Costal as the brave officer who had asked him +the way, and by the student as his _compagnon du voyage_ of yesterday-- +Don Rafael Tres-Villas. + +Shortly after, the two boats reached the foot of the Sierra; and the +traveller with the mule disembarked. Mounting into his saddle, he +saluted those who remained in the other boat; and then rode away, amidst +the words oft repeated by Don Mariano and his daughters-- + +"_A dios! a dios! Senor Morelos! a dios_!" + +The two barges now returned towards the hacienda, arriving there nearly +at the same time as the canoe which carried the student of theology, the +Indian, and the negro. + +Don Cornelio had now a better opportunity of observing the rich freight +carried in the larger of the two boats. The drapery of purple silk +which covered the seats and fell over the sides of the barge, threw its +brilliant reflections far out upon the water. In the midst of this +brilliance appeared the young ladies, seated and bending languidly upon +their oars. Now and then Marianita, in plunging her oar-blade into the +water, caused the pomegranate flowers to rain down from her hair, as she +shook them with bursts of laughter; while Gertrudis, looking from under +the purple wreath, ever and anon cast stealthy glances at the cavalier +who was seated by the side of her father. + +"Senor Don Mariano!" said Costal, as the barge drew near, "here is a +guest whom I have taken the liberty to bring to your hospitable +mansion." + +As the Indian delivered this speech he pointed to the student of +theology still seated in the canoe. + +"He is welcome!" rejoined Don Mariano; and then, inviting the stranger +to disembark, all except Costal, Clara, and the servants, landed from +the boats, and passed out of sight through the front gateway of the +hacienda. + +These taking the boats around the battlements of the building, entered +the enclosure by a gate that opened towards the rear. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. + +RAFAEL AND GERTRUDIS. + +As already stated, Don Luis Tres-Villas, the father of Don Rafael, was a +Spaniard. He was one of those Spaniards, however, who from the first +had comprehended the necessity of making liberal political concessions +to the Creoles--such as those accorded to them by the enlightened Don +Jose Iturrigaray. Even the interest of Spain herself demanded these +reforms. + +Don Luis, himself an officer in the vice-regal guard, had been one of +the most devoted partisans of Iturrigaray; and when the latter was +arrested by the more violent _Gachupinos_ and sent prisoner to Spain, +Tres-Villas saw that all ties of attachment between Spaniards and +Creoles had been severed by the act; and that an open rupture was at +hand. Unwilling to take part against the native people, Don Luis had +thrown up his commission as captain in the vice-regal guards, left the +capital, and retired to his estate of Del Valle. + +This hacienda was situated on the other side of the ridge that bounded +the plain of Las Palmas on the north, and about two leagues distant from +the dwelling of Don Mariano de Silva. These two gentlemen had met in +the metropolis; and the slight acquaintance there initiated had been +strengthened during their residence in the country. + +On receiving the news of Hidalgo's insurrection, Don Luis had sent an +express messenger to his son Don Rafael, summoning him to the Hacienda +del Valle. In obedience to the order of his father, the young captain +of dragoons, having obtained leave of absence from his regiment, was on +his way thither, when he overtook upon the road the student of theology. +Nevertheless, Don Rafael had not deemed the order of his father so +pressing as to hinder him from passing a day at the hacienda of Las +Palmas, which lay directly in the route to that of Del Valle. This, +therefore, he had determined upon doing. + +A word about the antecedents, which led to this resolve on the part of +the dragoon captain. + +In the early part of the preceding year Don Mariano de Silva had passed +three months in the Mexican metropolis. He had been accompanied by his +daughter Gertrudis--Marianita remaining in Oajaca with a near relative +of the family. In the _tertulias_ of the gay capital the fair +_Oajaquena_ had met the dashing captain of dragoons, and a romantic +attachment had sprung up between them, mutual as sincere. To this there +could be no objection by the parents on either side: since there was +between the two lovers a complete conformity in age, social position, +and fortune. In all likelihood the romance of courtship would soon have +ended in the more prosaic reality of marriage; but just at that time the +young officer was ordered upon some military service; and Don Mariano +was also suddenly called away from the capital. The marriage ceremony, +therefore, that might otherwise have been expected to take place, thus +remained unconsummated. + +It is true that up to this time Don Rafael had not formally declared his +passion to the young Creole; but it is probable that she knew it without +any verbal avowal; and still more that she fully reciprocated it. +Neither had Don Mariano been spoken to upon the matter: the captain of +dragoons not deeming it proper to confer with him till after he had +obtained the consent of Gertrudis. + +After the separation of the two lovers, by little and little Don Rafael +began to doubt whether his passion had been really returned by the fair +Oajaquena. Time and absence, while they rendered more feeble the +remembrance of those little incidents that had appeared favourable to +him, increased in an inverse ratio the impression of the young Creole's +charms--that in fancy now appeared to him only the more glowing and +seductive. So much did this impression become augmented, that the young +officer began to think he had been too presumptuous in aspiring to the +possession of such incomparable loveliness. + +His cruel doubts soon passed into a more cruel certainty; and he no +longer believed that his love had been returned. + +In this state of mind he endeavoured to drive the thoughts of Gertrudis +out of his head: by saying to himself that he had never loved her! But +this attempt at indifference only proved how strongly the sentiment +influenced him; and the result was to force him into a melancholy, +habitual and profound. + +Such was the state of Don Rafael's mind when the soldier-priest, +Hidalgo, pronounced the first _grito_ of the Mexican revolution. Imbued +with those liberal ideas which had been transmitted to him from his +father--and even carrying them to a higher degree--knowing, moreover, +the passionate ardour with which Don Mariano de Silva and his daughter +looked forward to the emancipation of their country; and thus sure of +the approbation of all for whom he had reverence or affection--Don +Rafael determined to offer his sword to the cause of Independence. He +hoped under the banners of the insurrection to get rid of the black +chagrin that was devouring his spirit; or if not, he desired that in the +first encounter between the royalist and insurgent troops, death might +deliver him from an existence that was no longer tolerable. + +At this crisis came the messenger from Del Valle. The message was +simply a summons to his father's presence that he might learn from him +some matters that were of too much importance either to be trusted to +paper or the lips of a servant. The young officer easily conjectured +the object for which he was summoned to Oajaca. Knowing his father's +political leanings, he had no doubt that it was to counsel him, Don +Rafael, to offer his sword to the cause of Mexican Independence. + +The message, however significant and mysterious, partially restored the +captain of dragoons to his senses. In the journey he was necessitated +to make, he saw there might be an opportunity of sounding the heart of +Gertrudis, and becoming acquainted with her feelings in regard to him. +For this purpose he had determined upon frankly declaring his own. In +fine, he had half resolved to renounce those chivalric sentiments, that +had already hindered him from opening the affair to Don Mariano without +the consent of Gertrudis. So profound had his passion become, that he +would even have preferred owing to filial obedience the possession of +her he so devotedly loved, than not to possess her at all. + +Influenced by such ideas, no wonder that with feverish ardour he rushed +over the hundred leagues that separated Mexico from Oajaca; and it was +for this reason he was willing to risk the danger of perishing in the +flood rather than not reach the Hacienda las Palmas, on the evening he +had appointed to be there. + +It may be mentioned that in sending back the messenger of his father, he +had charged the man to call at the hacienda of Las Palmas and inform its +proprietor of his--Don Rafael's--intention to demand there the +hospitality of a night. Having calculated the exact time he might be +occupied on his journey, he had named the day, almost the very hour, +when he might be expected. Without knowing the importance which the +young dragoon attached to this visit, Don Mariano was but too gratified +to have an opportunity of showing politeness to the son of a gentleman +who was at the same time his neighbour and friend. + +With regard to the sentiments of Gertrudis, they are already known to +the reader. What would not Don Rafael have given to have been equally +well acquainted with them! Ah! could he have known the secret pleasure +with which his arrival was expected--the ardent prayers, and that +sacrificial vow registered in his favour, at the moment when he was +struggling with danger--could he have known all this, it would have at +once put an end to his melancholy! + +At this time the insurrection was just beginning to make some stir at +Oajaca. On throwing off the mask, Hidalgo had despatched secret agents +to the different provinces of Mexico, in hopes that they might all join +in the _grito_ already pronounced by him in Valladolid. The emissaries +sent to Oajaca were two men named Lopez and Armenta; but both, having +fallen into the hands of the government authorities, were beheaded on +the instant, and their heads, raised upon poles, were exposed upon the +great road of San Luis del Rey, as a warning to other insurgents. + +This rigorous measure had no effect in retarding the insurrection. +Shortly after, a ranchero, named Antonio Valdez, raised the standard of +independence, and, at the head of a small _guerilla_ of country-people, +commenced a war of retaliation. Many Spaniards fell into his hands; and +their blood was spilled without mercy: for in this sanguinary manner did +the Mexican revolution commence; and in such fashion was it continued. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. + +THE HONEST MULETEER. + +On the same day in which the student of theology arrived at the Hacienda +las Palmas, and about four o'clock in the afternoon--just after the hour +of dinner--the different members of the family, along with their guests, +were assembled in one of the apartments of the mansion. It was the +grand _sala_ or reception room, opening by double glass doors upon a +garden filled with flowering plants, and beautiful shade trees. + +Two individuals, already known to the reader, were absent from this +reunion. One was the student himself, who, notwithstanding that he was +now in perfect security, had so delivered himself up to the remembrance +of the dangers he had encountered while reclining under his terrible +dais of tigers and serpents, that he had been seized with a violent +fever, and was now confined to his bed. + +The other absentee was Marianita, who, on pretext of taking a look at +the great ocean of waters--but in reality to ascertain whether the bark +of Don Fernando was not yet in sight--had gone up to the _azotea_. + +Don Mariano, with that tranquillity of mind, which the possession of +wealth usually produces--assuring the rich proprietor against the +future--was seated in a large leathern _fauteuil_, smoking his cigar, +and occasionally balancing himself on the hind legs of the chair. + +Beside him stood a small table of ornamental wood, on which was placed a +cup of Chinese porcelain containing coffee. It was of the kind known +among Spanish-Americans as _cafe de siesta_; on the principle, no doubt, +_lucus a non lucendo_: since it is usually so strong that a single cup +of it is sufficient to rob one of the power of sleep for a period of at +least twenty-four hours. + +In the doorway opening into the garden stood Don Rafael, who appeared to +be watching the evolutions of the parroquets, amidst the branches of the +pomegranates, with all the interest of a naturalist. + +Though his countenance was calm, his heart was trembling at the thought +of the _entretien_ he had proposed on bringing about. + +Gertrudis, with head inclined, was seated near by, occupied with the +embroidery of one of those scarfs of white cambric, which the Mexican +gentlemen are accustomed to wear over their shoulders, after the fashion +of the Arab burnouse, to protect them from the too fierce rays of the +sun. + +Despite the tranquil silence of the haciendado, at intervals a cloud +might have been observed upon his brow; while the pale countenance of +Don Rafael also exhibited a certain anxiety, belying the expression of +indifference which he affected. + +The spirit of Gertrudis in reality was not more calm. A secret voice +whispered to her that Don Rafael was about to say something; and that +same voice told her it was some sweet prelude of love. Nevertheless, +despite the quick rush of her Creole blood, and the sudden quivering +that rose from her heart to her cheeks, she succeeded in concealing her +thoughts under that mask of womanly serenity which the eye of man is not +sufficiently skilful to penetrate. + +The only individual present whose countenance was in conformity with his +thoughts, was the _arriero_--Don Valerio Trujano. + +With hat in hand, and standing in front of the haciendado, he had come +to say _adios_, and thank Don Mariano for the hospitality his house had +afforded him. + +To that easy gracefulness of manners common to all classes in +Spanish-America, there was united in the person of the _arriero_ a +certain imposing severity of countenance, which, however, he could +temper at will by the aid of a pair of eyes of mild and benevolent +expression. + +Notwithstanding that his social position was not equal to that of his +host--for Mexico had not yet become republican--Valerio Trujano was not +regarded as an ordinary guest either by Don Mariano or his daughters. + +Independent of his reputation for honesty beyond suspicion--for profound +piety as well--which he enjoyed throughout the whole country, he +possessed other high qualities that had entitled him to universal +esteem. The generosity and courage which he had exhibited on the +preceding evening--when assisting a stranger at the risk of his own +life--had only added to the great respect already entertained for him by +the inmates of the Hacienda las Palmas. + +Although the dragoon officer had in some measure requited the service, +by afterwards snatching the _arriero_ from the jaws of the devouring +flood, he did not on that account feel a whit less grateful. Neither +did Gertrudis, who with her thoughts of love had already mingled her +prayers for him, who had a just title to be called the saviour of Don +Rafael's life. + +The man, Valerio Trujano, whose nature at a later period became +immortalised by the siege of Huajapam, was at this time about forty +years of age; but his fine delicate features, overshadowed by an +abundance of glossy black hair, gave him the appearance of being much +younger. + +"Senor Don Mariano," said he, on coming into the presence of the +haciendado, "I have come to bid _adios_, and thank you for your +hospitality." + +"What!" exclaimed Don Mariano, "surely you are not going to leave us so +soon? No, no." + +Gertrudis at the same time expressed her unwillingness that he should +depart. + +"I must leave you, Don Mariano," answered the _arriero_. "The man who +has business to attend to is not always his own master. When his heart +impels him to turn to the right, his affairs often carry him to the +left. He who is _in debt_, is still less master of himself." + +"You owe a sum of money, then?" said Don Rafael, interrogatively, at the +same time advancing towards the _arriero_ and offering him his hand. +"Why could you not have told me of this? Whatever be the amount, I--" + +"Ah! _cavallero_," interrupted Trujano, with a smile, "it is a bad plan +to borrow from one for the purpose of paying another. I could not think +of accepting a loan. It is not from pride, but a sense of duty that I +decline your generous offer; and I hope you will not be offended. The +sum I owe is not a very heavy one--a few hundred dollars. Since it has +pleased God that my mules should find a shelter in the stables of Don +Mariano, and thus escape the inundation, I can now take the road through +the mountains to Oajaca, where the money I shall receive for my _recua_ +will, I hope, entirely clear me from debt." + +"What!" cried Don Mariano, in a tone of surprise, "do you talk of +selling your mules--the only means you have of gaining your livelihood?" + +"Yes," modestly replied the muleteer, "I intend selling them. I do so +in order that I may be able to go where my vocation calls me. I should +have gone already; but being in debt up to this time, my life belonged +to my creditors rather than to myself, and I had not the right to expose +it to danger." + +"To expose your life?" interrogated Gertrudis, with an accent that +bespoke her interest in the brave man. + +"Just so, Senorita," responded the _arriero_. "I have seen the heads of +Lopez and Armenta exposed upon the high road of San Luis del Rey. Who +knows but that my own may soon figure beside them? I speak openly," +continued Trujano, looking round upon his audience, "and as if before +God. I know that my host, no more than God himself, would betray a +secret thus confided to him." + +"Of course not," rejoined Don Mariano, with an air of hospitable +simplicity such as characterised the earlier ages. "But here," he +continued, "we are one and all of us devoted to the cause of our +country's liberty; and we shall pray for those who aid her in obtaining +it." + +"We shall do more than that," said Tres-Villas in his turn; "we shall +lend our help to her. It is the duty of every Mexican who can wield a +sword and ride a horse." + +"May all those who raise an arm in favour of Spain!" cried Gertrudis, +her eyes flashing with patriotic enthusiasm, "may they be branded with +infamy and disgrace! may they find neither a roof to shelter them, nor a +woman to smile upon them! may the contempt of those they love be the +reward of every traitor to his country!" + +"If all our young girls were like you," said Trujano, looking gratefully +towards Gertrudis, "our triumph would soon be attained. Where is the +man who would not be proud to risk his life for one smile of your pretty +lips, Senorita, or one look from your beautiful eyes?" + +As the _arriero_ said this, he glanced significantly towards the young +officer. Gertrudis hung her head, happy at hearing this homage rendered +to her beauty in presence of the man in whose eyes she alone cared to +appear beautiful. + +After a pause Trujano continued: "_Dios y Libertad_! (God and Liberty!) +that is my motto. Had I been in a condition sooner to take up the cause +of my country, I should have done so--if only to restrain the excesses +that have already sullied it. No doubt you have heard of them, Senor +Don Mariano?" + +"I have," replied the haciendado; and the shadow that at that moment +passed over his brow told that the news had troubled him. + +"The blood of innocent Spaniards has been shed," continued the muleteer, +"men who had no ill-will towards our cause; and, shame to say, the only +one in this our province who now carries the banner of the insurrection +is the worthless wretch, Antonio Valdez." + +"Antonio Valdez!" cried Don Rafael, interrupting him. "Do you mean +Valdez, a _vaquero_ of Don Luis Tres-Villas--my father?" + +"The same," replied Don Mariano. "May it please God to make him +remember that his master always treated him with kindness!" + +The air of uneasiness with which Don Mariano pronounced these words did +not escape Don Rafael. + +"Do you think, then," said he, in a tone that testified his alarm, "do +you think that my father, whose liberal opinions are known to every one, +is in any danger from the insurgents?" + +"No, I hope not," replied Don Mariano. "Senor Valerio," said Don +Rafael, turning to interrogate the _arriero_; "do you know how many men +this fellow, Antonio Valdez, may have under his command?" + +"Fifty, I have heard; but I think it likely his band may have been +greatly increased by accessions among the country-people--who have +suffered even more than those of the town from the oppressions of the +Spaniards." + +"Senor Don Mariano," said the officer, in a voice trembling with +emotion, "nothing less than news similar to what I have just now heard +could have tempted me to abridge a sojourn under your roof, which I +should have been only too happy to have prolonged; but when one's father +is in danger--even to the risk of life--his son's place should be by his +side. Is it not so, Dona Gertrudis?" + +On hearing the first words of Don Rafael's speech, which announced the +intention of a precipitate departure, a cry of anguish had almost +escaped from the lips of the young girl. With the heroism of a woman's +heart she had repressed it; and stood silent with her eyes fixed upon +the floor. + +"Yes, yes!" murmured she, replying to Don Rafael's question in a low but +firm voice. + +There was an interval of silence, during which a sort of sinister +presentiment agitated the spirits of the four personages present. The +homicidal breath of civil war was already commencing to make itself felt +within the domestic circle. + +Trujano was the first to recommence the conversation--his eyes gleaming +as he spoke like one of the ancient prophets moved by Divine +inspiration. + +"This morning," said he, "an humble servant of the Most High, the +obscure priest of a poor village, has left you to offer up his prayers +for the insurgent cause. And now an instrument, not less humble, by the +will of God takes leave of you to offer it his arm, and if need be, his +life. Pray for them! good and beautiful Madonna!" he continued, +addressing himself to Gertrudis, and speaking with that religious and +poetical fervour which was the leading trait in his character; "pray for +them; and perhaps it will please the Almighty to show that from the very +dust He can raise the power that may hurl the tyrant from his throne." + +On saying these words, the _arriero_ respectfully pressed the hands that +were held out to him, and then walked out of the _sala_, followed by Don +Mariano. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. + +THE LOVERS ALONE. + +It may be that the haciendado had reasons for thus leaving his daughter +alone with Don Rafael, during the few short moments that should elapse +previous to the departure of the young officer. + +The voices of the muleteers, who were busily lading the _recua_ of Don +Valerio, scarce reached the ears of the lovers, who were now embarrassed +by the profound silence that reigned in the _sala_. It was the first +time they had found themselves alone, since the arrival of the officer +at the hacienda. + +The sun was gilding the tops of the pomegranate trees, where the +parroquets were joyously performing their gymnastic exercises; and the +breeze which caressed the plants in the garden, wafted into the saloon +the perfumes of a thousand flowers. It was a solemn and decisive +moment. Gertrudis, happy, yet trembling for the words of love she +expected to hear, sat with her face partially concealed behind the folds +of her silken _reboso_. In her fingers she still held the scarf she had +been embroidering; but, seeing that this betrayed the trembling of her +hand, she placed it on a table by her side, lest Don Rafael might +observe the emotion of which he was the author. It was the last effort +of virgin pride--its last attempt at resistance before avowing itself +overcome. + +"Gertrudis!" said Don Rafael, endeavouring to stifle the pulsations of +his heart, "I have spoken to your father. I wish to consecrate these +few moments--the last I may ever pass in your presence--to an +explanation between us. I implore you, then, to speak, as I intend +speaking myself, without reserve--without ambiguity." + +"I promise you that, Don Rafael," responded Gertrudis; "but what +mysterious secret have you been communicating to my father?" added she, +in a tone of gentle raillery. + +"I told him," replied the lover, "that I had come hither with my heart +full of _you_; that my father's message summoning me to his presence had +been received by me as a voice calling me to bliss: since it gave me +this opportunity of once more being near you. I told him how I had +hurried over the immense distance that separated us; and how, in order +that I might see you an hour sooner, I had disregarded the howling of +the jaguars, and the threatening voice of the inundation--" + +Don Rafael became silent, perhaps from embarrassment, while Gertrudis +still remained in a listening attitude. It was a melody to which she +could have listened for ever! + +"And when you told my father," said she, after a pause of silence, +"that--that--you loved me--did he exhibit any astonishment at the +unexpected revelation?" + +"No, not any," replied the officer, himself a little surprised at the +question thus put to him. + +"That, then, must have been because I had already told him," said the +young beauty, with a smile as sweet as her voice. "But my father--what +answer did he give you?" + +"`My dear Don Rafael,' said he to me, `I would be most happy to see our +families united. But this can only be with the consent of Gertrudis, +and the free wish of her heart; and I have no reason to think that her +heart is yours.' Those were the terrible words that proceeded from the +lips of your father. Gertrudis, do your lips confirm them?" + +The voice of Don Rafael quivered as he spoke; and this trembling of a +strong man--who never trembled in the presence of danger--was so +delicious to the heart of her who loved him, as to hinder her from +hastening to make reply. + +On hearing the answer which her father had given to Don Rafael, the +carnation upon her lips became of a deeper hue. She was biting them to +restrain a smile. Assuming an air of gravity, however, which had the +effect of rendering her lover still more anxious, she at length made +reply-- + +"Don Rafael!" said she, "you have appealed to my candour, and I shall +speak frankly to you. But swear to me that you will not regard my +sincerity as a crime." + +"I swear it, Gertrudis! Speak without fear, though your words should +crush a heart that is entirely your own." + +"Only on one condition can I speak freely." + +"Name it! it shall be observed." + +"It is, that--while I am making my confession to you, you will keep your +eyes fixed upon the tops of those pomegranate trees. Without doing that +you might risk not hearing certain things--in short, an avowal--such as +you might wish." + +"I shall try to obey you," answered Don Rafael, turning his gaze towards +the tops of the trees, as if about to study the domestic habits of the +parroquets, that still continued their evolutions among the branches. + +In a timid and trembling voice, Gertrudis commenced-- + +"One day," said she, "not very long ago--a young girl made a vow to the +Virgin, to save the man she loved from fearful danger that threatened +him. Don't you think, Don Rafael, that that man was dearly loved?" + +"That depends upon the nature of the vow," replied the officer. + +"You shall hear it. The young girl promised to the Virgin, that if her +lover should escape from the danger, she would cause him to cut the +hair--Oh! if you look at me I cannot go on--she would cause him to cut +the hair from her head with his own hands--the long tresses which she +herself highly valued, and which he had so passionately admired. In +your opinion, was that man beloved?" + +"Oh! who would not be proud to be so loved?" cried Don Rafael, casting a +glance at his questioner that moved her to the depths of her soul. + +"I have not yet finished," said she. "Turn your eyes upon the trees, or +perhaps you may not hear the end of my tale, and that might vex you. +When this young girl, who had not hesitated to sacrifice her hair--the +object of her constant care--the long silken tresses that encircled her +head like the diadem of a queen, and which, perhaps, were, in her +lover's eyes, her greatest embellishment--when this poor girl will have +cut--had cut them off, I should say--do you believe that her lover--you +may look at me now, Don Rafael--I give you permission--do you believe +that he would still love her as before?" + +Don Rafael faced round suddenly at the question; not that he yet +comprehended its import; but the tone of melancholy in which Gertrudis +was speaking had profoundly moved him. + +A tender tear--a tear of envy for the lot of this unknown, so +passionately loved--glistened in his eye, as he made reply-- + +"Oh, Gertrudis!" said he, "no devotion could repay such a sacrifice as +that; and the young girl you speak of, however beautiful she might be, +could not be otherwise than an angel in the eyes of her lover." + +Gertrudis pressed her hand over her heart, to stay the flood of joyful +emotion that was rushing through it. + +After a pause she continued, her voice quivering as she spoke-- + +"Once more, and for the last time, I desire you to raise your eyes +towards heaven. We have reason to be thankful to it." + +While Don Rafael obeyed the direction, Gertrudis permitted the _reboso_ +to fall from her shoulders; and with her fingers she removed the comb +that imprisoned her shining hair, which, coiled up in two long plaited +tresses, encircled her crown like a diadem. These she allowed to drop +down at will, until they hung far below her waist. Then seizing in one +hand the scissors she had just been using at her work, and with the +other covering the crimson blush upon her cheek, she held forth the +instrument, at the same time crying out-- + +"Now, Don Rafael! aid me in keeping my vow, by cutting for me the hair +from my head." + +"I?" exclaimed Don Rafael, in whose ear her voice had sounded like the +voice of an angel. "I?" repeated he, astounded at the proposal. +"Gertrudis! Gertrudis!" + +"I have promised it to the Virgin for saving you last night. Now do you +comprehend, Don Rafael--my dearly beloved Rafael?" + +"Oh, Gertrudis!" cried the lover, in an ecstasy of joy, "you should have +prepared me more gradually for so much happiness." + +And kneeling in front of the young girl, he eagerly took hold of her +hand, which no longer refused to let him touch it, but, on the contrary, +was rather advanced to meet his lips. + +"Is it my fault?" said Gertrudis, in a tone of sweet playfulness. "Is +it my fault if men are slow at taking a hint? _Santissima_! for a full +quarter of an hour, shameful as it may appear, have I been endeavouring +to prepare you for what you call your happiness." Then suddenly laying +aside her playful tone, she continued--"But now, my dear Rafael, I must +remember my vow. I have made it, and you must assist me in its +accomplishment." + +"But why did you promise your hair?" inquired the lover, with a slight +air of chagrin. + +"Because I had nothing more valuable to offer in exchange for your +life--mine perhaps as well. Oh! I am well repaid for the sacrifice by +knowing that you love me. Come, Rafael! take the scissors." + +"Oh! I could never manage with that weak instrument," said Don Rafael, +speaking merely to gain time. + +"Ah! are you going to complain of the trouble it will give you?" +inquired Gertrudis, bending down towards her lover, who was still +kneeling before her--"Come, my brave Rafael! Use these scissors. I +command you." + +Don Rafael took the shining instrument in his trembling hand, but still +hesitated to use them--like the woodman, who, with his axe raised +against some noble tree of the forest he has been ordered to cut down, +hesitates before striking the first blow. Gertrudis would have smiled +to encourage him, but at that moment, as she looked upon those gorgeous +tresses, so long and carefully guarded, and which, if unfolded, would +have covered her like a shawl, the poor young girl could not hinder a +tear from escaping her. + +"Stay, my Rafael--a moment yet," cried she, while the crimson blush +mantled higher upon her cheeks. "I have long desired--dreamt of it as a +supreme felicity--to entwine in these poor tresses the man whom I should +one day love, and--and--" + +Before she could finish speaking, Don Rafael had caught the perfumed +tresses between his fingers, and rapturously kissing them, passed them +around his neck. + +"Now I am ready," continued she, raising the long plaits that encircled +her lover's cheeks, and setting the captive free. "Go on, Rafael! I am +ready." + +"I should never have the courage to commit such a fearful act," cried +the officer, flinging the scissors upon the floor, and crushing them +under his heel. + +"It must be done, Rafael; it must be done. God will punish me else. +Perhaps He may punish me by taking away from me your love." + +"Well, I shall do it," rejoined the reluctant lover, "but not yet +awhile. On my return, Gertrudis. For my sake, leave it over till +then." + +The passionate appeal of Don Rafael at length obtained a respite, until +the time fixed for his return; which was to be on the morrow--as soon as +he should have assured himself of the safety of his father. + +While their next meeting was being arranged between the two lovers, +Gertrudis suddenly started up, like a young doe that springs from its +perfumed lair at the first sound of the hunter's horn. + +"Surely I heard a noise?" said she; "a strange noise. What could it +mean?" + +Don Rafael, whose senses had been entirely absorbed by his new-found +happiness, sprang also to his feet, and stood listening. + +They had scarce listened for a dozen seconds, when a well-known sound +fell upon the ears of both--though well-known, a sound significant and +ominous. It was the report of a gun, quickly followed by several others +as if fired in fusillade. + +At the same moment, Don Mariano and his daughter Marianita rushed into +the room. They, too, had heard the reports, which were in the direction +of the hills, and were proceeding to the rear of the hacienda to inquire +the cause. + +All remained listening and alarmed--Don Rafael, more than even the young +girls: for too much happiness has the effect of weakening the heart. +The most profound silence reigned throughout the building; for the +firing, heard by the servants of the hacienda, had inspired one and all +of them with the same mute alarm; just as pigeons asleep upon the tree +aroused by the first scream of the kite, remain for some moments +terrified and motionless in their places. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. + +A MEXICAN MAJOR-DOMO. + +Don Mariano, the dragoon officer, and the two sisters rushed up to the +_azotea_, the hearts of all filled with a dread presentiment. + +From the roof, already crowded with servants, a view of the ridge could +be obtained--its whole slope from top to bottom being visible at a +single glance. A horrible spectacle came under the eyes of all at once. + +At the upper end of the path which led towards the Hacienda del Valle, a +horse and horseman were seen lying upon the road close to one another. +Both appeared to be wounded--the man struggling to regain his feet--the +horse making only the slightest motion, as if in the last moments of +life. + +"Haste!" cried Don Mariano to his domestics. "Haste! Procure a litter, +and have the wounded horseman carried down here to the house." + +"If my eyes don't deceive me," said the young officer, casting uneasy +glances to the hill, "yonder unfortunate man is poor old Rodriguez, the +oldest of my father's servants." + +The head of the wounded horseman was in fact covered with grey hair, as +could be seen from the _azotea_. + +"The name Antonio Valdez," continued Don Rafael, "now recalls to me some +facts connected with that wretch. I remember something of a punishment +inflicted upon him; and I have a dark presentiment--Oh, heavens! Senor +Don Mariano, such happiness to be thus interrupted--" + +And without finishing his speech, the young officer hastily pressed the +hand of his host, and rushed for the postern that opened towards the +hills. + +In a few seconds after, he was seen climbing the ridge, followed by the +domestics of Don Mariano, who carried a _litera_. + +On reaching the wounded man, Don Rafael had no longer any doubts about +his being old Rodriguez; though having seen the latter only in his +childhood, he remembered little more than the name. + +Rodriguez, enfeebled by the loss of blood, and by the efforts he had +been making to get upon his feet, was fast losing consciousness. + +"Hold!" said Don Rafael to the domestic. "It is useless placing him on +the _litera_. He will not be able to endure the motion. His blood has +nearly all run out by this terrible wound." + +As the officer spoke he pointed to a large red spot upon the vest of the +wounded man, beneath which the bloody orifice of a wound showed where +the bullet had entered. + +The dragoon captain had fairly won his spurs in the sanguinary wars of +the Indian frontier. He had witnessed death in all its forms, and his +experience had taught him to adopt the readiest means in such a crisis. + +He first stopped the bleeding with his handkerchief, and then, taking +the scarf of China crape from his waist, he bound it tightly over the +wound. For all this he had but little hopes of the man's recovery. The +bullet had entered between his shoulders, and passed clear through his +body. + +Don Rafael only anticipated that, the haemorrhage once stopped, the +wounded man might return for a moment to consciousness, he was, no +doubt, the bearer of some important message from his master, and it +behoved Don Rafael to learn its purport. + +Some time elapsed before the old servant opened his eyes; but one of Don +Mariano's people at that moment came up, carrying a flask of +_aguardiente_. A few drops were poured down his throat. Some of the +liquid was sprinkled over his temples, and this had the effect of +momentarily reviving him. + +Opening his eyes, he beheld his young master bending over him. He had +not seen Don Rafael since childhood, but he knew he was in the +neighbourhood, and that the young officer must be he. + +"It is I, Rodriguez," said Don Rafael, speaking close to his ear. "I-- +Rafael Tres-Villas. You have a message from my father? Why has he sent +you?" + +"Blessed be God that He has sent _you_," said the old man, speaking with +difficulty. "Oh! Senor Don Rafael, I bring fearful news. The hacienda +Del Valle--" + +"Is burnt?" + +The wounded man made a sign in the negative. + +"Besieged, then?" + +"Yes," replied Rodriguez in a feeble voice. + +"And my father?" inquired the officer with a look of anguish. + +"He lives. He sent me to you--to Don Mariano's--to ask assistance. I-- +pursued by the brigands--a bullet--here! Do not stay with me. Hasten +to your father. If any misfortune happen--Antonio Valdez--Remember-- +Antonio Valdez--miscreant--taking vengeance for--oh, young master! Don +Rafael--pray for poor old Rodriguez--who nursed you when a child-- +pray--" + +The sufferer could speak no more, even in whispers. His head fell back +upon the turf. He was dead. When the litter was set down in the +courtyard of Las Palmas it carried only a corpse! Don Rafael had turned +back for his horse, and to bid a hasty adieu to the family of his host. + +"If Costal were only here!" said Don Mariano. "Unfortunately the brave +fellow is gone away. Only a few hours ago he came to take his leave of +me, with another of my people--a negro whom I had no great fancy for. +Both, I believe, are on their way to join the insurgent army in the +capacity of scouts or guides. _Hola_!" continued the haciendado, +shouting to one of the _peons_, "send hither the _mayor-domo_!" + +This functionary soon made his appearance; not a house steward--as the +name might seem to imply--in white cravat, stockings, and powdered wig; +but, on the contrary, a strapping energetic fellow, dressed in full +_ranchero_ costume, with a pair of spurs upon his booted heels, whose +enormous rowels caused him to walk almost upon his toes, and with long +black hair hanging to his shoulders like the manes of the half-wild +horses he was accustomed to ride. Such is the _mayor-domo_ of a Mexican +hacienda, whose duties, instead of confining him to the dwelling-house, +consist in the general superintendence of the estate, often equal in +extent to the half of a county. It is, therefore, necessary for him to +be a man of the most active habits, a first-class rider, ever in the +saddle, or ready to leap into it at a moment's notice. Such was the +personage who presented himself in obedience to the summons of Don +Mariano. + +"Give orders," said the latter, addressing him, "to my two vaqueros, +Arroyo and Bocardo, to saddle their horses and accompany Senor Don +Rafael!" + +"Neither Arroyo nor Bocardo can be found," replied the mayor-domo. "It +is eight days since I have seen either of them." + +"Give each of them four hours in the _xepo_ (stocks), as soon as they +return!" + +"I doubt whether they will ever return, Senor Don Mariano." + +"What! have they gone to join Valdez, think you?" + +"Not exactly," replied the mayor-domo; "I have my suspicions that the +brace of worthies have gone to get up a guerilla on their own account." + +"Summon Sanchez, then!" + +"Sanchez is laid up in bed, Senor Don Mariano. He has some bones broken +by a wild horse--that he had mounted for the first time--having reared +and fallen back upon him." + +"So, Senor Don Rafael," said the haciendado with an air of vexation, +"out of six servants which I counted yesterday I have not one to place +at your service, except my mayor-domo here, for I cannot reckon upon +those stupid Indian _peons_. The mayor-domo will attend you." + +"No," rejoined Don Rafael; "it is not necessary. Let him remain here. +I shall go alone to the assistance of my father, who, no doubt, will +have plenty of people with him. It is more likely a leader that is +wanted." + +The mayor-domo, dismissed by this answer, hurried towards the stables, +to see that Don Rafael's horse was made ready for the road. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. + +THE VOW PERFORMED. + +While these incidents were in course of occurrence, the two sisters had +returned to their own chamber. + +Alarmed by the coincidence, between the melancholy event that had just +transpired and the procrastination of her vow, Gertrudis fancied she saw +in it the finger of Providence; and, without further hesitation, she, +with her own hands, completed the pious but painful sacrifice! + +Shrouded under the folds of her _reboso_, her pale face appeared beneath +a single band of hair that encircled her forehead--all that was left of +that magnificent _chevelure_. + +Marianita was in tears. It was she one would have thought that had +suffered a misfortune; while Gertrudis, whose eyes shone with a sort of +melancholy satisfaction for the act she had accomplished, appealed to be +endeavouring to console her sister! + +"Do not weep, my poor Marianita!" said she. "Perhaps, had it not been +for my culpable weakness, in consenting to defer the fulfilment of my +vow, this sad affair would not have arisen. Now I am more confident, +that whatever danger he may run, God will restore Rafael safe to me. Go +and tell him that I wait here to bid him _adios_. Bring him here, but +stay with us yourself. Remember that, sister. Remain here along with +us, for I cannot trust my strength. I might never allow him to leave +me. Go, dearest, and return quickly!" + +Marianita, covering her face with a kerchief, and endeavouring to dry +her tears, hastened upon her errand. + +Gertrudis, left alone, looked towards the two long plaits which she had +placed beside her upon the table. The lips of Don Rafael had kissed +them but the moment before; and, perhaps, influenced by this sweet +souvenir, the young girl took them up and pressed them repeatedly to her +own. Then laying them once more upon the table, she knelt down, to seek +in prayer the strength of which she stood in need. + +She was still upon her knees when Marianita, followed by Don Rafael, +entered the chamber--that virgin sanctuary of the two sisters, where +man, except their father, had never before penetrated. + +A rapid glance told Don Rafael that the sacrifice had been accomplished. +He was already too pale to change countenance. + +Gertrudis rose and seated herself upon a _fauteuil_. Marianita also +took a seat, but in a remote corner of the apartment. Don Rafael +remained standing. + +"Come here, Don Rafael!" said Gertrudis, "come near me. Kneel before +me. No!--on one knee!--upon both only before God. So! Place your +hands in mine! Look into my eyes." + +Don Rafael obeyed these gentle injunctions without resistance or +reluctance. What more could he wish, than thus to bend before her whom +he loved? To press those white delicate fingers between his own strong +hands? To drink from those swimming eyes as from the fountain of love? +What more could man desire? + +"Do you remember what you just now said to me, Don Rafael? `_Oh! +Gertrudis, there is no love that could repay such a sacrifice! And +however beautiful she might be, that young girl must appear in the eyes +of her lover as beautiful as an angel_!' Are you still of the same +opinion?" And with a sweet smile the questioner looked down in the face +of her lover. "There, hush!" continued she, placing her little hand +over his lips, "you need not make reply. Your eyes--you have beautiful +eyes, my Rafael!--your eyes answer in the affirmative." + +The simple and tender homage, thus rendered to the personal appearance +of her lover, may appear a little _brave_ in the opinion of those who +pretend to love a man for the qualities of his mind and heart. I shall +not discuss the point. I only design to draw a faithful picture, and +exhibit in all its simple exaltation the love of a Creole maiden under +the ardent sky of the tropics. + +Reassured that she was still beautiful as ever in the eyes of her lover, +the young girl proceeded-- + +"Do not tell me, Rafael, that you will ever love me more than you do +now. It is sweet for me to know that you cannot love me more. Now!" +she continued with faltering voice--"now we are about to part. I do not +know--when one loves one always has fear. Take one of these tresses. I +have been so happy while decking it with flowers for you. Take it! +Keep it as a token--a souvenir. It will remind you, that you should +never cease to love a poor girl, who knew of nothing more precious to +offer to God in exchange for your life. The other I shall keep myself, +as a talisman. Oh! it is a fearful thing I am now going to say to you. +If one day you should cease to love me--if I should know this beyond all +doubt--swear to me, Rafael, that, no matter in what place you may be--no +matter at what hour it may reach you--when you receive this tress from +me, that you will instantly come to see me. This silent messenger will +say to you, `_The woman who sends you this token knows that you no +longer love her; but, despite all, she cannot cease to love you, and she +desires once more, only once more, to see you kneeling before her_'--as +you are now, Don Rafael!" + +"I swear it," cried the lover with emphasis. "I swear it; and though I +were standing in front of my most mortal foe, with my sword raised to +strike him, I should suspend the blow to obey that sacred message!" + +"Your oath is registered in Heaven, Don Rafael," said Gertrudis. "But +now the time presses. Accept from me this sun-scarf, which I have +embroidered for you. Each thread of the embroidery will recall a +thought, a prayer, or a sigh, of which you have been the object. Adieu, +my beloved Rafael! You must go; your father may stand in need of your +help. What is a mistress when compared with one's father?" + +"It is time," said Don Rafael, suddenly awakening to a sense of his +filial duty, "I shall be gone." + +And yet he remained kneeling at the feet of Gertrudis, ever intending to +go, and as often tarrying in his intent, adieu following adieu, like the +eternal waves of the ocean! + +"Say to him to go, Marianita," said Gertrudis with a sweet smile, "I +have not the courage to tell him. One more kiss, Don Rafael, ere we +part! let it be the pledge--" + +The ardent pressure of her lover's lips interrupted her speech. One +last fond embrace--a strange commingling of joy and sorrow--one wildly +spoken "_Adios_!" and Don Rafael rushed from the apartment. + +The clattering of hoofs, heard shortly after, told that he was galloping +away from the hacienda. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. + +DUTY VERSUS LOVE. + +The last beams of the sun were gilding the summit of the ridge that +bounded the plain of Las Palmas, when Don Rafael Tres-Villas crossed it +on his way to the hacienda Del Valle. To recover the time he had lost, +he pressed his horse to his utmost speed, and descended the slope on the +opposite side at a gallop. As the brave steed dashed onward, a hoarse +snorting sound was heard to issue from his nostrils, caused by the +singular operation which the _arriero_ had performed upon him. + +On reaching the level of the valley in which stood the hacienda Del +Valle, the horseman drew bridle and listened, he was sufficiently near +the house to have heard any unusual commotion that might be there going +on. He fully expected to have distinguished the shouts of men engaged +in fight, or the tumultuous murmur of a siege. + +No sound, however, reached his ear--not a murmur. Silence ominous and +profound reigned throughout the valley. + +With clouded brow, and heart anxiously beating, the officer continued on +his course. He had unbuckled his carbine from the saddle, and carried +the piece in his hand ready for use. + +The silence continued. Not a cry awoke the solitude--not the flash of a +fusil lit up the darkness of the twilight. The sleep of death seemed to +be upon everything. + +As already stated, Don Rafael had not visited the hacienda of Del Valle +since he left it when only a child: he therefore knew nothing of the way +that led to it beyond the directions he had received from his late host. + +He was beginning to think he had gone astray, when a long wide avenue +opened before him. This was bordered on each side by a row of tall +trees, of the species _taxodium disticha_--the cypress of America. He +had been told of this avenue, and that at its extremity stood the +hacienda he was in search of. The description was minute: he could not +be mistaken. + +Heading his steed into the avenue, he spurred forward beneath the sombre +shadow of the trees. In a rapid gallop he traversed the level road, and +had arrived nearly at its further extremity, when all at once the walls +of the hacienda came in view directly in front of him--a dark mass of +building, that filled up the whole space between the two rows of trees. + +The main entrance in the centre appeared to be only half closed, one +wing of the massive gate standing slightly ajar. But no one came forth +to welcome him! Not a sound issued from the building. All was silent +as the tomb! + +Still pressing forward, he advanced towards the entrance--determined to +ride in through the open gateway; but, just at that moment, his steed +made a violent bound, and shied to one side. + +In the obscurity of the twilight, or rather from the confusion of his +senses, Don Rafael had not observed the object which had frightened his +horse. It was a dead body lying upon the ground in front of the +gateway. More horrible still, it was a body wanting the head! + +At this frightful spectacle a cry broke from the lips of the officer--a +cry of fearful import. Rage, despair, all the furious passions that may +wring the heart of man, were expressed in that cry--to which echo was +the only answer. He had arrived too late. All was over. The body was +that of his father! + +He needed not to alight and examine it, in order to be convinced of this +terrible fact. On a level with his horse's head an object appeared +hanging against one of the leaves of the great door. It was a head--the +head that had belonged to the corpse. It was hanging from the latch, +suspended by the hair. + +Despite the repugnance of his horse to advance, Don Rafael drove the +spur into his flank; and forced him forward until he was himself near +enough to examine the fearful object. With flashing eyes and swelling +veins, he gazed upon the gory face. The features were not so much +disfigured, as to hinder him from identifying them. They were the +features of his father! + +The truth was clear. The Spaniard had been the victim of the +insurgents, who had respected neither his liberal political sentiments, +nor his inoffensive old age. The authors of the crime had even boasted +of it. On the gate below were written two names, _Arroyo_--_Antonio +Valdez_. + +The officer read them aloud, but with a choking utterance. + +For a moment his head fell pensively forward upon his breast. Then on a +sudden he raised it again--as if in obedience to a secret resolve-- +saying as he did so, in a voice husky with emotion-- + +"Where shall I find the fiends? Where? No matter!--find them I shall. +Night or day, no rest for me--no rest for them, till I have hung both +their heads in the place of this one!" + +"How now," he continued after a pause, "how can I combat in a cause like +this? Can a son fight under the same flag with the assassins of his +father? Never!" + +"For Spain, then!" he cried out, after another short moment of silence. +"For Spain shall my sword be drawn!" And raising his voice into a +louder tone, he pronounced with furious emphasis-- + +"_Viva Espana! Mueran a los bandidos_!" (Spain for ever! Death to the +brigands!) + +Saying this, the dragoon dismounted from his horse, and knelt +reverentially in front of that ghastly image. + +"Head of my venerable and beloved father!" said he, "I swear by your +grey hairs, crimsoned with your own blood, to use every effort in my +power, by sword and by fire, to nip in the bud this accursed +insurrection--one of whose first acts has been to rob you of your +innocent life. May God give me strength to fulfil my vow!" + +At that moment a voice from within seemed to whisper in his ear, +repeating the words of his mistress:-- + +"_May all those who raise an arm in favour of Spain be branded with +infamy and disgrace! May they find neither a roof to shelter them, nor +a woman to smile upon them! May the contempt of those they love be the +reward of every traitor to his country_!" + +Almost the instant after, another voice replied--"_Do your duty, no +matter what may be the result_." In presence of the mutilated remains +of his father, the son hearkened only to the latter. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +The moon had been long up before Don Rafael finished the melancholy task +of digging a grave. In this he respectfully placed the headless corpse, +and laid the head beside it in its proper position. Then, drawing from +his bosom the long plait of Gertrudis' hair, and taking from his +shoulders the embroidered sun-scarf, with like respectful manner, he +deposited these two love-tokens alongside the honoured remains of his +father. + +Convulsed with grief, he threw in the earth, burying in one grave the +dearest _souvenirs_ of his life. + +It was not without difficulty that he could withdraw himself from a spot +thus doubly consecrated by filial piety and love; and for a long while +he stood sorrowing over the grave. + +In fine, new thoughts coursing through his bosom aroused him to action; +and, leaping into his saddle, he spurred his steed into a gallop, taking +the road that conducted to the capital of Oajaca. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. + +THE ILLUSTRIOUS MORELOS. + +Little more than twelve months after its first breaking out--that is, +about the close of the year 1811--the Mexican revolution might have been +compared to one of those great fires of the American prairies, whose +destructive range has been checked by the hand of man. In vain the +flames jet out on all sides, seeking fresh element. A wide space has +been cleared around them. Soon the crackling of the large trees, and +the hiss of the burning grass, cease to be heard; and the whole plain +becomes enveloped under a cloud of smoke rising upward from the +blackened ashes. + +Such was the fate of the insurrection stirred up by the priest Hidalgo. +From the little hamlet of Delores it had spread like fire over all the +vice-kingdom of New Spain; but very soon the leaders were almost to a +man made captives and shot--the venerable Hidalgo himself undergoing the +same sad fate. A remnant of the insurgents, pressed on all sides by the +royalist troops under General Calleja, had taken refuge in the little +town of Zitacuaro, where they were commanded by the Mexican general, Don +Ignacio Rayon. There they had established a _junta_, independent of the +government; and continued to launch forth their proclamations, powerless +as the glow of the prairie fire after its flames have been extinguished. + +When such a fire, however, has been the work of men--when kindled by +man's will and for man's purpose--and not the result of accident or +spontaneity, then, indeed, the flames may be expected to burst forth +anew at some other point of the prairie or the forest. + +Just so was it with the Mexican revolution. Another champion of +independence, of origin even more obscure than his predecessors--if that +were possible--soon appeared upon the arena which they had quitted, and +with an _eclat_ likely to eclipse any of those who had preceded him. + +This was the curate of Caracuaro, he whom historians designate as "_El +insigne Morelos_" (the illustrious Morelos). The Mexican writers do not +state in what year Morelos was born. Judging from the portraits I have +seen of him, and comparing the different dates that have been assigned +to his birth, he should have been about thirty-eight or forty years old, +at the commencement of his career as a revolutionary leader. His native +place was Talmejo, a small hamlet near the town of Apatzingam, in the +state of Valladolid--now called _Morelia_, after the most illustrious of +its sons. The only patrimony of the future heir of the Mexican +independence was a small _recua_ of pack-mules, left him by his father, +who was a muleteer. + +For a long time the son himself followed this humble and laborious +calling; when, for some reason or other, the idea came into his head to +enter holy orders. History does not say what was his motive for this +resolution; but certain it is that Morelos proceeded to carry it out +with that determined perseverance which was an essential trait in his +character. + +Having sold off his mules, be consecrated his whole time to acquire +those branches of education, rigorously indispensable to the attainment +of his purpose--that is to say, the study of Latin and theology. The +college of Valladolid was the scene of his student life. + +Having gone through the required course, orders were conferred upon him; +but Valladolid offering to him no prospect of advancement, he retired to +the little _pueblo_ of Uruapam, where for a time he subsisted upon the +scanty means supplied by giving lessons in Latin. + +About this time the curacy of Caracuaro became vacant. Caracuaro is a +village as unhealthy as poor, where no one could be supposed to reside +from choice; and yet Morelos, lacking powerful friends, had great +difficulty in getting appointed to the living. + +In this miserable place had he resided in a state of obscure poverty, up +to that hour, when, accidentally introduced to the reader, at the +hacienda Las Palmas. Under the pretence of visiting the Bishop of +Oajaca, but in reality for the purpose of fomenting the insurrection, +Morelos had travelled through the province of that name; and at the time +of his visit to Las Palmas, he was on his way to offer his services to +Hidalgo, as chaplain of the insurgent army. The result of that +application was, that instead of a chaplaincy to his army, Hidalgo +bestowed upon the _cura_ of Caracuaro, a commission to capture the +fortified seaport of Acapulco. It was in reality rather as a jest, and +to disembarrass himself of the importunities of Morelos, that Hidalgo +bestowed this singular and important commission. How much Morelos +merited the honour will appear in the sequel. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. + +A COURSE OF STUDY INTERRUPTED. + +In the early part of January, 1812--about fifteen months after the +scenes detailed as occurring near the hacienda Las Palmas--two men might +have been seen face to face--one seated behind a rude deal table covered +with charts and letters--the other standing in front, hat in hand. + +This tableau was within a tent--the least ragged and largest, among a +number of others that formed an encampment on the banks of the river +Sabana, at a short distance from the port of Acapulco. + +The person seated wore upon his head a checked cotton kerchief while his +shoulders were covered with a _jaqueta_ of white linen. It would have +been difficult for any one not knowing him, to recognise in this +plainly-dressed individual the commander-in-chief of the insurgent army +encamped around, and still more difficult perhaps to have believed that +he was the _ci-devant_ "cura" of Caracuaro, Don Jose Maria Morelos y +Pavon. And yet it was he. + +Yes, the humble curate had raised the standard of independence in the +southern provinces; had long been carrying it with success; and at this +moment he was commander-in-chief of the insurgent forces besieging +Acapulco--that very town he had been ironically empowered to take. + +But notwithstanding the eccentric changes which civil war produces in +the situations of men, the reader cannot be otherwise than greatly +astonished when told, that the gentleman who stood in front of Morelos, +encased in the somewhat elegant uniform of a lieutenant of cavalry, was +the _ci-devant_ student of theology--Don Cornelio Lantejas. + +By what magical interference had the timid student of theology been +transformed into an officer of dragoons--in the army of the insurgents, +too, towards whose cause he had shown himself but indifferently +affected? + +To explain this unexpected metamorphosis, it will be necessary to enter +into some details, continuing the history of the student from the time +when we left him on a fevered couch in the hacienda of Las Palmas, till +that hour when we find him in the marquee of the insurgent general. + +It may be stated, in advance, however, that the extraordinary +transformation which we have noticed, was entirely owing to a new act of +parsimonious economy upon the part of Don Cornelio's father, conducting +him into a series of perilous mishaps and desperate dangers, to which +his adventure with the jaguars and rattlesnakes, while suspended between +the two tamarinds, was nothing more, according to the simile of Sancho +Panza, than "_tortus y pan pintado_" (couleur de rose). To proceed, +then, with the promised details. + +On recovering from his temporary illness, the student travelled on to +the dwelling of his uncle. He had been mounted in a more becoming +manner, on a fine young horse, which Don Mariano--who owned some +thousands of the like--had presented to him. + +Having sounded the dispositions of the uncle, according to instructions, +he made all haste in returning to his father's house; which he reached +in less than half the time he had employed upon his previous journey. +Too soon, perhaps; for, had he been delayed, as before, two months upon +the route, he might have escaped the series of frightful perils through +which he was afterwards compelled to pass. + +Before setting out on his mission to the bachelor uncle, he had finished +his preliminary studies for the ecclesiastical calling; and it only +remained for him to return to the college, and present his thesis before +the faculty of examiners, to take out his orders. For this purpose it +was necessary he should repair to Valladolid, where the university was. +To make the journey, his father now provided him with an old she-mule of +a most unamiable disposition, which he had obtained in exchange for the +young horse--the gift of Don Mariano--with a goodly number of dollars in +"boot." + +Thus mounted, the student started on his new journey--carrying with him +the paternal blessing, and a long chapter of instructions, as to how he +should manage his mule, and keep himself clear of all meddling with +insurrectionary matters. + +After journeying for two days along the route to Valladolid, he had +arrived within sight of the straggling huts that compose the little +_pueblita_ of Caracuaro, when three horsemen appeared upon the road in +front, and riding towards him. + +The student was at the moment occupied in passing through his mind the +rudiments of his theological education--which he had gained from a crowd +of books; and which, with some uneasiness, he found had been well nigh +driven out of his head by his late adventures in the South. + +Just at that moment, when he was paying not the slightest attention to +his mule, the skittish animal, frightened by the approach of the +horsemen, threw up her hind quarters, and pitched her rider upon the +road. As the latter fell, his head came in contact with a large stone, +and with such violence as to deprive him of consciousness. + +On coming to his senses again, he found himself seated against the bank +of the causeway, his head badly bruised, and above all without his mule. +The animal, profiting by the opportunity when the three horsemen had +alighted to look after her spilt rider, had headed about, and taken the +back track at full gallop! + +Of the three horsemen, one appeared to be the master, and the other two +his attendants. + +"My son!" said the first, addressing the student, "your situation, +without being dangerous, is nevertheless sufficiently serious. You will +stand in need of that which you cannot obtain in the poor village of +Caracuaro, which is, moreover, nearly two leagues distant. The best +thing you can do is to mount behind one of my attendants, and ride back +with us to the hacienda of San Diego, which we shall reach in an hour. +Your mule has taken that direction; and I shall have her caught for you +by the _vaqueros_ of the hacienda. You will need a day or two of +repose, which you can there obtain. Afterwards you can resume your +route. Where were you going?" + +"To Valladolid," replied Lantejas. "I was on my way to the University, +to enter into holy orders." + +"Indeed! then we are of the same robe," rejoined the horseman with a +smile. "I myself am the unworthy curate of Caracuaro--Don Jose Maria +Morelos--a name, I presume, you have never heard before." + +In truth the afterwards illustrious Morelos was at this time entirely +unknown to fame, and of course Don Cornelio had never heard his name. + +The student was no little astonished at the appearance of the man who +had thus announced himself as the _cura_ of Caracuaro. For one of the +clerical calling his costume was altogether singular--to say nothing of +its being rather shabby. A double-barrelled gun, with one barrel +broken, hung from his saddle-bow, and an old rusty sabre in a common +leathern scabbard dangled against his horse's side. + +The two domestics were still more plainly attired; and each carried in +his hand a huge brass blunderbuss! + +"And you, Senor padre?" inquired the student in turn. "Where are you +going, may I ask?" + +"I? Well," replied the _cura_, smiling as he spoke, "just as I have +told you--to the hacienda of San Diego. After that to Acapulco--to +capture the town and citadel in obedience to an order I have received." + +Such were at this time the equipment and warlike resources of the +general, whose name afterwards obtained such heroic renown! + +His response caused the candidate for holy orders to open his eyes to +the widest. He fancied that in the confusion of his head he had not +clearly comprehended the meaning of the _cura's_ speech; and he +preferred this fancy to the alternative of supposing that the worthy +priest of Caracuaro was himself suffering from mental aberration. + +"What! you an insurgent?" inquired Lantejas, not without some +apprehension. + +"Very true. I am, and have been for a long time." + +As neither upon the head of the _cura_, nor yet of his two servants, +there appeared those diabolical ornaments which had been promised them +by the Lord Bishop of Oajaca, Don Cornelio began to think that perhaps +all insurgents were not delivered over to the devil; and, as there was +no alternative, he accepted the offer made to him, and mounted behind +one of the attendants. He had made up his mind, however, not to +accompany the curate of Caracuaro further than the hacienda of San +Diego, and to make as short a stay as possible in such suspicious +company. But he had scarcely completed this satisfactory arrangement +with his conscience, when the burning rays of the sun shining down upon +his head, caused a ferment in his brain of so strange a character--that +not only did the idea of this insurrection, excited by priests, appear +right and natural, but he commenced chanting at the top of his voice a +sort of improvised war song, in which the King of Spain was mentioned in +no very eulogistic terms! + +From that time, till his arrival at the hacienda of San Diego, the +student was altogether unconscious of what passed--and for several days +after, during which he remained under the influence of a burning fever. +He had only a vague remembrance of ugly dreams, in which he appeared +constantly surrounded by armed men, and as if he was tossing about on a +stormy sea! + +At length his consciousness returned, and on looking around he was +astonished to find himself in a small and poorly furnished chamber. He +now remembered his tumble from the mule, and his encounter with the +_cura_ of Caracuaro. Finally, feeling himself strong enough to rise +from his couch, he got up, and staggered towards the window--for the +purpose of ascertaining the nature of a noisy tumult that was heard +outside. + +The courtyard under the window was filled with armed men--some afoot, +others on horseback. Lances with gay pennons, sabres, guns, and other +weapons were seen on all sides, glancing under the sunbeams. The horses +were rearing and neighing--the men talking loudly--in short, the scene +resembled the temporary halt of a _corps d'armee_. + +His weakness soon compelled the invalid to return to his couch, where he +lay awaiting impatiently--the more so that he was half-famished with +hunger--the coming of some one who could give him an explanation of the +strange circumstances by which he was surrounded. + +Shortly after, a man entered the chamber, whom the student recognised as +one of the attendants of the _cura_ of Caracuaro. This man had come, on +the part of his master, to inquire, the state of the invalid's health. + +"Where am I, friend? tell me that," said Lantejas, after having answered +the inquiries of the servant. + +"At the hacienda of San Luis." + +The student summoned all his recollections; but these only carried him +as far as the hacienda of San Diego. + +"You must be mistaken?" said he. "It is the hacienda of San Diego, is +it not?" + +"Oh, no," replied the domestic. "We left San Diego yesterday; we were +no longer safe there. What folly of you, senor, to act as you did! No +matter how good a patriot one may be, it's not necessary to proclaim it +from the housetops." + +"I do not comprehend you, my good friend," said Lantejas. "Perhaps it +is the fever that is still troubling my head." + +"What I have said is clear enough," rejoined the domestic. "We were +obliged to quit San Diego, where the royalist troops would have arrested +us--on account of the loud declaration of his political opinions made by +a certain Don Cornelio Lantejas." + +"Cornelio Lantejas!" cried the student, in a tone of anguish, "why +that's myself!" + +"_Por Dios_! I well know that. Your honour took good care everybody +should know your name: since out of the window of the hacienda you +shouted with all your voice--proclaiming my master Generalissimo of all +the insurgent forces; and we had the greatest difficulty to hinder you +from marching upon Madrid." + +"Madrid--in Spain?" + +"Bah! two hundred leagues of sea was nothing to you to traverse. `_It +is I_!' you cried, `_I, Cornelio Lantejas, who take upon me to strike +down the tyrant_!' In fine, we were obliged to decamp, bringing you +with us in a litter--for my master would not abandon so zealous a +partisan, who had compromised himself, moreover, in the good cause. +Well, we have arrived here at San Luis; where, thanks to a strong body +of men who have joined us, you may have an opportunity of proclaiming +your patriotism as loudly as you please. For yourself, it can do no +further harm, since, no doubt, there is a price placed upon your head +before this time." + +The student listened with horror, and completely stupefied, to this +account of his actions. + +"And now, cavallero," continued the domestic, "my master, whom you were +the first to proclaim Generalissimo, has not permitted you to go without +your reward. He has appointed you an _alferez_, and named you to be his +aide-de-camp. You will find your commission under the pillow." + +Saying this, the servant left the room, leaving the unhappy _alferez_ +crushed beneath the weight of the astounding disclosures he had made to +him. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY. + +A SOLDIER AGAINST HIS WILL. + +As soon as the man had gone out of the apartment the student looked +under his pillow. Sure enough there lay a document, which proved upon +examination to be an ensign's commission, granted to Don Cornelio +Lantejas, and signed by the commander-in-chief of the insurgent army-- +Don Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon. + +An overwhelming anguish seized the spirit of the student; and once more +he sprang from his couch and rushed towards the window. This time it +was with the design of disavowing all participation in the +insurrection--like the early Christians, who in the midst of an +idolatrous host of persecutors still continued to avow their faith in +God. + +But the evil genius of Don Cornelio was yet by his side; and, at the +moment when he was about opening his lips to deny all complicity with +the enemies of Spain, his senses again gave way; and, without knowing +what came out of his mouth, he cried in a loud voice, "_Viva Mexico, +muera el tyran_!" Then, overcome by the effort, he staggered back to +his couch. + +This time his syncope was of short duration. On recovering his senses, +he perceived that his bed was surrounded by armed men; who, judging from +their looks and speeches, were examining him with more than ordinary +interest. Among others he recognised the voice of Morelos himself! + +"How can one explain this sudden sympathy with our cause?" Morelos was +inquiring. "It seems as if the young man was under the hallucination of +his fever?" + +"Something more than that, General," suggested an officer of the name of +Valdovinos. "If the most ardent patriotism was not boiling at the +bottom, the foam would not thus rise to the surface." + +"No matter!" rejoined Morelos, "but I cannot think that my ascendancy--" + +A new-comer interrupted the speech of the _cura_ of Caracuaro, just as +Lantejas had got his eyes fairly open. This was a man of robust and +vigorous appearance, with a noble martial air, and a bold open +countenance. His large beard, and hair slightly grizzled, betrayed his +age to be somewhere near fifty. + +"And why not, General?" said he, taking hold of the hand which Morelos +stretched out to him. "Why should not this brave young man have +submitted to your ascendancy at first sight, just as I have done? It is +only this morning I have seen you for the first time, and yet you have +no follower more devoted than myself. I shall answer for this young +stranger. He is one of us, beyond doubt." + +As the new-comer pronounced these words, he cast upon Lantejas a glance +so winning and at the same time so severe, that it completely subjugated +the spirit of the student with a sort of invincible charm, and hindered +him from making any attempt to contradict the engagement which was thus +made in his name. On the contrary, he rather confirmed it with an +involuntary gesture, which he could not restrain himself from making. + +The man who had thus intervened was he whom historians delight to call +_the grand, the terrible, the invincible Hermenegildo Galeana_--the +Murat of the Mexican revolution; he who afterwards, in more than a +hundred actions, was seen to place his lance in rest, and dash into the +thickest of the enemy's lines, like a god of battles, vociferating his +favourite war-cry, _Aqui esta Galeana_! (Here comes Galeana!) A +redoubtable enemy--a friend tender and devoted--such was Don +Hermenegildo Galeana. + +More fortunate than Murat, Galeana met his death on the battle-field, in +the midst of hosts slain by his own hand. Still more fortunate than the +French warrior, he died faithful to the principles as well as to the inn +to whom he had consecrated his life. + +"Well--however the thing may be," said Valdovinos, pursuing the subject +of Don Cornelio's dubious patriotism, "I know this, that General Calleja +has set a price upon this young man's head as well as on our own." + +"Come, _Alferez_ Don Cornelio!" added Galeana, "get ready to start in +the morning; and show yourself worthy of the commission that has been +bestowed upon you. You will soon find opportunity, I promise you." + +At that moment the report of a cannon reverberated under the window, to +the astonishment of Morelos himself: who had not yet been made aware +that he had a piece of artillery under his orders. + +"Senor General," said Galeana, explaining the presence of the gun, "that +cannon is part of the patrimonial inheritance of our family. When a +Galeana is born or one dies, it serves to signalise our joy or our +sorrow. To-day we consecrate it to the service of the whole Mexican +family. It is yours, as our swords and lives are yours." + +As Galeana finished speaking, he advanced towards the window; and in +that formidable voice which often struck terror into the hearts of the +Spaniards, he cried out--"_Viva el General Morelos_!" + +Responsive _vivas_ rose up from the court below, mingled with the +clanking of sabres, as they leaped forth from their scabbards, and the +crashing jar of fusils dashed heavily against the pavement; while the +horses, catching up the general enthusiasm, sent forth a loud, wild +neighing. + +In another instant the chamber was emptied of its guests. Morelos had +gone down into the courtyard to press the hands of his new adherents, +and the other officers had followed him. + +Far from partaking of the universal warlike ardour, the student was +suffering at the moment the most terrible anguish of heart. The thought +of his theological studies being thus interrupted, in order that he +might figure in the middle of an insurgent camp, was rendering him +completely miserable; but still more the unpleasant information he had +just received, that he had been declared a rebel, and that a price was +set upon his head. All this, too, had been brought about by the +shameful stinginess of his father, in providing him with that sorry +mule--just as his former misfortunes had arisen, from his having no +better horse than the old steed of the _picador_. + +It is scarce necessary to say, that under these circumstances he passed +a wretched night of it, and that his dreams were a continued series of +horrid visions. He fancied himself engaged in numerous sanguinary +battles: and that the insurgent army in which he was enrolled had +suddenly changed into a legion of demons, with horns and hoofs! + +On waking with the first dawn of day, his dreams, instead of being +terminated, appeared to be continued. He heard a noisy tumult in the +court below; and rising far above the general clamour could be +distinguished a strange trumpet-like sound, now shrill, now hoarsely +bellowing--as if the fiend himself was sounding the signal of "Boots and +Saddles" to his infernal legions. Bathed in a cold sweat, he started up +from his couch; and approaching the window, cast a glance into the +courtyard. As before, he saw that it was crowded with armed men in +every kind of equipment. The cannon was there, standing in the middle +of the court. A negro was reloading it. It was not without surprise +that Don Cornelio recognised in the negro the same man who, along with +the tiger-hunter, had conducted him to the hacienda of Las Palmas. + +Yes, the artillerist was no other than Clara; who was thus improvised as +full commander of the solitary piece of cannon--the first which Morelos +had at his disposal, and which, under the name of _El Nino_, became +afterwards so celebrated in the history of the Mexican revolution. The +student also saw the instrument that had been bellowing forth those +infernal tones, which he had been fancying he had heard somewhere +before. His fancy was not at fault, as he now ascertained--on seeing +near the cannon a tall Indian, who was holding to his lips an immense +sea-shell, from which proceeded the mysterious sounds. It was Costal +and his conch, at that moment performing the _metier_ of first bugler in +the army of Morelos. Morelos himself, surrounded by a staff of +officers, stood at one end of the spacious courtyard, in the act of +distributing fusils to the newly enrolled troops. + +Lantejas perceived the necessity of making ready for the departure which +was evidently about to take place; and having dressed himself, he +descended to the court and mingled among the other officers--beyond +doubt the most lugubrious ensign in all the insurgent army. + +The first person he encountered was the terrible Galeana; and he +trembled lest the piercing glance of the warrior should detect under the +lion's skin the heart of the hare. + +Luckily for him, however, Galeana had at that moment something else to +think of, than to scrutinise the thoughts of an obscure ensign; and all +the rest were deceived by the martial air which he had done his best to +assume. + +Morelos, as stated, was at the moment making a distribution of fusils, a +large quantity of which appeared by his side piled along the pavement of +the courtyard. + +It is necessary to explain how these arms had fallen so appropriately +into the hands of the insurgent general--which they had done by a +circumstance that might appear almost providential. + +While retiring from the hacienda of San Luis, on account of the insane +demonstrations of the student, and with the latter transported in a +litter, Morelos encountered near San Diego the insurgent leader, Don +Rafael Valdovinos. The latter, already at the head of a small +_guerilla_ was just on his way to join the _cura_ of Caracuaro. + +Having received information that the Spanish Government had forwarded a +large number of fusils to the neighbouring village of Petitlan, for the +purpose of equipping a corps of militia belonging to that place, the +insurgent general thought that these guns might serve better in the +hands of his own followers; and with the band of Valdovinos he made a +rapid march upon Petitlan, and succeeded in capturing them. + +The rumour of this dashing action had reached San Diego before Morelos +himself; and, shortly after his arrival there, his troops were further +strengthened by the followers of Galeana--who stood in need of this +well-timed supply of weapons. + +Almost on the instant that Lantejas presented himself in the courtyard, +the cannon, El Nino, thundered forth another discharge. It was the +signal of departure; and the little army, putting itself in motion, +marched off from the hacienda of San Diego--the new _alferez_ taking his +place with the rest. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +Morelos was shortly after joined by other partisans, till his troop had +grown into a small army; and, after two months of long marches, and +sharp skirmishes with the Spanish troops--out of which he always issued +victorious--the insurgent general found himself in front of the town of +Acapulco, on the Pacific Ocean. He was now besieging that place--which +he had been ironically commanded to take--and with a fair prospect of +obtaining its speedy surrender. + +As for the student of theology, two months' campaigning had somewhat +_soldierised_ him. He had obtained a great reputation for courage; +although his heart in moments of danger had often been upon the point of +failing him. + +On the first occasion that he was under fire, he was by the side of Don +Hermenegildo Galeana, who had acquired a complete ascendancy over him, +and whose terrible glances he more dreaded than even the presence of the +enemy. Don Hermenegildo of course fought in the foremost rank; where, +with his lance and long sabre, he was accustomed to open a wide circle +around his horse, that no enemy dared to intrude upon, and which, for +the sword of the trembling ensign, left absolutely nothing to do. +Lantejas having learnt, in the first encounter, the advantage of this +position, ever afterwards took care to keep well up with the redoubtable +Don Hermenegildo. + +There was another man, who, from habit, always fought alongside Galeana, +and who scarce yielded to the latter either in courage or dexterity. +This was Costal, the Zapoteque; and protected by these two, as by a pair +of guardian angels, Lantejas scarce ran any danger in the hottest fight; +while at the same time he was constantly gaining fresh laurels by +keeping the position. + +For all this, his glory sat upon him like a burden too heavy for his +back, and one that he was not able to cast from his shoulders. To +desert from the insurgent army was impossible: a price was set upon his +head. Besides, Morelos had given to that corner of the Sabana river +occupied by his camp the quaint title of _Paso de la eternidad_ (the +road to eternity)--to signify that, whoever should attempt either to +abandon the entrenchments, or make an attack upon them, would be forced +to embark upon that long journey. + +Lantejas had already written to his father, informing him of all that +had happened; how--thanks to the valuable roadster with which his parent +had provided him--he was now sustaining his thesis with the sword; and +that, instead of having only his hair shorn, he was more likely to lose +his head. + +To these letters--for there had been several written by him--he had at +length received a response. This, after complimenting him upon the +valorous deeds he had achieved--and which his worthy parent had hardly +expected to hear of--ended by informing him that the latter had obtained +from the Viceroy a promise of pardon for him, on the condition of his +forsaking the insurgent cause, and throwing the weight of his sword into +that of Spain. + +This condition was hardly to the taste of Lantejas. In the ranks of the +Spanish army he might seek in vain for two such protectors as he now had +by his side. Moreover, were he to join the Spaniards, he might some +day, as an enemy, be brought face to face with the formidable Galeana! +The very thought of such a contingency was enough to make his hair stand +on end! + +It was some time before he could bring himself to any definite +resolution as to what he should do. At length, however, he resolved +upon a course of action. Instead of attempting to run away from the +insurgent ranks, he determined to say nothing to the General about the +contents of his father's letter, but to obtain from him, if possible, a +short leave of absence: which it was his intention should be prolonged +to an indefinite period. + +It was for this purpose he had entered the General's tent, and was now +standing, hat in hand, in front of the Commander-in-Chief of the +besieging army. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. + +PEPE GAGO. + +Besides his military chapeau, the lieutenant of cavalry held in his hand +a piece of folded paper; and although he had already stated his errand, +his countenance exhibited considerable embarrassment. + +"What, leave of absence?" said the General, smiling benignantly upon his +aide-de-camp. "You, friend Lantejas--you think of quitting us? and at +such a time, too, when all is going well!" + +"It is necessity, General, that drives me to make the application. +There are family affairs that require me at home, and--" Lantejas here +paused, as if inwardly ashamed of the deceit he was practising. +"Besides, General, to say the truth, this soldier's life is not suited +to me, nor I to it. I was born to be a priest, and would greatly desire +to complete my theological studies, and enter upon that career to which +my inclinations lead me. Now that success has crowned your army, you +will no longer require me?" + +"_Vita Cristo_!" exclaimed Morelos, "not require you! Ah, friend +Lantejas, you are too valiant a soldier of the Church militant to be +spared so easily as that. Like that faithful adherent of some French +king, whose name I do not now remember, you would be the very man to +wish yourself hanged if Acapulco were taken without you. I must refuse +your application, then, although I see it vexes you. I refuse it, +because I am too well satisfied with your services to let you go. You +were my first follower; and do you know what people say, that the three +bravest men in our little army are Don Hermenegildo Galeana, Manuel +Costal, and yourself? And what at this moment still more endears you to +me is, that you propose leaving me just as fortune is showering her +favours upon me; whereas, with most other friends, the reverse is +usually what may be expected. I have just heard that the Captain Don +Francisco Gonzales has been killed in the affair of Tonaltepec. You +will replace him in the command of his company--Now? _Captain_ +Lantejas?" + +The new captain bowed his thanks in silence, and was about to retire. + +"Do not go yet!" commanded the General; "I have something more to say to +you. You have, I believe, some relative or relatives living near +Tehuantepec. Well, I have a commission for some one to that part of the +country, and I require a man of courage and prudence to execute it. I +have thought of sending _you_, as soon as we have taken Acapulco--which +I trust will be in a very short time." + +Lantejas was about to open his mouth, and inquire the nature of this +confidential mission, when he was interrupted by the entrance of two men +into the tent. One of these was Costal the Indian; the other was a +stranger both to Morelos and the captain. The latter was again about to +retire, when Morelos signed him to stay. + +"There's the General," said Costal, pointing out the commander-in-chief +to the man who accompanied him, and who was in the costume of a Spanish +officer. + +The latter regarded for an instant, and not without surprise, the +simply-clad individual whose name at that moment had become so widely +renowned. Although evidently a person of imperturbable coolness, the +stranger said nothing, leaving it to the General to open the +conversation. + +"Who are you, my friend, and what do you want?" inquired Morelos. + +"To speak a word in confidence with you," replied the man. "This +individual," continued he, pointing to Costal, "whom I encountered +philosophising upon the sea-beach, has promised me that his word would +enable me to obtain an interview with your Excellency, and safe conduct +through your camp. On this promise I have followed him." + +"Costal," said the General, "was my first bugler, and with his great +conch sounded the signals to less than twenty horsemen, who at that time +composed my whole army. I confirm the parole he has given you. Speak +freely." + +"With your Excellency's permission, then, my name is Pepe Gago. I am a +Gallician, an officer of artillery, and command a battery in the castle +of Acapulco--which your Excellency, if I am not mistaken, desires to +capture." + +"It is a pleasure which I intend affording myself one of these days." + +"Perhaps your Excellency is confounding the castle with the town? The +latter you can take whenever it pleases you." + +"I know that." + +"But you would not be able to hold it, so long as we are masters of the +citadel." + +"I know that also." + +"Ah, then, your Excellency, we are likely to understand one another." + +"It is just for that reason that I decline taking the town till I have +first captured the castle." + +"Now I think we are still nearer comprehending each other: since it is +just that which you wish to have, that I come to offer you. I will not +say to _sell_: for my price will be so moderate that it will deserve +rather to be called a gift I am making you. _Apropos_, however, of the +price--is your Excellency in funds?" + +"Well, you have heard, no doubt, that I have just captured from the +Spanish general, Paris, eleven hundred fusils, five pieces of cannon--to +say nothing of the eight hundred prisoners we have made--and ten +thousand dollars in specie. That is about ten times the price of a +fortress, which in a short time I may have for nothing." + +"Be not so sure of that, your Excellency. We have no scarcity of +provisions. The Isle of Roqueta--" + +"I shall capture that also." + +"Serves us," continued the Spaniard, without noticing the interruption, +"as a port of supply, by which the ships can always throw provisions +into the castle. But not to dispute the point, am I to understand that +your Excellency fixes the price at a thousand dollars? I agree to that +sum. You say you have captured ten thousand. Unfortunately for me, I +have the opportunity of selling the fortress only once." + +"A thousand dollars down, do you mean?" inquired the General. + +"Oh, no," replied the artilleryman; "what security would you have of my +keeping my word? Five hundred, cash down, and the balance when the +castle is delivered up to you." + +"Agreed! And now, Senor Pepe Gago, what are your means for bringing +about the surrender?" + +"I shall have the command of the portcullis guard from two till five +to-morrow morning. A lantern hung up on the bridge of Hornos to advise +me of your approach--a password between us--and your presence. I +presume your Excellency will not yield to any one the taking of the +place?" + +"I shall be there in person," replied Morelos. "With regard to the +password, here it is." + +The General handed to the Gallician a scrap of paper, on which he had +written two words, which neither Costal nor Lantejas were near enough to +read. + +A somewhat prolonged conversation was now commenced between Morelos and +Pepe Gago, but carried on in a tone so low that the others did not +understand it import. At length the Spaniard was about to take his +departure, when Costal, advancing towards him, laid his hand firmly on +his shoulder. + +"Listen to me, Pepe Gago!" said he to the Gallician in a serious voice. +"It is I who am responsible for you here; but I swear by the bones of +the Caciques of Tehuantepec--from whom I have the undoubted honour of +being descended--if you play traitor in this affair, look out for +Costal, the Zapoteque. Though you may dive like the sharks to the +bottom of the ocean, or like the jaguars hide yourself in the thickest +jungles of the forest, you shall not escape, any more than shark or +jaguar, from my carbine or my knife. I have said it." + +The Spaniard again repeated his declarations of good faith, and retired +from the tent under the safe conduct of Costal. + +"By-and-by," said the General to Lantejas when the others had gone, "I +shall speak to you of the mission I intend sending you upon. Meanwhile, +go and get some rest, as I shall want you at an early hour in the +morning. At four o'clock I shall myself take a party of men up to the +castle. As it is best that no one should know our intention, you and +Costal must hang a lantern on the bridge of Hornos. That is to be the +signal for our approach to the gate." + +Saying this, the commander-in-chief dismissed his captain--who strode +forth out of the marquee, with no very sanguine anticipations of +obtaining a tranquil night's rest. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. + +THE SECRET SIGNAL. + +The fortress castle of Acapulco stands at some little distance from the +town, commanding the latter. It is built upon the summit of the cliffs +that inclose the Acapulco Bay--against whose base the waves of the South +Sea are continually breaking. On each side of the fortress a deep +ravine or barranca pierces the precipice down to the depths of the +ocean--so that the castle stands upon a sort of island promontory or +_voladero_. The cliff upon the right flank of the castle is called the +_Voladero de los Hornos_; and over the ravine between it and the citadel +stretches a narrow bridge called _El Puento de los Hornos_. + +Early in the following morning--while the insurgent camp was in +some confusion consequent upon an unexpected order from the +commander-in-chief; and while a strong detachment was getting under +arms, not knowing where they were to be conducted--Captain Don Cornelio +Lantejas and Costal the Indian were seen gliding silently along the +sea-beach in the direction of the fortress. + +The night was still dark--for it wanted yet two hours to sunrise--and +both the town and castle were wrapped in the most profound slumber. The +only sounds heard distinctly were the continuous murmuring of the waves +as they broke along the beach. + +The two men, after cautiously advancing towards the black cliff, on +which stood the fortress, commenced climbing upward. It was not without +much exertion, and danger too, that they at length succeeded in +ascending to the bridge of Los Hornos. + +The Indian now struck a light; and kindling a resin candle, which he +carried inside his lantern, he hung the latter to a post that stood near +the middle of the bridge, fixing it in such a manner that the light +should shine in the direction of the fortress. It was the signal agreed +upon by the Gallician; and as their part of the performance was now +over, the two men sat down to await the attack which was soon to be made +by the General in person. + +The position which they occupied commanded an extensive view--taking in +the town, the castle, and the ocean. Of the three, the last-mentioned +alone gave out any sound; and Lantejas, after a time, ceased watching +the two former, and involuntarily bent his regards upon the sea. + +Costal was also turning his eyes upon the great deep, in which +everything might also have appeared asleep, but that at intervals a +narrow line of light might be seen gleaming along the black surface of +the water. + +"There's a storm in the air," muttered Costal to his companion in a +solemn tone of voice. "See, how the sharks are shining in the roadway!" + +As Costal spoke, half-a-dozen of these voracious creatures, in search of +prey, were seen quartering the waters of the bay--crossing each other's +course, and circling around, like fireflies over the surface of a +savanna. + +"What think you," continued the _ci-devant tigrero_, "would become of +the man who should chance to fall overboard among those silent swimmers? +Many a time, for all that, have I braved that same danger--in the days +when I followed pearl-diving for my profession." + +Don Cornelio made no reply, but the thought of being among the sharks at +that moment sent a shivering through his frame. + +"I was in no danger whatever," continued the Indian. "Neither the +sharks nor the tigers--which I afterwards also hunted as a profession-- +could prevail against one destined to live as long as the ravens. Soon +I shall be half-a-century old; and then _quien sabe_? At present, +perhaps, no one here except myself could swim in the midst of those +carnivorous creatures without the danger of certain death. _I_ could do +it without the slightest risk." + +"Is that the secret of your courage, Costal--of which you give so many +proofs?" + +"Yes, and no," replied the Indian. "Danger attracts me, as your body +would attract the sharks. It is an instinct which I follow--not a +bravado. Another reason, perhaps, gives me courage. I seek to avenge +in Spanish blood the assassination of my forefathers. What care I for +the political emancipation of you Creoles? But it is not of this I wish +to speak now. Look yonder! Do you see anything down there?" + +A strange object just then came under the eyes of Lantejas, which caused +him to make a movement of superstitious terror. Costal only smiled, +while gazing calmly upon the object. + +A dark human-like form, with a sort of tufted hair hanging loosely over +its head, had emerged from the water, and was supporting itself by his +two arms upon the beach--as if resting there like some bather fatigued +with swimming. + +"What is it?" inquired Lantejas in a troubled tone--the more so that a +plaintive whine seemed to proceed from this singular object, which, with +somewhat of the form of a woman, had nothing human in its voice. + +"A _manatee_," responded Costal; "an amphibious creature we call +_pesca-mujer_--that is, half-fish, half-woman. Dare you stand face to +face with a creature still more human-like in form--ah! more perfect +than any human creature?" + +"What do you mean?" inquired Lantejas. + +"Senor Captain Don Cornelio," continued the Indian, "you who are so +brave in the face of the enemy--" + +"Hum!" interrupted Lantejas with an embarrassed air, "the bravest has +his moments of weakness, do you see?" + +An avowal of his want of courage--though on certain occasions the +ex-student of theology was not lacking this quality--was upon the tongue +of Lantejas, when Costal interrupted him with a rejoinder-- + +"Yes, yes. You are like Clara--although a little braver than he, since +he has not had such an opportunity to cultivate an acquaintance with the +tigers, as you. Well, then, if you were to see down on the beach +yonder, in place of the manatee, a beautiful creature rise up out of the +deep--a beautiful woman with dishevelled locks--her long hair dripping +and shining with the water, and she singing as she rose to the surface; +and were you to know that this woman, although visible to your eyes, was +only a spirit, only of air--what would you do?" + +"A very simple thing," answered the ex-student, "I should feel terribly +afraid." + +"Ah! then I have nothing more to say to you," replied the Indian, with +an air of disappointment. "For a certain object I had in view, I was in +search of a comrade, one with more courage than Clara. I must content +myself with the negro. I expected that you--never mind--we need not +talk any more about the matter." + +The Indian did not add a single word; and the officer, whose fears were +excited by the half-confidences of his companion, was silent also. Both +awaiting to hear the sounds of the attack upon the castle, continued to +gaze upon the vast mysterious ocean, in which the luminous tracks of the +sharks and the dark body of the manatee alone animated its profound +solitude. + +They were thus seated in silence, with their eyes wandering over the +dark blue surface of the water, when all at once the manatee was heard +to plunge under the waves, uttering a melancholy cry as it went down. +Just then the loud booming of a cannon drowned the voice of the +amphibious creature. + +"The castle is taken!" cried Lantejas. + +"No," replied Costal, "on the contrary, Pepe Gago has betrayed us. I +fear our General has been tricked." + +Several discharges of cannon followed on the instant, confirming +Costal's surmise; and the two men, hastening to leave their dangerous +post by the bridge of Hornos, retreated towards a narrow defile called +the _Ojo de Agua_. There they saw the Mexican detachment scattered, and +in full retreat towards their encampment. A man standing in the middle +of the path was trying to intercept their flight. + +"Cowards!" cried he, "will you pass over the body of your general?" + +Many halted, and, returning, made an attack upon the works of the +citadel. But it was to no purpose: the gate was too well defended; and +a discharge of grape had the effect not only of terrifying the +assailants, but also killed several of their number. + +Morelos now saw that he had been betrayed, and caused the retreat to be +sounded. It was the first check he had experienced during a victorious +career of months. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +The day had not yet dawned, when two men were seen advancing from the +direction of the insurgent camp toward the bridge of Los Hornos. One of +these men was Costal, but this time he was accompanied by Clara the +negro. The resin candle still burned within the lantern, but giving out +a more feeble light, as the first streaks of day began to succeed to the +darkness of night. + +"You see that lantern, Clara?" said Costal, pointing out the glimmering +light to his companion. "You know what it was hung there for: since I +have just told you. But you haven't yet heard the vow I have taken +against the traitor who has so played with us. I shall tell you now." + +And Costal proceeded to disclose to his old camarado the oath he had +registered against Pepe Gago. + +"Devil take me!" said Clara in reply, "if I can see how you will ever be +able to fulfil your vow." + +"No more do I," rejoined Costal, "but as I have promised Pepe Gago that +he should not forget the lantern on the bridge of Los Hornos, and as I +am determined he shall have a sight of it now and then, to keep his +memory awake, I don't see why I should leave it here to be picked off by +the first comer. At all events, it is no longer needed as a signal." + +Saying this, the Indian took down the lantern from the post, and blew +out the light. + +"Here, Clara," he continued, "help me to make a hole. I intend hiding +it--so that I can get it again, whenever I may want it." + +The two men kneeling down, and using the blades of their knives, soon +carved out a hollow place, in which Costal deposited the lamp still +containing the resin candle. + +"Now, friend Clara," said the Indian, as soon as they had covered it in, +"sit down here, and let us try if we can't think of some way to capture +this castle, as well as the _picaro_ who is within it." + +"Willingly, I will," answered the black; and seating themselves side by +side, the two associates commenced with all due gravity their important +deliberation. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. + +THE ISLE OF ROQUETA. + +While thus on the summit of the _Voladero de los Hornos_ the Indian +Costal and the negro Clara were debating between themselves how the +castle might be captured--the same subject was being discussed by two +persons of more importance in the tent of the insurgent general. These +were Morelos himself, and Don Hermenegildo Galeana--now usually styled +the "Marshal," to distinguish him from another Galeana, his own nephew, +who was also an officer in the insurgent army. + +The countenance of Morelos had not yet cast off the shadow caused by the +failure of their assault upon the castle; and his garments were still +soiled with dust, which, under the agitation of violent passions, he +disdained to wipe off. + +The brow of the Marshal was also clouded; but that was rather by +reflecting the unpleasant thoughts that were troubling the spirit of his +well-beloved General: for no care of his own ever darkened the +countenance of the warlike Galeana. + +A chart of the bay and roadstead of Acapulco lay upon the table before +them, illuminated by two candles, whose light was every moment becoming +paler, as the day began to break into the tent. + +They had been for some time engaged in discussing the important matter +in question. The Marshal had been endeavouring to press upon the +General the necessity of at least capturing the town: since the troops +were not only badly provided with tents and other equipage, but were in +such a position among the burning sands, that it was difficult to +transport provisions to the camp. Moreover, the situation on the +river's bank was exceedingly unhealthy; and fever was daily thinning the +ranks, and prostrating some of their best soldiers. The Marshal urged, +that, once inside the town, they would at least be better lodged, while +many other evils might be avoided. The town could not hold out against +a determined assault. It might be, carried by a _coup de main_. + +"I know all that, my dear Marshal," said Morelos, in reply to the +arguments of Galeana; "we can easily take the town, but the castle will +still hold out, provisioned as it can always be through this unfortunate +isle of Roqueta, with which the garrison is able to keep up a constant +communication." + +The isle in question lay in the roadway of Acapulco, two short leagues +from the town. There was a small fort upon it, with a Spanish garrison; +and at the anchorage connected with this fort the Spanish ships, +occasionally arriving with supplies for the fortress, could discharge +their cargoes, to be afterwards transported to the castle in boats. + +"Let us first capture Roqueta, then?" suggested Galeana. + +"I fear the enterprise would be too perilous," replied Morelos; "we have +scarce boats enough to carry sixty men--besides, the isle is two leagues +out to sea; and just at this season storms may be looked for every +hour--to say nothing of a mere handful of men landing to attack a strong +garrison behind their entrenchments." + +"We can take them by surprise," continued the intrepid _Mariscal_. +"Leave it to me, General; I care not for the danger. In the glory of +your name I shall undertake to capture La Roqueta." + +"A perilous enterprise!" repeated Morelos, half in soliloquy. "Yes, +friend Galeana," continued he, once more addressing himself to his +Marshal, "although you have taught me to believe in the success of any +enterprise you may undertake, this is really of such a nature as to +require serious consideration." + +"Never fear for the result, Senor General! I promise to capture the +isle on one condition." + +"What is it?" + +"That as soon as you see my signal, announcing that I have mastered the +garrison of Roqueta, you will take the town of Acapulco. Your +Excellency will agree to that?" + +Morelos remained for a moment thoughtful, and apparently reluctant to +permit so perilous an attempt. + +Just at that moment a rocket was seen ascending into the air, and +tracing its curving course against the still sombre background of the +sky. It had evidently been projected from the fort of Roqueta, which in +daylight would have been visible from the camp of the insurgents. +Morelos and his Marshal, through the open entrance of the marquee, saw +the rocket and conjectured it to be some signal for the garrison on the +isle to the besieged within the fortress. Almost on the instant, this +conjecture was confirmed by another rocket seen rising from the citadel +upon the summit of the cliffs, and in turn tracing its blue line across +the heavens. It was evidently the answer. + +For some minutes the General and Galeana remained within the marquee, +endeavouring to conjecture the object of these fiery telegraphs. They +had not succeeded in arriving at any satisfactory conclusion, when the +General's aide-de-camp, Captain Lantejas, entered the tent. His errand +was to announce to the Commander-in-chief that Costal, the scout, had +just arrived in the encampment as the bearer of some important +intelligence. + +"Will your Excellency permit him to come in?" requested the Marshal. +"This Indian has always some good idea in his head." + +Morelos signified assent, and the next moment the Indian entered the +tent. + +"Senor General!" said he, after having received permission to speak, "I +have just been up to the cliff of Los Hornos, and through the grey dawn +I have seen a schooner at anchor by the isle of Roqueta. She must have +arrived during the night: since she was not there yesterday." + +"Well, what of it, friend Costal?" + +"Why, General, I was just thinking how easy it would be for a party of +us, after it gets dark, to slip up alongside, and take possession of +her. Once masters of that schooner--" + +"We could intercept all the supplies destined for the castle," +impetuously interrupted Galeana; "and then we shall reduce it by famine. +Senor General, it is God who speaks by the mouth of this Indian. Your +Excellency will no longer refuse the permission which I have asked?" + +It is true, the danger apprehended was not diminished by the presence of +the schooner; but, overcome by the earnest appeals of the Marshal, and +the prospect of the important results which would certainly arise from +the possession of the vessel, Morelos at length consented to the attempt +being made. + +"If I know how to read the clouds," said Costal, whose counsel on this +point was now requested, "I should say, from the way in which the sun is +now rising, we shall have a dark calm day and night--at least, until the +hour of midnight--" + +"After midnight?" demanded the Marshal. + +"A tempest and a howling sea," replied Costal. "But before that time +the schooner and the isle of Roqueta may be ours." + +"_Shall_ be ours!" cried Galeana, with enthusiasm. + +In fine, and before the council broke up, the enterprise was planned. +The expedition was to be commanded by the Marshal, accompanied by his +nephew, the younger Galeana, while Lantejas was to be the captain of a +canoe, with Costal under his orders. + +"The brave Don Cornelio would never forgive us," said Galeana, "if we +were to perform this exploit without him." + +The Captain smiled as he endeavoured to assume a warlike expression of +countenance. He thought to himself, however, how much more to his taste +it would be to have been deprived of the privilege accorded to him. But +according to the habit he had got into, and in conformity with the +energetic Spanish refrain: _Sacar de tripas corazon_ (Keep a stout heart +against every fortune), he pretended to be delighted with the honour +that was yielded to him. + +The prognostic of Costal about the weather appeared likely to be +realised. During the whole day, while they were making preparations for +their night expedition, the sky remained shadowed with sombre clouds; +and, as evening arrived, the sun went down in the midst of a thick +cumulus of vapour. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. + +AN ENTERPRISE BY NIGHT. + +As soon as darkness had fairly descended over the deep, the men took +their places in the boats. + +The flotilla was comprised of three barges or whale-boats, and a small +canoe--in which altogether not more than fifty men could be embarked; +but as it was at this period the sole fleet possessed by the insurgents, +they were forced to make the best of it. + +With oars carefully muffled, they rowed out from the beach; and, thanks +to the darkness of the night, they succeeded in passing the castle +without causing any alarm. + +They were soon out of sight of the shore; and after rowing a mile or so +further, the dark _silhouette_ of the cliffs ceased to be visible +through the obscurity. + +The canoe commanded by Captain Lantejas carried, besides himself, Costal +and two rowers. As it was the lightest vessel in the flotilla, it was +directed to keep the lead, as a sort of _avant-courier_, to announce +whatever might be seen ahead. + +Costal sat in the stern guiding the craft; and while engaged in this +duty, he could not resist the temptation of pointing out to his captain +what the latter had already tremblingly observed:--three or four great +sharks keeping company with the canoe. + +"Look at them!" said the Indian; "one might almost imagine that the +instinct of these fierce sea-wolves told them--" + +"What?" inquired Lantejas, with an anxious air. + +"Why, that this vessel we are in is not sea-worthy. She is as rotten +and ricketty as an old tub; and very little--Bah! I only wish that my +friend Pepe Gago was one of those fellows in the water, and I had +nothing more to do than leap in and poniard him in presence of the +others!" + +"What! are you thinking still of that fellow?" + +"More than ever!" replied Costal, grinding his teeth; "and I shall never +leave the army of Morelos--even when my time of service is out--so long +as there's a hope of capturing the castle of Acapulco, and getting my +hands on the miserable traitor." + +Lantejas was paying only slight attention to what the Indian said. The +doubt which the latter had expressed about the sea-worthiness of the +canoe, was at that moment occupying his thoughts more than Costal's +project of vengeance; and he was desirous that they should reach the +island as soon as possible. Even an engagement with a human enemy--so +long as it should take place on _terra firma_--would be less perilous +than a struggle in the water with those terrible monsters--the sharks. + +"The canoe goes very slowly!" remarked he to Costal mere than once. + +"Senor Don Cornelio!" exclaimed the Indian with a smile, "you are always +in a hurry to get into the fight; but we are now approaching the isle; +and, with your permission, I think we would do well to obtain leave from +the admiral (by his title Costal designated Don Hermenegildo) to go a +little more in advance, and reconnoitre the way for the others. The +canoe can approach near the schooner without much risk of being seen; +whereas those great whale-boats would just now stand a pretty fair +chance of being discovered. That's my advice--do you agree to it, +Captain?" + +"Willingly," replied Lantejas, scarce knowing between the two dangers +which might be the greatest. + +At a command from Costal the two rowers now rested upon their oars; and, +shortly after, one of the barges arrived alongside. It was that which +carried the admiral. + +"What is it?" inquired the latter, seeing that the canoe had stopped for +him. "Have you discovered anything?" + +Don Cornelio communicated to him the proposition of Costal. The idea +appeared good to the Marshal; and, in accordance with it, the three +barges were ordered to lie to, while the lighter craft glided on in +advance. + +In a short time the isle appeared in sight--a dark spot upon the bosom +of the water, like some vast sea-bird that had settled down upon the +waves, to rest a moment before resuming its flight. + +Presently, as they drew nearer, the dark mass appeared to grow larger, +but still lay buried in sombre silence, with no light nor any visible +object distinguishable through the gloom. + +Still drawing nearer, they at length perceived, rising over the tops of +the trees that thickly covered the island, the tall tapering masts and +cross-yards of a ship. It was the schooner they were in search of. + +Continuing their course, in a few moments they were able to make out her +hull against the white background of the beach, and then the two cabin +windows in her stern. Through these, lights were shining, that in two +broad bands were flung far over the surface of the water. In the +darkness, the vessel might have been likened to some gigantic whale that +had risen a moment, and was bending its huge eyes to reconnoitre the +surface of the sea. + +"We must change our course," muttered Costal. "If the canoe gets under +that light, some sentry on the quarterdeck may see us. We must make a +detour, and approach from the other side." + +In saying this the Indian shifted the rudder, and turned the head of the +craft into a new direction, while the rowers still continued to ply +their muffled oars. + +The sharks turned at the same time, and kept on after the canoe, as +could be told by the luminous traces left by their viscous bodies in +passing through the water. + +Beyond, the surface was sparkling with phosphoric points, as if the sky, +now covered with a uniform drapery of dark clouds, had dropped its +starry mantle upon the sea. + +At intervals there came a slight puff of wind, and the water curling +under it glanced more luminously; while an occasional flash of lightning +announced that the clouds above were charged with electricity. + +In all these signs Costal recognised the precursors of a storm. + +The canoe had now passed far out of sight of the barges, and was +circling around, to get upon the other side of the schooner--still +followed by five of the shining monsters of the deep. + +Both Costal and the Captain believed themselves too far distant from the +schooner to be seen by any one aboard when all at once a brilliant light +enveloped the Spanish vessel, revealing her whole outlines from stem to +stern. Those in the canoe had just time to perceive that it was the +blaze of a cannon, when the report followed, and the hissing of a ball +was heard. Almost on the instant the little craft received a terrible +shock; and, in the midst of a cloud of spray thrown around it, the two +rowers were seen tumbling over the side and sinking below the surface of +the water. Two of the sharks disappeared at the same moment! + +Costal, seated in the stern, at once perceived that the canoe no longer +obeyed the rudder; and Lantejas, who was more amidships, saw to his +horror that the vessel was sinking at the forward part, where she had +been struck by the ball. + +"_Por los infiernos_! an unlucky shot!" cried Costal. + +"What will be the result?" anxiously demanded Lantejas. + +"Why, a very simple thing: the bullet has crushed in the bow of the +craft, and she will go down head foremost, I suppose." + +"_Por Dios_! we are lost then!" cried Don Cornelio in a voice of terror. + +"Not so sure of that yet," calmly returned Costal, at the same time +rising and stepping forward in the canoe. "Keep your place!" whispered +he to Lantejas, "and don't lose sight of me." + +Notwithstanding the assuring air with which the Indian spoke, the third +rower, under the excitement of a terrible alarm, at this moment rushed +up and caught him around the knees--as if clinging to him for help. + +"Ho!" cried Costal, endeavouring to disengage himself, "hands off there, +friend! Off, I say--here it is every one for himself!" And as he said +this he pushed the man backward. + +The latter, staggering partly under the impulsion he had received, and +partly under the influence of his fright, tumbled back into the water. +At the same instant a third shark disappeared from the side of the +canoe, while a cry of despair appeared to rise up from the bottom of the +sea! + +"It was his own fault," said the impassable Zapoteque, "his example +should be a warning to others!" + +At this frightful innuendo the ex-student of theology, more dead than +alive, commenced invoking God and the saints with a fervour such as he +had never felt in all his life. + +"_Carrambo_! Captain," cried the imperturbable pagan, "put more +confidence in your own courage than your saints. Can you swim?" + +"Only a few strokes," feebly replied Lantejas. + +"Good! that will be enough. There is only one way to hinder the canoe +from going head downwards. Look out, then, and keep close by my side!" + +Saying this, Costal waited until the canoe rose upon the top of a wave; +and then, throwing all his strength into the effort, he kicked the +craft, overturning it keel upwards. + +Both men were for the moment under water; and Lantejas, on coming to the +surface, felt himself violently grasped by the garments. He fancied it +was one of the sharks that had seized hold of him; but the voice of +Costal close to his ear once more reassured him. + +"Do not fear: I am with you," said the Indian, dragging him through the +water towards the capsized canoe, which was now floating wrong side up. + +The efforts of the Indian, joined to those which Lantejas mechanically +made for himself, enabled the latter to get astride the keel of the +canoe; where Costal, after swimming a few strokes through the water, +mounted also. + +"Another minute," said the Indian, "and the old tub would have gone to +the bottom. Now she may keep afloat till the whale-boats get up--that +is, if the storm don't come down before then." + +Lantejas cast a despairing glance towards the distant ocean, which, +lashed by the wind, had already commenced under its mantle of foam. The +sight drew from him a fresh invocation to the saints, with an improvised +but earnest prayer for his own safety. + +"_Carrambo_!" cried the pagan Costal, "keep a firm seat, and don't trust +too much to your gods. If you let yourself be washed off, you'll find +they won't do much for you. Stay! you've nothing to hold on by! let me +make a catch for you." + +Saying this, Costal bent towards his companion; and with the blade of +his knife commenced opening a hole in the keel of the canoe. In the +worm-eaten wood this might be easily effected; and, working with all the +_sang-froid_ of a wood-carver, in a few seconds Costal succeeded in +making an aperture large enough to admit the hand. Through this +Lantejas thrust his fingers; and, clutching firmly underneath, was now +in a condition to maintain his seat against the waves that were +threatening every moment to roll over the spot. + +Costal, having thus secured his companion, and provided for his own +safety in a similar fashion, now commenced peering through the darkness +in hopes of seeing the barges. + +In this he was disappointed. Though the lightning now flashed at +shorter intervals, its gleams revealed only the dark and scowling water, +the isle sleeping in sullen gloom, and farther off the frowning mass of +the fortress-crowned cliff. + +Notwithstanding that the castaways now shouted at the highest pitch of +their voices, there was no response from the whale-boats. Their cries +pealed along the seething surface of the waters, and died without even +an echo. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. + +FEARFUL FELLOW-SWIMMERS. + +The shipwrecked sailor, floating upon his frail raft, or some spar of +his shattered vessel, could not be more at the mercy of wave and wind, +than were the two men astride of the capsized canoe. Their situation +was indeed desperate. The stroke of a strong sea would be sufficient to +swamp their frail embarkation; and, should the tempest continue to +increase in fury, then destruction appeared inevitable. + +Despite the imminent danger, Lantejas still indulged a hope that the +intrepidity of the Zapoteque might rescue him from the present danger, +as it had from many others. Sustained by this vague belief, he kept his +eyes fixed upon the countenance of Costal, while endeavouring to read in +its expression the condition of the Indian's spirit. + +Up to that time the imperturbable coolness exhibited by the _ex-tigrero_ +had favoured the hopes of his companion. As the time passed, however, +and nothing was seen of the whale-boats, even the features of Costal +began to wear an expression of anxiety. There is a difference, however, +between anxiety and despair. The spirit of the Indian had only +succumbed to the former of these two phases. + +"Well, Costal, what think you?" demanded Lantejas, with a view of +breaking the silence, which appeared to him of ill omen. + +"_Por Dios_!" replied the Indian, "I'm astonished that the barges have +not moved up on hearing that shot. It's not like the Marshal to hang +back so. He don't often need two such signals to advance--" + +A blast of wind sweeping past at the moment hindered Lantejas from +hearing the last words of his companion's speech. He saw, however, that +the latter had relapsed into his ominous silence, and that the cloud of +inquietude was growing darker over his countenance. It was almost an +expression of fear that now betrayed itself upon the bronzed visage of +the Indian. + +The Captain well knew that the least display of such a sentiment on the +part of Costal, was evidence that the danger was extreme. Not that he +needed any farther proof of this, than what he saw around him; but, so +long as the Zapoteque showed no signs of fear, he had entertained a hope +that the latter might still find some resource for their safety. + +He almost believed himself saved, when the voice of the Indian once more +fell upon his ear, in a tone that seemed to betray an indifference to +their present situation. + +"Well, Senor Don Cornelio," said Costal, "what would you give now to be +lying in a hammock, with a canopy of jaguars and rattlesnakes over you? +Eh?" + +Costal smiled as he recalled the scene of the inundation. His gaiety +was a good sign. Almost immediately after, however, he muttered to +himself, in a tone of inquietude-- + +"Can it be possible that the barges have gone back?" + +In situations of a frightful kind the smallest suspicion soon assumes +the form of a reality; and the Captain did not doubt but that the barges +had returned to the shore. Not that there was the slightest reason for +this belief. On the contrary, it was more natural to suppose that they +were still in the place where they had been left--awaiting the return of +the canoe, and the news it might bring them. This was all the more +likely: since they in the barges could not fail to have heard the shot +from the schooner, and would be awaiting an explanation of it. + +The probability of all this--especially of the boats being still in the +same place--did not fail to strike Costal, who for some seconds appeared +to be reflecting profoundly. + +Meanwhile the waves had increased, and had all the appearance of soon +becoming much larger. Already the frail embarkation was tossed about +like an egg-shell. + +"Listen to me, Senor Don Cornelio Lantejas!" said Costal. + +"Ah!" woefully murmured the Captain, on hearing his patronymic +pronounced; for ever since his proscription as Cornelio Lantejas, he had +held his own name in horror. Never did it sound to him with a more +lugubrious accent than now. + +"Listen!" said Costal, repeating himself with emphasis; "I know you are +a man for whom death has no terrors. Well, then! I think it would not +be right of me to conceal from you--a fact--" + +"What fact?" + +"That if we stay here one hour longer, we must both go to the bottom. +The waves are constantly growing bigger, as you see--" + +"And what can we do?" demanded Lantejas, in a despairing tone. + +"One of two things," replied Costal. "The barges are either waiting for +us where we left them, or they are directing their course towards the +isle. It is absurd to suppose they have returned to the town. When one +receives an order from a great general to attack any particular point, +one does not return without making an attempt. The boats, therefore, +must still be where we parted from them." + +"Well, what would you do?" + +"Why, since it is easy for me to swim to them--" + +"Swim to them!" + +"Certainly. Why not?" + +"What! through the midst of those monsters who have just devoured our +comrades under our very eyes?" + +A flash of lightning at that instant lit up the countenance of Costal, +which exhibited an expression of profound disdain. + +"Have I not just told you," said he, "that I am perhaps the only man who +could pass among these sharks without the least danger? I have done it +a hundred times out of mere bravado. To-night I shall do it to save our +lives." + +The thought of being left alone caused the Captain a fresh alarm. He +hesitated a moment before making a reply. Costal, taking his silence +for consent, cried out-- + +"As soon as I have reached one of the barges I shall cause a rocket to +be sent up as a signal that I am aboard. Then you may expect us to come +this way; and you must shout at the top of your voice, in order that we +may find you." + +Don Cornelio had not time to make answer. On finishing his speech the +_ci-devant_ pearl-diver plunged head foremost into the water. + +The Captain could trace a luminous line as he swam for some seconds +under the surface; and could also see that the fierce denizens of the +deep--as if they recognised in him a superior power--had suddenly glided +out of his way! + +Don Cornelio saw the intrepid swimmer rise to the surface, at some +distance off, and then lost sight of him altogether behind the curling +crests of the waves. He fancied, however, he could hear some indistinct +words of encouragement borne back by the wind. After that, the only +sounds that reached his ear were the hoarse moanings of the surf, and +the ominous plashing of the waves against the quivering timbers of his +canoe. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. + +UNPLEASANT SWIMMING COMPANIONS. + +A shark may be driven off for a time by the efforts of a human enemy, +but his natural voracity will soon impel him to return to the attack. +When the Indian therefore rose to the surface of the water--remembering +his old practice as a pearl-diver--he cast around him a glance of +caution. Having shouted back to his companion in misfortune some words +which the latter had indistinctly heard, he placed his knife between his +teeth, and swam straight onward. + +It was not fear that caused him to take this precaution. It was merely +an act of habitual prudence. + +As he struck out from the canoe, he perceived that two monsters of the +deep, far more formidable than those of the forest, were proceeding in +the same direction as himself. One was about twenty feet from him on +the right; the other appeared at an equal distance on his left; and both +were evidently _attending_ upon him! + +Unpleasant as two such companions might be deemed, the swimmer at first +paid but slight attention to their movements. His mind was pre-occupied +with a variety of other thoughts--especially with the doubt as to +whether he might be able to find the barges. On the wide surface of the +sea, and in the midst of the profound darkness, it would be but too easy +to pass without perceiving them, and very difficult indeed to find them. +This apprehension, combined with those fearless habits in the water, +which he had contracted while following the life of a pearl-diver--and +furthermore his belief in a positive fatalism--all united in rendering +the Zapoteque indifferent to the presence of his two terrible +attendants. + +Only at intervals, and then rather from prudence than fear, he turned +his head to the right or left, and glanced in the direction of his +_compagnons du voyage_. He could not help perceiving moreover that at +each instant the sharks were drawing nearer to him! + +By a vigorous stroke on the water he now raised his body high over the +surface; and, there balancing for a moment, glanced forward. It was an +eager glance; for he was looking for that object on the finding of which +his life must depend. He saw only the line of the horizon of dull +sombre hue--no object visible upon it, except here and there the white +crests of the waves. + +A sudden glance to the right, and another to the left, showed him the +two fearful creatures, now nearer than ever. Neither was more than ten +feet from his body! + +Still the swimmer was not dismayed by their presence. Far more was he +daunted by the immense solitude of the watery surface that surrounded +him. + +However bold a man may be, there are moments when danger must +necessarily cause him fear. Costal was in a position sufficiently +perilous to have unnerved most men. Swimming in the midst of a rising +sea--beyond sight of land, or any other object--escorted by two +voracious sharks--with a dark sky overhead, and no precise knowledge of +the direction in which he was going--no wonder he began to feel +something more than inquietude. + +However strong may be a swimmer, he cannot fail after long keeping up +such vigorous action as it requires, to become fatigued, and worn out: +the more so when, like Costal, he carries a knife between his teeth-- +thus impeding his free respiration. But the ex-pearl-diver did not +think of parting with the weapon--his only resource, in case of being +attacked by the sharks--and still keeping his lips closed upon it, he +swam on. + +After a time, he felt his heart beating violently against his ribs. He +attributed this circumstance less to fear than to the efforts he was +making; and, taking the knife from his mouth, he carried it in one of +his hands. + +The pulsations of his heart were not the less rapid: for it may be +acknowledged, without much shame to him, that Costal now really felt +fear. Moreover, swimming with one hand closed, it was necessary for him +to strike more rapidly with the other. + +The precaution of holding his knife ready in hand, was not likely to +prove an idle one. The two sharks appeared gradually converging upon +the line which the swimmer must take, if he continued to swim directly +onward. + +On observing this convergence of his silent and persevering pursuers, +Costal suddenly obliqued to the right. The sharks imitated his movement +on the instant, and swam on each side of him as before! + +For a few minutes--long and fearful minutes--he was forced to keep on in +this new direction. He began to fancy he was swimming out of the way he +should have taken; and was about to turn once more to the left, when an +object came before his eyes that prompted him to utter an ejaculation of +joy. + +In spite of himself, he had been guided into the right direction, by the +very enemies from whom he was endeavouring to escape; and it was the +sight of the barges that had drawn from him the joyful exclamation. + +The moment after, he uttered a louder cry, hailing the boats. + +He had the satisfaction of hearing a response; but as no one saw him +through the darkness, it was necessary for him to continue swimming +onwards. + +By this time the two sharks had closed on each side, and were gliding +along so near, that only a narrow way was open between them. Costal +felt that he had not sufficient strength to make a detour; and the only +course left him, was to swim straight for the nearest boat. He kept on +therefore, his heart beating against his ribs, and with his knife firmly +held in his grasp--ready to bury the weapon in the throat of the first +that should assail him. With the last efforts of his strength he lunged +out right and left, by voice and gesture endeavouring to frighten off +the two monsters that flanked him; and he proceeded onward in this way +like some doomed ship, struggling between black masses of rocky +breakers. + +By good fortune his efforts proved successful. The hideous creatures, +glaring upon him with glassy eyeballs, were nevertheless frightened by +his menacing gestures, and for the moment diverged a little out of his +way. + +Costal took advantage of this precious moment; and, swimming rapidly +forward, succeeded in clutching the side of one of the barges. + +A dozen friendly arms instantly drew him aboard; but as his comrades +bent over him upon the deck, they perceived that he was unconscious. +The effort had been too much for his strength. He had sunk into a +syncope. + +The presence of Costal in such sad plight sufficiently revealed the fate +of the canoe and its occupants. Words could not have made the history +of their misfortune more clear. + +"It is no use remaining longer here," said the soldier-admiral. "The +canoe must have gone to the bottom. Now, my braves! we shall pull +straight for the isle." + +Then raising his sombrero in a reverential manner, he added-- + +"Let us pray for the souls of our unfortunate comrades--above all, for +Captain Lantejas. We have lost in him a most valiant officer." + +And after this laconic oration over Don Cornelio, the barges were once +more set in motion, and rowed directly towards the isle of Roqueta. + +Meanwhile the unhappy Lantejas sat upon the keel of the broken canoe, +contemplating with horrible anxiety the waves of the ocean constantly +surging around him, and gradually growing fiercer and higher. Now they +appeared as dark as Erebus; anon like ridges of liquid fire, as the +lightning flashed athwart the sky, furrowing the black clouds over his +head. + +He listened attentively. He heard the wind whistling against the waves, +and lashing them into fury--as a horseman rouses his steed with whip and +spur; he heard the groaning of the surge, like an untamed horse +rebelling against his rider. + +Fortunately for him, it was yet but the prologue of the storm to which +he was listening; and he was still able to maintain his seat upon the +frail embarkation. + +At short intervals he shouted with all his might, but the wind hurled +back his cries, mingled with the spray that was dashed in his face. + +No succour appeared within sight or hearing. Costal had no doubt been +either drowned or devoured; and the unhappy officer had arrived at the +full conviction, that such was to be his own fate; when, all of a +sudden, some object came under his eyes that caused him to quiver with +joy. Under the glare of the lightning, the barges were visible mounted +on the crest of a huge dark wave! + +Only a momentary glance did he obtain of them; for, after the flash had +passed, the boats were again shrouded in the obscurity of the night. + +Do Cornelio raised a loud cry, and listened for the response. No voice +reached him. His own was drowned; midst the roaring of the waters, and +could not have been heard by the people on board the boats. + +He shouted repeatedly, but with the like result--no response. + +Once more was he plunged into the deepest anxiety--approaching almost to +despair--when on the next flashing of lightning he once more beheld the +barges at a little distance from him, but in a direction altogether +opposite! They had passed him in the darkness, and were now rowing +away! + +This was his reflection, though it was an erroneous one. The boats were +still in the same direction as at first, but now appeared in the +opposite quarter. This deception arose from Don Cornelio himself having +turned round on the broken canoe, which kept constantly spinning about +upon the waves. + +At this moment a rocket shooting up into the dark sky inspired the +castaway with fresh hope; and he once more raised his voice, and shouted +with all the concentrated power of throat and lungs. After delivering +the cry, he remained in breathless expectation, equally concentrating +all his strength in the act of listening. + +This time a responsive cry came back--a sound all the more joyful to his +ears from his recognising it as the voice of Costal. + +Don Cornelio now repeated his cries, thick and fast after each other, +until his throat and jaws almost refused to give out the slightest +sound. Nevertheless he kept on shouting, until one of the barges, +bounding over the waves, forged close up to the side of the canoe. Then +he felt himself seized by strong arms--they were those of Costal and +Galeana--and the moment after he was lifted into the boot, where, like +the ex-pearl-diver, but from a very different cause, he fell fainting +upon the deck. + +It was fortunate for Don Cornelio that Costal had remained only a short +time under the influence of his syncope. Recovering from it, the Indian +had, in a few words, revealed the situation of the canoe. The signal +agreed upon was at once made; and led, as described, to the rescue of +his companion from his perilous position. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. + +A DEED A LA CORTEZ. + +Notwithstanding the alarm given by the schooner, the barges of Galeana +found no difficulty in effecting a landing upon the isle--but on the +opposite side to that where the war vessel lay. The stormy night +favoured the attempt; the garrison of La Roqueta not dreaming that on +such a night any attack would be made upon the fort. + +Lantejas still remained unconscious; and, when at last he came to his +senses, he found himself on land, the branches of tall trees extending +over him, through which the wind was whistling with all the fury of a +tempest. The rustling of the leaves was the sweetest melody he had ever +heard: since it told him he was once more on _terra firma_--though at +the same time the thunder rolling around appeared to shake the +foundations of the isle. + +On awakening to consciousness, he looked around him. He saw men +reclining, or sitting in groups--most of them with arms in their hands. +He recognised them as the people of the expedition. + +Costal, asleep, was lying upon the ground close at hand. + +"Where are we, Costal?" inquired Lantejas, after rousing the Indian from +his slumber. + +"Where? _Por Dios_! where should we be, but on the isle of Roqueta?" + +"But how did we get ashore?" + +"Easily enough, Senor Capitan. We had no opposition to contend against. +Not one of the Spanish garrison suspects our presence here; for who +would think of sixty men venturing to sea on such a night as this? We +shall take the enemy completely by surprise." + +"And what hinders the Marshal from attacking them now?" + +"We have not yet found them. We neither know where the fort is, nor +where we are ourselves. Don't you see that the night is as dark as the +inside of a cannon, and one can't make out his finger before him? +They're safe enough while this storm lasts; and, by good luck, so are +we." + +It was in truth to the storm that the Mexicans owed their present +security. Few in numbers, and ignorant of the locality in which they +had landed, an attack by the troops of the garrison might have proved +fatal to them. Thanks to the tempestuous character of the night, they +had not only found an opportunity of debarking on the isle, but time to +mature their plans for assaulting the fort. + +It was now about four in the morning, and the wind, still blowing with +all its fury, was causing the large waves to roll up against the beach, +threatening to break the cables by which the barges were moored to the +shore. Don Cornelio cast glances of fear upon that mighty ocean that, +but a few hours before, had come so near engulfing him within its dark +depths. + +While he sat with his face turned seaward, his eye fell upon the figure +of a man who was passing from the spot where the groups were scattered +downward to the beach. This man having approached the place where the +barges were moored, for some moments appeared to be occupied with them, +as if looking to their security. This was Don Cornelio's first +impression on seeing the figure bending over the cables; but the moment +after, the blade of a knife glancing in the man's fingers, was revealed +by a flash of lightning; and this gave a sudden turn to the captain's +thoughts. + +"What is he about to do?" inquired he of Costal, at the same time +pointing out the individual so mysteriously occupied about the barges. + +"_Carrambo_! he is cutting the cables!" cried the Indian, springing to +his feet, and rushing towards the boats, followed by Don Cornelio. + +On drawing nearer the beach, both recognised, under the pale reflection +of the foaming waves, the Marshal himself--Don Hermenegildo Galeana! + +"Ah! Captain Lantejas, it is you!" cried the Marshal as they +approached. "Good. I want you to lend me a hand here in cutting these +hawsers: they are hard as iron chains." + +"Cut the hawsers!" echoed the astonished captain. "And what, General, +if we are compelled to retreat before a superior force?" + +"That's just what I wish to provide against," replied Don Hermenegildo, +laughing. "Some people fight but poorly when they know they may run +away; and I wish our people to fight well." + +Don Cornelio saw it was no use to attempt remonstrance with the +chivalric Galeana, and both he and Costal went to work to assist the +Marshal in his daring design. + +"All right, comrades!" cried Don Hermenegildo, as soon as the three +hawsers were parted; "it only remains for us to get the signal rockets +out of the boats, and then let them go to sea of themselves." + +So saying, the energetic leader stepped aboard one of the barges, seized +hold of the rocket case, and, assisted by Costal and Don Cornelio, +carried it on shore. Then, giving each of the boats a shove from the +beach, the Marshal had the satisfaction--not shared by the Captain, +however--of seeing all three of them the next moment carried far away +from the shore, and still tossing seaward on the crests of the foaming +waves! Retreat was no longer possible. The people of the expedition +must either conquer or succumb. + +"Now, Captain Lantejas," said the Marshal, addressing Don Cornelio, "you +had better go and get some sleep. You have need of rest, after what you +have passed through. I shall cause you to be awakened in good time. +Meanwhile Costal will make a reconnaissance, to discover, if possible, +the whereabouts of our enemy. By daybreak both the fort and schooner +must be ours." + +With this finish to the conversation, Don Hermenegildo folded his cloak +around him and walked away. Costal and the captain returned to the +temporary encampment among the trees. There the Indian, without +communicating his thoughts to his companion, silently divested himself +of the little remnant of clothing that remained to him, and glided off +among the bushes--like a jaguar advancing through the underwood to +surprise the gaunt alligator on the bank of some solitary lagoon. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. + +THE CAPTURE OF LA ROQUETA. + +It was in vain that Don Cornelio attempted to sleep. Although more than +a year of campaigning and the experience of many sanguinary engagements +had inured him to danger, there was something in the peril to which he +was now exposed that was altogether novel and unpleasant. + +Their leader had provided against retreat, and to conquer or die had +become a positive obligation of the expeditionary force. This was +sufficient to keep the involuntary soldier awake for the remainder of +the night. + +He passed the time in reflecting upon the singular _contretemps_ that +had so interfered with his plans of life, and changed, as it were, his +very destiny. He could now only entertain but one hope and wish, and +that was that the fortress of Acapulco should be taken as soon as +possible: since upon that event being completed, Morelos had promised to +grant him leave of absence from the army. + +In about an hour afterwards, Costal returned from his scout, and +reported to him the result of his explorations, which he had already +detailed to the Marshal. + +According to the information collected by the Indian, the Spanish +garrison consisted of about two hundred men; who were entrenched in a +small earthwork on the southern side of the isle, and not more than +cannon-shot distance from the Mexican encampment. Two field pieces, set +in battery, defended the work; and the schooner, whose unlucky shot had +swamped the canoe, lay at a cable's length from the land, in a little +bay that ran up to the fort. + +The Mexican leader now knew the position of his enemy, their numbers, +and means of defence; and, as soon as the dawn began to appear, he +summoned his little band, and formed them into rank. At the same time +he caused the signal rockets to be carried to an eminence that was near +their encampment. + +"Now, _muchachos_!" said he, addressing his soldiers in an undertone, +"whatever point we attack, may be considered as taken. We are about to +assault the enemy. We may therefore at once announce to our +general-in-chief, without fear of disappointment, that the isle and +fortress of La Roqueta are in our hands. I have promised it." + +And without awaiting a reply from any one, the Marshal took the cigar +from his lips, and held the burning end of it to the fuse of one of the +rockets. + +The piece of hemp became kindled at the touch, and the moment after the +rocket rose hissing into the air, and described a circle of vivid red +against the grey background of the sky. A second rocket was sent up, +which traced an ellipse of white light; and then a third, whose +reflection was a brilliant green. + +"Red, white, and green!" cried Galeana, "our national colour. It is the +signal I agreed upon with our General, to announce to him the capture of +the isle. Our comrades in the Mexican camp have by this time seen the +signal. They believe we have triumphed, and we must not deceive them. +Forward to victory!" + +On issuing the command, Galeana bounded lightly forward and placed +himself at the head of his men; and the whole troop, guided by Costal, +advanced at a rapid pace towards the enemy. + +As they approached the fort, cries of distress were heard in that +direction, which at first filled the assailants with surprise. The +cause, however, was soon apparent. The cries came not from the fort, +but from the schooner, which was now seen through an opening between the +trees struggling against the storm, and fast drifting among breakers! A +row of jagged rocks stretched along to leeward; and from driving upon +these rocks, the sailors aboard of her were vainly endeavouring to +restrain the ill-fated vessel. + +The latter, during the violence of the wind, had dragged her anchors, +and was now fast hastening to destruction. + +"_Jesus Maria_!" exclaimed Galeana at the sight. "Comrades, what a +pity! She will undoubtedly be lost, and I had counted upon this +magnificent bounty. _Carrambo_! we shall get nothing but a wreck." + +The dangerous situation of the schooner was of course known in the fort, +where it had already created considerable confusion. This was now +changed into consternation by the approach of the insurgents; and the +wild war-cry of Galeana, as he sprang forward to the walls, echoed by +his followers, and accompanied as it was by loud peals of thunder, +produced something like a panic among the ranks of the Spanish garrison. +So sudden was the attack, and so completely unexpected, that it could +scarcely fail of success; and indeed, after a short hand-to-hand combat, +one portion of the garrison fled, while the other surrendered without +conditions to the triumphant Galeana. + +Scarcely had the last shot been fired, and the fort delivered up to the +victors, when the schooner, striking violently upon a sharp reef, leant +over to one side, and, like a steed gored by the horns of the bull, the +sides of the vessel were opened, and she began to sink among the foaming +waves. The victors on shore thought no more of enemies, but now bent +all their energies towards saving the unfortunate mariners, whose lives +were thus placed in peril. By means of lazoes flung from the beach, +most of the latter were rescued from the death that threatened them. + +The sun soon after cast his yellow beams over the agitated bosom of the +ocean, but his rising had no effect in calming the tempest. The storm +continued to rage as furiously as ever. + +Just as the last of the shipwrecked sailors had been got safely on +shore, a flag running up to the signal-staff of the fort announced that +a new sail was seen in the offing. In a few minutes after a vessel was +perceived in the roadstead of the bay, struggling against the storm, and +endeavouring to stand outward to sea. + +This intention the adverse winds seemed trying to prevent; and driven by +these out of her course, the strange ship passed so near the isle of +Roqueta that those in the fort could see the people on board, and even +distinguish the uniforms and faces of the officers upon the quarterdeck. +It was evident that the vessel thus coasting past Acapulco was a +man-of-war; and the uniforms of the officers aboard of her could plainly +be distinguished as that of the Spanish navy. One was dressed somewhat +differently from the rest. His costume was military, not naval. It was +that of an officer of dragoons. Costal, Clara, and Captain Lantejas +were standing on the parapet of the fort, observing the manoeuvres of +the strange ship, when the keen eyes of the Indian became fixed on this +officer. + +He was a man in the full vigour of youth and strength--as was testified +by his erect and graceful figure, and by the rich masses of dark hair +that clustered under his laced cap; but an air of profound melancholy +seemed resting upon his features, and it was evident that some secret +care was occupying his thoughts far more than the storm or its dangers! + +"Do you recognise the officer, yonder?" inquired Costal pointing him out +to Clara and Don Cornelio. + +"No," replied Lantejas, "I don't remember ever having seen him before." + +"He is the same," rejoined Costal, "whom we three formerly knew as a +captain of the Queen's dragoons--Don Rafael Tres-Villas. He is now +_Colonel_ Tres-Villas." + +"_Por Dios_!" interposed a soldier who was standing near, and who had +come from the state of Oajaca. "Colonel Tres-Villas! That is he who +nailed the head of Antonio Valdez to the gate of his hacienda!" + +"The same," assented Costal. + +"_Carrambo_!" cried another soldier, "that is the officer who, after +capturing the town of Aguas Calientes, caused the hair to be cropped +from the heads of three hundred women who were his prisoners!" + +"It is said that he had his reasons for doing so," muttered Costal, in +reply. + +"Whether or no," said the soldier, "if he comes this way, he'll get +punished for it." + +Just as the soldier spoke, the ship became enveloped in a mass of fog-- +at that moment spreading over the water--and was lost to the view of the +people on the isle. When she became visible again, it was seen that she +was standing out to sea. By a favourable turn which the wind had taken, +she was enabled to gain the offing, and was soon receding from view upon +the distant horizon. + +Costal was correct in his identification. The officer thus accidentally +seen, and who was a passenger on board the man-of-war, was indeed Don +Rafael Tres-Villas, who from one of the northern ports was now on his +return to Oajaca, bearing with him to the shores of Tehuantepec a +profound and incurable melancholy. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +The capture of the isle of La Roqueta was an important step towards the +taking of Acapulco. The town itself had fallen into the hands of the +insurgents, almost at the same instant; for Morelos, according to +agreement, on perceiving the signals of Hermenegildo, had directed his +attack upon the town, and so brusquely that the place was carried by a +_coup de main_. + +The possession of La Roqueta enabled the insurgent general to intercept +the supplies of the citadel garrison; and shortly after the fortress +itself was compelled to surrender. + +This conquest, with which the humble _cura_ had been derisively +entrusted, rendered him master of the whole southern part of Mexico-- +from the shores of the Pacific Ocean, almost to the gates of the capital +of New Spain. Twenty-two battles had he gained from that day, when, +accompanied by his two domestics, he rode forth from the village of +Caracuaro to raise in Oajaca the banner of the insurrection. To that +province, after the taking of Acapulco, it was necessary for him to +proceed with his victorious army--in order to assist the insurgents then +besieged in the town of Huajapam. Thither, but some days preceding him, +shall we conduct the reader, in order that we may once more return to +the hero of our predilection. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. + +THE PLAIN OF HUAJAPAM. + +It was a morning of June, just before the commencement of the rainy +season--at that period of the day and year when the tropic sun of +Southern Mexico is least endurable. His fervid rays, striking +perpendicularly downward, had heated like smouldering ashes the dusty +plain of Huajapam, which lay like a vast amphitheatre surrounded by +hills--so distant that their blue outlines were almost confounded with +the azure sky above them. On this plain was presented a tableau of +sadness and desolation, such as the destructive genius of man often +composes with demoniac skill. + +On one side, as far as the eye could reach, horsemen could be seen +hurrying about the plain in the midst of pillaged houses--some of which +had been given to the flames. Under the hoofs of these horses, as they +dashed recklessly to and fro, were crushed rich treasures that had been +sacked from the deserted dwellings, and now lay scattered upon the +ground, tempting only the hand of the thievish camp-follower. The soil, +defiled in every way, presented only a scanty growth of bruised herbage, +upon which the horseman disdained to pasture his steed. + +Here and there groups of black vultures told where some dead body of +horse or rider had been abandoned to their voracity; while the _coyotes_ +trotted in troops far out from the mountain ridge, going to or returning +from their hideous repast. + +Looking over the plain in another direction, the standard of Spain could +be seen floating over the tents of the royalist camp, whose night-fires +still sent up their lines of bluish smoke; while from the same quarter +could be heard the neighing of horses, the rolling of drums, and the +startling calls of the cavalry bugles. + +Farther off in the same direction--above the low, flat-shaped _azoteas_ +of a village--could be seen the domes and belfries of several churches, +all breached with bombs or riddled with round shot. This village lay at +the distance of a few hundred yards from the lines of the royalist camp, +and was evidently besieged by the latter. Rude earthworks could be +perceived extending between the scattered suburbs, upon which a few +pieces of cannon were mounted, and pointing towards the entrenchments of +the Spanish encampment. Between the hostile lines the plain was +unoccupied, save by the dead bodies of men and horses that lay unburied +on the dusty surface of the soil. + +The village in question--or town it might rather be called--was the +famous Huajapam, that now for more than three months had been defended +by a body of three hundred insurgents against a royalist force of five +times their number! The heroic leader of this gallant resistance was +Colonel Don Valerio Trujano. + +At mention of this name the reader will call to mind the noble muleteer +Trujano, whose firm voice he has heard intoning the _De profundis_ and +_In manus_ while struggling against the inundation. Beyond a doubt his +religious zeal had inspired the besieged of Huajapam: for, every now and +then, from out the sad and desolate town may be heard the voices of his +men, chanting in chorus some sacred song or prayer to the God of +battles! + +In that moment when the priests of Huajapam have left the altar to take +part in the defence of their town, there will be observed, neither in +their acts nor words, aught to recall their former profession. At such +a time Don Valerio Trujano may be said to reproduce one of those ascetic +heroes of the old religious wars--great repeaters of _paternosters_, +whose blows always fell without mercy, and who marched into battle +reciting quotations from Scripture. Perhaps he might be more happily +likened to one of the old Templars, careless of personal renown, +kneeling to pray in front of the foe, and charging upon the Saracen to +the accompaniment of that famous psalm, "Quare fremuerunt gentes?" + +Such was the appearance which the plain of Huajapam presented on the +morning in question: houses smoking and in ruins--dead bodies scattered +over the ground--vultures wheeling above--the royalist banner face to +face with the banner of the insurrection. + +We shall first enter the camp of the besiegers, where the Brigadier +Bonavia, governor of Oajaca, held command--assisted by the Spanish +generals, Caldelas and Regules. + +At an early hour of the morning two dragoons, who had been scouring the +distant plain, were seen returning to the lines of the encampment, +conducting with them a third horseman, evidently a stranger to the camp. +This was on the side, opposite to that on which lay the town of +Huajapam. The horseman, guided by these dragoons, was costumed as a +vaquero--that is, he wore a jacket and wide calzoneros of brick-coloured +deerskin, with a huge sombrero of black glaze on his head, and a +speckled blanket folded over the croup of his saddle. He had already +reported himself to the dragoons as the bearer of a message to the +colonel--Don Rafael Tres-Villas. Furthermore, in addition to the horse +on which he rode, he was leading another--a noble steed of a bay-brown +colour. + +This animal, startled at the sight and smell of the dead bodies among +which they were passing, gave out from time to time a snorting of a +peculiar character, which had drawn the attention of the dragoons. + +These, after conducting the vaquero through a portion of the camp, +halted in front of one of the largest tents. There a groom was saddling +another steed, in strength and beauty but little inferior to that led by +the vaquero. It was the war-horse of Colonel Tres-Villas, of whom the +groom in question was the _assistente_. + +"What is your name, _amigo_?" demanded the latter, addressing himself to +the vaquero. + +"Julian," replied the stranger. "I am one of the servitors of the +hacienda Del Valle. Colonel Tres-Villas is its proprietor, and I have a +message for him of great importance." + +"Very well," responded the other, "I shall tell the Colonel you are +here." + +So saying, the _assistente_ entered the tent. + +On that day the besieging army was about to make the fifteenth attack +upon the town, defended by Colonel Trujano, and Don Rafael was dressing +himself in full uniform to assist at the council of war, called together +to deliberate on the plan of assault. + +At the word "messenger" pronounced by his military servant, a slight +trembling was seen to agitate the frame of Colonel Tres-Villas, while +his countenance became suddenly overspread with pallor. + +"Very well," stammered he, after a moment's hesitation, and in a voice +that betrayed emotion. "I know the messenger; you may leave him free; I +shall answer for him. Presently let him come him in." + +The _assistente_ stepped out of the tent and delivered this response of +the Colonel. The dragoons rode off, leaving the vaquero free to +communicate to his master the message of which he was the bearer. + +It is here necessary for us to detail some portion of the history of Don +Rafael, from the time when he took his departure at full gallop from the +hacienda Del Valle, up to that hour when we again encounter him in the +royalist camp before Huajapam. + +When the first shock of grief, caused by the murder of his father--when +that terrible struggle betwixt love and duty, had passed, and his spirit +become a little calmer--the only line of conduct that appeared possible +for him, was to repair at once to Oajaca; and, having found its +governor, Don Bernardino Bonavia, obtain from him a detachment of +troops, with which he might return and punish the insurgent assassins. + +Unfortunately for Don Rafael, notwithstanding the distinguished +reception accorded to him by the governor, the latter could not place at +his disposal a single soldier. The province was already in such a state +of fermentation, that all the men under his command were required to +keep in check the revolt that threatened to break out in the provincial +capital itself. Don Rafael therefore could not prevail upon the +governor to enfeeble the garrison of Oajaca, by detaching any portion of +it on so distant a service as an expedition to the hacienda Del Valle. + +While negotiating, however, word reached him of a royalist corps that +was being raised at no great distance from Oajaca, by a Spanish officer, +Don Juan Antonio Caldelas. Don Rafael, urged on by a thirst for +vengeance, hastened to join the band of Caldelas, who on his part at +once agreed to place his handful of men at the disposal of the dragoon +captain for the pursuit of Valdez. Of course Caldelas had himself no +personal animosity against the insurgent leader; but believing that the +destruction of his band would crush the insurrection in the province, he +was the more ready to co-operate with Don Rafael. + +Both together marched against Valdez, and encountered him and his +followers at the _cerro_ of Chacahua, where the ex-vaquero had +entrenched himself. An action was fought, which resulted in Valdez +being driven from his entrenchments, but without Don Rafael being able +to possess himself of his person, a thing he desired even more than a +victory over his band. + +A fortnight was spent in vain searches, and still the guerilla chief +continued to escape the vengeance of his unrelenting pursuer. At the +end of that period, however, the insurgents were once more tempted to +try a battle with the followers of Don Rafael and Caldelas. It proved a +sanguinary action, in which the royalists were victorious. The +scattered followers of Valdez, when reunited at the rendezvous agreed +upon in the event of their being defeated, perceived that their leader +was missing from among them. + +Alive they never saw him again. His dead body was found some distance +from the field of battle, and around it the traces of a struggle which +had ended in his death. The body was headless, but the head was +afterwards discovered, nailed to the gate of the hacienda Del Valle, +with the features so disfigured that his most devoted adherents would +not have recognised them but for an inscription underneath. It was the +name of the insurgent, with that of the man who had beheaded him, Don +Rafael Tres-Villas. + +Valdez had fled from the field after the defeat of his followers. +Before proceeding far, he heard behind him the hoarse snorting of a +steed. It was the bay-brown of Don Rafael. + +In a few bounds the insurgent was overtaken. A short struggle took +place between the two horsemen; but the ex-vaquero, notwithstanding his +equestrian skill, was seized in the powerful grasp of the dragoon +officer, lifted clear out of his saddle, and dashed with violence to the +earth. Before he could recover himself, the lasso of Don Rafael-- +equally skilled in the use of this singular weapon--was coiled around +him; and his body, after being dragged for some distance at the tail of +the officer's horse, lay lifeless and mutilated along the ground. Such +was the end of Antonio Valdez. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY. + +FATAL MISUNDERSTANDINGS. + +The death of this first victim, offered to the manes of his murdered +father, had to some extent the effect of appeasing the vengeful passion +of Don Rafael. At all events his spirit became calmer; and other +sentiments long slumbering at the bottom of his heart began to usurp +their sway. He perceived the necessity of justifying his conduct--which +he knew must appear inexplicable--to the inhabitants of the hacienda Las +Palmas. Had he done so at that moment all would have been well; but +unfortunately a certain spirit of pride interfered to hinder him. A son +who had punished the murderer of his father, ought he to excuse himself +for what he felt to be a holy duty? Moreover, could he expect pardon +for becoming the enemy of a cause he could no longer call his own? + +This haughty silence on the part of Don Rafael could not do otherwise +than complete the ruin of his hopes, and render still more impassable +the gulf that had been so suddenly and unexpectedly opened up between +his love and his duty. + +The news of Valdez' death--brought to the hacienda of Las Palmas by a +passing messenger--together with the tenour of the inscription that +revealed the author of it, had fallen like a bomb-shell into the family +circle of Don Mariano de Silva. Unfortunately the same messenger had +failed to report the assassination of Don Luis Tres-Villas--for the +simple reason that he had not heard of it. His hosts, therefore, +remained ignorant of the cause of this terrible reprisal. + +From that moment, therefore, the family of Las Palmas could not do +otherwise than regard the dragoon captain as a traitor, who, under the +pretence of the purest patriotism, had concealed the most ardent +sympathies for the oppressors of his country. Nevertheless the love of +Gertrudis essayed that justification, which the pride of Don Rafael had +restrained him from making. + +"O my father!" exclaimed she, overwhelmed with grief, "do not judge him +too hastily. It is impossible he can be a traitor to his country's +cause. One day--I am sure of it--one day, he will send a message to +explain what has occurred." + +"And when he does explain," responded Don Mariano, with bitterness, +"will he be less a traitor to his country? No--we need not hope. He +will not even attempt to justify his unworthy conduct." + +In fine, the message came not; and Gertrudis was compelled to devour her +grief in silence. + +Nevertheless the audacious defiance to the insurrection implied in the +act of Don Rafael, and the inscription that announced it, had something +in it of a chivalric character, which was not displeasing to the spirit +of Gertrudis. It did not fail to plead the cause of the absent lover; +and at one time her affection was even reconquered--that is, when it +came to be known that the head of the insurgent chief had replaced that +of Don Rafael's father, and that it was blood that had been paid for +blood. + +If in that crisis the captain had presented himself, Don Mariano, it is +true, might not have consented to his daughter forming an alliance with +a renegade to the Mexican cause. The profound patriotism of the +haciendado might have revolted at such a connection; but an explanation, +frank and sincere, would have expelled from the thoughts both of himself +and his daughter all idea of treason or disloyalty on the part of Don +Rafael. The latter, ignorant of the fact that the news of his father's +death had not reached Las Palmas--until a period posterior to the report +of that of Valdez--very naturally neglected the favourable moment for an +_eclaircissement_. + +How many irreparable misfortunes spring from that same cause-- +misunderstanding! + +The two captains, Caldelas and Tres-Villas, soon transformed the +hacienda of Del Valle into a species of fortress, which some species of +cannon, received from the governor of the province, enabled them to do. +In strength the place might defy any attack which the insurgent bands of +the neighbourhood could direct against it. + +During the constant excursions which he made against the other two +assassins of his father, Arroyo and Bocardo, Don Rafael left the charge +of their citadel to the Captain Caldelas. + +Listening only to the whisperings of his heart, he had finished by +making a compromise between his love and his pride. Repelling the idea +of communicating by a messenger, he had at one time resolved to present +himself in person at the hacienda of Las Palmas; but, carried forward by +the ardour of his vengeance, he dreaded that an interview with Gertrudis +might have the effect of weakening his resolution; and for this reason +he deferred seeking the interview, until he should complete the +accomplishment of that rash vow made over the grave of his murdered +parent. + +Notwithstanding the almost superhuman efforts which he daily made in the +pursuit of the insurgents, the result was not such as to appease his +spirit of vengeance. Man by man did he accomplish the destruction of +their band; but both the leaders still contrived to escape. In fine, +after more than two months had passed since the death of Valdez, the +rumour became spread throughout the neighbourhood that Arroyo and +Bocardo had quitted the province of Oajaca, and gone northward with the +remnant of their guerilla to offer their services to General Hidalgo. + +On receiving this news Don Rafael, who had been absent on a protracted +scout, returned to the hacienda Del Valle. During his absence, an order +had arrived from the general-in-chief of the vice-regal army, commanding +him to return to duty with his regiment--the Queen's dragoons. + +Before obeying this order, however, he resolved on devoting one day to +the affairs of his heart; and, permitting his love to conquer his pride, +he determined on presenting himself at the hacienda of Las Palmas. + +Alas! it might now be too late. A justification in the eyes of Don +Mariano would now be more difficult than it might have been two months +before. During that time appearances had been converted into realities, +suspicions into certainties, and Don Rafael was for him no longer aught +but a common renegade. Certain words which he was in the habit of +repeating to his daughter, told too plainly his opinion of the dragoon +captain; and these words rang in the ears of Gertrudis as a sad +presentiment which she almost believed already accomplished. + +"Do not weep for the defection of Don Rafael," said the haciendado, +endeavouring to dry his daughter's tears. "He will be false to his +mistress, as he has been to his country." + +What appeared a strange circumstance in the eyes of the father--these +words only caused Gertrudis to weep the more abundantly and bitterly! + +Nevertheless, such had been the former friendship of Don Mariano for the +young officer--such the tender passion kindled in the heart of +Gertrudis--that it is possible, had Don Rafael even then presented +himself before them--his countenance open and beaming with the manly +pride of accomplished duty--the frankness of his bearing, and the +loyalty of his speech, might have still dissipated the clouds that hung +over the heads of all. + +Unfortunately destiny had decided otherwise. It was not decreed by fate +that at that hour Don Rafael should enter, as a friend, the hospitable +gates of the hacienda Las Palmas. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY ONE. + +A RUDE RECEPTION. + +Don Rafael had now become known throughout all Oajaca as one of the most +energetic foes of the insurrection. Among the country-people, +therefore--the majority of whom were of Creole blood, and of course +revolutionary in principle--he need not expect to meet many friends. +Every man whom he might encounter was pretty certain of being his enemy. +For this reason, although it was only a league from the hacienda Del +Valle to that of Las Palmas, he deemed it prudent to take half-a-dozen +of his troopers along with him--a wise precaution, as the event proved. + +After crossing the chain of hills that separated the two estates, the +dragoon captain and his escort rode direct for the postern of the +hacienda Las Palmas, that opened to the rear of the building. This, for +some reason, had been recently walled up; and it became necessary for +them to go round to the main entrance in front. Scarce, however, had +the horse of Don Rafael doubled the angle of the wall, when he and his +little band were suddenly confronted by a score of horsemen of ruffianly +aspect, who opposed the passage, the leader of them vociferating +loudly:-- + +"Muera al traidor--mueran _los coyotes_!" (Death to the traitor!--death +to the jackals!) + +At the same instant one of the assailants, charging recklessly forward, +brought his horse into collision with that of Don Rafael, and with such +a violent shock that the steed of the dragoon officer was thrown to the +ground. + +In this crisis the agility of Don Rafael, along with his herculean +strength, enabled him to save himself. Instantly disengaging his limbs +from the body of his horse, he sprang upon that of one of his escort who +had just fallen from his saddle, thrust through by one of the +insurgents; and after a short struggle, in which several of the +assailants succumbed, Don Rafael, with his five remaining followers, was +enabled to retreat back to the ridge, where their enemies had not the +courage to follow them. + +One of his men killed--with the loss of his favourite bay-brown--such +was the result of Don Rafael's attempt to justify his conduct after two +months of silence! No wonder that with bitter emotions he retraced his +steps to the hacienda Del Valle. + +His heart was wrung with grief and disappointment. This hacienda of Las +Palmas, where two months before he had been the honoured guest, now +sheltered the enemies that were thirsting for his blood. + +These, after their unsuccessful attempt to possess themselves of the +person of Don Rafael, hastened back towards the entrance of the +building. + +"You stupid sot!" exclaimed one of them, speaking in angry tones, and +addressing a companion by his side; "why did you not allow him to get +into the hacienda? Once inside, we should have had him at our mercy, +and then--_Carajo_!" + +The speaker, a man of ferocious and brutal aspect, here made a gesture +of fearful meaning, as an appropriate finish to his speech. + +"Don Mariano would not have permitted it," rejoined the other, by way of +excusing himself for having been the cause of the dragoon officer's +escape. "Once under his roof, he would never have consented to our +molesting him." + +"Bah!" exclaimed the first speaker. "It's past the time when we require +to ask Don Mariano's permission. We are no longer his servants. The +time is come when the servants shall be the masters, and the masters the +servants, _Carajo_! What care I for the emancipation of the country? +What I care for is blood and plunder." + +The fierce joy that blazed in the eyes of the speaker as he pronounced +the last words, told too plainly that these were his veritable +sentiments. + +The second of the two brigands who, though smaller in size and of a more +astute expression of countenance, was equally characterised by an aspect +of brutal ferocity--for a moment appeared to quail before the +indignation of his companion. + +"_Carajo_!" continued the first, "we have got to shift our quarters. If +that furious captain finds out that _we_ are here, he will set fire to +the four corners of the hacienda, and roast us alive in it. Fool that I +was to listen to you!" + +"Who could have foreseen that he would get off so?" said the lesser man, +still endeavouring to excuse himself. + +"You, _Carrai_!" thundered the bandit; and overcome by rage and chagrin +at the escape of his mortal enemy, he drew his poignard, and struck a +left-handed blow at the bosom of his associate. The latter severely +wounded, uttering a cry of pain, fell heavily from his horse. + +Without staying to see whether or not he had killed his comrade, the +guerillero dashed through the gate of the hacienda; and, dismounting in +the courtyard, ran, carbine in hand, up the stone stairway that led to +the _azotea_. + +Meanwhile Don Rafael and his five horsemen were ascending the hill that +sloped up from the rear of the building. + +"_Santos Dios_! it is very strange!" remarked one of the troopers to a +companion. "It's the general belief that Arroyo and Bocardo have +quitted the province, but if I'm not mistaken--" + +"It was they, to a certainty," interrupted the second trooper. "I know +them well, only I didn't wish to tell our captain. He is so furious +against these two fellows, that if he had only known it was they who +attacked us, we should not have had much chance of being permitted to +retreat as we have done." + +The man had scarce finished speaking when the report of a carbine, fired +from the roof of the hacienda, reverberated along the ridge, and the +trooper fell mortally wounded from his saddle. + +A bitter smile curled upon the lips of Don Rafael, and a sharp pang shot +through his heart, as he compared the adieu he was now receiving from +the inhabitants of the hacienda, with that which had accompanied his +departure but two months before. + +The fatal bullet had struck that very trooper who had judged it prudent +to conceal from his officer the names of his assailants. + +"'Tis Arroyo who has fired the shot!" involuntarily exclaimed the other, +who also believed that he had recognised the insurgent. + +"Arroyo!" exclaimed the captain, in a tone of angry surprise; "Arroyo +within that hacienda, and you have not told me!" added he, in a furious +voice, while his moustachios appeared to crisp with rage. + +The trooper was for the moment in great danger of almost as rude +treatment as Arroyo had just given his associate. Don Rafael restrained +himself, however; and, without waiting to reflect on consequences, he +ordered one of his followers--the best mounted of them--to proceed at +once to the hacienda Del Valle, and bring fifty men well armed, with a +piece of cannon by which the gate of Las Palmas might be broken open. + +The messenger departed at a gallop, while Don Rafael and his three +remaining troopers, screening themselves behind the crest of the ridge, +sat in their saddles silently awaiting his return. + +It was long before Don Rafael's blood began to cool; and in proportion +as it did so, he experienced a degree of sorrow for the act of hostility +he was about to undertake against the father of Gertrudis. + +A violent contest commenced within his breast, between two opposing +sentiments of nearly equal strength. Whether he persisted in his +resolution, or retreated from it, both courses seemed equally criminal. +The voice of duty, and that of passion, spoke equally loud. To which +should he listen? + +The struggle, long and violent, between these antagonistic sentiments, +had not yet terminated, when the detachment arrived upon the ground. +This decided him. It was too late to retire from his first +determination. On towards the hacienda! Don Rafael drew his sword, +and, placing himself at the head of his troop, rode down the hill. The +bugle sounding the "advance," warned the inhabitants of the hacienda +that a detachment of cavalry was crossing the ridge. + +A few minutes after, the squadron halted before the great gate, at a +little distance from the walls. A horseman advanced in front of the +line, and once more having sounded the bugle, in the name of Don Rafael +Tres-Villas, Captain of the Royalist army, summoned Don Mariano de Silva +to deliver up, dead or alive, the insurgents, Arroyo and Bocardo. + +The demand having been made, Don Rafael, with pale face, and heart +audibly beating, sat motionless in his saddle to await the response. + +Silence--profound silence alone made reply to the summons of the +horseman and the sound of his trumpet. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY TWO. + +BEARDING A BRIGAND. + +In addition to the consequences that would arise from his resolve-- +already foreseen by Don Rafael Tres-Villas--there was one other of which +he could not have had any foresight. + +A glance into the interior of the hacienda will proclaim this +consequence. + +Within that chamber, already known to the reader, were Don Mariano de +Silva, with his two daughters; and their situation was enough to justify +the silence which succeeded to the summons of the dragoon. Inside the +closed door, and by the side of the two young girls, stood Arroyo and +Bocardo. Poignard in hand, the brigands were tracing out to Don Mariano +the line of conduct he should pursue. + +"Listen to me, Don Mariano de Silva," said the former, with an air of +brutal mockery that was habitual to him, "I rather think you are too +loyal a gentleman to dishonour the laws of hospitality by delivering up +your guests." + +"It is true," replied the haciendado, "you may rest assured--" + +"I know it," continued Arroyo, interrupting him; "you would not betray +us of your own accord. But this demon of a dragoon captain will break +open the gate, and take us in spite of your intreaties. Now, listen! +and hear what I wish you to do." + +"Can you suggest any means of preventing him from acting thus?" + +"Nothing more simple, good Senor de Silva. This _coyote_ of the devil +is your personal friend. If in the quality of your serving-man--that +is, in times past--I chanced to apprehend a little of what was going on, +you cannot blame me. If I am not mistaken, the dragoon captain has a +little weakness for the pretty Dona Gertrudis. For that reason he will +pay some regard to the danger that now hangs over the young lady's +head." + +"Danger! I do not comprehend you." + +"You will, presently. You may say to the captain outside there, that if +he persists in breaking open your gates, he may capture _us_ alive. +That he may do, beyond doubt; but as to yourself, and your two +daughters, he will find nothing more of you than your dead bodies. You +understand me now?" + +Arroyo need not have been so explicit. Half the speech would have been +enough to explain his fearful meaning. The air of ferocity that +characterised his features was sufficiently indicative of his thoughts. + +The daughters of Don Mariano, terrified at his looks, flung themselves +simultaneously into the arms of their father. + +At that moment the notes of the bugle resounded through the building; +and the voice of the dragoon was heard for the second time pronouncing +his summons. + +The haciendado, troubled about the fate of his children--thus completely +in the power of his unfaithful vaqueros, whose companions crowded the +corridor--permitted the second summons to pass without response. + +"_Mil Devionios_!" cried the bandit, "why do you hesitate? Come! show +yourself at the window, and make known to this furious captain what I +have told you. _Carrai_! if you do not--" + +The bugle sounding for the third summons drowned the remainder of the +brigand's speech. As soon as the trumpet notes had ceased to echo from +the walls, a voice was heard from without, the tones of which produced +within the heart of Gertrudis at the same moment both fear and joy. + +It was the voice of Rafael. + +Quickly following it were heard the cries of the troopers as they called +aloud-- + +"Death to the enemies of Spain!" + +"One moment!" shouted Don Mariano, presenting himself at the window, +where he could command a view of the plain below; "I have two words to +say to your captain: where is he?" + +"Here!" responded Don Rafael, riding a pace or two in front. + +"Ah! pardon," said the haciendado, with a bitter smile; "I have hitherto +known Captain Tres-Villas only as a friend. I could not recognise him +in the man who threatens with ruin the house where he has been a guest." + +At this imprudent speech--whose irony Don Mariano had not been able to +conceal--the face of the Captain, hitherto deadly pale, became red. + +"And I," he replied, "can only recognise in you the promoter of an +impious insurrection, which I have striven to crush, and the master of a +mansion of which brigands are the guests. You have understood my +summons? They must be delivered up." + +"In any case," rejoined the haciendado, "I should not have betrayed +those I had promised to protect. As it is, however, I am not left to my +own choice in this matter; and I am charged to say to you, on the part +of those whom you pursue, that they will poignard my two daughters and +myself before suffering themselves to fall into your hands. Our lives +depend on them, Captain Tres-Villas. It is for you to say, whether you +still persist in your demand, that they be delivered up to you." + +The irony had completely disappeared from the speech and countenance of +the haciendado, and his last words were pronounced with a sad but firm +dignity, that went to the heart of Don Rafael. + +A cloud came over it at the thought of Gertrudis falling under the +daggers of the guerilleros, whom he knew to be capable of executing +their threat; and it was almost with a feeling of relief that he +perceived this means of escaping from a duty, whose fulfilment he had +hitherto regarded as imperious. + +"Well, then," said he, after a short silence, and in a tone that bespoke +the abandonment of his resolution, "say to the brigand, who is called +Arroyo, that he has nothing to fear, if he will only show himself. I +pledge my solemn word to this. I do not mean to grant him pardon--only +that reprieve which humanity claims for him." + +"Oh! I don't require your solemn word," cried the bandit, impudently +presenting himself by the side of Don Mariano. "Inside here I have two +hostages, that will answer for my life better than your word. You wish +me to show myself. What want you with me, Senor Captain?" + +With the veins of his forehead swollen almost to bursting, his lip +quivering with rage, and his eyes on fire, Don Rafael looked upon the +assassin of his father--the man whom he had so long vainly pursued--the +brigand, in fine, whom he could seize in a moment, and yet was compelled +to let escape. No wonder that it cost him an effort to subdue the +impetuous passions that were struggling in his breast. + +Involuntarily his hand closed upon the reins of his bridle, and his +spurs pressed against the flanks of his horse, till the animal, +tormented by the touch, reared upwards, and bounded forward almost to +the walls of the hacienda. + +One might have fancied that his rider intended to clear the obstacle +that separated him from his cowardly enemy--who, on his part, could not +restrain himself from making a gesture of affright. + +"That which I wish of the brigand Arroyo," at length responded the +Captain, "is to fix his features in my memory, so that I may know them +again, when I pursue him, to drag his living body after the heels of my +horse." + +"If it is to promise me only such favours that you have called me out--" +said the bandit, making a motion to re-enter the chamber. + +"Stay--hear me!" cried Don Rafael, interrupting him with a gesture; +"your life is safe. I have said it. Humanity has compelled me to spare +you." + +"_Carrambo_! I am grateful, Captain; I know the act is to your taste." + +"Gratitude from you would be an insult; but if in the red ditch-water +that runs through your heart there be a spark of courage, mount your +horse, choose what arms you please, and come forth. I defy you to +single combat!" + +Don Rafael in pronouncing this challenge rose erect in his stirrups. +His countenance, noble and defiant, presented a strange contrast to the +aspect of vulgar ferocity that characterised the features of the man +thus addressed. The insult was point blank, and would have aroused the +veriest poltroon; but Arroyo possessed only the courage of the vulture. + +"Indeed?" responded he, sneeringly. "Bah! do you suppose me such a fool +as to go down there? fifty to one!" + +"I pledge my honour, as a gentleman," continued the captain, "as an +officer, in the presence of his soldiers; as a Christian, in the +presence of his God--that whatever may be the issue of the combat--that +is, if I succumb--no harm shall happen to you." + +For a moment the bandit appeared to hesitate. One might have fancied +that he was calculating the chances of an encounter. But the address +and valour of the dragoon captain were known to him by too many proofs, +to allow him to reckon many chances in his favour. He dared not risk +the combat. + +"I refuse," he said, at length. + +"Mount your horse. I shall abandon mine, and fight you on foot." + +"_Demonio_! I refuse, I tell you." + +"Enough. I might have known it. One word more then, I shall still +agree to your life being spared. I solemnly promise it, if you will +allow the inmates of this hacienda to leave the place, and put +themselves under the safeguard of a loyal enemy." + +"I refuse again," said the bandit, with a demoniac sneer. + +"Away, poltroon! you are less than man; and, by the God of vengeance, +when this hand clutches you, you shall not die as a man, but as a mad +dog." + +After delivering this terrible adieu, the captain put spurs to his +horse, turning his back upon the bandit with a gesture of the most +profound contempt. + +The bugle sounded the "forward;" and the detachment, wheeling around the +wall of the hacienda, once more took the road that led over the ridge. + +Among other bitter reflections, with which this interview had furnished +Don Rafael, not the least painful was his apprehension for the safety of +Gertrudis. No wonder he should have fears; considering the character of +the ruffians in whose power he was compelled to leave her. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +The apprehensions of Don Rafael were only realised in part. + +Two days afterwards he received information from one of his scouts--sent +to Las Palmas for the purpose--that Arroyo and Bocardo had quitted the +neighbourhood--this time in reality--and that Don Mariano and his +daughters had suffered no further injury from them, beyond the pillage +of their hacienda. This the robbers had stripped of every valuable that +it was convenient for them to carry away. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY THREE. + +RONCADOR RESTORED. + +Captain Tres-Villas, now compelled to obey the order he had received +from the commander-in-chief, proceeded to rejoin his regiment. +Caldelas, at the same period, promoted to the rank of commandant, was +summoned away from Del Valle; and the garrison of the hacienda which +still remained fell under the command of Lieutenant Veraegui, a Catalan. + +During the events which followed, Don Rafael saw a great deal of active +service. He bore a conspicuous part in the battle of Calderon, where +the Royalist general, Calleja, with only six thousand soldiers, routed +the undisciplined army of Hidalgo, numbering nearly an hundred thousand +men! + +After being carried by the chances of the campaign into almost every +province of the vice-royalty, Don Rafael was at length ordered back to +Oajaca, to assist in the siege of Huajapam. It was while on his passage +to this latter province from the fort of San Blas, that he appeared for +a moment off the isle of Roqueta. + +At the siege of Huajapam, his old comrade Caldelas re-appears as a +general; while Don Rafael himself, less fortunate, has not risen above +the rank of a colonel. + +Such, briefly, is the history of the dragoon captain up to the time when +the vaquero, Julian, arrived in the camp at Huajapam. + +The announcement of this messenger caused within the bosom of Don Rafael +an emotion sudden and vivid. Absence, remarks a moralist, which soon +dissipates a slight affection, has the very opposite effect upon a +profound passion. It only inflames it the more--just as the wind +extinguishes the flame of a candle, while it augments the blaze of a +conflagration. Absence had produced upon Don Rafael an effect of the +latter kind. He lived in the hope that Gertrudis might some day send +him a message of pardon and love. No wonder, then, that he was moved by +the arrival of a messenger from that part of the country. + +"Well, Julian," said he, in a tone of assumed carelessness, "you have +news for me--what is it, my lad? I hope the insurgents have not +captured our fortress?" + +"Oh no, master," replied Julian; "the soldiers at the hacienda only +complain of having nothing to do. A little scouting through the +country--where they might have the chance of sacking a rich hacienda-- +would be more to their taste and fancy. As to that, the news which I +bring to your Honour will probably procure them this opportunity." + +"You bring news of our enemy, I presume?" + +The tone of disappointment in which the interrogatory was put, was +sufficiently marked to strike even the ear of Julian. + +"Yes, Captain," replied he, "but I have other messages; and, to begin +with that which is least important, I fancy it will be agreeable to your +honour to know that I have brought along with me your favourite, +Roncador." + +"Roncador?" + +"Yes; the brave bay-brown you lost in your affair at Las Palmas. He has +been recovered for you, and taken care of. Ah! he has been marvellously +cared for, I can assure your Honour. He was sent back to the hacienda." + +"Who sent him?" hastily inquired Don Rafael. + +"Why, who could it be, your Honour, but Don Mariano de Silva. One of +his people brought the horse to Del Valle three days ago--saying that he +supposed the owner of such a fine animal would be pleased to have him +again. As the saddle and bridle had been lost, a new saddle and bridle +were sent along with him. Ah! splendid they are--the bridle, with a +pretty bunch of red ribbons on the frontlet!" + +"Where are these ribbons?" hastily asked Don Rafael, carried away by the +thought that a sight of them might enable him to divine whether the hand +of Gertrudis had attached them to the frontlet. + +"One of our people--Felipe el Galan--took them to make a cockade with." + +"Felipe is a silly fellow, whom, one of these days, I shall punish for +his indiscretion." + +"I told him so, your Honour; but he would take them. I should add, your +Honour, that the servant of Don Mariano also brought a letter for you." + +"Ah! why did you not tell me so at first?" + +"I began at the beginning, your Honour," replied the phlegmatic Julian. +"Here is the letter." + +The messenger drew from the pocket of his _jaqueta_ a small packet done +up in a leaf of maize, inside which he had prudently concealed the +letter. Unfolding the leaf, he handed the note to Don Rafael, whose +hand visibly trembled on taking it. + +In vain did he attempt to dissemble his emotion under the studied air of +coolness with which he received the letter, which he permitted to remain +unopened. + +This letter, thought he, should be from Gertrudis; and he dwelt on the +voluptuous pleasure he was about to enjoy while reading it alone. + +"Well, Julian," said he, after a pause, "anything else have you to tell +me of?" + +"Yes, your Honour; the most important of all. Arroyo, Bocardo, and +their bandits have returned to the neighbourhood; and Lieutenant +Veraegui has charged me to say to you--" + +"Arroyo! Bocardo!" interrupted Don Rafael, all at once re-awaking from +his sweet dreams to thoughts of vengeance. "Tell Lieutenant Veraegui to +give double rations to his horses, and get them ready for a campaign. +Say that in two or three days I shall be with him, and we shall enter +upon it. The last assault upon Huajapam is to be made this very day, +and the place must either fall, or we raise the siege. I shall then +obtain leave from the Commander-in-chief, and by the Virgin! I shall +capture these two ruffians, or set the whole province on fire. _Vaya, +Julian_!" + +Julian was about to depart, when Don Rafael's eye, once more alighting +upon the little billet which promised to yield him a moment of sweet +happiness, called the messenger back to him. + +"Stay a moment!" said he, looking around for his purse, "you have been +the bearer of good news, Julian. Here!" + +And, as he said this, he placed in the hands of the messenger an _onza_ +of gold. + +Julian accepted the douceur with eagerness--not without profound +astonishment at being so generously recompensed for reporting the +re-appearance of Arroyo and his band! Nevertheless, his satisfaction at +the perquisite far exceeded his surprise. + +As soon as he had gone out of the tent, Don Rafael took the letter from +the table--where he had for the moment deposited it--and held it for +some seconds in his hand without daring to open it. His heart rose and +fell in violent pulsations, for he had no doubt that the letter was from +Gertrudis, and it was the first souvenir he had received from her for +nearly two years--since he had embraced the Royalist cause. + +In fine, he opened the note. Although written in a feminine hand, it +was more like that of Marianita than Gertrudis, and contained only the +following words:-- + + "The inmates of Las Palmas are not forgetful that they have received a + kindness from Don Rafael Tres-Villas under very critical + circumstances; and they believe that the Colonel Tres-Villas might be + gratified at having restored to him the noble steed which the Captain + Tres-Villas had such reason to esteem." + +"A kindness!" exclaimed Don Rafael, with bitter emphasis, "what +ingratitude! A service rendered by the betrayal of an oath sworn over +the head of my murdered father! They call it a kindness--an act of +simple politeness, forsooth! Oh! I must endeavour to think no more of +those who have forgotten me." + +And with a bitter sigh the Colonel strode forth from his tent, and +proceeded towards the marquee of the Commander-in-chief--where the +council of war was at that moment assembling. + +Notwithstanding his chagrin, however, Don Rafael did not tear up the +letter that had caused such disappointment, nor yet did he fling it +away. Perhaps it had been touched by the hand of Gertrudis; and, with +this thought passing through his mind, he placed the billet in a little +pocket in his uniform, which chanced to be on the left side, just over +his heart. + +While passing towards head-quarters, another reflection crossed his +mind, that exerted a consolatory influence upon his spirits. Gertrudis +knew how much he prized the noble bay-brown--so often caressed by her +hand. Was it for that reason the horse had been sent back to him? Was +it she who had attached the rosette of ribbons to the bridle, to recall +the flowers of the grenadine which in happier times she had placed upon +his frontlet? + +It was sweet happiness to believe it was she. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY FOUR. + +THE COUNCIL OF WAR. + +The Commander-in-chief Bonavia, the generals of brigade--Caldelas and +Regules--were seated around a table covered with a green cloth, when Don +Rafael entered the marquee. The council had not yet commenced. + +"Ah! Colonel," cried Bonavia, addressing Don Rafael, as he entered, "I +understand you have received a message from Del Valle. Is it of a +private nature, or one that may assist the Royalist cause?" + +"The lieutenant who commands the garrison of Del Valle informs me that +those two guerilleros, whom both sides now regard as outlaws--Arroyo and +Bocardo, I mean--have returned to Oajaca with their band. I have the +honour to solicit from your Excellency that, after this place is taken, +you will grant me permission to go in pursuit of these brigands, and +hunt them as wild beasts." + +"You shall have leave to do so, Colonel. I know no one better qualified +to perform such a duty." + +"I can promise your Excellency that no one will set about it with more +zeal, nor follow it up with more perseverance." + +The war council was then inaugurated without further delay. + +Without reporting all that passed at Huajapam, we shall give a few +details that may render more clear the relative situation of the +besieged and the besiegers at this memorable blockade of Huajapam. + +"Gentlemen," began Bonavia, addressing himself to his assembled +officers, "it is now one hundred and fourteen days since we opened siege +upon this paltry town. Without counting skirmishes, we have made +fourteen regular attacks upon it; and yet we are at this hour no nearer +capturing it than we were on the first day!" + +"Less nearer, I should say," interposed Regules, when the +Commander-in-chief had ceased speaking. "The confidence of the besieged +has grown stronger by the success of their obstinate resistance. When +we first invested the place, they possessed not a single cannon. Now +they have three pieces, which this Colonel Trujano has caused to be cast +out of the bells of the churches." + +"That is as much as to say that General Regules is of opinion we should +raise the siege?" + +This speech was delivered by Caldelas in a tone of irony, which plainly +expressed that a certain animosity existed between these two generals. +Such was in reality the fact--a feeling of rivalry having long estranged +them from each other. Caldelas was an energetic officer, brave, and of +undoubted loyalty; while Regules, on the other hand, was noted for +unnecessary severity, while his courage was more than questionable. + +"It is just that question I have summoned you to discuss," said Bonavia, +without giving Regules time to reply to the taunt of his rival, "whether +we are to raise the siege or continue it. It is for Colonel +Tres-Villas, who is the youngest of you, and of lowest grade, to give +his advice first. Pronounce, Colonel!" + +"When fifteen hundred men besiege a place like Huajapam, defended by +only three hundred, they should either take it, or to the last man die +upon its ramparts. To do otherwise, would be to compromise not only +their own honour but the cause which they serve. That is the opinion I +have the honour of submitting to your Excellency." + +"And you, General Caldelas, what is your advice?" + +"I agree with the Colonel. To raise the siege would be a pernicious +example for the Royalist troops, and a deplorable encouragement to the +insurrection. What would the brave Commander-in-chief of our army--Don +Felix Calleja--say to our raising the siege? During a hundred days he +besieged Cuautla Amilpas, defended by a general far more skilful than +Trujano--Morelos himself--and yet on the hundredth day he was master of +the town." + +"Morelos evacuated the place," interposed Regules. + +"What matter if he did? By so doing, he acknowledged himself defeated; +and the Spanish flag had the honours of a successful siege." + +It was now the turn of Regules to give his opinion. + +He reviewed at full length the delays and difficulties they had +experienced; the fruitless assaults and sanguinary skirmishes they had +made. He argued that it was impolitic to stand upon an empty point of +honour consuming the lives and courage of one thousand soldiers in front +of a paltry village, while Morelos was at that moment marching on the +capital of Oajaca. + +"And when I say a _thousand_ soldiers," continued he, "I do not speak +without reason. The Colonel, in speaking of fifteen hundred, must have +counted our dead along with the living. Up to the present time, in all +other parts of the vice-kingdom, our troops have only encountered +enemies, inspired by what they please to designate `love of their +country;' while here, in our front, we have a host of religious +fanatics, whom this droll muleteer, Trujano, has imbued with his own +spirit, and it must be confessed, with his courage as well. It is not +three hundred enemies against whom we are contending, but a thousand +fanatics who fight under the influence of despair, and die with a song +upon their lips. While we are here wasting time in useless attempts, +the insurrection is spreading in other parts of the province, where we +might be profitably employed in crushing it. My advice, then, is to +raise a siege that has been disastrous in every point of view." + +"The besieged no doubt recall the exploits of Yanguitlan," ironically +remarked Caldelas. "That is why they defend themselves so well." + +At this allusion to Yanguitlan, which will be understood in the sequel, +Regules bit his lips with suppressed chagrin, at the same time darting a +look of concentrated hatred upon his rival. + +To the view of the case presented by Regules, the General-in-chief was +disposed to give in his adhesion. Less accessible to mere punctilios of +honour than his younger officers, he saw in the advice of the brigadier +reasons that were not wanting in a certain solidity. Without, however, +availing himself of the full authority of his rank, he proposed an +intermediate course. It was, that on the morrow, they should try one +last and powerful attack; and if that should prove a failure then they +might raise the siege. + +While Bonavia was still speaking a singular noise reached the tent, as +if coming from the besieged town. It appeared as a chorus of many +voices intoning some solemn chaunt. This was followed by the clangour +of horns and trumpets, and the explosion of fireworks--as if let off +upon the occasion of a jubilee. + +"These rejoicings," remarked Regules, "are an ill omen for us. It is +not to-morrow that the siege should be raised, but this very day." + +"That is to say," rejoined Caldelas, "that we should take to flight +before an exhibition of fireworks!" + +"Or, like the walls of Jericho, fall down at the sound of trumpets!" +added the Colonel. + +"Well," said Regules, "perhaps before long you may learn to your cost +that I have been right." + +In spite of his opinion, however, a last assault was determined upon, to +take place on the following morning; and after the plans were discussed +and arranged, Bonavia dissolved the council; and the officers proceeded +to their respective tents. + +Don Rafael hastened towards his: he was anxious to be alone. He desired +to indulge in reflection--to ponder upon the meaning of the message he +had received--and above all to caress the sweet ray of hope which had +lately entered his heart, so long desolate and sad. + +He did not even deign to lend an ear to the tumultuous rejoicings that +came swelling from the beleaguered town; although the whole Royalist +camp was at that moment occupied with these demonstrations, the soldiers +deeming them, as Regules had pronounced, sounds of sinister import. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. + +VALERIO TRUJANO. + +In Colonel Valerio Trujano the reader will recognise the ex-muleteer, +who, it will be remembered, declined exposing his life to the chances of +war before paying his debts. Though in full command at Huajapam, he was +simply a leader of guerilleros--nothing more; and in these partisan +chieftains the country at the time abounded. The renown, however, which +Trujano had gained within the narrow sphere of his exploits, had already +rendered him a subject of constant inquietude to the government of +Oajaca; and to crush this formidable enemy had been the object of the +march upon Huajapam, where Trujano chanced to be at the time. The +Royalist officers believed that a favourable opportunity had offered, in +the absence of two of Trujano's ablest supporters--Miguel and Nicolas +Bravo--both of whom had been summoned by Morelos to assist at the siege +of Cuautla. + +Such was the importance attached to the defeat of the religious +insurgent, that the government employed against him nearly every soldier +in the province--concentrating its whole force upon Huajapam. + +The little town was at the time entirely without fortifications of any +kind, and on all sides open to an enemy. All the more does the +remarkable defence made by Trujano deserve to be immortalised. +Fortunately for him the place was well supplied with provisions. + +For all this, resistance against such a superior force would have been +impossible, according to the ordinary rules of war; and it was not by +these that Trujano succeeded in making it. + +His first act was to store all the provisions in a common magazine; and +these were served out every morning in rations to each soldier and each +head of a family among the citizens. He also established a code of +discipline, almost monastic in its severity; which discipline, from the +first hour of the siege, in the midst of its most sanguinary episodes, +during the long period of nearly four months, he managed to maintain +without the slightest infraction. The energy of his character, combined +with the prudence of his dispositions, obtained for him an irresistible +ascendency over both soldiers and citizens. + +The time was distributed for various purposes in the same manner as in a +convent; and the most part of it that was not taken up by military +duties, was spent in prayers and other devotional exercises. Orations +and vespers were performed in public--every one, both soldiers and +citizens, taking part; and in this remote village, cut off from all +communication with the world, amidst a population little used to the +pleasures of life, hourly prayers were offered up with that fervour with +which the mariner implores the protection of God against the fury of the +storm. + +It must be acknowledged that these dispositions were somewhat droll and +eccentric. They were prudent, however; since the followers of the +insurgent chieftain, thus continually kept in occupation, had no time to +become discouraged. If provisions were becoming scarce, they knew +nothing about it. No curious gossips were permitted to explore the +magazines, and report upon their emptiness. No indiscreet tongue was +allowed to talk of approaching starvation. This arrangement could only +lead to one of two issues: either the besiegers must destroy the last +man in Huajapam, or themselves abandon the siege. + +During more than a hundred days, as already stated, this strange +condition of things existed in the town; and in all that time only one +attempt had been made from without to relieve the place. This was by +the insurgent leaders, Colonel Sanchez and the priest Tapia. The +attempt had proved a failure; but even that did not shake the constancy +of Trujano and his followers. The discouragement was altogether on the +side of the Royalists. + +Among the besieged perfect confidence was placed in their leader--a +truly extraordinary man--one in whom were united the most brilliant +qualities, and even those of a kind that are rarely found existing +together. + +Never did he permit the ardour of his courage to interfere with the +prudence of his plans; and never did he advance them too hastily to +maturity. Brave almost to rashness, he nevertheless calculated minutely +the chances of a combat before commencing it. His frank open +countenance had something so winning in it, that all freely yielded up +their secret thoughts to him, while no one could penetrate his. + +His gentleness towards his soldiers, tempered with a due measure of +justice, had the effect of gaining their obedience by love rather than +fear. An indefinable charm, in short, emanated from his person, which +excluded all idea of disobedience to his will. + +It may here be observed that at this period of the Mexican Revolution +(1812), the Spaniards were in possession of all the resources of +administration--the posts, and express couriers, with the principal +highways of the country. The insurrectionary forces were in scattered +and isolated bodies, either besieged in towns or pursued among the +_sierras_. Bearing these facts in mind, it will not be wondered at, +that although, while Trujano was besieged in Huajapam, and Morelos was +in Cuautla, at the distance of only two or three days' journey, the +Mexican general was entirely ignorant of the situation of the +ex-muleteer! Even a month after Morelos had evacuated Cuautla, and +retired upon Isucar, the position of his compatriot still remained +unreported to him. Fortunately Trujano had learnt the whereabouts of +the general, and had despatched a messenger to him demanding assistance. + +Enclosed as Huajapam was by the enemy--who guarded every approach with +the strictest vigilance--it seemed impossible that any messenger could +make his way through their lines. Several days had passed since the +man--an Indian--had gone out of the town; but whether he had succeeded +in safely reaching Morelos' camp, or whether he might be able to return +with the answer, were questions of prime importance to the plans of +Trujano. + +On that same day in which the council of war was held in the Spanish +camp, Trujano had ordered a mass to be performed--specially devoted to +prayer for the return of his messenger. It was in the evening, the hour +succeeding twilight, that this mass was held; and all the population of +the town, including the soldiers, was assembled in the public piazza, +which was illuminated by torches of _ocote_, although the moon was +shining brilliantly above. A church, whose dome was shattered with +bombs, and rows of houses in ruins, surrounded the square. The temple +in which the offering was made was the Piazza itself, and the roof was +the starry canopy of the sky. There, under the red glare of the +torches, might be seen the assembled people of Huajapam; the priests who +assisted at the ceremony in their robes, covering a military garb +underneath; the women, children, and aged, grouped around the walls of +the houses; the soldiers, in ragged uniforms, with guns in hand; and the +wounded seated upon doorsteps with bloody bandages--having dragged +themselves thither to take part in the sacred ceremonial. + +Profound silence reigned throughout the Piazza. + +On the appearance of a man who advanced into the centre of the square, +his countenance calm, and his eye beaming with religious enthusiasm, +every head was uncovered, or bent in obeisance. This man was Trujano. + +Stopping in the midst of the multitude, he made sign that he was about +to address them. The silence, if possible, became more profound. + +"Children!" he commenced in a sonorous voice, "the Scripture saith, +`except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.' Let +us pray, then, to the God of battles to watch with us!" + +All bent down at the summons, the speaker kneeling in their midst. + +"This evening," said he, "we celebrate mass for a special purpose. Let +us pray for our messenger; let us pray to God to protect him on his +journey, and grant him a safe return. Let us sing praises to that God, +who has hitherto preserved from evil the children who have trusted in +Him!" + +The speaker then intoned the verse of the well-known psalm-- + +"His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid of +the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the +pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that +wasteth at noon day." + +After each verse of the psalm, the people repeated-- + +"Lord have compassion upon us! Lord have mercy upon us!" + +The devout Colonel, as if he expected that God would show him some +signal mark of his favour, in more emphatic tone chanted the verse-- + +"I will deliver him because he hath known My name; I will protect him +because he hath loved Me." + +And as if in reality the Divine interpretation had been granted, the +messenger at that moment appeared entering the Piazza! + +The man had seen Morelos, and brought back the glad news that the +insurgent general would instantly place his army _en route_ for the +relief of Huajapam. + +Trujano, raising his eyes to heaven, cried out-- + +"Bless the Lord! oh, bless the Lord, all ye who are His servants!" + +He then proceeded to distribute the supper rations--giving them out with +his own hands--after which the torches were extinguished, and the +besieged betook themselves to sleep, trusting in Him who never slumbers, +and whose protection was to them as a shield and buckler. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY SIX. + +A WALKING CORPSE. + +While the mass was being performed in the Piazza, the Spanish sentries, +who guarded the trenches outside, could distinctly hear the voices of +those who took part in it; and could even distinguish the words of the +sacred song, which alone broke the silence of the night. + +The sentinel whose post was nearest to the entrenchments of the town, +had for his companions a number of dead bodies of the enemy, who had +fallen during a sortie of the insurgents, and whose corpses their +comrades had no opportunity of interring. These, as already mentioned, +were all more or less mutilated by their cruel foes, who oft-times +revenged themselves on the dead for defeats they had suffered from the +living. + +The sentry in question walked to and fro upon his prescribed rounds, +alternately turning face and back upon the mangled corpses. On each +occasion, as he faced round half mechanically he counted them, by way of +killing the time, at the same time preserving between them and himself a +respectable distance. + +After a short while spent in this melancholy pastime, the sounds +accompanying the ceremony of the mass attracted his attention; and, as a +change, he commenced endeavouring to make out the words that were being +spoken or chaunted. + +A distant voice exclaimed-- + +"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right-hand; +but it shall not come nigh thee." + +"What the devil can it mean?" soliloquised the soldier. "Latin it must +be! Some prayer for these dead rebels, I suppose!" + +While thus alluding to the corpses that lay near, he once more glanced +towards them. All at once it appeared to him that their number had +increased! + +"I must have made a mistake," muttered he to himself; "I surely counted +only nine of them a moment ago; and yet now there was surely ten--one, +two, three--yes, ten!" + +He again lent his ears to listen to the chaunting of the psalm-- + +"Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the +dragon shalt thou trample under foot." + +"Ah!" exclaimed the sentry, "they are talking of dragoons--the Queen's +dragoons, I suppose?" + +On making this remark, he paused suddenly in his steps. He had been +timing his paces with that regular tread habitual to sentries, and in +such a fashion as to maintain the same distance between himself and the +corpses--which he had no inclination to approach. This time, on turning +his face, it appeared to him that he had got much nearer to one of them; +and at the next turn nearer still! This induced him to count the steps +he was taking; and though on each round he made exactly the same number, +he could not resist the conviction that he was constantly approximating +to the corpse. Either he must be mistaken, or the dead body must have +moved from its place! The latter was, of course, the more probable +supposition; but, to assure himself, he approached the corpse to examine +it. + +The dead man was lying upon his side; and a blotch of crimson colour +conspicuous behind his cheek, marked the place where his ear had been +cropped off. + +A brief examination satisfied the sentry that the man was dead. It +followed, therefore, that he himself must have been labouring under an +illusion as to the distance. He almost gave way to an impulse to thrust +his bayonet through the corpse; but a dead body, seen under the shadows +of night, inspires a certain air of imposing solemnity, which repels +profanation; and this, acting upon the spirit of the sentinel, hindered +him from yielding to the temptation. + +"If it were possible for dead men to get upon their legs and walk, I +should say these fellows could do so. I am almost sure I counted only +nine at first. Now there are ten; and devil take me if that fellow, +whom I have examined, does not look as if he wished to have a chat with +me, for the fun of the thing. _Carrambo_! the voices of those rebels in +the town are not very gay at the best; but for all that, they are +pleasanter to bear than the silence of these companions here. There +goes the sing-song again!" + +The chaunt continued-- + +"Lift your hands through the night, and bless the Lord. His truth shall +be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by +night!" + +Although to the ears of the sentry the chaunting of the besieged was +merry as a drinking song compared with the melancholy silence of the +dead bodies, yet the time seemed long enough to him; and every now and +then he looked towards the camp, in hopes of hearing some sound that +would indicate the approach of the relief guard. + +None was heard; and he continued to walk his round, as before measuring +the ground with exact steps. + +The dead body which was nearest appeared to remain in the same place; +and the mind of the soldier was becoming gradually tranquillised, when +all at once, on turning sharply round, he perceived that this corpse was +no longer where he had last seen it. At the same instant his eye caught +the shadow of an upright figure gliding rapidly off, in the direction of +the town! + +Terror at the unexpected resurrection hindered him for a while from +making any movement; and when this had passed, and he was able to +reflect more calmly, he comprehended all. He had simply been duped by +an Indian ruse; which explained the mysterious addition to the number of +the corpses, and the lessened distance between himself and that which +had been lying nearest. + +It was now too late to arrest the progress of the Indian by firing after +him; and, as the giving an alarm would only be to disclose his own +negligence, the sentry prudently maintained silence, and permitted the +man to continue his course. + +To account for the absence of ears, which had led the soldier to mistake +the Indian for a corpse, it is necessary to mention an episode of the +insurrectionary war, which had happened some weeks before. The scene of +the episode was the village of Yanguitlan, where the cruel Spanish +general, Regules, having captured a number of Indian insurgents, had +caused the ears of a score of them to be cropped off, so close to their +heads, that many of them died of the haemorrhage which followed. The +others succeeded in making their way to Huajapam; and the Indian, who +had so cleverly duped the Spanish sentry--and who was no other than the +messenger whose return was at that moment being prayed for within the +town--was one of the survivors of the horrible outrage. + +It was to this affair that Caldelas had derisively alluded during the +sitting of the war council. + +"_Mil Rayos_!" hissed out the sentry, in a frenzy of rage and chagrin; +"_Demonios_! there may be more of these fellows alive! I shall take +care that no other gets to his feet, and runs off like the one who has +so cleverly tricked me. Now, then!" + +Saying these words the sentry turned his fusil in his hands; and, +rushing towards the corpses, did not leave off thrusting till he had +passed his bayonet two or three times through each of them. + +Not one of the bodies showed the slightest signs of life; and the only +sounds that troubled the tranquillity of the scene, were the angry +breathings of the soldier, as he performed his ghastly work, and the +chaunting of the besieged that still swelled in melancholy intonation +upon the night air. + +"Chaunt away, you cowardly devils," cried the terrified soldier; "chaunt +away! You have reason, if it were only to mock me for keeping such +careful guard over you. _Chingarito_!" + +And the Spaniard, as he uttered this emphatic shibboleth, gnashed his +teeth with vexation. + +Shortly after, the voices within the Piazza became hushed. As we have +stated, the messenger had arrived, and delivered his welcome tidings to +the insurgent leader. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN. + +A DECOY SENTRY. + +On the same evening while the besieged were celebrating mass in the +Piazza of Huajapam, other scenes were occurring not many leagues +distant. Behind the chain of hills which bounded the plain of Huajapam, +and in the rear of the Royalist encampment, a third army had suddenly +made its appearance--though still invisible to the Spanish sentries. +Morelos, true to his promise, with a thousand soldiers under his +command, was hastening forward to the relief of Trujano. These were all +the regular troops at his disposal; as he had been compelled to leave a +strong garrison in the town of Chilapa, which he had also recently taken +from the Royalists. + +Besides his regulars, however, he was accompanied by a large force of +Indians, armed with bows and slings. + +At a short distance behind the General-in-chief, the Marshal Galeana and +Captain Don Cornelio Lantejas were riding side by side. + +Notwithstanding the distinguished position which he held in the +insurgent army, the ci-devant student of theology seemed ill at ease. +Some secret grief was troubling his spirit. + +"The General is quite right in refusing you leave of absence," said +Galeana. "A brave and experienced officer like you cannot be well +spared; and your persistence in asking for leave has greatly offended +him, I can assure you. As for that, my dear Lantejas, leave it to me. +I am much mistaken if I don't soon find you an opportunity of achieving +some bold deed, which will be certain to reinstate you in the General's +favour. You will only have to slay three or four Spanish soldiers, or a +Royalist officer of high rank, and that will set you all straight with +Morelos." + +"I should prefer slaying the officer, I think," answered Lantejas, +scarce knowing what to say in reply. + +To him, who had hitherto been only a hero by simple accident, the idea +of premeditating any act that would distinguish him, only brought a +fresh shadow upon the horizon of his future; and he would gladly have +resigned the honours he had already gained for leave to escape being the +candidate for new ones. + +As soon as Morelos' army had halted for the night, the General and +Galeana commenced deliberating on some plan by which they might give the +enemy a decisive blow. The strategy which appeared most to recommend +itself was to get the Royalist army between two fires; that is, while +the troops of Morelos himself assaulted the Spanish camp in the rear, +those of Trujano should make a sortie from the town, and attack the +enemy on his front. + +To the carrying out of this design the chief obstacle that presented +itself was the difficulty of communicating with the besieged. The +messenger of Trujano had left the camp of Morelos before the idea of +such an attack had been conceived. Was there any one in the insurgent +army who could pass the Royalist lines, and carry a message into the +town? That became the question, which, as it so happened, Don Cornelio +Lantejas was able to answer in the affirmative. + +The Captain was in command of the Indians, one of whom had informed him +that he knew a secret way by which the town could be entered. The +patriotic Indian at the same time declared his willingness to carry a +message to Colonel Trujano. + +On communicating this information to the General, Lantejas had no +thought of the honourable commission it would be the means of obtaining +for himself. Perhaps, had he suspected what was in store for him, he +would have withheld it. He did not do so, however; and, on disclosing +the fact to Morelos, the General at once ordered him to accompany the +Indian, taking along with him some half-dozen of his trustiest men. + +An honour thus offered by the Commander-in-chief of an army cannot, +without difficulty, be declined; and Don Cornelio was constrained to +accept it. + +Choosing for his companions Costal and Clara, with some half-dozen +others, and, preceded by the Indian guide, he set forth towards the +town. + +After two hours spent in climbing the hills, they came within sight of +the bivouac fires of the Spanish camp--towards which they proceeded +without making stop, until they had arrived near the line of pickets. +Here the guide halted the party, concealing them behind a ruined wall. + +From this point a road, deeply sunk below the surface of the plain, ran +past the place where one of the Spanish pickets held post. It was the +same post where, but a short while before, the earless Indian had +succeeded in deceiving the sentry. The one now on post was not the +same. The guard had been meanwhile relieved and another sentry had +taken the place; who, by the uneasy glances which, from time to time, he +kept casting around him, was evidently under the belief that his +position was a dangerous one. + +Many causes combined to render the new sentinel sufficiently +uncomfortable. The night was disagreeably cold; the companionship of +the corpses, whose mutilated state presented death before his eyes in +its most hideous aspect; their odour horribly infecting the air;--all +these causes, coming together, could not fail to inspire the soldier +with a secret fear. + +To chase away his unpleasant reflections--as well as to keep his blood +warm against the chill breeze--he walked to and fro in double quick +time. The only moments when he remained motionless were at those +intervals when it was necessary for him to pause and call out the usual +phrase: "_Alerta, centinela_!" + +"I am sorry for the poor devil!" said Costal, "we must send him to keep +guard in the next world." + +The wall behind which they had halted, although tumbled down and in +ruins, still rose sufficiently high to screen the party from the eyes of +the sentinel. Moreover, between the latter and the ruin, the ground was +thickly studded with aloe plants and bushes of wild wormwood. + +"Let us first get rid of the sentry," said Costal; "that accomplished, +scatter yourselves among the bushes, and leave the rest to me." + +On giving this counsel, the Zapoteque borrowed a sling from one of the +Indians, in which he placed a stone carefully chosen. Then ordering two +others to make ready their bows, he continued, addressing himself to Don +Cornelio-- + +"You, Senor Captain, can give the signal. Take two stones--strike them +together so that the fellow may hear you--strike them twice. And you," +continued he, turning to the bowmen, "on hearing the second stroke, take +good aim, and let fly your arrows." + +Costal stood holding the sling in readiness. It was one of those rare +occasions when the bow and the sling serve better than any kind of +firearm. + +Lantejas brought the two stones into collision with a loud crack. + +The sentry heard the concussion, suddenly halted in his steps, brought +his piece to the "ready," and stood listening. + +The Captain gave the second signal. The stone and arrows hissed +simultaneously through the air; and, struck by all three, the soldier +fell dead without even uttering a cry. + +"Go! scatter yourselves among the bushes," cried Costal, hurriedly; "the +rest I can manage better without you." + +Don Cornelio and the Indians, in obedience to Costal's injunction, +glided from behind the wall, and crept forward among the aloes. + +As they were advancing, directly in front of them, there arose the cry, +"_Alerta, centinela_!" It came from the place where the sentry had just +fallen; and Don Cornelio, on looking in that direction, perceived, to +his horror and surprise, that the man was once more upon his feet, and +walking his rounds as if nothing had happened! + +Lantejas turned to demand an explanation from Costal, but the latter was +nowhere to be seen. The Captain then faced towards the other Indians; +but these, instead of concealing themselves any longer behind the +bushes, had risen erect, and were running past the sentinel, who seemed +to take no notice of them! + +A ray of light broke upon the mind of the innocent Lantejas. + +"_Santissima_!" cried he, "the sentinel--it must be Costal himself!" + +And so it was. The living had replaced the dead; and so aptly did +Costal imitate the voice and movements of the soldier who had fallen, +that the other sentries along the line had not the slightest suspicion +of the change that had taken place. + +On comprehending the situation of affairs, Don Cornelio sprang to his +feet; and, passing the decoy sentinel, ran on at full speed towards the +walls of the town--where his Indians had already preceded him. + +Seeing his captain clear through the lines, Costal flung away the shako +and musket of the soldier, and hastened after. + +Soon overtaking Don Cornelio, he cried out, "Quicker, run quicker, Senor +Captain! The others will give the alarm as soon as they have missed +their comrade!" + +As he spoke, he caught Don Cornelio by the wrist, and dragged him along +at such a rate that the Captain was scarce able to keep upon his feet. + +In a few seconds they reached the line of the Mexican sentries, who, +already warned of their approach by the Indians, permitted them to enter +the town without opposition. On entering the Piazza they encountered +Trujano himself; who, with his sword girded on, was making a round of +the village before retiring to rest. + +While Don Cornelio was delivering to him the message of Morelos, the +Colonel directed scrutinising glances both upon the Captain and his +Indian companion. He had some vague recollection of having once before +seen the two men, but he could not remember where. At the moment that +Don Cornelio finished speaking, his recollection had become more clear +upon the point, "Ah!" exclaimed he, "I was thinking where I had met you. +Are you not the young student who had such confidence in the mandate of +the Bishop of Oajaca, and who, at the hacienda of Las Palmas, denounced +the insurrection as a deadly crime?" + +"The same," answered Lantejas, with a sigh. + +"And you," continued Trujano, addressing himself to Costal, "are you not +the tiger-hunter of Don Mariano de Silva?" + +"The descendant of the caciques of Tehuantepec," answered Costal +proudly. + +"God is great, and his ways are inscrutable," rejoined the ex-muleteer, +with the inspired air of a prophet of Judah. + +After having more substantially repeated his message, Don Cornelio was +conducted by the Colonel to his quarters, and shown the apartment in +which he was to sleep. + +It only remained for him to seek the few hours' rest that would +intervene before daybreak--the hour fixed for the decisive battle which +was to take place. Wrapped in his cloak, he flung himself upon the +wooden bench that served for a bed--vowing to himself as he fell asleep +to attempt no heroic deeds on the following day, beyond those which were +rigorously necessary for the defence of his own person. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT. + +THE MORN OF THE BATTLE. + +Not until several hours after the arrival of Don Cornelio did the +insurgent Colonel warn his troops of the coming event. Then they were +instructed to be ready at the first dawn of day, for a sortie against +the Royalist camp--which at the same instant of time was to be attacked +by Morelos on the opposite side. + +While the shadows of night were still hanging above the beleaguered +town, a singular noise was heard proceeding from the Piazza. It +resembled the creaking of a watchman's rattle, or rather half-a-dozen of +these instruments that had been sprung together. Such in reality it +was: for since the church bells had been converted into cannon, the +rattles of the _serenos_ had been substituted as a means by which to +summon the inhabitants to prayers! + +According to the monastic regulation, which Trujano had imposed upon the +besieged, they were each day called together to _oration_. On this +morning, however, their reunion was earlier than usual: since it had for +its object not only the ordinary prayers, but preparation for the combat +that was to decide the issue of a long and irksome siege. + +At the same hour the Royalist camp was aroused by the beating of drums +and bugles sounding the _reveille_; while behind the chain of hills that +bounded the plain Morelos was silently setting his army in motion. + +In a few minutes the Piazza of Huajapam was filled with citizens and +soldiers, all armed for the fight. They stood in silent groups, +awaiting the prayer that would endue them with the necessary energy and +enthusiasm. The horsemen were dismounted--each man standing by the head +of his horse, and in the order in which they were accustomed to range +themselves. + +Trujano appeared in his turn, his countenance solemn, yet smiling, with +confidence in his heart as upon his lips. He was armed, according to +his custom, with a long two-edged sword, which he had oft-times wielded +with terrible effect. By his side marched Captain Lantejas, who for the +time being was acting as an aide-de-camp. Behind them came a soldier, +holding in hand two horses fully equipped for the field. One of these +was the war-horse of Trujano himself; the other was intended for the +aide-de-camp. Over the withers of the animal destined for the +ex-student of theology rose a long lance, strapped to the stirrup and +the pummel of the saddle. + +Don Cornelio would have had a difficulty in declaring why he had armed +himself in this fashion. In reality, the lance was not a weapon of his +own choosing, since he had never had any practice in the handling of +one; but the horse had been brought to him thus equipped, and he +passively accepted the lance, for the same reason that he was allowing +himself to be led into the fight:--because he could not help it. + +The matin prayers were not extended to any great length of time. The +dawn was already commencing to show itself in the east; and it would not +be a great while before the sun would cast his golden bearing over the +plains of Huajapam. + +The religious insurgent was deeply versed in Scripture. Many portions +of the Bible were so familiar to him, that he could correctly repeat +them without referring to the sacred book. In a voice, every tone of +which was heard to the most distant corner of the Piazza, he repeated +the following verses--the meaning of which was rendered more solemn by +the circumstances under which they were recited:-- + +"The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. The dawn is +come to those who dwell in the region of the shadow of death." + +"Lord, thou hast blessed thy land; thou hast delivered Jacob from +captivity. Glory to the most high." + +A thousand voices repeated "Glory to the most high!" + +By little and little the eastern horizon exhibited a brighter dawn; and +the clouds that floated over the heads of those people so piously bent, +becoming tinged with purple, announced the rising of the sun. + +It will be remembered that, at the council of war, the Spanish general +had decided not to make his attack till after the hour of noon. No +preparations, therefore, had as yet been made in the Royalist camp. + +As Bonavia was still ignorant both of the proximity of Morelos and +Trujano's intention to make a sortie, the double attack was likely to +fall upon the Spanish camp with the suddenness of a thunderbolt. + +The Spanish army was divided into three brigades, that might almost be +said to occupy three separate encampments. The first, commanded by +Regules, held position nearest to the walls of the town. The second, +under the immediate orders of Bonavia himself, occupied the centre; +while the third, in command of Caldelas, formed the rearguard. + +According to this disposition, Trujano, in sallying from the town, would +come immediately into collision with the brigade of Regules; while +Morelos, approaching from the mountains, would direct his attack against +that of Caldelas. In this case, Bonavia, from the centre, could march +to the assistance of whichever of his two brigadiers should stand most +in need of it. + +The Colonel Tres-Villas was second in command in the brigade of +Caldelas, and his tent was of course in the rear. + +During the night he had slept but little. + +Sometimes during a storm the thick mantle of clouds which covers the sky +breaks suddenly apart, disclosing an almost imperceptible portion of the +azure canopy. Only for a moment the blue spot is visible, after which +the dull vapoury mass closes over it, and again hides it from view. + +Such was the ray of hope that had lately shone into the heart of Don +Rafael. His habitual melancholy had assumed the ascendant, and the +cloud had returned. + +The man who passionately loves, and he who scarce loves at all, are +equally unable to tell when their love is reciprocated. His violent +passion blinds the judgment of the one; while indifference renders the +other inattentive. Neither is capable of perceiving the tokens of love +which he may have inspired, and which pass unnoticed before his eyes. + +In the former situation was Don Rafael. Despite the proofs which +Gertrudis had given him, his thought was, _not that he was no longer +loved, but that he had never been loved at all_! He, who had almost +sacrificed his love to his pride, could not perceive that the pride of a +woman may also have its days of revolt against her heart. Hence arose +the profound discouragement which had taken possession of him, and +extinguished the ray of hope that had gleamed for a moment in his +breast. + +Wearied with tossing upon a sleepless couch, he rose at the first call +of the _reveille_ bugle; and ordering his horse to be saddled, he rode +forth from the camp, in hopes that a ride would afford some distraction +to his thoughts. + +The aspect of the desolated fields--from which every vestige of a crop +had disappeared--reminded him of his own ruined hopes: like the bud of a +flower plucked from its stem, before it had time to blossom. + +Occupied with such reflections, he had ridden nearly a league beyond the +lines of the camp, without taking note of the distance. In the midst of +the deep silence which reigned around him, he all at once heard a +noise--at first low, but gradually becoming louder. This instantly +roused him from his reverie--causing him to draw bridle and listen. + +During the different campaigns he had made, Don Rafael had learnt to +distinguish all the sounds which indicate the march of a _corps +d'armee_. The cadenced hoof-stroke, the distant rumbling of +gun-carriages and _caissons_, the neighing of horses, and the clanking +of steel sabres were all familiar to his ear--and proclaimed to him the +movement of troops, as plainly as if they were passing before his eyes. + +He had no doubt that what he now heard was the approach of a body of the +insurgents, advancing to the relief of the town. The alarm given by the +sentinels upon the preceding night--the death of one of the number--the +vivas and other strange exclamations of the besieged, within the town-- +left him no room to question the correctness of his conjecture. + +Sure of the fact--and not wishing to lose a moment by listening longer-- +he wheeled around; and, putting spurs to his horse, galloped back to the +camp where, on his arrival, he at once gave the alarm. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY NINE. + +BETWEEN TWO FIRES. + +After the first moment of confusion had passed, the Royalists commenced +preparing to receive the attack, with that coolness which springs from +practised discipline. In a short while every one was at his post. + +The sun was just appearing above the horizon, disclosing to each army +the view of its antagonist. The advanced sentinels along the lines had +already retired from their posts, and were hurrying towards the camp. +In the town could be heard the voices of the besieged, in solemn chorus +chaunting the psalm "_Venite exultemus Domine_," while shouts of "_Viva +Morelos_!" came from the opposite direction, and loud above all could be +heard the noted war-cry of the marshal, "_Aqui esta Galeana_!" + +Almost at the same instant a double fusillade opened its formidable +dialogue from the two separate wings of the Spanish army. Trujano and +Morelos replied to it; one attacking in front, and the other upon the +rear. The hour of retaliation had come: the besiegers were now besieged +in their turn. + +Meanwhile Morelos, having given orders to Galeana to direct the +movement, had posted himself upon a little hill; where, telescope in +hand, he stood watching the progress of the action. + +After having coolly arranged his plan of attack, Trujano impetuously +launched himself upon the camp of Regules, at the same instant that +Galeana was advancing upon that of Caldelas. + +On both sides the firing was of short duration. Neither the Marshal nor +Trujano were the men to remain long at a distance from their enemy; and +both, charging impetuously forward, brought their men hand to hand with +the Royalists. + +Although inferior in numbers to their enemies, the _guerilleros_ of +Trujano made such a desperate attack upon the soldiers of Regules, that +the latter, unable to sustain the shock, were thrown for a moment into +confusion. Their general, however, succeeded in rallying them; and +Trujano, with his handful of men, was held for a time in check. + +Meanwhile, Bonavia and Caldelas, having united their forces, were using +all their efforts to resist the desperate charges made by Galeana; who, +notwithstanding the impetuosity of his attack, found himself unable to +break through their line and form a junction with Trujano. + +There are men in whose company it is impossible not to feel brave--or at +least have the appearance of it--especially when fighting by their side. +Trujano was one of this character. His ardent valour was contagious; +and alongside of him, Lantejas had no difficulty in sustaining his +reputation for courage. + +Nevertheless, the battle seemed to the Captain to be hanging a long time +undecided; and he was growing fearfully troubled that the day would go +against them, when Trujano, wiping the perspiration from his forehead, +cried out to him-- + +"Captain Lantejas! I fear we shall never be able to break their line +with such a handful of men. Put spurs to your horse, and gallop round +till you find General Morelos. Ask him to reinforce me with two or +three battalions. Say that I have great need of them, and that the +success of the day depends upon it. Ride quickly; and I shall endeavour +to sustain the attack till your return. _Vaya! Capitan_!" + +The aide-de-camp, on receiving the order, went off at a gallop, lance in +hand. + +At the same instant an officer rode forth from the camp of Regules, on a +similar mission to the Commander-in-chief of the Spanish army. The +latter, however, succeeded in executing his commission more promptly +than Don Cornelio; and Bonavia hastened, notwithstanding the protest of +Caldelas, to send to Regules the reinforcement he had demanded. + +"That man will be our ruin," said Caldelas to Tres-Villas, as the +battalions were drawn from his brigade. + +Don Rafael, mounted upon his favourite steed, El Roncador, was at this +time making every effort to reach the Marshal, whose defiant war-cry, so +often pealing in their ears, was beginning to create terror among the +ranks of the Royalists. + +"_Mil demonios_!" exclaimed Caldelas, "if Regules prove the cause of our +defeat, I shall blow out his brains, and afterwards my own!" + +As the brigadier pronounced this threat, his soldiers, pressed by a +violent movement in front, commenced to give ground; and that which he +had foreseen was likely to be realised. His brigade, weakened by the +battalions sent as a reinforcement to Regules, was unable to withstand +the desperate charges of Galeana; and, in a minute or two after, his +troops broke line, fell back, and then scattered in full retreat. + +Blinded by rage, Caldelas turned his horse, leaving to Don Rafael the +duty of collecting the dispersed soldiers, and, furiously plying the +spur, he galloped off towards the ground where Regules was still +contesting the issue with Trujano. + +Meanwhile Don Cornelio was going at full speed on his message to +Morelos. He was not proceeding in a very direct line, however. Not +desiring to get again embroiled in the battle, he had resolved on making +a wide circuit round a vast field of maize, that extended along the edge +of the plain, and slightly elevated above it. Every now and then he +endeavoured to discover whether he was opposite the position held by +Morelos; but in this he was unsuccessful; for the blades of the maize +plants rising above his head hindered him from having a view over the +plain. He at length reached a crossroad; and, deeming that he had +ridden far enough to put him beyond the ground occupied by the Royalist +forces, he turned his horse along the road, still going at a gallop. + +The combatants were hidden from his view by a thicket of low bushes that +skirted the side of the road. This, however, at length terminated +abruptly; and Don Cornelio, riding into the open ground, all at once +found himself in the presence of a large body of Spanish soldiers, who +appeared in front of him forming a semicircle of swords, bayonets, and +lances. + +Terrified at the excess of his involuntary boldness, he turned his horse +upon the instant, and plunged back into the crossroad; but he had scarce +made three lengths of his horse in the back direction, when he saw +riding towards him a Spanish officer, who, pistol in hand, and with a +countenance red with rage, was uttering the most emphatic threats and +protestations. In another instant they must meet face to face. + +The advancing horseman had his eyes fixed upon the field of battle; and, +although he did not appear to be aware of the approach of Don Cornelio, +the latter had no other belief than that he himself was the object of +the blasphemous menaces. If the Spaniard was not expressly searching +after him to kill him, why should he thus cut off his retreat by the +crossroad--the only direction that offered him a chance of escape? + +Believing that the horseman was advancing to assail him, and suddenly +nerved by despair, the Captain, on his side, charged forward; and +delivering a vigorous thrust with the lance, he pierced his unsuspecting +antagonist through the body, striking him lifeless out of his saddle! + +A cry of grief reached the ears of the ex-student, coming from another +part of the field; but not staying to see who had uttered it, he again +spurred his steed along the crossroad--determined this time to make a +detour sufficiently wide before heading towards the position of Morelos. + +He had not gone far, however, when he heard a loud voice hailing him +from behind; while the hoarse snorting of a horse was mingled with the +cries--a snorting that resembled the roaring of a jaguar, and for that +reason awakened within him the most terrible souvenirs. + +"It is surely the horse of the Apocalypse?" muttered the ex-student of +theology, while using every effort to maintain the distance that lay +between himself and this mysterious pursuer. + +In order to gallop more freely, he had flung away the lance, and was now +plying the spurs with all the energy of a racing jockey; but still the +singular snorting appeared to grow louder, and the pursuer was evidently +gaining upon him. + +To say the least, the situation of Captain Lantejas was becoming +critical--to judge by the fierce zeal exhibited by his pursuer. Perhaps +in all his life the ex-student had never been in a position of greater +peril than at that moment. + +Just as he was about reaching the crossing of the roads, he heard close +behind him the breathing of the man who was in pursuit of him; and, +glancing over his shoulder, he saw the head of the animal he had termed +the horse of the Apocalypse--almost on a level with the croup of his +saddle. + +In another moment, a vigorous hand seized him by the collar, that +lifting him out of his stirrups, dragged him backward, till he felt that +he was lying across the pummel of his adversary's saddle. + +Don Cornelio now saw a poignard raised to strike, which flashed before +his sight like the sword of an archangel. He closed his eyes, believing +his last hour had come; when all at once the arm fell, and a voice cried +out-- + +"_Tomal_ Why it is Don Cornelio Lantejas!" + +The ex-student reopened his eyes; and, looking up, recognised the young +officer in whose company he had journeyed, on his way to San Salvador, +whom he had afterwards met at the hacienda Las Palmas. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY. + +A SPLENDID STROKE. + +Surrounded by his staff, Morelos still continued to watch the progress +of events. From the commanding position which he held, almost every +incident of the battle could be observed. Even those occurring at the +most distant point of the field were observable through the medium of +the telescope. Among other objects that had attracted his notice was a +horseman going at full gallop along the crossroad, which led from the +field of maize to the Royalist encampment. + +"Ha!" exclaimed he to an officer of his staff; "if I'm not mistaken, it +is our Captain Lantejas who is galloping down yonder. Where can he be +going? No doubt he is about to strike one of those improvised, decisive +blows in which he excels--as when at Cuautla, he dashed his horse full +tilt against the gigantic Spanish cuirassier, and received the sabre +stroke that might else have fallen upon my own skull. Fortunately his +sword turned in the hand of the Spaniard, and Don Cornelio was struck by +the flat side of the blade, which only knocked him out of his saddle, +without doing him any great injury." + +"Senor General," remarked the officer, with some show of hesitation; +"there are evil-disposed persons, who pretend to say that--that--" + +"What do they pretend to say?" demanded Morelos. + +"Why, that on the occasion of which your Excellency speaks, the horse of +Senor Lantejas was running away with him." + +"An odious calumny!" pronounced Morelos, in a severe tone. "Envy is +always the proof of merit." + +At this moment, Don Cornelio disappeared from off the crossroad; and +Morelos now saw coming in the same direction a Spanish officer also +going at a gallop. + +"_Santissima_!" cried Morelos, recognising the latter through his glass. +"As I live, it is the brave Caldelas, who also appears to have been +seized with vertigo! What can all this galloping mean?" + +It was in reality Caldelas, who, pistol in hand, was searching for +Regules, to accomplish the threat he had made. + +Just then Don Cornelio again appeared in the crossroad; but this time +going in the opposite direction, as if charging forward to meet +Caldelas. + +"See!" cried Morelos to his staff. "Look yonder--an encounter between +Caldelas and the Captain! Ha! what was I saying to you? _Viva Dios_!-- +did you ever see such a beautiful _coup de lance_? He has struck down +the most formidable of our enemies. Huzza! Victory is ours! The +Spaniards are scattering! They yield the ground, and all because their +bravest leader has been slain. Now, sir!" continued the General, +turning to the officer who had doubted the courage of Don Cornelio; +"will that silence the detractors of Senor Lantejas? To whom, if not to +him, are we indebted for this splendid victory? Presently you will see +him ride with his accustomed modesty, to say that he has simply done his +duty. Otherwise, should he present himself to be complimented, he shall +find his mistake: I must reprimand him for being too rash." + +"Happy is he whom your Excellency is pleased to reprimand in such +fashion," said the officer, withdrawing to one side. + +"Let us onward!" exclaimed Morelos. "The action is over--the siege is +raised, and our enemies are in full retreat. To Yanguitlan, and then-- +to take up our winter-quarters in the capital of Oajaca!" + +On pronouncing these word, Morelos remounted his horse and rode off, +followed by his officers. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +We return to Colonel Tres-Villas and the ex-student of theology. + +Notwithstanding the violent wrath of Don Rafael against the man who had +killed his brave comrade, Caldelas, there was something so ludicrously +comic in the countenance of the ex-student--so much innocent simplicity +in its expression--that the resentment of Don Rafael vanished upon the +instant. Then, quick as a flash of lightning, came over him the +remembrance of that day--at the same time terrible and delightful--when +parting from the student of theology, he had hurried forward to see +Gertrudis, and receive from her the avowal of her love--alas! too soon +forgotten! + +These souvenirs--but more especially that recalling the daughter of Don +Mariano--formed the aegis of the ex-student. A bitter smile curled upon +the lip of Don Rafael, as he looked upon the pale and feeble youth +within his grasp. "If such a man," thought he, "has been able to give +his death-blow to the valiant Caldelas--whose very glance he could +scarce have borne--it must be that the hours of the vice-royalty are +numbered." + +"You may thank your stars," he continued, addressing himself to +Lantejas, "for having fallen into the hands of one, who is hindered by +old memories from revenging upon you the death of the valiant Caldelas, +the bravest of the Spanish chiefs." + +"Ah! is the brave Caldelas dead?" inquired Don Cornelio, scarce sensible +of what he was saying. "Is it possible? But it must be so, if you say +it. In any case, I pardon him, and you too." + +"Very gracious of you," rejoined Don Rafael, with a sarcastic smile. + +"More than you think," replied the ex-student, a little restored to his +senses at finding his exploit was to be forgiven. "You have no idea of +the terrible fright that he and you caused me just now. But, Senor Don +Rafael--with your permission--I am in a _very_ uncomfortable position +for conversing--" + +"Perhaps you will pardon me again for setting you safe and sound upon +your feet?" said Don Rafael, permitting the captain to slide gently to +the ground. "Adieu, then, Captain!" continued he, about to ride away. +"I leave you, regretting that I have not time to inquire how it is that +the peace-loving student, so terribly frightened at the mandate of the +Bishop of Oajaca against the insurrection has become transformed into an +officer of the insurgent army?" + +"And I," replied Lantejas, "I should like to know how it is that a +captain in the Queen's Dragoons, who did not appear to view that same +mandate with a favourable eye, is to-day one of the bitterest +adversaries of the insurrection? If it pleases you, Senor Don Rafael, +to sit down here beside me, and let us discourse a bit--like the old +Paladins, who often interrupted their deadliest combats for such a +purpose--it would be much more agreeable to me than returning to the +battle-field." + +A sombre shadow passed over the countenance of Don Rafael at the +allusion made to the change of his opinions. Both officers presented a +striking example of how little man can do to direct his own destiny, and +how much he is the sport of circumstances. Both were, in fact, serving +the cause opposed to that of their heart's choice. + +Just then a series of loud huzzas and _vivas_ of triumph came from both +sides of the battle-field; but it was impossible for either of them to +tell upon which side the victory had declared itself. + +"Ah! Senor Don Rafael," cried the ex-student, "if our side has +succumbed, then I am your prisoner." + +"And if you are victorious, I am _not_ yours," responded the Colonel, +casting towards Lantejas a glance of contempt that he could not +conceal--while at the same time he gathered up the reins of his bridle. + +As he did so, at both extremities of the road appeared a number of +mounted men, whose half-military equipments proclaimed them to be +insurgents. One was heard to call out-- + +"Senor Colonel! Yonder he is--Don Cornelio still living and well!" + +It was Costal who spoke. + +In another moment both the Captain and Don Rafael were surrounded by the +horsemen. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY ONE. + +A GENEROUS ENEMY. + +The situation of Don Rafael had now become as critical as was that of +Lantejas but the moment before. His pistols had been discharged; his +sabre, broken in the battle, he had flung from him; and the only arm of +which he could now avail himself was the dagger so near being sheathed +in the heart of Don Cornelio. + +During the Mexican revolutionary war but few prisoners were taken by the +Royalists; and the cruelties exercised upon those that were, naturally +led to retaliation. On both sides it was a war of extermination. The +lives of captives were rarely spared, even after they had voluntarily +surrendered. + +Don Rafael, therefore, had made up his mind to sell his life as dearly +as he could, rather than fall into the hands of his enemies, when one of +them, an officer, addressing Lantejas, called out, in a voice which the +latter recognised-- + +"Ah! Captain Lantejas! haste and come this way. The General wishes to +thank you for the victory which you have given us." + +Don Rafael also recognised the officer, who was advancing at a gallop; +and brave though Tres-Villas was, it was not without satisfaction that +the enemy he saw coming towards him was Colonel Trujano, the +ex-muleteer. + +Trujano, on his side, at the same instant recognised the royalist +officer. + +Don Rafael, too proud to appeal to old friendships for protection--even +to one whose life he had saved, in return for a similar service--put +spurs to his horse, and galloped towards Trujano. With such impetuosity +did he ride, that in another instant the two horses would have come into +collision, had not the bridle of Don Rafael's been grasped by a hand-- +the hand of Lantejas! The Captain, at the risk of being crushed under +the hoofs of both horses--moved by the generosity which Don Rafael had +so lately bestowed upon him--rushed between the two horsemen as a +mediator. + +"Colonel Trujano!" cried he, "I do not know what you mean in saying that +the General is indebted to me for a victory; but, if I have done +anything that deserves a recompense, I do not wish any other than the +life and liberty of Don Rafael Tres-Villas." + +"I ask favours from no one," interrupted Don Rafael, with a haughty +glance towards Trujano. + +"You will grant me one--that of giving me your hand," said the +ex-muleteer, at the same time cordially holding out his own. + +"Never to a conqueror!" exclaimed Don Rafael, though evidently affected, +in spite of himself, by the action and speech of his generous enemy. + +"Here there is neither conqueror nor conquered," rejoined Trujano, with +that winning smile that gained all hearts. "There is a man, however, +who always remembers a service done to him." + +"And another who never forgets one," repeated Don Rafael, with warmth, +at the same time grasping the hand that was still held towards him. + +Then the two horsemen drew their horses nearer, and exchanged the most +cordial greetings. + +Trujano profited by this occasion to whisper in the ear of his enemy, +and with a delicacy which still further moved Don Rafael, whose pride he +had treated with such condescension-- + +"Go--you are free. Only promise not to cut the hair off the heads of +any more poor women; although it is said there was one whose heart +trembled with pride that the conqueror of Aguas Calientes should send +her such a terrible souvenir. Go!" added he, withdrawing his hand from +the convulsive grasp of Don Rafael, "deliver yourself up a prisoner at +the hacienda Las Palmas, where the road is open for you, believe me." + +Then, as if he had too long occupied himself with the trivial affairs of +the world, the countenance of Trujano resumed its expression of ascetic +gravity, and when the eye of Don Rafael was interrogating it, in hopes +of reading there the true signification of the last words, the insurgent +chieftain called out-- + +"Let Don Rafael Tres-Villas pass free! Let every one forget what has +occurred." + +Saying this, he formally saluted the Royalist colonel with his sword, +who could only return the salute with a glance of the most profound +gratitude. + +Don Rafael pressed the hand of the Captain; and bowing coldly to the +other insurgents, rode out from their midst. Then, urging his horse +into a gallop, he followed the road that led outward from the plain of +Huajapam. + +On finding himself alone, he reduced the speed of his horse to a walk, +and became absorbed in a reverie of reflection. The last words of +Trujano--what could they mean? "_The road is open for you, believe +me_." Was it an assurance that he should be welcomed at the hacienda of +Las Palmas? Should he proceed thither, as the insurgent colonel had +counselled him? or should he go direct to Del Valle, to make +arrangements for his last campaign against the brigand Arroyo? + +Once more had commenced the struggle between love and duty. + +Don Rafael would not have hesitated long as to the course he should +pursue, had some good genius only made known to him a certain fact--that +at that same hour an accident was occurring at the hacienda Del Valle, +of a nature to reconcile the two conflicting sentiments that had warped +the thread of his destiny. + +A messenger from Don Mariano--the same who had brought back Roncador to +Del Valle--had on that very day again presented himself at the hacienda. +This time his errand was one of a purely personal nature--to Don Rafael +Tres-Villas himself. + +"Where are you from?" demanded Veraegui of the messenger, in his usual +blunt Catalonian fashion. + +"Oajaca!" + +"Who has sent you?" + +"Don Mariano de Silva." + +"What do you want with the Colonel?" + +"I can only declare my errand to the Colonel himself." + +"Then you will have to go to Huajapam first--that is, unless you prefer +to wait till he arrives here. We expect him in three or four days." + +"I prefer going to Huajapam," rejoined the man "my errand is of such a +nature that it will not bear delay." + +This messenger was on his way to Huajapam, and not more than thirty +leagues from the town, at the moment when Don Rafael was leaving it to +proceed in the opposite direction. + +Meanwhile Trujano, returning to the field of battle covered with the +bodies of his dead and wounded enemies, caused all his soldiers to +kneel, and publicly render thanks to God for having delivered them from +their long and painful siege. Morelos at the same moment ordered his +troops to prostrate themselves in prayer; and then a psalm was sung by +all in chorus, to consecrate the important victory they had gained. + +Don Rafael was still not so distant from the field but that he could +hear the swelling of many voices in the pious chaunt. The sounds fell +with melancholy effect upon his ears, until the tears began to chase +themselves over his cheeks. + +In reviewing the circumstances which had influenced him to change his +line of conduct in regard to this revolution, he reflected that had he +given way to more generous instincts, and not allowed himself to be +forced astray by the desire of fulfilling a rash vow, his voice would at +that moment have been mingling with theirs--one of the loudest in giving +thanks for the success of a cause of which he was now the irreconcilable +enemy! + +With an effort he repulsed these reflections, and sternly resolved upon +going to the hacienda Del Valle, to re-steel his heart over the tomb of +his father. + +A perilous journey it would be for him. The whole province--the capital +and one or two other places excepted--was now in the hands of the +insurgents; and a royalist officer could not travel the roads without +great risk of falling into their hands. + +"God protects him who does his duty," muttered Don Rafael, as he again +turned his horse to the roads, spurring him into a gallop, in order that +the sound of his hoofs might drown that pious song, which, by stirring +up sad souvenirs, was fast weakening his resolution. + +In another hour he had crossed the Sierra which bounded the plain of +Huajapam, and was following the road which led southward to the hacienda +Del Valle. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY TWO. + +RUDE GUESTS. + +Let us now recount the events which took place at the hacienda Las +Palmas from the day on which Captain Tres-Villas was compelled to leave +Don Mariano and his two daughters at the mercy of the ferocious robbers +Arroyo and Bocardo. + +The two guerilleros had sought refuge there, with the remnant of their +band--most of which had been already destroyed by Tres-Villas and +Caldelas. From the moment of first entering his house, they had +insisted upon a footing of perfect equality between themselves and their +old master. Even Gertrudis and Marianita were not exempted from this +compulsory social levelling. The brigands ate at the same table with +Don Mariano and his daughters--were waited upon by the servants of the +hacienda--and slept in the very best beds the house afforded. + +All the while Bocardo was observed to cast covetous glances on the +silver plate--which, as is customary in the houses of Mexican _ricos_, +was massive and abundant. + +In Don Mariano's presence he was in the habit of frequently making +allusion to the richness of the Royalists; and behind his back he had +several times endeavoured to persuade Arroyo that one who was the +proprietor of such wealth, as was enjoyed by the haciendado, could not +be otherwise than an enemy to the insurgent cause, and, at the bottom of +his heart, a friend to the oppressors of the country. + +"Look at us, poor insurgents!" he would say, "often reduced--especially +when absent from this hospitable mansion--to use our fingers for forks, +and our _tortillas_ for spoons!" + +And the wind-up of his argument always was, that they "ought to treat as +a Royalist a master who dined every day upon silver plates--that Don +Mariano should be reduced to the same condition as other patriotic +insurgents, and use his fingers for forks, while his plates should be +converted into piastres." + +Up to a certain period Arroyo rejected these proposals of his comrade. +Not that he had any more respect for the property of Don Mariano than +his associate had; but rather that he was not yet sufficiently hardened +to reckless outrage, as to perpetrate such an audacious robbery on one +who was publicly known to be a friend to the insurgent cause. We say, +up to a certain time Arroyo preserved these egotistical scruples; but +that time terminated on the day and hour when, in the presence of his +old master, and the whole household of Las Palmas, he was forced to +endure the terrible insults inflicted upon him by the dragoon captain. +From that moment he transferred a portion of his vengeful hatred for Don +Rafael to the haciendado and his daughters; and it is possible that on +his leaving Las Palmas the night after--which the dangerous proximity of +Del Valle influenced him to do--he would have left bloody traces behind +him, but for the interference of his associate Bocardo. + +The latter, in his turn, had counselled moderation. More covetous of +gold, and less thirsty of blood than Arroyo, the astute brigand had +represented, that "there could be no great blame attached to them for +using the silver of Don Mariano to serve the good cause of the +insurrection; that the more needy of the insurgents might justly demand +aid from their richer brethren, but not their lives or their blood." + +Arroyo no longer combated the proposals of his _confrere_. To him they +now appeared moderate; and the result was, that the two _forbans_ +collected all of Don Mariano's silver they could lay their hands upon, +with such other valuables as were portable--and, having made a +distribution among their followers, decamped that night from Las Palmas, +taking good care in their _Haegira_ to give the hacienda of Del Valle a +wide berth. + +With regard to Don Mariano and his daughters, they were only too happy +that nothing worse than robbery had been attempted by the brigands. +They had dreaded outrage as well as spoliation; and they were rejoiced +at being left with their lives and honour uninjured. + +Made aware, by this episode, of the danger of living any longer in a +house isolated as Las Palmas--which might be at the mercy any moment of +either royalists or insurgents--Don Mariano bethought him of retiring to +Oajaca. He would be safer there--even though the town was thoroughly +devoted to the cause of the king; for, as yet, his political opinions +had not been declared sufficiently to compromise him. For some days, +however, circumstances of one kind or another arose to hinder him from +putting this project into execution. + +The hacienda of San Carlos, inhabited by the man who was about to become +his son-in-law--Don Fernando de Lacarra--was only a few leagues distant +from that of Las Palmas; and Marianita did not like the idea of leaving +the neighbourhood. Without stating the true one, she urged a thousand +objections to this departure. Gertrudis was also against it. The +souvenirs which Las Palmas called up were at once sweet and sad; and the +influence which sorrow has over love is well-known--especially within +the heart of woman. + +In the hacienda Las Palmas sad memories were not wanting to Gertrudis. +How often, at sunset, did she sit in the window of her chamber, with her +eyes bent in dreamy melancholy over the distant plain--deserted as on +that evening when Don Rafael hastened to arrive, risking life that he +might see her but an hour sooner! + +When Don Rafael, in the first burst of his grief and vengeance, indulged +in that wild pleasure which is often felt in breaking the heart of +another, while one's own is equally crushed--when he galloped off along +the road to Oajaca, after burying the _gage d'amour_ in the tomb of his +father--thus renouncing his love without telling of it--then, and for +some time after, the young girl waited only with vivid impatience. The +pique she had at first felt was soon effaced by anxiety for his safety; +but this at length gave place to agony more painful than that of +suspense--the agony of suspicion. + +We have already related, by what insensible and gradual transitions the +family of Don Mariano de Silva had become confirmed in the belief, that +Don Rafael had proved traitor to his mistress as to his country. + +Nevertheless, at that moment when he presented himself, to demand the +surrendering of the brigands, the sound of his voice falling upon the +ears of Gertrudis had come very near vanquishing her wounded pride. +That manly voice--whether when exchanging a few words with her father, +or hurling defiance at the ferocious Arroyo--had caused her heart to +tremble in every fibre. She required at that moment to summon up all +the resentment of love disdained, as well as all the natural modesty of +woman, to hinder her from showing herself to Don Rafael, and crying +out-- + +"Oh, Rafael! I can more easily bear the dagger of Arroyo, than your +desertion of me!" + +"Alas! what have you done, _mio padre_?" cried she, addressing herself +to her father, as soon as Don Rafael had gone; "you have wounded his +pride by your irritating words, at the very moment when, out of regard +for us, he has renounced the vengeance which he had sworn on the grave +of his father! It may be that the words of oblivion and reconciliation +were upon his lips; and you have hindered him from speaking them now and +for ever. Ah! _mio padre_! you have ruined the last hope of your poor +child!" + +The haciendado could make no reply to speeches that caused his own heart +to bleed. He deeply regretted the allusions he had made, towards an +enemy to whose generosity he was now indebted for the lives both of +himself and children. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY THREE. + +LOVE'S MALADY. + +After the departure of the bandits, a mournful tranquillity reigned in +the hacienda of Las Palmas. Gertrudis, asking herself at every moment +of the day whether Don Rafael really no longer loved her, could only +answer with certainty that she loved him, and should do so for ever. + +One afternoon--it was the third after Arroyo had gone--she sat looking +over the plain as the sun was sinking slowly to the horizon. It was +just such an evening as that on which she had awaited the arrival of Don +Rafael. Now, however, the floods had retired, and the landscape had +assumed a more verdant and joyous aspect. + +All at once, half-a-dozen horsemen appeared before her eyes, as if just +coming from the hills in the rear of the hacienda. The Spanish pennants +floating from their lances proclaimed them to be Royalist dragoons. One +rode a little in advance of the rest, evidently their leader. Several +other horsemen appeared, following them: until a large troop was seen +defiling across the plain. + +Gertrudis heeded not those in rank. Her eyes were solely occupied by +the one who rode in front. He was too distant to be recognised by the +sight, but her heart told her who it was. + +"I, too," murmured she to herself, "I have been rash in my words--in +pronouncing an anathema against those sons of our country who should +betray its cause. What matters it to the woman who loves, what flag her +beloved may fight under? His cause should be hers. Why did I not do as +my sister? Ah! why, indeed? Marianita is now happy, while I--" A sigh +choked her utterance, and with tears falling from her eyes she continued +silently to gaze after the horsemen, until their retreating forms melted +away into the golden haze of the sunset. + +Not even once had their leader turned his face towards the hacienda, and +yet it was Don Rafael! + +It was in reality the dragoon captain, going off in obedience to the +order he had received; and who, to conceal from his soldiers the anguish +of his spirit, had thus ridden past the hacienda without turning his +head to look back. + +From this time it should have mattered little to Gertrudis where she +might reside. For her, Las Palmas had now only sad memories; but even +these seemed to attach her to the place; and she could not help +thinking, that her departure from Las Palmas would break the last link +that bound her to him she so devotedly loved. + +When Don Rafael no longer breathed the same air with her, she found a +melancholy pleasure in taking care of his beautiful steed--the bay-brown +Roncador--that, having galloped off after the encounter with the men of +Arroyo, had been recaught by Don Mariano's vaqueros, and brought back to +the hacienda. + +Shortly after the marriage of Marianita with Don Fernando de Lacarra was +celebrated. This union had been arranged, long previous to the breaking +out of the insurrection, and found no opposition on the part of Don +Mariano. Don Fernando was a Spaniard, it is true; but he had already +obtained the consent of the haciendado. Even under the changed +circumstances in which the revolution had placed the country, it would +not have been refused. Like many other Spaniards at this time, Don +Fernando had chosen for his country, that which held the object of his +affections; and his sympathies had become enlisted in favour of the land +of his adoption. + +A few days after his marriage, he bore his young bride home with him to +the hacienda of San Carlos. His mansion was situated not far from the +hacienda of Del Valle, lying, as the latter did, on the banks of the +river Ostuta which separated the two estates, and not far from the lake +of the same name. + +Most of the people on the estate of Don Fernando--less given to +insurrectionary views than those of Las Palmas--had remained faithful to +its owner. On this account, it appeared to offer a more secure abode +during the troublous times of the insurrection; and Don Fernando wished +to give an asylum to his father-in-law and his family. Don Mariano, +however, had declined the offer, in hopes that amidst the stirring life +and society of a large town he might find distraction for the melancholy +of Gertrudis. He preferred, therefore, retiring to Oajaca, and a few +days after his daughter's marriage had set out. Gertrudis refused to +use the _litera_ that had been prepared for her on the journey. She +preferred riding the beautiful bay-brown, that had so often carried Don +Rafael; and the fiery Roncador, as if conscious that he was object most +dear to his master, suffered himself to be guided with as much docility +by the fair frail hand of Gertrudis, as if his rein had been held in the +vigorous grasp of Don Rafael himself. + +Contrary to Don Mariano's expectation, the sojourn in Oajaca proved +ineffectual in removing the melancholy under which his daughter +suffered. Insensible to all the attractions offered by the best society +of the place, the time hung heavily upon Gertrudis. One moment of +happiness she enjoyed: and that was when public rumour announced that +Colonel Tres-Villas, after capturing the town of Aguas Calientes, had +caused the hair to be shorn from the heads of three hundred women! + +As Trujano had already hinted--having heard it from Marianita, at the +house of whose husband he had spent several days--this news had for a +moment filled the heart of the young Creole with happiness and pride. +Amidst the general surprise at this act of singular severity, she alone +knew why it had been accomplished. Don Rafael did not wish that she +should be the only woman who, by this insurrection, should lament the +loss of her hair. Gertrudis, nevertheless, did not fail to reproach +herself, for indulging in this moment of selfish happiness. + +"_Pobres mujeres_!" (poor women!) exclaimed she, as she drew her +fingers through the ebony locks that already replaced the long luxuriant +tresses she had sacrificed. "_Pobres mujeres_! They have not had, as +I, the good fortune to make the sacrifice for the life of those they +loved." + +After this occurrence, months passed, without her receiving any news of +Don Rafael; and her cheek, gradually growing paler, with the blue +circles darkening around her eyes, bore witness to the mental torment +she was enduring. + +For the long period of two years this agony continued--the young girl in +vain endeavouring to stifle the passion that was devouring her life. +Both spirit and body, enfeebled by solitude, by silence, and the +sedentary character of the life she now led, had not the strength to +continue the struggle much longer. + +Don Rafael had the advantage in this respect. He carried his grief from +one end of the kingdom to the other; and the constant change of scene, +along with the distraction caused by the excitement of battles, were to +him a species of relief. + +Such advantages were wanting to Gertrudis. Happily, however, God has +granted to woman, in a large degree, the virtue of resignation--often +her sole defence against sorrow. + +Gertrudis made no complaint, but suffered in silence--concealing, as +well as she could, the dark chagrin that was consuming her. In long +sleepless nights, when resignation appeared as if it would soon succumb, +a feeble ray of hope would sometimes break upon her spirit, and for the +moment restore its equanimity. + +It was then she thought of her first resource--that which she intended +to make use of when her power of resistance should be gone--that supreme +resource that still existed in the tress of hair she had so carefully +cherished and preserved. + +The sending back to Don Rafael his horse had already cost her a pang. +It had been a step on her part towards compromising the strife between +her love and pride. Still more painful would it be to resort to that +last measure, and avail herself of the permission, alas! so +prophetically asked for. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR. + +TOPOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. + +In proportion as the insurrection spread through the province of Oajaca +did the Royalists increase their watchfulness in the capital; and Don +Mariano, having become suspected of a leaning towards the insurgent +cause, was ordered to leave the place. + +Before taking his departure, he had despatched a messenger--the same +already made mention of--to the hacienda Del Valle. Upon what errand? +We shall know presently. + +On the same day that the messenger had presented himself to the Catalan +lieutenant, and almost at the same hour, Don Rafael Tres-Villas was +galloping as a fugitive through the plain of Huajapam. On that morning, +also, Don Mariano de Silva took his departure from Oajaca, _en route_ +for the hacienda San Carlos. The haciendado was accompanied by his +daughter Gertrudis, borne in a litter, and attended by a number of +mounted domestics. The pale cheeks of the young girl, contrasted with +the purplish circles around her eyes, proclaimed the mental agony she +had endured. + +Finally, on that same day, only at a later hour, another important +personage of our history--the Captain Don Cornelio Lantejas--rode out +from the camp of Morelos--evidently bent upon a journey, as was +testified by the travelling costume that had replaced his military +uniform. He was accompanied by two men, easily recognised as the scouts +Costal and Clara. + +Don Cornelio had been ordered by the insurgent general on a mission, +confidential as it was dangerous. + +The summer solstice was close at hand; and the black and the Indian--the +latter having now accomplished his half century of years--were +discussing between themselves the best plan for raising the Siren of the +dishevelled hair from the waters of the mysterious lake, Ostuta, on +whose banks they expected to encamp, before Don Cornelio had finally +accomplished his mission. + +Although this mission was of a secret and confidential character, it +will be no betrayal of confidence on our part to state at once what it +was. + +The taking of the capital of Oajaca would not only render Morelos master +of the whole province, but of all the southern part of New Spain--from +the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. The insurgent general was, +therefore, anxious to complete this magnificent conquest before the +closing of that year's campaign. + +Nevertheless, in the prospect of attacking a town so populous and well +garrisoned as Oajaca, he deemed it prudent to gain some information as +to its actual resources; and it was chiefly upon this errand he had +despatched his aide-de-camp Lantejas. + +The mission of the Captain had another object, of secondary importance, +which, however, was the first to be accomplished. To the honour of the +cause which Morelos upheld, it was of urgent necessity to put an end to +the depredations of the two notorious guerilleros, Arroyo and Bocardo; +whose deeds of cruel atrocity were rapidly producing the effect of +rendering the insurrection as odious to its partisans as to its enemies. +The force which these two leaders had under their command was as little +known as the whereabouts in which they might be found; but their bloody +deeds had rendered them as much dreaded as if a numerous army had been +under their orders. The rapidity of their movements gave them the +opportunity of multiplying, to an indefinite extent, their acts of +ferocity, though at the same time a pursuer in search of them might +easily have found them by the ensanguined track which marked their +passage. + +Arroyo, ever ready to imbrue his hands in blood--no matter whose--seemed +to find a savage pleasure in destroying life; and one of his favourite +habits was to be himself the executioner of his victims. He was endowed +with some brute courage, a quality altogether wanting to his associate, +Antonio Bocardo; for the latter was both cowardly and cruel, though in +general more inclined to robbery than murder. + +Morelos had been apprised of the outrages committed by these two +bandits; and a message to them was one of the commissions with which +Captain Lantejas had been charged. The message was in the form of a +simple threat--it was to say to them, on the part of the insurgent +general, that, unless they discontinued those outrages which had so long +dishonoured the insurgent cause, they should both be drawn and +quartered. + +From the reputation which these two brigands had acquired, of being +little mindful of military authority--as well as on account of the rigid +guard which the Spaniards had established in Oajaca--it will be seen +that we have spoken only the simple truth in saying that the mission of +Captain Lantejas was anything but a safe one. With melancholy mien, +therefore, he traversed the road leading from Huajapam to the Ostuta +river--upon the banks of which it was reported that Arroyo and his band +were at that time encamped. + +Before proceeding farther, it will be necessary to give, at a bird's-eye +view--if we may use the expression--the topography of the country lying +in the triangle between Huajapam, Oajaca, and the Lake Ostuta: for this +is now to become the arena of the future events of our narrative. + +Regarding Huajapam and the town of Oajaca as on the same line, we find a +road running from each--the two gradually converging until they meet. +The point of union is upon the banks of the Ostuta river, not far from +the lake, and where a ford crosses the stream. Before arriving at this +ford, the hacienda Del Valle lies to one side of the Oajaca road, while +about an hour's journey after crossing the river the domain of San +Carlos is reached. These two estates--each embracing an immense tract +of territory--would be contiguous to each other, but for the river which +flows between and separates them. + +Arroyo, having returned to the neighbourhood, with the number of his +followers augmented by recent successes, as well as by the more +favourable prospects of the insurrection, had sworn not to leave a stone +of the hacienda Del Valle standing in its place; and to accomplish this +vow was the object of his presence on the banks of the Ostuta. + +His band, divided into two encampments, held both sides of the river, +just by the crossing. Thus disposed, he could direct himself at will +either against San Carlos or Del Valle. + +It was not only possible, but probable, that the messenger of Don +Mariano de Silva, going from Del Valle to Huajapam, would meet Don +Rafael coming in the opposite direction, and about half way; since, as +already stated, both had set out about the same time. It was also +likely enough that Don Mariano and his daughter, _en route_ for San +Carlos, would encounter Captain Lantejas, travelling from Huajapam +somewhere not far from the crossing of the Ostuta. The time at which +both had started on their respective journeys would favour this +probability. Finally, Don Rafael, making for the hacienda Del Valle, +unless some accident should detain him, might meet all those personages +almost at the same instant of time. + +The principal characters of our history would thus be once more united +on the banks of the Ostuta. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE. + +SUNRISE IN THE TROPICS. + +On the fourth day after the siege of Huajapam, let the reader fancy +himself transported to the banks of the Ostuta, where he will behold one +of the most magnificent natural landscapes of American scenery. + +The sun has not yet risen, and the _maipouri_ (tapir), before seeking +his forest lair, plunges once more under the shadowy waves of the river. +The Mexican roebuck, more timid than the tapir, trembling at the +slightest sound among the leaves, watches while drinking for the first +signs of daybreak--its signal to conceal itself in the thickets of +sassafras and tall ferns. The solitary heron, standing statue-like upon +its long legs, and the red flamingoes ranged in silent ranks, await, on +the contrary, the coming of the dawn to commence their matutinal +fishery. + +There is a profound silence over all, save those vague sounds heard at +this hour even in the most solitary places--where the different guests +of the forest, according to their nature, are either awaking to begin +their day, or retiring to their haunts for rest and concealment. + +Although the darkness of night has disappeared, the eye cannot yet make +out, amidst the whitish vapour that overhangs the stream, with what +species of vegetation its banks are adorned. The crowns of palm-trees +rising high above the other foliage--like noble knights of the olden +time above the melee of common warriors--can alone be distinguished. To +a superficial observer, the banks of the Ostuta might appear as much of +a solitude as in those days before the children of Europe had set foot +upon American soil; but the eye of one scrutinising the scene more +narrowly would discover this deserted appearance to be altogether a +deception. + +Along the right bank of the river--near its main crossing--might be +distinguished a number of scattered fires, scintillating through the +nocturnal vapour, like stars in a cloud-covered sky. + +On the left bank also, and opposite the first, others appear, +irregularly gleaming along the edge of the river. Both lines of fires +betoken an encampment--the same, though separated into two divisions by +the stream. + +At a considerable distance from the crossing, and contiguous to the road +leading from Huajapam to the hacienda Del Valle, in the midst of a +little glade, might be seen a group of eight horsemen, at the moment +apparently engaged in some consultation among themselves. Still nearer +to the river, and at the distance of some three or four hundred yards +from this group, two pedestrian travellers appeared, cautiously +advancing along the road, where it wound through an extensive wood of +guiacum and cedrela trees. + +Finally, between the eight horsemen and the two foot travellers, and at +about mid-distance from each party, a single individual might have been +seen, who could not be called either horseman or pedestrian, and who +could neither be said to be occupied in any way. In fact, this +personage was fast asleep, though in a most singular situation and +attitude: that is to say, fast bound with a scarf of scarlet silk +between the two main branches of a tree, and at a height of over ten +feet from the ground. + +The thick foliage so completely concealed him, however, that an Indian +spy might have passed under the tree without suspecting his presence. + +The individual who occupied this aerial couch was no other than Colonel +Don Rafael Tres-Villas. + +There are occasions when extreme bodily fatigue has the effect of +causing apprehension in the spirit; and Don Rafael had found himself in +one of these occasions. + +Wearied, after three days' journey under a hot sun, and having had no +sleep on the night before setting out, in spite of the uncomfortable +position in which he had placed himself, Don Rafael was enjoying that +deep repose which is often granted to the tired soldier, even on the eve +of a sanguinary battle. + +Leaving him, therefore, to indulge in his lofty siesta, and passing to +some distance from the spot, and along the road leading to Oajaca, we +shall encounter another group, differing from any yet mentioned. At a +short distance from the river Ostuta, and near the lake of this name, a +little before daybreak, might be seen a small party of travellers, about +to resume their journey interrupted for the night. From the haste +exhibited in making preparations for departure from their bivouac, it +would appear as if they were in dread of some danger. Two of them were +busy in extinguishing the remains of a fire, lest its light might still +betray them; two others saddled the horses; while a fifth, who stood by +the half-opened curtains of a _litera_, appeared to be reassuring a +young lady who was inside. + +It is scarce necessary to say that the travellers in question were Don +Mariano de Silva, his daughter, and their domestics. + +In the midst of the solitudes of transatlantic scenery, there are two +solemn hours out of the twenty-four, in which all created nature seems +more especially to rejoice--the hours of sunrise and sunset. + +The eternal horologe is about to sound the first. A fresh breeze +arising, gently stirs the leaves of the trees, and, playing over the +surface of the water, dispels the nocturnal vapours. The eastern sky is +becoming tinged with bright yellow streaks, mixed with the purple of the +aurora, which proclaims the approach of the rising sun. His coming is +saluted by the voices of myriads of bright birds that flutter among the +trees of the forest. + +The jackal flying to his den, utters his parting growl, and the funereal +voices of the night-birds are heard for the last time. The maipouri and +roebuck have already disappeared within the thickets, where they have +chosen their respective dens. + +Finally, the clouds redden like the wings of the flamingoes, as the sun, +shooting upward, gleams with golden brilliance upon the fronds of the +palms, and discloses in all their splendid variety the trees of the +American forest. + +The tall ebony trees, with their bunches of golden flowers, the guiacums +and perfumed liquidambars--like pyramids of solid vegetation--the +mahogany and cedrela trees, and the princely palms towering over +gigantic tree-ferns, and fanciful festoons of parasitical climbers, that +form a flowery cortege around their stems. + +In the midst of the almost impenetrable labyrinths formed by these +various kinds of trees, glades may here and there be encountered, and +paths leading from one to another, trodden only by wild animals, or +savage bulls, the descendants of those introduced by the great Cortez +into the province of Oajaca. These, maddened by thirst, may be seen +pressing through the thick undergrowth towards the river, or standing, +half immersed, with their black muzzles buried under water. Here and +there pieces of the flowery turf, detached by their hooves, float down +the stream, while birds alighting upon these miniature islets, joyfully +flap their wings, as if celebrating a triumphal procession upon the +water. + +Such, in all its primitive splendour, was the aspect of the Ostuta on +the morning in question, at that solemnal hour, when the sun proclaimed +his presence upon the eastern horizon. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY SIX. + +THE BANDIT CAMP. + +The bivouac fires appearing by the ford of the Ostuta were those of +Arroyo and his guerilla. + +At sunrise, this temporary encampment of the guerilleros presented a +scene sufficiently animated and picturesque. A hundred men might be +seen occupying themselves in grooming their horses. This they did in +the most primitive fashion, some rubbing them down with bunches of dry +grass, others with the first stone that offered, while still others, +mounted on the bare backs of the animals, were swimming them through the +stream, in order to wash and refresh them. On the bank the saddles were +placed in a sort of irregular alignment, in the midst of bales of goods +laid open, and of which only the coverings remained upon the ground, to +tell of plunder taken from some unfortunate _arriero_. + +On the right bank of the river--that side on which lay the hacienda San +Carlos--was the principal encampment. There stood a large, +rudely-shaped tent, constructed out of the covers of the despoiled +packages--pieces of coarse hempen canvas and sack cloth, woven from the +fibres of the maguey. + +Two guerilleros, armed from head to foot, with carbines, swords, +pistols, and knives, mounted guard on each side of it, pacing to and +fro, but at such a distance from the tent that neither could hear what +might be said within. + +This rude marquee was the head-quarters of the two leaders, Arroyo and +Bocardo, both of whom were at that moment inside. They were seated upon +the skulls of bullocks, which served them for chairs, each smoking a +cigarette rolled in the husk of Indian corn. From the attitude +presented by Arroyo--his eyes bent upon the ground, which was cut up by +the long heavy rowels of his spurs, it was evident that his astute +associate was employing arguments to influence him to some deed of +crime. + +"Most certainly," said the latter, with an air of drollery, "I am +disposed to do justice to the good qualities of the Senora Arroyo; they +are truly admirable. When a man is wounded, she volunteers to sprinkle +red pepper over his wounds. Nothing can be more touching than the way +she intercedes for the prisoners we condemn to death--that is, that they +may be put to death as slowly as may be--I mean as gently as possible." + +"Ah, that is not selfishness on her part," interrupted the husband. +"She does so to please me rather than herself--poor thing." + +"True, she is greatly devoted to you--a worthy woman, indeed! Still, +camarado," continued Bocardo with a hesitation that told he had finished +speaking the praises of Madame Arroyo; "you will acknowledge she is +neither young nor very pretty." + +"Well--say she is old and ugly," answered Arroyo, "she suits my purpose +for all that." + +"That's strange enough." + +"It's less strange than you think for. I have my reasons. She shares +with me the execration of the public; and if I were a widower--" + +"You would have to bear it all on your own shoulders. Bah! they are +broad enough for that!" + +"True," replied Arroyo, flattered at the compliment, "but you, _amigo_, +have also a share of that load. It isn't often that the name of Arroyo +is cursed, without that of Bocardo being mixed up in the malediction." + +"Ah, there are too many lying tongues in this world!" + +"Besides," continued the brigand, returning to the subject of Madame +Arroyo, "I have another good reason for wishing that no harm should come +to my wife. She is in possession of a scapulary, blessed by the Pope of +Rome; which has the wonderful power of causing the husband of whatever +woman may carry it to die at the same time that his wife does." + +"Oh!" rejoined Bocardo in a tone of repudiation, "I did not mean that +you should kill the Senora Arroyo--nothing of the kind. My idea is that +she should be sent to a convent of penitents, where she might occupy her +time in praying for the salvation of her soul, as well as that of her +husband. Then replace her by a pretty young damsel, with eyes and hair +as black as night, lips as red as the flowers of the grenadine, and skin +as white as the _floripondio_. Now you can tell what for the last +half-hour I have been killing myself to make you comprehend." + +"And do you know of such a pretty young damsel?" inquired Arroyo after +an interval of silence, which proved that the arguments of his associate +were not lost upon him. + +"Of course I do, and so do you as well--one that you could lay your +hands on at any moment." + +"Where?" + +"Where? At the hacienda of San Carlos. Where else should she be?" + +"You mean the Dona Marianita de Silva?" + +"Precisely so." + +"_Mil demonios, camarado_! Do you intend us to save every hacienda in +the country? Of course it is for the sake of pillaging the house, that +you wish me to possess myself of its mistress?" + +"The owner of San Carlos is a Spaniard," rejoined Bocardo, without +making any direct reply to the insinuation of his associate. "It would +surely be no great crime to take either the wife or property of a +_Gachupino_." + +"Hold, _amigo_! that Gachupino is as great a friend to the insurgent +cause as you or I. He has furnished us with provisions, and--" + +"True; but he does it out of pure fear. How can you suppose that any +one is a true insurgent, who has chests filled with bags of dollars, +drawers crammed with silver plate, and besides," added Bocardo to +conceal his true designs, "such a pretty young wife by his side. Bah! +we were fools that we did not also take Don Mariano's two daughters from +him, at the same time that we disembarrassed him of his plate. We +should have been better off now, and I too should have possessed a +beautiful creature, whereas I am still a solitary bachelor. But it's my +luck, camarado, always to sacrifice my own interests to yours!" + +"Look here, Bocardo!" said the brigand leader after a moment of pensive +silence, in which he appeared to reflect upon the proposals of his +astute associate, "we shall get ourselves into trouble, if we carry on +in this fashion. It may end in our being hunted down like a pair of +wild beasts." + +"We have a hundred and fifty devoted followers," simply replied the +other, "every one of them brave and true as his dagger." + +"Well!" said Arroyo, still speaking in a reflective tone, "I do not say, +but--I shall think it over." + +The eyes of Bocardo flashed with a fierce joy as he perceived the +undecided bearing of his associate. Well knew he that, before the end +of that day, he should be able to obtain Arroyo's full consent and +co-operation in the dark and terrible deed he had designed to +accomplish. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN. + +A REAL VIRAGO. + +The two brigands remained for some time without saying a word, both +reflecting on the scheme of murder and pillage which they now +premeditated. At this moment the tent flap was raised, and a figure +appeared in the entrance. It was a woman of masculine mien--a true +virago--robust and hale; but whose countenance betrayed the ravage of +evil passions rather than time. Her coarse hair clubbed around her +head, and held in its place by a large tortoiseshell comb with gold +pendants, showed no sign of advanced age. It was black as ebony. +Around her neck were hung numerous chains of gold and glass beads, to +which were attached a number of crosses, scapularies, and other golden +ornaments; but in spite of this gaudy adorning her countenance was +hideous to behold, and did not belie the portrait of Arroyo's wife which +had been sketched by Bocardo, for it was she. As she presented herself +at the opening of the tent, rage was depicted in her countenance, +exhibiting itself in the swollen veins of her neck and forehead, and in +the rolling of her bloodshot eyes. + +"A shame on you!" cried she, casting on Bocardo, whom she both hated and +despised, the angry look she feared to give her husband, "a shame on +you, that after the oath you have taken, there should still remain a +stone of this nest of vipers, or a man to defend it!" + +"Well--what now?" demanded Arroyo, in an ill-humoured tone. "What nest +of vipers are you speaking of?" + +"The hacienda Del Valle--what other should it be? There our men--the +greater number of them at least--have been besieging it for three days +without any result. No, not without result, for I've just this moment +learnt that three of our people have been killed in a sortie, and that +this accursed Catalan, who commands the place, has nailed their heads +over the door of the hacienda!" + +"Who has told you this?" quickly demanded Arroyo. + +"Gaspacho. He is outside awaiting your orders. He has been sent to ask +for a reinforcement." + +"By all the devils!" cried Arroyo in a rage. "Woman! who has given you +the privilege of interrogating the couriers that are sent me?" + +As he put this interrogatory the brigand sprang to his feet; and, +seizing the bullock's skull upon which he had been seated, made a motion +as if he would crush with it that of his amazonian partner. Perhaps, +influenced by the late councils of Bocardo, he would have decided on +bearing the public execration upon his own shoulders, had it not been +for that scapulary blessed by the Pope, and whose fatal influence he at +the moment remembered. + +Bocardo paid no attention to the threatening demonstration of his +associate, but sat phlegmatically silent. + +"_Maria Santissima_!" exclaimed the virago, as she retreated before the +angry menace of her husband. "Will you not protect me, Senor Bocardo?" + +"Hum!" replied the latter, without moving from his seat, "you know the +proverb, worthy Senora? Between the tree and the bark--you understand? +These little domestic broils--" + +"Must not occur any more," interposed Arroyo, quieting down; "and now, +Senora," continued he, addressing himself to his helpmate, "before +receiving Gaspacho, I have a commission for you to execute." + +"What may that be?" brusquely demanded the woman, elevating her tone in +proportion as that of her husband became lowered. + +"It is a magnificent scheme conceived by me," interrupted Bocardo. + +"Ah!" exclaimed the virago, "if you had only as much courage as +intelligence, Senor Bocardo!" + +"Bah! Arroyo has courage enough for both of us." + +"That," said Arroyo, suddenly turning his anger upon his associate, who +had not the advantage of possessing a charmed scapulary, "that is as +much as to say that you have the intelligence for both of us?" + +"God forbid I should either say or think so," rejoined Bocardo in an +humble tone; "you are as intelligent as you are brave, Senor Arroyo." + +"Wife!" continued Arroyo, without appearing to listen to the fulsome +flattery of his associate, "go and interrogate once more the prisoner we +have taken. Find out if possible what errand he was on--" + +"The bird still sings the same tune," responded the woman; "he repeats +that he is in the service of Don Mariano de Silva; and that he is the +bearer of a message to that mad Colonel, as you call him, Don Rafael +Tres-Villas." + +At this hated name the shade deepened upon the brow of the bandit. + +"Have you found out what this message is?" he inquired. + +"The fellow insists upon it that it is of no importance. What do you +suppose I found in his pockets, when we were searching him?" + +"A vial of poison, perhaps?" + +"No; but something equally droll. A packet carefully put up, enclosing +a small cambric handkerchief, sweetly scented with perfume, and inside +this a tress of hair--a woman's hair, long and beautiful, by my faith!" + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Bocardo, in a significant tone; "and what have you +done with it, Madame Arroyo?" + +"What should I have done with it?" said the virago, with a disdainful +toss of her head--"what but fling it back in the face of the messenger-- +the worthless thing. No doubt it is a love-token sent to this colonel +of the devil." + +"The messenger took it back then?" + +"Ah, indeed--with as much eagerness as if it had been a chain of gold." + +"So much the better," said Bocardo, with a significant gesture. "I have +an idea," he continued, "if I am not mistaken--a superb idea! With this +messenger and this love-token, we can give the Colonel Tres-Villas a +rendezvous, where, instead of meeting his sweetheart, he may tumble into +the middle of a score of our fellows, who may take him alive without the +slightest difficulty. The thing's as good as done. Only put me in +communication with this messenger, and I'll answer for the rest. What +say you, Arroyo? What shall we do with the Colonel Tres-Villas?" + +"Burn him over a slow fire--roast him alive!" responded the guerillero, +with an expression of ferocious joy. + +"But your wife will intercede for him?" ironically added Bocardo. + +"_Carrambo_! Yes!" exclaimed the hag, "to burn him over the slow fire, +and roast him alive--that I shall." + +And with a hideous laugh she walked out of the tent to give place to +Gaspacho, who the next moment entered. + +The courier thus named had all the appearance of an original character. +He was tall and thin as the blade of a rapier, with a cynical expression +of countenance, and long snaky tresses of hair hanging down over his +shoulders, like thongs of smoked leather. + +"Speak!" commanded Arroyo, as he entered. "Thou bearer of evil tidings, +what have you to tell us now?" + +"Perhaps, Senor Captain," responded the brigand, who, notwithstanding +his habitual air of importance, was evidently cowed by the scowl of his +superior, "perhaps I have some good news as well?" + +"First, then, deliver your bad ones!" + +"Well, then, Senor Captain, there are not enough of us to take this +hacienda by assault. The den of coyotes has proved stronger than we +expected; and I am sent to ask for a reinforcement of men." + +"Who has sent you?--Lieutenant Lantejas?" + +"Lieutenant Lantejas will never send another message. This morning his +head was nailed over the gate of the hacienda along with that of +Sergeant Yanez." + +"Tripes of the fiend!" exclaimed the guerilla leader, "Yanez, too!" + +"Their heads are not the only ones, Captain. Besides them are those of +Salinas and Tuerto, to say nothing of Matavidas, Sacamedios, and +Piojento, who were taken prisoners and hung alive by the feet from the +parapet of the building. We had to fire at them and kill them with our +carbines, in order to put an end to their sufferings." + +"They deserved it--a fig for their lives! Why did they allow themselves +to be taken alive?" + +"That's just what I told them," said Gaspacho, with an air of assent. +"I warned them that your honour would be very angry about it. But they +did not mind what I said for all that." + +"So then there are now only forty-four of you laying siege to the +accursed place?" + +"Your pardon, Captain. I did not yet mention four others who have been +hung up by the necks. Upon these we were not obliged to spend our +powder--as they were dead enough already." + +"_Carajo_!" vociferated the brigand with a furious accent. "Ten of my +men gone already! _Demonios_! Am I to lose this band like the other? +Go on! You have given me enough of ill news. Let me hear some of what +you call good ones!" + +"Yesterday evening a horseman approached the hacienda riding towards it, +as if he had nothing to do but present himself at the gate and be +admitted. Before getting near, however, he was seen by two of our +videttes, who at once charged upon him. After a fight, in which the +horseman made a fierce resistance, he managed to escape." + +"_Carajo_!--the stupids!" + +"Don't be angry with the poor fellows, Senor Captain. I assure you they +did not let him go without a struggle, which ended in one of them +getting his shoulder fractured by a pistol-shot, and the other having +his horse fall under him. Pressed by the latter, the Royalist horseman +turned upon him, and rushing against his horse, brought the animal to +the ground. Then grasping the vidette by the collar, he lifted him +clean out of his stirrups, and dashed him to the earth, as one would do +a cocoa-nut to break its shell. It was full two hours before the poor +fellow came to his senses." + +"I know only one man strong enough to accomplish that feat," said +Bocardo, turning pale--"the damned Colonel Tres-Villas. It was just in +that way that he killed Antonio Valdez." + +"It was Colonel Tres-Villas," added Gaspacho. "Pepe Lobos is sure of +it. He heard the snorting of that strange horse--the same he rode upon +the day he came to Las Palmas. Besides, Pepe recognised his figure, and +the sound of his voice--notwithstanding that it was in the night. Ten +of our men have gone in pursuit of him, and by this he ought to be +taken." + +"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed the guerillero chief, turning his eyes towards +heaven, "I promise you a wax candle as big as a palm tree, if this man +falls into our hands!" + +"As big as a palm tree!" exclaimed Bocardo in astonishment.--"Camarado, +do you mean it?" + +"Hush!" said the other in a low voice. "Hold your tongue, Bocardo; it's +only to humbug the Virgin!" + +"Well," replied Bocardo, "whether they capture him or not, it don't much +matter. We shall take him all the same. If I understand his history, +and the meaning of the message which this coyote has for him, he can be +lured by it to the farthest corner of the earth." + +At this moment the wife of Arroyo re-entered the tent, her face +exhibiting a still stronger expression of fury than before. + +"The cage is empty!" cried she, "the bird has flown, and along with it +the guardian left to watch it--the worthless Juan de Zapote!" + +"Blood and fire!" vociferated Arroyo, "quick, pursue them! Hola!" +continued he, raising the flap of his tent, "twenty men to horse! Scour +the woods and the river banks. Bring back the two fugitives bound hand +and foot. Above all, bring them back _alive_!" + +The order created a brisk movement throughout the camp, where each +seemed to compete with his fellow as to who should be the first to enter +on the pursuit. + +"_Jesus Santo_!" muttered Bocardo to himself, "if this Colonel should +escape, and also the messenger, adieu to all my fine combinations! +Well!" he continued, after the wife of Arroyo had gone out of the tent +to hasten the departure of the pursuers. "Well, Senor Arroyo! if he +should get away from us it will be a great pity sure enough. Still we +shall find consolation at the hacienda San Carlos." + +"True," replied the other, "and I have need of some distraction just +now. This evening I mean to amuse myself. To-morrow we shall storm the +fortress of Del Valle with all our force; and may the devil scorch me, +if I leave one stone of it standing upon another!" + +"Yes; to-morrow let us set seriously about it," said Bocardo, gleefully +rubbing his hands together. "But see!" he continued, glancing out of +the tent, "our fellows are ready to start. If you take my advice, +instead of twenty men, you'll send only ten. That will be quite +sufficient to capture those two droll devils who have escaped from us. +After you have sent the reinforcement to Del Valle we'll have no great +number of men to remain at head-quarters here." + +The guerillero chief yielded to the counsel of his associate; and +choosing from the horsemen that were ready ten of the best mounted, he +directed them to enter upon the pursuit. The others were at the same +time ordered to proceed to the hacienda Del Valle to reinforce the party +already besieging the place. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT. + +AN UNEXPECTED RECEPTION. + +From that portion of Gaspacho's report which related to Don Rafael +Tres-Villas, the reader will easily guess the purpose of the eight +horsemen assembled in the glade of the forest of Ostuta: they were no +other than the soldiers who from the besieging party had gone in pursuit +of the Royalist Colonel. It will be remembered, however, that ten was +the number mentioned by Gaspacho, while only eight now composed the +group that occupied the clearing. + +We shall presently learn how their number became thus reduced: but first +let us recount the adventures of Don Rafael himself--from the time of +his quitting the camp of Huajapam, to the moment when we find him asleep +upon his arboreal couch. + +As soon as the song of triumph raised by the soldiers of Trujano had +ceased to echo in his ears, Don Rafael proceeded to reflect upon his own +situation. He perceived at once that, in order to traverse with safety +some thirty leagues of a country almost entirely in the hands of the +insurgents, certain precautions would be absolutely necessary. His +gold-laced uniform, his helmet, all his equipments, in short, would +betray him to an insurgent enemy. Moreover he was badly armed--having +broken his sword in the conflict; and for such a perilous journey it was +necessary to be provided with better weapons than a dagger and pistols. + +He knew it was impossible to return to his marquee to re-equip himself. +The camp was already filled with the insurgent soldiers, and no doubt +his tent had been pillaged long before that time. + +After a moment's reflection it occurred to him that on the field of +battle--that part of it most distant from Huajapam, where Callejas had +sustained the first shock of Morelos' army--he might find the necessary +articles he desired; and turning a little out of his course, he directed +himself thither. + +His judgment proved correct. A two-edged sword soon rewarded his +search; and he was able to exchange for his dragoon helmet the felt hat +of an insurgent soldier, with a brass front-plate, bearing in ill-formed +letters the inscription, _Independencia o' muerte_! + +Scornfully tearing off the tablet and trampling it under his feet, Don +Rafael placed the felt hat upon his head, and continued his +explorations. Shortly after he exchanged the _jaqueta_ of an insurgent +soldier for his cavalry uniform; and then looking to the state of his +pistols, and seeing that his cartridge-box was well garnished he put +spurs to Roncador and rode briskly away from the ground. + +It is not necessary to detail the many precautions which he adopted from +hour to hour to keep out of the hands of the insurgents, who were on all +sides scouring the country through which he had to pass. Suffice it to +say that for the most part he journeyed only by night. Even travelling +thus, he was not always safe; and more than once he found occasion to +employ all the courage and presence of mind with which Nature had +endowed him. + +On the evening of the third day, just at the hour of twilight, he +arrived in the neighbourhood of his own hacienda. He was expecting soon +to be in security within its walls, when the two videttes already +mentioned perceived and rushed forward to capture him. This behaviour +was in conformity with the orders of Arroyo, who had commanded that +every one seen near the hacienda should be made prisoner and brought +into his presence. + +Don Rafael was at first uncertain as to the enemy with which he had to +deal; but he was not the man to submit tamely to conduct so brusque and +uncourteous as was that of the videttes. His resistance ended in +putting both of them _hors de combat_; but the circumstances of the +encounter, for certain reasons, had been somewhat misrepresented by +Gaspacho. + +It is true that one of the two soldiers had his shoulder fractured by a +shot; but the bullet had also passed so near his heart, that the man was +dead in an hour after. As to the other, it was true that the Colonel +dashed him to the ground as described; but, before doing so, he had +taken the precaution to plunge his dagger into the breast of this second +adversary. + +Although he had left both deprived of the power to give the alarm, +unfortunately the report of his pistol had betrayed his presence to the +guerilleros. In a few moments half a score of them were riding in +pursuit; for, by the orders of their chief, one half their horses were +kept saddled and bridled both day and night. + +After disembarrassing himself of his two adversaries, the Colonel had +hesitated a moment, as to whether he should return on his path or +continue on to the hacienda. It was during this interval of hesitation +that the pursuing horsemen drew near, and that one of them (Pepe Lobos +by name) caught sight of and recognised him, while the snorting of +Roncador as he galloped off confirmed the guerillero in his belief. + +It is likely enough that the extreme hatred which Arroyo bore for the +Colonel was at this crisis the means of saving his life. The +guerilleros, knowing the desire of their chief that Tres-Villas should +be captured alive, reflected upon the rich recompense they might expect +if they should so take him. Otherwise the volley of carbine shots, +which they would have delivered on the instant, might have terminated +the existence of their dreaded foe. + +On seeing the horsemen, Don Rafael suddenly wheeled round and galloped +back as he had come. His hope lay in being able to distance his +pursuers, and afterwards find a temporary refuge in the thick forest he +had just been traversing, and through which ran the road to Huajapam. +With this purpose in view, he returned along the route at full gallop. + +When he deemed himself at a sufficient distance in advance of his +pursuers, he wheeled suddenly from the road and headed his steed into +the thick underwood, through which he spurred onward, until his passage +was fairly barred up by an impenetrable network of vines and bushes. +Here he halted; and, dismounting, led his horse to a tree. He then +commenced groping about, to find some spot where he might in safety +obtain a few hours of repose, after the fatigues he had encountered +during the day. + +A few paces further on he perceived a cedrela tree of gigantic +dimensions, and so thickly loaded with leaves that it seemed to promise +a secure hiding-place among its branches. Still apprehensive that his +pursuers might discover his track, Don Rafael resolved to climb the +cedrela, whose dark foliage would screen him from the sharpest eyes. On +approaching the tree, he perceived by the vast circumference of its +trunk that he could not climb up by embracing it. Neither could he +reach to even the lowest of its limbs. A means, however, presented +itself of getting over the difficulty. + +An enormous lliana, stretching from among the top branches, reached the +ground in a diagonal direction; and up this Don Rafael was enabled to +make his ascent. + +Placing his body between two large boughs, he disposed himself, as best +he could, to pass the remainder of the night, leaving it for the day to +bring him to some further determination. + +He commenced reflecting upon the pursuit. He was in hopes that his +pursuers, having lost his track, might separate into small parties of +two or three, in order the more thoroughly to scour the woods. In this +case, he might be able to defeat the whole party, taking them in detail, +and favoured by his own superior courage and strength, in which he felt +the most perfect confidence. + +The night had already advanced, and the moon from the high vault of the +starry heavens poured down her floods of light over the spray of the +forest. A few feeble raylets, penetrating through the thick masses of +foliage, reached the retreat where Don Rafael had hidden himself. + +He remained for some moments listening attentively. He could hear +nothing--at least no sound that betokened the presence of human beings. +The breeze sighing among the leaves, the distant howl of the coyote, the +sweet note of the mimic night-thrush, or perchance the rustling caused +by the iguana as it scampered over the dead leaves, were the only sounds +that broke the stillness of the night. + +The fresh balmy air that he was breathing, the shadow of night that +enwrapped him, the imposing tranquillity that reigned around, all +conspired to beget the desire for repose. He felt his eyelids gradually +grow heavier and heavier; and after a while an invincible torpor seized +upon his whole frame. + +Without being in any great degree uneasy about his situation, Don Rafael +nevertheless felt the necessity of keeping awake as long as he might be +able. With this intent he struggled for a time against sleep, but in +vain. Seeing that it was about to overpower him, he unwound the sash +from his waist, and with this attached himself firmly between the +branches. Having thus provided against the danger of a fall, he +surrendered himself the moment after to a profound and silent slumber. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTY NINE. + +A CARELESS SEARCH. + +Most of the guerilleros of the band of Arroyo were country-people-- +rancheros, vaqueros, and the like. Many of them, from their habits of +life, were skilled in following the tracks of animals. It was not +likely, therefore, they should fail to discover the place where the +Colonel had turned off from the road; and in reality they perceived it, +and there came to a halt. The uncertain light of the moon, however, +hindered them from following his tracks through the underwood; and, +unable to guess the direction he had taken, they remained for some +minutes deliberating on what was best to be done. + +To go forward in a body would be to diminish the chances of finding his +traces--more especially if they proceeded on horseback. It was +resolved, therefore, that all should dismount; and, separating into +twos, thus scour the thicket in front. Afterwards, if unsuccessful in +their search, they were to reunite in the glade where they had picketed +their horses. + +This resolution was carried out; and in pairs the guerilleros scattered +off into the wood. + +Although adopting all necessary measures of prudence, on account of the +terrible name of him they were in search of, at first the pursuers +conscientiously performed their work. By little and little, however, +their ardour became abated; and then a very similar idea presented +itself to the minds of all of them at the same time. They remembered +how easily the Colonel had overcome his two adversaries, the videttes; +and it now occurred to them that _they_ had acted very rashly in thus +weakening their strength by division. + +As it would never do to return at once to the appointed rendezvous, each +couple perceived the necessity of allowing some time to elapse before +going back, for the sake of saving appearances. They continued their +search, therefore; but rather by way of passing the time than with any +ardour in the accomplishment of their original design. + +"_Carrambo_! what a lovely moon!" remarked Pepe Lobos to his partner in +the search; "it gives me an idea--" + +"That the Colonel may see us before we discover him?" interrupted his +companion. + +"Bah! nothing of the kind," rejoined Pepe; "that devil of a royalist is +not to be found. What I was thinking of is, that, since it is almost as +clear as daylight, there's a good opportunity for your showing me that +which you have so long promised." + +"What is it, camarado?" + +"The trick of cards by which one may always win an _albur_ at monte." + +"Of course I cannot show you without having the cards." + +"But I have them, hombre--a brand-new pack too." + +"Ah! it is easier to do that trick with an old pack," replied Pepe's +comrade with a knowing shrug of the shoulders. "However, since I have +promised you, and, as you justly remark, there is no chance of finding +this royalist colonel, I agree to your request." + +The two insurgents seated themselves on the turf--in a spot where the +moon fell with a clear light--and Pepe Lobos, having drawn a pack of +cards from his pocket, the lesson commenced. Between the ardour of the +master and the docility of the pupil, the lesson was prolonged to such a +time, that the Colonel, asleep between his two branches, could have +dreamt all the dreams that might present themselves to his imagination +before either of these worthies was likely to awaken him. + +Not far distant two others of the searchers put in practice, as regards +Don Rafael, a very similar courtesy. + +"So, Suarez," said the first of these two to the other, "five hundred +dollars, isn't it, that the Captain promises the man who may take this +royalist colonel alive?" + +"Yes," replied Suarez, "five hundred dollars, and a good round sum it +is. But should one get an arm shot off, or a leg disabled, in capturing +the _demonio_, will the Captain allow anything extra for that, do you +think?" + +"Ah! I can't say. I should fancy so." + +"Well, then, hear me, friend Suarez. I have no doubt it will be a good +thing; and for you who are married and have a family to support, this +five hundred dollars would be a windfall. I am single, and don't +require it. I am therefore willing to surrender my chance to you, and +you can look for the Colonel by yourself." + +Saying this, the soldier stretched himself along the grass, and disposed +himself for a sleep. + +"For the last two nights," continued he, "I haven't had a wink, and I +can't keep my eyes open any longer. When you have captured the Colonel, +come back and rouse me; but, whether you take him or no, mind you, good +Suarez, come this way and wake me before daylight--else I may sleep too +long." + +"Coward!" exclaimed Suarez, "I shall keep on without you, and get the +reward for myself." + +The answer to these remarks was a loud snore, for Suarez' comrade had +fallen asleep on the instant. + +Of the ten enemies of Don Rafael three had thus withdrawn themselves +from the pursuit. + +Two others, at no great distance off, held the following conversation. + +"_Santissima_!" exclaimed one, looking up to the sky. "Did you ever see +a moon so ridiculously clear? This Royalist Colonel, if hidden about +here, cannot fail to see us." + +"That would be unfortunate," rejoined the second. "If he should see us, +he would be certain to make off." + +"Ah! hum!" muttered the first speaker, "I'm not so sure about that: he's +not one of the kind that cares about making off. Have you heard how he +lifted Panchito Jolas out of his stirrups?" + +"Yes; I have myself had some falls from a horse, but when I think of +poor Jolas it makes my blood run cold. _Ave Maria_! did you not hear +something?" + +The two searchers stopped in their tracks, and stood listening: with far +more fear in their hearts than could be in that of him for whom they +were searching. + +It was only a false alarm; but it had the effect of causing them to +betray to one another the dread with which the fame of the Colonel had +inspired them. The mask thus removed, mutual confidence became +established between the two; and both were equally agreed upon the +prudence of at once returning to the appointed rendezvous. + +The other four pursuers continued to advance; but with such easy +nonchalance that in two or three hours afterwards eight of the ten had +returned to the glade, all equally unsuccessful in their search. + +As to the two who were still missing the reason for their absence was +simple enough. As soon as Suarez had parted from his somnolent +companion, the thought occurred to him that since the latter, only a +single man, was so careful of his life, he, being married, and with a +family, had still greater reason for being careful of his. Having given +his companion a proof of his courage, which had cost him nothing, he +resolved to imitate the latter in another respect. After going a +hundred paces farther, he also stretched himself along the grass, and +entered into the land of dreams--perhaps dreaming of his wife; and how +upon his bed of moss he was enjoying the good fortune of escaping from +her ill temper. Before falling asleep he had promised himself to awake +at an early hour, and after rousing his companion to abuse him for his +cowardice. + +Unfortunately for Suarez, he reckoned without his host, when supposing +he could awake himself; and both he and his partner slept, until long +after the other eight had reassembled at the rendezvous, and commenced +deliberating upon a more earnest prosecution of the search. + +The moon had already gone down, and the day was beginning to dawn. The +grey light falling upon the group of insurgent horsemen--dressed in +their half-military, half-peasant costumes, soiled and tattered by long +campaigning--presented a tableau of the most picturesque character. + +Around the glade, their horses, tied to the trees, were endeavouring to +satisfy their hunger by gnawing at the leaves and twigs. Even this +miserable pasture was scarce attainable, on account of the bitts which +the animals still had in their mouths, and which were heard constantly +clanking between their teeth. The eight insurgents had seated +themselves in the centre of the glade; and with their carbines resting +across their knees, and their daggers sticking in their boot tops, were +listening to the discourse of Pepe Lobos. + +"Suarez and Pacheco will never return," continued Pepe, in answer to the +conjectures of his comrades. "It is as good as certain that this +Colonel of Beelzebub has settled the affair with both--just as he did +with poor Panchito Jolas; and since we have searched all night without +finding any trace--" + +"We explored our route with the greatest care!" interrupted one of the +beaters who had exhibited the greatest dread of encountering the +Colonel. + +"We have done the same," added Pepe Lobos. "Ask my partner there. +Although his trace has escaped our observation, it is evident the +Royalist is somewhere in this wood--else what has become of Suarez and +Pacheco? Yes, he is in it yet, be assured; and my advice is that we go +back to the place where he left the main road, and follow the track of +his horse from there. That will be the more likely plan to bring us to +the place where he is at this minute." + +The other seven gave in their consent to this plan, and it was resolved +that it should be carried into execution. + +"As for the reward of five hundred dollars," continued Pepe Lobos, +"that's all very well. But I say vengeance before everything; and we +will do better to kill this fierce devil at once. A fig for the bounty, +say I!" + +"Perhaps the Captain will pay one half, if we bring him in dead?" +suggested one of the insurgents. + +"When we have ascertained exactly where he is hid," continued Pepe, +without heeding the suggestion, "we can then separate into two parties +of four each. One can approach from one side, and the other party in +the opposite direction. We shall thus have him between us; and let +whoever sets eye on him fire at him as at a mad dog. That is the only +way to make sure; besides, if he should be only wounded and we can carry +him to camp with a little life in him, we shall still be entitled to the +reward." + +The counsel of Pepe Lobos met with a universal approbation; and it was +finally resolved that as soon as day had fairly broken, they should all +return to the main road and recommence the search. + +Just as the sun commenced gilding the lofty summits of the palm-trees, +the eight guerilleros scattered themselves along the road to examine the +hoof tracks, and if possible discover the point at which Don Rafael had +turned off into the woods. This was by no means so easily accomplished: +for the ground was now trodden by their own horses in such a fashion +that it seemed impossible to distinguish which of the trails was that of +the Royalist dragoon. A native of Europe would have examined them in +vain; but to a vaquero of Mexico, a gaucho of Chili, or in fact a native +peasant of any part of Spanish-America, it was simply a work of time and +patience. In fact, scarce ten minutes had passed, before Pepe Lobos +called to his comrades to announce that he had discovered the track they +were in search of. + +Besides the hoof-prints of a horse, a twig broken from the branch of a +tree, and some fresh leaves of sassafras laurel lying upon the ground, +showed clearly the place where Don Rafael had passed through the +underwood. + +After following his trail for some paces, all believed that the fugitive +could not be far distant from the spot. The two parties were then +formed: one to advance directly on the trail, the other to make a +circuit and enter the thicket from the opposite direction. + +While the latter was executing the movement agreed upon, the four men +who composed it came suddenly upon the horsemen whom Arroyo had sent in +pursuit of Juan de Zapote and the fugitive messenger. By their known +watchword the two parties of insurgents recognised each other; and, +after joining their forces, they agreed to separate again into three +bodies, and thus advance towards the spot where it was conjectured Don +Rafael might be hidden. Four parties were now closing in upon a common +centre; and just in that centre stood the great cedrela in which Don +Rafael had ensconced himself. + +As all four were acting under a common understanding that the Royalist +Colonel was to be shot down upon sight, it will be perceived that the +position of Don Rafael was now one of imminent danger. The very least +misfortune that seemed to menace him would be to have the opportunity to +die sword in hand--fighting to the death: for this would be far +preferable to falling into the hands of his pitiless foeman, the brigand +Arroyo. With the Royalist Colonel it was in reality a moment of extreme +peril. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY. + +EL ZAPOTE AND GASPAR. + +Just about the moment when Pepe Lobos and his comrades had made their +dispositions for advancing into the thicket, Don Rafael awoke from his +prolonged slumber. On first opening his eyes, the glare of the sunlight +so dazzled them, that he inquired of himself where he was. Presently, +however, objects appeared more distinctly; and he became aware of the +extraordinary situation in which he had placed himself. + +He had scarce time for a single reflection, when his attention was drawn +to a rustling among the leaves at a short distance off; and, looking +diagonally downward, he perceived two men on foot advancing towards the +cedrela. + +On first awaking, he had felt such an extreme lassitude throughout all +his limbs, that he could scarce believe himself to have slept as long as +he had done. The height of the sun, however, proclaimed that he had +slumbered for many hours. + +Notwithstanding the strong desire he had to descend from his +uncomfortable couch, at the sight of the two men he prudently deferred +his intention. He took the precaution, however, to untie the sash that +bound him to the branches--doing this as gently as possible--while he +kept his eyes fixed upon the new-comers, who, to say the least, +presented a suspicious appearance. + +The costume of both was odd enough, and altogether unsuited for +traversing such a thorny jungle as that through which they were passing. +It consisted merely of a shirt and cotton drawers--while each of them +carried in hand a large parcel. Although the night had been dry +throughout, the garments of both pedestrians appeared saturated with +water! + +Without the slightest suspicion that Don Rafael was in the tree, or that +any other human being was near, the two men were nevertheless moving +with cautious steps. Now they looked to the right, and then to the +left, with quick earnest glances--as if they were either searching for +something, or in dread that an enemy might be concealed in the bushes. + +"These droll fellows," said the Colonel to himself, "are either +searching for some one, or fear that some one is searching for them-- +which of the two?" + +He watched them, listening attentively. + +The same reason which had induced Don Rafael to select this part of the +wood as a hiding-place--that is the impenetrability of the thicket that +surrounded it--seemed to have influenced in like manner the two +thinly-clad pedestrians. + +"We had better stop here," said one to the other, as both came to a +halt, "at least until we can put on our clothes again." + +"Agreed," was the response; "but we must make our stay as short as +possible: we should by this time have been far along the road to +Huajapam." + +Each at the same moment untied the parcel which he carried, and which +consisted of his upper garments that had been kept dry. Then stripping +off their wet shirts and drawers, they commenced dressing themselves in +their proper habiliments. + +"So, amigo!" said the first speaker, pointing to a small packet which +the other had been carrying, "that, you tell me, is worth its weight in +gold?" + +"Yes; and you shall soon find that you have nothing to regret in helping +me to escape, and sharing with me the douceur we shall receive on +presenting it. If we are only lucky enough to get away from this +neighbourhood--I have no doubt they will pursue us." + +"We may be certain of that, _compadre_; but don't be uneasy about their +finding us. If we should fall into the hands of any of those who are +besieging Del Valle, trust me for getting clear of them. As they are my +comrades, and don't know yet that I have run away, I shall be able to +mislead them. I can tell them, that I have been sent along with you, to +receive the ransom of one of our prisoners." + +"What if they should carry us back to Arroyo's camp?" + +"Why, in that case we shall both be hanged. What matters it, a little +sooner or later--it is the common lot?" philosophically added Juan el +Zapote--for it was he, in company with the messenger whom he had aided +in making his escape. "Never mind, _compadrito_," he continued in a +more cheering tone, "I shall do my best to get _you_ clear of the scrape +anyhow." + +"_Santa Virgen_!" mentally ejaculated the Colonel. "This droll fellow, +who thinks it is the lot of all men to be hanged sooner or later, +appears to be so sure of the fact, that it would not expose him to much +more risk to conduct me also to a safer harbour." + +And in making this reflection, Don Rafael caught hold of the llianas by +which he had climbed up; and at the risk of leaving some of his garments +behind him, sprang out from between the branches, and dropped down +between the two pedestrians with a suddenness that stupefied them. + +The man who was to pay so dear for the precious packet sent him by +Gertrudis, was now face to face with the messenger who bore it; and yet +neither of them knew the other! + +"Hush!" said the Colonel, taking the initiative, "you have nothing to +fear. I promise you my protection; but first lay down your arms!" + +Zapote had drawn his long dagger, and stood ready to use it against the +first enemy who came near, with that indifference peculiar to one who +believed in the rope or garotte as the necessary termination of his +life. But Don Rafael had at the same instant caught hold of his arm, +which he held with a grasp, that proved he could also become as terrible +an antagonist as he might be a powerful protector. + +"Who are you?" simultaneously inquired the two fugitives. + +"Ah! it might be indiscreet in me to tell you that," replied Don Rafael. +"I am a young man who has just sprung down from the tree above you, as +you may see by my hat still sticking up there among the branches." + +Without letting go his hold of Zapote the Colonel raised himself on his +toes; and, stretching his arm upwards, proceeded to disengage the +insurgent's hat from among the branches. + +"So, amigos!" continued he as soon as he had recovered his hat. "You +are fleeing from the guerilleros of Arroyo? Well--so am I: that is +enough for you to know at present. You are two and I only one; but let +me plainly tell you, that if you do not make common cause with me, I +shall be under the necessity of killing you both. Now you may choose-- +Yes or no!" + +"_Carrambo_!" exclaimed Zapote, not ill pleased with the frank, off-hand +manner of the stranger, "what a capital trader you would make with your +roundabout way of coming to terms! Well, cavallero! what can we do for +you?" + +"Pass me off with these fellows of Arroyo: as you are intending to do +your comrade here. Say that I am charged with the ransom of a prisoner +at the hacienda Del Valle, and thus obtain for me permission to pass the +lines. If you do this, I promise you a recompense. And since you are +both about to share the bounty of some one between you--" + +"Only a little commission," interrupted Zapote; "and if you knew what it +is--" + +"Oh, I have no intention of claiming my third in the reward. I don't +care to know what it is." + +"But you shall know, for all that," replied Zapote, apparently carried +away by an irresistible desire of giving his confidence. "Among +friends--for we are so at present--there should be no concealment." + +"Well, then, what is it?" inquired the Colonel. + +"It is the will of a rich uncle in favour of a nephew who believed +himself disinherited, and to whom we are now taking it. You may fancy +whether we have just grounds for expecting a good perquisite." + +"Are you sure that the will is not a false one?" inquired the Colonel, +not without suspicions as to the veracity of Zapote. + +"Neither of us knows how to read," replied the ex-guerillero, with an +air of affected innocence. + +"But take my word for it, cavallero," he hastily added, "we had better +get out of this place as quickly as we can. We have already lost too +much time." + +"But my horse," objected the Colonel, "what's to be done with him?" + +"Oh, you have a horse? Well, then, the best way is to leave him behind: +he will only embarrass you." + +"He would certainly do so," interrupted the messenger, "if he was like a +horse I once knew. Ah, that was a devil of an animal! If you had only +heard--" + +The man was alluding to a horse he had once seen in the stables of his +master, Don Mariano de Silva, and which was no other than Roncador +himself. He was about to recount the peculiarities of this famous +steed--which would no doubt have led to a recognition between himself +and Don Rafael--when his speech was interrupted by voices heard in +different directions, as if men were approaching the spot from different +sides. + +Both Don Rafael and the messenger interrogated with anxious regard the +countenance of Zapote. + +"_Carrambo_!" exclaimed the latter, "it may be more serious than I +thought." + +The voices had now broken forth into shouts and cries--as if uttered by +men engaged in a chase; and the sounds expressed a sort of vengeful +resolve--on the part of those who uttered them--not to show mercy or +give quarter. + +El Zapote looked for some moments with fixed gaze upon the royalist +fugitive, who with the felt hat of an insurgent, the jacket of an +infantry soldier, and the pantaloons of a dragoon officer, presented a +somewhat motley appearance. + +"You are a man who has just dropped down from a tree," said he. "I will +not deny that fact; but if you are the only one about here, I should say +there is a royalist in this wood, that these fellows are about to hunt +to death." + +"On my side I shall be frank with you," answered Don Rafael. "You have +guessed rightly: I am in the King's cause." + +"These shouts," continued Zapote, "the meaning of which I understand +full well, denote that there is a royalist hidden in these woods, who is +to be taken dead or alive. Have the men who are pursuing you ever seen +you?" + +"I killed two of their number yesterday evening. There were others who, +no doubt, saw me." + +"Then there is no hope of my being able to pass you off as an ordinary +prisoner, like my companion here, who is neither royalist nor +insurgent." + +"It is very doubtful, to say the least," remarked Don Rafael, in a +desponding tone. + +"Altogether impossible; but I can promise you one thing, however: that +we shall not betray you, should we fall in with these pursuers. +Moreover, I shall endeavour to throw them off your scent: for I am +beginning to tire of this brigand life of theirs. On one condition, how +ever." + +"Name it!" said the Colonel. + +"That you will permit us to part company with you. I can do nothing to +save you--you know it--while you may only ruin us, without any profit to +yourself. On the other hand your fate has become in a manner linked +with ours; and to abandon you in the midst of danger would be a baseness +for which I could never pardon myself." + +There was in the words of Zapote an accent of loyalty, which moved the +Colonel to admiration, in spite of himself. + +"Have no care for me," resolutely rejoined Don Rafael. "Go which way +you please without me; and I hope," he added with a smile, "that you +will reach that nephew you speak of, and safely deliver to him his +uncle's will!" + +"After all, _amigo_," he continued in a more serious tone, "I have but +little reason to care for life more than yourself. A little sooner or a +little later, what matters it? Only," added he, smiling, "I should not +exactly fancy to be hanged." + +"Thanks for your permission that we should part from you," said Zapote; +"but, Senor Cavallero, a word before you go. If you take my advice, you +will climb back into that tree where no one will suspect your presence." + +"No," interrupted Don Rafael. "Up there I should be as a jaguar pursued +by hounds--without the power to defend myself; and I am like the +Indians, I wish, on entering the other world, to send as many enemies +before me as possible." + +"Well, then, do better still--make towards the river; keep due south +from this place; and, on reaching the banks of the Ostuta, you will see +a vast thicket of bamboos--in which my comrade and myself have just +found a refuge, and where we might have remained safe from enemies till +the day of judgment, had we not to go forward upon our errand. If you +can only succeed in reaching the bamboos, you are saved." + +Saying this El Zapote, followed by his companion, turned his face +northward, and striking off into the thicket but were soon lost to Don +Rafael's sight. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY ONE. + +THE FUGITIVES IN DANGER. + +El Zapote and his confrere, the messenger, after making a wide detour +through the forest, came out on the Huajapam road. Their intention was +to journey on to Huajapam--where they supposed the royalist army still +held the place in siege, and where they expected to find Colonel +Tres-Villas, to whom the messenger had been sent. Little did either the +ex-guerillero or his companion suspect that it was the colonel himself +from whom they had just parted. + +"By my faith!" remarked the messenger, as they journeyed along, "it's a +pity now that we did not ask that gentleman his name. It is likely +enough that he is some grand officer belonging to the royalist army." + +"Bah!" replied Zapote. "What good would it be to us to know his name? +He's a lost man, I fear. It matters little, therefore, what name he +carries." + +"_Quien sabe_?" doubtingly rejoined the messenger. + +"I am more vexed," continued Zapote, "that we were not able to do +anything for him. It can't be helped, however; and just now, let me +tell you, my brave Gaspar, that we have got to look out for ourselves. +We are yet far from being out of danger." + +The two men pursued their route, gliding silently and cautiously under +the shadow of the underwood. + +Scarce ten minutes had elapsed when they again heard the voices of those +who were beating the wood in search of the hiding-place of Don Rafael. +Both stepped behind a screen of bushes and listened. In the midst of a +profound silence, they heard the crackling of branches; and the moment +after a man appeared at a short distance from where they stood. He was +advancing with stealthy step, carbine in hand, and almost at the same +instant two others made their appearance, coming up behind him, and +moving forward with like caution. + +All three were stealthily gliding from tree to tree--making a temporary +rampart of the trunks, as they reconnoitred the ground before them. + +One of these men was recognised by Zapote as an old comrade. + +"Eh, Perico!" cried he, speaking loud enough to be heard by the men. + +"Hola! Who calls me?" responded Perico. + +"I--Juan el Zapote." + +"Zapote! how is it that you are here? Where did you come from?" + +"From the camp," replied Zapote, with wondrous impudence. "Our Captain +has sent--" + +"Oh! the Captain knows, then, that we are in pursuit of a royalist who +has taken shelter in the _chapparal_? We have had a time of it after +him, and he's not found yet. We have scoured the thicket all the night +in search of his hiding-place; and, out of ten of us who came after him, +eight only remain. Two, Suarez and Pacheco, he has killed somewhere; +but if I may judge by the signal cries to which we have responded, there +should be at least twenty of our comrades at present looking after him." + +At this moment another man joined company with the three already on the +ground. Fortunately for Juan el Zapote and the messenger, these four +were precisely the same whom Pepe Lobos had ordered to go round by the +Huajapam road, and as they had not yet been in communication with the +party from the camp, they were ignorant of the fact that their old +comrade, Zapote, was himself being pursued as a deserter. "Well," +continued Zapote, "as I was saying, our Captain has sent me on an errand +with my companion, Gaspar, here; and we are in the greatest haste." + +"What errand?" demanded Perico. + +"_Carrambo_! A secret mission; one that I daren't disclose to you. +_Adios, amigo_! I am in a terrible hurry." + +"Before you go," cried one of the men, "tell us if you saw anybody?" + +"Saw anybody? Who? The royalist you are in search of?" + +"Yes; the mad Colonel." + +"No; I met no mad colonel," said Zapote, turning away. + +"Eh! _hombre_?" exclaimed Perico, with a significant glance; "make it +appear you are ignorant that it is the Colonel Tres-Villas we are +pursuing? You know that well enough. You wish to capture him alone, +and get the five hundred dollars to yourself?" + +"Colonel Tres-Villas?" cried Zapote and the messenger in the same +breath. + +"Five hundred dollars reward!" exclaimed Zapote the instant after, +raising his hand to his head, as if about to pluck out a fistful of his +hair. + +"Certainly, that same; a grand gentleman, with black moustachios, a felt +hat of the same colour, a soldier's infantry jacket, and gold-laced +cavalry pantaloons." + +"And he has killed two of our people?" + +"Four. Since Suarez and Pacheco have not returned, we may also reckon +them as dead men." + +Zapote no longer doubted that the man from whom they had just parted was +he to whom they were bearing the message of Gertrudis de Silva, in other +words, the Colonel Tres-Villas. He exchanged a significant glance with +the messenger. + +For a moment the new resolution of honesty made by the ex-bandit wavered +upon its foundation, still but weakly laid; but the mute appealing +glance of Gaspar, and the remembrance of the promise of fidelity he had +just made, conquered the instinct of cupidity that had momentarily been +aroused within him. + +"Well--we have neither met nor seen any one," he remarked drily; "but we +are losing our time. _Adios_!" + +"_Vete con Dios_!" (God be with you), responded Perico. + +Zapote and Gaspar, saluting the others, walked away--going at a moderate +pace so long as they were in sight of the insurgents; but as soon as +they were behind the bushes advancing with all the speed in their power. + +Their object now was to put themselves as distant as possible from the +danger; since their projected journey to Huajapam was no more to be +thought of. When they had got to such a distance as not any longer to +fear pursuit, Zapote flung himself down upon the grass with an air of +profound disappointment. + +"What are we to do now?" inquired Gaspar, in a lugubrious tone. + +Zapote, overcome by his emotions, made no reply. About a minute after, +however, he sprang suddenly to his feet, as if some interesting idea had +occurred to him. + +"A grand idea!" he exclaimed, "a superb idea!" + +"Ah! What is it?" + +"Listen, _camarado_! I am known to those who are laying siege to the +hacienda Del Valle: you are known to those who defend it. Well, we +shall thus be able to get in. Once inside, you can pass me off for one +of the servants of your master, Don Mariano de Silva." + +"That might be possible, my dear Zapote," naively answered Gaspar, "if +it were not for your devil of a physiognomy." + +"Never mind that. I shall alter it to suit the occasion. You shall +see. All I ask is, that if I extricate the Colonel from his present +dilemma, I am to have a reward of a thousand dollars. I risk my life +for it; and the sum would be only a fair one. I shall take fifty men, +and deliver him from danger. As to your message, he will pay for that +separately, and you may have all the bounty to yourself." + +"It would be a great stroke of business, if we could so manage it," +assented Gaspar. + +"You see, after all," philosophically remarked the ex-bandit, "that +honesty is the best policy." + +"But suppose the Colonel should be taken prisoner, or killed?" suggested +Gaspar. + +"We must take the chance of that. If he be, we shall endeavour to +capture Arroyo. In either case, I ought to have a reward; and, cost +what it will, I mean to try for one." + +"It is possible," again suggested Gaspar, "the Colonel may be able to +reach the bamboo brake on the river bank. If so, we might still be in +time to save him." + +"In less than two hours we can get back here with the men to rescue him. +They can easily make a sortie from Del Valle, now that nearly all the +others are scouring the forest. Quick, then, let us make for the +hacienda." + +Excited by the hope of being able to accomplish their design, the two +adventurers started off, gliding through the thicket as rapidly as they +could make their way in the direction of the hacienda Del Valle. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY TWO. + +ESCAPING THE TOILS. + +Left to himself, Don Rafael calmly considered the circumstances that +surrounded him. He could not help feeling a conviction that his chances +of escape were of the most doubtful kind; and that, unless some +unforeseen accident should favour him, he had but a very poor prospect +of being able to extricate himself from the danger that threatened. +Such an accident he had no reason to expect. + +The sun was now high in the heavens, and his bright beams penetrating +through the foliage, illuminated even the darkest labyrinths of the +forest. It would be eight or nine hours before he would set again; for +it was near the summer solstice, when the days of the year are longest. +Don Rafael now regretted having slept so long. Had he awoke before +sunrise, there might still have been time to have secured his retreat. +He further regretted not having declared his name and rank to the two +men who had just parted from him. It was possible that, by the offer of +a large recompense, he might have induced them to attempt making an +entrance into the hacienda Del Valle, and warning Lieutenant Veraegui of +his perilous situation. + +He was far from suspecting at that moment, that a providential chance +was about doing for him the very thing which his reflection had now too +late suggested he should have done before. + +Notwithstanding the danger in which he was placed, Don Rafael, who had +not eaten for many long hours, began to feel hungered. This, however, +gave him but little concern; since in the tropical forests of Mexico, +the anona, the corosollo, the aguacate, and other fruit-bearing trees, +yield spontaneously their delicious produce, sufficient for the +sustenance of human life. + +These reflections once made, Don Rafael was not the man to waste time in +vain regrets. He resolved to act at once. + +He hesitated only an instant, to reflect upon what he should do with his +horse. At first he thought of abandoning him; but then it occurred to +him, that while passing along his tortuous track through the chapparal, +the animal might prove useful. He might serve as a sort of moveable +rampart, behind which he could shelter himself from the bullets of the +carbines, that might be fired by his assailants. Moreover, should he +succeed in getting clear of the thicket, by flinging himself in the +saddle he would still have a chance of escape, through the superior +swiftness of Roncador. For this reason he decided upon going in search +of the horse. + +The thicket in which he had hidden him was at no great distance from the +cedrela; and finding his own traces, Don Rafael returned on them with +stealthy tread. The silence that reigned throughout the forest was for +the moment profound; and he knew that the slightest sound, even the +snapping of a stick, might betray his presence to some lurking foe. + +He had advanced only a few paces, when a vague clamour of voices reached +his ear. He listened for some seconds; but as the voices did not appear +to come any nearer, he again moved forward. + +At length he succeeded in reaching the thicket, where Roncador had been +left. The poor animal, though devoured by thirst--and suffering from +hunger as well--had made no effort to free himself from his fastenings. +He was still standing by the tree, to which Don Rafael had attached him. +At the approach of his master he uttered a joyous neigh. + +Notwithstanding the fear which Don Rafael had that the noise might be +heard by his pursuers, he could not help feeling a joyful emotion at +being thus saluted by his old companion in many a scene of peril; and, +while caressing the horse, he felt a certain remorse at the _role_ he +had just designed him to play. It was, however, one of those crises, +when the instinct of self-preservation is at variance with the desire of +the heart. + +Leading his steed by the bridle, Don Rafael advanced as rapidly as was +possible through the labyrinth of bushes and climbing plants that +thickly covered the ground. The sun occasionally coming in view, +enabled him to guide his course towards the south--the direction which +Zapote had counselled him to take. + +The advice given by the latter seemed to Don Rafael worth following. If +he could only pass through the line of those seeking for him, and reach +the cane-brake on the Ostuta, he might there conceal himself until after +sunset. By night he might again attempt to enter the hacienda, and with +a better chance of success; since he was now aware of its being +surrounded by the insurgent guerilleros. + +In order to give him more freedom in his movements, he cast away his +sword-belt and scabbard; and with the bare blade in one hand, and his +bridle-rein in the other, he continued to advance as silently as +possible. He had determined to make use of his pistols--only as a last +resource. + +It was not long, however, before he was forced out of his direct +course--not by the thickness of the jungle, but on hearing in front of +him the voices of several men. These calling to one another, appeared +to be directing a movement among themselves, as if advancing towards him +in an extended deployment. + +Singly, each of those who were approaching would have caused Don Rafael +no more uneasiness than does the solitary hunter the lion who +reluctantly retreats before him; but it was evident from the number of +voices that a large party of men were in the wood; and should they all +fall upon him simultaneously, there would be no alternative but to +succumb. He therefore renounced the desperate idea that for a moment +had occurred to him: of rushing upon the nearest, and putting an end to +him without noise. + +He perceived, at the same time, that, in the midst of the dense +chapparal where he then was, a resolute man would have a decided +advantage over enemies who were so scattered, and who were constantly +warning him of their whereabouts as they advanced; while he, keeping +silence, left them ignorant of his own. + +The men were evidently getting nearer, and Don Rafael heard their voices +with anxiety. He listened also to hear if any others replied to them in +the opposite direction; since in that case he would be in danger of +being surrounded. He knew not the number of his enemies; but he could +tell by the sounds that their cordon had not yet been completely drawn +around him, and there might still be a chance of escaping from it. + +While thus listening, with all the eagerness of a man whose life was +depending on the acuteness of his hearing, a noise reached him, which he +knew was not made by a human being. It was the distant and sonorous +tapping of a woodpecker upon the trunk of a dead tree--a sound often +heard in the depths of an American forest. The sound fell upon his ear +like the voice of a friend. It seemed to say that, in the direction +whence it proceeded, no human creature would be found to trouble the +solitude of the forest. + +The hint was sufficient for one skilled in wood-lore, as Don Rafael was. +Without a moment's hesitation, he faced in the direction of the sound, +and commenced advancing towards it--guided by the measured strokes given +by the beak of the bird. + +He was still at some distance from the dead-wood, where the woodpecker +was employed seeking its food, when the bird, perceiving him, flew off +amidst the trees. + +Don Rafael now halted, and once more bent his ear to listen. To his joy +he perceived that the voices of the searchers had receded to a distance. +This proved that he had passed out of their way; and, if they should +not find reason to return on their tracks, his chances of escape were +becoming more favourable. + +To make more sure of not being followed, he adopted a ruse, which he had +learnt during his Indian campaigns. Taking up two dry sticks of +guiacuni wood, he struck one against the other, thus producing a sound +that resembled the tapping of the woodpecker's beak; and, after +repeating this for a number of times, he returned by a detour to the +same direction from which he had been forced on hearing the voices. + +After a half-hour's advance through the thicket, he halted to refresh +himself by eating some fruits of the pawpaw that grew by the path. +Their juicy pulp served for a moment to satisfy the craving of both +appetites--relieving at the same time both hunger and thirst. + +Mid-day had already passed, and the sun was beginning to fling his rays +obliquely through the branches, when Don Rafael resumed his route; and +shortly after, through the last straggling trees of the forest, he +perceived the crystal current of the Ostuta running its tranquil course +between banks thickly covered with tall bamboos. + +The breeze blowing freely over the water stirred the long lance-like +leaves of the gigantic canes; among whose moveable stems the caimans had +sought protection from the hot sun, and were awaiting the freshness of +the night to return to the channel of the river. Here, too, like them, +was Don Rafael to find an asylum that would shelter him till sunset. + +He was not long in choosing a place of concealment. The selvage of the +forest through which he had come, extended to within a few paces of the +bamboo brake; and, crossing the intervening space as rapidly as +possible, the fugitive plunged in among the canes. + +Once hidden by the gigantic reeds, he felt more secure; and had now an +opportunity to reconnoitre to some extent a portion of the surrounding +neighbourhood. From certain large rocks, which he saw lying in the +mid-channel of the stream, he recognised the place, and knew that he was +not far distant from the ford of the Ostuta--where, two years before, +the pursuit of Arroyo and his brigands had more than once conducted him. +He saw, moreover, on the opposite side of the stream, the rude tent of +the guerillero chief, and the horsemen of his band galloping up and down +the bank. The sight aroused all his fiery passions, and he could not +restrain himself from raising his clenched hand, and stretching his arm +in menace across the water. + +All at once he heard shouts behind him, and the trampling of horses. +These sounds were caused by the party sent in pursuit of him by Arroyo, +and who were now returning to the camp. It need not be said that they +had been unsuccessful, as they brought back with them, instead of the +Colonel and the two runaways, only Suarez and Pacheco, still alive and +well, but terribly frightened. + +For better security, Don Rafael advanced still further among the +bamboos, carefully parting them with his hands as he moved forward; and +the horsemen, though they rode past along the bank, only a short +distance from where he was concealed, had not the slightest suspicion +their enemy was so near. The most sharp-sighted eye could not have +discovered his place of concealment. + +Still continuing to listen, he heard the plashing of the horses as they +forded the crossing; and a few minutes after a profound silence reigned +over the scene. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY THREE. + +AN UNWILLING AMBASSADOR. + +On the afternoon of that same day--a little after the time when Don +Rafael buried himself among the bamboos--the ex-student of theology, +accompanied by Costal and Clara, was riding along the Huajapam road, at +no great distance from the ford of the Ostuta. When near to this famous +crossing, the three halted; and while their horses were picking up a +little grass, Costal kept on a little further afoot--for the purpose of +reconnoitring the ground upon the banks of the river. + +Meanwhile Clara busied himself in roasting, over a fire he had kindled, +some green ears of maize corn, which, with a few pieces of dried beef +(_cecina_), were to constitute the dinner of the party. Clara had taken +the materials from his _alforjas_. + +After an interval of silence, the Captain commenced a conversation with +the object of making to the negro a communication evidently deemed by +him of some importance. + +"Listen to me, Clara!" said he; "we are entrusted with a commission +which I need not tell you will require us to act with the greatest +circumspection. I need not tell you that our carrying to this Captain +Arroyo the threats of the General is a sufficiently dangerous errand. +No more need I assure you that to enter the town of Oajaca is of a +similar character. There the Royalists think no more of the head of an +insurgent, than you of one of those ears of corn that you are roasting +in the fire. What I wish of you, then, is--that you will drop the bad +habit you have of calling me by the name of Lantejas; which, up to the +present time, has brought me nothing but ill fortune. It was under that +name I was proscribed; and I beg of you, therefore, that, for the +future, both you and Costal will know me only by the name of _Don Lucas +Alacuesta_. This last is the name of my mother's family, and it will +serve my purpose as well as any other." + +"Enough said, Captain," rejoined the negro; "I shall not forget to obey +your orders--even though I should have the axe of the executioner raised +over my neck." + +"I am satisfied you will not. Meanwhile, until Costal returns, you may +serve me with some of those morsels you are roasting, which seem to be +done enough. I am dying of hunger." + +"And I too," added the negro, casting a greedy glance towards the +_cecina_. + +Clara spread out before the Captain his saddle-cloth to serve as a +napkin; and, taking some pieces of the broiled meat from the coals, +placed them upon it. To this he added two or three of the roasted ears. +Then, seating himself close to the fire, he drew from the ashes the +remaining portions of meat, and commenced eating with an earnestness +that was likely to prove fatal to Costal's share in the banquet. + +"Ho!" cried the Captain, "if you continue on in that fashion, your +comrade Costal will be likely to go without his dinner." + +"Costal will not eat before to-morrow," replied the negro in a grave +tone. + +"That I can easily believe," assented Don Cornelio. "There will be +nothing left for him to eat, I fancy." + +"You misunderstand me, Senor Captain. To-day is the third after +midsummer, and to-night the moon will be at the full. That is why +Costal will not eat, in order that by fasting he may prepare himself to +hold communion with his gods." + +"You fool! Do you believe in the wretched fables of the pagan Costal?" + +"I have reason to believe them," gravely replied the negro. "The God of +the Christians dwells in the sky; those of Costal inhabit the Lake of +Ostuta, Tlaloc, the god of the mountains, lives on the summit of +Monopostiac; and Matlacuezc his wife, the goddess of the water, bathes +herself in the waters of the lake that surround the enchanted mountain. +The third night after the summer solstice--at the full of the moon--is +the time when they show themselves to the descendants of the caciques of +Tehuantepec--to such as have passed their fiftieth year--and Costal +intends to invoke them this very night." + +As Don Cornelio was about endeavouring to bring the negro to a more +rational religious belief, Costal strode silently up. + +"Well," said the Captain, "is our information correct? Have you learnt +whether Arroyo is really encamped on the banks of the Ostuta?" + +"Quite true," answered the Indian, "a _peon_ of my acquaintance, whom I +chanced to meet, has told me that Arroyo and Bocardo are by the ford, +where they intercept the passage of all who come this way. It is close +by, so that this evening you can deliver your message. After that is +done, I would ask leave of absence for Clara and myself for the night. +We wish to spend it on the shore of the Sacred Lake." + +"Hum!" muttered Don Cornelio, without noticing the request. "So near!" +continued he, speaking to himself, and abruptly ceasing to eat. "What +else did your _peon_ acquaintance make known about Arroyo and Bocardo?" + +"Only that they are more thirsty than ever--the one for blood, the other +for plunder." + +Costal imparted this information in a tone but little calculated to +inspire the Captain with a relish for his mission. + +He endeavoured to conceal his uneasiness, however; and, raising his +voice to a tone of assumed boldness, he inquired:-- + +"It is to the ford of the Ostuta, then, we are to go?" + +"Yes, Senor Captain, whenever it pleases your honour to move forward." + +"We have plenty of time," replied Don Cornelio, evidently reluctant to +make any further advance. "I wish to take a few hours of rest before +going thither. And your old master, Don Mariano de Silva--did you hear +anything of him?" + +"Yes. He has long ago left the hacienda Las Palmas, and is living in +Oajaca. As to that of Del Valle, it is still occupied by the Royalist +garrison." + +"So then we have enemies on all sides of us?" rejoined the Captain. + +"Arroyo and Bocardo," said Costal, "should scarcely be enemies to an +officer bearing despatches from the General Morelos. As for Clara and +myself, we are that sort whom these bandits never frighten." + +"I agree with you there," rejoined the Captain, "certainly I do-- +meanwhile--nevertheless--I should prefer--ah! who is that horseman who +is galloping in this direction, carbine in hand?" + +"If one may judge the master by the servant, and if this fellow chances +to have a master, that master ought to be one of the greatest rogues on +earth." + +As Costal was delivering this figurative speech, he stretched forth his +hand and seized hold of his own old and trusty piece. + +The horseman in question was no other than Gaspacho--the courier who had +brought to Arroyo the evil news from the hacienda Del Valle. + +He rode forward as one rides in a conquered country; and without making +any obeisance addressed himself to the Captain--who, from being a white, +appeared to him the most considerable of the three strangers. + +"Tell me, friend--" said he. + +"Friend!" cried Costal, interrupting him, and evidently ill pleased with +his looks, "a captain in the army of General Morelos is no friend to +such as you." + +"What does this brute of an Indian say?" demanded Gaspacho, regarding +Costal with an air of contempt. + +The eyes of Costal fairly blazed with rage; and his movements promised +for Gaspacho a terrible chastisement, when Don Cornelio interposed to +prevent it. "What is your wish?" asked he of the follower of Arroyo. + +"To know if you have seen anything of that rascal, Juan de Zapote, and +his worthy companion, Gaspar?" + +"We have seen neither Zapote nor Gaspar." + +"If they're not found, then, my friend Perico--who met and permitted +them to pass him--is likely to spend a most uncomfortable quarter of an +hour--when he appears in the presence of our Captain Arroyo." + +"Ah! you are in Arroyo's service then?" + +"I have the honour." + +"Perhaps you can tell me where I shall be most likely to find him?" + +"_Quien sabe_? By the ford of the Ostuta you may find him--if he's not +gone elsewhere--to the hacienda of San Carlos, for example." + +"This hacienda does not belong to the royalists then?" inquired the +Captain. + +"Perhaps I may be mistaken," ironically answered Gaspacho. "In any +case, if you wish to see the Captain--which rather astonishes me--you +will have to cross the ford all the same; and there you may hear of his +whereabouts. My faith! that is a splendid cloak you have got on your +shoulders. It appears a mile too big for you; and looks as if it would +just fit a man of my dimensions." + +On saying these words, the bandit put spurs to his horse and galloped +off--leaving Don Cornelio with an unpleasant impression upon his mind, +caused by his ambiguous speeches and the admiration the stranger had +expressed for his cloak. + +"I fear we have fallen among wicked people here," said he, addressing +himself to Costal. "You see how little this ragged fellow makes of an +officer of Morelos; and doubtless his master will make still less. +Well--we must be prudent, and wait until night before we attempt to go +forward among them." + +"Prudence is not always a bad substitute for courage," remarked Costal, +with a shrug. "We shall do as you desire, Senor Captain; and I shall be +careful we do not fall either into the hands of the loyalists, or those +of the followers of Arroyo, before arriving in the presence of that +gentleman himself. Otherwise, I might lose the one peculiar day of my +life, that I have so long looked forward to. Trust to me. I think you +can say that I never let you remain long in a dangerous situation?" + +"You are my providence," cried the Captain, with friendly warmth. "It +is true; and it will always give me pleasure to acknowledge it." + +"No, no," interrupted Costal, "what I may have done for you is not worth +talking about. Meanwhile, we will act wisely to take a wink of sleep-- +Clara and myself more especially: since, during all this night, we +shan't have another opportunity to close our eyes." + +"You are right--I perfectly agree with you. Let us all have some sleep +then." + +As the sun was still hot, Clara and Costal stretched themselves under +the shadow of a spreading tree, and both, with that indifference to +danger to which a life of adventures had habituated them, were soon +buried in profound slumber; during which the negro was constantly +endeavouring, in dreams, to capture the Siren with dishevelled hair, and +force her to reveal to him some rich _placer_ of gold. + +As for Don Cornelio, he lay for a long time awake: anxious and +apprehensive about the result of his approaching interview with the +guerilla chief. At length, imitating the example of his two _compagnons +de voyage_, he also fell asleep. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR. + +THE TALISMAN TRANSMITTED. + +It was only after a long and desperate effort to subdue the passion with +which Don Rafael Tres-Villas had inspired her, that Gertrudis de Silva +resolved upon making use of the talisman she had so carefully +preserved--that message, which Don Rafael had sworn to obey without a +moment's hesitation--even though it should reach him on the instant when +his hand was raised to strike down his most mortal enemy. + +When the young girl at length reluctantly yielded to the determination +of once more seeing Don Rafael, her first emotion was one of profound +pleasure. She could not convince herself of the fact, that her former +lover could now be indifferent, or that from his mouth she should hear +the avowal that he no longer loved her. She believed that the message +would convey to him a happiness similar to that she herself felt in +sending it; and it was for this reason, and also the better to secure +his fidelity and zeal, that she had led the messenger to expect a +magnificent reward, on the accomplishment of his errand. Under the +critical circumstances in which the messenger found himself, after +setting out from Oajaca, it was well that such a golden lure glistened +before his mental vision--else the precious talisman might have stood +less chance of arriving at its destination. + +On the departure of the messenger, Gertrudis felt as if inspired with +new life; but this joyful state was but of short duration. Doubt soon +took the place of certainty. Between herself and her lover more than +one misunderstanding had arisen, all the result of imperious +circumstances. She was no longer loved--this was her reflection. The +distant proof she had for a while believed in--the affair of Aguas +Calientes--was perhaps only a wild freak on the part of the Colonel; and +if he no longer loved her, it was because he loved another. + +Moreover, her messenger would have to traverse a country disturbed by +civil war, and there was every chance of his failing to accomplish his +mission. This doubt also added to the torture she was undergoing. + +Overcome by such sad thoughts, and at times devoured by black and bitter +jealousy, her heart was lacerated to the extreme of endurance. Her +cheek had paled to the hue of the lily; while the purple circle round +her eyes told of the mental agony the young Creole was enduring. + +In this condition was she when Don Mariano set out on the journey from +Oajaca--only three days after the departure of the messenger Gaspar. + +The fond father beheld with apprehension the extreme melancholy that had +taken possession of his daughter; and, convinced of the inutility of the +efforts he had already made to cure her of her passion for Don Rafael-- +by representing the latter as unworthy of her--he had altogether changed +his tactics in that regard. He now endeavoured to extenuate the faults +of the Colonel; and, in the place of an accuser, became his benevolent +champion. + +"The nobility and frankness of his character," Don Mariano would say, +"is enough to set aside all suspicion of his perfidy. His silence may +be explained by the events through which he has been involuntarily +borne, and by the political relationships that surround him." + +Gertrudis smiled sadly at the words of her father, but her heart was not +the less torn with grief. + +In this unpleasant state of mind they passed three days, while +journeying from Oajaca to the borders of the lake Ostuta. On the route +they had met with no particular adventures nor encountered any obstacle; +though from rumours that reached them from time to time--of the +sanguinary deeds perpetrated by the ferocious Arroyo--they could not +help experiencing a certain amount of apprehension. + +It was on the third evening of the journey that they reached the Ostuta +river and had halted upon its banks at the spot already described. +During the night Don Mariano, rendered uneasy by hearing certain +confused noises in the adjoining forest, had despatched one of the +trustiest of his servants in the direction of the crossing, with +directions to reconnoitre the place. + +Two hours afterwards the domestic returned, with the report, that, near +the ford he had seen numerous fires blazing along the bank of the river +and on both sides of the ford. These could be no other than the fires +of Arroyo's camp: since they had heard several times along their route, +that the brigand was encamped at the crossing of the Ostuta. + +The servant added, that in returning from his reconnaissance he was +under the belief that some one had followed him, as dogging his steps +through the forest. It was for this reason that Don Mariano had caused +the fires of his bivouac to be extinguished, and had so suddenly taken +his departure from the place. + +By going some distance down the river, and making the circuit of the +lake into which it flowed, the servant of Don Mariano believed he could +find a crossing, by which they might reach the hacienda of San Carlos on +a different road. Although this detour would make their journey nearly +one day longer, it would still be preferable to falling into the company +of Arroyo and his brigands. + +Among all the places in America, sacred to the worship of the native +races, perhaps none enjoys a greater celebrity than the lake of Ostuta, +and the mountain which rises up out of the bosom of its waters. + +The mountain is called Monopostiac, or the _Cerro encantado_ (enchanted +hill). It has long been the locale of Indian tradition; and the +singularly lugubrious aspect of the lake and its surrounding scenery +would seem to justify the legendary stories of which it has been made +the scene. It was to the borders of this lake, that the necessity of +seeking his own and his daughter's safety, was now conducting Don +Mariano de Silva. + +The journey proved long and arduous. The feebleness of Gertrudis would +not permit her to travel fast, even in her easy _litera_; and the bad +state of the roads, which would scarce admit the passage of the mules, +contributed to retard their advance. + +It was near midnight before they came within sight of the lake,--its +sombre waters suddenly appearing through an opening in the trees. At +the point where they approached, it was bordered by a thick forest, +whose dark shadowy foliage promised them an impenetrable asylum where +they might pass the night safe from discovery or pursuit. + +In this forest Don Mariano resolved to make halt, and wait until the +light of day might enable him to discover the crossing, by which, as his +servant had assured him, they might reach the by-road leading to the +hacienda of San Carlos. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE. + +LANTEJAS BEHEADED. + +The short interval of bluish light between daybreak and sunrise in the +tropics was nearly over, when Captain Lantejas and his two trusty +followers climbed into their saddles to proceed towards the ford of the +Ostuta. A difficulty yet lay in the way of their reaching it: since +before gaining the river it would be necessary for them to pass within +sight of the hacienda Del Valle, and they might be seen, as they +supposed, by the sentinels of the royalist garrison. As yet the three +travellers were ignorant that the place was blockaded by the guerilla of +Arroyo. + +"If we were to pass it by night," said Costal, "it would look more +suspicious. Better to go in full daylight. Clara can ride ahead of us. +If any one stops him, he can ask permission for a merchant and his +servants who are travelling southward. If, on the other hand, he sees +no one, he may ride on; and we can follow him without further ceremony." + +The advice was to the liking of the Captain; and they accordingly +commenced advancing along the road that would conduct them past the +hacienda. + +In about a quarter of an hour they arrived in front of it, near the end +of the long avenue already mentioned. Costal and Don Cornelio halted at +some distance behind while Clara rode forward; and, to make sure that no +one was there, even entered the avenue itself. + +Not a human being could be seen. The place appeared deserted--all was +silent as upon that night when Don Rafael rode up to the house to find +only desolation and death. + +Still further to guard against surprise, Clara rode on up the avenue; +but he had scarce gone a hundred paces from the main road when a soldier +appeared behind the parapet of the hacienda, evidently watching his +approach. + +The black seeing that he was discovered kept on straight for the +building. + +The distance hindered Don Cornelio and Costal from distinguishing the +words that passed between Clara and the sentry; but they could see that +the latter was pointing out something to the black which was to them +invisible. Whatever the object was, it appeared to excite the risible +faculties of the negro: for, distant as he was, they could distinctly +hear him laughing. + +Meanwhile the sentinel disappeared, and as Clara continued to indulge in +his hilarity, it was evident he had obtained the permission asked for. +At all events, Don Cornelio and Costal regarded his behaviour as a good +omen. + +Nevertheless he seemed to hesitate about returning to the road; and +instead of doing so, the moment after, he made signs to Don Cornelio and +Costal to advance up the avenue. + +Both instantly obeyed the invitation; and when they had arrived near the +walls, Clara, still shaking his sides with laughter, pointed out to them +the object which had given origin to his mirth. + +On beholding it, Don Cornelio believed that his eyes were deceiving him. +In truth the spectacle, to which he was thus introduced, had very +little in it to justify the merriment of the black. In place of the +heads of wolves and other noxious animals, which may often be seen +nailed up against the walls of country houses, here there were three +human heads! They were not yet desiccated, but appeared as if freshly +cut off from the bodies to which they belonged. + +"Wretched man!" cried Don Cornelio, addressing himself to Clara, "what +is there in such a sight to excite your gaiety?" + +"_Carrambo_!" exclaimed the negro, answering to the reproach by a fresh +burst of laughter,--then, in a whisper, he continued, pointing to one of +the heads-- + +"Senor Captain, don't you see? One of the heads is yours!" + +"Mine?" muttered the ex-student, suddenly turning pale, though, as he +felt his head still upon his shoulders, he believed that the negro was +only mocking him. + +"So the sentry has just told me," affirmed Clara, "but, Senor Captain, +you who know how to read may satisfy yourself." + +As the negro spoke he pointed to an inscription, that appeared over one +of the heads. Don Cornelio, despite the gloomy shadow which the tall +cypresses cast over the wall, was able to read the inscription: "_Esta +es la cabeza del insurgente Lantejas_." (This is the head of the +insurgent Lantejas.) + +It was in reality the head of an insurgent of the same name as Don +Cornelio himself--one of Arroyo's followers, who, as already known, by +the report of Gaspacho, had been captured during a sortie of the +besieged. + +Don Cornelio turned his eyes away from the hideous spectacle presented +by the head of his namesake; and anathematising once more the +unfortunate name which he had inherited from his father, made all haste +to ride off from the spot. + +In proportion as the distance between him and the hacienda increased, +his terror became diminished, and at length ended in a melancholy smile +at the odd coincidence of the encounter with his beheaded homonyme. + +But the profound silence that surrounded him as he journeyed along, and +the knowledge that in a few minutes he would find himself face to face +with the redoubtable guerillero, once more imbued the mind of the +Captain with the darkest presentiments. + +Without permitting his companions to suspect the sentiments that were +troubling him, he would willingly have proposed deferring for another +day his interview with the bandit chief. Both Costal and Clara, +however, as they rode along by his side, presented an appearance of such +stoical indifference to danger, that he felt ashamed of showing himself +less brave than they; and, thus restrained, he continued to travel on in +silence. + +Shortly after, they came in sight of the river, and at the same time +could command a view of the banks on both side of the ford. Don +Cornelio became reassured at the sight. Neither horse, horseman, nor +tent, was to be seen. Noisy and bustling as the place had been in the +morning, it was now in the evening completely silent and deserted. Not +a trace remained of the encampment of Arroyo--save the smouldering +bivouac fires, and the debris of various articles that lay scattered +over the ground. + +"If I know," said Costal to the Captain, "how to pick the truth from the +lies which that scurvy fellow has told us--he who took such a marvellous +fancy to your cloak--I should say we are on the road that will guide us +to the man you are in search of. He is at this moment, I venture to +say, at the hacienda San Carlos--notwithstanding that the droll humbug +appeared to make such a mystery of his whereabouts." + +"But suppose the hacienda San Carlos to be occupied by a Spanish +garrison?" suggested the Captain. + +"Let us first cross the river," said Costal, "you can remain upon the +other side with Clara, while I go forward and make a reconnaissance." + +This proposition was agreed to by Don Cornelio; and the three travellers +having forded the stream, Costal prepared to separate from them. + +"Be cautious, good Costal," said Lantejas, "there is danger on every +side of us." + +"For me and Clara," remarked the Indian, with an ironical smile; "one +who has already lost his head should have nothing more to fear, Senor +Captain!" + +Saying this, Costal went off at a trot, leaving the Captain and Clara on +the bank of the river. + +The Indian had scarce passed out of sight, when a plunging in the water +announced that horses were crossing the ford. Looking around, Don +Cornelio beheld two horsemen riding out on the bank where he and Clara +had halted. One of them carried behind him a pair of canvas alforjas, +which appeared to have some large roundish objects inside. Merely +exchanging a brief salute, the horsemen were passing on; when the +Captain, in hopes of obtaining some information from them, inquired if +the hacienda of San Carlos was far distant. + +"No," replied one, "only about a quarter of a league." + +"Are we likely to be well received there?" further asked Don Cornelio. + +"Ah!" replied the second horseman, "that depends--" + +The muttered voice, and the distance which he had already gained, +hindered Don Cornelio from perceiving the tone of irony in which he +spoke; but almost at the same instant the speaker elevated his voice to +a high pitch, though only the last words were heard with distinctness. + +These were, "_Mejico e independencia_." + +The phrase was well-known to Don Cornelio. + +"What word came before it?" inquired he of his companion; "_viva_, was +it not?" + +"No, it was _muera_," replied the negro. + +"You are mistaken, I think, Clara." + +"No, I repeat it,--it was _muera_!" + +Not having inquired from the horsemen whether San Carlos was in the +power of the royalists or insurgents, Don Cornelio remained as undecided +upon that point as ever. + +A considerable time passed, and still Costal did not return. + +"Suppose I gallop forward a bit," suggested Clara, "and see whether I +can meet him?" + +The Captain having become uneasy about the prolonged absence of Costal, +assented to this proposition; but at the same time directed the black to +return in a quarter of an hour, if Costal did not make his appearance +within that time. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY SIX. + +DON CORNELIO A CAPTIVE. + +Almost as soon as Clara had ridden out of sight, Don Cornelio began to +count the minutes. The quarter of an hour appeared a whole one; and, +when it had passed, with no signs of either returning, he became more +than uneasy--he felt alarm. + +In order to create some distraction for his thoughts, he rode gently +forward--on the same path by which his two companions had gone. Not +meeting either, he kept on for another quarter of an hour. Becoming +still more alarmed, he was about to make a halt, when he saw lights that +seemed to go and come along the summits of the trees that appeared at +some distance before him. These lights had flashed into view at a turn +of the road. + +On looking more attentively, he perceived that the ground sloped up from +the place which he occupied; and he was now enabled to distinguish the +outlines of a vast building, the windows of which were so brilliantly +illuminated from the inside, that one might have fancied the house to be +on fire. Outside, upon the _azotea_, blazing torches appeared to be +carried backward and forward. It was these that had first attracted the +eye of Don Cornelio, who, on account of the elevation at which they were +seen, fancied them to be moving among the tops of the trees! + +There was something too unnatural in these blazing torches, agitated by +the night breeze--but more especially in the strange lights that shone +through the windows--now red, now blue, and then of a pale violet +colour, and in an instant changing from one hue to another--something so +fantastically singular, that Don Cornelio suddenly drew up, without +daring to advance a pace further. + +The superstitious ideas with which Costal had entertained him during +their journey now came into his mind; and, despite his disbelief in +them, he could not help conjuring up fancies almost as absurd. He +remembered the bull fulminated against the insurgents by the Bishop of +Oajaca--representing them as spirits of darkness--and he began to fancy +there must be some truth in it, and that he was now within view of these +very demons. The silence that reigned around tended to strengthen this +fancy--which was now further confirmed by the sight of a phantom-like +figure clothed in white, seen for a moment gliding among the trees, and +then as suddenly vanishing out of sight. The phantom appeared to have +come from the direction of the illuminated building--as if fleeing from +some danger that there menaced it. + +The Captain made the sign of the cross, and then sat motionless in his +saddle--uncertain whether to remain where he was, or to gallop back to +the ford. + +While thus irresolute, and asking himself whether the phantom he had +seen might have been a stray reflection of one of the torches, the +lights all at once disappeared from the upper part of the building. + +At the same moment four or five horsemen issued forth from the shadow of +the walls, and galloped towards him, uttering loud yells. Don Cornelio +perceived that his presence was discovered; but to put this beyond +doubt, a light at the moment flashed up among the horsemen, followed by +the report of a carbine, and the hissing of a bullet, which passed close +to his ears. + +He no longer hesitated as to whether he should stand or fly. The bullet +was sufficient cue for flight; and, wheeling round, he set off in full +gallop towards the river. + +Trained by the misfortunes which had occurred to him, from the mistaken +economy of his worthy father, Don Cornelio had ever since felt an +aversion to second-rate horses, and on the present journey he had taken +care to provide himself with a good one. Knowing the fact, he had fair +hopes of being able to distance his pursuers. Driving his spurs deeply +into the ribs of his horse, he permitted the animal to choose its own +course--so long as it carried him in a direction opposite to that from +which he was pursued. + +Forgetting all about Costal and Clara, he rode away like the wind; and, +in all likelihood, would have got clear beyond the reach of his +pursuers, but for an unforeseen misfortune. In passing a gigantic +cypress his horse stumbled upon its projecting roots, and came head +foremost to the ground--flinging his rider out of the saddle with such +force that, but for the softness of the spot on which he fell, some of +his bones would undoubtedly have suffered fracture. + +He was but little damaged by the fall, and, before he could get to his +feet, and recover his horse, one of the pursuers had ridden up, and +casting out a lazo, noosed him round the body. + +To whom was the captain a prisoner? + +Of this he was completely ignorant, still uncertain as to who were in +possession of the hacienda. As soon as he had regained his feet, +however, a voice cried out, interrogatively, "For Spain, or the +Independence?" + +Before making answer, Don Cornelio looked up. Half-a-dozen men had +arrived upon the ground, and encircled him in their midst, forming a +menacing cordon around him. Of one and all the aspect was sinister and +doubtful. + +"Spain, or the Independence?" repeated the voice, in a more threatening +tone. + +Thus brusquely called upon to proclaim his colours, the Captain, not +knowing those of the party who surrounded him, hesitated to make answer. + +"Very well, cavallero!" cried one of the men, "answer or not, as you +please. No doubt of it," he continued, addressing himself to a comrade, +"this fellow is in company with the other two. Bring him along to the +hacienda!" + +At these words one of his captors seized Don Cornelio by the arm, and +commenced dragging him along toward the illuminated building. + +"Hold!" cried the first speaker, as, under the glare of the distant +lights, he saw that their prisoner was neither negro nor Indian. "_Por +Dios_! this fellow is white." + +"Red, black, and white!" added another. "We want only a _mestizo_ to +complete the collection." + +From these speeches Don Cornelio conjectured that his comrades, Costal +and Clara, had been already captured by the same party who were making +him their prisoner. + +He was still ignorant, however, as to whether his captors were royalists +or insurgents; and, before proceeding further, he determined, if +possible, to settle that question. + +"What do you want with me?" he inquired, in the hope of obtaining some +clue in the answer. + +"Not much," replied the spokesman of the party. "Only to nail your head +in the place of that of Lantejas." + +"Lantejas!" exclaimed Don Cornelio, inspired with a fresh hope. "That +is my name. It is I who am the insurgent Lantejas, sent here to Oajaca, +by General Morelos." + +The declaration was received with a burst of savage laughter. + +"_Demonio_!" cried one of the guerilleros, coming up with the horse of +Don Cornelio, "I have had trouble enough in catching this accursed +brute. It is to be hoped he carries something to repay me for it." + +Don Cornelio fancied he knew the tone of this voice, but he had no time +to reflect upon where he had heard it, before its owner again cried out, +"_Alabado sea Dios_! (Blessed be the Lord!) there is my cloak!" + +Don Cornelio recognised the man who the day before had taken such a +fancy to his cloak. In a word, the speaker was Gaspacho. + +"What a lucky fellow I am to meet you again," continued the brigand; +"that cloak is much too large for you. I told you so yesterday." + +"Such as it is, it satisfies me," meekly responded the Captain. + +"Oh! nonsense," rejoined Gaspacho, at the same time throwing off his own +tattered scrape, and making a significant gesture to Don Cornelio to +uncloak himself. + +The latter hesitated to comply with this rude invitation; but almost on +the instant Gaspacho snatched the garment from his shoulders, and coolly +wrapped it round his own. + +"Now, amigo," cried one of Gaspacho's confreres, "surely a man without a +head has no need of a hat? Yours appears as if it would just fit me," +and saying this, the bandit picked the hat from Don Cornelio's head, at +the same time flinging his own battered sombrero to the ground. + +As there was nothing more upon the person of the prisoner to tempt the +cupidity of the brigands, the lazo was unloosened from around his arms, +and he was ordered to accompany his captors to the hacienda. This he +did willingly enough: for the presence of Gaspacho told him that he was +in the hands of the guerilleros of Arroyo. + +"Can I see the Captain?" he inquired. + +"What Captain?" + +"Arroyo." + +"Ah! you wish to see him?" responded Gaspacho. "That rather surprises +me. You shall have the pleasure of seeing him soon enough, I fancy. +Come along!" + +The guerilleros continued on to the house, conducting their prisoner +along with them. + +As they drew near to the walls, the attention of Don Cornelio was again +attracted to the singular lights that seemed to be burning within the +house. It could not be the flame of a conflagration, else the building +would long since have been consumed. + +A few minutes brought them up to the gate. It was shut, and one of the +men knocked against it with the hilt of his sabre, at the same time +giving utterance to a password, which Don Cornelio did not understand. +What he did comprehend was, that the moment had come when, _bon gre mal +gre_, he was called upon to acquit himself of the commission with which +Morelos had entrusted him. + +It often happens that danger in prospective is more dreaded than when it +is present; and so was it in this instance: for, on his arrival at the +gate, Don Cornelio felt less embarrassed with apprehensions than he had +been ever since his departure from the camp at Huajapam. + +The huge door turned upon its heavy hinges to admit the horsemen--in the +midst of whom the prisoner was carried into a large, paved courtyard, +illuminated by the flames of several fires that burned in the open air. +Around these fires could be distinguished the forms of men--to the +number of one hundred or more--grouped in different attitudes, or lying +asleep upon the pavement. Along the walls stood as many horses, +completely equipped for the road. The bridles only were off, and +hanging suspended over the saddle-bow--in order that the animals might +consume their rations of maize, served to them in wooden troughs. Here +and there, stacks of carbines, lances, and sabres, glanced under the +light of the fires, and Don Cornelio could not help shivering with +terror as he looked upon these fierce bandits, in the midst of their +picturesque accoutrements. + +Most of them remained as they were, without offering to stir. The sight +of a fresh prisoner was nothing new to them. One only coming forward, +asked Gaspacho, in a tone of indifference, what had taken him out at +that hour of the night. + +"Well!" exclaimed the cloak-robber in reply. "They say that the +mistress of the hacienda has escaped by a window. Her husband says she +is absent. I don't care whether it's true or not. All I know is, that +we can see nothing of her without; and we should have returned +empty-handed, if good fortune hadn't thrown into our hands this +gentleman here. I have no doubt he is a royalist spy, since he wanted +to pass himself off for our old comrade--the Lieutenant Lantejas." + +"Ah!" rejoined the other, "he would ill like to be Lantejas just now." + +And as the man said this he returned to the fire, which he had for the +moment forsaken. + +The captors of Don Cornelio were soon lost amidst the groups of their +associates--Gaspacho alone staying to guard him. + +Only a few seconds did the cloak-robber remain in the courtyard; after +which, making a sign to his prisoner to follow him, he commenced +reascending the stone _escalera_ that led to the second storey of the +building. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN. + +THE COLONEL OF COLONELS. + +The day upon which these various events took place was anything but a +happy one for Arroyo. It appeared to him as if the re-appearance in the +neighbourhood of his deadliest foe--Don Rafael Tres-Villas--had been the +signal for the series of disappointments which had occurred to him. Ten +of his followers had fallen in a sortie of the besieged, besides two +more killed by the hand of Don Rafael--who had himself escaped, as well +as the prisoner Gaspar and the deserter Juan el Zapote. + +The bloodthirsty disposition of the guerilla chief had been strengthened +by these disappointments, and in order to give solace to his vexed +spirit, he resolved to possess himself of the hacienda of San Carlos +without further delay. + +In addition to the wicked desires--which the promptings of Bocardo had +excited within him--there was another reason urging him to carry out +this design. The hacienda of San Carlos, with a little labour, could be +converted into a fortress of considerable strength, and such as he might +yet stand in need of. + +He saw that he had miscalculated the power of resistance of the royalist +garrison of Del Valle; and, still ignorant of its real strength, he +deemed it better to call off the besieging force until after the taking +of San Carlos. Then he could go back with his whole band, and make a +determined assault against the place. + +He had, for these reasons, ordered the besiegers to return to camp; and, +striking his tent, had marched with all his followers to the capture of +San Carlos. This will explain why Don Cornelio and his companions had +been able to pass the hacienda Del Valle--and afterwards the ford of the +Ostuta--without seeing anything of Arroyo or his band--Gaspacho alone +excepted. + +Numerous as were the servants of Don Fernando Lacarra--the proprietor of +San Carlos--their master did not for a moment dream of making +resistance. It would have been worse than useless against an +experienced _guerilla_ numbering in all above a hundred men. At the +first summons, therefore, the gates of the hacienda were opened to +Arroyo and his followers. + +Having hitherto practised a strict neutrality, and being known to have a +strong sympathy with the cause of the Independence, the young Spaniard +believed that Arroyo only intended demanding from him a contribution in +provisions--and perhaps money--for the support of his troops; and that +with this he would be contented. + +Although not suspecting the designs of the brigand in regard to his +wife, he had deemed it prudent, before opening the gates, that she +should conceal herself in one of the secret chambers of the mansion-- +where he was also in the habit of keeping his money and plate. There he +fancied she would be safe enough--unless, indeed, the whole building +should be ransacked and pillaged. + +To strengthen this precaution, Don Fernando had informed the brigands on +their entering the house, that his wife, Marianita, was not at home. + +Unfortunately for him, it was not a mere levy of blackmail that was now +to satisfy the partisan chieftains. One was determined upon robbing him +of his wife--while the other coveted his money--and therefore the +subterfuges of Don Fernando were not likely to avail him. + +It was just at the time that the wretched husband was endeavouring to +mislead his visitors as to the hiding-place of his wife and his +treasure, that Don Cornelio Lantejas had come within view of the +building, the lights of whose windows had so mystified him. That +mystery was now to be cleared up, and the ex-student was to find the +explanation of those bright coloured flames with their changing hues. + +Following Gaspacho up the stone stairway, Don Cornelio reached a door +upon the landing. It was closed; but inside, a tumult of voices could +be heard, accompanied by cries as of some one in pain. + +His conductor unceremoniously opened the door, and pushed Don Cornelio +into a large room, the atmosphere of which almost suffocated him. + +Several torches of resin, set in candelabras, were burning round the +walls, but the reddish light which these produced was almost eclipsed +under the glare that proceeded from a keg of brandy that stood near the +middle of the floor, and which, having been set on fire, was completely +enveloped in violet-coloured flames. + +The heat, the smell of blood, and the effluvia of the burning alcohol, +constituted an atmosphere horrid to endure; but even this was less +painful to Don Cornelio than the sight which met his eyes as he entered +the room. On one side was a group of guerilleros--clustered around some +object which they were regarding with the most vivid interest--all +seemingly pleased with the spectacle. + +It was that of an unfortunate man, stripped almost naked, and tied with +his face to the wall, while another man stood over him, grasping a +strong cow-hide whip, with which, at intervals, he struck the wretched +victim, apparently with all the strength that lay in his arms. + +He who handled the whip was a man of the most sinister aspect; and the +blue flames of the alcohol flashing over his countenance added to its +demoniac expression. Gouts of blood, that had spurted from the back of +the sufferer, spotted the wall on both sides of him; and the number of +those spots showed that the punishment had been continued for some +length of time. + +By the side of the man who was inflicting the stripes--and whom Lantejas +supposed to be some common executioner--stood a woman of a still more +hideous aspect; who, by her gestures and words, kept exciting the wretch +to still greater cruelty--as though he stood in need of such +encouragement. + +Gaspacho, perceiving that no one heeded his entrance, cried out, so as +to be heard above the tumult-- + +"Senor Captain! we have captured the comrade of the negro and the +Indian. Here he is." + +To the astonishment of Don Cornelio, the person thus addressed as the +captain was no other than the hideous individual who was handling the +whip. + +"Very well," responded the latter, without turning round. "I shall +attend to him presently, as soon as I have made this _coyote_ confess +where he has hidden his wife and his money." + +The whip again whistled through the air, and came down upon the back of +the wretched sufferer, without producing any other manifestation than a +deep groan. + +It is scarcely necessary to say that the victim of this barbarous +treatment was Don Fernando Lacarra. The words of Arroyo have already +made this known to the reader. + +Perfectly indifferent to the spectacle, Gaspacho, having introduced his +prisoner to the presence of Arroyo, walked out of the room. + +As regards Don Cornelio, he stood where the robber had left him, +paralysed with horror. Independently of the compassion he felt for the +sufferer, he was under the suspicion that both Costal and Clara had +already perished, and that his own turn might come next. + +While these fearful reflections were passing through his mind, a man +whom he had not before noticed now came up to him. This was an +individual with a jackal-like face, and the skulking mien of that +animal, with all its ferocious aspect. + +"My good friend," said this man, addressing himself to Don Cornelio, +"you appear somewhat lightly clad for one who is about to present +himself before people of distinction." + +Lantejas, in reality--thanks to the bandits who had captured him--was +almost naked: a torn shirt and drawers being all the clothing they had +left him. + +"Senor Captain,"--said he, addressing the jackal-like individual, and +intending to account for the scantiness of his costume. + +"Stop," interrupted the other, "not _captain_. Call me Colonel of +Colonels, if you please. It is a title which I have adopted, and no one +shall deprive me of it." + +"Well then, Colonel of Colonels! if your people had not robbed me of my +broad cloth cloak, my hat of Vicuna wool, and various other articles of +clothing, you would not have seen me so lightly dressed. But it is not +only that which grieves me. I have other serious complaints to make--" + +"The devil!" exclaimed the Colonel of Colonels, without heeding the last +remarks. "A broad cloth cloak and Vicuna hat, did you say? Two things +of which I stand particularly in need. They must be recovered." + +"I have to complain of violence offered to my person," continued Don +Cornelio. "I am called Lantejas--Captain Lantejas. I serve the junta +of Zitacuaro, under the orders of General Morelos; and I bear from him a +commission, of which the proofs--" + +A sudden thought interrupted the speech of Don Cornelio--a terrible +thought, for it just now occurred to him that his despatches, his +commission as captain, his letters of credence--in short, all the papers +by which he could prove his identity--were in the pockets of the stolen +cloak! + +"Ho!" exclaimed the Colonel of Colonels, in a joyful tone, "you call +yourself Lantejas, do you? I am delighted to hear it, and so will our +captain be. It is the luckiest circumstance in the world for us, and +for you, too, as you shall presently be convinced. Look here!" + +The speaker raised the corner of a _serape_ that was spread upon one of +the tables standing near, and pointed to some objects lying underneath. +Don Cornelio saw they were human heads. + +There were three of them. + +"Now, my good friend," continued the Colonel of Colonels, "there you see +the head of our old comrade, Lieutenant Lantejas, which we have brought +away from where it was nailed over the gate of the hacienda Del Valle. +Conceive, then, what a lucky thing for us! What a splendid _revanche_ +we shall have when, in place of the head of the insurgent Lantejas, we +shall nail up that of Lantejas the royalist spy!" + +"But it is a mistake," cried Don Cornelio, rubbing the cold sweat from +his forehead. "I am not a royalist nor a spy neither. I have the +honour to serve the cause of the Independence--" + +"Bah! everybody says the same. Besides, without any proofs--" + +"But I have proofs. They are in the pocket of my cloak, of which I have +been robbed." + +"Who took your cloak?" inquired the Colonel of Colonels. + +"Gaspacho," replied Don Cornelio, who had incidentally learnt the name +of the brigand who had despoiled him. + +"Ah! that is a terrible misfortune. Gaspacho has just received orders +to go in all haste to Las Cruces. He is off by this time, and will not +likely be back in less than ten days. You, by that time will have lost +your head, and I my cloak and Vicuna hat. Both of them, I know, would +have fitted me, since you and I are both of a size. What a damnable +misfortune for both of us!" + +A fearful cry interrupted the dialogue between Don Cornelio and the +Colonel of Colonels. The cry came from the wretched sufferer, who +fainted as soon as uttering it. + +Almost at the same instant the alcohol shot up its last flickering +flame--as the spirit itself was consumed; and in the reddish light of +the torches Don Cornelio could perceive the men flitting about like +shadows, or rather like demons assisting in the horrible drama that was +being enacted. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT. + +THE COMMISSION EXECUTED. + +While the Captain Lantejas stood in the midst of an atmosphere that +nearly stifled his breathing, he saw one of these shadowy forms step out +from among the rest and advance towards him. As the man came nearer, he +recognised the ferocious captain of the bandits, who, licking his +blood-stained lips like a jaguar after leaving its prey, cried out in a +hoarse voice, "Bring me that spy! I can examine him while the coyote is +coming to himself." + +"Here he is," replied Bocardo, seizing Don Cornelio by the shoulder, and +pushing him forward into the presence of his associate. + +"My good friend," muttered Bocardo, addressing himself to Don Cornelio, +"it's your turn now. Of course the lash will make you confess that you +are a spy, and of course your head will be taken off immediately after. +I would, therefore, advise you not to waste time about it but +acknowledge your guilt at once." + +While Bocardo was giving this fearful counsel, his associate stood +regarding Don Cornelio with eyes that expressed a villainous pleasure, +at the idea of having another victim to satisfy his bloodthirsty +instincts. + +"Confess quickly!" he cried, "and let that end it. I am tired, and +shan't be kept waiting." + +"Senor Arroyo!" replied Lantejas, "I am a captain in the insurgent army, +and am sent by General Morelos to tell you--" + +Don Cornelio paused. He was hesitating as to whether he dare proclaim +his real errand. + +"Your proofs?" demanded Arroyo. + +"My papers have been taken from me," said Lantejas. + +"A fig for your papers! Hola! wife!" continued Arroyo, turning to the +hag who still stood by the fainting victim, "here's a little work for +you, as I am somewhat fatigued. I charge you with making this spy +confess who sent him here, and what design he had in coming. Make him +speak out whatever way you please." + +"By and by," answered the virago, "but not yet. This coyote has come +round again, and better still, has come to his right senses at last: he +is about to confess." + +"Bring him here, then!" commanded Arroyo. + +Several men hastened to execute the order, and, detaching the victim +from the place where he had been bound, half dragged, half carried him +across the floor. Don Cornelio saw that the unfortunate individual was +a young man--of less than thirty, of noble aspect, though his features +expressed at the moment the terrible agony he was enduring. + +"Now, _Gachupino_!" exclaimed the woman, "where is your money hid?" + +"Where is your wife?" cried Arroyo. On hearing this question so +pointedly put, the hideous companion of Arroyo directed upon her husband +a glance of concentrated rage and jealousy. + +"I want the woman," muttered Arroyo, "in order that I may draw a good +ransom out of her father." + +The young Spaniard, his spirit tortured to a certain degree of +feebleness, in a voice scarce audible, indicated to his persecutors +where lay the secret chamber--the door of which, cunningly set in the +wall, had escaped even the keen eyes of the robbers. + +Both Bocardo and Arroyo immediately repaired to the spot. A keg of +dollars, with a large quantity of plate, was found in the chamber, but +the Senora Marianita had disappeared. + +On hearing this news, a tremor of joy passed through the lacerated frame +of the young Spaniard. Little cared he for his treasure, so long as his +beloved wife had escaped from the outrages of the brigands. His emotion +caused him to faint anew; and he lay once more senseless at the feet of +his tormentors. + +Don Cornelio now remembered the white phantom he had observed gliding +among the trees, and he doubted not that what he had seen was she of +whom they were in search. + +Arroyo returned to examine his prisoner, but by this time the whole +nature of Don Cornelio appeared to have become suddenly transformed. +The perfumes of the alcohol, mixed with that of the resin torches, had +mounted to his head; and as he had never in his life even tasted strong +liquors, the effect was that of a partial but instant intoxication. He +appeared to have become animated with a portion of that courage, with +which in the field of battle the flaming eyes of Galeana had more than +once inspired him--while combating under the aegis of the marshal's +death-dealing lance. + +"Senor Arroyo!" cried he in a voice whose thundering tones astonished +even himself, "and you who call yourself the Colonel of Colonels! I +command you both to respect the envoy of his Excellency the General +Morelos--myself--who am charged to tell you, that if you continue, by +your sanguinary cruelties, to disgrace the holy cause for which we +fight--not as brigands but as Christians--you will both be _drawn and +quartered_!" + +At this unexpected and insulting menace the eyes of Arroyo sparkled with +fury. Upon Bocardo the effect was somewhat different. He trembled and +turned pale at the name of Morelos. + +Lantejas, though somewhat alarmed at his own boldness, nevertheless +continued in the same strain. + +"Bring here the negro and Indian!" demanded he, "prisoners like myself-- +and see if both do not know me as Captain Don Cornelio Lantejas. If +they do not I consent--" + +At this point Arroyo interrupted the speaker, springing forward and +crying out in a husky voice-- + +"Woe be to you if you are lying! I will pluck the tongue out of your +head, and scourge with it the cheeks of an impostor." + +Lantejas, now elevated in spite of himself to a point of haughty +grandeur, replied to this menace only with a superb smile. + +Clara being sent for, the moment after appeared within the room. + +"Who is this man, dog of a negro?" interrogated the fierce brigand. + +This time too punctual in executing the orders of his captain, the black +displayed his ivory teeth in a smile of significant intelligence. "Don +Lucas Alacuesta, of course!" he replied. + +A cry of gratification issued from the lips of the bandit. + +"But there is another name which I also bear, is there not?" inquired +Don Cornelio, without losing countenance. + +"Don Cornelio Lantejas," added Clara. + +"The proofs--the proofs!" cried the guerillero, pacing rapidly backward +and forward, like a caged tiger who sees the spectators outside the bars +of his prison without being able to devour them, "the proofs!--I must +have them at once." + +At this moment confused and violent noises were heard outside the door, +and rising above all the voice of Costal. The door was suddenly burst +open, and the Indian rushed into the middle of the room, holding in one +hand a bloody dagger, while the other was enveloped in a shapeless mass +of what seemed to be cloth. The latter was serving him for a shield +against the attack of several guerilleros, who were pressing him from +behind. + +Costal, on getting inside, turned abruptly and stood facing his +adversaries. + +These, finding themselves in the presence of their chief, desisted for a +moment from the attack--one of them crying out to Arroyo, that the +Indian had poniarded their comrade Gaspacho. + +"I did it to get back my own property," replied Costal, "or rather that +of Captain Lantejas; and here it is." + +In saying these words, the Zapoteque unwound from his left arm what had +served him as a buckler, and which was now seen to be the cloak so +inopportunely missing. + +Don Cornelio seized it from him with an exclamation of joy, and at once +plunged his hands into the pockets. + +"Here are my proofs!" cried he, drawing out a number of papers, so +stained with blood, fresh from the veins of the slain robber, as to be +scarce legible. Enough, however, could be read to establish the +identity of Don Cornelio and the authority under which he was acting. + +The names of Morelos and Galeana in the midst of this band of brigands +were, for him, like the whisper of the Lord to Daniel in the den of +lions. Even the two ferocious leaders lowered their tone at the mention +of these names, so universally feared and respected. + +"You may go, then!" cried Arroyo, yielding reluctantly to the authority +that had awed him; "but if you ever boast of the arrogant language you +have used to me, _Carajo_!" and the brigand hissed out the infamous +oath. "As for General Morelos," he added, "you may say to him, that +each of us fights according to his own way; and, notwithstanding his +threats, I shall follow mine." + +Saying this, an order was issued to let the three prisoners pass free, +after delivering up to them their arms and horses. + +"Let six horsemen get ready to pursue this runaway Senora!" cried the +bandit chief, as Don Cornelio and his companions were leaving the room. +"Some one bridle my horse, and quickly. I shall go along with them, and +you too, Bocardo." + +Bocardo made no reply, but not equally silent was Arroyo's female +companion. + +"What want you with the Senora?" she inquired, in a tone of angry +jealousy. "Have you got the keg of dollars to satisfy you!" + +"I have told you already," rejoined Arroyo, with a demoniac glance at +his wife, "that I want her for the purpose of enabling me to extract a +ransom from her father. I want her, and will have her. You stay here, +and guard the treasure; and by all the devils if you don't behave +yourself better--" + +The bandit drew his dagger with such an air of resolution and menace, +that the hag, cowed by the gesture, no longer offered opposition to his +will. Shrinking to one side, she appeared to busy herself in looking +after the keg of dollars. + +Meanwhile Don Cornelio and his two acolytes, not caring to remain in +such company longer than was absolutely necessary, hastened from the +room; and, mounting their restored steeds, rode off into the darkness of +the night. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTY NINE. + +THE CATALAN LIEUTENANT. + +It is already known how Don Rafael Tres-Villas had fortified his +hacienda of Del Valle, and how, when called elsewhere by his military +duties, he had left its garrison of nearly a hundred men, under the +command of a Catalonian officer, Lieutenant Veraegui. + +On the same day in which he had made a sortie from the hacienda, and +succeeded in capturing ten of the besieging guerilleros, the Lieutenant +received a despatch from the governor of the province, ordering him, +without further delay, to attack the band of Arroyo, and annihilate it, +if possible. Then, with his whole troop, to repair to Oajaca, which was +now in danger of being besieged by Morelos. The despatch also conveyed +to Veraegui the additional intelligence of the raising of the siege of +Huajapam, and the total defeat of the besieging forces. + +The news was anything but agreeable to the Catalonian Lieutenant. In +the _alcavala_--which he had for the past two years been accustomed to +levy on all the traffic between Puebla and Oajaca--he had found +excellent pay for his soldiers; and being a man not over scrupulous, +though brave as a lion, he felt greatly disinclined to change his +comfortable quarters. A fierce royalist, moreover, the news from +Huajapam excited his fury against the insurgents to the highest pitch; +and he blamed himself for the clemency he had displayed that very +morning in hanging four of the guerilleros he had taken, up by the neck, +instead of by the heels--as he had done with three of their comrades. + +About an hour after Don Cornelio Lantejas and his travelling companions +had passed Del Valle--and only a few minutes from the time, when, thanks +to the darkness of the night, two of Arroyo's followers had found an +opportunity to carry off the heads of their three comrades--two men +presented themselves in front of the fortified hacienda. + +They were Gaspar and Juan de Zapote, who had hidden themselves during +the day, and awaited the friendly darkness, to enable them to make their +way through the lines of the besieging force. + +"I see no one," muttered Zapote, as they glided into the avenue. "The +place appears to be deserted! It's likely enough that my ex-comrades +have abandoned the siege." + +"So much the better--let us keep on then!" rejoined Gaspar. + +"Gently, gently, compadre!" counselled Zapote. "You forget that my +costume is of the military kind, and likely to make a sentinel +suspicious of me. A carbine shot might be the only hail we should get +from one of these Royalists." + +"Your physiognomy, amigo, is more likely than your costume to beget +suspicions." + +"Ah! that comes of the bad company I have been keeping of late." + +"Never mind that. I shall go forward alone, and make myself known to +the sentries. I can then introduce you as a comrade, devoted to the +service of Don Rafael Tres-Villas, and who offers to assist in +delivering the Colonel from danger." + +"Precisely so, that is, if the Colonel be still alive." + +"_Quien viva_!" came the sonorous hail of a sentinel from the crenelled +parapet. + +"_Gente de paz_!" replied Gaspar, advancing alone, while Zapote, +notwithstanding the obscurity of the night, instinctively placed himself +behind the trunk of a tree. + +"What is your wish?" demanded the guard. + +"I am the bearer of important news from the Colonel Tres-Villas," +answered Gaspar. + +"And we wish to communicate them to Lieutenant Veraegui," added Zapote, +from behind, but without leaving the shelter of the tree. + +"How many of you are there?" asked the sentinel. + +"Two." + +"You may advance, then," said the soldier, dropping his carbine to the +"order arms." + +The gate was soon opened; and Gaspar and Zapote, entering within the +fortress, were conducted by the corporal of the guard towards the +quarters of his commander. + +The Lieutenant Veraegui was, at the moment, within one of the chambers +of the mansion, engaged over a game of cards with a young _alferez_. On +the table before them stood a bottle of Catalan brandy--the product of +his own native province--clear and strong as alcohol. A couple of +glasses flanked the bottle, and beside them lay a pile of Havana cigars. + +Zapote, on entering, could not help a slight tremor; which was increased +as the Catalan Lieutenant bent upon him an inquisitorial look of his +grey eyes, that glanced keenly under eyebrows long and grizzled like his +moustaches. + +Veraegui was a soldier of fortune, of rude unpolished speech, and with +manners not very different from those which he had practised while +wearing the chevrons of a Sergeant. + +From the examination of Zapote, he passed unceremoniously to that of +Gaspar, whose features he instantly recognised. + +"Ah! it is you?" he said, addressing the messenger. "Well, you have +seen the Colonel, and bring news from him? He has, I trust, escaped +from the disaster of Huajapam." + +"Senor Lieutenant," replied Gaspar, "I know not of what affair you are +speaking. All I know is, that this morning the Colonel Tres-Villas was +in the woods between here and the Ostuta--where the bandits of Arroyo +were tracking him like a wild beast." + +"Ho!" cried the Lieutenant, angrily, as he started up from his chair; +"and it is only now you tell me of this, when you might have brought the +news in an hour?" + +"Pardon, Lieutenant: both my companion and myself were also hunted by +the same brigands; and we were not able to escape from the woods one +minute sooner than we have done." + +"Ah! in that case, I ask your pardon, and that of your companion there," +continued the Lieutenant, turning to Zapote, "whom I should certainly +have taken for a friend of Arroyo, rather than an enemy to that worthy +individual. Where the devil have I seen you, my good fellow?" he added, +fancying he recognised the features of the deserter. + +"Oh! your honour, I have travelled a great deal," replied Zapote, whose +presence of mind did not forsake him. "It would not be strange if--" + +"So the Colonel has sent you to apprise me of his situation?" said the +Lieutenant, without waiting for Zapote's explanation. + +"We met the Colonel without knowing him," blundered out Gaspar. "It was +only afterwards we learnt it was he." + +"Ha! that is very strange!" remarked the Catalan, again turning his eye +upon the men with a suspicious glance. + +Gaspar now related how, as he and his companion were flying from the +bandits of Arroyo, Don Rafael had leaped down between them from the +branches of a tree; and how they had parted from him without recognising +him. + +So far the story was well enough; but the narrator was treading on +ground that was dangerous for Juan el Zapote. It remained to be +explained how they had been informed, by the ex-comrades of the +deserter, that the fugitive they had encountered was the Colonel +Tres-Villas. + +At this point Gaspar hesitated, while the suspicion glances of the +Lieutenant flitted alternately from one to the other. Zapote, however, +came resolutely to the aid of his companion. + +"My compadre," said he, "does not wish to tell the whole truth, out of +regard for me. I shall speak for him; and this it is. In going away +from here on his message to the Colonel, my friend Gaspar was captured +by the scouts of Arroyo, and taken to the camp of the guerilleros. +There he stood a very fair chance of losing his life, when, out of +regard for our _compadrazgo_, and old acquaintance' sake, I consented to +assist him at the risk of losing my head." + +"Oh! you are then from the camp of Arroyo?" + +"Yes," muttered Zapote, in a tone of compunction, "the lamb is sometimes +found in the company of wolves." + +"Especially when the lamb so nearly resembles a wolf, that it is +difficult to distinguish them," rejoined the lieutenant with a smile. + +"I have always been an honest man," affirmed Zapote, with a demure look. +"Virtue has been my motto through life; and I assure your honour, that +I was forced to consort with these brigands very much against my will. +I was only too glad, when, to save my old compadre here, I found an +opportunity of making some amends for the wicked life I have been +obliged to lead in their company." + +"Hum!" said the Lieutenant, with a dubious shrug of the shoulders, "I +suppose you expect your virtue to be well rewarded. But how did you +ascertain that the man you encountered so unexpectedly was the Colonel?" + +Zapote now recounted their subsequent interview with the brigands; and +how he had learnt from them the object of their pursuit--as well as the +adroit ruse he had practised to secure the escape of himself and his +"compadre." + +"It's all true as gospel!" affirmed Gaspar, when his companion had +finished the relation. + +Zapote also made known the advice he had given to Don Rafael: to conceal +himself among the bamboos. + +"At what place?" demanded the Lieutenant. + +"Just below the ford," answered the deserter. + +"But, Senor Lieutenant," added he, "I shall be most happy to conduct you +to the spot myself." + +"You shall do no such thing, my brave fellow. You and your worthy +_compadre_, as you call him, shall remain here as hostages, till Don +Rafael is found. I have no confidence in lambs that have been so long +in the company of wolves. If the Colonel be living, so may you; but if +I find it otherwise, then your prospects--Ho, there!" cried the +Lieutenant, without finishing the threat, "take these two men to the +guard-house, and keep them there, till I order them to be set free." + +So saying, the Catalan poured out a glass of his favourite liquor, and +commenced drinking it. + +"What, and me, too?" inquired Gaspar, in a tone not very complimentary +to his companion in misfortune. + +"A fig for you! my worthy fellow!" rejoined the Lieutenant. "You should +have remembered the proverb, _mas vale viajar in solo que mal +acompanado_." (Better travel alone than in bad company.) + +"By the cross of Christ!" continued he, after quaffing off his glass, "I +shall make short work of it with this bandit, Arroyo. To-night I shall +finish with him and his band; and if I don't give the jackals and +vultures a meal that will last them for a twelvemonth, my name's not +Veraegui!" + +At an order from his superior, the _alferez_ flung down the cards, and +hurried off to prepare the garrison troops for sallying out of the fort +to the rescue of their Colonel; while the corporal of the guards +conducted Gaspar and Zapote to the prison--the latter no little +disconcerted at finding his first act of virtue so indifferently +rewarded! + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY. + +NEWS SWEET AND SAD. + +From the middle of the cane-brake where Don Rafael had found shelter, he +was able through the stems of the bamboos to see the camp of Arroyo and +his bandits. He could note many of the movements passing within their +lines; and at length perceived the guerilleros striking their tents, and +riding off in a body from the banks of the river. + +He still kept his place, however, until the night had fairly come on, +and then wading back to the high bank where the bamboo thicket +commenced, he looked out upon the open space between the river and the +edge of the forest. + +At first, all was silent along the bank of the stream; but shortly after +three horsemen were seen riding past, and not far behind them two other +men followed, also on horseback. + +The first party were Don Cornelio and his companions, making for the +ford of the river. The other horsemen were two of Arroyo's _guerilla_-- +who, by his orders, had remained near the hacienda Del Valle, for the +purpose of taking down the heads of his three followers nailed over the +gate--should an opportunity offer for their so doing. They had found +the opportunity--as already known--and it was they who had passed Don +Cornelio at the ford, and whose ambiguous speech had caused a difference +of opinion, as to its meaning, between the Captain and Clara. + +The first care of Don Rafael, as soon as he believed the road to be +clear, was to recover his horse--which he had left tied in a thicket in +the woods. + +Like his master, Roncador had escaped the researches of the bandits; but +so weak was he with thirst and hunger, that Don Rafael had doubts +whether the poor animal would be able to carry him. It was necessary +that he should take the horse to the river, in order to water him. This +required to be done by stealth; for, although Don Rafael had witnessed +the departure of the guerilleros from the ford, he did not know whether +those who blockaded the hacienda had also gone away. + +After giving Roncador his drink, just as he was leading the horse up the +bank again, he perceived a man coming from the direction of the ford. +As this man was on foot and alone, Don Rafael resolved to stop and +question him. Sabre in hand, therefore, he placed himself in front of +the pedestrian. + +The latter, thus assailed by a man with a naked sword--and who was +covered from head to foot with a coating of mud--was almost frightened +out of his senses. + +"Oh, Lord!" he cried, "help a poor servant who is seeking assistance for +his master!" + +"Who is your master?" demanded Don Rafael. + +"Don Fernando Lacarra," answered the man. + +"Of the hacienda San Carlos?" + +"_Si, Senor_. You know him?" + +"Yes: is he in any danger?" + +"Alas!" replied this servant, "the hacienda is pillaged by guerilleros; +and, just as I was leaving it, I heard the groans of my poor master +under the lash of their Captain Arroyo--" + +"Again this villain!" muttered Don Rafael, interrupting the narrator +with his angry soliloquy. + +"Ah! he is always committing some crime," rejoined the servant. + +"And your mistress--the Dona Marianita--what of her?" + +"It was to make him tell where she was concealed that Arroyo was +flogging my master," replied the man. "Fortunately I was able to get +her out of the way, by assisting her to descend from the window of the +chamber where they had hidden her. Afterwards I got off myself, and am +now on my way to the hacienda Del Valle, in hopes of getting assistance +from its brave defenders, who themselves never violate the laws of war." + +"But how will you get in there? Are not some of Arroyo's guerilleros +still besieging the place?" + +"No, Senor. The whole band is now at San Carlos." + +"Good!" exclaimed the Colonel. "Come along with me, and I promise you a +prompt and bloody vengeance." + +Without further explaining himself, Don Rafael leaped upon his horse, +directing the domestic to mount behind him, and then started off at a +rapid trot in the direction of Del Valle. + +"Where did you leave your mistress?" inquired Don Rafael, as they rode +on. + +"In truth, sir," replied the domestic, "I was so confused when she left +me, that I did not think of reminding her to fly to Del Valle. I only +told her to make into the woods near San Carlos. But the most important +matter was for her to get out of the reach of Arroyo; and I hope she +will be safe in the chapparal. Poor young creature! She was so happy +this morning. She was expecting on this very night the arrival of her +father and sister--neither of whom she has seen for a long time." + +The Colonel could not hinder himself from shuddering. + +"Are you sure that it is to-night that Don Mariano and Dona Gertrudis +are expected at San Carlos?" he inquired, with a tone of anxiety in his +voice. + +"Yes; a letter had reached my master to say so. God forbid that they, +too, should fall into the hands of these merciless men! They say, too, +that Arroyo is an old servant of Don Mariano." + +"Let us hope they may not come!" said the Colonel, with a choking +effort. + +"It may be," continued the domestic, "that the illness of Dona Gertrudis +may detain them a day or two on the journey. That would be the luckiest +thing that could happen." + +"What say you? is Dona Gertrudis ill!" + +"Senor!" exclaimed the domestic, "you, who appear to know the family, +are you ignorant that Dona Gertrudis is only the shadow of her former +self, and that some secret grief is wasting her away? But, Senor, why +do you tremble?" inquired the man, who, with his arm round his waist, +felt the nervous agitation of Don Rafael's body. + +"Oh, nothing," replied the latter; "but tell me--does any one know the +cause of her grief?" + +"Rather say, who is there who don't know it, Senor? Dona Gertrudis was +in love with a young officer; and so fondly, that it is said she cut off +the whole of her beautiful hair, as a sacrifice to the Holy Virgin, for +saving his life on an occasion when he was in danger! And yet for all +this, he who was thus loved proved faithless, and deserted her!" + +"Well?" mechanically interposed Don Rafael. + +"Well," continued the servant, "the poor young lady is dying on account +of being so deserted--dying by inches; but surely--why, Senor, you are +certainly ill? I feel your heart beating against my hand as if it would +leap out of your bosom!" + +"It is true," answered Don Rafael, in a husky voice. "I am subject to +severe palpitations; but presently--" The Colonel, for support, fell +back against the domestic, his herculean strength having yielded to the +powerful emotions which were passing within him. "Presently," he +continued, "I shall get over it. I feel better already. Go on with +your history. This man--this officer--did he ever tell Dona Gertrudis +that he no longer loved her? Does he love any other?" + +"I do not know," was the response of the domestic. + +"Could she not have sent him word--say by some means agreed upon--which +should bring him back to her from the farthest corner of the earth? +Perhaps then--" + +Don Rafael could not finish what he intended to have said. A bright +hope, long time suppressed, began to spring up within his heart, and +with such force, that he feared to know the truth--lest it should be +crushed on the instant. + +"Senor, you ask me more than I am able to answer," rejoined the +domestic. "I have told you all I know of this sad story!" + +Heaving a deep sigh, the Colonel remained for some moments silent. +After a while, he resumed the conversation, by putting a question, the +answer to which might terminate his doubts. + +"Have you ever heard the name of this young officer?" + +"No," replied the domestic; "but were I in his place, I should not leave +this young lady to die, for one lovelier I never beheld in all my life." + +These were the last words spoken on either side: for at that moment the +voices of the sentinels, challenging from the walls of the hacienda, put +an end to the conversation. + +"Say to Lieutenant Veraegui," commanded Don Rafael, in reply to the +challenge, "that it is Colonel Tres-Villas." + +The sound of the trumpets inside soon after signalised the joy felt by +the garrison at the return of their old commandant, while the domestic +of Don Fernando flung himself promptly to the ground, asking a thousand +pardons for not recognising the quality of his _compagnon de cheval_. + +"It is I who have most reason to feel obliged," said Don Rafael. +"Remain here till I see you again. I may, perhaps, need you for an +important message." + +The domestic bowed respectfully, taking hold of the bridle of Don +Rafael's horse, while the Lieutenant Veraegui, the _alferez_, with +several soldiers of the garrison, came forth with torches to +congratulate their superior officer on his escape from the dangers that +had so lately surrounded him. + +As soon as their first greetings had been exchanged, Veraegui informed +the Colonel that they were just about preparing to start upon an +expedition against the banditti of Arroyo. + +"You know where they are, then?" said Don Rafael. + +"Not the precise spot. But it is not difficult to find the traces of +these gentry," replied Catalan. + +"True," rejoined the Colonel. "But I chance to know their whereabouts. +They are just now at the hacienda of San Carlos. This faithful servant, +who is holding my horse, has lately escaped from them, and come to beg +your assistance to rescue his master from the brutal outrages they are +at this moment inflicting upon him. Lieutenant Veraegui! see that your +men are provided with a sufficient quantity of ropes. Let a piece of +ordnance be mounted upon the back of a mule: we shall, no doubt, require +it to force open the gate." + +"But, Senor Colonel, what do you want with the ropes?" inquired the +Lieutenant, with a significant smile. + +"For the execution of these brigands. We shall hang them to the last +man, my dear Veraegui." + +"Good!" assented the Catalan, in a joyous accent, "and this time by the +heels, I hope. I shall never forgive myself for my foolish +indulgence--" + +"What! you have spared some of them?" interrupted Don Rafael. + +"I have been too merciful to four whom I captured yesterday--in hanging +them by the necks. But, by the way, Colonel, now I think of it, two odd +fellows came in a while ago, who say that they wish to speak with you." + +"I cannot receive them now," answered Don Rafael, little suspecting the +supreme happiness their message would have given him. "I shall see them +on my return. We have already wasted too much time, while the worthy +proprietor of San Carlos is no doubt counting the minutes in anguish. I +shall not even stay to change my dress; so haste, and get your men upon +horseback." + +"Sound `Boots and saddles!'" cried the Lieutenant, hurrying into the +courtyard to give further orders; while Don Rafael, under the pretext of +being alone for a few minutes, walked out into the garden, and directed +his steps towards the spot where, two years before, he had deposited the +remains of his father in the tomb. + +His spirit once more excited by the revelations made by the domestic of +Don Fernando, he felt he needed a moment of prayer to strengthen him for +this final effort for the punishment of his father's assassins. The +murder of his father had been for him a terrible blow, but, as time +passed, even this grief, by little and little, had become appeased. + +Far different was it with that other passion--which neither time, nor +absence, nor the constant changing of scene, nor the duties of an active +campaign, had been able to eradicate from his bosom. + +He now knew that Gertrudis reciprocated his ardent love--that she was +dying of it; and, in the midst of the mournful joy which this news had +produced, he could have forgotten that his father's death was not yet +avenged, as he had sworn it should be. One of the assassins was at no +great distance from him, and yet he could scarcely restrain himself from +yielding to the almost irresistible desire of galloping direct to +Oajaca, where he supposed Gertrudis to be, and then, flinging himself at +her feet, confessing that, without her, he could no longer live. + +It was to steel his soul against this temptation, and enable him to keep +the oath he had sworn, that Don Rafael now repaired to his father's +grave. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE. + +THE CAPTURE OF SAN CARLOS. + +A few minutes sufficed for the performance of his sacred duty; and Don +Rafael, returning to the courtyard, placed himself at the head of his +troopers--already in their saddles. There were eighty in all ordered +upon the expedition--only a small garrison of twenty men being left-- +just sufficient to defend the fortress. Two pack-mules accompanied the +party--one carrying a small howitzer, while the other was laden with the +necessary _caisson_ of ammunition. + +At a given signal the great gate of the hacienda was thrown open, and +the troopers filing through, passed on down the avenue at a rapid trot, +and in silence. + +A dozen or so of light cavalry went in advance of the main body--for the +purpose of reconnoitring the ground--and at the head of these was Don +Rafael himself with the Lieutenant Veraegui. + +On the way the Lieutenant, in brief language, rendered an account to his +superior of the events that had happened since his last despatch to +him--to all of which Don Rafael listened far from attentively. Absorbed +in his thoughts, he sat abstractedly in his saddle until after they had +forded the Ostuta. + +On the other side of the river the advance guard halted to give the main +body time to come up; and here Don Rafael ordered the domestic of Don +Fernando to be brought into his presence. + +"Do you know," said he, addressing the man, "if there be any road by +which we can get round the hacienda, and approach it from the opposite +side?" + +The domestic replied in the affirmative. He knew a path by which he +could conduct the troopers to the rear of the building, and by which +they might advance up to the very walls without their approach being +discovered. + +"Go ahead then along with the scouts!" directed Don Rafael. "It is +necessary we take these robbers by surprise, else they may get off from +us as they have done before." + +The guide obeyed the order, and placing himself at the head of the +advance guard, the march was resumed. + +The path by which the domestic conducted them made a detour round the +foot of the hill, upon which the hacienda stood, and where, but a few +hours earlier, Don Cornelio Lantejas had seen the flames shining so +brightly through the windows. All was now silent as the tomb; and no +sound of any kind announced that the approach of the assailing party was +suspected. + +A little further on the guide halted and pointed out to Don Rafael +several paths that branched off from the one they were following, and by +which the party, separating into several detachments, might completely +encompass the hacienda. This was exactly what Don Rafael wanted. + +Reserving to himself the command of the main body, he detached three +smaller parties by these paths--one under the direction of Veraegui, the +others each commanded by an alferez. These, at a given signal, were to +attack on right, left, and in the rear; while Don Rafael himself with +the howitzer would storm the building in front. Each party was provided +with a supply of hand-grenades, to be thrown into the courtyard of the +hacienda, or into such other places as the enemy might seek refuge in. + +So long as the assailants were sheltered from view by the trees and +shrubs that skirted the hill, they approached without being discovered: +but the moment they became uncovered, on getting nearer to the walls, +shouts of alarm and shots fired by the sentries summoned the garrison to +the defence; and an irregular fusillade was commenced from the azotea of +the building. + +The different parties of the attacking force, without heeding this, kept +on throwing their grenades as they advanced; while the party of Don +Rafael, on arriving in front of the building, at once mounted the +howitzer upon its carriage, and opened fire upon the main gateway. + +The first shot crushed through the heavy timbers, carrying away one of +the posterns of the gate. + +Meanwhile, the grenades, falling within the courtyard began to burst +upon the pavement--frightening the horses of the guerilleros to such an +extent, that the animals broke from their fastenings, and galloped +about, causing the greatest confusion. The shouts of alarm, the groans +of the wounded, and the furious imprecations of the bandits, was for a +time the only answer made to the reports of the bursting grenades, which +were making such havoc in their ranks. + +The loud explosion of the howitzer proclaimed a second discharge; and +this time the shot penetrated into the courtyard, and cut its way +through a mass of insurgents crowded near the further end of it. + +"Once more! once more!" cried Don Rafael. "Batter down the other wing +of the gate, and then, sword in hand, let us enter!" + +So quickly did the practised artillerists of Veraegui handle their +piece, that almost on the instant it was loaded and discharged for the +third time. The ball passed once more through the heavy door; the leaf +gave way and fell back with a crash, leaving the entrance open. + +Tres-Villas, sword in hand, rushed into the gateway, followed by his +faithful adherents. + +"Where is the dog Arroyo?" cried he, bounding forward among the thick of +the brigands, and cutting down every one within reach of his sword +before an answer could be given. "On, my men!" he continued, "neither +prisoners nor quarter!" + +"I shall hang by the feet all who surrender!" thundered the voice of the +Catalan from behind. + +But despite this moderate promise of mercy, not one of the bandits +offered to deliver himself up; and very soon the courtyard contained +only a pile of dead bodies of the insurgents--the few who still lived +having betaken themselves to the upper rooms of the building, where they +secured themselves from present death by barricading the doors. + +"Where is the dog Arroyo? A thousand pesos to the man who can lead me +to the presence of the monster!" cried Don Rafael, vainly searching for +the guerilla leader. + +But Arroyo and his associate Bocardo were sought for in vain: since it +will be remembered that both had gone off from the hacienda in search of +its fugitive mistress. + +The dead bodies were examined one after the other, and with care, but no +Arroyo--no Bocardo--could be found among them. + +"Let us on, Veraegui!" said Don Rafael. "We must attack them in their +stronghold. The chiefs must be hidden up yonder! There is no time to +be lost." + +"Alas!" rejoined the Catalan, with a sigh, as he stood regarding the +dead bodies with an air of regret, "I fear, Colonel, our ropes will be +useless after all. These fellows are all dead; and, as for their +comrades up there, we shall have to set fire to their retreat, and burn +them alive in it. If we attempt to dislodge them otherwise, it will +cost us a goodly number of our people." + +"Oh! do not set fire to the house, Senor Colonel!" interposed the +faithful domestic, in an appealing tone; "my poor master is there, and +would suffer with the rest. All his people, too, are with him, and in +the power of the brigands." + +"It is true, what he says," rejoined Don Rafael, moved by the appeal of +the domestic; "and yet it will never do to let these fiends escape. If +we attack them, entrenched as they are, and knowing that certain death +await them, they may cost us, as you say, more men than they are worth. +What is your advice, Lieutenant?" + +"That we reduce them by a siege, and starve them into surrendering. For +my part, I don't wish to be baulked about the hanging of them-- +especially after the trouble we have taken in bringing these ropes along +with us." + +"It will cost time; but I agree with you, it seems the best thing we can +do. They must soon yield to hunger; and perhaps before that time we may +find some opportunity of getting Don Fernando out of their power. At +all events, let us wait for sunrise before renewing the attack. +Meanwhile, I leave you to conduct the blockade. The poor lady, +Marianita, is, no doubt, wandering about in the woods near at hand. I +shall myself go in search of her." + +Saying this, and giving orders for half a dozen chosen men to follow +him, Don Rafael leaped into his saddle, and rode off through the gateway +of the hacienda. + +He had scarcely passed out of sight, when the sentinels placed by +Veraegui were signalled by two men who wished to enter the courtyard. +Both were afoot, and appeared to have come in such haste that they could +scarce get breath enough to proclaim their errand. + +"What do you want?" asked the Catalan, before looking at the men. "Eh! +my droll fellows!" he continued, recognising Gaspar and Zapote, "it is +you, is it? How the devil did you get out of my guard-house?" + +"The sentry allowed us to go, your honour," answered Zapote. "He knew +that you did not wish us to be detained, if the Colonel should be found +alive; and as we have an important message to him--" + +"The Colonel is gone away from here," interrupted Veraegui. + +"Gone!" exclaimed Zapote, with an air of extreme chagrin. "Where is he +gone to, your honour?" + +The Lieutenant, after pointing out the direction in which Don Rafael had +ridden away, turned his back upon the two adventurers--who, instead of +being offended at this rudeness, were only too glad to terminate their +interview with the dreaded Catalan. They lost no time, therefore, in +making their exit from the courtyard; and, as fast as their legs could +carry them, they started off in the direction taken by him whom they had +so long unsuccessfully followed. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO. + +THE ENCHANTED LAKE. + +It is ten o'clock at night, and a starry heaven is extended over a large +expanse of level country--here clothed with virgin forests--there with +broad, almost treeless savannas, now and then partaking of the character +of marshes and covered with tall reeds. In the midst of this landscape +a large lake opens to the view. Its aspect is sombre and sad--its dark, +turbid waters scarce reflecting the stars that shine so brilliantly over +it; while the waves beating against its sedge-encircled shores, utter +only the most lugubrious sounds. + +Near the centre of this lake rises a mountain of dark, greenish colour, +resembling an immense cairn constructed by the hands of Titans. Upon +its summit rests a cloud of white fog collected by evaporation from the +surrounding water, which has been condensed by the freshness of the +night. The numerous dark fissures distinguishable along the sides of +this gigantic hill give it the appearance of being a mass of lava--the +debris vomited forth by some extinct volcano--and at night, when the +moon's rays fall obliquely upon its flanks, it presents a vague +resemblance to the scales of an alligator. At the same time that this +fancy is suggested, the huge saurian itself may be heard, plunging among +the reeds at its foot, and causing their culms to rattle against the +rhomboid protuberances of his hideous carapace. + +The mournful and desolate aspect of this lake, as well as of the shores +that surround it--the eternal silence that reigns over it--the bleak, +lonely appearance of its island mountain--all combine to produce upon +the spectator an irresistible impression of melancholy; and a spirit of +superstitious inclinings cannot help giving way to thoughts of the +supernatural. No wonder that in such a place the ancient Aztec priests +should have erected an altar for their sanguinary sacrifices; and so +strong is tradition, that even in modern times the lake of Ostuta and +the mountain of Monopostiac, are invested with supernatural attributes, +and regarded by the vulgar with feelings of awe. + +It was to the shores of this lake that the domestic of Don Mariano de +Silva had conducted his master, certain of finding there a secure +resting-place for the night. He knew that the country surrounding the +lake was entirely uninhabited; and the brigands of Arroyo would scarce +extend their excursions to such an unprofitable foraging ground. The +southern end of the lake was bordered by a strip of forest; and it was +in this forest that Don Mariano had determined to make halt for the +night. + +A small glade surrounded by trees of many species was chosen by the +travellers as a place of their bivouac. The ground was covered with a +carpet of soft grass, and many flowering shrubs and blossoming llianas, +supported by the trees that grew around, yielded to the night an odorous +incense that was wafted over the glade. It was, in fact, a bower made +by the hand of nature, over which was extended the dark blue canopy of +the sky, studded with its millions of scintillating stars. + +Don Mariano had selected this lovely spot with a design--that of +distracting his daughter's spirit from the sad reflections which the +more gloomy portions of the forest might otherwise have called up. + +Shortly after halting, Dona Gertrudis had fallen asleep in her +_litera_--through the curtains of which, only half closed, might be seen +her soft cheek, white almost as the pillow upon which it lay. + +Nature had almost repaired the outrage she had voluntarily committed on +her long dark tresses; but the life within her seemed fast hastening to +an end, and her breathing told how feeble was the spirit that now +animated her bosom. She appeared like one of the white passion-flowers +growing near, but more like one that had been plucked from the stem +which had been the source of its life and sweetness. + +Don Mariano stood near the _litera_--gazing upon the pale face of his +child with feelings of sad tenderness. He could not help calling up +this very comparison--although it was torture to his soul; for he knew +that the flower once plucked must irrevocably wither and die. + +At some distance from the _litera_, and nearer the edge of the lake, +three of the attendants were seated together upon the grass. They were +conversing, in low tones, for the purpose of passing the time. The +fourth, who was the guide already mentioned, had gone forward through +the woods--partly to search for the crossing, but also to reconnoitre +the path, and find out whether the road to San Carlos was clear of the +guerilleros. + +Through a break in the forest that surrounded the glade, the enchanted +mountain was visible--its sombre silhouette outlined against the blue +background of the sky. + +In all countries, every object that appears to vary from the ordinary +laws of nature, possesses, for the vulgar imagination, a powerful +interest; and the servants of Don Mariano were no exception to the rule. + +"I have heard it said," whispered one of them, "that the waters of this +lake now so muddy, were once as clear as crystal; and that it was only +after they were consecrated to the devil, that they became as they are +now." + +"Bah!" rejoined another, "I don't believe what they say about the devil +living up there upon the _Cerro encantado_. He would choose a more +pleasant place for his residence, I should fancy." + +"Well," said the first speaker, who was named Zefirino, and who was +better acquainted with the locality than either of his companions, +"whether the devil dwells there or not, some terrible things have taken +place on that mountain; and it is said, still happen there. I have +heard that the fog which you see upon its summit, and which always rests +there at night, is extended over it by the god of the Indians--who is +only the devil himself. He does that to hide what goes on up there. +There's one strange story the Indians themselves tell." + +"What is it? Let us hear it, Zefirino." + +"Well, you've heard how in old times the Indian priests had an altar up +yonder--upon which they used to sacrifice scores of human beings--so +that the blood ran down the fissures of the rock like water after a +shower of rain. Their plan was to cut open the breast of the victim, +and tear out his heart while still alive. But why need I frighten you +with a story that, by my faith, is fearful enough?" + +"No--no--never mind! Go on, Zefirino." + +"Stay!" cried the other domestic. "Did you not hear a noise--just down +there by the edge of the lake?" + +"Bah! it's only an alligator snapping his jaws together. Go on, +Zefirino!" + +"Well, comrades--the story is, that about five hundred years ago, one of +the unfortunate victims was about to be sacrificed in this manner as +usual. The cruel priest had opened his breast and taken out the heart; +when, to the astonishment of all around, the Indian seized hold of his +own heart, and endeavoured to put it back in its place. His hand, +however, trembled, and the heart slipping from his grasp, rolled down +the mountain side and into the lake. The Indian, uttering a terrible +howl, plunged in after for the purpose of recovering his heart from the +water, and was never seen again. Of course, a man like that could not +possibly die; and for five hundred years the Indian has been wandering +round the shores of the lake searching for his heart, and with his +breast cut open, just as the priest had left it. It's not more than a +year ago that some one saw this Indian, and just about here, too, on the +southern shore of the lake." + +As Zefirino finished his narration, his two companions involuntarily +cast glances of terror towards the gloomy waters of the lake, as if in +dread that the legendary Indian might suddenly show himself. Just at +that moment, a rustling among the leaves caused all three of them to +start to their feet, and stand trembling with fear. + +Their alarm did not last long; for almost immediately after they +perceived that the noise had been caused by Castrillo, the guide--who, +in the next moment, stepped forward into the glade. + +"Well, Castrillo! what have you seen?" demanded his fellow-servants. + +"Enough to make it necessary that I should at once communicate with our +master," and Castrillo passed on towards the _litera_, leaving his +companions to form their conjectures about what he had seen as best they +might. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE. + +THE INVALID. + +On perceiving the approach of the domestico, Don Mariano silently closed +the curtains of the _litera_, in order that the slumbers of Gertrudis +might not be disturbed. + +"Speak softly!" said he to the man, "my daughter is asleep." + +The domestic delivered his report in an undertone. + +"I have been almost as far as the hacienda of San Carlos," said he. +"The road to the house is clear; and I should have gone up to it, but +for the strange sights which I saw there." + +"Strange sight! what sights, Castrillo?" + +"Oh, master! I can hardly tell you what I saw--at least I cannot +explain it. The windows were all lit up, but with such lights! They +were blue and red, and of a purple colour, and they appeared to be +changing every instant, and moving about in the most mysterious manner. +While I stood looking at them, and trying to think what it could mean, I +saw a figure in white gliding past me in the darkness, like some one not +of this world." + +"My worthy Castrillo, fear was troubling your senses, I am afraid you +only fancied these things?" + +"Oh, my master! what I saw was but too real. If you had seen these +lights as I, you could not have doubted it. May it please God that I +may have been deceived!" + +The tone of conviction in which the servant delivered his report +produced its effect on Don Mariano; and he could not help feeling the +unpleasant presentiment that some grand misfortune had happened to his +daughter, Marianita, or her husband. + +The information brought by Castrillo was only the reawakening of a doubt +that had been already oppressing him. + +A prey to afflicting thoughts, he remained for a while in that state of +silent uncertainty which follows the receipt of calamitous news. The +servant having finished his report had joined his three companions, and +Don Mariano was alone. + +Just then the curtains of the _litera_ were drawn inside by a hand from +within, and the voice of Gertrudis interrupted for the moment his gloomy +reflections. + +"My sleep has refreshed me," said the young girl; "do you intend soon to +continue your journey, father? It is near daybreak, is it not?" + +"It is not yet midnight, nina. It will be long before the day breaks." + +"Then why do you not go to sleep, dear father? We are in safety here, I +think; and there is no reason why you should keep awake." + +"Dear Gertrudis, I do not desire to sleep until we are under the roof of +Marianita, and I can see you both together." + +"Ah! Marianita is so very happy," sighed the invalid. "Her life has +been like one of the flowery paths we have been following through the +forest." + +"And so will yours be yet, Gertrudis," rejoined Don Mariano, with an +effort to console her. "It will not be long before Don Rafael comes to +see you." + +"Oh, yes! I know he will come, since he has sworn it upon his word of +honour. He will come, but what then?" murmured Gertrudis, with a +melancholy smile. + +"He will arrive to tell you that he still loves you," said Don Mariano, +affecting a conviction which, in reality, he did not feel. "It is only +a misunderstanding," he added. + +"A misunderstanding that causes death, dear father," rejoined Gertrudis, +as she turned her head upon the pillow to conceal her tears. + +Don Mariano was unable to reply, and an interval of silence succeeded. + +Then Gertrudis, by one of those sudden reactions common to invalids, +seemed all at once inspired with a fresh hope, and raising her head, she +inquired-- + +"Do you think the messenger has had time to reach Don Rafael?" + +"He would be three days in getting from Oajaca to the hacienda Del +Valle; and if Don Rafael, as we have since heard, is at Huajapam, in two +days more the messenger should reach him. He has been gone four days; +therefore, in four more, at the most, Don Rafael should arrive at San +Carlos, where he will know we are awaiting him." + +"Four days!" murmured Gertrudis. "Oh! it is a long, long time!" + +Gertrudis did not dare to add, what she feared at the moment, that her +life might not last so long. + +After a moment of silence she continued-- + +"And besides, when, with a blush upon my cheeks, and my eyes turned +away, I hear Don Rafael say to me, `You have sent for me, Gertrudis, I +have come,' what answer can I make? Oh, father! I shall die of grief +and shame; for I shall then feel that he no longer loves me. He will +see me as I am--a ruin--only the shadow of my former self, with my +health gone, and my freshness faded. Likely enough, generosity will +prompt him to feign a love which he does not feel, and which I could not +believe in. What proof could he give that his words would only be +spoken out of compassion for me?" + +"Who can tell?" said Don Mariano. "Perhaps he may give you some proof +that you cannot help believing in his sincerity." + +"Do not wish it, father, if you love me; for if he should offer a proof +I cannot refuse to believe in, I feel that I should die of joy. Poor +father!" continued she, with a choking sigh, and throwing her arms round +his neck, "in either case you are likely soon to have but one daughter." + +At this mournful declaration Don Mariano could no longer restrain his +grief; and returning the embrace of Gertrudis, he mingled his tears with +hers. Both wept aloud, their voices being audible to the _centzontle_, +on a neighbouring tree--that catching up the mournful tones repeated +them to the ear of night. + +Just then the moon shot out from behind a thick mass of clouds, that had +hitherto been shrouding her from the sight; and the landscape, +illuminated by her silvery light, all at once assumed a less lugubrious +aspect. + +The lake, as well as the forest on its shores, appeared less sombre; and +the corrugated flanks of the enchanted hill glanced with a vitreous +reflection like the greenish waves of an agitated sea. Upon the surface +of the water could be seen the dark, hideous forms of huge alligators +moving along the edge of the reeds, and now and then giving utterance to +their deep bellowing notes, as they disported themselves under the light +of the moon. + +The domestics of Don Mariano, seated close together, more than once +fancied that they could distinguish the voices of human beings, and all +shivered with fear as they recalled the legend which Zefirino had just +related. + +"I wish, comrades," said one of them, speaking in a tone of subdued +terror, "I wish that this night was well over. From the noises we have +heard, and those strange lights that Castrillo has seen, one might fancy +some terrible misfortune was to happen to-night! It only wants the +scream of an owl from one of the trees around here, and then we may pray +for the soul of our poor young mistress." + +At that moment a voice--this time certainly a human voice--proceeding +from the direction of the lake, interrupted the speaker. It seemed to +arise out of the bosom of the water. + +The four domestics started, and sat regarding each other with looks of +affright. There could be no doubt of its being a human voice which they +had heard, as if intoning a song or chaunt, but uttered in some unknown +tongue--such as that in which the ancient Indians used to converse with +their divinities. + +"Santissima madre!" muttered one of the domestics, "what if it should be +the Indian who searches for his heart?" + +His companions made no other answer than by nodding their heads to +signify that such had been the thought of each. + +At this moment another noise reached them. It was a rustling as of +leaves, and almost simultaneously they saw the figure of a man making +his way through the reeds that grew by the edge of the water. + +In the clear light of the moon they could see that the man was +completely naked, and that his skin was of a bronze or copper colour--in +other words, that he was an Indian. + +As he passed through the reeds he parted their stems with his +outstretched arms--at the same time keeping his eyes bent downwards as +if searching for something. + +After reaching the edge of the open water, he plunged in; and, swimming +vigorously out into the lake, appeared to direct himself towards the +enchanted hill. + +"God of heaven!" muttered Zefirino, in an accent of terror. "It is the +Indian searching for his heart!" + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY FOUR. + +AN AERIAL COUCH. + +After escaping from the company of Arroyo and his bandits, Don Cornelio +mechanically followed the guidance of Costal--who was now aiming to +reach the lake of Ostuta as soon as possible, in order that he might +commence his incantations before the rising of the moon. + +Don Cornelio knew that it would be breath thrown away to attempt +persuading the Indian to abandon his absurd and superstitious design; +and to propose accompanying him, and becoming either actor or spectator +in the pagan ceremony, would be equally against the wishes of Costal. + +After they had ridden for some distance towards the lake, the Captain +admonished his companions of his intention to stay behind and wait for +their return, after they should have accomplished their purpose, and had +their interview with Tlaloc and his wife Matlacuezc. Costal was only +too glad to agree to this proposition; and promised to find a proper +halting-place for Don Cornelio at some distance from the shores of the +lake. There was no house of any kind in the vicinity, not even the +meanest hut. This, Costal, from his perfect knowledge of the locality, +was aware of; but the night was a pleasant one, and a few hours might be +passed in the open air without any great inconvenience. + +Shortly after, the cool freshness of the breeze proclaimed that the lake +was not far off; and a pleasant grove of shady palm-trees offered an +inviting shelter to Don Cornelio. It was the spot which Costal had +designed for his halting-place; and here, parting from the two acolytes, +the Captain dismounted, and prepared to make himself as comfortable as +possible during their absence. Meanwhile Costal and Clara kept on +towards the lake, and were soon lost to view under the shadows of the +forest. + +Don Cornelio had not been long left to himself, ere he began to rue the +disposition thus made of him. It now occurred to him, and not without +reason, that the comrades of Gaspacho might fancy to avenge the +brigand's death, and for that purpose follow him and his two attendants +through the forest. Arroyo would now be absent from the hacienda; Don +Cornelio had heard him proclaim his intention of going in search of its +mistress; and his subalterns might pay less respect to the emissary of +Morelos than their chief. + +These considerations influencing the spirit of Don Cornelio, produced +within him a certain degree of uneasiness--sufficient to make him +discontented with the position he had chosen. + +Determined to get nearer to Costal--whom he looked upon almost as his +natural protector--he remounted his horse, and continued along the path +that had been taken by the other two. + +After riding a few hundred yards, he discerned rising up before his face +a high hill crowned with mist; and shortly after, the woods becoming +more open, he was enabled to perceive that this hill was surrounded by a +large lake of dark, sombre aspect. Though he now looked upon both the +lake and mountain for the first time, he had no difficulty in +identifying them as the Lake Ostuta and the sacred mountain of +Monopostiac. + +A belt of forest still lay between him and the lake, extending around +its southern end. Entering into the timber, he rode nearly across it, +until the reedy shore of the lake came in view through the openings +between the trees. Here he again halted, and after a moment's +reflection, dismounted. + +Although the change of locality might make it more difficult for the +brigands of Arroyo to discover his retreat, he was still not so certain +of being free from danger. To render his situation more secure, he +determined upon climbing into a tree, and concealing himself among the +branches. + +He had another motive for freeing himself. At a short distance from the +spot he saw the horses of Costal and Clara, standing tied to some +bushes; and he knew that their owners could not be far off. No doubt it +was there they intended to go through their absurd rites; and all at +once Don Cornelio had become inspired with a curiosity to witness them. +His Christian conscience slightly reproached him, for thus assisting, as +it were, at a pagan ceremony; but he ended by persuading himself that +there would be something meritorious in his being a witness to the +confusion of the infidel. + +A tree near at hand offered him a favourable point of observation. From +its higher branches he could command a full view of the lake and its +shores to a considerable distance on each side of him, and also the +sacred mountain in its midst. + +Securing his horse below, he ascended the tree, and seated himself among +its topmost branches. He had taken the precaution to carry up his +carbine along with him, which was hanging from his shoulders upon its +sling. + +He had just fixed himself commodiously upon his perch, when the full +moon appeared, at once lighting up the waters of the lake with her most +brilliant beams. + +He looked to discover the whereabouts of Costal and the negro; but for +some time he could see nothing of either. The enchanted hill, +glistening with a vitreous translucence under the white moonbeams, +presented a wild, weird aspect; and, from time to time, strange +unearthly sounds appeared to proceed from it, as also from the woods +around. + +The nerves of the ex-student were at no time of the strongest; and he +had not long occupied his elevated post before he began to rue his +rashness, in having trusted himself alone in a place which seemed to be +the abode of the supernatural. + +All at once a sound reached him, proceeding from the margin of the lake; +and, turning his eyes in that direction, he beheld the figure of a naked +man moving among the reeds. It was the same apparition that had caused +such alarm among the domestics of Don Mariano, who, although unseen by +the Captain, were at that moment only fifty paces distant, screened +behind the bushes that grew around the glade in which they had encamped. + +The apparition, although it at first startled Don Cornelio, did not +frighten him so much as it had the domestics; for, by the light of the +moon, he was enabled to recognise the figure as that of his attendant, +Costal. The Captain, moreover, saw--what, from their position, was +invisible to the people in Don Mariano's camp--another human figure, +naked like the first, but differing from it in the colour of the skin, +which was black as ebony. + +Both having passed through the reeds, plunged at once into the open +water of the lake; and, swimming off towards the enchanted mountain, +were soon lost to the eyes of Don Cornelio, as well as to those of the +affrighted attendants of Don Mariano. + +While the latter remained under the full conviction that they had seen +the Indian who, for five hundred years, had been vainly searching for +his heart, Don Cornelio knew that the two adventurers were his own +followers, Costal and Clara. + +From the direction they had taken through the water, he divined that it +was their object to reach the mountain island, there, no doubt, to +practise their superstitious ceremonial. + +Although somewhat disappointed at being deprived of a spectacle he had +felt curious to witness, he still remained on his perch upon the tree. +His apprehension of being pursued by the bandits of Arroyo had not yet +forsaken him; and in such a contingency, he believed that he would be +safer among the branches than upon the ground. He could watch for +Costal and Clara coming back through the water, and then rejoin them as +they returned to take possession of their horses, which were still +visible to him upon his elevated post. + +For a short time he remained in his position without hearing any noise +in particular, or seeing anything calculated to alarm him. Then a sound +reached his ears that came from a direction opposite to that in which +lay the lake. It was a booming sound, like the report of a cannon-- +shortly after followed by another and another of precisely similar +intonation. + +Don Cornelio had no suspicion that at that very moment the hacienda of +San Carlos was being attacked by the garrison of Del Valle, and that the +noise he heard was the report of the howitzer battering in the gates of +the building. + +Although at first rendered uneasy by these inexplicable sounds, as they +soon after ceased to be repeated, Don Cornelio no longer troubled +himself to explain them. He had heard so many others, as mysterious as +they, that he despaired of finding an explanation. As time passed, +however, and neither Costal nor Clara showed themselves, the Captain +began to feel a strong desire to sleep, and his eyelids every moment +grew heavier, until at length he felt that he could no longer resist the +desire. Like Colonel Tres-Villas, on the preceding night, he took the +precaution, before committing himself to slumber, of making secure +against a fall; and for this purpose he attached himself with his sash +to one of the branches. In another minute he was in the land of dreams, +unconscious of the singularity of the couch on which he was reclining. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY FIVE. + +THE GODDESS OF THE WATERS. + +For the first hour the sleep of Don Cornelio was undisturbed, even by +dreams. With the second it was very different; for, scarcely had he +entered upon it, when a noise sounded in his ears, singular as it was +terrible. He awoke with a start, on hearing what appeared to be the +loud clanging of a bell rung at no great distance off. + +At first he fancied he was dreaming, and that what he heard in his +dreams was the bell of his native village; but a moment's reflection +sufficed to convince him that he was awake, and couched in the fork of a +tall tree. + +The sounds that had ceased for a while, now recommenced; and Don +Cornelio was able to count twelve strokes, clear and distinctly +measured, as if some large clock was tolling the hour of midnight! + +It was, in fact, just about that hour--as Don Cornelio could tell by the +moon; but the observation did not hinder him from shuddering afresh at +the mysterious sounds. From his elevated position he could see afar +over both land and water; but no spire of village church or hacienda was +visible--nothing but the sombre surface of the lake, the spray of the +far-stretching forest, and the desert plains in the distance. + +The tolling again vibrated upon the air; and Don Cornelio was now +convinced that it was from the lake itself, or the enchanted mountain in +its midst, that the sounds proceeded. It seemed as if it was a signal, +to awaken the Indian divinities from their sleep of ages! + +The moon was still rising higher in the heavens, and her brilliant beams +broadly illumined the lake, even penetrating through the thickly-set +stems of the reeds that bordered it. + +Certain vague noises that had from time to time fallen upon the ear of +Don Cornelio, while half slumbering, now that he was awake, were heard +more distinctly; and after a little while these sounds became converted +into prolonged and dismal howlings, such as he had never before heard in +his life. + +Upon just such another night he had been sorely frightened by the +howling of jaguars; but all the tigers in the world could not have +produced such a frightful noise as that with which his ears were now +assailed. It was a chorus of voices entirely new to him, and that +seemed to proceed from the powerful lungs of some gigantic creature +hitherto unknown. + +As thoughts of the supernatural came into his mind, the Captain shivered +through his whole frame; and had he not been tied to its branches, he +would certainly have fallen from the tree. + +His horse, standing below, appeared fully to partake of his terror; for +after dancing about, and causing the branches to crackle, the animal at +length broke away from its fastenings, and, galloping off, joined +company with the horses of Costal and Clara that stood nearer the edge +of the water. + +The terrible howlings, combined with the mysterious tolling of the bell, +produced upon the mind of Don Cornelio other impressions besides those +of mere dread. He began to believe in a supernatural presence; and that +the sounds he heard were the voices of those pagan divinities whom +Costal had the boldness to invoke. + +Captain Lantejas was not the only person whom these strange noises had +inspired with fear. At little more than gunshot distance from him, and +hidden behind the trees, could be seen a number of men closely grouped +together, and whispering their fears to one another. It need scarcely +be said that they were the domestics of Don Mariano, who had counted +with equal terror and astonishment the twelve strokes of the mysterious +midnight bell. + +Their master, too, had heard the tolling, and was vainly endeavouring to +account for the singular phenomenon. + +Just then the frightful howlings came pealing from the woods behind, +awaking Gertrudis, and causing her to raise her head with a cry of +terror. The seven sleepers themselves would have been awakened by such +a terrible fracas of noises. + +At this moment one of the domestics--Castrillo--appeared by the +_litera_, his face blanched with affright. + +"What misfortune have you to announce?" inquired Don Mariano, struck +with the expression upon the servant's countenance. + +"Not any, Senor Don Mariano," replied the domestic, "unless to say that +we are here in some accursed place, and the sooner we get out of it the +better." + +"Get your arms ready," rejoined Don Mariano, "it must be the jaguars +that are howling near us." + +"Ah! Senor master," replied the domestic, with a shake of his head, +"never did jaguar howl after that fashion; and all our weapons will be +useless where the spirit of darkness is against us. Listen, there-- +again!" + +Once more a series of prolonged vociferations came echoing through the +forest, which certainly had but little resemblance to the voices either +of jaguars or any other known animals. + +"There have been many strange things during this night," gravely +continued Castrillo. "Everything in nature seems to be turned upside +down. Dead men have been seen by us wandering about; bells have been +heard tolling where there is neither church nor dwelling, and now the +devil himself is howling in the depths of the forest. Oh, master, let +us fly from this place while we may!" + +"But where to? where can we go?" rejoined Don Mariano, casting an +anxious glance towards the _litera_. "My poor child--she can scarce +endure the fatigues of the journey." + +"Oh, father," said Gertrudis, "do not think of me. I shall be able to +go on; and I would rather go afoot, than remain longer in this frightful +place." + +"Senor Don Mariano," continued the domestic, "if you will pray God to +protect us from the danger that threatens, I and the others will go +after the mules, and we shall get ready for marching. Above all, we +must leave this place at once; for if you stay I could not hinder the +rest from running away." + +"Very well, then," said Don Mariano, "be it as you wish. Harness the +animals and let us start at once. We shall endeavour to reach San +Carlos." + +That which Don Mariano and his people were about to make--a movement +from the place apparently haunted--the Captain Lantejas would not have +attempted for all the gold in Mexico. Glued by fear to the summit of +his tree, and cursing the evil fortune that had conducted him thither-- +regretting, moreover, his foolish curiosity--he continued to listen, +though almost mechanically, to what he believed to be a dialogue between +some Indian divinity and his fearless worshipper, Costal. + +All at once the noises came to a termination; and a profound silence +succeeded, which was equally fearful to endure. + +This was of short duration, however; for in a few moments the stillness +of the night was once more interrupted by other and different noises, +that resembled human voices uttered at a considerable distance from the +spot. + +Gradually the voices were heard approaching nearer, and Don Cornelio was +under the impression that it was Costal and Clara returning to where +they had left their horses. He was mistaken about this, however, and +soon perceived his error. The voices proceeded from the direction he +had himself followed in approaching the lake. Costal and Clara could +not be coming that way. Moreover, he now saw lights that appeared to be +torches carried by those who were talking; and from the rapidity with +which the lights flitted from point to point, they could only be borne +by men on horseback. The Indian and negro could not be mounted, since +their horses were still standing tied where they had left them, along +with his own steed, that had just taken refuge by their side. It could +not be Costal and Clara who carried the torches. + +"Who then?" mentally demanded Don Cornelio; "might it be Arroyo and his +bandits?" + +He had scarce given thought to the conjecture, when a troop of horsemen +rode out upon the open ground near the edge of the lake; and two of them +at the head of the others were instantly recognised by Don Cornelio. +They were, in truth, Arroyo and his associate, Bocardo. + +The horsemen carrying the torches were seen riding from one point to +another, quartering the ground by numerous crossings, and exploring the +thickets on every side, as if in search of some person that had escaped +them. + +On approaching the border of the lake, the horsemen turned off along the +margin of reeds, without having perceived the three horses that stood +under the trees. + +The torches were now thrown away; and, riding off under the pale +moonlight, the horsemen disappeared from the eyes of Don Cornelio. + +He was not without uneasiness as to the peril in which his two +companions would be placed, should they chance to fall once more into +the hands of the bandits; and he would gladly have warned them of their +danger, had he known how. But ignorant of the locality in which Costal +and Clara were at that exact moment, he could do nothing more than hope +that they might perceive the horsemen first, and conceal themselves +while the latter were passing. From Costal's habitual wariness, Don +Cornelio felt confident, that the ex-tiger-hunter would be able to keep +himself clear of this new danger. + +The captain followed with anxious eyes the forms of the retreating +horsemen; and his heart beat more tranquilly when he saw them turn round +an angle of the lake, and disappear altogether from his sight. + +The moon at this moment shining more brilliantly, enabled him to command +a better view of the waters of the lake, and the selvage of reeds +growing around it. Once more silence was reigning over the scene, when +all at once Don Cornelio fancied he saw a movement among the sedge, as +if some one was making his way through it. In another instant a form, +at first shadowy and indistinct, appeared before his eyes. Presently it +assumed the outlines of a human form, and what astonished Don Cornelio +still more, it was the form of a woman! This he saw distinctly; and +perceived also that the woman was dressed in a sort of white garment, +with long dark hair hanging in disordered tresses over her shoulders. + +A cold perspiration broke out upon the brow of Don Cornelio, as the +female form was recognised; and his eyes became fixed upon it, without +his having the power to take them off. He doubted not that he saw +before him the companion of Tlaloc, the terrible Matlacuezc, who had +just risen from her watery palace in the Lake Ostuta, whence she had +been summoned by the invocations of Costal, the descendant of the +ancient rulers of Tehuantepec! + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY SIX. + +TOLLING THE SUMMONS. + +We return to Costal. We have seen the Zapoteque making his way through +the sedge, and boldly launching himself into the muddy waters of the +lake--his blind fatalism rendering him regardless of the voracious +alligators of the Ostuta, as he had already shown himself of the sharks +of the Pacific. Could the eye of Don Cornelio have followed him under +the gloomy shadow which the enchanted hill projected over the lake, it +would have seen him emerge from the water upon the shore of the sacred +Cerro itself, his black-skinned associate closely following at his +heels. + +The mountain Monopostiac is neither more nor less than a gigantic rock +of obsidian, of a dark greenish hue, having its flanks irregularly +furrowed by vertical fissures and ridges. This peculiar kind of rock, +under the sun, or in a very bright moonlight, gives forth a sort of dull +translucence, resembling the reflection of glass. The vitreous +glistening of its sides, taken in conjunction with the mass of thick +white fog which usually robes the summit of the mountain, offers to the +eye an aspect at once fantastic and melancholy. + +At certain places, of which Costal had a perfect knowledge, are huge +boulders of obsidian, resting along the declivities of the Cerro, and +which, when struck by a hard substance, gives forth a sonorous ring, +having some resemblance to the sound of a bell. + +After climbing some way up the steep declivity of the mountain, Costal +and his neophyte halted by one of these boulders. Now apparently +absorbed in profound meditation, now muttering in a low tone, and in the +language of his fathers, certain prayers, the Zapoteque awaited that +hour when the moon should reach its meridian, in order to come to the +grand crisis of his invocation. + +It would be a tedious detail were we to describe the many absurd +ceremonials practised by Costal to induce the genius of the waters to +appear before him, and make known the means by which he might restore +the ancient splendours of his race. Certainly, if perseverance and +courage could have any influence with the Indian divinities, Costal +deserved all the favours they could lavish upon him. + +Although up to this moment neither Tlaloc nor Matlacuezc had given the +least sign of having heard his prayers, his countenance exhibited such +hopeful confidence, that Clara, gazing upon it, felt fully convinced +that upon this occasion there was not the slightest chance of a failure. + +Up to the time of the moon reaching her meridian--the moment so eagerly +expected--more than an hour was spent in every sort of preparation for +the grand crisis. Up to that moment, moreover, Costal had preserved a +grave and profound silence, enjoining the same upon Clara. This silence +related only to conversation between them. Otherwise Costal had from +time to time, as already stated, given utterance to prayers, spoken, +however, in a low muttered voice. + +The moment had now arrived when the dialogue of the two acolytes was to +be resumed. + +"Clara," said the Zapoteque, speaking in a grave tone, "when the gods of +my ancestors, invoked by a descendant of the ancient Caciques of +Tehuantepec, who has seen fifty seasons of rains--when they hear the +sounds which I am now about to make, and for which they have listened in +vain for more than three centuries, some one of them will appear beyond +any doubt." + +"I hope so," responded Clara. + +"Certain they will appear," said Costal; "but which of them it may be, I +know not; whether Tlaloc or his companion Matlacuezc." + +"I suppose it makes no difference," suggested the negro. + +"Matlacuezc," continued Costal, "would be easily known. She is a +goddess; and, of course, a female. She always appears in a white robe-- +pure and white as the blossom of the _floripondio_. When her hair is +not wound around her head, it floats loosely over her shoulders, like +the mantilla of a senora of high degree. Her eyes shine like two stars, +and her voice is sweeter than that of the mocking-bird. For all that, +her glance is terrifying to a mortal, and there are few who could bear +it." + +"Oh, I can bear it," said the negro; "no fear of that." + +"Tlaloc," continued Costal, "is tall as a giant. His head is encircled +with a chaplet of living serpents, that, entwined among his hair, keep +up a constant hissing. His eye is full of fire, like that of the +jaguar; and his voice resembles the roaring of an angry bull. Reflect, +then, while it is yet time, whether you can bear such a sight as that." + +"I have told you," replied Clara, in a resolute tone, "that I wish for +gold; and it matters little to me whether Tlaloc or his wife shows me +the _placer_ where it is to be found. By all the gods, Christian and +pagan! I have not come thus far to be frightened back without better +reason than that. No!" + +"You are firmly resolved, comrade? I see you are. Now, then--I shall +proceed to invoke my gods." + +On saying these words, the Indian took up a large stone, and advancing +to the boulder of obsidian, struck the stone against one of its angles +with all his might. The collision produced a sound resembling that of a +brazen instrument; in fact, like the stroke of a bell. + +Twelve times did Costal repeat the stroke, each time with equal force. +The sounds echoed over the waters of the lake, and through the aisles of +the forest on its shores; but their distant murmurings had scarce died +upon the air, when a response came from the woods. This was given in a +series of the most frightful howlings--the same which had terrified +Captain Lantejas upon his tree, and which Don Mariano had found himself +unable to explain. + +Clara partook of a terror almost equal to that of Don Cornelio, but it +arose from a different cause. He had no other belief, but that the +howling thus heard was the response vouchsafed by the pagan gods to the +invocation of his companion. After a moment his confidence became +restored, and he signed to Costal to continue. + +"Sound again!" said he, in a low but firm voice, "it is Tlaloc who has +responded. Sound again!" + +The Indian cast a glance upon his companion, to assure himself that he +was in earnest. The moon showed his face of a greyish tint; but the +expression of his features told that he spoke seriously. + +"Bah!" exclaimed Costal, with a sneer, "are you so little skilled in the +ways of the woods, as to mistake the voice of a vile animal for that of +the gods of the Zapoteque?" + +"What an animal to make a noise like that?" interrogated Clara, in a +tone of surprise. + +"Of course it is an animal," rejoined Costal, "that howls so. +Sufficiently frightful, I admit--to those who do not know what sort of +creature it is; but to those who do, it is nothing." + +"What kind of animal is it?" demanded Clara. + +"Why, an ape; what else? A poor devil of a monkey, that you could knock +over with a bit of a stick; as easily as you could kill an opossum. Ah, +_hombre_! the voice of the great Tlaloc is more terrible than that. But +see! what have we yonder?" + +As Costal spoke, he pointed to the shore of the lake whence they had +come, and near the point where they had left their horses. It was in +this direction, moreover, the howlings of the ape had been heard. + +Clara followed the pointing of his companion, and both now saw what gave +a sudden turn to their thoughts--a party of horsemen carrying torches, +and scouring the selvage of the woods, as if in search of something they +had lost. + +The two worshippers watched until the torches were put out, and the +horsemen passing round the shore disappeared under the shadows of a +strip of forest. + +Costal was about to resume his invocations; when, with his eyes still +turned towards the point where the horsemen had left the shore of the +lake, he beheld an apparition that caused even his intrepid heart to +tremble. By the thicket of reeds, and close to the water's edge, a +white form appeared suddenly, as if it had risen out of the lake. It +was the same which had been seen by Don Cornelio from his perch upon the +tree. + +It was not fear that caused the Zapoteque to tremble. It was an emotion +of exulting triumph. + +"The time is come at last!" cried he, seizing the arm of his companion. +"The glory of the Caciques of Tehuantepec is now to be restored. Look +yonder!" + +And as he spoke he pointed to the form, which, in the clear moonlight, +could be distinguished as that of a woman, dressed in a robe as white as +the _floripondio_, with long dark tresses floating over her shoulders +like the mantilla of some grand senora. + +"It is Matlacuezc," muttered the negro, in a low, anxious tone, and +scarce able to conceal the terror with which the apparition had inspired +him. + +"Beyond doubt," hurriedly replied Costal, gliding down towards the +water, followed by the negro. + +On arriving at the beach, both plunged into the lake, and commenced +swimming back towards the shore. Although the white form was no longer +visible to them from their low position in the water, Don Cornelio could +still see it glancing through the green stems of the reeds, but no +longer in motion. + +Costal had taken the bearings of the place before committing himself to +the water; and, swimming with vigorous stroke, he soon reached the shore +several lengths in advance of his companion. + +Don Cornelio could see both of the adventurers as they swam back, and +perceived, moreover, that the white form had been seen by them, and it +was towards this object that Costal was steering his course. He saw the +Indian approach close to it; and was filled with surprise at beholding +him stretch forth his arms, as if to grasp the goddess of the waters, +when all at once a loud voice sounded in his ears, crying out the +words-- + +"Death to the murderer of Gaspacho!" + +Along with the voice a light suddenly flashed up among the bushes, and +the report of a carbine reverberated along the shores of the lake. + +Costal and Clara were both seen to dive at the shot; and for a time Don +Cornelio could not see either of them. + +The white form had also sunk out of sight, but near the spot which it +had occupied, the long reeds were seen to shake in a confused manner, as +if some one was struggling in their midst. + +Don Cornelio could hear their stems crackle with the motion; and he +fancied that a low cry of agony proceeded from the spot; but the moment +after all was silent; and the lake lay glistening under the pale silvery +moonbeam, with nothing visible in its waters, or upon its shores, to +break the tranquil stillness of its repose. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN. + +THE PURSUIT. + +Only for a very short interval did the shores of the lake Ostuta +preserve their tranquil silence. In a few moments after the white robe +had disappeared from the eyes of Don Cornelio, he saw Costal and Clara +rise to the surface of the water, and make their way rapidly through the +reeds in the direction of the bank. Presently both appeared on dry land +at less than a hundred yards distance from where he was perched. + +The tragedy of real life which he was now witnessing, had so suddenly +mingled its scenes with the fancies that had just passed through his +mind, that for an instant his thoughts were thrown into confusion, and +he could scarcely distinguish the true from the fantastic. Though he +saw that his faithful followers were still alive and well, the words he +had heard, and the shot that succeeded them, told him that they were in +danger. That could be no fancy; and its reality was further confirmed +on his perceiving two men, sabre in hand, rush forth out of the bushes +and make after Costal and Clara, with threatening cries and gestures. + +The latter ran towards their horses. The sight of his two followers in +flight, completely restored Don Cornelio's senses; and almost +mechanically he caught hold of his carbine, which he had by his side. + +Resting the barrel over a fork of the branches, he sighted one of the +pursuers, and fired. At the report a bandit fell forward on his face, +who, after sprawling a while upon the ground, lay motionless. The other +halted and bent over his comrade to see if he was dead. + +The delay caused by this unexpected interruption of the pursuit enabled +the Indian and negro to reach their horses, and both, naked as they +were, their skins glistening with the water of the lake, at once leaped +into their saddles, wheeled their horses round, and galloped back +towards the pursuers. + +It was now Costal's turn to pursue. + +The bandit who still kept his feet had stopped only a moment over his +fallen companion: but that moment proved fatal to him. Before he could +reach his own horse--which, in order to effect his ambuscade, he had +left behind him in the woods--the avenging Zapoteque was upon him, who, +galloping over, trampled him under his horse's hoofs, and then riding +back, ran his long rapier through the prostrate body without dismounting +from his saddle. + +Meanwhile Don Cornelio had made all haste to descend from the tree; and +hurrying forward called his followers by name. + +"Ah! Senor Capitan," cried Costal, seeing him advance, "I am glad you +are still on your feet. Seeing your horse along with ours I had fears +that some misfortune had happened to you. Quick!" continued he, +addressing himself to Clara, and leaping out of the saddle, "we must +back to the lake at once, else Matlacuezc--. Senor Don Cornelio, you +will be good enough to wait for us here. We have important matters on +hand, and need to be alone." + +At this moment, however, a new incident arose to interrupt the designs +of Costal. Five horsemen, and a _litera_ carried by mules, appeared +suddenly in the open ground by the edge of the wood. It was Don Mariano +with his domestics. + +Having heard Don Cornelio pronounce the well-known names of two of his +old servitors, the haciendado had advanced in the direction whence the +voice proceeded, full of hope in this unexpected succour which heaven +seemed to have sent to him. He had seen the party of brigands as they +rode past with the torches; and his people had easily recognised their +old fellow-servants, Arroyo and Bocardo. It was a relief to know that +two more faithful than they--Costal and Clara--were in the same +neighbourhood. He advanced, therefore, calling them by name, while he +also pronounced the name of Lantejas--asking if it were the Don Cornelio +Lantejas who had once been his guest at the hacienda of Las Palmas. + +"Yes; certainly I am the same," replied the Captain, agreeably surprised +at thus finding himself among friends in a place which, up to that +moment, had appeared to him so melancholy and desolate. + +Before any conversation could take place between Don Cornelio and his +former host, an incident of a still more thrilling character was to be +enacted on the scene. From behind the belt of the cedrela forest--into +which Arroyo and his followers had ridden but a few minutes before--six +horsemen were seen debouching at full gallop, as if riding for their +lives; while close upon their heels came six others, who appeared +straining after them in eager pursuit! + +For a moment the six in front seemed to waver in their course--as if +undecided as to what direction they should take. Only for a moment, +however, and then heading their horses along the shore of the lake, they +pressed on in wildest flight. Galloping at such a rapid pace they +appeared not to see either the party of Don Mariano or Don Cornelio and +his two followers--who on their part had scarce time to draw back into +the bushes, ere the horsemen went sweeping past the spot like a cloud of +dust. + +Despite the rapidity of their course, however, the keen eye of Costal +enabled him to distinguish among the horsemen two of his old +fellow-servants of Las Palmas--Arroyo and Bocardo. + +"We are on dangerous ground here, comrade," said he in a whisper to +Clara. "It is Arroyo and Bocardo, pursued, no doubt, by the royalists. +Whichever wins it is no good for us." + +He had scarce finished his speech, when the six horsemen in pursuit +passed the group, going at a pace not less rapid and furious than the +others. One of the pursuers, of commanding figure, was several lengths +ahead of the other five. Bent down almost to the level of his horse's +neck, he appeared to be straining every muscle in the pursuit; and +although his horse seemed rather to fly than gallop, the rider still +kept urging him with the spur. + +Clutching convulsively his broad-brimmed sombrero--which the rapid +course had lifted from his head--he crushed it down over his brows in +such a manner that his face was almost hidden by it. His horse at the +same instant, whether frightened by the _litera_ of Gertrudis, or by +some other object, shied suddenly to one side--as he did so giving +utterance to a strange snorting sound, which was responded to by a +feeble cry from behind the curtains of the _litera_. + +The cry was not heard by the horseman, who, absorbed with the pursuit of +his enemy, passed on without turning his head. + +Gertrudis was not the only one who trembled with emotion on recognising +the snort of the steed. It brought vividly to the remembrance of +Captain Lantejas the chase he had sustained on the plain of Huajapam-- +just before the powerful arm of Colonel Tres-Villas had lifted him out +of his stirrups. + +Neither could Don Mariano fail to recognise the peculiarity of a steed +that he had so long kept in his stables; and as for the rider, the +figure appeared to answer for that of Don Rafael. Could it indeed be he +whom they believed to be at the siege of Huajapam? Don Mariano could +scarce doubt that it was Colonel Tres-Villas who had ridden past. + +"By all the devils in hell!" cried Costal, swearing like a pagan, as he +was; "what has set the world mad on this particular night? What sends +everybody this way, to interrupt the worshippers of the great Tlaloc?" + +"True, it is damnably vexatious," rejoined Clara, who was equally +chagrined at this sudden and unexpected intrusion, upon what he regarded +as the only chance they might ever have of an interview with the +gold-finding goddess. + +Putting off their invocations to a more favourable opportunity, both +Indian and negro now hastened away to dress and arm themselves, in order +that they might be in readiness for any untoward event; while Don +Cornelio stayed beside the haciendado and his party. + +As yet uncertain how to act, Don Mariano thought it better to remain +where he was, and await the result of an action which he could not +regard otherwise than with anxiety. It is needless to say that the +occupant of the _litera_ listened with still more vivid emotion, mingled +with deep apprehension, to the sounds that rung back along the shores of +the lake. + +The chase was soon too distant to be witnessed by the eye, but upon the +still night air could be heard confused cries of terror and vengeance-- +which indicated to all that the pursuers were closing rapidly upon the +pursued. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY EIGHT. + +VENGEANCE FORBORNE. + +By a lucky accident Don Rafael, after leaving the hacienda of San +Carlos, had ascertained that the bandit chieftains were no longer within +its walls. He had also learnt the object that had carried them out--the +same which was influencing himself, only from a far different motive. A +renegade guerillero had made known to him the intentions of Arroyo in +regard to Dona Marianita; and it is needless to say that the noble +spirit of Don Rafael was, on hearing this report, only the more +stimulated to overtake and destroy the bandit chieftain. + +Guided by numerous signs--which the bandits, unsuspicious of being +pursued, had left along their track--Don Rafael and his party found no +difficulty in following them, almost at full speed. In less than an +hour after leaving the hacienda, they had arrived within sight of Arroyo +and his followers--still continuing the search for Dona Marianita, along +the borders of the lake. The impetuosity of Don Rafael's vengeance had +hindered him from using caution in his approach--else he might at once +have come hand to hand with the detested enemy. As it was, he had +advanced towards them into the open ground; and going at full gallop, +under the clear moonlight, his party had been discovered by the bandits +long before they could get within shot range. Arroyo, from whose +thoughts the terrible Colonel was never for a moment absent, at once +recognised him at the head of the approaching troop, and, giving the +alarm to Bocardo--who equally dreaded an encounter with Don Rafael--the +two brigands put spurs to their horses and rode off in dastardly flight. +Of course they were followed by their four comrades, who, recalling the +fate of Panchita Jolas, had no desire to risk the reception of a similar +treatment. + +The sight of that hated enemy--for whom Don Rafael had so long +fruitlessly searched--stirred within him all the angry energies of his +nature, and, involuntarily uttering a wild cry, he charged forward in +pursuit. + +At each moment the space between pursuers and pursued appeared to be +diminishing, and Arroyo--notwithstanding a certain brute courage which +he possessed while combating with other enemies--now felt his heart +beating convulsively against his ribs as he perceived the probability of +being overtaken by his dreaded pursuer. + +For a moment there appeared a chance of his being able to save himself. +The troopers of Don Rafael, not so well mounted as their chief, had +fallen behind him several lengths of his horse; and had Arroyo at this +moment faced about with his followers, they might have surrounded the +Colonel, and attacked him all at once. + +Arroyo even saw the opportunity; but terror had chased away his habitual +presence of mind; and he permitted this last chance to escape him. He +was influenced, perhaps, by his knowledge of the terrible prowess of his +enemy; and despaired of being able to crush him in so short a time as +would pass before his troopers could come up to his assistance. + +The pursued party had now reached the eastern extremity of the lake. +Before them stretched a vast plain, entirely destitute of timber or +other covering. Only to the left appeared the outlines of a tract of +chapparal, or low forest. + +The bandits, on looking forward, saw at a glance that the open ground +would give them no advantage. Their horses might be swifter than those +of their pursuers, but this was doubtful; and from the snorting heard at +intervals behind them, they knew that one at least was capable of +overtaking them. The bright moonlight enabled the pursuers to keep them +in view--almost as if it had been noonday; and on the broad, treeless +savanna, no hiding-place could be found. Their only hope then lay in +being able to reach the timber, and finding concealment within the +depths of the forest jungle. + +To accomplish this, however, it would be necessary for them to swerve to +the left, which would give the pursuers an advantage; but there was no +help for it, and Arroyo--whom fear had now rendered irresolute--rather +mechanically than otherwise, turned towards the left, and headed for the +chapparal. + +Despite the fiery passions that agitated him, Don Rafael still preserved +his presence of mind. Watching with keen glance every gesture of the +bandits, he had anticipated this movement on their parts; and, even +before they had obliqued to the left, he had himself forged farther out +into the plain, with a view of cutting them off from the woods. On +perceiving them change the direction of their flight, he had also +swerved to the left; and was now riding in a parallel line, almost head +for head with Arroyo and Bocardo; while the shadow of himself and his +horse, far projected by the declining moon, fell ominously across their +track. + +In a few seconds more the snorting steed was in the advance, and his +shadow fell in front of Arroyo. A sudden turn to the right brought +Roncador within a spear's length of the bandit's horse, and the pursuit +was at an end. + +"_Carajo_!" cried Arroyo, with a fierce emphasis, at the same time +discharging his pistol at the approaching pursuer. + +But the bullet, ill-aimed, passed the head of Don Rafael without +hitting; and the instant after, his horse, going at full speed, was +projected impetuously against the flanks of that of the bandit, bringing +both horse and rider to the ground. + +Bocardo, unable to restrain his animal, was carried forward against his +will; and now became between Don Rafael and his prostrate foe. + +"Out of the way, vile wretch!" exclaimed Don Rafael, while with one blow +of his sabre hilt, he knocked Bocardo from his saddle. + +Arroyo, chilled with terror, and rendered almost senseless by the fall, +his spurs holding him fast to the saddle, vainly struggled to regain his +feet. Before he could free himself from his struggling horse, the +troopers of Don Rafael had ridden up, and with drawn sabres halted over +him; while his four followers, no longer regarded, continued their wild +flight towards the chapparal. + +Don Rafael now dismounted, and with his dagger held between his teeth, +seized in both his hands the wrists of the bandit. In vain Arroyo +struggled to free himself from that iron grasp; and in another moment he +lay upon his back, the knee of Don Rafael pressing upon his breast-- +heavy as a rock that might have fallen from Monopostiac. The bandit, +with his arms drawn crosswise, saw that resistance was vain; and +yielding himself to despair he lay motionless--rage and fear strangely +mingling in the expression of his features. + +"Here!" cried Don Rafael, "some one tie this wretch!" + +In the twinkling of an eye, one of the troopers wound his lazo eight or +ten times around the arms and legs of the prostrate guerillero, and +firmly bound them together. + +"Now, then!" continued Don Rafael, "let him be attached to the tail of +my horse!" + +Notwithstanding the terrible acts of retaliation, which the royalist +soldiers were accustomed to witness, after each victory on one side or +the other, this order was executed in the midst of the most profound +silence. They knew the fearful nature of the punishment about to be +inflicted. + +In a few seconds' time the end of the lazo, which bound the limbs of the +brigand, was tightly looped around the tail of the horse; and Don Rafael +had leaped back into his saddle. + +Before using the spur, he cast behind him one last look of hatred upon +the murderer of his father; while a smile of contempt upon his lips was +the only reply which he vouchsafed to the assassin's appeal for mercy. + +"Craven! you need not ask for life!" he said, after a time. "Antonio +Valdez met his death in the same fashion, like yourself meanly begging +for mercy. You shall do as he did. I promised it when I met you at the +hacienda Las Palmas, and I shall now keep my word." + +As Don Rafael finished speaking, his spurs were heard striking against +the flanks of his horse, that, apparently dismayed at the awful purpose +for which he was to be used, reared violently upon his hind legs, and +refused to advance! At the same instant the bandit uttered a wild cry +of agony, which resounded far over the lake, till it rang in echoes from +the sides of the enchanted mountain. Like an echo, too, came the +strange snorting from the nostrils of Roncador, who, at a second +pricking of the spur, made one vast bound forward, and then suddenly +stopped trembling and affrighted. The body of the bandit, suddenly +jerked forward, had fallen back heavily to the earth, while groans of +agony escaped from his quivering lips. + +Just at this moment--this fearful crisis for the guerilla leader--two +men were seen running towards the spot, and with all the speed that +their legs were capable of making. It was evident that they were in +search of Don Rafael with some message of great importance. + +"A word with you, Colonel, in the name of God!" cried one of them, as +soon as they were near enough to be heard. "For Heaven's sake do not +ride off till we have spoken to you. My companion and I have had the +worst of luck in trying to find you." + +The man who spoke, and who had exhausted his last breath in the words, +was no other than the veritable Juan el Zapote, while his companion was +the honest Gaspar. + +"Who are these men?" indignantly inquired Don Rafael. "Ah! it is you, +my brave fellows?" continued he, softening down, as he recognised the +two adventurers whom he had met in the forest, and whose advice had +proved so advantageous to him. "What do you want with me? You see I am +engaged at present, and have no time to attend to you?" + +"True!" replied Juan el Zapote. "We see your honour is occupied; and +that we have arrived at an inconvenient time! Ah! it is the Senor +Arroyo with whom you are engaged! But your honour must know that we +have a message for you, and have been running after you for twenty-four +hours, without being able to deliver it. It is one of life and death." + +"Mercy! mercy!" shrieked Arroyo, in a tone of piteous appeal. + +"Hold your tongue, you stupid!" cried Juan el Zapote, reproachfully +addressing his former chief. "Don't you see that the Colonel has +business with us? You are hindering him from attending to it." + +"A message of life and death!" repeated Don Rafael, his heart suddenly +bounding with a triumphant hope. "From whom do you come?" + +"Will your honour direct your people to step aside?" whispered Zapote. +"It is a confidential mission with which we are charged--a love +message," added he, in a still lower tone. + +By a commanding gesture of the Colonel--for the communications of Zapote +had deprived him of the power of speech--the troopers moved off to one +side, and he was left alone with the messengers--to whom he now bent +downwards from his saddle, in order that their words might not be heard. + +What they said to him need not be repeated: enough to know that when +their message was finally delivered it appeared to produce a magical +effect upon the Colonel, who was heard to give utterance to a stifled +cry of joy. + +Holding by one hand the withers of his horse--which he appeared to need +as a support to hinder him from falling out of his saddle--with the +other he was observed to conceal something in the breast of his coat, +apparently a packet which the messengers had handed to him. They, in +their turn, were seen to bound joyfully over the ground at some word +which Don Rafael had spoken to them, and which seemed to have produced +on Zapote an effect resembling the dance of Saint Vitus. + +In another moment the Colonel drew his dagger from its sheath, and +called out in a voice loud enough to be heard by all:--"God does not +will that this man should die. He has sent these men as the saviours of +his life. I acknowledge the hand of God!" + +And forgetting that he held in his power his most mortal foe, the +murderer of his father--forgetting his oath, no more to be remembered +amidst the delicious emotions that filled his heart--remembering only +the promise of mercy he had made to Gertrudis, herself--he leant back +over the croup of his saddle, and cut the lazo by which the brigand was +attached to the tail of his horse. + +Disdaining to listen to the outpouring of thanks which the craven wretch +now lavished upon him, he turned once more towards the messengers. + +"Where is she who sent you?" inquired he in a low voice. + +"There!" answered Zapote, pointing to a group of horsemen who at that +moment were seen advancing along the shore as the escort to a _litera_ +which appeared in their midst. + +Roncador, freed from the human body, which attached to his tail had so +frightened him, no longer refused to obey the spur; and in another +moment he was bounding in the direction where the curtains of the +_litera_ of Gertrudis were seen undulating under the last rays of the +waning moon. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE. + +A BRACE OF CRAFTY COURIERS. + +It is necessary to explain the cause of Don Mariano's advance towards +the spot. + +From the place in which he and his party had taken their stand, they +could witness most part of the pursuit, as well as the events that +followed it; but so confusedly, that it was impossible to tell by the +eye who were the victors, and who the vanquished. The ear gave them a +better clue as to how the strife was turning; for the chase had not been +carried on in silence. + +So long as the shores of the lake at that especial point were cleared of +people, it mattered little to Costal and Clara who should have the +advantage. With Don Mariano the case was difficult. + +Convinced by what he had seen, that the leader of the sanguinary pursuit +could be no other than the Colonel Tres-Villas, whose life was now +almost as precious to him as that of his own daughter--since hers +depended upon it--he stood for a while absorbed in the most painful +uncertainty. From the commencement of the drama he had, in fact, +preserved a solemn silence--feeling that words could in no way relieve +the anxiety of Gertrudis. + +A vivid sentiment of curiosity had equally kept in silence Don Cornelio +and his two followers, who at some paces from the _litera_ stood +listening. + +Don Mariano was still ignorant of the fact that the hacienda of San +Carlos had been captured and pillaged by the band of Arroyo. Had he +known of this, and other events of a yet more horrid nature, his soul +might have been harrowed by a far more agonising emotion than that of +mere uncertainty; and perhaps he might have become an actor instead of +spectator in the strife that was accruing. + +As for Dona Gertrudis, she had easily distinguished that strange sound +that issued from the nostrils of the well-known steed; and with her ear +eagerly bent, she listened with mortal anguish to every breath that was +borne back from the scene of the struggle. + +Costal, who was impatient to return with Clara towards the spot where he +had been so near capturing the white-robed Matlacuezc, was the first to +break the prolonged silence. + +"Whatever may be the result," said he, in hopes of inducing Don Mariano +and his party to move away from the place, "the path is now clear for +you, Senor Don Mariano. If it is to the hacienda of Las Palmas you are +going, you will find the road both open and safe." + +"We are not going to Las Palmas," answered Don Mariano, with an air of +abstraction, at the same time advancing a few paces in order to have a +better view of what was passing. + +"If I were in your place," persisted Costal, in a significant tone, "I +should go there. It is the safest route you can take, and let me assure +you the moments are precious--_Carrambo_!" continued he, in an angry +tone, and suddenly facing round, as the crackling of branches announced +that some one was passing near through the thicket. "By all the +serpents in the hair of Tlaloc, there are some more people in the woods. +In the name of--" + +The invoked deity was not mentioned, as just at that moment voices were +heard where the bushes were in motion, and Costal interrupted his speech +to listen. The words were-- + +"This way, _compadre_--this way! I hear over yonder the voice of the +man we are in search of. Listen! that's the Colonel's voice to a +certainty. Quick, by all the devils! Let us run at full speed, or we +shall miss him, again." + +The voice of this speaker was not known to any of those who had heard +it, and he who was addressed as "_compadre_" appeared not to have made +any reply. But the sound of their footsteps, and the swish of the +recoiling branches, each moment became more indistinct, till at length +the noises were lost in the distance. + +It is scarcely necessary to say that the two men, who had thus passed so +near, were the messengers so often disappointed, Gaspar and Juan el +Zapote. As already known, they had been to the hacienda San Carlos, +where they had learnt the direction taken by Don Rafael on leaving it. +They had followed his tracks, which to Juan el Zapote, a skilled +_rastreador_, was easy enough--especially in such a moonlight. They had +even recognised Don Mariano and his party, on coming near the spot where +the haciendado had halted; and for a moment Gaspar hesitated about going +up to the group and reporting himself to his master, as he ought to have +done. + +From the performance of his duty he was dissuaded by his astute +associate, who represented to him, that, in case of his reporting +himself, Don Mariano might countermand the message he had sent to the +Colonel, now that the latter was known to be on the ground. He might +prefer delivering the precious talisman in _propria persona_, and then +where would be the bounty they had long expected, and for which they had +more than once risked their necks? + +These arguments prevailed even with the honest Gaspar; and to such an +extent, that from this very motive he had declined to answer the +speeches of Zapote, lest his voice might be recognised by Don Mariano, +or some of his fellow-servants! Cautiously did the two make a detour +through the trees, and so rapidly, that no one was likely to be able to +intercept them, before they could reach the place to which the voice of +the Colonel was guiding them. + +As soon as the men had passed out of hearing, Costal and Clara, who saw +that Don Mariano showed no sign of following their advice, exchanged +glances of vexatious disappointment. The haciendado still kept his +ground; and with his ear catching every sound, was vainly endeavouring +to obtain a solution to the painful uncertainty that surrounded him. + +The moon, about to sink behind the summit of the enchanted hill, cast +oblique rays along the level shore of the lake. There he could make out +a confused group of men and horses, some of the former dismounted and +flinging long shadows over the plain. What was passing in the middle of +this group? Some terrible scene, no doubt, was there being enacted--to +judge from the hurried movements of the men, and the angry intonation of +their voices. + +At that moment a frightful cry rose upon the air, and, borne upon the +still breeze, was distinctly heard by Don Mariano and the people around +him. It was the agonised cry of a wretch begging for mercy. The voice +even could be distinguished by Don Mariano, by Costal, by Clara, and the +domestics. All knew it was the voice of Arroyo. + +The cry was significant. Beyond doubt Don Rafael was the victor, and +was now executing upon the murderer of his father the act of merciless +justice he had promised before the walls of Las Palmas. + +Don Mariano hesitated no longer; but, giving the order to his +attendants, advanced towards the scene of vengeance. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTY. + +MATLACUEZC A MORTAL. + +The shores of the Lake Ostuta, hitherto so solitary and silent, appeared +upon this night to have become a general rendezvous for all the world. +The _litera_ of Gertrudis had scarce moved from the spot which Don +Mariano had chosen for his bivouac, when another _litera_ was seen +entering the glade, and moving onward through it. This, however, was +borne by men, and preceded by some half-dozen Indian peons with blazing +torches of _ocote_ wood carried in their hands. + +On reaching the shore of the lake, the second _litera_ with its escort +made halt, while the Indians bearing the torches commenced searching for +something among the reeds. + +Costal and Clara, instead of accompanying the party of Don Mariano, had +remained upon the ground, in hopes that they would now be left free to +continue their pagan incantations, and once more behold the Syren of the +dishevelled hair. Don Cornelio also lingered behind, not caring just +then to encounter the victorious royalists. + +As soon as Costal perceived the approach of this new party--once more +interrupting his designs--his fury became uncontrollable; and, making +towards it on horseback, he snatched a torch from the hands of one of +the Indians who were in advance, and then rode straight up to the +_litera_. The apparition of a gaunt horseman with a torch in one hand, +and a bloody sword in the other, his countenance expressing extreme +rage, produced an instantaneous effect on the bearers of the _litera_. +Without waiting to exchange a word, they dropped their burden to the +ground, and ran back into the woods as fast as their legs could carry +them. + +A stifled cry came from the interior of the _litera_; while Don +Cornelio, who had followed Costal, hastened to open the curtains. By +the light of the torch which the Zapoteque still carried, they now saw +stretched inside the body of a man, with a face wan, pallid, and stained +with blood. Don Cornelio at once recognised the young Spaniard--the +proprietor of the hacienda San Carlos--the victim of Arroyo's ferocity, +and of the cupidity of his associate. + +The dying man, on seeing Costal, cried out-- + +"Oh! do not harm me--I have not long to live." + +Lantejas made signs for this Zapoteque to step aside; and bending over +the _litera_, with kind and affectionate speeches endeavoured to calm +the apprehensions of the unfortunate sufferer. + +"Thanks! thanks!" murmured the latter, turning to Don Cornelio with a +look of gratitude. "Ah, Senor!" continued he, in a supplicating tone, +"perhaps you can tell me--have you seen anything of her?" + +The interrogatory caused a new light to break upon him to whom it was +addressed. He at once remembered the phantom which he had seen while +approaching the hacienda; the white form that had vanished into the +woods, and again the same apparition just seen among the reeds. Both, +no doubt, were one and the same unfortunate creature. Twice, then, had +he seen living, one whom the young Spaniard was never likely to see +again, except as a corpse. + +"I have seen no one," replied Don Cornelio, hesitating in his speech, +and unwilling to make known his dread suspicions, "no one, except two +brigands, who had hidden themselves in the thicket, and who are now--" + +"Oh! Senor, for the love of God, search for her! She cannot be far +from this place. I am speaking of my wife. We have found just now her +silk scarf, and not far off this slipper. Both I know to be hers. She +must have dropped, them in her flight. Oh! if I could only once more +see her--embrace her--before I die!" + +And so speaking the young man bent a look of suppliant anguish upon Don +Cornelio, while exhibiting the two objects which his attendants had +found upon the path, and which had served to guide them in their search. + +Don Cornelio, unable longer to endure the painful interview, allowed the +curtains of the _litera_ to close over the wretched husband; and, +stepping aside, rejoined the Zapoteque--who was still giving vent to his +anger in strong and emphatic phraseology. + +"Costal," said the Captain, "I fear very much that the wife of this +young Spaniard is no longer alive. I saw a woman robed in white down +there among the reeds, just as the brigand fired his carbine; and from +what I saw afterwards, I am afraid that she must have been hit by the +bullet. Surely it must have been her that they are now searching for." + +"You are a fool!" cried Costal, in his ill-humour forgetting the respect +due to his superior. "The woman you saw in white robes was no other +than Matlacuezc, and I should have had her in my arms in another second +of time but for that accursed coyote, who, by firing his carbine, caused +her suddenly to disappear. Well! he has paid for his indiscretion: +that's some comfort, but, for all that--" + +"It is you who are a fool, you miserable heathen," said Don Cornelio, +interrupting Costal in his turn. "The poor creature, who has no doubt +been struck with the bullet, is no other than the wife of this young +Spaniard! Do you hear that?" + +This last interrogatory had relation to a cry that came up from the +reeds, where the Indians with their torches were still continuing their +search. + +"Look yonder!" continued Don Cornelio, pointing to them, "they have +stopped over the very spot, and that wail--that is significant." + +As Don Cornelio spoke a chorus of lamentations came back upon the +breeze, uttered by the Indian searchers. It was heard by the dying man +in his _litera_, and apprised him of that which Don Cornelio would +otherwise have attempted to conceal from him. It was now too late, +however, and the Captain ran towards the _litera_, in hopes of offering +some words of consolation. + +"Dead! dead!" cried the young Spaniard, wringing his hands in mortal +anguish. "Oh God! she is dead!" + +"Let us hope not," faltered Don Cornelio; "these people may be +mistaken." + +"Oh! no, no! she is dead! I knew it; I had a presentiment of it! O +merciful Saviour! dead, my Marianita dead!" + +After a moment, becoming more calm, the dying man continued:-- + +"What better fate could I have wished for her? She has escaped +dishonour at the hands of these pitiless brigands, and I am about to die +myself. Yes, friend! death is now sweeter to me than life: for it will +bring me to her whom I love more than myself." + +And like those who, calmly dying, arrange everything as if for some +ordinary ceremonial, the young man laid his head upon the pillow; and +then stretching out his hands, composed the coverlet around him--leaving +it open at one side, as if for the funereal couch of her whom he would +never see more. + +Don Cornelio, turning away from the painful spectacle, advanced towards +the lake, making signs for Costal to follow him. + +"Come this way," he said, "and you shall see how much truth there is in +your pagan superstitions." + +Costal made no objection: for he had already begun to mistrust the +evidence of his own senses; and both proceeded together towards the spot +where the torch-bearers had halted. + +A white robe, torn by the thorns of the thicket, stained with blood, and +bedraggled by the greenish scum of the water, enveloped the lifeless +form of the young wife, whom the Indians had already deposited upon a +couch of reeds. Some green leaves that hung over her head appeared to +compose her last _parure_. + +"She is beautiful as the Syren of the dishevelled hair," said Costal, as +he stood gazing upon the prostrate form, "beautiful as Matlacuezc! Poor +Don Mariano!" continued he, recognising the daughter of his old master, +"he is far from suspecting that he has now only one child!" + +Saying this the Indian walked away from the spot, his head drooping +forward over his breast, and apparently absorbed in painful meditation. + +"Well," said Don Cornelio, who had followed him, "do you still believe +that you saw the spouse of your god Tlaloc?" + +"I believe what my fathers have taught me to believe," replied Costal, +in a tone of discouragement. "I believe that the descendant of the +Caciques of Tehuantepec is not destined to restore the ancient glories +of his race. Tlaloc, who dwells here, has forbidden it." + +And saying this the Zapoteque relapsed into silence, and walked on with +an air of gloomy abstraction that seemed to forbid all further +conversation on the subject of his mythological creed. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTY ONE. + +TWO HAPPY HEARTS. + +We have arrived at the final scene of our drama. The shores of the Lake +Ostuta, which in so short a space of time had witnessed so many stirring +events, are once more to relapse into their gloomy and mournful silence. + +Already Don Cornelio and his two companions have disappeared from the +spot, and taken the road for Oajaca. + +The funeral cortege is moving off towards the hacienda of San Carlos-- +the Indians who carry the bier marching in solemn silence. On that bier +two corpses are laid side by side--the Spaniard Don Fernando de Lacarra +by the side of his youthful wife. + +Don Mariano, accompanied by his attendants--to whom have been added +Caspar and Zapote--follows at a short distance; and still further +behind, the troopers of Don Rafael form a rearguard closing up the +procession. The most profound and solemn silence is observed by all: as +if all were alike absorbed by one common sorrow. + +This, however, is only apparent; for there are two individuals in that +procession whose hearts are not a prey to grief. On the contrary, both +are at this moment in the enjoyment of the most perfect felicity which +it is permitted for mortals to experience upon earth. Both are now +assured of a mutual love, tried by long tortures, and scarce too dearly +bought, since the past anguish has resulted in such delicious ecstasy. + +At nearly equal distances from the escort of Don Mariano and the +troopers forming the rearguard, these two personages appear: one borne +in her _litera_, the other mounted upon horseback, and riding alongside. +It need not be told who is the occupant of the _litera_, nor who the +tall horseman who, bending down from his saddle, whispers so softly and +gently, that no one may hear his words, save her for whom they are +intended. + +Absorbed with this interchange of exquisite emotions, both are still +strangers to the sad event that has occurred within the hour. Don +Mariano, devouring his grief in silence, has left them ignorant of the +terrible misfortune. God has been merciful to him in thus fortifying +his soul against sorrow at the loss of one child, by permitting him to +behold the unspeakable happiness of the other, who is thus preserved to +him as an angel of consolation. He well knows the strong affection of +Gertrudis for her sister, and fearing in her feeble state to announce +the melancholy event, lest the shock would be too much for her, he has +carefully concealed the sad news, until some opportunity may arise of +preparing her to receive it. A few hours of the happiness she is now +enjoying may strengthen her long-tortured spirit, and enable her to bear +up against this new and unexpected sorrow. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +Still riding by the side of the _litera_, his eyes fervently glancing +through the half-open curtains, his ear close to them lest he might lose +a single word that falls from the lips of Gertrudis, Don Rafael devours +the sweet speeches addressed to him, with the avidity of the thirsty +traveller who has reached the pure and limpid fountain, so eagerly +yearned for on his long and weary route. + +As the moon is now low in the sky, and gleams with an uncertain light +through the curtains of the _litera_, Don Rafael can only trace +indistinctly the features of Gertrudis. This half-obscurity, however, +favours the young girl, concealing at the same time her happiness and +confusion, both of which are betraying themselves in full blush upon her +cheeks, hitherto so wan and pale. + +Impelled by the strength of her love, from time to time she casts a +furtive glance upon the face of her lover. It is a glance of strange +significance; its object being to discover whether upon his features the +tortures of long absence have not also left their imprint. + +But the passion which Don Rafael has suffered under, although as +incurable as her own, has left no other trace upon his countenance than +that of a profound melancholy, and at the moment, his heart filled with +exquisite happiness, all traces of this melancholy have disappeared. +Gertrudis only looks upon a countenance that shows not a souvenir of +suffering. + +Don Rafael no longer doubts the love of Gertrudis. She has given him +proofs no more to be questioned. But of his? What proof has he offered +in return? Gertrudis cannot yet hinder herself from doubting! + +The young girl endeavours to conceal the sigh which these thoughts have +summoned up, and though the moon is still bright enough for her to +perceive upon the countenance of Don Rafael an expression of the most +loyal love, she cannot rest satisfied. Unable to restrain herself, +again and again she repeats the interrogatory, "Do you still love me, +Rafael?" Again and again she receives the same affirmative answer +without being assured! + +"Oh, it is too much happiness!" cries she, suddenly raising her head +from the pillow, "I cannot believe it, Rafael. As for the sincerity of +my words, you could not doubt them. The messenger has told you-- +plainly, has he not?--that I could not live without you? Then you came +to me--yes, you have come," continues she, with a sigh that betokens the +mingling of sorrow with her new-sprung joy; "but for all that, oh! +Rafael, what can you say to me that will convince me you still love me?" + +"What shall I say?" rejoins Don Rafael, repeating her words. "Only +this, Gertrudis. I vowed to you that whenever I should receive this +sacred message," at this drawing the tress from his bosom, and pressing +it proudly to his lips, "I vowed that though my arm at the moment might +be raised to strike my deadliest enemy, it should fall without +inflicting the blow. I have come, Gertrudis--I am here!" + +"You are generous, Rafael. I know that. You swore it! and--oh! my God; +what do I hear?" + +The interruption was caused by a wild cry that seemed to rise out of the +earth close to the path which the procession was following. It seemed +like the voice of some one in pain, and calling for deliverance or +mercy. Gertrudis trembled with affright as she nestled closer within +the curtains of the _litera_. + +"Do not be alarmed," said Don Rafael; "it is nothing you need fear; only +the voice of the monster Arroyo praying to be set free. He is lying +over yonder upon the sand, bound hand and foot. He is still living; and +to you, Gertrudis, does he owe his life. This assassin of my father-- +whom for two years I have pursued in vain--but a moment ago was about to +receive death at my hands when your messenger arrived. I hesitated not, +Gertrudis. It was but too much happiness to keep my oath. I cut the +cords that attached him to the tail of my horse--in order that I should +come to you the sooner." + +Gertrudis, almost fainting, allowed her head to fall back upon the +pillow; and as Don Rafael, frightened at the effect of his +communication, bent closer to the _litera_, he heard murmured in a low +voice, the sweet words-- + +"Your hand, Rafael! Oh! let me thank you for the happiness you have +given me, a happiness that no words can describe." + +And Don Rafael, his frame quivering with exquisite emotion, felt the +soft pressure of her lips upon the hand which he had hastened to offer. + +Then, as if abashed by this ardent avowal of her passion, the young girl +suddenly closed the curtains of the _litera_, to enjoy in secret, and +under the eye of God alone, that supreme felicity of knowing that she +was beloved as she herself loved--a felicity that had, as it were, +restored her life. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +Like phantoms which have been called up by the imagination--like the +unreal shadows in a dream, which one after another vanish out of sight-- +so the different personages in our drama, whose sufferings, whose loves, +and whose combats we have witnessed, are all gradually disappearing from +the scene where we have viewed them for the last time--Don Fernando and +Marianita on their funereal bier; Gertrudis, in her _litera_, restored +to new life; Don Rafael, Don Mariano, and his followers. + +Don Cornelio, Costal, and Clara had already gone far from the spot; and +soon the last horseman of the Colonel's escort, forming the rearguard of +the procession, had filed through the belt of cedrela trees--leaving the +Lake Ostuta apparently as deserted as if human footsteps had never +strayed along its shores. + +And yet this desertion was only apparent. Upon the edge of the lake at +that point where the chase of the bandits had terminated, two human +bodies might, be seen lying along the ground. One was dead; and the +other, though still living, was equally motionless. The former was the +corpse of Bocardo, who in the _melee_ had been despatched by the +troopers of Don Rafael. The living body was that of Arroyo, who, still +bound hand and foot with the lazo, was unable to stir from the spot. +There lay he with no one to pity--no one to lend a helping hand; +destined at no distant time to make a meal for the vultures, to perish +by the poignard of some royalist, or to excite the compassion of an +insurgent. + +The moon had disappeared below the horizon, and the vitreous +transparence which her light had lent to the enchanted hill, giving it a +semblance of life, was no more to be observed. The lake no longer +glittered under the silvery beam. Both Ostuta and Monopostiac had +resumed the sombre aspect that usually distinguished them, with that +mournful tranquillity that habitually reigned over the spot--interrupted +only by the cry of the coyote, or the shrill maniac scream of the eagle +preparing to descend to the banquet of human flesh! + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tiger Hunter, by Mayne Reid + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TIGER HUNTER *** + +***** This file should be named 25127.txt or 25127.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/1/2/25127/ + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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