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diff --git a/35197.txt b/35197.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4890aa --- /dev/null +++ b/35197.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7744 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bandolero, 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 Bandolero + A Marriage among the Mountains + +Author: Mayne Reid + +Release Date: February 7, 2011 [EBook #35197] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BANDOLERO *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + + + +The Bandolero +A Marriage among the Mountains +By Captain Mayne Reid +Published by Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, London. +This edition dated 1866. + +The Bandolero, by Captain Mayne Reid. + +________________________________________________________________________ + +________________________________________________________________________ +THE BANDOLERO, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. + + + +CHAPTER ONE. + +A CITY OF ANGELS. + +La Puebla de los Angeles is peculiar, even among the cities of modern +Mexico; peculiar in the fact, that two-thirds of its population are +composed of priests, _pelados, poblanas_, pickpockets, and _incarones_ +of a bolder type. + +Perhaps I have been too liberal in allowing a third to the "gente de +bueno," or respectable people. There are travellers who have altogether +denied their existence; but this may be an exaggeration on the other +side. + +Trusting to my own souvenirs, I think I can remember having met with +honest men--and women too--in the City of the Angels. But I shall not +be positive about their proportion to the rest of the population. It +may be less than a third--certainly it is not _more_! + +Equally certain is it: that every tenth man you meet in the streets of +Puebla is either a priest, or in some way connected with the holy +fraternity--and that every tenth woman is far from being an angel! + +_Curas_ in robes of black silk serge, stockings of the finest texture, +and "coal-scuttle" hats, full three feet in length; friars of all orders +and colours--black and white, blue, brown, and grey--with shaven crowns +and sandalled feet, are encountered, not only at every corner, but +almost at every step you take. + +If monks were immaculate, Puebla might deserve the sanctified +appellation it has received--the _City of the Angels_. As it is, the +_City of the Devils_ would be a more appropriate title for it! + +"The nearer the church, the farther from God." + +The adage is strikingly illustrated in Puebla, where the Church is not +only present--in all its outward symbols--but paramount. It governs the +place. It owns it. Almost every house in the city, as almost every +acre of land in the vast plain that surrounds it, is the property of the +Church, in fee simple, or by mortgage deed! + +As you pass through the streets you see painted over the door-heads-- +three out of every four of them--the phrases, "Casa de San Augustin," +"Casa de San Francisco," "Casa de Jesus," and the like. + +If a stranger inquire the object of this black lettering, he is told +that the houses so designated are the property of the respective +convents whose names appear above the doors. In short, you see the +Church above, before, and around you, all-powerful over the bodies as +well as the souls of the Poblanos; and you have not ceased to be a +stranger, ere you discover its all-pervading villainy and corruptness. + +Otherwise, Puebla might be termed a terrestrial paradise. Situated in +the centre of an immense plain--whose fertility suggested to Cortez and +his _conquistadores_ the title "La vega" (the farm)--surrounded by an +amphitheatre of magnificent mountains, in grandeur unsurpassed upon +earth--with a climate of ever-spring, truly might it be deemed an +abiding place for _angels_; as truly as it is the home of a host of +infamous men, and not less infamous women. + +Despite its moral character, there is a grand picturesqueness about _La +Puebla de los Angeles_--both in its present aspect and its past history. +Both are redolent of romance. + +Standing upon the site of an ancient Aztecan town, within view of +Cholula, the Indian Athens--with Tlascala, their Sparta, on the other +side of the mountain Malinche--what heart would not be touched by the +historic souvenirs of such a spot? And though the sages of Cholula and +the warriors of Tlascala are no longer to be recognised in their +degenerate descendants, there, still, are the grand objects from which +they must have drawn their inspirations. On all sides tower up the +Cordilleras of the Andes. Sublime, against the eastern sky, rises the +"Star mountain;" matched upon the west by the rival cone of Popocatepec. +Still in solemn silence reclines the "White Sister" under her cold +coverlet of snow. + +Well do I remember the impression produced on my own mind when, after +passing through the _mal pais_ of Perote, I first came within view of +the domes and spires of La Puebla. It was an impression, grand, +mystical, romantic; in interest exceeding even that I afterwards +experienced, when gazing for the first time on the valley of +Tenochtitlan. It was a _coup de coeur_ never to be forgotten! + +As my entry into the "City of the Angels" was not of an ordinary kind,-- +and, moreover, had much to do with the events about to be related--it +will be necessary to give some account of it. I transcribe from the +tablets of my memory, where it is recorded with a vividness that makes +the transcript easy. I can answer for its being truthful. + +I was one of three thousand invaders; all travel stained; many footsore, +from long marches over the lava rocks of Las Vigas, and the desert +plains of Perote; some scathed in the skirmish with Santa Anna's lancers +along the foot hills of the mountain Malinche; but all aweary unto +death. + +Fatigue was forgotten, dust and scars disregarded, as we came within +sight of the sanctified city, and with beating drums and braying bugles +marched on to take possession of it. + +It needed no warlike ardour on our part. Outside the gates we were met +by the _Alcalde Mayor_ and his magistrates; who, with fair speech on +their lips, but foul thought in their hearts, reluctantly bestowed upon +us the "freedom of the city!" + +Who could wonder at the reluctance? We only wondered at the soft +speeches, instead of the hard blows we had been led to expect from them. +All along the route, Puebla had been proclaimed as the point where we +were to be brought to bay. There we should have to encounter the sons +of the _tierra templada_; and our laurels, cheaply gathered at Vera Cruz +and Cerro Gordo, from the enervated children of the _tierra caliente_, +would be snatched from our brows by the "_valientes_" of La Puebla. The +saints of the "holy city" had been promised a hecatomb; and we expected, +at least something in the shape of a fight. + +We were disappointed--I will not say disagreeably: for, after all, +fighting is not the most desirable duty to be performed in a campaign-- +especially on the eve of entering into some grand town of the enemy. In +my opinion, it is far pleasanter to find the streets clear of +obstructions, the pavement without blood spots--although they may be +those of the foe--the shops and restaurants open, especially the +latter--and the windows filled with fair forms and smiling faces. + +After this fashion were we received in the _City of the Angels_. There +were no barricades--no street fighting--no obstructions of any kind. +The fair forms were there, seen in shadow behind the iron _rejas_, or +standing in full light in the _balcons_ above. Many of the faces, too, +were fair; though I shall not go so far as to assert, that any of them +were _smiling_. It would be nearer the truth to say that most, if not +all of them, looked frowningly upon us. + +It was a cold reception: but the wonder was that we were received at +all, or not more warmly welcomed--in a different sense. Horse and foot +all told, we counted scarce three thousand weary warriors--stirred for +the moment into a spasmodic activity by the sound of our drums, the +thought of being conquerors, and perhaps a little by the battery of +bright eyes before which we were paraded. We were marching through the +streets of a city of more than sixty thousand inhabitants, with houses +enough to hold twice the number; grand massive dwellings with frescoed +fronts, that rose frowningly above us--each capable of being converted +into a fortress. A city lately guarded by choice troops, and whose own +fighting men outnumbered us ten to one! + +Its women alone might have overwhelmed us, had each but pitched a +projectile--her cigarito or slipper--upon our heads. They looked as if +they _would_ have annihilated us! + +And yet we did not run the gauntlet altogether unscathed--not all of us. +Some received wounds in the course of that triumphal entry, that +rankled long after. + +They were wounds of the heart, inflicted by those soft love-speaking +eyes, for which the Poblana is peculiar. + +I can testify to one heart thus sweetly scathed. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +The fatigued Foot grounded arms in the _Piazza Grande_. The detached +squadrons of cavalry scoured the deserted streets in search of soldiers' +quarters. + +Guided by the displaced authorities, the _cuartels_ were soon +discovered; and, before night, a new _regime_ ruled the City of the +Angels. The priest had given place to the soldier! + + + +CHAPTER TWO. + +A CITY OF DEVILS. + +Our conquering army thus easily admitted into the City of the Angels, +soon discovered it to be deserving of a far different appellation; and +before we were a week within its walls there were few of our fellows who +would not have preferred taking the chance of "quarters in Timbuctoo." +Notwithstanding our antipathy to the place, we were forced to remain in +it for a period of several months, as it was not deemed prudent to +advance directly upon the capital. + +Between the "Vega" of Puebla and the "Valle" of Mexico extends a vast +wall--the main "cordillera" of the Mexican Andes. It affords several +points capable of easy defence, against a force far superior to that of +the defenders. It was reported that one or other of these points would +be fortified and sustained. + +Moreover, the city of Mexico was not to be considered in the same light +as the many others in that Imperial Republic, already surrendered to us +with such facile freedom--Puebla among the number. The latter was but +an outlying post; the former the heart and centre of a nation--up to +this time unvisited by foreign foe--for three centuries untainted by the +stranger's footstep. + +Around it would be gathered the chivalry of the land, ready to lay down +its life in the defence of the modern city; as its Aztec owners freely +did, when it was the ancient Tenochtitlan. + +Labouring under this romantic delusion, our timid commander-in-chief +decreed that we should stay for a time in the City of the Angels. + +It was a stay that cost us several thousands of brave men; for, as it +afterwards proved, we might have continued our triumphant march into the +capital without hostile obstruction. + +Fate, or Scott, ruling it, we remained in La Puebla. + +If a city inhabited by _real_ angels be not a pleasanter place of abode +than that of the sham sort at Puebla, I fancy there are few of my old +comrades would care to be quartered in it. + +It is true we were in an enemy's town, with no great claim to +hospitality. The people from the first stayed strictly within doors-- +that is, those of them who could afford to live without exposing their +persons upon the street. Of the tradesmen we had enough; and, at their +prices, something more. + +But the women--those windows full of dark-eyed _doncellas_ we had seen +upon our first entry, and but rarely afterwards--appeared to have been +suddenly spirited away; and, with some exceptions, we never set eyes on +them again! + +We fancied that they had their eyes upon us, from behind the deep +shadowy _rejas_: and we had reason to believe they were only restrained +from shewing their fair faces by the jealous interference of their men. + +As for the latter, we were not long in discovering _their_ proclivity. +In a town of sixty thousand inhabitants--with house-room (as already +stated) for twice or three times the number--a small _corps d'armee_, +such as ours was, could scarce be discovered in the crowd. On days of +general drill, or grand parade, we looked formidable enough--at least to +overawe the ruffianism around us. + +But when the troops were distributed into their respective _cuartels_, +widely separated from one another, the thing was quite different; and a +sky-blue soldier tramping it through the streets might have been likened +to a single honest man, moving in the midst of a thousand thieves! + +The consequence was that the Poblanos became "muy valiente," and began +to believe, that they had too easily surrendered their city. + +And the consequence of this belief, or hallucination on their part, was +an attitude of hostility towards our soldiers--resulting in rude +badinage, broils, and, not unfrequently, in blood. + +The mere mob of "leperos" was not alone guilty of this misconception. +The "swells" of the place took part in it--directing their hostility +against our subaltern officers--among them some good-natured fellows, +who, quite unconscious of the intent, had for a time misconstrued it. + +It resulted in a rumour--a repute I should rather call it--which became +current throughout the country. The people themselves said, and +affected to believe it, that the _Americanos_, though brave in battle-- +or, at all events, hitherto successful--were _individually_ afraid of +their foes, and shirked the _personal_ encounter! + +This idea the _jeunesse dore_ propagated among their female +acquaintances; and for a time it obtained credit. + +Well do I remember the night when it was first made known to those who +were sufferers by the slander. + +There were twelve of us busied over a basket of champagne--better I +never drank than that we discovered in the cellars of La Puebla. + +There is always good wine in the proximity of a convent. + +Some one joining our party reported: that he had been jostled while +passing through the streets; not by a mob of _pelados_, but by men who +were known as the "young bloods" of the place. + +Several others had like experiences to relate--if not of that night, as +having occurred within the week. + +The Monroe doctrine was touched; and along with it the Yankee "dander." + +We rose to a man; and sallied forth into the street. + +It was still early. The pavement was crowded with pedestrians. + +I can only justify what followed, by stating that there had been +terrible provocation. I had been myself more than once the victim of +verbal insult--incredulous that it could have been so meant. + +One and all of us were ripe for retaliation. + +We proceeded to take it. + +Scores of citizens--including the swells, that had hitherto disputed the +path--went rapidly to the wall: many of them to the gutter; and next day +the _banquette_ was left clear to any one wearing the uniform of "Uncle +Sam." + +The lesson, followed by good results, had also some evil ones. Our +"rank and file," taking the hint from their officers, began to knock the +Poblanos about like "old boots;" while the _leperos_ finding them alone, +and in solitary places, freely retaliated--on several occasions +shortening the count of their messes. + +The game continuing, soon became perilous to an extreme degree. In +daylight we might go where we pleased; but after nightfall--especially +if it chanced to be a dark night--it was dangerous to set foot upon the +streets. If a single officer--or even two or three--had to dine at the +quarters of any remote regiment, he must needs stay all night with his +hosts, or take the chance of being waylaid on his way home! + +In time the _lex talionis_ became thoroughly established; and a +stringent order had to be issued from head-quarters: that neither +soldier nor officer should go out upon the streets, without special +permission from the commander of the regiment, troop, or detachment. + +A revolt of the "angels," whom we had by this time discovered to be very +"devils," was anticipated. Hence the motive for the precautionary +measure. + +From that time we were prohibited all out-door exercise, except such as +was connected with our drill duties and parade. We were in reality +undergoing a sort of mild siege! + +Safe sorties could only be made during the day; then only through +streets proximate to the respective _cuartels_. Stragglers to remote +suburbs were assaulted _sub Jove_; while after night it was not safe +anywhere, beyond hail of our own sentries! + +A pretty pass had things come to in the City of the Angels! + + + +CHAPTER THREE. + +THE LADY IN THE BALCON. + +Notwithstanding the disagreeables above enumerated, and some others, I +was not among those who would have preferred quarters in Timbuctoo. + +One's liking for a place often depends upon a trivial circumstance; and +just such a circumstance had given me a _penchant_ for Puebla. + +The human heart is capable of a sentiment that can turn dirt into +diamonds, or darkness to light,--at least in imagination. Under its +influence the peasant's hut becomes transformed into a princely palace; +and the cottage girl assumes the semblance of a queen. + +Possessed by this sentiment, I thought Puebla a paradise; for I knew +that it contained, if not an angel, one "fair as the first that fell of +womankind." As yet only on one occasion had I seen her; then only at a +distance, and for a time scarce counting threescore seconds. + +It was during the ceremonial of our entry into the place, already +described. As the van of our columns debouched into the Piazza Grande a +halt had been ordered, necessarily extending to the regiments in the +rear. The spot where my own troop had need to pull up was overlooked by +a large two-story house, of somewhat imposing appearance, with frescoed +front, _balcons_, and _portales_. Of course there were windows; and it +was not likely that so situated I should feel shy about looking at, or +even _into_ them. There are times and circumstances when a man may be +permitted to dispense with the strictest observance of etiquette; and, +though it may be quite unchivalric, the conqueror claims, on the +occasion of making entry into a conquered city, the right to peep into +the windows. + +No better than the rest of my fellows, I availed myself of the saucy +privilege, by glancing toward the windows of the house, before which we +had halted. + +In those below there was nobody or nothing--only the red iron bars and +the black emptiness behind them. + +On turning my eyes upwards, I saw something very different--something +that rivetted my gaze, in spite of every effort to avert it. There was +a window with balcony in front, and green Venetians inside. Half +standing on the sill, and holding the _jalousies_ back, was a woman--I +had almost said an _angel_! + +Certainly was she the fairest thing I had ever seen, or in fancy +conceived; and my reflection at the time was--I well remember making +it--if there be _two_ of her sort in Puebla, the place is appropriately +named--_La Puebla de los Angeles_! + +She was not of the fair-haired kind, so fashionable in late days; but +dark, with deep dreamy eyes; a mass of black hair, surmounted by a large +tortoise-shell comb; eyebrows so pretty as to appear painted; with a +corresponding tracery upon the upper lip--the _bigotite_ that tells of +Andalusian stock, and descent from the children of the Cid. + +While gazing upon her--no doubt rudely enough--I saw that she returned +the glance. At first I thought _kindly_; but then with a serious air, +as if resenting my rudeness. I would have given anything I possessed to +appease her--the horse I was riding, or aught else. I would have given +much for a flower to fling at her feet--knowing the effect of such +little flatteries on the Mexican "muchacha;" but, unfortunately, there +was no flower near. + +In default of one, I bethought me of a substitute--my sword-knot! + +The gold tassel was instantly detached from the guard, and fell into the +balcony at her feet. + +I did not see her take it up. The bugle at that moment sounded the +advance; and I was forced to ride forward at the head of my troop. + +On glancing back, as we turned out of the street, I saw that she was +still outside; and fancied there was something glittering between her +fingers in addition to the jewelled rings that encircled them. + +I noted the name of the street. It was the Calle del Obispo. + +In my heart I registered a vow: that, ere long, I should be back in the +Calle del Obispo. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +I was not slow in the fulfilment of that vow. The very next day, after +being released from morning parade, I repaired to the place in which the +fair apparition had made itself manifest. + +I had no difficulty in recognising the house. It was one of the largest +in the street, easily distinguished by its frescoed front, windows with +"balcons," and jalousies inside. A grand gate entrance piercing the +centre told that carriages were kept. In short, everything betokened +the residence of a "rico." + +I remembered the very window--so carefully had I made my mental +memoranda. + +It looked different now. There was but the frame; the picture was no +longer in it. + +I glanced to the other windows of the dwelling. They were all alike +empty. The blinds were drawn down. No one inside appeared to take any +interest in what was passing in the street. + +I had my walk for nothing. A score of turns, up and down; three cigars +smoked while making them; some sober reflections that admonished me I +was doing a very ridiculous thing; and I strolled back to my quarters +with a humiliating sense of having made a fool of myself, and a resolve +not to repeat the performance. + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. + +A PAIR OF COUNTERPARTS. + +It was but a half-heart resolve, and failed me on the following day. + +Again did I traverse the Calle del Obispo; again scrutinise the windows +of the stuccoed mansion. + +As on the day before, the _jalousies_ were down, and my surveillance was +once more doomed to disappointment. There was no face, no form, not +even so much as a finger, to be seen through the screening lattice. + +Shall I go again? + +This was the question I asked myself on the third day. + +I had almost answered it in the negative: for I was by this time getting +tired of the profitless _role_ I had been playing. + +It was perilous too. There was a chance of becoming involved in a maze, +from which escape might not be so easy. I felt sure I could _love_ the +woman I had seen in the window. The powerful impression her eyes had +made upon me, in twenty seconds of time, was earnest of what might +follow from a prolonged observation of them. I could not calculate on +escaping without becoming inspired by a passion. + +And what if it should not be reciprocated? It was sheer vanity, to have +even the slightest hope that it might be! + +Better to give it up--to go no more through the street where the fair +vision had shewn itself--to try and forget that I had seen it. + +Such were my reflections on the morning of the third day, after my +arrival in the Angelic city. + +Only in the morning. Before twilight there was a change. The twilight +had something to do in producing it. On the two previous occasions I +had mistaken the hour when beauty is accustomed to display itself in the +balconies of La Puebla. Hence, perhaps, my failing to obtain a view of +her who had so interested me. + +I determined to try again. + +Just as the sun's rays were turning rose-coloured upon the snow-crowned +summit of Orizava, I was once more wending my way towards the Calle del +Obispo. + +A third disappointment; but this time of a kind entirely different from +the other two. + +I had hit the hour. The _doncella_--of whom for three days I had been +thinking--three nights dreaming--was in the window where I had first +seen her. + +One glance and I was completely disenchanted! + +Not that she could be called plain, or otherwise than pretty. She was +more than passably so, but still only _pretty_. + +Where was the resplendent beauty that had so strangely, suddenly, +impressed me? + +She might have deemed me ill-mannered, as I stood scanning her features +to discover it; for I was no longer in awe--such as I expected her +presence would have produced. I could now look upon her, without fear +of that possibly perilous future I had been picturing to myself. + +After all, the thing was easy of explanation. For six weeks we had been +among the hills--in cantonment--so far from Jalapa, that it was only +upon rare occasions we had an opportunity of refreshing our eyes with a +sight of the fair Jalapenas. We had been accustomed to see only the +peasant girls of Banderilla and San Miguel Soldado, with here and there +along the route the coarse unkempt squaws of Azteca. Compared with +these, she of the Calle del Obispo was indeed an angel. It was the +contrast that had misled me? + +Well, it would be a lesson of caution not to be too quick at falling in +love. I had often listened to the allegement, that circumstances have +much to do in producing the tender passion. This seemed to confirm it. + +I was not without regret, on discovering that the angel of my +imagination was no more than a pretty woman,--a regret strengthened by +the remembrance of three distinct promenades made for the express +purpose of seeing her--to say nothing of the innumerable vagaries of +pleasant conjecture, all exerted in vain. + +I felt a little vexed at having thrown away my sword-knot! + +I was scarce consoled by the reflection, that my peace of mind was no +longer in peril; for I was now almost indifferent to the opinion which +the lady might entertain of me. I no longer cared a straw about the +reciprocity of a passion the possibility of which had been troubling me. +There would be none to reciprocate. + +Thus chagrined, and a little by the same thought consoled, I had ceased +to stare at the senorita; who certainly stared at me in surprise, and as +I fancied, with some degree of indignation. + +My rudeness had given her reason; and I could not help perceiving it. + +I was about to make the best apology in my power, by hastening away from +the spot--my eyes turned to the ground in a look of humiliation--when +curiosity, more than aught else, prompted me to raise them once more to +the window. I was desirous to know whether my repentance had been +understood and acknowledged. + +I intended it only for a transitory glance. It became fixed. + +Fixed and fascinated! The woman that but six seconds before appeared +only pretty--that three days before I had supposed supremely beautiful-- +was again the _angel_ I had deemed her,--certainly the most beautiful +woman I ever beheld! + +What could have caused this change? Was it an illusion--some deception +my senses were practising upon me? + +If the lady saw reason to think me rude before, she had double cause +now. I stood transfixed to the spot, gazing upon her with my eyes, my +soul--my every thought concentrated in the glance. + +And yet she seemed less frowning than before: for I was sure that she +had frowned. I could not explain this, any more than I could account +for the other transformation. Enough that I was gratified with the +thought of having, not idly, bestowed my sword-knot. + +For some time I remained under the spell of a speechless surprise. + +It was broken--not by words, but by a new _tableau_ suddenly presented +to my view. Two women were at the window! One was the pretty prude who +had well nigh chased me out of the street; the other, the lovely being +who had attracted me into it! + +At a glance I saw that they were sisters. + +They were remarkably alike, both in form and features. Even the +expression upon their countenances was similar--that similarity that may +be seen between two individuals in the same family, known as a "family +likeness." + +Both were of a clear olive complexion--the tint of the +Moriseo-Spaniard--with large imperious eyes, and masses of black hair +clustering around their necks. Both were tall, of full form, and shaped +as if from the same mould; while in age--so far as appearance went--they +might have been twins. + +And yet, despite these many points of personal similarity, in the degree +of loveliness they were vastly different. She who had been offended by +my behaviour was a handsome woman, and only that--a thing of Earth; +while her sister had the seeming of some divine creature whose home +might be in Heaven! + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. + +A NOCTURNAL SORTIE. + +From that day, each return of twilight's gentle hour saw me in the Calle +del Obispo. The sun was not more certain to set behind the snow-crowned +Cordilleras, than I to traverse the street where dwelt Mercedes +Villa-Senor. + +Her name and condition had been easily ascertained. Any stray passenger +encountered in the street could tell, who lived in the grand _casa_ with +the frescoed front. + +"Don Eusebio Villa-Senor--_un rico_--with two daughters, _muchachas muy +lindas_!" was the reply of him, to whom I addressed the inquiry. + +I was further informed, that Don Eusebio was of Spanish descent, though +a Mexican by birth; that in the veins of his daughters flowed only the +Andalusian blood--the pure _sangre azul_. His was one of the _familias +principales_ of Puebla. + +There was nothing in this knowledge to check my incipient admiration of +Don Eusebio's daughter. Quite the contrary. + +As I had predicted, I was soon in the vortex of an impetuous passion; +and without ever having spoken to her who inspired it! + +There was no chance to hold converse with her. We were permitted no +correspondence with the _familias principales_, beyond the dry +formalities which occasionally occurred in official intercourse. But +this was confined to the men. The senoritas were closely kept within +doors, and as jealously concealed from us as if every house had been a +harem. + +My admiration was too earnest to be restrained by such trifling +obstructions; and I succeeded in obtaining an occasional, though +distant, view of her who had so interested me. + +My glances--given with all the fervour of a persistent passion--with all +its audacity--could scarce be misconstrued. + +I had the vanity to think they were not; and that they were returned +with looks that meant more than kindness. + +I was full of hope and joy. My love affair appeared to be progressing +towards a favourable issue; when that change, already recorded, came +over the inhabitants of Puebla--causing them to assume towards us the +attitude of hostility. + +It is scarce necessary to say that the new state of things was not to my +individual liking. My twilight saunterings had, of necessity, to be +discontinued; and upon rare occasions, when I found a chance of resuming +them, I no longer saw aught of Mercedes Villa-Senor! + +She, too, had no doubt been terrified into that hermitical retirement-- +among the senoritas now universal. + +Before this terrible time came about, my passion had proceeded too far +to be restrained by any ideas of danger. My hopes had grown in +proportion; and stimulated by these, I lost no opportunity of stealing +out of quarters, and seeking the Calle del Obispo. + +I was alike indifferent to danger in the streets, and the standing order +to keep out of them. For a stray glance at her to whom I had +surrendered my sword-knot, I would have given up my commission; and to +obtain the former, almost daily did I risk losing the latter! + +It was all to no purpose. Mercedes was no more to be seen. + +Uncertainty about her soon became a torture; I could endure it no +longer. I resolved to seek some mode of communication. + +How fortunate for lovers that their thoughts can be symbolised upon +paper! I thought so as I indited a letter, and addressed it to the +"Dona Mercedes Villa-Senor." + +How to get it conveyed to her, was a more difficult problem. + +There were men servants who came and went through the great gateway of +the mansion. Which of them was the one least likely to betray me? + +I soon fixed my reflections upon the _cochero_--a tall fellow in +velveteens, whom I had seen taking out the sleek carriage horses. There +was enough of the "picaro" in his countenance, to inspire me with +confidence that he could be _suborned_ for my purpose. + +I determined on making trial of him. If a doubloon should prove +sufficient bribe, my letter would be delivered. + +In my twilight strolls, often prolonged to a late hour, I had noticed +that this domestic sallied forth: as if, having done his day's duty, he +had permission to spend his evenings at the _pulqueria_. The plan would +be to waylay him, on one of his nocturnal sorties; and this was what I +determined on doing. + +On the night of that same day on which I indited the epistle, the +Officer of the Guard chanced to be my particular friend. It was not +chance either: since I had chosen the occasion. I had no difficulty, +therefore, in giving the countersign; and, wrapped in a cloth cloak-- +intended less as a protection against the cold than to conceal my +uniform--I proceeded onward upon my errand of intrigue. + +I was favoured by the _complexion_ of the night. It was dark as coal +tar--the sky shrouded with a thick stratum of thunder clouds. + +It was not yet late enough for the citizens to have forsaken the +streets. There were hundreds of them, strolling to and fro, all natives +of the place--most of them men of the lower classes--with a large +proportion of "leperos." + +There was not a soldier to be seen--except here and there the solitary +sentry, whose presence betokened the entrance to some military cuartel. + +The troops were all inside--in obedience to the standing order. There +were not even the usual squads of drunken stragglers in uniform. The +fear of assault and assassination was stronger than the propensity for +"raking"--even among regiments whose rank and file was almost entirely +composed of the countrymen of Saint Patrick. + +A stranger passing through the place could scarce have suspected that +the city was under American occupation. There was but slight sign of +such control. The Poblanos appeared to have the place to themselves. + +They were gay and noisy--some half intoxicated with _pulque_, and +inclined to be quarrelsome. The leperos, no longer in awe of their own +national authorities, were demeaning themselves with a degree of licence +allowed by the abnormal character of the times. + +In my progress along the pavement I was several times accosted in a +coarse bantering mariner; not on account of my American uniform--for my +cloak concealed this--but because _I wore a cloak_! I was taken for a +native "aristocrat." + +Better that it was so: since the insults were only verbal, and offered +in a spirit of rude badinage. Had my real character been known, they +might have been accompanied by personal violence. + +I had not gone far before becoming aware of this; and that I had started +upon a rash, not to say perilous, enterprise. + +It was of that nature, however, that I could not give it up; even had I +been threatened with ten times the danger. + +I continued on, holding my cloak in such a fashion, that it might not +flap open. + +By good luck I had taken the precaution to cover my head with a Mexican +sombrero, instead of the military cap; and as for the gold stripes on my +trowsers, they were but the fashion of the Mexican _majo_. + +A walk of twenty minutes brought me into the Calle del Obispo. + +Compared with some of the streets, through which I had been passing, it +seemed deserted. Only two or three solitary pedestrians could be seen +traversing it, under the dim light of half a dozen oil lamps set at long +distances apart. + +One of these was in front of the Casa Villa-Senor. More than once it +had been my beacon before, and it guided me now. + +On the opposite side of the street there was another grand house with a +portico. Under the shadow of this I took my stand, to await the coming +forth of the cochero. + + + +CHAPTER SIX. + +"VA CON DIOS!" + +Though I had already made myself acquainted with his usual hour of +repairing to the pulqueria, I had not timed it neatly. + +For twenty minutes I stood with the _billetita_ in my hand, and the +doubloon in my pocket, both ready to be entrusted to him. No cochero +came forth. + +The house rose three stories from the street--its massive mason work +giving it a look of solemn grandeur. The great gaol-like gate--knobbed +all over like the hide of an Indian rhinoceros--was shut and secured by +strong locks and double bolting. There was no light in the _sagnan_ +behind it; and not a ray shone through the jalousies above. + +Not remembering that in Mexican mansions there are many spacious +apartments without street windows, I might have imagined that the Casa +Villa-Senor was either uninhabited, or that the inmates had retired to +rest. The latter was not likely: it wanted twenty minutes to ten. + +What had become of my cochero? Half-past nine was the hour I had +usually observed him strolling forth; and I had now been upon the spot +since a quarter past eight. Something must be keeping him indoors--an +extra scouring of his plated harness or grooming of his _frisones_? + +This thought kept me patient, as I paced to and fro under the portico of +Don Eusebio's "opposite neighbour." + +Ten o'clock! The sonorous campana of the Cathedral was striking the +noted hour--erst celebrated in song. A score of clocks in +church-steeples, that tower thickly over the City of the Angels, had +taken up the cue; and the air of the night vibrated melodiously under +the music of bell metal. + +To kill time--and another bird with the same stone--I took out my +repeater, with the intention of regulating it. I knew it was not the +most correct of chronometers. The oil lamp on the opposite side enabled +me to note the position of the hands upon the dial. Its dimness, +however, caused delay; and I may have been engaged some minutes in the +act. + +After returning the watch to its fob, I once more glanced towards the +entrance of Don Eusebio's dwelling--at a wicket in the great gate, +through which I expected the cochero to come. + +The gate was still close shut; but, to my surprise, the man was standing +outside of it! Either he, or some one else? + +I had heard no noise--no shooting of bolts, nor creaking of hinges. +Surely it could not be the cochero? + +I soon perceived that it was not; nor anything that in the least degree +resembled him. + +My _vis-a-vis_ on the opposite side of the street was, like myself, +enveloped in a cloak, and wearing a black sombrero. + +Despite the disguise, and the dim light afforded by the _lard_, there +was no mistaking him for either domestic, tradesman, or lepero. His air +and attitude--his well-knit figure, gracefully outlined underneath the +loose folds of the broadcloth--above all, the lineaments of a handsome +face--at once proclaimed the "cavallero." + +In appearance he was a man of about my own age: twenty-five, not more. +Otherwise he may have had the advantage of me; for, as I gazed on his +features--ill lit as they were by the feebly glimmering lamp--I fancied +I had never looked on finer. + +A pair of black moustaches curled away from the corners of a mouth, that +exhibited twin rows of white regular teeth. They were set in a pleasing +smile. + +Why that pain shooting through my heart, as I beheld it? + +I was disappointed that he was not the cochero for whom I had been +keeping watch. But it was not this. Far different was the sentiment +with which I regarded him. Instead of the "go-between" I had expected +to employ, I felt a suspicion, that I was looking upon a _rival_! + +A successful one, too, I could not doubt. His splendid appearance gave +earnest of that. + +He had not paused in front of the Casa Villa-Senor without a purpose--as +was evident from the way in which he paced the banquette beneath, while +glancing at the balcon above. I could see that his eyes were fixed on +that very window--by my own oft passionately explored! + +His look and bearing--both full of confidence--told that he had been +there before--often before; and that he was now at the spot--not like +myself on an errand of doubtful speculation, but by _appointment_! + +I could tell, that he had not come to avail himself of the services of +the cochero. His eyes did not turn towards the grand entrance-gate, but +remained fixed upon the balcony above--where he evidently expected some +one to make appearance. + +Shadowed by the portal, I was not seen by him; though I cared not a +straw about that. My remaining in concealment was a mere mechanical +act--an instinct, if you prefer the phrase. From the first I felt +satisfied, that my own "game was up," and that I had no longer any +business with the domestic of Don Eusebio Villa-Senor. His daughter was +already engaged! + +Of course I thought only of Mercedes. It would have been absurd to +suppose that the man I saw before me could be _after_ the other. The +idea did not enter my brain--reeling at the sight of my successful +rival. + +Unlike me, he was not kept long in suspense. Ten o'clock had evidently +been the hour of appointment. The cathedral was to give the time; and, +as the tolling commenced, the cloaked cavalier had entered the street, +and hastened forward to the place. + +As the last strokes were reverberating upon the still night air, I saw +the blind silently drawn aside; while a face--too often outlined in my +dreams--now, in dim but dread reality, appeared within the embayment of +the window. + +The instant after, and a form, robed in dark habiliments, stepped +silently out into the balcony; a white arm was stretched over the +balusters; something still whiter, appearing at the tips of tapering +fingers, fell noiselessly into the street, accompanied by the softly +whispered words: + +"_Querido Francisco; va con Dios_!" (God be with you, dear Francis!) + +Before the _billet-doux_ could be picked up from the pavement, the fair +whisperer disappeared within the window; the jalousie was once more +drawn: and both house and street relapsed into sombre silence. + +No one passing the mansion of Don Eusebio Villa-Senor could have told, +that his daughter had been committing an _indiscretion_. That secret +was in the keeping of two individuals; one to whom it had, no doubt, +imparted supreme happiness; the other to whom it had certainly given a +moment of misery! + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. + +BRIGANDAGE IN NEW SPAIN. + +Accustomed to live under a strong government, with its well-organised +system of police, we in England have a difficulty in comprehending how a +regular band of robbers can maintain itself in the midst of a civilised +nation. + +We know that we have gangs of burglars, and fraternities of thieves, +whose sole profession is to plunder. The _footpad_ is not quite +extinct; and although he occasionally enacts the _role_ of the +highwayman, and demands "your money or your life," neither in dress nor +personal appearance is he to be distinguished from the ordinary +tradesman, or labourer. More often is he like the latter. + +Moreover, he does not bid open defiance to the law. He breaks it in a +sneaking, surreptitious fashion; and if by chance he resists its +execution, his resistance is inspired by the fear of capture and its +consequences--the scaffold, or penitentiary. + +This defiance rarely goes further than an attempt to escape from the +policeman, with a bull's-eye in one hand and a truncheon in the other. + +The idea of a band of brigands showing fight, not only to a posse of +sheriffs' officers, but to a detachment, perhaps half a regiment, of +soldiers--a band armed with swords, carbines, and pistols; costumed and +equipped in a style characteristic of their calling--is one, to +comprehend which we must fancy ourselves transported to the mountains of +Italy, or the rugged ravines of the Spanish sierras. We even wonder at +the existence of such a state of things there; and, until very lately, +were loth to believe in it. Your London shopkeeper would not credit the +stories of travellers being captured, and retained in captivity until +ransomed by their friends--or if they had no friends, shot! + +Surely the government of the country could rescue them? This was the +query usually put by the incredulous. + +There is now a clearer understanding of such things. The experience of +an humble English artist has established the fact: that the whole power +of Italy--backed by that of England--has been compelled to make terms +with a robber-chief, and pay him the sum of _four thousand pounds_ for +the surrender of his painter-prisoner! + +The shopkeeper, as he sits in the theatre pit, or gazes down from the +second tier of boxes, will now take a stronger interest in "Fra Diavolo" +than he ever did before. He knows that the devil's brother is a +reality, and Mazzaroni something more than a romantic conceit of the +author's imagination. + +But there is a robber of still more picturesque style to which the +Englishman cannot give his credibility--a bandit not only armed, +costumed, and equipped like the Fra Diavolos and Mazzaronis, but who +follows his profession _on horseback_! + +And not _alone_--like the Turpins and Claude Duvals of our own past +times--but trooped along with twenty, fifty, and often a hundred of his +fellows! + +For this equestrian freebooter--the true type of the highwayman--you +must seek, in modern times, among the mountains, and upon the plains, of +Mexico. There you will find him in full _fanfar_; plying his craft with +as much earnestness, and industry, as if it were the most respectable of +professions! + +In the city and its suburbs, brigandage exists in the shape of the +_picaron-a-pied_--or "robber on foot"--in short, the _footpad_. In the +country it assumes a far more exalted standard--being there elevated to +the rank of a regular calling; its practitioners not going in little +groups, and afoot--after the fashion of our thieves and garotters--but +acting in large organised bands, mounted on magnificent horses, with a +discipline almost military! + +These are the true "bandoleros," sometimes styled _salteadores del +camino grande_--"robbers of the great road"--in other words, +_highwaymen_. + +You may meet them on the _camino grande_ leading from Vera Cruz to the +capital--by either of the routes of Jalapa or Orizava; on that between +the capital and the Pacific port of Acapulco; on the northern routes to +Queretaro, Guanaxuato, and San Luis Potosi; on the western, to +Guadalaxara and Michoacan; in short, everywhere that offers them the +chance of stripping a traveller. + +Not only _may_ you meet them, but _will_, if you make but three +successive excursions over any one of the above named highways. You +will see the "salteador" on a horse much finer than that you are +yourself riding; in a suit of clothes thrice the value of your own-- +sparkling with silver studs, and buttons of pearl or gold; his shoulders +covered with a _serape_, or perhaps a splendid _manga_ of finest +broadcloth--blue, purple, or scarlet. + +You will see him, and feel him too--if you don't fall upon your face at +his stern summons "_A tierra_!" and afterwards deliver up to him every +article of value you have been so imprudent as to transport upon your +person. + +Refuse the demand, and you will get the contents of carbine, _escopeta_, +or blunderbuss in your body, or it may be a lance-blade intruded into +your chest! + +Yield graceful compliance, and he will as gracefully give you permission +to continue your journey--with, perhaps, an apology for having +interrupted it! + +I know it is difficult to believe in such a state of things, in a +country called civilised--difficult to you. To me they are but +remembrances of many an actual experience. + +Their existence is easily explained. You will have a clue to it, if you +can imagine a land, where, for a period of over fifty years, peace has +scarcely ever been known to continue for as many days; where all this +time anarchy has been the chronic condition; a land full of disappointed +spirits--unsatisfied aspirants to military fame, also _unpaid_; a land +of vast lonely plains and stupendous hills, whose shaggy sides form +impenetrable fastnesses--where the feeble pursued may bid defiance to +the strong pursuer. + +And such is the land of Anahuac. Even within sight of its grandest +cities there are places of concealment--harbours of refuge--alike free +to the political patriot, and the outlawed _picaro_. + +Like other strangers to New Spain, before setting foot upon its shores, +I was incredulous about this peculiarity of its social condition. It +was too abnormal to be true. I had read and heard tales of its +brigandage, and believed them to be tinged with exaggeration. A +_diligencia_ stopped every other day, often when accompanied by an +escort of dragoons--twenty to fifty in number; the passengers +maltreated, at times murdered--and these not always common people, but +often officers of rank in the army, representatives of the _Congresa_, +senators of the State, and even high dignitaries of the Church! + +Afterwards I had reason to believe in the wholesale despoliation. I was +witness to more than one living illustration of it. + +But, in truth, it is not so very different from what is daily, hourly, +occurring among ourselves. It is dishonesty under a different garb and +guise--a little bolder than that of our burglar--a little more +picturesque than that practised by the fustian-clad garotter of our +streets. + +And let it be remembered, in favour of Mexican morality--that, for one +daring bandolero upon the road, we have a hundred sneaking thieves of +the attorney type--stock-jobbers--promoters of swindling speculations-- +trade and skittle sharpers--to say nothing of our grand Government +swindle of over-taxation--all of which are known only exceptionally in +the land of Moctezuma. + +In point of immorality--on one side stripping it of its picturesqueness, +on the other of its abominable plebbishness--I very much doubt, whether +the much-abused people of Mexico need fear comparison with the +much-bepraised people of England. + +For my part, I most decidedly prefer the robber of the _road_, to him of +the _robe_; and I have had some experience of both. + +This digression has been caused by my recalling an encounter with the +former, that occurred to me in La Puebla--on that same night when I +found myself forestalled. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. + +A RIVAL TRACKED TO HIS ROOF-TREE. + +That I _was_ forestalled, there could be no mistake. + +There was no ambiguity about the meaning of the phrase: "God be with +you, dear Francis!" The coldest heart could not fail to interpret it-- +coupled with the act to which it had been an accompaniment. + +My heart was on fire. There was jealousy in it; and, more: there was +anger. + +I believed, or fancied, that I had cause. If ever woman had given me +encouragement--by looks and smiles--that woman was Mercedes Villa-Senor. + +All done to delude me--perhaps but to gratify the slightest whim of her +woman's vanity? She had shown unmistakeable signs of having noted my +glances of admiration. They were too earnest to have been +misunderstood. Perhaps she may have been a little flattered by them? +But, whether or no, I was confident of having received encouragement. + +Once, indeed, a flower had been dropped from the _balcon_. It had the +air of an accident--with just enough design to make the act difficult of +interpretation. With the wish father to the thought, I accepted it as a +challenge; and, hastening along the pavement, I stooped, and picked the +flower up. + +What I then saw was surely an approving smile--one that seemed to say: +"in return for your sword-knot." I thought so at the time; and fancied +I could see the tassel, protruding from a plait in the bodice of the +lady's dress--shown for an instant, and then adroitly concealed. + +This sweet chapter of incidents occurred upon the occasion of my tenth +stroll through the Calle del Obispo. It was the last time I had the +chance of seeing Mercedes by twilight. After that came the irksome +interval of seclusiveness,--now to be succeeded by a prolonged period of +chagrin: for the dropping of the _billet-doux_, and the endearing +speech, had put an end to my hopes--as effectually as if I had seen +Mercedes enfolded in Francisco's arms. + +Along with my chagrin I felt spite. I was under the impression that I +had been _played with_. + +Upon whom should I expend it? On the Senorita? + +There was no chance. She had retired from the balcony. I might never +see her again--there, or elsewhere? Who then? The man who had been +before me in her affections? + +Should I cross over the street--confront--pick a quarrel with him, and +finish it at my sword's point? An individual whom I had never seen, and +who, in all probability, had never set eyes upon me! + +Absurd as it may appear--absolutely unjust as it would have been--this +was actually my impulse! + +It was succeeded by a gentler thought. Francisco's face was favourable +to him. I saw it more distinctly, as he leant forward under the lamp to +decipher the contents of the note. It was such a countenance as one +could not take offence at, without good cause; and a moment's reflection +convinced me that mine was not sufficient. He was not only innocent of +the grief his rivalry had given me, but in all likelihood ignorant of my +existence. + +From that time forward he was likely to remain so. + +Such was my reflection, as I turned to take my departure from the place. +There was no longer any reason for my remaining there. The cochero +might now come and go, without danger of being accosted by me. His +tardiness had lost him the chance of obtaining an _onza_; and the letter +I had been hitherto holding in my hand went crumpled back into my +pocket. Its warm words and soft sentiments--contrived with all the +skill of which I was capable--should never be read by her for whom they +had been indited! + +So far as the offering of any further overtures on my part, I had done +with the daughter of Don Eusebio Villa-Senor; though I knew I had not +done with her in my heart, and that it would be long--long--before I +should get quit of her there. + +I turned to go back to my quarters--in secret to resign myself to my +humiliation. I did not start instantly. Something whispered me to stay +a little longer. Perhaps there might be a second act to the episode I +had so unwillingly witnessed? + +It could hardly be this that induced me to linger. It was evident she +did not intend reappearing. Her visit to the balcon had the air of +being made by stealth. I noted that once or twice she cast a quick +glance over her shoulder--as if watchful eyes were behind her, and she +had chosen a chance moment when they were averted. + +The manoeuvre had been executed with more than ordinary caution. It was +easy to see they were lovers _without leave_. Ah! too well could I +comprehend the clandestine act! + +Still standing concealed within the shadow of the portal, I watched +Francisco deciphering, or rather devouring, the note. How I envied him +those moments of bliss! The words traced upon the tiny sheet must be +sweet to him, as the sight was bitter to me. + +His face was directly under the lamplight. I could see it was one that +woman might well love, and man be jealous of. No wonder he had won the +heart of Don Eusebio's daughter! + +He was not long in making himself acquainted with the contents of the +epistle. Of course they caused him joy. I could trace it in the +pleased expression that made itself manifest in every line of his +countenance. Could I have seen my own, I might have looked upon a sad +contrast! + +The reading came to a close. He folded the note, and with care--as +though intending it to be tenderly kept. It disappeared under his +cloak; the cloak was drawn closer around him; a fond parting look cast +up to the place from which he had received the sweet missive; and then, +turning along the pavement, he passed smilingly away. + +I followed him. + +I can scarce tell why I did so. My first steps were altogether +mechanical--without thought or motive. + +It might have been an instinct--a fascination--such as often attracts +the victim to the very danger it should avoid. + +Prudence--experience, had I consulted it--would both have said to me: + +"Go the other way. Go, and forget her! Him too--all that has happened. +'Tis not yet too late. You are but upon the edge of the Scylla of +passion. You may still shun it. Retire, and save yourself from its +Charybdis!" + +Prudence and experience--what is either--what are both in the balance +against beauty? What were they when weighed against the charms of that +Mexican maiden? + +Even the slight I had experienced could not turn the scale in their +favour! It only maddened me to know more; and perhaps it was this that +carried me along the pavement, on the footsteps of Francisco. + +If not entertained at first, a design soon shaped itself--a sort of +morbid motive. I became curious to ascertain the condition of the man +who had supplanted me; or whom I had been myself endeavouring to +supplant with such slight success. + +He had the air of a gentleman, and the bearing of a true _militario_--a +type I had more than once met with in the land of Anahuac--so long a +prey to the rule of the sabre. + +There was nothing particularly martial about his habiliments. + +As he passed lamp after lamp in his progress along the street, I could +note their style and character. A pair of dark grey trousers without +stripes; a cloak; a glazed hat--all after a fashion worn by the ordinary +_commerciantes_ of the place. I fancied I could perceive a certain +shabbiness about them--perhaps not so much that, as a threadbareness-- +the evidence of long wear: for the materials were of a costly kind. The +cloak was of best broadcloth--the fabric of Spain; while the hat was +encircled by a bullion band, that, before getting tarnished by the touch +of time, must have shone splendidly enough. + +These observations were not made without motive. I drew from them a +series of deductions. One, that could not be avoided: that my rival, +instead of being rich, was in the opposite condition of life--perhaps +penniless? + +I was confirmed in this conjecture, as I saw him stop before the door of +an humble one-storied dwelling, in a street of corresponding +pretensions; thoroughly convinced of it as he lifted the latch with a +readiness that betokened it to be his home, and, without speaking to any +one, stepped inside. + +The circumstances were conclusive; he was not one of the "ricos" of the +place. It explained the clandestine correspondence, and the caution +observed by her who flung down the _billetita_. + +Instead of being solaced by the thought, it only increased my bitterness +of spirit. I should have been better pleased to have seen my rival +surrounded by splendour. A love unattracted by this must be indeed +disinterested--without the possibility of being displaced. No chance to +supplant the lover who is loved for himself. I did not harbour a hope. + +A slight incident had given me the clue to a romantic tale. Mercedes +Villa-Senor, daughter of one of the richest men in the place--inhabiting +one of its grandest mansions--in secret correspondence with a man +wearing a threadbare coat, having his home in one of the lowliest +dwellings to be found in the City of the Angels! + +I was not much surprised at the discovery. I knew it to be one of the +"Cosas de Mexico." But the knowledge did not lessen my chagrin. + + + +CHAPTER NINE. + +MUERA EL AMERICANO! + +Like a thief skulking after the unsuspecting pedestrian, on whom he +intends to practise his professional skill, so did I follow Francisco. + +Absorbed in the earnestness of my purpose, I did not observe three +genuine thieves, who were skulking after me. + +I am scarce exact in my nomenclature. They were not thieves, but +_picarones-a-pied_--footpads. + +My first acquaintance with these gentry was now to be made. + +As already said, I was not aware that any one was imitating me, in the +somewhat disreputable _role_ I was playing. + +After watching my rival disappear within his doorway, I remained for +some seconds in the street--undecided which way to go. I had done with +"querido Francisco;" and intended to return to my quarters. + +But where were they? Engrossed by my espionage I had made no note of +the direction, and was now lost in the streets of La Puebla! + +What was to be done? I stood considering. + +All of a sudden I felt myself grappled from behind! + +Both my arms were seized simultaneously, at the same time that a +_garota_ was extended across my throat! + +They were strong men who had taken hold of me; but not strong enough to +retain it. + +I was then in the very vigour of my manhood; and, though it may seem +vanity to say so, it was a vigour not easily overcome. + +With a quick wrench, I threw off the two flankers; and turning +suddenly--so that the _garota_ was diverted from its purpose--I got a +blow at the ruffian who held it that sent him face foremost upon the +pavement. + +Before any of the three could renew their attempt, I had my revolver in +hand--ready to deal death to the first who re-assailed me. + +The footpads stood aghast. They had not expected such a determined +resistance; and, if left to themselves, in all probability, I should +have seen no more of them that night. + +If left to themselves, I could have dealt with them conveniently enough. +In truth, I could have taken the lives of all three, as they stood in +their speechless bewilderment. + +I held in my hand a Colt's six-shooter, Number 2; another in my belt; +twelve shots in all--sure as the best percussion caps and careful +loading could make them. A fourth of the shots would have sufficed: for +I had no thought of taking uncertain aim. + +Despite the cause given me for excitement, I never felt cooler in my +life--that is for a combat. For an hour before, my nerves had been +undergoing a strain, that served only to strengthen them. + +I had been in want of something upon which to pour out my gathering +wrath; and here was the thing itself. God, or the devil, seemed to have +sent the three thieves as a safety-valve to my swollen passion--a sort +of target on which to expend it! + +Jesting apart, I thought so at the time; and so sure was I of being able +to immolate the trio at my leisure, that I only hesitated as to which of +them I should shoot down first! + +You may be incredulous. I can assure you that the scene I am describing +is no mere romance, but the transcript of a real occurrence. So also +are the thoughts associated with it. + +I stood eyeing my assailants, undecided about the selection. + +I had my finger on the trigger; but, before pressing it, a quick +reflection came into my mind that restrained me from shooting. + +It was still early--not quite ten o'clock--and the pavement was alive +with passengers. I had passed several on entering the little street; +and, from the place where I stood, I could see a dozen dark forms +flitting about, or loitering by the doors of the houses. + +They were all _leperos_ of the low quarter. + +The report of my pistol would bring a crowd of them around me; and, +although I might disembarrass myself of the footpads, I should be in as +much, or more, danger from the _patriotas_! + +I was quite sensible of the perilous situation in which I had placed +myself by my imprudent promenade. + +As the robbers appeared to have given up their design upon my purse, and +were making their best speed to get out of reach of my pistol, I thought +the wisest way would be to let them go off. + +With this design I was about to content myself--only staying to pick up +my cloak, that in the struggle had fallen from my shoulders. + +Having recovered it, I commenced taking my departure from the place. + +I had not gone six paces, when I became half convinced that I had made a +mistake, and that it would have been better to have killed the three +thieves. After doing so, I might have found time to steal off +unobserved. + +Allowing them to escape, I had given them the opportunity to return in +greater strength, and under a different pretence from that of their +former profession. + +A cry that all three raised as they ran down the street, was answered by +a score of other voices; and, before I had time to make out its meaning, +I was surrounded by a circle of faces, scowling upon me with an +expression of unmistakeable hostility. + +Were they all robbers--associates of the three who had assaulted me? + +Had I chanced into one of those streets entirely abandoned to the +thieving fraternity--such as may be found in European cities--where the +guardians of the night do not dare to shew their faces? + +This was my first impression, as I noted the angry looks and hostile +attitude of those who came clustering around me. + +It became quickly changed, as I listened to the phrase, fiercely +vociferated in my ears: + +"_Dios y Libertad! Muera el Americano_!" + +The discomfited footpads had returned upon a new tack. They had seen my +uniform, as it became uncloaked in the struggle; and, under a pretence +of patriotism, were now about to take satisfaction for their +discomfiture and disappointment. + +By good fortune I was standing upon a spot where there was a tolerable +light--thrown upon the street by a couple of lamps suspended near. + +Had it been darker, I might have been set upon at once, and cut down, +before I could distinguish my antagonists. But the light benefited me +in a different way. It exposed to my new assailants a brace of Colt's +revolvers--one held in hand and ready to be discharged; the other ready +to be drawn. + +The knife was their weapon. I could see a dozen blades bared +simultaneously around me; but to get to such close quarters would cost +some of them their lives. + +They had the sharpness to perceive it; and halting at several paces +distance--formed a sort of irregular ring around me. + +It was not a complete circle, but only the half: for I had taken my +stand against the front of a house, close to its doorway. + +It was a lucky thought, or instinct: since it prevented my being +assailed from the rear. + +"What do you want?" I asked, addressing my antagonists in their own +tongue--which by good fortune I spoke with sufficient purity. + +"Your life!" was the laconic reply, spoken by a man of sinister aspect, +"your life, _filibustero_! And we mean to have it. So you may as well +put up your pistol. If not, we'll take it from you. Yield, Yankee, if +you don't want to be killed on the spot!" + +"You may kill me," I responded, looking the ruffian full in the face, +"but not till after I've killed you, worthy sir. You hear me, +cavallero! The first that stirs a step towards me, will go down in his +tracks. It will be yourself--if you have the courage to come first." + +I cannot describe how I felt at that queer crisis. I only remember that +I was as cool, as if rehearsing the scene for amusement--instead of +being engaged in a real and true tragedy that must speedily terminate in +death! + +My coolness, perhaps, sprang from despair, or an instinct that nought +else could avail me. + +My words, with the gestures that accompanied them, were not without +effect. The tall man, who appeared to lead the party, saw that I had +selected him for my first shot, and cowered back into the thick of the +crowd. + +But among his associates there were some of more courage, or greater +determination; and the cry, "Muera el Americano!" once more shouted on +all sides, gave a fresh stimulus to the passions of the _patriotas_. + +Besides, the crowd was constantly growing greater, through fresh +arrivals in the street. I could see that the six-shooter would not much +longer keep my assailants at a distance. + +There appeared not the slightest chance of escape. A death, certain as +cruel--sudden, terrible to contemplate--stared me in the face. I saw no +way of avoiding it. I had no thought of there being a possibility to do +so--no thought of anything, save selling my life as dearly as I could. + +Before falling, I should make a hecatomb of my cowardly assassins. + +I saw no pistols or other firearms in their hands--nothing but knives +and _machetes_. They could only reach me from the front; and, before +they could close upon me, I felt certain of being able to discharge +every chamber of my two revolvers. At least half a dozen of my enemies +were doomed to die before me. + +I was in a splendid position for defence. The house against which I had +been brought to bay was built of _adobes_, with walls full three feet +thick. The door was indented to a depth of at least two. I stood with +my back against it, the jambs on both sides protecting me. My position +was that of the badger in the barrel attacked by terriers. + +How long I might have been permitted to hold it is a question I will not +undertake to answer. No doubt it would have depended upon the courage +of my assailants, and the stimulus supplied by that patriotic cry still +shouted out, "_Muera el Americano_!" + +But none of those who were shouting had reached that climax of +recklessness, to rush upon the certain death which I stood ready to deal +out. + +They obstructed the doorway in front, and in a close threatening +phalanx--like a pack of angry hounds holding a stag at bay, the boldest +fearing to spring forward. + +Despite the knowledge that it was a terrible tragedy, I could not help +fancying it a farce: so long and carefully did my assailants keep at +arm's length. + +Still more like a burlesque might it have appeared to a spectator, as I +fell upon the broad of my back--kicking up my heels upon the door-stoup! + +It was neither shot, nor stab, that had caused this sudden change in my +attitude; but simply the opening of the door, against which I had been +supporting myself. + +Some one inside had drawn the bolt, and, by doing so, removed the +support from behind me! + + + +CHAPTER TEN. + +THE STREET OF THE SPARROWS. + +As I tottered upon my back, I felt my head and shoulders in contact with +the legs of a man. They broke the fall, that might otherwise have +stunned me: for the floor was of stone flags. + +I lost no time in disentangling myself; but, before I could regain my +feet, the man bounded over my body, and stood upon the threshold. + +As he passed between me and the light outside, I could see something +shining by his side. It was a sword blade. I could see that the hilt +was in his hand. + +My first impression was that he had sprung into the doorway to intercept +my retreat. Of course I classed him among my enemies. How could I +expect to find friend, or protector, in such a place? + +It could make but little difference. I believed that retreat by the +front door was out of the question. Double barring it would make things +no worse. + +Just then I bethought me of a chance of escape, not before possible. +Was there a back door? Or a stair up to the _azotea_? + +My reflections were quick as thought itself; but while making them they +lost part of their importance. The man was standing with his back +towards me and his face to the crowd upon the street. Their cries had +followed me in; and no doubt so would some of themselves, had they been +left to their predilections. + +But they were not, as I now perceived. He who had opened his door to +admit, perhaps, the most unwelcome guest who had ever entered it, seemed +not the less determined upon asserting the sacred rights of hospitality. + +As he placed himself between the posts, I saw the glint of steel +shooting out in front--while he commanded the people to keep back. + +The command delivered in a loud authoritative voice, backed by a long +toledo, whose blade glittered deathlike under the pale glimmer of the +lamp, had the effect of awing the outsiders into a momentary silence. +There was an interval in which I heard neither shout nor reply. + +He himself broke the stillness, that succeeded his first salutation. + +"Leperos!" he cried, in the tone of one who feels himself speaking to +inferiors; "What is this disturbance? What are you after?" + +"An enemy! A Yankee!" + +"_Carrambo_! I suppose they are synonymous terms. To all appearance +you are right," continued he, catching sight of my uniform, as he turned +half round in the doorway. "But what's the use?" he continued. "What +advantage can our country derive from killing a poor devil like this?" + +I felt half indignant at the speech. I recognised in the speaker the +handsome youth who had been before me with Mercedes Villa-Senor! + +A bitter chance that should have made _him_ my protector! + +"Let them come on!" I cried, driven to desperation at the thought; "I +need no protection from you, sir--thanks all the same! I hold the lives +of at least twelve of these gentlemen in my hands. After that, they +shall be welcome to mine. Stand aside, and see how I shall scatter the +cowardly rabble. Aside, sir!" + +If I was not mad, my protector must have thought me so. + +"_Carrambo_, senor!" he responded, without showing himself in the least +chafed by my ungrateful answer. "You are perhaps not aware of the +danger you are in. If I but say the word, you are a dead man." + +"You'll say it, _capitano_!" shouted one on the outside. "Why not? The +Yankee has insulted you. Let's punish him, if it be only for that!" + +"_Muera! Muera el Americano_!" + +My assailants, freshly excited by these cries, came surging towards the +door. + +"_Al atras, leperos_!" shouted my protector. "The first that sets foot +over my threshold--humble as it is--I shall spit upon my sword, like a +piece of _tasajo_. You are very brave here in the Callecito de los +Pajaros! I doubt whether there's one among you who has met the enemy-- +either at Vera Cruz, or Cerro Gordo!" + +"You're mistaken there, capitan Moreno!" answered a tall dark man who +stood out in front of his fellows, and whom I recognised as the chief of +the trio who had first attacked me, "Here's one who has been in both the +battles you are pleased to speak of; and who has come out of them, not +like your noble self--a prisoner upon parole!" + +"Captain Carrasco, if I mistake not?" sneeringly retorted my protector. +"I can believe that of you. Not likely to be a prisoner of any kind. +No doubt you took care to get well out of the way before the time when +prisoners were being taken?" + +"_Carajo_!" screamed the swarthy disputant, his face turning livid with +rage. "You say that? You have heard it, _camarados_? Capitan Moreno +sets himself up, not only as our judge, but the protector of our +accursed invaders! And we must submit to his sublime dictation--we the +citizens of Puebla!" + +"No--no, we won't stand it. _Muera el Americano_! The Yankee must be +delivered up!" + +"You must take him, then," coolly responded Moreno, "at the point of my +sword." + +"And at the muzzle of my pistol," I added, springing to the side of my +generous host--determined to share with him the defence of his doorway. + +This unexpected resistance caused a change in the attitude of Carrasco +and his cowardly associates. Though they hailed it with a vengeful +shout, it was plain that their impetuosity had received a check; and, +instead of advancing to the attack, one and all stood cowed-like and +silent. + +They seemed to know the temper of my protector as well as his sword; and +this no doubt for the time restrained them. + +But the true secret of their backwardness was to be sought for in the +six-shooters, one of which I now held in each hand. The Mexicans had +just become acquainted with the character of this splendid weapon--first +used in battle in that same campaign--and its destructive powers, by +report exaggerated tenfold, inspired them, as it had done the Prairie +Indians, with a fear almost supernatural. + +Perhaps to this sentiment was I indebted for my salvation. Brave as my +protector was, and skilled as he might be with his toledo--quick and +sure as I could have delivered my twelve shots--what would all have +availed against a mob of infuriated men, already a hundred strong, and +every moment augmenting? One, perhaps both, of us must have fallen +before their fury. + +It may seem strange to talk of sentiment, in such a crisis as that in +which I was placed. You will be incredulous of its existence. And yet, +by my honour, it _did_ exist. I felt it, as certainly as I ever did in +my life. + +I need scarcely say what the sentiment was. It could only be that of +profound gratitude--first to Francisco Moreno; and then to God for +making such a noble man! + +The thought that followed was but a consequence of this reflection. It +was to save him who was risking his life to save me. + +I was about to appeal to him to stand aside, and leave me to my fate. +What good would it do for both to die? for I verily believed that death +was at hand. + +My purpose was not carried out; though its frustration came not from a +craven fear. Very different was the cause that stayed my tongue. + +As we stood silent--both defenders and those threatening to attack--a +sound was borne upon the breeze, which caused the silence to be +prolonged. + +There could be no doubt as to the signification of this sound. Any one +who has ever witnessed the spectacle of a troop of horse passing along a +paved street, will recognise the noises that accompany it:--the +continuous tramping of hoofs, the tinkling of curbs, and the occasional +clank of a scabbard, as it strikes against spur or stirrup. + +Such noises I recognised, as did every individual in the "Street of the +Sparrows." + +"_La guardia_! _La patrulla Americana_!" (The guard! The American +patrol!) was the muttered exclamations that came from the crowd. + +My heart bounded with joy, and I was about to spring forth--thinking my +assailants would now make way for me. + +But no. They stood firm and close as a wall, maintaining their +semicircle around the doorway. + +Though evidently resolved on keeping their ground they made no noise-- +with their knives and _machetes_ only demonstrating in silence! + +I saw their design. The patrol was passing along one of the principal +streets. They knew that the least disturbance would attract it into the +Callecito. + +If silent, but for ten seconds, they would be safe to renew the attack; +and I should then be lost--surely sacrificed! + +What was to be done? Fire into their midst, commence the _fracas_, and, +by so doing, summon the patrol to my rescue? Perhaps it would arrive in +time to be too late--to take up my mangled corpse, and carry it to the +cuartel? + +I hesitated to tempt the attack. + +Was there no other way, by which I could give warning to my countrymen? + +O God! the hoof-trampling seemed gradually growing less distinct! No +sound of bit, or spur, stirrup, or steel scabbard. They had passed the +end of the Callecito. Ten seconds more, and they would be beyond +hearing! + +Ha! a happy thought! That night--I now remembered it--my own corps--the +Rifle Rangers--constituted the street patrol. My first Serjeant would +be at its head. Between him and me had long been established a code of +signals--independent of those set for the bugler. By the favour of +fortune, I had upon my person the means of making them--a common +dog-call, that more than once, during the campaign, had stood me in good +stead. + +In another instant its shrill echoes resounded through the street, and +were heard half-way across the City of the Angels. + +If the devil himself had directed the signal, it could not have more +effectually paralysed our opponents. They stood speechless--astounded! + +Only for a short while did they thus remain. Then, as if some wild +panic had suddenly seized upon them, both footpads and citizens ran +scattering away! + +In the place they had occupied I could see two score of horses, with the +same number of men upon their backs--whose dark green uniforms were +joyfully recognised. + +With a shout I rushed forth to receive them! + +After an interlude of confused congratulations I turned to give thanks-- +far more than thanks--to Francisco Moreno. + +My gratitude was doomed to disappointment. He who so well deserved it +was no longer to be seen. + +The door, through which I had so fortunately fallen, was closed upon my +generous protector! + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. + +THE RED HATS. + +For more than a month after the incidents related, were we of the +invading army compelled to endure a semi-seclusion, within _cuartels_ +neither very clean nor comfortable. + +We should have far preferred the _billet_; and there were scores of +grand "casas" whose owners richly deserved it. + +But the thing was out of the question. To have scattered our small +force would have been to court the rising we had reason to apprehend. + +Our division-general had the good sense to perceive this; and, against +the grumbling of both officers and men, insisted upon his injunction--to +stay within doors--being rigorously observed. + +To me the situation was irksome in the extreme. It gave too much +leisure to brood over my bitterness. An active life might have offered +some chance of distraction; but inside a barrack--where one grows +ennuyed with always seeing the same faces, and tired of the everlasting +small talk--even the ordinary routine is sufficiently afflicting. What +was it in the heart of a hostile city? What to me, suffering from the +humiliation I had experienced? + +Only for the sake of excitement did I desire to go out on the streets. +The Calle del Obispo had lost its attractions for me; or, rather should +I say, they were lost to me. As for visiting the Callecito de los +Pajaros, I am sorry to record: that my wounded _amour propre_ was more +powerful than my sense of gratitude. I felt more inclined to shun, than +seek it. + +A month, and there came a change. The streets of La Puebla were once +more free to us--by night as by day. + +It was caused by the arrival of three or four fresh brigades of the +American army: now concentrating to advance upon the capital. + +The tables were turned, and the hostile Poblanos were reduced--if not to +a state of friendship, at least to one of fear. + +They had cause. Along with our troops came a regiment of "Texas +Rangers"--the dread of all modern Mexicans--with scores of nondescript +camp-followers, by our enemies equally to be dreaded. + +Still more to be feared, and shunned, by the citizens of Puebla, was a +band of _regular robbers_, whom General Scott--for some sapient purpose +of his own--had incorporated with the American army, under the title of +the "Spy Company"--the name taken from the service they were intended to +perform. + +They were the band of captain--usually styled "colonel"--Dominguez; an +ex-officer of Santa Anna's army, who for years had sustained himself in +the mountains around Perote, and the _mal pais_ of El Pinol--a terror to +all travellers not rich enough to command a strong escort of Government +"dragones." + +They were true highwaymen--_salteadores del camino grande_--each mounted +on his own horse, and armed with carbine, pistol, lance, or long sword! + +They were dressed in various fashions; but generally in the picturesque +_ranchero_ costume of _jaqueta, calzoneros_, and broad-brimmed +high-crowned hats; booted, spurred, sashed, laced, and tassel led. + +On the shoulders of some might be seen the _serape_; while not a few +were draped with the magnificent _manga_. + +On joining us they were a hundred and twenty strong, with recognised +officers--a captain and a couple of "tenientes," with the usual number +of "sarjentes" and "cabos." + +So close was their resemblance to the _guerilleros_ of the enemy, that, +to prevent our men from shooting them by mistake, they had been +compelled to adopt a distinguishing badge. + +It consisted of a strip of scarlet stuff, worn, bandlike, round their +sombreros--with the loose ends dangling down to the shoulder. + +The symbol naturally led to a name. They were known to our soldiers as +the "Red Hats"--the phrase not unfrequently coupled with a rude +adjunctive. + +Outlawed in their own land--now associated with its invaders--it is +scarce necessary to say that the Red Hats were an object of terror +wherever they had a chance of showing their not very cheerful faces. + +And in no place more than La Puebla; that had given birth to at least +one-half of them, and to all of them, at one time or another, shelter +within its gaols! + +Now returned to it under the _aegis_ of the American eagle, there was a +fine opportunity for the Red Hats to settle old scores with _alcaldes, +reyidores_, and the like; and they were not backward in availing +themselves of it. + +The consequence was, that the Poblanos soon laid aside their bullying +tone; and were only too well pleased when allowed to pass tranquilly +through their own streets. + +I was one among many other officers of the American army who felt +disgust at this association with _salteadores_--solely an idea of our +superannuated commander-in-chief, since celebrated as the "hero" of +Bull's Run. + +Endowed with a wonderful conceit in his "strategical combinations," the +employment of the Spy company was one in which he felt no little pride; +while we regarded it as a positive disgrace. + +The act might have been allowable under the pressure of a severe +necessity. But none such existed. In the anarchical land invaded by us +we could have found spies enough--without appealing to its cut-throats. + +It is not to be denied that Dominguez and his robbers did us good +service. Faithfulness to our cause was a necessity of their existence. +Outlawed before--now doubly estranged by their treason--they were hated +by their countrymen with an intensity beyond bounds; and, wherever +caught straying beyond our lines, death was their certain doom. + +In several skirmishes, into which they were drawn with their own +guerilleros, they fought like very tigers--well knowing that, if taken, +they had no mercy to expect. + +On their side the _lex talionis_ was practised with a loose hand; so +loose that it soon became necessary to restrain it; and they were no +longer allowed to go scouting on their own account. Whenever their +services were required, they had to be performed under the eye of an +officer of mounted rifles or dragoons, with a troop of these acting in +concert. + +But the terror originally inspired by them continued till the end of the +campaign; and the sight of a Red Hat coming along the street was +sufficient to terrify the women, and send the children screaming within +doors. + +In no place were our red-handed allies held in greater detestation than +in the city of La Puebla--partly from the striking resemblance borne to +them by a large number of its population, and an antipathy on this +account; partly from old hostilities; and, perhaps, not a little from +the fact of our having there, more than elsewhere, permitted them to +carry out their proclivities. + +There was a sort of tacit consent to their swaggering among the +Poblanos; as a punishment to the latter for the trouble, which _their_ +swaggering had caused to us. + +It was only for a time, however; and, when things appeared to be going +too far, the good old Anglo-American morality--inculcated by the +_township school_--resumed its sway over the minds of our soldiers; and +the Red Hats were coerced into better behaviour. + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. + +"UN CLAVO SACA OTRO CLAVO." + +Now that its streets were no longer obstructed by the fear of mob +violence, or midnight assassination, we had an opportunity of exploring +the "City of the Angels." + +A fine old town we found it--with its grand cathedral, of which, +according to monkish legend, _real_ angels were the architects; its +scores of _capillas_ and _parroquias_; its hundreds of massive stone and +stuccoed houses; and its thousands of _adobe_ dwellings. + +Besides those standing, we discovered whole streets that had fallen to +decay; _barrios_ of uninhabited ruins, covered with a weed-tangle of +convolvuli, cowage, and other creepers, growing in green luxuriousness +over the chaos of crumbling walls. + +No other evidence is needed to prove that La Puebla, still the third +city of Anahuac, was once much grander than it is to-day. + +I sought distraction in wandering through its streets; though there was +one into which I never went--the Calle del Obispo. + +I shunned it with as much zeal as if there had been a plague in it; +though I knew it contained _una cosa muy linda_--the fairest thing in +the city of Puebla. + +And it was for this that I shunned it. Since I had no longer the +slightest hope of possessing Mercedes Villa-Senor, I was acting in +accordance with the counsel of a friend, sager than myself, to whom I +had communicated the story of my illusion. The course advised by him +was to forget her,--if I could. + +"Don't go near again, nor see her on any account," were the words of my +wise counsellor. "It's the only plan with a passion like yours-- +suddenly conceived, and, perhaps, founded on a mistaken fancy. She may +not be such perfection, after all. You've had but a poor chance of +judging. Beauty in the balcony is sometimes wonderfully changed when it +descends into the street. No doubt this damsel at close quarters would +turn out very different from what you describe her. It's only +imagination." + +"No imagination could create such a form--such a face--such--" + +"Such fiddlesticks! Come, old fellow! Don't give way to this +confounded romancing. I venture to say, that, if you could see her at +six feet distance, and under a good strong light, you'd be completely +disenchanted. The same tripe-coloured skin all these Spanish women +have--that won't bear the sun upon it. I wouldn't give one of our +fair-haired Saxon girls for a whole shipload of them." + +"Take my advice," continued my mentor, whose leaning was towards light +hair; "don't see her again. If she should prove plain, it would only +cause you a chagrin to discover it; and, if she really be the angel you +think she is, better you should never more meet her--except in heaven! +From what you've told me, she's either engaged to this young fellow, or +in the fair way of being made a fool of--a thing not so uncommon among +the damsels of this good city. In either case there's no chance for +you. Give up fretting about her. It will be easy as falling off a log. +Don't go into the street where she lives; though I don't suppose +there'd be much danger of seeing her if you did--now that those rascally +Red Hats are about. In a month more we'll be on the march for the Halls +of the Moctezumas; and there you'll either get a bullet in your abdomen, +or another shot through the heart, from a pair of eyes perhaps as +sparkling as those of the Villa-Senor." + +The word "never" was upon my lips, and the thought was in my mind. I +did not utter it, knowing that my friend would only laugh at me. + +"_Un clavo saca otro clavo_," (one nail drives out another), continued +my Job's comforter; "A proverb of their own exactly applicable to your +case. Ah! well do they understand the intricacies and tricks of love. +These same Spaniards understood them three hundred years ago; while we +simple Saxons only knew them as instincts. No doubt Miss Mercedes has +often heard the proverb--perhaps often practised it. So take my advice, +old boy, and do you the same. Take for your motto, `_un clavo saca otro +clavo_!'" + +"All very well for you, who have no love to be expelled. That is a +thing not so easy, as you imagine." + +"Bah! Easy enough. Look around you. I'll warrant you'll see plenty of +beautiful women--according to your style--among these dark-complexioned +senoritas. Go out upon the streets--into the Alameda--to church-- +anywhere, excepting into the `street of the bishop.'" + +I followed my friend's advice, and sought for the "un clavo" that should +force out the "otro clavo." I did not succeed in finding it. The first +nail held its place in my heart, despite every endeavour to draw it. + +Still did I persevere in the resolution to see Mercedes no more--stern +struggle though it cost me. + +It was not necessary I should shut my eyes, while passing through the +streets. There was little likelihood of my encountering her by chance. +More than ever did the ladies keep to their seclusion. And no wonder, +during the reign of the Red Hats. + +The few who sallied forth in carriages, for a drive round the Alameda, +were either the wives of foreign merchants, or belonging to one of the +half dozen families, who, from interested motives, had become, for the +time, "Ayankeado." + +With these exceptions, we saw only the little brown-skinned _leperas_, +in their hideous slate-coloured rebosos; and now and then, when chance +conducted us to a fandango, a few flaunting specimens of the class +"poblana," whose patriotism was not proof against our purses. + +Among the _elite_ our epaulettes were not specially attractive; and our +company was altogether tabooed. The gown appeared to take the shine out +of the sword. The soldier might rule in the streets; but within doors +the sleek _curas_ had it all their own way. + +It was these last to whom we were chiefly indebted for the taboo; and of +course we hated them accordingly. + +For my part, I cared but little. If the _doncellas_ of Puebla had made +me ever so welcome, I could not have responded to their smiles. The +wound I had received from one of them was sufficient for the time; and, +so long as it remained uncicatrised, I had no zest for a second _amour_. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +For weeks I adhered to the programme traced out by my friend; but +without finding the relief he had so confidently prognosticated. + +The society of woman was absolutely distasteful to me. I had become +almost a _gynothrope_. + +I sought distraction in the company of men; and, I regret to add, men +who played _monte_. + +Play is but a sorry resource--though one of the commonest resorted to-- +for soothing the pangs of an unrequited passion. The coquette makes +many a recruit for the gaming table. Homburg has seen its scores of +frequenters--sent there by her arts--hanging over its tables with broken +hearts--even when fortune seems smiling upon them! + +I had no difficulty in discovering a place to practise the +soul-absorbing passion. Professional gamblers travelled along with us-- +as if part of the regular staff of the army. Every division had its +"dealer" of "faro" or "_monte_;" and almost the first canvas spread in +an encampment was that which covered the _tapis vert_ of a card table! + +In the country it was a tent; in the city a grand saloon, with +chandeliers and a set supper. + +Our army gamblers usually superintended such places--having established +temporary partnerships with the indigenous vultures who owned them. + +The game usually played was that universal in Mexico--_monte_. It was +the most convenient--permitting players of all kinds and classes, and +equally favourable to the novice as to the skilled gambler. There is no +skill required--not much knowledge of any sort. A "banquier," a +"croupier," a piece of green baize, and a pack of Spanish cards--_voila +tout_! + +There were two or three of these gambling saloons, or "_monte_ banks," +in La Puebla. More likely there were twenty; but two or three were +grand establishments--frequented by the Poblanos of the better class; +where gold _doblones_ might be seen upon the green cloth as common as +silver dollars. They were attachments to the grand Cafes, or Exchanges, +that in Mexican cities take the place of our clubs--serving as places of +rendezvous for the _haciendados_, and higher class of _commerciantes_. + +One was much frequented by the officers of our army; though not +exclusively by them. The Mexican gentlemen did not deny us their +company over the _monte_ table; and around it might be seen +representatives of the Teutonic and Latinic races, in nearly equal +proportions--with many a type between. + +Though the natives were all in civilian costume, we knew that there were +among them men who had once worn uniforms. In fact, some of them were +our prisoners _on parole_; whom we had encountered, and captured, at the +siege of Vera Cruz, or on the ensanguined summit of Cerro Gordo. + +The poverty of these men was too conspicuous to escape observation. +Their pay--scant at all times and often in arrears--was now stopped +altogether; and how they contrived to live _on parole_, they and God +alone can tell. + +It was painful to note their contrivances for keeping up the appearance +of gentility. A close inspection of their coats would show where the +shoulder-straps and facings had been stripped off--to convert them into +civilian garments; and the unfaded stripe, down the seams of their +pantaloons, told where the gold lace had once gaily glittered. + +They were usually provided with an ample cloth cloak; which in the +streets effectually concealed the transformation. But in the hot +saloons this could not well be worn; and a man standing behind, as they +sat around the _monte_ table, might look upon a pair of shoulders--now +plain--that had been lately decorated with the epaulettes of a colonel, +or even general! + +Their ventures were usually of the most modest kind: beginning with a +_peseta_, and graduating upwards, in proportion to the propitiousness of +Fortune. When their luck was good, they gambled with _doblones_. + +Otherwise, the _peseta_ ended their play for the night; but, instead of +retiring in despair, they would continue at the table; as though they +took a pleasure in contemplating the gains of the more fortunate +players, and the losses of the banker! + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. + +A PLEASANT MISCONCEPTION. + +There was one of these frequenters of the saloon in whom I felt a +peculiar interest. Our acquaintance did not commence at the _monte_ +table. I first saw him in the Calle del Obispo, and, on the same night, +in the Callecito de los Pajaros. His name was Francisco Moreno: the man +who had crossed me in love and saved my life! + +I had ample opportunity of studying his character, without referring to +either incident of that night. I had the advantage of him: for, +although I remembered _him_ well, and with strange emotions, he had no +recollection of _me_! + +I had reasons for keeping my incognito. + +Though we had become otherwise acquainted--and were upon such terms of +comity, as two strangers who meet over a gaming table--I could learn +very little about him--beyond the fact that he was, or had been, an +officer in the Mexican army. My own observation told me as much as +this. His bearing, with an occasional speech that escaped him, +proclaimed the military man: for in this, as in other callings, there is +a freemasonry: and the _rajpoot_ of one land will easily recognise his +_caste_ in another. + +He was one of the Mexican officers _on parole_; but we had reason to +believe that there were many others among us--during our long interval +of inaction--who had no business to be there. We were not very +particular about _spies_; and, in truth, they might have come and gone-- +and they did come and go--with as much freedom as if no guard had been +kept. Successes unexpected--almost astounding--a series of them--had +taught us to despise even the secret machinations of our enemy. His +scouts might have entered our camp, partaken of hospitality in our +tents--even in the marquee of the commander-in-chief--and departed again +with as much facility as a man might obtain an interview with his hatter +or tailor! + +No one thought of suspecting Francisco Moreno. No one gave heed to him, +any more than to remark what a fine, noble-looking young fellow he was. + +I alone made a particular study of him. I knew that he was more than +noble-looking--that he was noble. + +It maddened me to think he was the first; though I could scarce he +grieved at his being the last. Had it not been so, I should not have +lived to take note of it. I had strange fancies--sometimes not very +creditable ones--about captain Moreno. + +It was plain that he was poor; though not one of those who had converted +the military tunic into a civilian's coat. His dress, if threadbare, +would pass muster as a correct costume. Nor did he put down _pesetas_ +upon the _tapis vert_. His stake was usually a _peso_--sometimes two-- +but never rising to the _onza_. The dollar lost, he would retire from +the table. Winning, he would remain. + +One night I observed a reversion of the rule. His stakes were being +doubled at each draw of the cards; and yet he rose from his seat, and +hastily took his departure from the place! + +Many wondered at this. A man must be mad to leave such luck? It was +like flinging the favours of Fortune back into her face. + +I had a clearer comprehension of what had caused his defection from the +gaming circle. I divined, that he was going to worship the goddess +elsewhere, and under another title. + +I had heard the cathedral clock strike ten--the hour when I had first +seen him in the Calle del Obispo. It suggested the conjecture that he +was going thither. + +Had my own luck at the game been ten times greater than it was--and I +was winning--I could not have stayed to take advantage of it. + +I clutched at my stake, as soon as it was covered by the coin of the +croupier; and, starting up from the table, followed Francisco Moreno +from the saloon. + +Whether my abrupt departure created as much surprise, as that of the +Mexican, I never knew. + +It may have done; but at that moment I was absolutely indifferent, +either to the thing itself, or the conjectures that might arise +respecting it. + +I had but one thought in my mind; and that was to witness a second of +those interviews--the first of which had lacerated my heart to its core! + +I felt as the bird may feel, fluttering into the jaws of the envenomed +reptile; as the moth that goes voluntarily to have its wings scorched by +the candle! + +There was a fascination in the thought of thus rushing upon ruin! +Perhaps it was the knowledge, that my heart could not be reduced to a +greater desolation than it already knew. + +For the first time in four weeks I entered the Calle del Obispo. + +Francisco was before me. I had correctly divined his intent. He had +forsaken the smiles of Fortune to bask in those of Mercedes! + +We took different sides of the street; he going silently along the +_facade_ of the Casa Villa-Senor; I skulking, thief-like, under the +portal of the opposite house. + +We were not kept waiting for as much as an instant. Scarce had we taken +our respective stands, when the blind was drawn back, and a woman +appeared in the window. Of course it was Mercedes. + +"You are late, Francisco!" said she, in an undertone, and with the +slightest accent of reproach. "The cathedral has tolled ten minutes +ago! It is very cruel. You know how I am watched, and that every +moment is so precious!" + +Francisco stammered out some excuse, which appeared to satisfy her. I +could see she was not exacting--by the easy grace with which she forgave +him. Even this increased my anguish. + +"Do you know, dearest, papa is more suspicious than ever! Even now I am +afraid he will be coming this way. He has not yet retired to his bed; +and never does till both sister and I have gone to ours." + +"Why don't you give him a sleeping draught? Put poppy-seed in his +chocolate. Do that, _nina_, and we might have a better chance of a +little conversation at this hour. I never see you now, or only for a +moment. It's very tiresome to be kept apart in this fashion. I hope it +is the same to you?" + +"Do you doubt it? You do not? But what help for it? He is so much +against you. I think some one has been telling him something bad about +you. When we go to _matins_ he always sends _Tia_ Josefa along with us, +and I'm sure she has instructions to watch us. I know it's only _me_. +He's not half so careful about sister. He allows her to drive out +alone--to the Alameda--anywhere. If I go, I must be accompanied by Tia +Josefa." + +"The deuce take Tia Josefa!" + +"And do you know, Francisco, there's something worse yet? I've only +heard it this very day. Josefa told it me. I believe papa put it in +her head to tell me. If I don't consent to marry _him_--you know whom I +mean--I'm to be shut up in a convent! Only think of it! Imprisoned for +life in a dark cloister, or marry a man I can't love--old enough to be +my uncle! _Ay Dios_! What am I to do about it?" + +"Neither one nor the other of those two things--if I can hinder it. +Don't be uneasy, love! I'll find some way to save you from such a +fate--which would be equally ruinous to myself. Your father can have +nothing against me, except that I'm poor. Who knows but that I may +become rich during this war. I have hopes of promotion, and--listen +dearest!" + +Here the voice of Francisco sank into a whisper, as if the communication +he was making required peculiar secrecy. + +The words were not audible across the street; neither were those +murmured in response. I only heard some phrases that fell from the +lady's lips as she turned to go inside. + +"_Adios querido! Hasta la manana_!" + +Far sweeter to _my_ ear were some words spoken by Francisco himself. + +"Stay! A moment, _dear Dolores_! one moment--" + +I did not hear the conclusion of his passionate appeal, nor the reply-- +if there was one. + +Dolores might have stayed in the _balcon_, and chatted with her dear +Francis for an hour by the cathedral clock, without giving me the +slightest chagrin. I was too happy to listen to another word of their +conversation. + +Mercedes--_my_ Mercedes--was not she who had dropped that little note, +and said to him who received it, "Va con Dios!" + +There was still a hope that her heart was free; that no "querido +Francisco" had yet taken possession of it! + +"God grant but that," was my mental prayer, as I turned to take my +departure, "and Mercedes may yet be mine!" + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. + +QUE COSA? + +Giving way to sweet imaginings, I stood for some seconds under the +shadow of the portal. + +Meanwhile the Mexican had passed out of the street. + +As I believed that he had gone back to the saloon we had both lately +forsaken, I started in the same direction. + +I now longed to have a conversation with him; determined in my own mind +that it should be more cordial than any that had yet taken place between +us. I could at that moment have embraced him: for my gratitude, +hitherto restrained by the thought of his being my rival, was suddenly +exalted to a feeling of fervour. + +I should seek an interview with the noble youth; make known who it was +he had befriended; and ask if there was any way in which I could +reciprocate his generosity? + +My heart was overflowing towards Francisco Moreno! As he had been the +cause of my late misery, I now looked upon him as the instrument of my +regeneration. + +"Oh! I shall make an ample return to him! But what is it to be?" + +Just as I gave thought to the interrogatory, a harsh sound struck upon +my ears--as if some one, suddenly stopped in the street, had uttered a +cry of mixed anger and surprise. It was followed by the words: + +"_Que cosa caballeros? Que cosa comigo_?" (What is it, gentlemen? +What do you want with me?) + +"_Vuestra bolsa, senor; nada mas_" (Your purse, sir; nothing more.) + +"_Carrambo_! A modest demand! For all that, I'm not inclined to comply +with it. You may have my purse; but not till after you've taken my +life. Out of the way, scoundrels! Let me pass!" + +"Upon him, _camarados_! He is loaded with doblones. _Al tierra_! Down +with him!" + +These words--not very loudly spoken--were succeeded by the sounds of a +struggle, in which several men appeared to take part; five or six, as I +could tell by the shuffling of their shoes upon the flagged pavement. + +I no longer heard words; or only a few, that seemed spoken under +restraint, and scarce louder than whispers! + +Even he who had first called out appeared to have become suddenly +silent! + +For all that the struggle was continuing! + +The street in which it was taking place was a sort of narrow passage-- +leading from one of the main thoroughfares towards the Piazza Grande-- +and not far from the entrance to the Calle del Obispo. + +It was dimly illumined by a solitary lard lamp, whose feeble flickering +only served to make the path more uncertain. + +I had myself entered the lane--which chanced to be a near cut between +the cafe to which I was returning, and the "calle" I had left behind. +It was just as I had got into it that the cry fell upon my ears, +followed by the challenge "_Que cosa caballeros_?" + +The rest of the dialogue did not occupy ten seconds of time, before the +conflict commenced; and, as the scene of strife was not more than ten +paces from where I had paused, another half-score of seconds carried me +up to the spot. + +I had been thus prompt in rushing to the rescue, because I fancied that +I knew the voice of the man who was being assaulted. + +I was right. It was Francisco Moreno! + +I found him in the midst of five men, forming a sort of quincunx around +him; against all five of whom he was industriously defending himself; +while they were as busy in the endeavour to get him down. + +They were all armed with _machetes_; while he wielded a sword, which he +had drawn from under his cloak. + +I could see that the attacking party carried pistols, but did not +attempt to use them--perhaps from fear of causing an alarm, and thus +defeating their purpose: to all appearance plunder! + +I was not so chary about the discharging of mine. The moment I caught +sight of the _Red Hats_--for the assailants were so distinguished--I had +a clear comprehension of the sort of gentry with whom the Mexican had to +deal, as well as the character of the attack. + +The blood ran scalding within my veins. But that very day I had been +sickened at hearing the details of an atrocity, committed by these +precious pets of our commander-in-chief; and I had mentally vowed, if I +should ever chance to catch one of them at their tricks, to make short +work with him. + +The chance had come sooner than I expected; and I remembered my vow. + +The shout with which I interrupted their pastime was almost loud enough +to hinder them from hearing the report of my pistol; but one of them +caught the bullet that came out of it, and went groaning into the +gutter. + +I might have shot down a second, or even a third, before they could get +out of the way; though they were anything but slow in making +disappearance. + +I was satisfied with having put an end to one: for this had I done, as +was evident from the silent lump of humanity that lay doubled up along +the stones. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. + +LIFE FOR LIFE. + +"_Gracias_!" cried the young Mexican, "_mil gracias, caballero_! That's +all I can say till I get back my breath." + +He stopped. I could hear his respiration, quick and heavy, as that of a +horse halted after a rapid run. + +"I hope you have not received any serious injury?" I said, on becoming +assured that the only Red Hat remaining in the street was the one lying +along the kerb-stone. "Are you wounded?" + +"Nothing to signify, I think. A cut or two, perhaps. They're only +scratches." + +"You're sure?" + +"Not quite, caballero; though I fancy I'm all right. I don't feel +disabled--only a little fatigued. It was rather quick play, keeping +guard against all five at once. I had no chance to get a thrust at +them, else I might have reduced the number. You've done that, I +perceive. Once more let me thank you for my life." + +"There is no need. It is simply a debt paid in kind; and we are now +quits." + +"Senor, your speech mystifies me. I cannot tell whether I have the +honour of knowing the brave man who has done me such signal service. +Your voice sounds like one I've heard before. You'll excuse me. It's +so dark here--" + +"You and I are so much in the habit of having encounters in dark places, +I begin to think there's a fatality in it." + +"_Carrambo_!" exclaimed the Mexican, still further mystified by my +remark. "Where have we had these encounters? Pray tell me, senor?" + +"You don't remember capitan Moreno?" + +"It is my name! You know me?" + +"I have good reason." + +"You astonish me. If I mistake not, you are in uniform--an American +officer?" + +"I am." + +"May I ask where we have met? At the _monte_ table?" + +"We have met at _monte_ more than once. It was not there, however, that +I had my first introduction to you, but--" + +"Where?" + +"In your house." + +"_Una burla, senor_! No matter; you are welcome." + +"No jest, I assure you. Our first exchange of speech was under your own +roof." + +"_Caspita_! You confound me." + +"'Tis true, I did not go inside--only just over the doorstep. There we +met and parted--both a little unmannerly. For the first I was to blame. +The last, I think, you ought to share with me. By your abrupt closing +of the door, you gave me no chance of showing politeness; else I should +have stayed to thank you for doing, what you say I have just done for +you. I intended to seek an opportunity some day. It seems I have found +it without seeking." + +"_Santissima Virgen_! you, then, are the gentleman--" + +"Who on a certain night so unceremoniously made entrance into the house +of Don Francisco Moreno, in the Callecito de los Pajaros; who went in +head-foremost, and no doubt would have been carried out feet foremost, +but for the fortune that gave him such a generous host. Ah! captain +Moreno," I continued, in the ardour of my gratitude grasping the young +soldier's hand, "I said we were quits. Far, far from it; you owe me +perhaps your life. To you I am indebted for mine; and--and much more." + +"_Por Dios, caballero_! you continue to mystify me. What more?" + +Under the dominion of a sweet excitement, I was on the point of +confessing my _amourette_ with Mercedes, and telling him how he had +interrupted it--in short, telling him all. No longer rivals, but +fellow-suitors for two fair sisters, we were journeying along the same +road. A common motive--each having a different object--instead of +estranging, ought rather to unite us? + +And yet there was a doubt. Something counselled me to reticence. My +secret remained unspoken; not even mention being made of the Calle del +Obispo. + +"Oh!" I answered, taming down my tone of enthusiasm, "Much more +depended on my life. Had I lost it--" + +"Had you lost it," interrupted the young Mexican, relieving me from the +necessity of further explanation, "it would have been a sad misfortune +for me: since this night I should have lost mine. Five minutes more, +and these footpads would have overpowered me. As for my having saved +_your_ life, that is scarcely correct. Your own comrades did it. But +for their timely arrival, we might not have been able to withstand the +assault of the angry _patriotas_; who were led by a man of no common +kind." + +"So much the greater reason for my gratitude to you." + +"Well, you have amply acquitted the debt. But for your interference +here--the more generous that you did not know for whom it was exerted--I +might now be lying in the place of that red-hatted, red-handed wretch; +who has been alike a traitor to his country and his God!" + +The last words were pronounced with a scornful emphasis, as if the +speaker's patriotism had become fired at the sight of the renegade +robber. + +"But, caballero!" he continued, changing to a more tranquil tone, "you +say we have also met at the _monte_ table. Lately?" + +"Our latest meeting has been to-night." + +"To-night!" + +"About an hour ago. Perhaps a little less." + +"_Carrambo_! You must have been there at the time I left the saloon. +You saw me go out?" + +"Every one saw you. More than one remarked it as strange." + +"Why strange, senor?" + +"It is not usual for a player to run away from such luck as you had-- +without a very powerful motive. Something of the kind carried you off, +I presume?" + +"_Par Dios_! Not much of that. Only a little errand that required +punctuality. I executed it; and was on my way back, when these +_picarones_ attacked me. Thanks to you, sir, it may still be in my +power to gain another _onza_ or two; which I intend doing, if the luck +has not been drawn out of me along with these drops of blood. But come, +caballero! are you going back yourself? 'Tis not too late to have +another _albur_." + +"I shall go with you, to see whether you've received any wounds that +require looking after." + +"Thanks, thanks! They're nothing; else I should have thought of them +before now. No doubt they're scarce worth dressing. A little soap and +water will set them all right. Are we to leave _him_ here?" + +"If dead, yes. He don't deserve even the scant honour of being carried +upon a stretcher." + +"You are not partial to your red-hatted associates?" + +"I detest them; and so does every officer in our army who cares for its +escutcheon. They were regular professional robbers, these renegades-- +were they not?" + +"Were, are, and will be. _Salteadores del camino grande_!" + +"Many of us consider it a scandal. So the world will esteem it. A band +of brigands taken into the service of a civilised nation, and treated as +its own soldiers! Who ever heard of such a thing?" + +"Ah, senor! I see you are a true soldier of civilisation. I am sorry +to say that in my poor country such travesties are but too common. In +our army--that is, the army of his most Illustrious Excellency, General +Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna--you may discover captains, colonels-- +nay, even generals, who--. But no. It is not for me to pour these sad +revelations into the ears of an enemy. Perhaps in time you may find out +for yourself some strange things; which we of the country are accustomed +to call--_Cosas de Mexico_!" + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. + +EARLY BIRDS. + +I supped with Francisco. The goddess Fortuna did not show any grudge +against him, for his short flirtation with the sister divinity; but, on +his return to the _monte_ table, again smiled upon him--as she did upon +myself. + +By way of a change we paid our addresses to Coena and Bacchus--to the +latter more especially--keeping up our devotions to a late hour of the +night. + +It did not hinder me from being early abroad on the morning after. I +saw the rose-tints upon the "White Sister," as Phoebus imprinted his +first kiss upon her snowy brow. I saw this as I entered the Calle del +Obispo--the magnificent mountain appearing like a white wall stretched +across at the termination of the street! + +You will scarce ask why I was there? Only, why at such an early hour? + +I could but gaze at the house--trace the frescoes on its _facade_--feast +my eyes upon inanimate objects; or, if animate, only nest-building +birds, or domestics of the mansion. + +You are thinking of Park-lane--not Puebla, where the angels rise early. +In Park-lane they sleep till a late hour, having "retired" at a late +hour. In Puebla they are up with the sun, having gone to bed with the +same. + +The explanation is easy. Puebla is Catholic--a city of _orisons_. +Park-lane is Protestant, and more given to midnight revels! + +Had I not known the peculiarity of Mexican customs in this respect, I +should not have been traversing the "Street of the Bishop" before seven +o'clock in the morning. + +But I did know them; and that the lady who, at that hour, or before it, +is not on her way to church--_capilla, parroquia_, or cathedral--is +either too old to take an interest in the _confessional_, or too humble +to care for the Church at all! + +Few there are of this sort in the City of the Angels. It was not likely +that Mercedes Villa-Senor would be among the number. Her sister, +Dolores, had let me into a secret--without knowing, or intending it. + +In Mexico there are two twilights--equally interesting to those who make +love by stealth. One precedes the rising, the other follows the +setting, of the sun. + +It seems like reversing the order of nature to say that the former is +more favourable to the _culte_ of the god Cupid--but in Mexico it is +even so. While the Belgravian beauty lies asleep on her soft couch, +dreaming of fresh conquests, the fair Poblana is abroad upon the +streets, or kneeling before the shrine of the Virgin--in the act of +_making them_! + +Early as I had sallied out, I was a little behind time. _Oracion_ bells +had commenced tolling all over the town. As I entered the Calle del +Obispo, I saw three female forms passing out at its opposite end. Two +walked side by side: the third a little behind them. + +I might have permitted them to pass on without further remark, had it +not been that the great gate of the Casa Villa-Senor stood open. + +The _portero_ was closing it, as if a party had just passed out; and it +could only be they who were going along the street. + +The two in advance? Who should they be but the daughters of Don Eusebio +Villa-Senor? + +The third I scarce spent a thought upon; or only to conjecture, that she +was _Tia Josefa_. + +The Calle del Obispo had no further attractions for me. Folding my +cloak around me, I followed the trio of senoras. + +A spurt of quick walking brought me close upon the heels of Tia Josefa, +and within good viewing distance of the two damsels--over whom she was +playing _duena_. + +I had no longer any doubt of their being the daughters of Don Eusebio, +though both were veiled to the eyes. Over the eyes in fact: since their +shawls were carried _tapado_. Instead of hanging from the shoulder, +they were drawn across the crown of the head, and held under the chin-- +so as completely to conceal the countenance! + +The black Spanish eye sparkling in shadow was all that could have been +seen; though I saw it not: as I was at some distance behind them. + +I saw that of Tia Josefa--as she turned, on perceiving my shadow +projected before her on the pavement. + +There was a sudden glance, accompanied by the bristling of a fan, as the +maternal hen ruffles her feathers when the shadow of the hawk is seen +sailing towards her chicks. + +Only for an instant was I the object of _aunt_ Josefa's suspicion. My +meek look, directed towards the "White Sister," at once reassured her. +I was not the bird of prey she had been cautioned to keep guard against: +and, after a cursory glance at me, she went on after her pair of +proteges. + +I did likewise. + +Though they were dressed exactly in the same style--wearing black lace +shawls, with high combs holding them above their heads--though their +figures were scarce to be distinguished in height, shape, or +_tournure_--though the backs of both were toward me--I could tell my +chosen at a glance. + +There is something in the physical form--less in its muscular +development than its motion--in the play of the arms and limbs--that +proclaims the spirit within. It is that unmistakeable, and yet +undefinable essence we term _grace_; which Nature alone can give, and +Art cannot acquire. It is a quality of the soul; and not belonging to +the body--to the adornment of which it but lends itself. + +It proclaimed itself in every movement of Mercedes Villa-Senor--in her +step, her carriage, the raising of her hand, the serpentine undulation +perceptible throughout her whole frame. Every gesture made was a living +illustration of Hogarth's line. + +Grace was not denied to Dolores; though to her given in a lesser degree. +There was a sprightliness about her movements that many might have +admired; but which in my mind but poorly compared with the grand, +queen-like, air that characterised the step of her sister. + +I soon became aware that they were on their way to the Cathedral--whose +matin bells were filling the streets with their clangour. Other +intended devotees--most of them women, in shawls and _rebosos_--were +hastening across the Piazza Mayor, in the same direction. + +Dolores alone looked round. Several times she did so--turning again +towards the Cathedral with an air of evident dissatisfaction. + +Her seeing me made not the slightest difference--a stranger accidentally +walking the same way. + +I felt no chagrin at her indifference. I divined the cause of it. I +was not "Querido Francisco." + +Mercedes appeared to be uninterested in aught that was passing around. +Her air was that of one a little "out of sorts"--as was shown by the +cold salutations she exchanged with the "caballeros" encountered upon +the way, and who one and all seemed to court a more cordial "buenas +dias." + +Only once did she show sign of being interested:--when an American +officer in the uniform of the Mounted Rifles came galloping along the +street. Then only during the six seconds spent in scrutinising him, as +he swept past; after which her eyes once more turned towards the +Cathedral. + +Its massive door stood open to admit the early devotees, who were by +this time swarming up the steps. + +The sisters became part of the throng, and passed on inside--Tia Josefa +closely following, and keeping up her espionage with as much strictness, +as while passing along the streets! + +I did the same--with a different intent. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. + +AT MATINS. + +It was the first time I had made my devotions in a Roman Catholic +Cathedral; and I shall not say that I then worshipped as I should have +done. + +Santa Gaudalupe--beautiful as the sensuous Mexican priesthood have had +the cunning to conceive her--glorious as she appeared in her golden +shrine--was scarce regarded by me. + +More attractive were the black lace shawl and high comb of Mercedes +Villa-Senor--not for themselves, but for the lovely countenance I knew +to be underneath them. + +I watched them with eyes that wandered not. In my heart I anathematised +them as the most detestable screens ever interposed between a lover's +eye and its idol. + +While engaged in her devotions a Mexican _senorita_ assumes three +distinct attitudes. She stands, she kneels, she _squats_. I regret my +inability to express in more elegant phrase, that peculiar species of +genuflexion, which may be described as the dropping down from the +kneeling attitude to one a degree lower. It is a feat of feminine +gymnastics that has long mystified me; and I am not anatomist enough +either to comprehend or explain it. + +Mercedes Villa-Senor appeared perfect in every _pose_. Even her +_squatting_ was graceful! + +I watched her changing attitudes as the ceremony proceeded--the chant, +the prayer, the lesson. During all these she never once looked round. +I thought she must be a _saint_--a thought scarce in keeping with the +conjectures I had hitherto shaped concerning her. + +It gave me but slight pleasure to think she was so holy. I should have +preferred finding her human--that angel of angels! + +Dolores appeared less devout. At all events, she was less attentive to +her prayers. Twenty times I perceived her eyes averted from the altar-- +turned toward the doorway--peering into shadowy aisles--looking +everywhere but upon the officiating priest. + +His shaven crown had no attraction for her. She searched for the +shining curls of "querido Francisco!" + +He was not in the Cathedral--at least, I could not see him. I had my +own thoughts about the cause of his absence. + +Less accustomed to "sparkling wine," he had not borne its effects like +the boon companion who shared the revel along with him; or had not so +readily recovered from it. + +Certainly he was not there. So much the less trouble for Tia Josefa! + +I could have told Dolores a tale that would have given her +gratification. I wanted to do as much for Mercedes. + +The time passed--chant and psalm, lesson and prayer, rapidly succeeding +one another. Bells were tinkled, incense burnt, and wax candles carried +about. + +Still kept Mercedes her eyes upon the altar; still seemed she absorbed +by a ceremonial, which to me appeared more than absurd--idolatrous. + +In my heart I hated it worse than ever in my life. I could scarce +restrain myself from scowling upon the priest. I envied him the +position that could make his paltry performance so attractive--to eyes +like those then looking upon him. + +Thank heaven they are mine at last--at last! + +Yes: at last they were mine. I was seen, and recognised. + +I had entered the Cathedral without thought of worshipping at its altar. +The love I carried in my heart was different from that inculcated +within those sacred walls--far different from that inscribed upon the +tablet: "God is love." My love was human; and, perhaps, impure! I +shall not say that it was what it should have been--a love, such as we +read of among troubadours and knights-errant of the olden time. I can +lay claim to belong to no other class than that of the simple +_adventurer_; who, with tongue, pen, or sword--as the chances turned +up--has been able, in some sort, to make his way through the world! + +In my designs there may have been selfishness; but not one iota in the +passion I felt for Mercedes Villa-Senor. It was too romantic to be +mean. + +In her first glance I read recognition. Only that and nothing more,--at +least nothing to gratify me. + +But it was soon followed by another, on which I was pleased to place a +different interpretation. It was the warm look that had won, and once +more seemed to _welcome_ me! + +There was a third, and a fourth, timidly stolen through the fringe of +the _chale_. The very stealth flattered my vanity, and gave a new +impulse to my hopes. There was more than one reason for it: the +sacredness of the place; the reticence of maiden modesty; and perhaps +more than either: the presence of Tia Josefa. + +Again our glances met--mine given with all the ardour of a love long +restrained. + +Once more they met in sweet exchanging--once more, and once more. I had +won Mercedes from her worship! + +No doubt it was wicked of me to feel joy at the thought; and, no doubt, +I deserved the punishment that was in store for me. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. + +A CHALLENGE IN A CHURCH. + +While carrying on my eye-courtship with the kneeling devotee, I stood +somewhat in shadow. A column, with the statue of some canonised +churchman, afforded me a niche where I was concealed from the other +worshippers. + +But there was a darker shadow behind me--occupied by a darker substance. + +Tia Josefa was not the only spy present in the Cathedral. + +I was made aware of it, by hearing a voice--of course spoken in a +whisper, but so close to my ear, that I had no difficulty in +distinguishing every word. + +The voice said:-- + +"_Por Dios, caballero_! You appear greatly interested in the _oracion! +You_ cannot be a _heretico_, like the rest of your countrymen?" + +The sting of a wasp could not have caused me a more unpleasant +sensation. The double meaning of the speech was not to be mistaken. +The speaker had observed the eye signals passing between Mercedes and +myself! + +I glanced into the gloom behind me. + +It was some seconds before I could see any one. My eyes dazzled with +the splendour of the church adornments, refused to do their office. + +Before I could trace out either his shape, or countenance, the +whispering stranger again addressed me:-- + +"I hope, senor, you will not be offended by my free speech? It +gratifies us _Catolicos_ to perceive that our Holy Church is making +converts among the Americanos. I've been told there is a good deal of +this sort of thing. Our _padres_ will be delighted to know that _their_ +conquest by the Word is likely to compensate for _our_ defeat by the +sword." + +Despite the impertinence, there was something so ingenious in the +_argument_ thus introduced, that I was prevented from making immediate +reply. Stark surprise had also to do with my silence. + +I waited upon my eyes, in order that I might first see what sort of +personage was speaking to me. + +Gradually my sight overcame the obscurity, and disclosed what the corner +contained: a man several degrees darker than the shadow itself, up to +his ears in a _serape_, with a black sombrero above them, and between +hat and "blanket" a countenance that could only belong to a scoundrel! + +I could see a bearded chin and lip, and a face lit up by a pair of eyes +sparkling with sinister light. I could see, moreover, that despite the +_badinage_ of the speeches addressed to me there was _real anger_ in +them! + +The sarcasm was all pretence. He, who had given utterance to it, was +too much in earnest to deal long in irony; and I did not for a moment +doubt that I was standing in the presence of one who, like myself, was a +candidate for the smiles of Mercedes Villa-Senor. + +The thought was not one to make me more tolerant of the slight that had +been put upon me. On the contrary, it but increased my indignation-- +already at a white heat. + +"Senor!" I said, in a voice with great difficulty toned down to a +whisper, "you may thank your stars you are inside a church. If you'd +spoken those words upon the street, they'd have been the last of your +life." + +"The street's not far off. Come out; and I shall there repeat them." + +"Agreed!" + +My challenger was nearest to the door, and started first. I followed +three steps after. + +In the vestibule I paused--only for a second--to see whether my exit was +being noted by the kneeling Mercedes. + +It was. She was gazing after me--no longer by stealth; but in surprise; +I fancied in chagrin! + +Had she divined the cause of my abrupt departure? + +That was scarcely probable. + +In the position lately occupied by my unknown challenger, she could not +have seen him. The statue interposed; and the column covered him, as he +stepped towards the door. + +I returned her glance by one intended to reassure her. With my eyes I +said:-- + +"A moment, sweet saint, and you shall see me again!" + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN. + +A QUIET STREET. + +I was not so confident of being able to keep my promise, as I stepped +out into the sunlight, and saw a little before me the man who was to be +my antagonist. + +He stood six feet in his russet boots, with a frame that seemed as +sinewy, as herculean. He had all the look of a _vieux sabreur_; and I +knew he would insist upon the sword for his weapon. + +A Mexican makes but a poor fight with firearms. They are too noisy for +taking life--in the way he oft wishes to take it. I was certain my +challenger would choose the sword. + +By the etiquette of the _duello_, I might have insisted upon having the +choice; but I was too angry to stand upon punctilios. + +The Cathedral of Puebla stands upon a raised _dais_--with a stone +stairway along its _facade_, and around three sides. Down this the +stranger preceded me--having already descended several of the steps +before I came out. + +At the bottom he paused to await me; and there, for the first time, I +had a fair chance of scrutinising him. + +Forty, but with that tough, terse figure that betokens a man who has +passed his life in energetic action, and whose nerves have never been a +day out of training. + +The face was not a whit improved by the light of the sun. It looked as +foul as I had fancied it, when seen under the shadow of the Saint. It +told of an ill-spent past, and prognosticated an evil future. + +What could the man want with me? + +Under other circumstances I might have asked the question; but I did not +then. I had a tolerably clear comprehension, of what had stimulated him +to seek the _desafio_. + +Like myself, he was in love with Mercedes Villa-Senor; like myself, +ready to defy to the death whoever might present himself as a rival! + +He had recognised me as such; a successful one--if his interpretation of +her glances corresponded with my own. + +I had no doubt about this being the reason for his having so +deliberately provoked me. + +"It's rather public just here," said he, on receiving me at the bottom +of the stair. "The Piazza is not the best place for a purpose like +ours." + +"Why not?" I asked, impatient to put an end to an episode that was +causing me annoyance. + +"Oh! only that we are likely to be interrupted by policemen, or patrols. +Perhaps _you_ would prefer it that way?" + +"Lepero!" I cried, losing all temper. "Take me where you will--only be +quick about it! Once on the ground, there won't be much chance for +either policeman or patrol, to save you from the sword you are tempting +from its scabbard. Lead on!" + +"There's a quiet street close by," said he, with a coolness that +surprised, and, but for my rage, might have disconcerted me; "There we +can have our game out, without risk of interruption. You consent to our +going there?" + +"Certainly. The place is all one to me. As to the time, it won't take +long to teach you a lesson, that will last you for your life." + +"_Nos veremos, senor! Nos vamos_!" was the singular response of my +challenger, as he started to conduct me to the "quiet street." + +Mechanically I walked after him, though not without misgivings. Had I +been in a proper state of mind, I might have reflected more seriously on +the step I was called upon to take. + +It could scarce have appeared other than it really was--imprudent. + +After passing through several streets, we came to the entrance of that +we were in search of. + +On turning into it, some vague remembrance flitted across my brain. I +fancied I had been there before. + +I glanced up to the coign of the corner house. In black lettering I +read the inscription:-- + +"Callecito de los Pajaros!" + +I next looked at my man. I had also some vague memory about _him_-- +associated with the "Little Street of the Sparrows." + +The locality quickened my recollection; and before proceeding farther, I +stopped short, and demanded his name. + +"_Carrambo_! Why do you ask that?" he inquired, in a taunting tone. +"Do you intend to report me in the other world, for despatching you +prematurely out of this? Ha! ha! ha!" + +"Well," he continued, "I won't disappoint you. Tell the devil, when you +see him, that he is indebted to Captain Torreano Carrasco for sending +him a subject. Now, senor! are you ready to die?" + +There needed no further proof to tell me I was entrapped. If there had, +it was furnished by sight of a half-score savage-looking _pelados_, who, +issuing from the adjacent doors, came running towards us--evidently +intending to take part in the combat. + +No longer to be a duel. I saw that my challenger had no thought of such +a thing. He had changed his chivalric tone, and his voice was once more +heard leading the contemptible cry-- + +"_Muera el Americano_!" + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY. + +RESCUED BY RED HATS. + +The Street of the Sparrows appeared to be my doomed spot. For the +second time there seemed no chance of my getting out of it alive; and +for the second time I made up my mind to die hard in it. + +Despite the suddenness with which Carrasco had surprised me, I was upon +my guard--before he or any of his comrades could come to close quarters. + +But this time, alas! I was without revolver, or pistol of any kind. +Not dreaming of danger at that early hour of the day, I had sallied +forth, wearing only my parade sword. With this fickle weapon I could +not possibly defend myself against half a score of men armed with thin +long-bladed _machetes_. + +Grasping its hilt was like leaning upon a reed. + +I thought of Francisco of again throwing myself upon his protection. + +But which of the fifty dwellings was his? + +Even could I have told the right one, would I have time to reach it, or +would he be at home? + +There was a chance that he might be--that he might hear my cries, and +come out. It was so slight as to seem hopeless; and yet I clutched at +it, as a drowning man at a straw! + +Shouting, I retreated along the street--in what I believed to be the +direction of his dwelling. + +I am not ashamed to acknowledge, that I called loudly for help--coupling +my calls with the name of Francisco Moreno. A man, with death staring +him in the teeth, may be excused for dropping a trifle of his dignity. +I shouted like a respectable shopkeeper attacked by a gang of garotters. + +The Street of the Sparrows was fatal to me only in promise; and for the +second time fortune favoured my escape from it. + +Help came; though not from the quarter so loudly solicited. Francisco's +door remained shut; at least it was not opened by him. It was thrown +open by a score of Red Hats, who at that moment appeared entering the +street. + +At any other time the sight of these sanguinary allies would have caused +me a thrill of antagonism. Now they seemed saints--as they proved +saviours! + +They had shown themselves in the nick of time. Carrasco and his +compeers were close behind me--so close that the points of their +_machetes_ were within six inches of my spine. + +On espying the Red Hats they retreated in the opposite direction--going +off even faster than they had been following me! + +Seeing myself disembarrassed of the danger, I advanced to meet my +preservers. I had no idea of what they could be doing there; until I +saw them stop in front of a house--where they demanded admittance. + +The demand was made in a rude manner, and in terms of an unmistakeable +determination to enter. + +As no one opened the door, they commenced hammering upon it with the +butts of their _escopetas_; for several of them were armed with this +weapon. + +The door finally gave way--having yielded at the hinges--and, swinging +round, stood partially ajar. + +Not till then had I the slightest suspicion of what the Red Hats were +after. Some "bit of burglary," I supposed, done in open day; for there +was no reason to think the contrary. I could see they were a straggling +lot--out on their own account, and without authority. + +I was not enlightened about their object, till I saw the face of +Francisco Moreno behind the half-opened door, scowlingly confronting +them! + +It was his house; though I had not before recognised it. + +The conclusion came quick as electricity. They were there to arrest +him, for killing one of their comrades on the night before, or being an +accomplice in the act! + +I heard them make the declaration to the young soldier himself. + +They had sufficient respect for the law to treat with him for a quiet +surrender. More probably they feared his resistance--as he stood sword +in hand in the doorway--looking like anything but a man who was going to +give himself up! + +Had he yielded, they would scarce have kept faith with him. I had no +doubt of their intention to slay him upon the spot, instead of taking +him to their quarters. + +It was a crisis that called for my interference; and I interfered. + +It only needed the throwing open my cloak, and pointing out the "spread +eagle" on my button. + +The slightest disobedience to me would have cost them a score of lashes +each--"on the bare back, well laid on." Such was the phrasing of our +military courts. + +Nothing of the kind was attempted. I had full control of my rescuers-- +who were altogether unconscious of the service they had done me-- +ignorant also of the fact that it was I, not the Mexican, who had sent +their _camarado_ to his long account! + +For myself I had no fear of them. I only feared for my friend: who, if +left to their tender mercies, would never have paid another visit to the +Street of the Bishop. + +I did not leave him to be judged by the Red Tribunal. I made a +compromise with their self-esteem--by taking a lead in his arrest! + +To this the accused man, with some show of reluctance, submitted; and, +in ten minutes after, he was transported to the _Cuartel_, occupied by +the Rifle Rangers--though not to suffer the degradation of being shut up +in its guard-house. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. + +SIX O'CLOCK--IN THE ALAMEDA! + +I had little difficulty in clearing the paroled officer from the charge +of assassinating "a member of the Spy Company." + +As soon as his accusers discovered what I knew of that affair, they not +only withdrew their accusation, but their own precious persons, beyond +the reach of court-martial inquiry. + +When "wanted," to give testimony in the investigation that ensued, not +one, but five, of Dominguez's followers were reported "missing!" The +four coadjutors of him who had been killed thought it more prudent not +to press the charge; and when sent for, could not be found either in the +"Spy" quarters, or elsewhere in the City of the Angels! + +They had taken their departure _a los Montes_; and I was left alone to +tell the story of that nocturnal encounter. + +For their testimony I cared not a straw; though the episode was not +without some beneficial effects. It taught our renegade allies a little +lesion; which was no doubt afterwards profitable--if not to themselves-- +to those who were so unfortunate as to have dealings with them. + +I was not so indifferent to the escape of the scoundrels who had +attacked me in the "Street of the Sparrows;" and who appeared to have +their head-quarters there. + +In half an hour after leaving it with my escort of Red Hats, I was back +again--accompanied by a score of Rifle Rangers, who assisted me in +making an exploration of that interesting locality. + +But the birds we went in search of had flown; and during the remainder +of my stay in La Puebla de los Angeles, I never more set eyes upon my +quaint challenger. + +I learnt something more of him from Francisco--some chapters of his +history that did not fail to astonish me. He had been a captain in the +Mexican army; and would be so again, should the tyrant Santa Anna get +restored to his dictatorial power. Whenever the star of the latter was +in the ascendant, the former was sure of a commission. + +But as the light of Santa Anna's star had been of late only +intermittent, so also was the holding of his commission by Captain +Torreano Carrasco. + +During the intervals which Francisco jocosely styled "his leaves of +absence," the gallant captain was in the habit of spending a portion of +his time among the mountains. + +"What does he do there?" I innocently inquired of my informant. + +"_Carrambo, senor_! It is strange you should ask that. I thought +everybody knew," was the answer. + +"Knew what?" + +"That El Capitan Carrasco is _un pocito de salteador_." + +I was less astonished at the declaration, than the manner in which it +was made. + +The young Mexican appeared to treat the thing as of no great +consequence, but rather a matter of course. He seemed to look upon it +in the light of a levity--scarcely a crime--one of the _Cosas de +Mexico_! + +He was more serious when replying to my next question: "Has this Captain +Carrasco any acquaintance with the daughters of Don Eusebio +Villa-Senor?" + +"Why do you ask, caballero?" he said, turning pale at the mention of the +name; "You know them?" + +"I have not the honour of knowing them, except by sight. I saw them +this morning at matins. I saw Carrasco there too. He appeared to take +an interest in their devotions." + +"If I thought so I'd--. Bah! it is not possible. He dare not--. Tell +me, caballero; _what_ did you observe?" + +"Oh, nothing more than I've said. What do you know about it yourself?" + +"_En verdad_, nothing either! It was only a thought I had--from +something I once saw. I may have been mistaken. 'Tis of no +consequence." + +We spoke no more upon the subject. It was evidently painful to +Francisco Moreno--as it was to myself. + +At a later period--when our acquaintance became better established-- +further confidence was exchanged between us; and I was told the story of +Francisco's courtship--to a portion of which, without his knowing it, I +had listened before. + +It was as I had supposed. There was an objection to his being united to +his _dear Dolores_--her father being chief objector. The young soldier +was but a "poor gentleman"--with no other prospect, save that at the +point of his sword--not much in Mexico, to a man with an _honest_ heart. +There was a rival who was rich; and to this "party" Don Eusebio had +promised his daughter--with the threat of a convent in the case of her +refusal. + +Notwithstanding this menace, Francisco was full of hope--based upon the +promises of Dolores. She had expressed her determination to share +penury with him rather than wed the _rico_, who was not of her choice-- +to die, or do anything rather than go into a convent! + +I was not so communicative as my new acquaintance--at least as regarded +my relationship with the family of Villa-Senor. To have spoken of +Mercedes to another would have spoiled the romance of my passion. Not a +word said I to Francisco of that hopeful affair. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +From that day I became noted, as one of the earliest risers on the +muster-roll of the American army. Not a morning did I outsleep the +_reveille_; nor once missed matins in the Cathedral. + +Several times I again saw Mercedes. Each time there was an exchange of +glances--each day becoming better understood between us. + +And still not a word had we exchanged! I feared to risk speech--the +humiliation that would follow, if perchance I was mistaken. + +I was again on the eve of resorting to the epistolary mode of +communication--and had actually written the letter, intending to deliver +it--not second-hand through the _cochero_, but, in _propria persona_, to +the lady herself. + +At each succeeding _oracion_ I watched for an opportunity; when the fair +worshipper, passing out along with the crowd, might come within +delivering distance. + +Twice had I been disappointed. On the third time I had the chance, +without taking advantage of it! + +It was not needed. The wish I had expressed in my epistle was better +worded by Mercedes herself. As she descended the steps on her way to +the street, her lips came so close to my ear, that I was enabled to +catch every syllable of that sweet whisper: + +"_En la Alameda. A seis horas_!" (At six o'clock, in the Alameda!) + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. + +APPOINTMENT AND DISAPPOINTMENT. + +In most Mexican cities of the first and second class, there is both a +"Paseo" and an "Alameda;" the former a public drive--riding included; +the latter more especially set apart for pedestrians, though there is +also a carriage way around it. + +In the capital itself there are two Paseos--_Bucareli_ and _La Vega_. +The latter extending along the famed _chinampas_, or "floating gardens," +is only fashionable at a certain season of the year--during the week of +Carnival. At all other times it is neglected for the more magnificent +drive of Bucareli. + +The Paseo of Puebla is poor by comparison; but its Alameda is not +without merits. It is a large quadrangle lying on the western edge of +the city; with trees, walks, statues, flowers, fountains, and all the +usual adornments of a public garden. Around it is a road for carriages +and equestrians, as well as a path for promenaders--with benches at +intervals on which they may rest themselves. + +Its view includes the _teocalli_ of Cholula, with the church of the +virgin "Remedios" on its top; beyond, the snow-cone of Popocatepec, and +the twin _nevada_ of the "White Sister." + +It was not to look upon these that I was "in the Alameda at six +o'clock;" or, perhaps, a half-hour earlier. + +With such an appointment as mine, no living man could have restrained +himself from anticipating the time. + +As the place is devoted to the three several kinds of recreation-- +walking, riding, driving--it was a question in which way Mercedes would +present herself. + +The last was the most likely; though the first would have been the more +convenient--keeping in view the supposed purpose. + +It was the mode I had myself adopted: having entered the enclosure as a +simple pedestrian, and in civilian dress--to avoid observation. + +I sauntered along the walks--apparently admiring the flowers, and +criticising the statues. It was sheer pretence--to deceive the +promenaders, who were moving before and behind me. At that moment I had +no thought, either of the elegancies of Art, or the beauties of Nature; +not even for its sublimities, displayed within sight on the snow-clad +slopes of the great "Cordillera." + +I was thinking only of the beauty of woman--impatient to behold it in +its most perfect type. + +Was it to appear on foot, on horseback, or between wheels? + +Considering the character of the times--and that Red Hats were in the +Alameda--the last was the most likely. + +Notwithstanding this conjecture, I scrutinised every female pedestrian +who came inside the enclosure--even those coifed by the cheapest +_reboso_. + +Though her sister had said otherwise, Mercedes might not always be free +to go forth? She might have to take her recreation by stealth, and +disguised? + +My surmises soon came to an end; and, to my joy, proved erroneous. +Dolores had been right. The _cochero_ in black glaze hat and _jaqueta_ +of blue camlet cloth, driving a pair of _frisones_, could be no other +than he who had once lost a doubloon by staying too late over his stable +duties? + +I took no further note of him. Thenceforth my eyes were occupied with a +countenance seen through the windows of the carriage. It was a +_carretela_ of elegant construction--all glass in front--best plate, and +clear as crystal. + +The face inside was but improved by its interposition--toned to the +softness of tinted wax. + +It needed no scrutiny to identify it. There was no mistaking the +countenance of Mercedes. + +I had done this before; but that was under the uncertain glimmer of a +street lamp. + +I now saw it in the full light of day; and well did it bear the +exposure. If possible it was more perfect than ever; and the jetty +eyes, the carmine tinted checks, the lips--but I had no time to observe +them in detail before the carriage came close up. + +I saw that she was its sole occupant--unaccompanied either by sister, or +_chaperone_. Even Tia Josefa was not with her! + +It was true, then, what Dolores had said. Poor Dolores! I could not +help feeling sympathy for her; the more so that I was now the friend of +her Francisco. + +The carriage was coming on at a slow pace. The _frisones_ scarce +trotted. I had time to take some steps, which simple prudence +suggested. Even love has its instincts of caution; especially when full +of confidence. + +Mine was to seek some solitary nook of the Alameda, where I might +observe without being observed--except by the occupant of the +_carretela_. + +Fortune favoured me. A clump of Peruvian pepper-trees stood close by-- +their pendant fronds drooping over the drive. Under their shadow was a +recess--quiet, cornered, apparently unoccupied. It was the very spot I +was in search of. + +In ten seconds I had placed myself under the _pimentos_. + +In ten more the carriage came abreast of me--still slowly moving on. + +My eyes met those of Mercedes! + +Half blinded by the blaze of her beauty, I stood gazing upon it. My +glance must have betrayed my admiration; but not less the faltering fear +that had hold of me. It was in my heart, and must have been symbolled +in my countenance. It was the humility of a man who feels that he is +not worthy of the woman he would worship; for I could have worshipped +Mercedes! + +In five minutes afterwards I was _cursing_ her! She passed, with her +eyes full upon me, but without showing any sign of recognition, either +by speech or gesture! + +It was only after they were averted that I thought of interpreting their +glance; and then I was prevented by a surprise that stupified me--a rage +that almost rendered me frantic. + +Instead of the smile--the something more which I had been fondly +expecting--the look vouchsafed to me was such as might have been given +to a complete stranger! + +And yet it was not like this. There was salutation in it, distant, +disguised under some strange reserve--to me unreadable. + +Was it caution? Was it coquetry? + +It stung me to think it was the latter. + +I gazed after the _carretela_ for an explanation. I was not likely to +get it--now that the blind back of the vehicle was towards me, and its +occupant no longer to be seen. + +But I had it the instant after. + +A little farther along the drive I saw a man pass out from among the +pepper-trees; who, like myself, appeared to have been there "in +waiting." + +Unlike me, he was on horseback--bestriding a well caparisoned steed. +The man was no stranger to me. At a glance I saw who it was. + +Yielding to a touch of the spur, his horse launched himself out into the +road; and was pulled up close to the _carretela_--through the opened +window of which a white arm was at the same time protruded. + +I saw the flashing of a jewelled wrist, with a _billetita_ held at the +tips of tapering fingers! + +Stodare could not have taken that note more adroitly, or concealed it +with quicker sleight, than did my friend Francisco Moreno--_never more +to be friend of mine_! + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. + +HER NAME IS DOLORES. + +There is one subject upon which there can be no question--nothing to +admit of discussion. It is, that jealousy is the most painful thought +that can torture the soul of man. + +In painfulness it has its degrees--greater or less, according to its +kind: for of this dread passion, conceit, or whatever you may call it, +there is more than one _species_. + +There is the jealousy that springs after possession; and that which +arises from anticipation. Mine, of course, belonged to the latter. + +I shall not stay to inquire which is the more disagreeable of the two-- +as a general rule. I can only say, that, standing there under the +Peruvian pepper-trees, I felt as if the shades of death and the furies +of hell were above and around me. + +I was angry at the man who had made me feel so;--but mad--absolutely +mad--with the woman! + +What could she have meant in leading me such a measure? What profit did +she expect by practising upon me such a damnable delusion? + +"_En la Alameda--a seis Horas_!" + +I was there, true to the time,--and she, too. Six o'clock could be +heard striking from a score of church towers--every stroke as if the +hammer were driving a nail into my heart! + +For some seconds I listened to the tolling--tolling--tolling. Were they +funeral bells? + +Oh! what a woman--in beauty an angel--in behaviour a devil! + +I had no longer a doubt that such was a true description of Mercedes +Villa-Senor. + +To excuse my thus quickly coming to conclusions, you should know +something of Mexican society--its highest and best. + +But it is not for me to expose it. My _souvenirs_ are too sweet to +permit of my turning traitor. + +That was one of the most bitter--although it was also one of the most +transient. + +Perhaps I should not say transient; since, after a very short interval +of relief, it came back bitter as before--with a bitterness long, long, +to continue. + +The illusion was due to a process of reasoning that passed through my +mind as I stood looking after the _carretela_, after the incident +described. + +I had conceived a half hope. + +Mercedes might be only a messenger? The note might have been from +Dolores--the guarded Dolores, who dared not go out alone? + +The sisters might be _confidantes_--a thing not uncommon in Mexico, or +even in England? Dolores, threatened with a cloister, might have no +other means of corresponding with her "querido Francisco?" + +This view of the case was more pleasing than probable. + +It might have been both, but for my knowledge of "society" as it exists +in the City of the Angels. From the insight I had obtained, I could too +readily believe, that the handsome Captain Moreno was _playing false +with a pair of sisters_! + +Only for an instant was I permitted to indulge in the unworthy +suspicion. + +But the certainty that succeeded it, was equally painful to reflect +upon: for I left the Alameda with the knowledge that Francisco Moreno +had one love; and she the lady who had driven past in her _carretela_! + +I obtained the information through a dialogue heard accidentally behind +me. + +Two men, whom I had not noticed before, had been sharing with me the +shade of the pepper-tree. One was plainly a Poblano; the other, by his +dress, might have passed for a haciendado of the _tierra caliente_-- +perhaps a "Yucateco" on his way to the capital. Small as was the note +surreptitiously delivered, and rapid its transition from hand to hand-- +both these men had observed the little episode. + +The Poblano seemed to treat it as a thing of course. It caused surprise +to the stranger; whose habiliments, though not without some richness, +scarce concealed an air of rusticity. + +"Who is she?" inquired the astonished provincial. + +"The daughter of one of our _ricos_" replied the Poblano. "His name is +Don Eusebio Villa-Senor. No doubt you have heard of him?" + +"Oh, yes. We know him in Yucatan. He's got a sugar estate near Sisal; +though he don't come much among us. But who's the fortunate individual +so likely to become proprietor of that pretty plantation? Such an +intelligent fellow would make it pay; which, _por Dios_! is more than I +can do with mine." + +"Doubtful enough whether captain Moreno could do so either--if he had +the chance of becoming its owner. By all accounts he's not much given +to accumulating cash--unless over the _monte_ table. Independently of +that, he's not likely to come in for any property belonging to Don +Eusebio Villa-Senor." + +"Well, without knowing much of your city habits," remarked the Yucateco, +"I'd say he has a fair chance of becoming the owner of Don Eusebio's +daughter. A Campeachy girl who'd do, what she has just done, would be +considered as marked for matrimony." + +"Ah!" rejoined the denizen of the angelic city, "you Yucatecos are a +simple people: you leave your _muchachas_ free to do as they choose. In +Puebla, if they don't obey the paternal mandate, they are inclosed +within convents--of which we have no less than a dozen in our sainted +city. I've heard say, that such is to be the fate of Dolores +Villa-Senor--if she insist on marrying the man to whom you have just +seen her handing that pretty epistle." + +"Dolores Villa-Senor?" I asked, springing forward, and rudely taking +part in a conversation that so fearfully interested me. + +"_Dolores_ Villa-Senor? Do I understand you to say that _Dolores_ is +the name of the lady just gone past in the carretela?" + +"_Si senor--ciertamente_!" responded the Poblano, who must have supposed +me insane, "Dolores Villa-Senor; or Lola, if you prefer it short: that +is the lady's name. _Carrambo_! what is there strange about it? Every +_chiquitito_ in the streets of Puebla knows _her_." + +My tongue was stopped. I made no further inquiry. I had heard enough +to tell me I had been chicaned. + +She who had passed was the woman I loved--the same who had invited me to +the Alameda. There could be no mistake about that, nor aught else--only +that her name was _Dolores_, and _not Mercedes_! + +I had been made the catspaw of a heartless coquette! + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. + +A PARTING GLANCE AT PUEBLA. + +From that hour I felt that Puebla was no place for me. Any _metier_ but +that of the singed moth. I determined thenceforth to shun the candle +that had cruelly scorched, and might only scorch me more. + +Attractive as was the light that had lured me, I resolved never more to +let my eyes look upon it. It had proved too resplendent. It would not +be with my own will, if I should ever again see _Dolores_ Villa-Senor. + +How easy thus to talk--thus to resolve--during the first throes of a +wounded vanity--when the spirit is strengthened by its discomfiture. +But ah! how difficult to maintain the determination! Hercules had no +such task. + +I endeavoured to fortify myself with reflection: by conjuring up every +thought that might restore my indifference, or enable me to forget her. + +It was all to no purpose. Such memories could only be chastened by +time. + +They were not universally painful. It was something to think that I had +interested, even in the slightest degree, one so grand, so famed, so +incomparable; and there were moments when the remembrance soothed me. +It was but a poor recompense for the sacrifice I had made, and the +suffering I endured. + +In vain I invoked my pride--my vanity, if you prefer so to call it. It +no longer availed me. Crushed in the encounter, it made one last +spasmodic attempt, and then sank under a sense of humiliation. + +Untrue what I had been told by other tongues. They must have been sheer +flatterers, those friends who had called me _handsome_. Compared with +Francisco Moreno, I was as Satyr to Hyperion. So must Dolores have +thought? At times, reflecting thus, I could not help feeling vengeful, +and dwelling on schemes of retaliation,--of which both were the object. +By good fortune none appeared feasible, or even possible. I was +helpless as Chatelar, when the sated queen no longer looked lovingly +upon him. + +There was no hope except in absence--that grand balsam of the broken +heart. I knew it by a past experience. Fortune favoured me with the +chance of trying it the second time; and soon. Three days after that +sweet encounter in the Cathedral--and the bitter one in the Alameda--our +bugles summoned us to get ready; and, on the fourth, we commenced moving +towards the capital of Mexico. + +The counsel I had received from my sage comrade, along with the +excitement of opening a new chapter in our campaign, gave temporary +relief to my wounded spirit. An untrodden track was before us--new +fields of fame--to end in that long anticipated, much talked-of, +pleasure: a revel in the "Halls of the Moctezumas!" + +To me the prospect had but little attraction: and even this was gone, +before we had passed the _Piedmont_ of the Cordillera that overlooks the +classic town of Cholula. + +On entering the "Black Forest," whose trees were to screen it from my +sight, I turned to take a parting look at the City of the Angels. + +The chances were nearly equal I might never see it again. We were about +to enter a valley close as that of Cabool; and from which retreat would +be even more difficult. Our troops, all told, mustered scarce ten +thousand; while the _trained_ regiments of our enemy were of themselves +three times the number. Besides, we were about to penetrate a capital +city--the very heart's core of an ancient nation. Would it not rouse +our adversaries to a gigantic effort--a throe sufficient to overwhelm +us? + +So supposed many of my comrades. + +For myself I had no reflections about the future--either of its +conquests or defeats. + +My thoughts were with my eyes--wandering over the vast _vega_--resting +on the spires of a city, where I had experienced one of the sweetest +sensations of my life. + +Alas! it had proved a deception, and I had no pleasure in recalling it. +On the contrary, I looked back upon the place with a cold pain at my +heart, and a consciousness, that I had there sacrificed some of its +warmest affections without an iota of return! + +I remained for some minutes on the edge of the _Bosque Negra_--the +_ancillae_ of the long-leaved pines sweeping the crown of my forage cap. +Under my eyes, as on a chart, was spread the fertile plain of Puebla, +with the city projected in clear outline. Besides the Cathedral, many a +spire could I distinguish, and that "public walk" where I had suffered +such humiliation. My eyes traced the lines of the streets--running +parallel, as in all Spanish-American cities--and sought that of the +Calle del Obispo. + +I fancied that I could distinguish it; and along with the fancy a score +of souvenirs came sweeping over my soul. + +They were not pleasant--not one of them. Though all bright below-- +turrets rising gaily against the turquoise sky--domes that sparkled +silver-like in the sun--Orizava snow-white in the distance--around me +upon the mountain side all seemed dark as death! + +It was not the _lava_ that laced the slope, nor the sombre foliage of +the pine-trees, under whose shade I was standing. + +The shadow came from within--from the cloud covering my soul. + +It was not dread of the Black Forest behind me--the terror of +stage-coach travellers--nor apprehension of the fate that might be +awaiting me in the capital of the Moctezumas, yet to be conquered. + +It could not be worse than that, which had befallen me in the City of +the Angels! + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. + +AN ANTIPATHY TO ROBBERS. + +After the storming of Chapultepec--the "summer palace of the +Moctezumas;" in which I had the honour of leading the forlorn hope--do +not mistake a plain statement of fact for a baseless boast--after a +seclusion of three months within the walls of a sick chamber, caused by +wounds in that action received; I stepped forth upon the streets of the +Mexican capital fully restored to health. + +Three months more were spent in partaking of those joys--the reward of +the victorious soldier, who has completed a campaign. + +As in the "City of the Angels," so was it in that of the Moctezumas. +The officers of the invading army were excluded from the "interiors"-- +such of them as were worth entering. + +But as it was no longer an army of invaders, but _conquerors_, the +exclusion was neither so strict nor general. There were exceptions on +both sides--extending to a limited number of courageous hosts and +welcome guests. + +It was my fortune to be among the favoured few. One or two incidents +had occurred along the route--one more especially during the march upon +Mexico--in which I had the opportunity of bestowing favour and +protection. They were reciprocated tenfold by _proteges_--who chanced +to be of the _familias principales_ of Mexico. + +During the three months that I lay upon the couch of convalescence, I +was surrounded by luxuries brought me by grateful brothers. In the +three months that followed I was overwhelmed by the caresses of their +sweet sisters; all, of course, in an honest way. + +It was a pleasant time; and, if anything could have made me forget +Dolores Villa-Senor, this should have done it. + +It did not. The sweetest smile I received in the Valley of Tenochtitlan +did not, and could not, stifle within my breast the bitter souvenir I +had brought with me from the other side of the Cordillera. + +Six months after the capture of the Summer Palace, my life in the city +of the Moctezumas became dull indeed. + +The theatres, slimly attended by the feminine _elite_ of the place; the +balls not attended at all, or only by questionable _poblanas_, and the +plain wives and daughters of the foreign residents (why are they always +plain in such places?) soon became unbearable. + +Even dissipation could not redeem the dulness of the times. + +For me the _monte_ table had no longer an attraction. The green cloth +was spread out in vain; and I could stand by and hear, without the +slightest emotion, "_Cavallo mozo_!" "_Soto en la puerta_!" + +In truth my interest in all things appeared gone--all upon earth, with +the exception of Dolores Villa-Senor; and she I could scarce think a +thing of earth. + +Just at this crisis there came a chance of distraction. I hailed it +with a feeling of gladness. + +The stray troops of the enemy had forsaken the roads that surrounded the +capital--as had also their guerilleros. But still the ways were not +safe. Partisans had disappeared, to be succeeded by _salteadores_! + +From all sides came rumours of robbers--from Puebla on the east, Toluca +on the west, Cuernavaca on the south, and the Llanos de Apam, that +extend northward from the Valley of Tenochtitlan. Scarce passed a day +without "novedades" of the bandits, and their devilish audacity: +stage-coaches stopped; travellers commanded to lie flat along the earth, +while their pockets were being turned inside out; and some stretched +upon the ground never more to stand in an erect attitude! + +An escort of our dragoons could have prevented this--that is, upon any +particular occasion. But to have sent an escort with every traveller, +who had need to go forth out of the capital, would have required a score +of squadrons of well-appointed cavalry. At the time we chanced to be +short in this arm; and the distribution of our troops to Cuernavaca and +Toluca, the strong force necessary to garrison Puebla--and the numerous +detachments required to accompany the commissariat trains, left no +cavalry disposable for eccentric service. + +Till we should receive from Uncle Sam a reinforcement of dragoons, the +robbers must be allowed to stop travellers and capture stage-coaches at +discretion. + +This was the condition of things, six months after the _second conquest_ +of Mexico. + +I, for one, did not like it. It was but a Christian instinct to hate +robbers, wherever found; but in the town of Puebla I had imbibed for +this class of mankind a peculiar antipathy. + +Experience and suspicion both formed its basis. I remembered Captain +Carrasco, and I could not help remembering _Captain Moreno_! + +A young artist who had accompanied our army throughout the campaign--and +whose life-like pictures were the admiration of all who looked upon +them--had been imprudent enough to risk travelling by _diligencia_ from +Mexico to La Puebla. It was not his destiny to arrive at the City of +the Angels--on earth; though it is to be hoped he has reached the abode +of truer angels in heaven! He was murdered among the mountains of the +_mal pais_--between the "venta" of Rio Frio and that of Cordova. + +I had formed a strong attachment to this unfortunate youth. He had oft +partaken of the hospitality of my tent; and, in return I suppose for +such slight acts of kindness, in his great picture of the storming of +Chapultepec, he had fixed my face upon the canvas, foremost--far +foremost--of those who on that day dared to look over the well-defended +walls. + +The consciousness of having performed the feat did not render me less +sensible of the kindness of its being recorded. I, a homeless, +nameless, adventurer, with no one to sing my praise--save those who had +witnessed my deeds--could not feel otherwise than grateful. + +He saw, and sang them; in that verse in which he was a master--the +poetry of the pencil. + +I was half mad, when I heard that he had been murdered. + +In twenty minutes after, I stood in the presence of the +commander-in-chief. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. + +THE GREAT STRATEGIST. + +"What is it, captain? One of my aides-de-camp tells me you have asked +for an interview. Be brief with your business; I'm full of affairs just +now." I was not a favourite at head-quarters. I had no flattery for +the conceited septuagenarian who at this crisis commanded the American +army. + +Still his consent was necessary for my purpose. Without it I could do +nought to avenge the death of my friend. That granted, I had conceived +a scheme. + +"What is it?" asked the general, with an air of impatience that augured +ill for my success. "What is it you want?" + +"Leave of absence, general." + +"Why, you've been off duty for six months. How much more do you +require?" + +"Only six days." + +"Six days! And for what purpose?" + +"To punish these brigands who infest the road between here and Puebla. +I presume, general, you've been informed of their atrocities?" + +"Of course I have. But what can I do? If I send a troop, they see the +soldiers miles off, and won't stand to be attacked. It's like chasing a +wild goose." + +"I think I have a plan by which they can be brought to close quarters, +and some of them chastised. With your permission, I should like to make +trial of it." + +"But I have no cavalry just now to spare--not a single sabre. The +Government is so stingy, they won't give me men enough to fill up the +regular regiments. They think I can hold a great country like Mexico +without horses--where the enemy are nearly all mounted too! No, Sir, I +can't spare a single dragoon--much less your own company; and I suppose +you would want to take that with you." + +"On the contrary, general, I don't desire a single soldier from the +ranks; at least only three or four of my own, whom I know to be men of +courage. There are some dare-devils among our camp-followers--just the +sort for such a purpose as mine. With a dozen of them, I fancy we can +hold our own with the biggest band of brigands to be found among the +mountains of Mexico." + +"You are a brave man, captain; but I fear not much of a strategist." + +Strategy was the god of this poor military simpleton, as it was of his +favourite pupil, McClellan. It was the same sort of strategy that +caused the rout at Bull's Run, and the consequent prolongation of the +American civil war. But for it the army of the North might have stacked +arms in the streets of Richmond in three weeks after leaving Washington, +and the long sanguinary strife have been shunned. + +Well do I remember both preceptor and pupil. There was bad management +in Virginia; exactly what I should have expected from my experience of +their tactics in Mexico. In our campaign through the country of the +Aztecs the latter was scarcely known, or only as a smart drill master. +Nor would he ever after have been heard of, but for the patronage of his +superannuated Chief--the "Grand Strategist," as he was desirous of being +deemed. + +The last remark of the general gave me the cue to flatter him. + +In hopes of obtaining my end, I availed myself of the opportunity. + +"General!" I said, with a look of real reverence, "I am aware there +will not appear much strategy in what I propose--at least to you, who +are capable of grand combinations. My idea is of the simplest." + +"Well, let us hear it, captain. Perhaps it may show better in detail. +A great deal depends upon that. An army brought into the field _en +masse_--as Napoleon would say--with its infantry here and its artillery +there, and the cavalry scattered over the ground, is like a machine +without screws. It must soon fall to pieces. I never move my +battalions in that way. If I had--" + +"If you had, general," I meekly interposed, seeing that he had made a +pause, "you wouldn't have been here now, as you are--conqueror of the +capital of Mexico." + +"You are right, captain; quite right!" rejoined he, evidently beginning +to like me, "Quite right, sir. And don't you think that Cortez's +campaign was inferior to that which _I_--_I_--have had the honour of +planning; and of conducting, Sir--conducting?" + +"A mere skirmish to it." + +"A skirmish, sir--a skirmish! His enemies a crowd of naked savages-- +that's what they were--nothing but slings and bows with which to defend +themselves. Not a gun among them; while _I_--_I_, sir, have defeated a +grand disciplined army, under the greatest general these Mexicans have +ever produced; for, say what you like of Santa Anna, the rascal is a +thorough soldier--a regular, sir, a regular--not a volunteer. I detest +volunteers; and it's a great shame for the Government to have sent me so +many of them. They've fought well, I admit; but they couldn't help it. +They were properly handled, sir; and they had my old regulars alongside +of them. How could they hang back, when they saw who was at their head? +My presence inspired them; and the consequence is, that they fought and +conquered this great country in less than half the time it took Cortez +to do it. Therefore I say, sir, that the conquest of Winfield Scott +will shine upon the page of history far brighter than that of Fernando +Cortez." + +"No doubt of it," was my insincere response, scarce able to conceal my +contempt for the huge military _bavard_. + +"Well, sir," said he, after he had paced once or twice across the floor +in swelling grandeur, "you haven't stated your plans? Let's hear the +detail. My giving you permission may depend upon that." + +"What I had intended, general, was to charter the _diligencia_; and use +it, as if it were going on its regular trip between here and Puebla. +The robbers are also troublesome upon the Toluca route; so I don't care +which we try first. I should dress my twelve men in Mexican costumes; +have a monk or two along with them, and at least a couple of ladies. +The _reboso_ would disguise them sufficiently for our purpose. A +Mexican uniform or two might aid the decoy: since just before our coming +into the country no less than thirteen officers of their army, +travelling in the stage-coach, were stopped by a band of only six +robbers, and stripped even of their uniforms! I should have liked two +or three Mexican _militarios_ among my men; but just now it would scarce +look natural, and the bandits might suspect a _ruse_." + +"Well, sir," said the general, evidently amused by my ideas, "What would +you do with these twelve masqueraders?" + +"Arm each of them with a small battery of revolvers; give him a good +bowie knife to fall back upon; and, when the robbers make halt around +the stage-coach, let all spring out at once, and go at them with a will. +I know of twelve men I can muster, who are just the sort for such an +enterprise. All of them, one time or another, have done a little bit of +street fighting; and I'm much mistaken if there's one of their number +who would shy from an encounter with Mexican brigands anything under ten +to one. Our only fear would be that too many of the bandits should be +able to get off before we had time to give them a good thrashing. +They're wonderfully quick on their little horses." + +"By the word of Winfield Scott, sir, there's something in what you +propose. For my part, I shouldn't care to trouble about these robber +gentry--who are perhaps only a little less honest than the rest of their +countrymen--but it don't look just the thing that we haven't put a stop +to their depredations--especially as they've committed some outrages on +our own people. Well, sir!" he added, after a pause, "I'll consider +your proposal, and give you an answer by to-morrow morning. Meanwhile +you may hold yourself in readiness--in case I should think proper to +approve of it." + +"Shall I retain the _diligencia_, general?" + +"No, no; not this trip--not for to-morrow. There will be time enough. +I must think the matter over. It won't do to be charged with silly +things; and, as you ought to know, sir, I have enemies at Washington-- +foes in the rear, sir, as well as in the front. Besides, you wouldn't +have time to get your fellows ready before to-morrow morning?" + +"In an hour, general; if your permission be given. I have sounded them +already. They would all be _en masque_ before midnight." + +"I'll think of it; I'll think of it, as soon as I'm disengaged. But +there's somebody waiting outside. A Mexican gentleman, my +_aide-de-camp_ tells me. I wonder what _he_ wants. Safeguard, I +suppose, or some other favour. These people pester the life out of me. +They think I've nothing to do but to look after every little affair that +troubles them. If one of our scamps only steals a chicken, they must +see _me_ about it. God knows I've given them protection enough--more +than they've been accustomed to at the hands of their own officers!" + +And God did know it: for the statement was strictly true. However +contemptible I might esteem General Scott's military talents, I can bear +testimony to the fact, that his enemies had no cause to complain of his +inhumanity. Never was conquered foe treated with such leniency as were +the Mexicans during that memorable campaign; which I do not hesitate to +pronounce the most _civilised_ that has found place upon the page of +history. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +I had made my salute, and was about stepping out of the "presence," when +I heard the command, "Stay, sir!" + +In obedience to it, I once more faced towards the commander-in-chief. + +"By the way," he said, "I may want you for a minute. I'm told you speak +Spanish perfectly?" + +"Not perfectly, general. I speak it, as the Spaniards say, _un +pocito_." + +"Never mind how--so long as you can hold a conversation in it. Now that +I think of it, my interpreter is out of the way; and there's none of my +_aides_ knows anything of their lingo. The Mexican who's coming in is +not likely to understand a syllable I might say to him. So stay, and +translate for us." + +"At your command, general, I'll do the best I can." + +"You may prepare yourself, I suppose, to hear of a hen roost having been +robbed; and a claim for compensation. Ah! the claimant is there." + +The door at that moment was opened from the outside; and one of the +_aides_ entered, ushering a stranger, who stepped briskly in after him. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. + +A BEREAVED PARENT. + +The individual thus introduced had all the air of one who had sustained +a loss--but of a much graver kind than the stealing of his chicks. + +At a glance I could see that he was a Spanish-American of the pure +Iberian blood--the boasted _sangre azul_ of Andalusia--without any trace +of the Aztecan. Perhaps a Spaniard resident in Mexico--in other words, +a _Gachupino_? He had, at all events, the distinguished bearing of the +hidalgo; which was further confirmed by the fineness of his habiliments, +that differed very little from what might be seen on a well-dressed +English gentleman of the old school: for the stranger was a man of +advanced age. + +He was clean shaven, without moustache or whisker; the hair upon his +head short-cut and snow-white; while that upon his arched eyebrows was +as black as it might have been at the age of twenty! + +A piercing eye still showed the capability of flashing fire, when +occasion required it. Just then it was filled with a sombre light; and +his whole demeanour betokened a man who suffered from some overwhelming +sorrow. + +Under its influence his habitual serenity had forsaken him; and, without +pausing inside the door, he walked hurriedly up to the general, and +commenced to unburden himself. + +Between the two of us there was no possibility of mistaking which was +the commander-in-chief--so that the stranger had addressed himself to +the proper personage. + +As his talk was Cherokee to the general--perhaps not so well +understood--he was motioned to make his communication to me. + +I had already gathered from his introductory remarks, that he had been +travelling in a stage-coach, _en route_ for the capital on a special +errand to the general himself; and that a great misfortune had befallen +him on the road. I had by this time noticed a slight _delabrement_ in +his dress--to say nothing of some scratches on his hands and face--that +went towards confirming his hurried statement. + +"A misfortune?" I asked, in my capacity of interpreter. "Of what +nature, senor?" + +"_O cavallero; una cosa horrible; un robo! Por los bandoleros_!" + +"A horrible business--a robbery by brigands!" I said, translating +literally to the general. + +"How very singular!" remarked the commander-in-chief. "Quite a +coincidence! I think, captain, I shall have to grant your request." + +"Of what have they robbed you, senor?" I inquired, in the continuation +of my new _role_. "Not your watch--else they would scarce have left you +those splendid appendages?" + +I spoke of a massive chain and bunch of gold seals, with turquoise, +topaz, and other sparkling stones, that hung conspicuously from his +waistcoat. + +"_Por Dios_, no! They did not take that!" + +"Your purse, perhaps?" + +"No, senor; they did not touch it either. They would have been welcome +to it, and the watch as well. Ah! they might have had everything else +but what they did take." + +"What was it?" + +"_Mias ninas! mias ninas_!" + +"Ninyas!" interrupted the general, without waiting for the translation, +"that means young girls, don't it, captain?" + +"In its general signification it does. As he has used it, it means his +own daughters." + +"What! Have the brigands robbed him of them?" + +"That's what he has just stated." + +"Poor old gentleman--for he's evidently a gentleman! It's a hard case, +no doubt, to have his daughters carried off by brigands--worse than if +Indians had got them. Go on, and question him. Let him give the whole +story; and then ask him what he wants me to do. I'll wait till you've +finished. You can translate it all in a lump." + +As the general said this he turned away, and speaking to his +aide-de-camp, dispatched the latter on some errand that carried him out +of the room. + +He himself became engaged upon some charts--no doubt covered with "grand +strategic plans:" for although we were in the enemy's capital, it was +not certain that our campaign had come to a close, and more fighting +might be before us. + +Left free to take my own course, I motioned the Mexican to a seat. + +He declined it on the score of haste; and standing, I went on with his +confession. + +"How did it happen? When? Where?" was the series of questions I +addressed to him in continuation. + +"On the road, senor--as we came from La Puebla." + +"From Puebla!" The words startled me into a strange interest. + +"Si, senor; but much nearer to this city. It occurred within sight of +it, I may say--this side Rio Frio, and not far from the _venta_ of +Cordova." + +"You were travelling?" + +"We were travelling--myself, my two daughters, and our family confessor, +the good Padre Cornaga." + +"In your carriage?" + +"No, senor; in the _diligencia_. We were stopped by a band of +_ladrones_, all wearing crape over their faces." + +"Well?" + +"They ordered us out of the coach. Then to lie flat along the ground-- +with a threat, that if we looked up till they gave the word, we should +be shot without ceremony." + +"You obeyed, I presume?" + +"_Carrai, senor_! Why need you ask the question? Not to do so would +have been certain death; and, of course, I did as the _ladrones_ +commanded. My daughters, I am happy to think, were spared the +indignity. But what matters it, since they were carried off?" + +"Whither?" + +"_A los montes_!" "_Ay de mi_! Holy Virgin, protect them!" + +"It is to be hoped she will. But why, may I ask, did you risk +travelling in the _diligencia_ between this place and Puebla? You had +no escort, I take it; and must have known that the road is unsafe?" + +"True, cavallero, we had no escort. It was very imprudent on my part, +but I trusted to the counsels of our confessor--_un hombre muy sabio_-- +who believed there was no danger. The good _padre_ assured us the roads +were safe--made so by you valiant _Americanos_--that there was not a +robber to be encountered between Puebla and the capital. Even then I +might not have listened to him, but that I had a good reason for coming +hither with my daughters; and as they--neither of them--were at all +afraid, but rather inclined to it, I ventured to travel by _diligencia_. +Alas! too easily did I yield consent to their wishes--as I have now +reason to know. _Dios de mi alma_! Despoiled of my children! Robbed! +Ruined!" + +"I presume you had money upon your person, as well as these other +valuables?" + +I pointed to the chain and seals hanging from the watch-pocket of the +petitioner. "They left you these! How do you account for it?" + +"_Ay Dios, cavallero_! That is the strangest thing of all. I had both +money--gold money--and this watch. It is one of considerable value, as +you may judge for yourself." + +The old gentleman drew out a grand chronometer-like timepiece, with +jewelled holes and strong gold cases--evidently worth a couple of +hundred dollars. + +"They left me this," he continued, "and my money too! But what +signifies that, since they have taken away the _muchachas? Pobres +ninas_!" + +"And they took _only_ them?" I asked, becoming interested in the story +of a robber episode so little in keeping with the ordinary experience. + +"_Nada mas_." + +"Nothing more! And your fellow-passengers in the _diligencia_? were +they alike sparing of their purses?" + +"Fellow-passengers! We had none, senor capitan. There were but the +four of us, as I've said--all members of my own family: for of course we +count the good _padre_ as one of ourselves. True, there were two or +three other gentlemen who wished to get in with us at Puebla. They were +strangers to me; and, not liking their looks, I chartered the +_diligencia_ for myself. I believe they came in another coach after us. +I am sorry, now, we did not have them along with us. It might have +been better. It could not have been worse!" + +"But the _padre_ of whom you speak--this _hombre muy sabio_--what has +become of him?" + +"_Carrambo, senor_! That is the strangest thing of all: they kept him +too! After a time the robbers permitted my unworthy self to proceed on +the journey. But the monk they compelled to remain. What a scandal to +our Holy Church! I hope it will cause the excommunication of every +_ladron_ in Mexico, and have them devoted to the perdition they so +richly deserve. This comes of having changed our government into a +republic. It was not so in the old times, when Spain sent us a viceroy. +Then there were no robbers, such as these audacious _salteadores_, that +have this day deprived me of my dear daughters! _Ay de mi_! _Ay de +mi_!" + +"What do you wish the general to do?" I inquired, as the old gentleman +became a little tranquillised, after a spasmodic outburst of grief. + +"Senor," he replied, "we have all heard of the humanity of the American +`Gefe.' Though he is our country's enemy, we respect him for the +compassion he has shown to a conquered people. Entreat him to take my +unhappiness to heart. I know you will do so. Ask him to send out a +troop of his valiant dragoons, and recover my lost children. At sight +of your brave soldiers the robbers would take to flight, and leave the +poor _muchachas_ to be restored to their sorrowing father. O kind +capitan; do not deny me! My only hope is in you!" + +Although the story of a father thus brutally bereft of his children was +of itself calculated to excite commiseration, I should, perhaps, not +have felt it very keenly, but for a souvenir it had stirred up within +me. + +There was nothing at all strange in what he had told me. It was only +one of the "Cosas de Mexico," though, perhaps, not among the commonest. +Still it would have given me little more concern than one might feel on +reading the account of a lady in London streets--Bloomsbury-square, for +instance--having been stopped by a fustian-coated garotter, and relieved +of her pocket handkerchief, her card case, and vinaigrette. + +Any chagrin the story caused me was but a resuscitation of that already +in my mind--the remembrance of my murdered friend, and my antipathy to +the whole fraternity of _salteadores_. + +Both might have been freshly excited by his narrative, and nothing more; +but for the aroused remembrance, of which I have spoken; and which +secured him a sympathy I could scarcely explain. Besides, there was +something touching in the appeal of the old Don--not the less that it +was made with all the elegance and in the diction of an educated +gentleman. + +I had no desire to resist it. On the contrary, I at once determined to +lay his case before the general, and strengthen it with my own +influence--so far as that went. + +There was not much generosity in my motive. Without knowing it, the +Mexican had done me a service. I felt certain I should now have the +chance of chastising--if not the same brigands who had assassinated my +artist acquaintance--some who would have behaved quite as badly, had the +opportunity occurred to them. + +Before turning to translate what had been communicated to me, I thought +it might be as well to make myself acquainted with the patronymic of the +petitioner. + +"Your name?" I inquired, looking him full in the face, and with a vague +impression that I had somewhere seen him before, "You have not told me +that? The general may wish to know it." + +"_Eusebio Villa-Senor. Al servicio de V_." + +I started as if a shot had struck me. Oh! the memories that rolled up +at the mention of that name! + +I was carried back to the City of the Angels--to the Calle del Obispo-- +to the sorrow from which I had vainly imagined myself to have escaped! + +Again was it upon me, full and fell as ever. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +With an effort I succeeded in controlling my emotions, or at least the +exhibition of them. + +Absorbed in his own grief, Don Eusebio did not suspect the existence of +mine; and the general was still engrossed with his strategical +combinations. + +I was now too deeply interested in the suit of the petitioner, to lose a +moment's time in placing it before him petitioned. + +I endorsed it with all the eloquence I could command: since it was +almost identical with my own--already preferred. + +Our joint prayer was heard, and granted upon the spot. + +I obtained a commission to chastise any band of brigands, I might choose +to go out against. + +Need I say, that I had not much difficulty in making the selection? + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. + +A DISOBEDIENT DAUGHTER. + +I shall not attempt to describe the blackness in my breast as I sallied +forth from the President's palace--Don Eusebio by my side. + +Directed by the general, he had placed his affair in my hands, and +himself at my disposal. + +The announcement of his name had caused me an acute pain--the agony of a +reopened wound. + +And the pain came not from the story I had heard. It was not the +thought that Dolores--for it was no more Mercedes--that Dolores +Villa-Senor was in the keeping of brutal brigands! It had pained me as +much--perhaps more--to think of her in the keeping of Francisco Moreno! + +Truth compels me to the sad, disgraceful confession: that I listened to +the tale with a sort of satisfaction! Jealousy was still alive--anger +not dead--within my heart! + +Though remembered with reluctance, too keenly did I feel the slight that +had been put upon me. + +The ungentle thought did not for long control me. Soon was it succeeded +by one purer and holier--sprung from such chivalry as I possessed. A +weak woman in the power of wild, wanton men--two of them, for that +matter; though I thought but of one--borne off by brigands to some +hideous haunt--some scene of lascivious revel! + +They were horrid fancies that came crowding upon me. They drove +jealousy out of my heart, and along with it my senseless anger. + +These gone, I became inspired by a slight, scarcely definable, +pleasure--like the distant re-dawning of a hope that has been for a time +extinguished. + +What if I should be the means of rescuing Dolores Villa-Senor from the +hands of her worse than savage captors--of saving her from a life-long +shame? + +Might not the gratitude, called forth by such a deed, become changed to +that other feeling, I had once fondly fancied to have been entertained +in my favour? + +I could have risked everything--life itself--to bring about such a +revolution! + +After all, had I not been too precipitate in my conclusions? Was it +certain she had surrendered her heart--her _whole_ heart--to Francisco +Moreno? + +The episode in the Alameda--of which I had been a spectator--might it +not have been but a bit of flirtation, deftly practised by Spanish +dames, and oft without serious intent, or termination? + +Or might it have been only a chapter of coquetry--myself the object +aimed at? + +Consoling thoughts--well calculated to stir me to energetic action! Don +Eusebio might have been surprised at my ardent espousal of his cause! + +He was at least affected by it. Entirely unsuspicious of my motive for +questioning him, he not only gave me an unreserved account of the +robbery upon the road, but made me the confidant of more than one family +secret. + +One gave me something more than a surprise. It caused the renewal of my +chagrin. + +"In your interview with the general," I said, "you spoke of some +important matter that was bringing you to the capital. May I be told +it? Excuse me for asking: but in the performance of my duty it may be +necessary for me to know what was the object of your journey." + +"Say no more, senor capitan," he rejoined, interrupting me; "you have +taken such a friendly interest in my misfortunes--far beyond what your +duty requires--that I have no hesitation in telling you all. Indeed, it +is essential I should do so. Hear me, then." + +Without repeating Don Eusebio's words--with all the circumlocution +rendered appropriate by paternal affection, and the sorrow from which he +suffered--I learnt from him what might have caused me greater surprise, +but for the chance conversation to which I had listened in the Alameda. + +The Poblano had spoken the truth to his friend from Yucatan. + +Not only had Don Eusebio threatened to immure his daughter in a nunnery; +but was actually on his way to carry the threat into execution, when +stopped by the _salteadores_! + +Although accompanied by both his daughters, but one of them was to be +consigned to her living tomb--the aristocratic convent of _La +Conception_, in the city of Mexico--the abode of some of Mexico's +fairest _muchachas_. + +"Which of your daughters?" I asked with such eager _empressement_ as to +startle Don Eusebio, and call forth an interrogative exclamation. + +"Oh!" I answered, with an effort to gloss over my confusion, "I +understood you to say you had _two_ daughters. Of course one is older +than the other--that is, if they be not twins?" + +"No senor; they are not twins. One is two years the elder. It was she +who intended to devote herself to the service of God. _Por dios_!" he +continued, his brow shadowing as he spoke, "Both must do so now. There +is no other future for them--_pobres ninas_!" + +I understood the significance of the sad speech, and remained silent. + +After a pause, he proceeded, "It was _Dolores_, my eldest girl, who +intended to take the veil." + +"Was it of her own free will?" I asked. + +I could see that the question caused embarrassment. My emotions at the +moment were not less powerful--not less painful--than his. + +"Pardon me," I continued, "for making so free with your family affairs; +which, of course, cannot in any way concern me. It was a mere +inadvertence--quite unintentional--I assure you." + +"O, sir! have I not promised to tell you all--you who have so nobly +espoused our cause; you who are about to imperil your precious life for +the safety of my children! Why should I conceal from you aught that +appertains to their welfare?" + +"It is true," he continued, after a short interval of silence, "true, +that my daughter was not altogether reconciled to the step. I myself +was inciting her to take it. I had my reasons, senor; and I am sure, +that on hearing them, you will approve of what I intended doing. It was +for her happiness; for the honour of our family name and the glory of +God--which last should be the chief end and act of every true +Christian." + +The solemn speech awed me into silence. I made no reply, but stood +awaiting the revelation. + +"Only of late," continued Don Eusebio, "in fact within the last few +days, was I made acquainted with a circumstance, that caused me both +anger and alarm. I learnt that some intimate relations had become +established between my elder daughter, Dolores, and a young man in no +way worthy of forming an alliance with our family. Know, sir, that the +name _Villa-Senor_ is one. But why dwell upon that? I could not look +upon my child, and think of her disgrace. For that reason I determined +that she should pass the rest of her days in expiating the crime she had +committed." + +"Crime! What crime?" + +It would be difficult to describe the sensation I felt while putting +this question, or the agony with which I awaited the answer. + +"That of consenting to unite herself--for it had come to giving her +consent--to one of low birth; of listening to vows of love from the lips +of a peasant--a _lepero_!" + +"Was he this?" + +"Si, senor; was, and is. Through the state of anarchy and revolution +from which this unfortunate country has long suffered, like many others +of his class, he has risen to the paltry distinction of being an officer +in our army--a captain, I believe. Among you, I am aware, the title is +one of distinction--not so easily earned, and substantial when obtained. +In the army of our so-called Republic, a swineherd to-day may be a +captain to-morrow; and the captain of to-morrow a _salteador_ the day +following!" + +"Of course you know the name of this captain--whom you deem so unworthy +of your daughter?" + +The question was put mechanically, and without care for the answer. I +knew that the name would be "Francisco Moreno." + +It was. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. + +DON SAMUEL BRUNO. + +Before separating from Don Eusebio I received from him a detailed +account of the coach robbery, with all the allied incidents. It was +necessary I should know everything; and everything was made known to me. + +In addition to what he had already communicated, there was one fact of a +curious, if not comical, character. Before permitting him to depart in +the _diligencia_, the brigands had taken his bond for ten thousand +dollars--as collateral security against the ransom of his daughters! + +They had even gone so far as to require it in the shape of a written +_acceptance_--to be cancelled and sent back along with the senoritas, +whenever the cash should be forthcoming! + +Such were the quaint stipulations of the _salteadores_! + +Though sounding strange to English ears, no Mexican would be at all +surprised at them. Oft and again have similar bargains been made--and +kept--among the mountains of Mexico! + +There was something that still perplexed me. How was this queer +contract to be carried out? + +I had been told that the usual mode is by a messenger; some one +acquainted with the neutral ground--if there be such--lying between +robber-land and the precincts of the police. This messenger meets an +envoy--deputed by the brigands; the acceptance is honoured; the captives +given up, and permitted to depart without further molestation! + +In some cases even a _cheque_ has been taken in exchange; afterwards +presented at the bank by one of the robbers themselves--and _paid_! + +Who was to be Don Eusebio's deputy? This was a question that interested +me. + +The answer gave me great satisfaction. It was the driver of the +_diligencia_ that had been stopped--known to his passengers by the name +of "Don Samuel Bruno." + +When it is said, that the stage-coaches of Mexico are a modern +importation from the United States, I need scarcely add that their +drivers have been imported along with them. They are all, or nearly +all, _States'_ men; and "Don Samuel," despite his _sobriquet_, was not +an exception. He was simply Sam Brown. + +Though the intended envoy of Don Eusebio, he had been nominated by the +bandits themselves; no doubt for the reason that he knew where to carry +the cash, and that it could be safely entrusted in his keeping. Any +treachery on his part would put an end to his stage driving--at least, +upon the roads of Mexico--and ten chances to one whether he should +survive to handle the "ribbons" elsewhere. + +Sam knew all this, on consenting to become a "go-between;" though it was +scarcely by his own consent: since the office had been assigned to him, +not by request, but command. + +It was a fortunate circumstance for me--the very thing I would have +wished for. My chief difficulty--I had seen it from the first--would be +to obtain an _interview_ with the knights of the road. With the +stage-driver as a guide, the difficulty seemed more than half removed. + +As good luck would have it, I knew something of Don Samuel. I knew him +to be intelligent--and notwithstanding the ambiguous _role_ he was oft +compelled to play--honest. + +I was not long in placing myself _en rapport_ with him. As I had +expected, I found him ready and right willing to "co-operate." + +There was at this time much talk of our permanently occupying the +country. In that case he would have nothing to fear for his future; but +in any case he was too gallant to regard consequences where a _senorita_ +was concerned. + +There was yet another difficulty. Sam's appointment with the robbers +had been made for an early hour of the next morning--the place of +rendezvous a treeless plain lying under the shadow of forest-clad +hills--not far from the noted inn of Cordova. + +Alone he might easily meet the _parlamentarios_ of the other party; but +it would be quite a different thing if he should go accompanied by a +score of mounted men. + +How was the difficulty to be got over? + +I put the question to himself. + +The intelligent Yankee soon bethought him of a scheme; and one that +appeared feasible. + +My party should make approach in the night; go into covert under the +pine-forest that shrouded the slopes above the place of rendezvous; and +leave Sam himself to come on in the morning--carrying the ransom-money +along with him. That night he could go with us to a certain distance-- +as a guide all the way--returning, to return again, at the hour of +daybreak. + +The plan seemed excellent. There was but one drawback. Our ambuscade +could only affect the envoy of the robbers, not the robbers themselves-- +whose den might be at a distance, among the passes of the mountains. + +"Don Samuel" did not see it in this light. With the bandit emissary in +our power, and the dollars of Don Eusebio at our disposal, he did not +apprehend any difficulty. If there were a _salteador_ in all Mexico +proof against gold, Sam Brown did not believe it. + +I was satisfied with his reasoning; and consented to act under his +guidance. + +But little time was required for preparation. The commander-in-chief-- +not so ungenerous after all, and always liberal in the cause of +humanity--had given me _carte, blanche_. I only drew a score of my own +men--Mounted Rifles--with a small supplementary force of the dare-devils +already alluded to. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY. + +A YANKEE JEHU. + +Along the lone causeway, three hundred years ago traversed by Cortez-- +and now, instead of open water, with a _zanca_ on each side of it--we +journeyed in solemn silence. + +I had waited for that hour of the night when wayfarers, who might turn +informers, were not likely to be encountered on the road. + +We passed the isolated hill of El Penon without meeting any one; and +commenced skirting the saline shores of Tezcoco. + +The ride, though long, was far from appearing tedious. How could it be +in the company of a stage-coach driver--especially one from the +"States?" + +Who does not know him? Who that has journeyed upon the "corduroy roads" +of Kentucky, Mississippi, or Tennessee--who thus dreadfully jolted--does +not remember the compensation he has had, in the cheerful conversation +of the man who conducted him over these accursed causeways? + +In Mexico he is met, just as in the States; mounted on the box of a +"Troy" coach; dressed in jacket, or tailed-coat with short skirts; the +universal white hat upon his head; and perchance a cigar sticking +slantwise between his teeth. Thus he may be seen--and never seen +without being liked--almost beloved--by those whose luck it is to have a +seat upon the box beside him. + +Light, tight, intelligent, and cheery--civil to the humblest outsider-- +daring to a degree of recklessness--he is as different from the unwieldy +six-caped carcase of English stage-coach celebrity, as a butterfly to a +buffalo. Who ever sate on the box beside him, without longing to sit +there again? + +Where is the guide-book that can tell you half so much of the road-- +every turn and winding--every incident that has occurred upon it for the +last ten years--murders, suicides, runaway matches, struggles with black +bears, and chases of red deer--in short, everything worthy of being +recorded? + +And all this with a thorough disinterestedness--his sole design being to +entertain you. No thought of the "tip" which your Old World Jehu +expects to receive at parting company. Offer it to _him_, and in all +likelihood he will fling it back at your feet! He has not yet been +corrupted by the customs of king-loving communities. + +Meet him in Mexico: for he is there. He had to go with the coaches +imported from "Troy"--not the Troy of the Dardanelles, that "Ammon's +sons ran proudly round"--but its modern, and more peaceful, namesake in +the state of New York. + +Although under a different name, the _diligencia_ of Mexico is the +stage-coach of the States--its driver the same light-hearted happy +fellow, with a good word for everybody, and a kindly smile for all the +_muchachas_, plain or pretty, he may pass upon his route. + +Interesting as this man is--and has been for a century in the United +States--he is still more interesting upon the stage roads of Mexico. +Scarcely a day of his life passes without his being in peril. I do not +allude to the reckless pace at which he urges his half-tamed mustangs-- +three abreast--down the declivities of the Mexican mountains. These are +occurrences of every hour. I speak of the perils that threaten him from +the behaviour of the _bandoleros_--by whom he is repeatedly surrounded. + +Sam Brown's dealings with these gentry were of almost daily occurrence. +At all events, there was scarcely a week without his being witness to a +scene--not unfrequently having a tragical termination. More than once +had he been present at the spilling of blood! + +The _diligencia_ is usually accompanied by an _escolta_--a troop of +_dragones_, or _lanzeros_, ill-armed and equipped; whose tattered +uniforms, and feet set shoeless in their stirrups, render them more +grotesque than terrible. + +At times the escort is itself attacked; and a sharp skirmish comes off +between troops and bandits--the former not unfrequently fleeing the +field, and leaving their _proteges_, the passengers, to be plundered at +the discretion of the triumphant _salteadores_. + +At other times the _escolta_ declines "coming to the scratch"--having +taken the precaution just at the critical moment to be riding far in the +rear; then galloping up with swaggering demonstration, after the robbers +have completed their pillage, and gone away from the ground! + +Either a strong escort, or none at all, was Sam Brown's sentiment; but +his preference was, decidedly, for none at all! + +In the latter case the _diligencia_ is often permitted to continue its +route uninterrupted: the bandits believing, that it carries no +passengers worth protecting, and therefore not worth pillaging! + +It is no rare thing for the "escolta" itself to be suspected; or at +least the officer commanding it. More than once has the connivance been +established, by evidence, in a court of law! + +Still rarer does punishment follow in any proportion to the diabolical +crime--the criminal usually getting clear by turning _salteador_ +himself! + +On the other hand, there are times when an honest officer--one of action +and courage--makes his appearance upon the scene; and by the energetic +performance of his duty becomes a terror to the bandits--rendering the +roads comparatively safe. + +Unluckily this improved state of things continues but for a short +period. Some new _grito_--followed by the usual spasmodic revolution-- +brings about a change, both in rulers and robbers; who sometimes also +_exchange_ situations! The energetic officer is snatched away from the +scene--either by death, or promotion to a better post; and the passage +of the roads becomes perilous as ever. + +Such were a few of the revelations I had from the lips of Don Samuel +Bruno, as we journeyed along the lone causeway leading by the lake +Tezcoco. + +There were two things still unexplained, and which no little puzzled me: +how my guide had contrived to come safe out of so many hair-breadth +perils? And how he managed to keep his peace with the _salteadores_? + +The explanation was asked for, and freely given. + +The secret lay in a nutshell. + +_No matter what happened, Sam always remained neutral_! + +"Ye see, cap'n," said he--by way of explanation rather than apology, "as +I'm only the driver, they hain't no ill-will agin me. They know I'm but +doin' my duty. Besides, if thar was no driver, there ked be no +_diligencia_; an' if _it_ war off the road, all the wuss for them, I +reck'n. They look upon me as bein' nootral; otherwise I needn't go that +way agin. I keep on my box, an' leave 'em do as they've a mind--knowin' +that I ked be of no sarvice to the poor passengers that's bein' +plundered. I kin do _them_ more good, arter it's all over--by drivin' +them on to thar destinashun." + +For a time my companion was silent, and I too. I became absorbed in +thoughts, cheerless, if not absolutely sad. + +The sight of Tezcoco, along whose shores we were now proceeding, was not +calculated to cheer me. The lake looked still, and dark as Acheron +itself--its sombre silence relieved only at intervals by sounds yet more +lugubrious--the scream of the great curlew, or the screech-like call of +the American ibis! + +Giving way to a string of unpleasant fancies, I rode on without speaking +to any of my comrades. + +I was roused from my reverie by the voice of Sam Brown; who appeared +desirous of once more entering into conversation. + +"Cap'n!" said he, spurring alongside of me, and dragging the pack-mule +after him. "'Scuse me for intrudin' upon you; but I've got somethin' +more to say about this business we're on. What air ye goin' to do?" + +"No excuse, Mr Brown. On the contrary, I was about to put the same +interrogatory to you. I confess that I feel a little perplexed. Now +that we've started on this expedition, I begin to see the difficulty--if +not the absolute idleness of it. It seems absurd to suppose that the +robbers would send one of their number to meet any messenger, who may be +deputed to them,--without taking precautions against a surprise?" + +"They never do, cap'n. They ain't sech consarned fools." + +"Well, I thought as much; or do now--now that I've had time to reflect +upon it. It isn't the scheme I had intended to have carried out. After +all, there's no alternative, but to go through with it. What's your +advice?" + +"Well, cap'n; my advice might be no better than anybody else's; only +that I've took notice to a thing or two." + +"Where? When?" + +"I kin answer both yer questions at the same time: whar and when the +coach was stopped." + +"You noticed something strange?" + +"More'n one thing; several o' 'em." + +"What were they?" + +"First, then, the skunks were _craped_." + +"I've heard the same from Don Eusebio. But what signification is there +in that?" + +"Not much, I admit; only that it ain't common for reg'lar robbers to +wear crape. They don't care who sees _their_ faces: bein' as they make +thar home among the mountings; and never put themselves in the power of +the sojers, or _alguazils_. These bein' craped, shows they're a lot +from the town." + +"What town?" + +"Puebla, in coorse. It's the biggest nest in all the Mexikin +domeenyuns. They wore that kiver to keep from bein' recognised--shed +they be met afterwards in the streets. It don't follow that they were +any the less brigands on that account. Them of the town air jest as bad +as them that keep out in the country. They all belong to the same +school; only the outsiders don't care whether they're known by them as +they plunder; while the town chaps sometimes do--for sartin reasons." + +"There were some other circumstances that appeared odd to you?" I asked +of my intelligent guide. + +"One other as looked darnationed odd. It puzzled me at the time, an' do +still. I had my eyes on them two saynoritas as travelled with the old +Don, thar father. There's one o' them especially I'd like to know who +ked keep his eyes off o'. Well, what surprised me was, that instead o' +seemin' scared-like, and squealin' out--as I've heerd other Mexikin +sheemales do when tuk by the robbers--they both flirted off among the +trees, with two or three o' the brigands attending on 'em, jest as if +they were startin' out a huckleberryin'! + +"All the while the old Don war down upon his belly--flat as a pancake-- +from which seetuation he warn't allowed to stir, till the gurls had gone +clean out o' sight. + +"Then one o' the band bargained wi' him about the ransom-money--tellin' +him it was to be trusted to me, an' whar it was to be brought. They +then bundled him back into the coach, an ordered me to drive on--the +which, I reckon, I war riddy enough to do." + +"But there was a priest along with them. What became of him?" + +"Oh! the monk. That 'ere is also kewrious. The robbers usooaly let +_them_ go--after makin' 'em give each o' the band a blessin'! _Him_ +they kep along wi' 'em; for what purpose the Lord only knows. Maybe to +make sport o' him, by way o' divarshin. Seein' that I war no longer +wanted, I gave the whup to the hosses; and fetched the old gentleman +away, all by himself." + +"Do you think his daughters in danger of being ill-treated?" + +"Well, that depends on whose hands they've fallen into. Some are worse +than others. Some times they're only a set o' idle fellows from the +towns, who put on robber for the time--just to raise the wind in that +way. When they've got up a stake, they go back to their gamblin' at +_monte_; the which pays them better, and ain't so much risk o' their +gettin' shot, or shet up. There are officers of the army who've been +known to take a turn at the business--after they've spent their pay, or +don't get it to spend--which last happens beout half the time. + +"Then there's the reg'lar _bandoleros_--or _salteadores_, as they +sometimes call 'em--who live by it for constant. Of them there's +several seprit bands along this road. One in partickler, called +_Carrasco's_, who used to be a officer in Santa Anna's army. There's +_Dominguez_, too, who was a colonel; but he's now along wi' you at the +head o' the Spies. I don't think it was Carrasco's fellows that stopped +us this time." + +"Why not?" + +"_They_ wouldn't a' cared to wear crape. I hope it wan't them." + +I had a painful suspicion why this hope was expressed; and anxiously +enquired the reason. + +"Because," answered the guide, "if it hez been Carrasco, I shed say a +pity o' them two young critters. Kewrious thar showin' so little +skeeart! + +"Maybe they didn't more'n half know thar danger. As the robbers don't +allers ill-treat the weemen--'ceptin' to strip 'em of thar gimcracks and +the like--the Mexican sheemales ain't so much 'fraid o' 'em as ye might +suppose they'd be." + +"Arter all," continued he, "it may be that I war mistaken. They were so +quick bore off into the bushes, I hadn't much time to take notice o' +'em--the more so as I had enough to do in keepin' my hosses from goin' +over the edge o' a precipice--by the side o' which we were brought to +the stand." + +"In any case," pursued Sam Brown, riding a little closer to me, and +speaking so as not to be overheard by my followers, "It air time ye made +up your mind what to do, cap'n. We're now come to the place, whar we +must take leave o' the main road. The rendezvoos gin me by the robbers +lies up one o' these side gullies, whar there's nothin' but a bridle +path. Another half-hour's ridin' 'll fetch us to the place o' +appointment." + +"Have you thought of any other plan than that already spoken of?" + +I put the question, fancying from his manner that something else had +suggested itself to him. + +"I hev, cap'n. There's jest a chance that I know whar them craped +gentlemen air at this very minute--jest a chance of thar bein' thar." + +The last words were spoken slowly, and in a sort of meditative +soliloquy. + +"Where? Of what place are you speaking?" + +"A queery place; and ye wouldn't know whar it is if I war to tell ye. +To understan the lie o' that shanty, ye'd hev to see it for yourself; +which not many ever do, ceptin' them as have got bizness thar--an' they +ain't sech as air honest." + +"A shanty--there's a house? Some solitary dwelling, I suppose?" + +"Ye may well call it that, cap'n. It sartinly are the most solitariest +dwellin' I ever seed; an' what any man ked iver a built it for, beats my +recknin'--as I b'lieve it do that o' most others as hev specklated upon +it. Lies up thar." + +I looked in the direction indicated by his gesture. Several dark lists +seamed the side of the mountain--at the foot of which we had come to a +halt. One of them looked deeper and more cavernous than the rest; +though all seemed to trend towards the summit of the slope. + +The mountain itself went up with a gradual acclivity; its sides +forest-covered--except here and there, where the naked porphyry peeped +out through the dark green drapery of the pines. + +Though the sky was moonless, there were stars. By their light I could +distinguish something white above and beyond the pine-covered track. It +looked like a patch of fleecy cloud. + +"That ere's the buzzum o' the White Woman," remarked the guide, seeing +what my eyes were fixed upon. "She lies jest beyont the big black +mountain. There's only a sort o' a ridge atween 'em." + +"_Ixticihuatl_!" I said, now recognising the snowy summit. "You don't +mean that the robbers are gone up there?" + +"Not so fur as that. If they war, we _shed_ have a climb for it. The +place I'm speakin' o' is in that dark gulley ye see straight afore you. +It's this side the lower end o' it whar I'm to meet thar messenger, and +deliver up the dollars. That's jest why I think we might find them at +the shanty I've told ye about." + +"There can be no harm in our going there?" + +"I reckon not," answered the guide, reflectingly. "If we don't find 'em +thar, we kin get back to the bottom afore daylight, an' then carry out +the other plan. Thar's one thing we've got to do, afore we reach that +ere shanty. We've got to hev a climb for it; and the last quarter o' a +mile 'll hev to be made upon Shanks's mare." + +"No matter for that," I said, impatient to proceed. "You lead the way. +I'll answer for myself and men being able to follow you." + +"I ain't afeerd beout that," rejoined Don Samuel Bruno. "But mind, +cap'n!" added he, in the exercise of his Yankee caution, "I haint said +we'll find them thar--only thet it air likely. All events it air worth +while tryin'--considerin' sech a sweet gurl as she air in the hands o' +sech ruffins. She oughter be tuk from 'em anyhow--an' at any price!" + +I needed not to ask him which was meant by the "sweet gurl." Too well +did I divine that it was Dolores. + +"Lead on!" I exclaimed, giving the spur to my horse, and the "Forward" +to my followers. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. + +DEMONTE. + +It had not yet reached the hour of midnight, as we left the Great +National Road, and commenced moving up the mountain,--in a lateral +though somewhat parallel course to that we had been following. + +For a mile we marched along a path, where wheels might have passed at a +pinch. + +We could see by the starlight that there were some small settlements on +each side, and one more conspicuous above, which we knew to be the +hacienda of Buena Vista--famed as the spot where the best view can be +had of the valley of Mexico. From this circumstance does the dwelling +derive its name; and he who from its _azotea_ can look downward, without +having his soul stirred within him, must be incapable of romantic +emotion. + +On approaching from the coast--I mean Vera Cruz--it is here the +traveller first obtains a good view (_buena vista_) of the +world-renowned "Valle of Tenochtitlan;" here that he first comes within +sight of the City of the Moctezumas. + +Story-telling tourists can see it from the summit of the Sierra--looking +through the long-leaved pines! Almost every one who has written a book +about Mexico has made this plausible assertion. + +But it must be remembered that these books have been mostly compiled +after the travellers had returned home; and, in some instances to my +knowledge, before they started out--not having started at all! + +One and all have followed the first teller of the fictitious talc; who +must have been sharper sighted than I. With tolerably good eyes-- +strengthened by a capital field glass--I could see no city of Mexico +from the summit of the Sierra, nor from any part of its sloping +declivity, through the dearest break the pine-forest afforded. + +Considering the distance, it is not likely that I should. What I saw +was the "Valle" itself--not a valley in our sense, but a wide plain; +inclosing within its limits several isolated hills, that might almost be +termed mountains; mottled with broad expanses of swamp, and sheets of +clear water--the largest of these being Lakes Tezcoco and Chalco; here +and there a white dot, showing the lime-washed walls of a hacienda, the +keener sparkle of a church spire, or the glistening of an enamelled dome +amidst the scattered huts of a _pueblita_. + +All this you may see from the summit of the Cordillera; but not the +towers of Tenochtitlan. Before you can distinguish these, you must +descend--nearer and lower. You must look from the terrace where stands +Buena Vista; or the plateau occupied by the "Venta" of Cordova. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +When nearly abreast of the latter place, the road we were pursuing ran +out, or rather into a bridle path; and my little troop had to stretch +out into "twos." + +A mile farther on, and even this slender formation had to be changed to +one still more extended. The path was only possible for "single file;" +and into this we fell. + +Another mile of marching, and it was not possible for cavalry, or +horsemen of any kind. Only a pedestrian could pursue it, and he, too, +one accustomed to climbing. + +I muttered the command to halt, which had become indispensable. It was +earned in _sotto voce_ to the rear; and the horses, strung out for a +hundred yards, came to a stand--one behind the other. + +"There is no road beyond?" I said, interrogating the guide, who had +squeezed up alongside of me. + +"For horses, no. Only a footpath; an' scace that eyther. Thar air a +horse track further up; but it comes in from t'other side o' the ridge-- +on the left. It strikes off o' the National Road, close to the place +whar the coach got stopped. Thet's why I hev the suspicion the fellurs +may be found at the house as lies up hyar." + +"But why have we not gone along the main road, and then taken that you +speak of? We could have ridden on to the house?" + +"No--not to the house. Thar's a bit o' it too--the last hundred yards +or so--impossible for bosses." + +"Still it would have been better than to leave them here? I don't like +separating the men from their saddles--especially as we know nothing of +the ground." + +"Thar's another reezun for our not goin' the other way," pursued the +guide, without replying to my remarks. "If I'd taken you by the road we +might a made a mess o' it." + +"How?" + +"If they're up at the big house there'll be one o' 'em on the watch down +below--near the joinin' o' the roads. They allers keep a sentry there. +He'd be sartin to a seen us--whereas, by comin' this way, we may have a +chance o' stealin' close to the shanty afore any o' 'em sets eyes on +us." + +"You propose that we dismount, then, and go forward afoot?" + +"Thar's no other way, cap'n." + +"How far is it to the house?" + +"As to distance, nothin'; not over six hundred yards, I shed say. I've +only been there once. It's the steepness o' the track that takes up the +time." + +I did not much like the idea of dismounting my men, and leading them +away from their horses. Not but that the individuals I had selected +were equal to good fighting afoot; but it occurred to me that it was +possible for us to have been seen, as we marched along the lower road-- +seen, too, by those who might have a fancy to follow us. + +There were guerilleros along the mountain foot, as well as robbers in +its ravines. In short, every peasant and small proprietor was at this +time a _partisan_. + +What if a band should get together, and come on after us? The capture +of twenty American horses--without a blow struck to retain them--would +have been a blow to me I should not easily have got over. It would have +been the ruin of a military reputation, I had but just commenced making. + +I dared not risk such a discomfiture; and I determined upon the men +remaining by their horses. + +I had no idea of abandoning the enterprise. That would have been a +still greater disgrace. I but stayed to consider some plan of approach, +involving less risk of a failure. + +A few minutes spent in reflection, and a few more words exchanged with +the stage-driver, helped me to what I conceived a better: the men to +remain where they were; myself and the guide to go up the ravine alone, +reconnoitre the house, and then take such measures as circumstances +might suggest. + +If we should find that the brigands were "abroad," my troopers would be +spared a toilsome ascent, and the chagrin of a disappointment. If "at +home," it might then be worth while to pay them a visit in full force. + +The guide thought there would be no danger in our going alone--so long +as we made our reconnoissance with proper caution. There was no +scarcity of cover, both underwood and tall timber. In the event of our +being perceived while making approach, we could fall back upon our +friends, before much harm could be done to us. Should we be close +pressed, the men could meet us half-way. I had the means of making them +hear me at three times the distance. + +I had no lieutenant with me--only my first sergeant, who had seen +service in three out of the four quarters of the globe. Above all, he +had "fit Injun, both in forest and prairie;" and could be trusted on an +enterprise like that we had in hand. + +Having arranged the signal in a whisper, and communicated to him such +other instructions as occurred to me, I dismounted from my horse; and +followed "Don Samuel Bruno" in the direction of the "shanty." + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +The night was far from being a dark one. These are rare under the skies +of Southern Mexico. There was no moon, but myriads of stars; and at a +later hour the moon might be expected. + +The atmosphere was tranquil--scarce a breath of air stirring the +suspended leaves of the pines. The slightest sound could have been +heard at a remarkable distance. We could distinguish the bleating of +sheep on the plain below, and the screaming of wildfowl on the sedgy +shores of Lake Chalco! + +Less light, and more noise, would have answered our purpose better. + +We ourselves made but little of the last. Though the path was steep, it +was not so difficult of ascent--only here and there, as it extended from +terrace to terrace by a more precipitous escarpment--and up these we +were assisted by the shrubbery. + +We had agreed to proceed by signs; or, when near enough, by whispers. +We knew that the slightest sound might betray us. + +At short intervals we stopped to obtain breath--less from actual +exhaustion, than to keep down the noise of our heightened respiration. + +At one place we made a more lengthened pause. It was upon a shelf-like +terrace of some extent--where there were hoof-prints of horses, and +other indications of a trodden path. My guide pointed them out-- +whispering to me, that it was the road of which he had spoken. + +I bent down over the tracks. They were of recent date--made that very +day. My prairie experience enabled me to tell this, despite the +obscurity through which I scrutinised them. The "sign" promised well +for the success of our enterprise. + +Beyond, the road became opener and easier. For two or three hundred +yards it trended along a horizontal level, and we could walk without +strain. + +The stage-driver silently preceded me--still going slowly, and without +any abatement of caution. + +I had time to reflect, as I followed him. + +My thoughts were anything but cheerful. The gloomy canopy of the pines +appeared to give a tinge to my spirit, and it became attuned to the sad +sighing heard high up among their _ancillae_. The moaning of the great +Mexican owl, as it glided past on soft silent wing, seemed meant only to +mock me! + +I had been under a half belief that I had forgotten Dolores Villa-Senor, +or become indifferent to her existence. Vain hallucination! Idle, and +I knew it now. + +Long weary marches; sieges protracted; battles, and wounds therein +received; even the coquetry of other eyes--wicked as hers--had not +chased her image from my heart, or my memory. It was there still. + +I could see her countenance before me--under the sombre shadow of the +trees--plain as I saw the white-winged owls--soft as the weird wafting +of their wings! + +I had not forgotten her. In that hour I knew that I never should. + +And while hastening to effect her rescue, I felt as if I could have +gloated over her ruin--so steeped was my soul in chagrin--so brimful of +black vengeance! + +It was no chivalrous thought that was carrying me up the slopes of +Ixticihuatl--only the hope of humiliating her, who had humiliated me! + +I was aroused from my unworthy imaginings by the voice of Sam Brown, +whispering close to my ear. His words were:-- + +"Don't ye hear it, cap'n?" + +"Hear what?" + +"The music." + +"If you call the hooting of that horrid owl--" + +I stopped at a gesture from my guide. In the obscurity I could see his +hand uplifted, his finger pointing upwards. + +"Don't ye hear somethin' up that way?" he continued, "Thar's the twang +o' a guitar, or one o' them thar Mexikin bandoleens--as they call 'em. +Hear that? Somebody laughin'! Hear that, too? If my ears haven't lost +thar hearin', that ere's the voice o' a sheemale!" + +The last remark secured my attention. I listened--as if expecting to +hear a summons of life or death! + +There _was_ the twang of a stringed instrument--harp or guitar, bandolon +or _jarana_. There _was_ a voice--a man's voice--and the instant after +a series soft tones, with that metallic ring that can only proceed from +the feminine throat. + +"Yes," I assented, mechanically, "there's music there!" + +"Moren' that, cap'n! Thar's dancin'." + +Again I listened. + +Certainly there was the pattering of feet over a floor--with motion +timed to the music--now and then a pause--a laugh or an exclamation--all +betokening a scene of enjoyment! + +"It's the exact direckshin o' the shanty," whispered Sam. "They must be +_in_ it. Thar's somethin' goin' on, hear that? There's a bust! Darn +me, if they hain't got a _fandango_!" + +It was an increased swelling in the sound that had called forth this +exclamatory language. A violin had joined its continuous strain to the +throbbing of the _jarana_; and several voices appeared to take part in +the conversation, which was carried on during the intervals of the +music. + +There appeared to be nothing boisterous--no riot or roystering--only +such sounds as might be made by a party of pleasure-seekers engaged in a +picnic, or _dia de campo_--the chief difference being that it was _in +the night_! + +Certainly the sounds were not such, as I should have expected to proceed +from a band of brigands engaged in an interlude of festivity. + +"It's _them_!" whispered the driver of the diligencia--a better judge of +brigand music than myself. "The very chaps we're in search o'. They're +doin' a little bit o' divartin; an', cuss me, cap'n, ef I don't b'lieve +that them two gurls is joinin' willinly in the spree!" + +I answered his speech only in thought. And a fell, fearful thought it +was. + +"Dolores Villa-Senor not forced by cruel circumstances, but voluntarily +assisting at a carnival of _salteadores_!" + +All thoughts of strategy were chased out of my mind. Even prudence for +the time forsook me. The remembrance of the past--the morbid imaginings +of the present--alike maddened me. + +She upon whom I had fixed my affections--high and holy--the toy of a +robber-chief! Worse still; herself wanton and willing! + +"Go on!" I said, grasping my guide by the arm; "on to the house! Let +us see what it means. On, on! There's no danger. In ten minutes I can +call my men around me; and if need be, we can run back to them. On! on! +I must see with my own eyes, if she can be so degraded!" + +Without altogether comprehending why, Sam Brown saw that I was +determined on advancing; and, yielding to my impulsive command, once +more led the way. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. + +PARADISE FROM THE PILLORY. + +Another terrace was ascended; and before us stood the house--a massive +structure of quadrangular shape only one story in height, but surmounted +by an _azotea_ with a parapet running around it. + +It was placed upon a platform of limited extent; backed by a precipitous +slope, of which the platform was the base; and flanked by two cliffs +that scarped off in the opposite direction--downward. + +What might be called the gables of the dwelling were flush with the +flanking cliffs; but between its rear and the ascending slope was an +inclosed space--forming a _corral_, or courtyard. + +Its _facade_ lay towards the smooth space in front; that declined gently +from the walls, like the glacis of a fortification. + +A better site for defence could scarcely have been chosen. No foe could +advance by either flank; and an attacking party from the front would be +exposed while crossing the open ground. The place might be more +successfully assailed from the rear--by an enemy coming over the top of +the sierra. + +The idea of defence could not have been entertained. On the Indian +frontier, yes; but in the valley of Mexico--tranquil since the time of +Moctezuma--there had been no fighting. The structure could have nothing +to do with the revolutionary era. It was too ancient for that. + +It was difficult to understand why such a dwelling had been erected in +such a place. It could not be an agricultural establishment: there was +no arable land within reach. Nor yet a _hacienda de ganados_: since +there was no pasture upon the pine-covered slopes that surrounded it. + +Had it been built by the monks? Perhaps by some eccentric recluse, who +had chosen the site, for the purpose of contemplating civilisation, +without being disturbed by it? + +These thoughts were things of an after-time; when, upon an excursion of +curiosity, I made myself better acquainted with the topography of the +place. + +All that I saw then--as we were making our stealthy approach--was a +block of dark mason work, with a still darker disc in the centre +indicating the entrance door; and on each side of this a large window, +from which a stream of light was escaping. + +The ground in front had the look of a ruined garden--overgrown with rank +grass, and here and there some clumps of shrubbery run wild. + +Among these we made our approach--taking care to keep clear of the two +bands of yellow light diverging from the windows. Both were mere +apertures without glass; defended, as in all Mexican houses, by strong +iron bars rising vertically from the sill. + +There was neither blind nor curtain, to obstruct the passage of the +light outward, or the view inward. + +After a few seconds spent in skulking across the lawn, we succeeded in +placing ourselves within good viewing distance of one of the windows. + +Inside we could see a table set with the paraphernalia of a feast. It +appeared a rude piece of furniture; as did also the chairs that stood +around it. So, also, were the plates, dishes, and drinking vessels that +covered it: though in these we could perceive a grotesque commingling of +the cheap and costly. + +Common earthenware _ollas_, and carved bowls of calabash, stood side by +side with goblets of silver, and bottles, whose tapering necks told of +claret and champagne! + +Tall wax candles, that looked as if they had been moulded for the +service of the Church, were suspended in chandeliers of the _pitahaya_ +cactus, or held in cleft sticks--themselves stuck into the interstices +of the slab table! + +Only the drink had been as yet brought upon the board; though the meats +could be scented from the _cocina_; while several brown-skinned, +leathern-clad, "muchachos" were moving to and fro, with a hurried +_empressement_ that showed they were setting the supper. + +It was evident that the two windows were in different apartments; the +one opposite us being the _sala de comida_, or dining-room. + +It was the _sala grande_, or drawing-room, I most desired to look into. + +Not to listen to the music, or become a spectator to the dancing. Both +had ceased some time before; and in their place we could now hear only a +single voice--that of a man, who seemed to be speaking in a tone +measured and solemn! + +It required some strategy to get into position for looking through the +second window. But it was worth the effort. + +From the grand preparations in the dining-room, there should be +corresponding company in the drawing-room? Was its quality alike +heterogeneous? + +As yet we could not tell. A ruined pile, that had once been a sort of +portico, extended between the two windows--overshadowing the doorway. +It hindered us from obtaining a view of the second. + +We had been kneeling among rhododendrons--a clump of which grew near the +dining-room window. There were none in front of the drawing-room; but +instead, an enormous aloe--the _maguey_ of Mexico. Once to rearward of +it, and screened by its broad blades, we should be in an excellent place +for observation. + +The question was how to get there, without being ourselves observed. +The ground between the rhododendrons and the "pulque plant" was a smooth +piece of turf, without shrub or tree. On this the two bands of light-- +widening as they went out from the windows--became commingled. + +To have crossed from one side to the other would have been to expose +ourselves under a light, clear almost as day. + +We did not so much fear being seen by those within the _sala grande_. +Their preoccupation--sport, or whatever was going on--would hinder them +from looking forth. + +But while crouching among the "rose trees" we had noticed that the great +gate was open; and in the faint light that fell straggling across the +_saguan_--a little brighter in the _patio_ behind--we could see the +dark-skinned domestics flitting to and fro with the supper dishes--like +spectres engaged in the preparation of some infernal feast! + +Some of these standing in the _saguan_, or loitering by the outside +entrance, might observe us while crossing? + +We dared not risk it. The exposure would be too great. Should we +attempt to cross there would be scarce a chance to escape detection. + +There was only one other course: to steal back down the lawn, cross over +through the fainter light, and return along the edge of the other cliff. +What a pity we had not taken this route at first! + +I was loth to lose the time, but there was no help for it. To have +saved it, by going direct, might have resulted in the loss of our lives; +or, at all events, in disaster to our expedition. + +Ten minutes more, and we stood behind the _maguey_. + +Parting its spinous leaves, and passing in between them, we obtained the +desired standpoint. + +As I have said, the music had ceased, as also the conversation and +laughter. All three had been hushed for some time--having come to a +stop while we were skulking among the rhododendrons. + +We supposed at first, that supper had been announced to the company in +the _sala grande_, and we might soon see them in the _sala de comida_. + +Although the preparations did not appear complete, we should have stayed +to await the going in of the guests--but for what we heard from the +other apartment. + +The sounds of merriment, abruptly brought to an end, had been succeeded +by the solitary voice. It was that of a man, who appeared to speak in +slow measured tones--as if addressing himself to an audience. + +We could hear him all the time we were changing place; and his harangue +was still going on, as we came into cover among the fronds of the pulque +plant. + +The first glance through these explained everything--why the music had +ceased, and the laughter been restrained. + +Inside the sala a ceremony was progressing, that, under the +circumstances, might well be termed solemn. It was the ceremonial of a +marriage! + +A monk, whose robe of bluish grey proclaimed him of the order of San +Francisco, was standing near the middle of the floor. I mention him +first, as he was the first to come under my eye. + +He held a book in his hand; and was reading from it the ritual of +marriage--according to the Romish Church. + +My eyes did not dwell upon him for a single second. They went in search +of the bride, and bridegroom. + +A little shifting among the leaves brought me face to face with the +latter. Imagine my astonishment on beholding Francisco Moreno! + +It was scarcely increased when I obtained a view of the bride. A +presentiment--sad, almost stifling--had prepared me for seeing Dolores +Villa-Senor. It was she! + +I could not see her face. She was standing with her back towards the +window. Besides, a white scarf, thrown loosely over her crown, and +draping down to her waist, hindered even a side view of it. + +There could be no doubt about its being Dolores. There was no mistaking +that magnificent form--even when seen _en detras_. She it was, standing +at the altar! + +A wide space separated the bridegroom from the bride. I could not tell +who, or what, was between. It appeared a little odd; but I supposed it +might be the fashion of the country. + +Behind _him_ were other figures--all men--all in costumes that +proclaimed a peculiar calling. They were _brigands_. Francisco only +differed from the rest in being more splendidly attired. But then he +was their chief! + +I had been puzzled--a little pained--by some speeches he had let fall +during our intercourse in the City of the Angels. How gentle had been +his reproaches, and tolerant his condemnation, of Carrasco! As a rival, +not as a robber, he had shown indignation against the _ci-devant_ +captain of Santa Anna! + +What I now saw explained all. Don Eusebio had spoken only of +probabilities, when he said that Moreno might be a bandit. Had he known +the real truth regarding this aspirant to his daughter's hand, he might +have been excused for his design to shut her up in a convent. + +The bride was willing; there could be no doubt of it. I remembered what +the stage-driver had told me, of her tripping off so lightly among the +trees, her present behaviour confirmed it. Even in that solemn hour, I +fancied that she was gay. I could not see the face; but there was a +free, _nonchalant_ carriage of the head, and a coy vibration of the +scarf that covered it, very different from the staid, drooping attitude +that denotes compulsion. On the contrary, she appeared contented-- +trembling only with joy! + +It would be vain to attempt a description of my own feelings. For the +time, a statue set among the shrubbery could not have been more +motionless than I. I stood rigid as the fronds of the aloe around me,-- +my gaze steadfastly fixed upon the spectacle passing inside. I began to +fancy it a dream! + +But, no! There was the bride and the bridegroom; and the monk, in dull +monotone still reciting from his book! + +And now I could hear the promise to "love, honour, and cherish," and the +responsive vow to "love, honour, and obey"--all after the formula of the +Catholic faith. + +Oh! it was no dream, but a hellish, heart-rending reality! + +The woman who had won my heart--whom for six months I had been vainly +endeavouring to forget--was before my eyes, surrounded by a band of +brigands--not their captive, but the bride of their chief--freely +consenting to the sacrifice! + +"_Otra cosa de Mexico_!" + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. + +A RUDE INTERRUPTION. + +"Otra cosa de Mexico!" + +Another strange occurrence of Mexico; if not the most incomprehensible, +certainly the most painful, that had yet come under my cognisance: for +it related to myself--the black, bitter part of it. + +Words will not convey the state of my mind, as I stood regarding the +group inside. I could not move--either to advance, or go back. I could +scarce get breath. My heart felt as if compressed under a heavy weight, +never more to be removed. It was undergoing its maximum of misery. + +My feelings can only be understood by one, who has had the misfortune to +pass through a like ordeal. He who has bestowed his affections upon +some high-born beauty may feel chagrin, on discovering that they are not +returned. It will be deepened by the knowledge, that another has won +the wished-for prize. Still is there solace, however slight, in the +reflection: that the preference has been given to one worthy, whose +fortune has been more favourable. + +When otherwise--when the preferred rival is worthless, socially or +morally, then is the humiliation complete--overwhelming. It is +self-love stung to the quick. + +Such a humiliation was I called upon to suffer. + +With all my pretensions of pride--a conceit in the possession of certain +superiorities, mental as well as physical; courage, talent, strength, +activity; a position not humble; a reputation each day increasing; with, +and in spite of all these, I saw that my suit had been slighted, and the +favour I coveted more than aught upon earth, bestowed upon another. + +And who that other? A _bandolero_! A robber! + +It was the very wantonness of woe that swept over my heart, whelming it +with terrible desolation! + +I stood like a stranded ship with the huge seas breaking over her. +Waves of passion rushed impetuously through my breast, black as the +billows of the storm-contorted ocean. + +The spectacle, while stirring me to anger, at the same time kept me +fixed to the spot. I made no movement--either forward or backward. I +felt paralysed with a passion, such as I hope I may never feel again. +The world seemed full of woe! + +For a time I was unable to reflect. My thoughts were but instincts, now +woeful, now wicked--now despairing, now tending to resolves. + +One a little nobler at length took possession of me. My own fate was +sealed; but not that of Dolores Villa-Senor--which to me seemed equally +dark, and drear. Was it possible to save her? + +I had not heard those mystic words that rivet the golden chain of +wedlock, "With this ring I thee wed." The shining symbol had not yet +appeared upon her finger. + +There was still time to interrupt the ceremony. A single breath into +the silver tube, that hung suspended over my breast, would stay it; and, +before it could be resumed, the green jackets would be around me. + +It was no thought of danger that withheld me from sounding that signal. +I was too unhappy to have a feeling of fear; too reckless to care a +straw for any consequences to myself. At that moment I could have +rushed into the presence of the bridal group, and defied one and all to +the death! + +It was neither caution, nor a craven spirit, that restrained me; but an +instinct more ignoble than either--an instinct of revenge. + +Dolores had adopted her destiny. However dark it might prove, it was +not for me to attempt turning it aside. She would not thank me for +saving her. Sweeter would be my triumph to show her the man she had +chosen for husband, in my power--a scorned captive at my feet. + +So ran my ungenerous reflections. + +"Let the marriage go on!" I muttered to him by my side. "She shall be +wed, and--widowed!" + +In all my life I never felt so spitefully cruel--so desirous of +retaliation. Every spark of chivalric thought had departed from my +soul. + +The imperturbable Yankee made no reply. The scene inside seemed to be +absorbing all his attention--as it was my own. Far different his +interpretation of it. With him it was simple conjecture. He little +suspected the knowledge I possessed, or the dread interest stirring +within me. + +We remained in the maguey, to await the conclusion of the ceremony. + +We saw the ring glancing between the fingers of the bridegroom. But it +came not in contact with those of the bride. Before that critical +moment arrived, a change--quick as the transformation in a pantomime-- +terrible as the passage from calm to tropic storm--from life to death-- +went sweeping over the scene! + +A phalanx of dark forms rushed past the spot where we were crouching. +They were human--but so silent in their movements--so weird-like under +the wan light--as to appear spectral! + +They could not be phantoms. One or two of them touched the tips of the +plant in passing, causing its elastic blades to rebound backwards. They +were forms of flesh, blood, and humanity; animated by the spirit of +fiends--as in another instant they proved themselves. + +We saw them by a rapid rush precipitate themselves into the open +doorway--a few scattering along the facade, and taking stand by the +windows. + +We saw the glittering of armour. We saw spears and _machetes_ thrust +through the iron bars. We heard the cocking of carbines, and the rude +summons to surrender--followed by menaces of murder! + +There was a short scuffle in the _saguan_, and the courtyard behind it; +and then there were death groans, proceeding from the domestics, who +fell stabbed upon the stones! + +The two apartments appeared to be simultaneously entered. Dark shadowy +forms flitted through the dining-room; but in the other the shadows were +darker. + +There was a rushing to and fro--a changing of places--not as in a +kaleidoscope, but in crowded confusion. There was screaming of women-- +shouting of men--threats and curses--followed by pistol reports; and, +what made the _fracas_ still more infernal, an occasional peal of +diabolical laughter! + +Only for a short while did this continue; so short, that I scarce +believed in its reality till it was all over! + +Almost at its commencement the lights in both rooms had been +extinguished; but whether by chance, or design, it was impossible for us +to tell. + +What occurred afterwards we knew only by hearing, or from glimpses +afforded by the occasional flashing of firearms. + +Though there was loud talking all the while that the strife continued-- +with exclamations, every other one an oath--we heard nothing to give a +clue to it. + +Nor did we find any explanation in what followed. We could only tell, +that the conflict had come to an end; that it was succeeded by the +shuffling of footsteps across the paved _patio_, gradually retiring to +the rear, and at length heard ascending the precipitous pine-covered +slope that soared darkly above the dwelling! + +As they rose higher, they grew fainter; until the only sounds +distinguishable were the moanings of the Mexican owl, the hissing of the +cascade below, and the sighing of the mountain breeze among the tops of +the tall pine-trees. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. + +PADRE CORNAGA. + +Astonishment still held me speechless, as it did my companion-- +motionless, too, as the maguey leaves, radiating around us. + +Had I known the real signification of what had just transpired, I might +have acted with more promptitude, and ten times the energy. + +As it was, I felt like one slowly recovering from a state of torpidity-- +from an ill-digested dream! + +"What does it all mean?" I inquired of the stage-driver, without +stirring from my place. + +"Darn'd if I know, cap'n; 'cept it air one band o' robbers that's +attackted the t'other, and stripped 'em of their spoils. The conq'rors +'pear to be clean gone away, an' hev took the weemen too! They've +sloped off on t'other side o' the shanty. I kin hear 'em yet, making +their way up the mountain! Thar's a path there; tho' it ain't so easy +to climb. I reck'n they've gone up it, toatin up the gurls along wi' +'em. The reezun _they_ ain't still screechin' is, they've got 'em +eyther gagged, or _tapado_." + +"_Tapado_?" + +"Yes; muffled up--thar faces covered wi' something--to hinder them from +seeing their way, or singin' out. They only do it, when the weemen show +refactory." + +What mattered it to me? What mattered, whether Dolores Villa-Senor was +the wife of one robber, or the mistress of another? Why should I care +now? She could never be mine! + +I stepped out from among the leaves--leisurely, as one who has no motive +for making haste. There was a cold pain at my heart; a callous +indifference to the fate of her who had caused it. She was welcome to +go higher--to the summit of the mountain she had selected as the scene +of her nuptials. + +It was Ixticihuatl on whose slope we stood. The "White Sister" could be +seen through the clear starlight above, reposing in spotless vestments. +How different from the robe of Dolores! + +"Let her go!" was my unchivalric reflection. "She has made her own bed: +let her lie upon it!" + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +It was not for the purpose of pursuing--at all events not with any +thought of rescuing her--that I placed the call to my lips, and sounded +the signal for my men. + +In less than five minutes the "Rifles" were around me--their green +jackets distinguishable under the brilliant beams of the moon--that on +the instant sailed suddenly into sight. + +On hearing the shots, and other sounds of strife, they had commenced +moving up the mountain-path. Hence the promptness of their appearance. + +Selecting half a dozen of them, I stepped straight into the doorway of +the house. We entered without opposition--groping our way through the +saguan. + +Inside all was darkness; though we could tell that the place was still +tenanted,--by the groans that proceeded from the adjacent chamber. + +A light was struck; and we commenced exploring the apartments. In the +dining-room there was no one--a banquet spread--but without guest to +partake of it! + +We turned into the _sala grande_--from whence proceeded the lugubrious +sounds. + +The scene--so late one of merriment--was now a spectacle of death! + +Two men were lying along the floor. One might have been supposed +asleep: as he lay quite silent. But a red rivulet, trickling from its +source underneath him, and terminating on the tiles in a pool of blood-- +told that it was the silence of death. + +The other, also surrounded by seams of smoking gore, still lived and +moved. It was he who was making moan. + +On stooping over him, I recognised the features of Francisco Moreno. +They were still handsome, though terribly distorted by his struggle, as +I supposed, with death. + +It was no use asking an explanation from him. I saw that he did not +know me! + +There was a thought in my mind at the moment--an unsanctified thought. +A rival had been removed from my path. Francisco Moreno was no longer +in my way! + +But it could not matter now. The relief had come too late! + +"Hilloa, what's this?" exclaimed one of the men, poking his rifle under +the _banquette_, and pressing it against what appeared a large bundle +done up in Kentucky jeans. "By the Almighty, it's a monk!" + +"You're right, caballero," answered a voice, from under the envelope of +grey-blue serge, which, on closer inspection, proved to be the gown of a +Franciscan friar. + +"A monk I am--at your service, caballeros. _Sangre de Crista_! It's +the merest, accident that I'm a living one. O, senores; I perceive that +you are _hombres buenos_; and that the _ladrones_ have retreated at your +approach. Say that they are gone; and that I need have no further +fear?" + +"Two on 'em haint gone fur," replied the stage-driver; "thar they lie-- +right afore yur eyes, Padre Cornaga." + +"Ah! you know me, good sir? _Santissima_, it's the driver of the +_diligencia_--the worthy Don Samuel Bruno! What! _these_ robbers? _Por +Dios_, no! They are gentlemen!" + +"A queery kind o' gentlemen, I reckin'." + +"'Tis true as I say it, Senor Don Samuel. _Caballeros--hombres +honestos_--both these unfortunate young men. _Ay de mi_!" added the +monk, stooping down over one of the prostrate forms. "This is the son +of our _Juez de Letras_ (judge of the Criminal court). Many a robber +have I shrived after sentence passed by his honoured father. And this," +he continued, turning to Francisco, "Ah! senores, this is the bridegroom +himself--_asesinado_--in the presence of his bride, and under the sacred +shadow of the altar, that should have protected him from anything! +_Pobre Dolores! Pobre Dolores_!" + +"It is the name of a lady. How came _she_ to be here? You say these +men are not robbers--what are they?" + +"Oh, senor capitan!--for I perceive you are the chief--it is a strange +story. Shall I tell it to you?" + +"As you please about that. I came here to capture a gang of _ladrones_; +or kill them, if need be. I only want to know which are the thieves, +and which the honest men. There does not appear to be any great +difference between them?" + +"O caballero! why should you say that? Surely you do not mistake the +honourable capitan Moreno for a _salteador_? A worthy young gentleman +who but ten minutes ago was standing up to be wedded to one of the +fairest and most Christian ladies in our good city of Puebla--the +daughter of Don Eusebio--" + +"Villa-Senor. I know all that. But how came it to pass? Why was the +ceremony here? Why not in her father's house?" + +"You astonish me, senor! What can you know?" + +"Never mind what. Tell me, I entreat--I command you--how it is that +this marriage--interrupted as I perceive it has been--was taking place +here--among the mountains?" + +"Senor capitan; you are welcome to know all. Alas! there is now no +reason for keeping the scheme concealed." + +"A scheme! There was a scheme?" + +"Si, senor! It was contrived between the young people themselves. Don +Eusebio was against their being united--so much, that to prevent it he +was taking his daughter to a convent--that of La Concepcion, in the +capital; which I may be permitted to say to you, a stranger, is the most +fashionable of our nunneries. Pobre Dolores! Can you blame her for +using means to escape from such a fate? Even I, a _religio_, do not +scruple to say it was wrong. To think of immuring such a fair creature +within the dull walls of a cloister!" + +"I acknowledge to having been in the confidence of the _amantes_; and +even assisted them to contrive their little scheme; which, alas! has +proved so unsuccessful. Ah, worse than that: since it has brought ruin +to all engaged in it!" + +"What was it?" I asked, impatiently, having but slight sympathy with +the regrets of the priest. + +"Well, senor, it was this. The gallant youth whom you see there--alas, +I fear the victim of his gallantry--with half a dozen of his friends, +disguised as _salteadores_, were to capture the _diligencia_, and gain +possession of the Senorita Dolores,--as also of her sister who +accompanied her; another lady as fair--some say fairer--than she; and, +with all respect to the gentle Dolores, I am myself of this opinion. + +"Need I say that the plan so far was eminently successful? + +"_Pues, senor_! It had been arranged that I was to be one of the +travelling party; which, from my office of _sacristan_ to the family of +the Senor Don Eusebio, was easily brought about. I too was to be taken +prisoner by the sham bandits! + +"_Pues senor_! There was to be a marriage--without Don Eusebio's +consent. It was in the act of being solemnised. _Jesu Cristo_! what a +termination! There lies the bridegroom. Where is the bride? Where her +sister Mercedes? Ah, senor! you should see Mercedes--_una cosa muy +linda_--the fairest thing in all the city of Puebla!" + +"Excepting Dolores." + +The words went forth with a purely mechanical effort. I was in no mood +for playing champion to charms never to be enjoyed by me. + +"The robbery of the _diligencia_ was a ruse, then?" + +"_Si, senor. Una engana_. A little stratagem of Don Francisco and his +friends." + +"I thort thar was somethin' queery beout it," remarked the stage-driver. + +"But what meant the ransom--the ten thousand dollars?" I asked. + +"Ay Dios, senor capitan, that was part of the plot. Don Eusebio is _muy +rico_--very rich indeed. For all that he is perhaps a little +parsimonious. The young people knew that they would need money to +commence housekeeping; and as it might be a long time, before the worthy +parent would relent and grant them forgiveness, they thought it might be +as well to _borrow_ it from him in that way. _Santissima_! it has been +a mistake--all, all! Oh, senores! _you_ will not betray me? If it +becomes known that I was a willing actor in this sad affair, I would not +only lose the lucrative situation I hold in Don Eusebio's family, but +perhaps also my gown. _Dios de mi alma_!" + +"My good padre," I answered somewhat unmannerly, "we have no time to +trouble ourselves about your future. We wish you to give some further +explanation of the present. The marriage ceremony you speak of was +interrupted. We know that. But why, and by whom?" + +"Robbers, senor--real robbers! _Salteadores del camino grande_!" + +This was an answer to both my questions. The monk on perceiving it, +offered no further explanation. + +"Their sole motive was plunder, I suppose?" + +"Ah, senor, I wish I could think so!" + +"You believe they had some other object?" + +"Alas! yes. Look there, caballero!" + +The priest pointed to the dead body of the young man, whom he had +represented as the son of the _Juez de Letras_. He was lying with face +upwards. I could see upon his breast the sparkle of gold--the +guard-chain of a watch--and inside the vest a shape showing that the +watch was itself there! + +"This is strange," I said. "Are you sure they were regular robbers who +did this?" + +"Sure--sure!" replied the padre, with a melancholy shake of the head. +"Too sure, caballero. 'Tis true they wore masks, and I could not see +their faces. But I heard a name that told me all. I heard it as they +passed out, carrying the _muchachas_ along with them." + +"What name?" I asked, with a painful presentiment. + +"Ah, senor capitan; one too well known upon these roads." + +"_Carrasco_?" I half shouted, without waiting for the padre to +pronounce it. + +"Ay Dios, senor! You know everything! That is the name. I heard it +from one of his followers, who spoke to him as they hurried off in the +darkness. The robber-chief who has done this foul deed is the noted +captain _Carrasco! Pobres ninas_!" + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. + +SAD BUT SWEET. + +I waited for no further explanation on the part of the Franciscan. + +I fancied I now understood the _situation_, as well as he--perhaps +better. + +With the thought of Dolores in the keeping of common brigands, I should +have been, if not content, certainly less tortured. It was a different +thing to think of her in the keeping of _Torreano Carrasco_! + +Vividly flashed before me the taunting in the Cathedral--the scenes in +the "Street of the Sparrows." + +"Make ready, men! Look to your rifles and revolvers! Sergeant! form in +single file, for a march up the mountain-path!" + +As he of the triple chevron hastened to execute the order, I turned +towards Francisco Moreno. + +With an indescribable emotion, I bent down over the wounded man. + +At a glance I could see that he had been badly abused. + +In addition to several stabs from sword or poignard, the bullet of an +_escopette_ had traversed his left thigh--the purple spot appearing +right over the femoral artery! + +I had myself received just such a shot at the storming of Chapultepec-- +creasing, but, fortunately, without cutting the vein; and I knew, that +if this had been opened in the thigh of Francisco Moreno it was his +life-blood I saw upon the floor. + +Its quantity, and the deathlike paleness of his face, were points for a +sad prognosis. + +In a double sense the spectacle gave me pain. In the finely-chiselled +features--more perfect in their pallor--I saw that which had deprived me +of Dolores Villa-Senor. No wonder she loved him! + +But he was going from this world, and my jealousy should go with him. + +It went at once, hastened by thoughts of Carrasco; and my first +friendship for Francisco Moreno was restored in all its strength. + +I looked around the room. There was no furniture, except such as +appeared to have been transported thither for the occasion. I stepped +into a small chamber adjoining. In this I discovered a _catre_, or +camp-bedstead of leather, stretched upon trestles. Some shawls, scarfs, +and other articles of female apparel thrown over it, told of its +intended occupancy. It was to have been the _bridal bed_! + +I had the bridegroom placed upon it; to receive the embrace, not of +Dolores, but Death! + +After a cursory examination of his wounds, I conceived a more hopeful +opinion of them. The haemorrhage had been profuse. Still the main +artery did not appear to be touched. + +He was feeble as a child; and stood in need of some restorative. + +I could think only of that which, under circumstances strangely +analogous, had given support to myself--a draught of _Catalan_. My +flask was full of _refino_--the best that could be obtained in the +Capital. + +I placed it between his lips; and poured down a portion of its contents. + +The effect was such as I anticipated--drawing from my own remembrance. +The spirit passed immediately through his frame--filling his veins as +with fresh blood. + +He soon became conscious: he recognised me. + +"Ah, senor!" said he, looking gratefully in my face, "It is you--you who +are doing me this kindness! Oh! tell me, where is she--Dolores--my own +Dolores--my bride--my wife? Ah--no--she was not yet that? But where-- +where--" + +"Do not disquiet yourself about her," I said, with a bitterness that +even his sufferings could not hinder me from showing. "No doubt she can +take care of herself." + +"But where is she? O senor! tell me where!" + +"Compose yourself, Don Francisco. The lady cannot yet be far off. I +fancy I shall be able to overtake the scoundrels who have carried her +away." + +"They have carried her away? O God! carried away, by him--by him!" + +"By whom?" + +It was an idle interrogatory. I knew without asking. There was a voice +still ringing in my ears--a voice I had distinguished through the din of +the strife, and which even then I fancied having heard before. I now +knew it was no fancy. The friar had convinced me of that. + +"That wretch, Carrasco!" replied the wounded man; "I am sure it was he. +I recognised him despite the crape mask. Lola, Lola! you are lost! And +still more _Mercedes! pobre Mercedes_!" + +I did not press for an explanation of this speech, that sounded so +ambiguously strange. I only said in reply: + +"Senor Moreno, do not excite yourself. Leave the matter in my hands. +My duty compels me to use every effort in recovering these ladies, and +punishing the vile caitiffs who have carried them off. Have no fear +about my doing what I can. If fate wills it, _your_ Dolores shall be +restored to you." + +"Thanks, thanks, senor! I feel assured you will do what can be done. +If not for _Dolores, you should for the sake of her sister_." + +"Her sister! What mean you by that speech, captain Moreno?" + +"Ah, caballero! if you but knew how she loves you!" + +"Loves _me_!" + +"Ay. It was in the hope of seeing you, that she consented to assist in +a stratagem, of which I need not tell you now. It was to end by our +going on to the Capital; where, since the storming of Chapultepec, she +knew you have been residing. She heard of your gallant behaviour in +that sanguinary action, and of the dangerous wounds you received. You +cannot guess how she grieved for you--despite her chagrin. _Pobre +Mercedes_!" + +"Mercedes--grieved--chagrin! You mystify me." + +"Ah, senor--your conduct mystified her. Ay more: it half broke her +heart." + +"Francisco Moreno! for heaven's sake explain yourself! What does all +this mean--about _Mercedes_? Pray tell me!" + +"I can tell you little, but what should be known to yourself. _Pobre +nina_! She had made me her _confidant_,--having long been mine in my +correspondence with Lola. O, senor! you have been kind to me. You are +doubly so now. But why have you behaved so to Mercedes? Though I may +never rise from this couch, I cannot help telling you it was +dishonourable,--ay _cruel_!" + +"On what occasion, may I ask, has this cruelty occurred?" + +"You are mocking me, _amigo_? You must remember it. She gave you an +appointment in the Alameda; and though you came, and she saw you, you +went away without waiting to speak to her. After that slight she never +saw you again! To win a woman's heart, and thus trifle with it! Was it +not cruel? I ask, was it not cruel?" + +An overpowering surprise hindered me from making reply. There was +something more to account for my remaining silent. Through the darkness +long shrouding my soul, I discerned the dawning of day. + +"You cannot have forgotten the occasion?" continued the wounded man, +still speaking reproachfully, "I myself have reason to remember it: +since it brought me a message from Lola--the sweetest ever received from +my _querida_. It was a written promise to be mine; a vow registered _en +papel_: that sooner than enter the convent she would consent--_huyar-- +huyar_. You know what that means?" + +Though I well understood the significance of the phrase, I was not in a +state of mind to answer the interrogatory. I had one of my own to put-- +to me of far more importance. + +"You received your letter through the window of a carriage? Was it not +the writer herself who delivered it?" + +"_Por Dios_, no! The _billetita_ you speak of was from _Dolores_. She +who gave it me was _Mercedes_!" + +I felt like folding Francisco Moreno in my friendliest embrace. I could +have stayed by his bedside to nurse him, or, what was then more likely, +to close his eyelids in death! + +I could have canonised him for the words he had spoken. To me they had +imparted new life--along with a determination, that soon absorbed every +impulse of my soul. + +I need not tell what it was. In less time than it would take to declare +it, I was scaling the steeps of Ixticihuatl in search of my lost love-- +once more, _Mercedes_! + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. + +THE BANDITS AT BAY. + +I went not without a guide, else I might have climbed Ixticihuatl in +vain. + +The stage-driver still acted in this capacity. By good fortune he had +made the ascent before--on some speculative expedition during a recess, +when the ribbons were out of his hands; and he knew of a second +"robbers' nest" still higher up than that chosen as the scene of the +nuptials. + +It was a lone log hut, the residence of a reputed charcoal burner; but +the situation was too high to be convenient for charcoal burning; and, +in Sam Brown's opinion, the "carbonero" was in reality a _bandolero_. + +There was just a chance we might find Carrasco at this hut; if not, +somewhere else among the mountains. + +How different were the feelings with which I now prosecuted the search. +No longer indifferent about the escape of the robbers, I was determined +on tracking them up, if I should have to traverse every defile in the +Cordillera, or climb to the summit of Popocatepec! + +Like a second Ordaz, I could have plunged into its fiery crater to +rescue the captive, who but a short hour before might have leaped into +it, without my stretching forth a hand to restrain her! + +It was all changed now. The wound, that had been bleeding for six long +months, had become suddenly cicatrised. A load seemed lifted from my +heart. + +I felt light and lithe as I sprang up the acclivity. No Alpine climber +could have equalled me in energy: for never went one with such a purpose +to stimulate his strength. It were a trite triumph to scale the summit +of the Matterhorn, compared with that of rescuing Mercedes Villa-Senor! + +The path was not only difficult, but perilous. It would have been so in +the day. At night both the danger and difficulty were doubled. It was +all up hill--steep as the side of a cairn, and with footing not much +surer. The surface was corrugated with lava runs, that had been liquid +some centuries before--now congealed into scoriae that resembled the +slag cast forth from a furnace. + +It was not treeless; but sparsely covered with cactus, grass-like tufts +of _zamia_, and stunted fir-trees. Here and there were patches bare and +coal-black--as if the lava had but recently cooled, after being vomited +forth from the _volcan_ above. + +Two things greatly delayed us: the darkness, and the necessity of making +a noiseless advance. The slightest sound--a word spoken aloud--might +frustrate the purpose of our pursuit. + +I had given strict orders for no one to speak--even in whispers. In +these alone the guide conversed, as he gave his directions. We knew +that our voices would be carried upward to the ears of the brigands, +while there was not much likelihood of our hearing theirs. + +That they were above us we had little doubt; though we neither heard nor +saw them. We were assured by the nature of the ground. The path +carried us along the combing of a ridge--on either side flanked by a +stupendous precipice. It was but the continuation of the twin cliffs +that hemmed in the hacienda below. We saw no side track, that the +robbers could have taken. We were certain we had them before us. + +Our search promised fair for success. The robbers could have no +suspicion that they were being followed--least of all by a score of +American riflemen. The only enemy they might deem near had been left +helpless below. + +Silently we toiled on, stepping as lightly as possible over the loose +lava. + +At intervals we stopped to listen. We fancied we could hear footsteps +and the murmuring of men. We were not sure about either. The torrent +tearing along the bottom of the "barranca" sent its "sough" into our +ears--filling them to the exclusion of almost every other sound. + +Still the ravishers could not be far ahead of us. Not suspecting +pursuit, they would have no motive for moving in a hurry; though +Carrasco might have one--Mercedes! + +The horrid thought chilled the blood within my veins, causing me to +stride on with nervous impatience. + +Though the place we were making for was scarce a mile from that we had +left, nearly two hours elapsed before we came in sight of it. + +We did so at length. + +What we saw was a rude parallelopipedon projected in dark silhouette +against the moonlit sky. It was a cabin constructed of hewn tree +trunks; very similar to that of the "States," only with a flat terraced +roof instead of the slanting cover of "clap-boards." + +It stood upon the very edge of the abyss, its back being flush with the +escarpment of the cliff! Only one aperture appeared on the side towards +us--a narrow doorway, with a door upon it; which, as we came within +sight, appeared to be shut. + +Presently it was opened from the inside--letting out a stream of light +that scattered over the cleared track in front. On this we could +distinguish the figures of several men, hitherto unseen under the shadow +of the walls. The logs were in juxta-position, as if carefully +"chinked" to keep out the cold: for the dwelling was situated on the +extreme limits of the _tierra fria_. + +While the door remained open we could see a number of men moving inside, +and in their midst the loosely dressed form of a woman. A white scarf +floated among the darker drapery of cloaks and _jaquetas_. + +The robbers appeared to have just arrived. We knew they could not have +been there long. Those inside the hut were hurrying to and fro--some +carrying torches that appeared recently ignited. + +The party without had commenced kindling a fire, that soon blazed up, +throwing its red glare athwart the grey pine-trees; a grove of which +growing near the edge of the cliff flung its sable shadow over the +dwelling. + +The bivouackers were the inferior men of the band; for whom there was no +accommodation inside. + +We could bear voices, both inside and out; but the harsh hissing of the +cascade, both above and below, hindered us from making anything of what +was said. + +We needed no words to give us an explanation of what we saw. It was +intelligible without this. We had tracked the bandits to their den. +They were in it--their victims along with them! + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +For the first time since starting on the uphill pursuit, we felt puzzled +as to how we should act. My own impulses prompted me to spring forward, +and bring the affair to an instant termination. + +As far as regarded victory or defeat, I had no fear about the issue. +Although Carrasco's party and ours were nearly equal in numbers, I knew +that in real strength--as in courage and equipment--we were as two to +their one. + +But even reversing the order, my men would not have shied from the +contest; not if the enemy had been ten to our one. + +For myself--with the motive I had, to move, and madden me,--odds never +entered my thoughts. + +As it was, we simply considered ourselves in the presence of _vermin_, +that we could crush beneath the heels of our boots. + +With such feeling of contempt for our antagonists, the impulse was to +set upon them at once. My men only waited for the word. + +I was prevented from giving it by a reflection. In destroying the +vermin the game might be injured along with it? Mercedes and her +sister--I thought only of Mercedes--might be wounded, perhaps killed in +the conflict? + +This fear was sufficient to restrain us. My comrades intuitively shared +it with me; and I had no difficulty in keeping them in check. + +For some time we stayed, crouching behind the trees, where we had first +come within sight of the cabin. + +Who could say what was best to be done? This was the inquiry that +passed mechanically among us. + +The sergeant had conceived an idea. He was an old veteran of the Texan +wars--had served in the campaigns of Houston--and obtained a thorough +knowledge of the Mexican character. + +"Best way, capten," said he, whispering close to my ear, "would be to +besiege 'em, and make 'em come to tarms." + +"How?" + +"Surround the place. It's half surrounded already. We've only got to +`filade' the other half, and they'll be complete caged." + +There was sense in the sergeant's suggestion. I should at once have +acceded to it, but for the thought--I need not say what. Time was the +enemy I most dreaded. Just then an hour seemed eternity! + +"No," I rejoined, "we must attack them at once. If we leave them +undisturbed till the morning, then our pursuit would be to no purpose. +These ladies--" + +"I kin understan you, capten. I didn't mean to leave it till the +mornin'. Let's pounce upon 'em now--them that's outside yonder! Lick +that lot up first, and then summon the others to surrender. Seein' +their comrades taken, and theirselves surrounded--with ne'er a chance of +escapin'--they'll be only too glad to give up the weemen--ay, without +rufflin' a hair o' their heads. Besides," continued he, pointing to the +summit of Ixticihuatl, seen distinctly from the spot, "talkin' o' +mornin', look yonder, capten!" + +I directed my glance upwards. A roseate tint appeared upon the snow. +It was the first kiss of the Aurora. Though still night where we lay, +there were signs of morn upon the summit of the mountain. In less than +twenty minutes there would be daylight around us! + +The thought decided me to act according to the suggestion of the +sergeant. + +My commands, imparted in a low tone to the comrades that crouched behind +me, were followed by a quick rush across the open ground, and the almost +instantaneous capture of the fellows around the fire. + +It might have been done without alarming their comrades inside, but for +one of them discharging his carbine as we came up. + +For him it proved an imprudent act. It was the last shot he ever fired. +It hurt no one; but he himself dropped dead the instant after, riddled +by the bullets of our revolvers. + +The rest surrendered without further show of fight; and in a minute more +were our prisoners. + +The shots, of course, carried the surprise inside; but instead of the +door being thrown open, we saw that it was quickly barricaded! + +We discovered this on attempting to force it open, and also that it had +been contrived with an eye to such contingency! + +While occupied in front of it we were saluted with a volley from above; +while the besieged brigands were seen over the parapet of the azotea. + +Before we could answer the fire, their heads were "ducked;" and we were +compelled to stand with guns undischarged, or send our shots idly into +the air. + +I felt that we were foiled. My comrades shared the thought. A rifleman +lay, wounded, among our feet. A second had dropped upon his knees; +while three or four others had been scathed by scattering shots. + +We stood in a position completely exposed. To hack down the door would +take time. Before it could be done, we might look for a second +discharge from the housetop, with an uneven chance of returning it: for +we now saw that the parapet was _crenelled_; rudely, it is true, but +sufficient for the protection of its defenders. + +We felt loth to retreat. There seemed a chance to shelter ourselves +close to the wall; and some, yielding to instinct, had done so. But +several heavy blocks of stone were hurled down from above--proving the +position untenable. + +There was no help for it but retreat to the cover of the trees; and this +we did, taking our crippled comrades along with us. + +We had lost but little time. The interval of indecision occupied only a +few seconds; and, before the bandits had got their carbines ready for a +fresh fusilade, we were safely sheltered against such "sharpshooters" as +they. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. + +A SCOUNDREL SAFELY SCREENED. + +Though for the time disconcerted, we had no thought of retreating. The +unsuccessful assault but rendered my men more determined--besides still +further embittering them against the despised foe. + +Fortunately the wounds received by their comrades were not mortal, +though it needed not this to provoke their vengeance. The situation of +the two captives--now thoroughly comprehended by every one--was +sufficient to check all thoughts of retiring from the strife--even had +the enemy far outnumbered us. + +As it was, we still believed that we had them in the trap, and it was +only a question of time and strategy to bring the affair to a +termination. + +By withdrawing to the trees we had obtained a more advantageous +position. It gave us a better chance of aiming at any object on the +azotea; and as the sky was each instant becoming clearer, we could +distinguish the loopholes along the parapet. + +They were but rude holes--the ragged interstices between the logs--but +good enough for the purpose for which they had evidently been left in +the fabrication of the dwelling. + +We expected to see faces behind them, or something we might fire at. We +saw nothing--not so much as a hand! + +The brigands had by this time discovered who were their assailants, and +no doubt knew something of the skill of the American rifleman. +Mistrusting it, they were keeping close--not even daring to look through +the loopholes. + +They were not far astray in their tactics--if such they were. Not a +clear spot on the parapet that was not watched with eager eyes, and +fingers ready to press upon the trigger. + +For full five minutes did the inaction continue--five minutes that +seemed fifty! + +To me the delay was intolerable as some slow subtle torture. I was +scheming how to put an end to it, when, to my astonishment, I saw a form +rising above the parapet. It was that of a tall man, whose dark +_silhouette_ became outlined against the lighter background of the sky. + +At a glance I recognised _Carrasco_! + +I can scarcely tell what restrained me from sending a bullet through his +body. Perhaps surprise at the unexpected apparition? + +And my followers seemed to be influenced by a like feeling; since, along +their whole line, not a trigger was touched! + +The robber-chief must have calculated upon something of the kind, else +he would not have so audaciously exposed himself. + +He had also made a nice reckoning of the limits to which our surprise +could be trusted. The time was short enough; but before we had +recovered from it, we saw a white curtain drawn hastily before him, that +concealed from our sight more than half of his person! + +"A flag of truce!" thought we, as we lowered the muzzles of our guns. + +In another instant we were undeceived--so far as to its being a flag. +It was the white drapery of a woman's dress--with a woman inside it! +Despite the ambiguous light of the struggling dawn, I could see who the +woman was. + +Her appearance--quick and instantaneous--was evidently an act of +compulsion--as if Carrasco had forced her into the position. I fancied +I had seen his arm outstretched, as he hastily drew her in front of him. + +Our rifles were instantly dropped to the "trail," and my comrades +uttered a simultaneous cry of "Shame!" + +It was enough to challenge their indignation. A young and beautiful +woman thus basely used for the shielding of a bandit's body! + +Many of them shivered at the thought of the murder they had been so near +committing. + +I experienced an emotion peculiar to myself--unknown to them--more +painful than that they had been called upon to feel! since I knew the +white shield to be Mercedes! + +There was now enough of light to enable me to distinguish her features. +It needed not this. The undulating outlines of her head, neck, and +shoulders, like a cameo cut against the sky--were easily identified. + +It was an image too firmly fixed in my memory, and too deeply engraven +upon my heart, to be ever more mistaken. + +I had just time to see that her dress was torn, her hair tossed, and +hanging like a cloud about her shoulders--just time to note that she +looked wan and woe-stricken--when the voice of Carrasco, rising above +the sibillation of the torrent, summoned us to a parley. + +"Caballeros!" he cried out, "in the darkness I have no chance to know +who you are; but, from your mode of making approach, I take it you are +our enemies. Furthermore, from the fact of your being armed with +rifles, you should be _Americanos_! Am I right?" + +I had not sufficiently recovered coolness to make reply. My eyes, my +thoughts, were still fixed upon Mercedes. + +"What else should we be?" answered the stage-driver by my side, "That +same we air, an' no mistake about it." + +"Why have you come here?" + +"To capter the cussdest cut-throat in all Mexiko: for that same ye air, +Mister Capting Carrasco." + +"_Hola, amigo_! You've made a mistake this time? You appear to take me +for the noted Carrasco; and my people, no doubt, for a cuadrilla of +salteadores? We're nothing of the sort, I assure you. Only a band of +honest _patriotas_; who, loving our country, have continued to fight for +it--as you know, after our grand army has seen fit to forsake the field. +_Por Dios; senores Americanos_! You're not the men to blame us for +that? Just now we acknowledge ourselves vanquished; though still only +besieged. But as we have no supplies in our castle here--you will give +me credit for some candour in confessing it?--moreover, as we believe it +hopeless to hold out against you, we have made up our minds to +capitulate. All we ask for ourselves is an honourable _cartel_ of +surrender." + +Surrender! The word fell sweet upon my ears--and for a particular +reason. It promised safety for Mercedes. + +"Come then, caballeros!" pursued the robber-chief; "state your terms; +and let me entreat you not to be too exacting!" + +For some seconds I refrained from making reply--partly astounded by the +audacity of the robber--partly considering the answer that should be +returned to him. + +Had it been any other man I might have talked about terms. But it was +the wretch Carrasco; and just then I remembered the deception practised +upon me in Puebla. I thought of Francisco Moreno lying on his death-bed +below, and of my artist friend, who, in all probability, had fallen by +the same hand. + +With the remembrance there sprang up in my mind, not only suspicion, but +a fresh feeling of revenge; and by these, not prudence, was my answer +inspired. + +"Terms!" I shouted back, in a tone of undisguised scornfulness; "We +make no terms with such as you. Surrender; and then trust to such mercy +as may be shown you!" + +"_Mil demonios_!" screamed the bandit, now for the first time +recognising me. "_Carajo! you_, it is! You, my saintly friend, whose +devotions I had the pleasure of witnessing, and the pain of disturbing, +in the Cathedral of La Puebla! May I ask why I am honoured by this +early call--in a mansion so remote from the ordinary walks of life?" + +"Come, Captain Carrasco," I replied, "if such be your title. I don't +intend to lose time in talking to you. I call upon you to surrender, +and at once!" + +"And suppose I don't choose to take it in that way, what then?" + +"You need expect no mercy." + +"From you, caballero, I have no idea of asking it?" + +"You have need, then, unless you desire to die. You have no chance of +escape--not the slightest. I tell it you in all seriousness, and +without thought of triumph. My men are stationed, so as to command +every path that leads from the place. They are all armed with rifles +and revolvers." + +"Listen to reason!" I went on almost entreatingly, having now become +convinced of the mistake I had made, in doing what might drive the +brigand to desperation. "Give up your captives, and I promise to spare +the lives both of yourself and your comrades." + +"_Ay, Dios_! how generous you are! Ha! Ha! Ha! Is that all you can +promise, noble captain?" + +"No--not all," I answered, stung by the taunting speech. "Something +more. If you reject the terms offered, I promise that in ten minutes +from this time your soul will be in eternity, and your body hanging from +the branch of yonder tree!" + +I pointed to one of the pines that stood conspicuous on the cliff. + +"What, so soon?" was the cool rejoinder. "It will take you more than +ten minutes to force an entrance into this citadel of ours. Don't +mistake it for a _jacale_. Though our fortress be of wood, it is +stronger than you suppose, senor captain." + +"We can set fire to it!" + +"Ah! you won't do that. I've no fear of being burnt up, or smoked out, +so long as I am in such goodly company." + +The sneer with which the speech was accompanied goaded me to frantic +rage--at the same time that it made me feel my impotence to carry out +the threat I had so boastingly pronounced. + +"We shall not need to set the house on fire," was my reply; "we shall +get at you without that. My men are provided with axes. They are +backwoodsmen, and know how to use them. It won't take us ten minutes to +break open your door." + +"Open it!" interrupted the robber, "and one half of you will never live +to stride across the threshold. Those who do, will be witnesses to a +scene which I know, noble captain, _you_ won't love to look upon." + +"What scene?" I involuntarily asked, as a horrid fancy flashed across +my brain. + +"A woman--a beautiful woman--with a poignard in her breast! By the Holy +Virgin, you shall see _that_!" + +I felt as if a dagger had been plunged into my own. I knew it was no +idle vaunt. There was a terrible firmness in the tone of the brigand's +voice that told of his being in earnest. + +"Let me take a shot at him," whispered the sergeant by my side. "I +think I can fetch him 'ithout touchin' the gurl." + +"No--no!" I hastily answered, "Leave it to me. For your life, don't +fire--not yet!" + +I stood trembling--uncertain what course to pursue. I had my own rifle +in hand, and was considering whether I should not risk taking a shot at +the ruffian. Under other circumstances I should have been confident +enough of making a sure one; but just then I felt my nerves shaking +through the throes of my excited heart. It was a terrible crisis. The +sinews of Tell could not have been more severely tried, as he adjusted +his arrow to the string. + +The bandit seemed thoroughly to comprehend my hesitation. + +There was something fiendishly exultant in the laugh with which he +followed up his last speech. + +"Now, senor Yankee!" he went on, without waiting for a reply. "I hope +you are ready to accede to my request. If so, state your terms for our +release; and remember! make them easy, or it will be impossible for us +to accept them. I don't wish to hurry you. As it's a matter of some +importance to both of us, and to _her_ as well,"--I could see him nod +towards Mercedes--"I beg you will take time to consider. Meanwhile, we +shall retire, and patiently await your answer." + +Saying this, he receded from the parapet--as I supposed, still staying +on the azotea. + +The white shield was drawn back along with him: and once more Mercedes +was out of sight--leaving me to fell fancies, more torturing than the +sting of the _tarantula_. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. + +THE SWING BRIDGE. + +I stood for some time chafing, irresolute. + +There seemed no help for it, but complying with the brigand's request. +The log cabin could not be successfully stormed without a fearful +sacrifice of the lives of my men--which I was unwilling to make. + +Not but that _they_ were willing--one and all of them. Stung by the +insulting tone of the robber-chief, they were ready to rush forward, +defiant of death, and die in the act of obtaining vengeance. + +The vile threat still ringing in their ears alone restrained them--as it +did myself. No one doubted that the monster meant what he had said; and +we knew that, if driven to desperation, he would carry out his atrocious +design. + +There was no alternative but to make terms with him--the best we could +obtain. + +Stepping back behind the trees, and summoning around me half a dozen of +my most experienced men, we proceeded to discuss the points of +capitulation. + +No words were wasted. Tortured by the thought of that loved form still +trembling in the loathsome embrace of the brigand, I lost no time in +taking the opinions of my comrades. + +As my voice ruled the council, they coincided with my own; which was: +that the robbers should be permitted to leave the place without further +molestation--their captives to remain with us. + +To let these scoundrels escape, after having them so completely in our +power, was a source of the bitterest chagrin to every one of our party +It was like abandoning the object of our expedition. But, from the high +tone taken by Carrasco, I could tell that less liberal terms would be +rejected; and I was far from being confident of his compliance with +these. I had a thought--shared by my comrades--that there was still +something behind, and that another trick was intended to be played upon +us. In the speeches addressed to us, there was an ambiguity we could +ill understand. Despite his professed fearlessness, the robber-chief +could not but be sensible of the danger he was in; and the _sang froid_ +displayed by him was scarcely reconcilable with the situation. + +Perhaps at this moment he was in the act of perpetrating some piece of +strategy--some villainous _ruse_? + +We could not think what it might be, nor even that any was possible; and +therefore no one gave speech to the vague suspicion, though all felt it. +It was only as a presentiment--and for this reason remained unspoken. + +It had the effect, however, of urging us to hasten our deliberations, +and bring them to a more speedy conclusion. + +The terms settled, I stepped once more to the front--with the intention +of making them known to the enemy. + +There was no one in sight; but I supposed that the bandit was still upon +the housetop--crouching below the level of the parapet. + +I shouted to attract his attention. + +There was no response, save the echoes of my own voice, that +reverberated in duplicate along the twin cliffs of the chasm. + +I shouted a second time, louder than before. + +Still only echoes--mingling with the cries of a _caracara_ eagle, that +soared scared-like into the air. + +Again I put forth my voice--calling the robber by his name, and +summoning him to listen to our proposal. + +But there was no answer--not even a responding exclamation! + +Outside the hut there was heard the hoarse roaring of the torrent, that +rose continuously from below--above, the _caracara_ still repeating its +shrill screech; but inside there was only silence--ominous, deathlike, +appalling! + +I could bear the suspense no longer. + +Directing one half of the men to keep their places--and cover our +approach with their rifles--with the other half I started towards the +dwelling. + +With a rapid rush we reached it--coming to a stop in front of the +doorway. + +There was no need for such haste. We were permitted to make approach +unmolested. No shout heard--not a shot fired--not a missile hurled from +above! + +We stayed not to give expression to our surprise. The door was +instantly assailed; and, before the strokes of the Collin's axe, soon +gave way--going inside with a crash. + +We entered in a confused crowd--unopposed, not caring for opposition. +We did not expect it. Despite its improbability, we were more than half +prepared to find the fortress forsaken. + +And so did we find it. The bandits had gone off; and, O God, they had +again carried _their captives along with them_! + +There was no mystery about their disappearance. The mode by which they +had made escape--as well as the way taken--was before our eyes the +instant we entered the hut. + +There was another doorway at the back--with a door upon it, standing +slightly ajar. + +Hastening across the floor, and drawing it wide open, I looked out. + +At a glance everything was accounted for. + +A swing bridge (_puente-hamaca_), constructed of _llianas_, with sticks +laid across, extended over the chasm. One end was attached to the door +post; the other to a tree standing out from the opposite cliff. + +At its farther extremity were two men, engaged as if hammering upon an +anvil. But instead of hammers their tools were _machetes_; and I saw +they were hacking at the suspenders of the bridge. + +They succeeded in completing their task--in spite of the shots fired to +prevent them. + +It was the last act of their lives. Both went headlong into the abyss +below; but along with their bodies, went the bridge they had been so +eager in destroying! + +Mingling with their last cries came a peal of laughter from the opposite +side of the chasm. It would have sounded fiendish enough without this. +It was from the throat of Torreano Carrasco! + +I saw him standing upon the cliff--near the point of a projecting rock. +He was not using it as a screen. He was sheltered as before. Mercedes +was still in front of him. His arm was around her waist. He was +holding her in a hug! + +Near at hand was her sister Dolores--shielding a second of the ruffians +in a similar manner! + +"_Hola_!" cried the robber-chief, intentionally restraining his +laughter, and speaking in a tone of loud exultation. "_Hola! mio +amigo_! Very clever of you to have made your way into my mountain +mansion? And so quick you've been about opening the door? For all +that, you see you are too late. Never mind. You can make your morning +call upon some other occasion; when perhaps you may find me at home. +Meanwhile I have some business with this lady--the Dona Mercedes +Villa-Senor--that will carry us a little further up the mountain. +Should you want to see her again, you may come after--_if you can_!" + +Another peal of coarse laughter--in which his comrades, hidden behind +the rocks, were heard to join--interrupted his taunting speech. + +"_Hasta luego_!" he again cried out. "Good morning, noble captain! I +leave you to your matins; while I go to enjoy a little stroll in company +with the sweet Mercedes. _Va con Dios--o' si gusta V. al Demonio_!" +(Go with God, or to the Devil, if you like it better!) + +At the close of this profane speech, he commenced making approach to the +rock, taking Mercedes along with him. + +Rifle in hand I watched his movements, with an earnestness I cannot +describe. The feverish anxiety, with which the stalker regards the +shifting of the stag, can give but a faint idea of that stirring within +me. + +I had hopes that the coward might become separated from the fair form he +was using as a shield. Six inches would have satisfied me: for his last +brutal innuendo proclaimed a terrible emergency; and with six inches of +his carcase clear I should have risked the shot. + +But, no! He did not allow me even this trifling chance. He seemed to +divine my intent; and inch by inch, keeping her body straight between +us--O God, to see her in that swarth embrace!--he sidled behind the +stone! + +The other followed his example, taking Dolores; and before another word +could be spoken, both robbers and captives had passed out of sight! + +The instant after, half a score of hats started suddenly out of the +bushes, that skirted the edge of the cliff; and we were saluted by a +volley from a like number of _escopetas_. + +A rifleman, standing in the door by my side, threw up his arms with a +shriek, and fell forward upon the stoup. + +As I caught hold, to hinder him from going over the cliff, something hot +came spurting against my cheek. + +It was the life-blood of my comrade, who had been killed by the bullet +of an escopeta. + +I saw that I was dealing with a dead body; and desisted from the +struggle to sustain it. + +It glided from my grasp, and fell with a heavy plash upon the swift +water below! + +My men were by this time more than half mad. It needed not the death of +their comrade to excite them to frantic action. The sight of the +captive ladies; the disappointment caused by our being unable to rescue +them--after supposing ourselves sure of it--and perhaps, as much as +anything else, the trick that had been played upon them--rendered one +and all thirsty for vengeance. + +I need not say that I shared this thirst--so much that I no longer cared +for consequences, and had lost even the perception of danger. + +I stood upon the projecting doorstep; not looking after the body which +had gone below, but across the chasm, in hopes of getting sight of a +brigand. Any one now: since I knew there was not much chance of again +seeing their chief. + +I heeded not the stray shots that came hurtling around my head; and, in +all likelihood, one would have consigned me to a fate, similar to what +had befallen my comrade, had I been left to a much longer indulgence in +my reckless mood. + +But I was not. A strong arm seizing me from behind--it was that of my +sergeant--drew me back within the cabin; whose thick wooden walls were +proof against the bullets of either carbine, or _escopeta_. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. + +GUIDED BY A RENEGADE. + +For some seconds there was silence in our midst. It was the silence of +men who have nothing to say to one another. + +There was no need for any one to explain what had passed. All saw, and +too clearly, that we had been chicaned; and that the wretched curs who +had "sold" us, were as completely beyond our reach, as if twenty miles +lay between us and them! + +To be convinced of this, we had only to look down to the bottom of the +_barranca_--sheer fifty feet, before the eye rested on the white froth +flakes gliding below! + +It was superfluous in Sam Brown to tell us, there was no crossing for a +mile above or below. A glance at the twin cliffs, as they faced +frowningly towards each other, seemed to say: that they had parted in +anger, not soon to come together again! + +A mile in either direction meant as much as ten--ay, twenty, upon an +ordinary road. It meant the ruin of Mercedes! + +"O God!" I exclaimed in my anguish, "is there no chance of our getting +across?" + +I was answered by the groaning of the torrent beneath my feet, and the +maniac laugh of the eagle that soared majestically over my head--both +seeming to mock the impuissance of man. + +"A thousand dollars!" I shouted out, loud enough to be heard by the +remotest of my followers, "a thousand dollars to the man who can show a +way by which this chasm may be crossed!" + +"_Por dios, caballero_!" replied a voice, coming from a quarter where it +was not expected. "For the tenth part of that pretty sum I'd be willing +to pledge my soul: more especially, if by so doing I can redeem my +body." + +The words were in Spanish. I turned in the direction whence came the +voice. I could see that it had proceeded from one of the prisoners, we +had taken in the first attack. + +The speaker declared himself by endeavouring to struggle to his feet, +and making other gestures to attract our attention. + +I hastened towards him, and gave an order for his limbs to be set free +of their fastenings. + +This was done. + +"You know--?" I was about to ask. + +"A way to get across the _quebrada_," said the brigand, interrupting me, +"if you'll let me show it to you. I only stipulate--" + +"Hang your stipulations!" interposed one of my men. "We'll shoot you, +if you don't show it! Like a dog we'll shoot you!" + +The rude rebuke, with which I punished the interference of my over +zealous follower, had its effect upon the bandolero. It secured me his +confidence--while strengthening his treasonous intention. + +"Senor capitan," he said, "I perceive that you are a true caballero, and +can be trusted with a secret. How much, then, for taking you across? I +know you're not in earnest about the thousand _pesos_. Say a hundred, +and the thing's done. I don't bargain for my life. That, of course, +will be part of the price I should claim for my services." + +"Your life, and a thousand dollars, if within ten minutes you take us to +the other side!" + +"Ten minutes!" answered the robber, reflectingly. "Ten! It's but short +time to do it in. Say twenty, senor capitan?" + +"Twenty, then--if it must be." + +"Agreed! And don't suppose that I'm going to earn the reward without +some risk. _Carrambo_! I'm staking my life against it! _Silencio, +senores_!" he continued in a commanding tone, "_Hay Moros en la costa_! +I must listen a bit before it will be safe to proceed." + +We had released the brigand from his ropes, and conducted him inside the +hut. + +As soon as he had entered it, he stole cautiously to the back door; and, +placing himself behind one of the jambs, remained for some seconds +listening. + +I had given orders that no one should make a noise. There was none +heard except the hoarse cataract and the shrill _caracara_. + +"_Esta bue no_!" he at length ejaculated. "The Moors are gone--the +coast is clear." + +"It is?" I mechanically asked. + +"_Sin duda, senor_. My _camarados_ have taken their departure. If you +wish to cross to the other side there will be no danger now." + +"We wish it! Quick! Show us the way!" + +"_Nos vamos_!" + +The bandit, stepping out upon the ledge--that served as a sort of sill +to the back door of the cabin--knelt down upon it. + +Misled by a former experience, I fancied he was going to offer up a +prayer for the success of his treasonable enterprise! + +I was undeceived, on seeing him glide gently over the edge. + +I craned my head outward, and looked below. + +He was already half-way down the cliff, suspended on the llianas that +had formed the swing bridge. + +He was still rapidly descending. + +In another score of seconds he had reached the base of the barranca; +where a narrow shelf of rock afforded him footing by the stream. + +On touching it, he stopped, looked upwards, and called out:-- + +"Hola! _senor capitan_! I've forgotten to tell you, that I require +assistance. I shall not be able to raise the _puente-hamaca_ myself. +You must give me one of your men; or else one of my old _camarados_!" + +"I know what he means," said the stage-driver, stepping forth as a +volunteer, and stooping to take hold of the llianas. "Thar may be +treezun in the skunk. I don't think thar is. But if there shed be, +cap'n, jest keep a look out acrosst the gulley, an' give 'em plenty o' +lead. I know enough o' your fellows, to feel sure they won't make a +meal-sieve o' my carcass. Here goes for a bit o' gymnasticks!" + +Before I could make reply to this extraordinary speech, Sam Brown had +disappeared below the level of the doorstep. When I next saw him, he +was standing on the ledge below, with the froth of the cataract clouting +up around his ankles! + + + +CHAPTER FORTY. + +THE CONSUMMATION. + +Though by this time the sun was in the sky, it was still sombre darkness +at the bottom of the barranca. I could barely distinguish the forms of +Sam Brown and the brigand. + +I was now convinced that the latter had no thought of treachery,--at +least as regarded us; and with his treason to his old comrades we had +nothing to do. That was an affair between him, and such conscience as +he possessed. + +For a second or two, both stage-driver and salteador were out of sight. + +When I next set eyes upon them, they were upon the opposite side of the +stream--climbing up the escarpment of the cliff, by a zigzag path that +appeared to conduct to its summit. + +A few minutes sufficed them for making the ascent; and then they +appeared at the place where the two men had stood, while cutting down +the bridge. + +Shortly after I could see them hauling hand over hand--as if upon a +rope; and looking below, I observed the _puente-hamaca_ slowly ascending +above the surface of the water. + +Gently and gradually was it drawn up, till it hung like a hammock across +the chasm--just as we had seen it on first looking out of the hut. + +A short interval elapsed; and then the voice of the bandit was heard +calling to us to come over. + +"_Vengan ustedes_!" he cried, encouragingly. "You need have no fear. +The _puente_ is perfectly safe. If you cross quickly you may yet +overtake--" + +I waited to hear no more. Whether the man meant treason or not, I was +determined to be on the other side; and, seizing hold of the _sipo_, +which served as a sort of hand-rail, I scrambled across the chasm. + +My comrades, agile as I, swarmed after me--two or three staying to keep +guard over the captives already secured. + +"Now, sir!" I said to the brigand, as soon as we had secured footing +upon the opposite side, "You've earned your thousand dollars by showing +us the way to get across. On the word of an American officer I promise +it shall be paid you; and another like sum if you guide us to the spot +where I can find Torreano Carrasco." + +I spoke with a serious air, and in a confidential tone--my confidence +designed to tempt the cupidity of the brigand. + +It was not misplaced. It produced the effect intended. + +"_Bueno_!" replied he, with an assenting movement of the head; "It's +only a step from here," he continued in a stage whisper. "Our captain +thinks himself safe, because nobody--except one of ourselves--could have +brought you over the quebrada. _Nos vamos_! In twenty minutes time you +will see your Mercedes." + +My impatience to be off hindered me from questioning the guide about his +last speech; though it struck me as singular, he should know aught of my +relations with the captive of Carrasco. I had forgotten that the +robber-chief had shouted across the chasm, loud enough to be heard by +our prisoner. + +"Forward!" was my hurried response, "Guide me to _her_, and you may make +your own terms about money!" + +What cared I for the vile dross, of which I had ten thousand dollars in +my keeping? True, it was not my own. It belonged to Don Eusebio +Villa-Senor. But had I not been intrusted with it for the ransom of his +daughters? And was this not the way in which I was employing it? + +The Mexican seemed to comprehend me, and with a clearness that left +nothing misunderstood. Willingly he led the way; and with equal +willingness was he followed by myself and comrades. + +Our journey proved but a short one. After climbing a rocky ridge, we +came within sight of a forest-covered tract--lying just under the line +of the snow. + +The guide pointed to it--saying that there we should find the man we +were in search of. There was a _rancho_ among the pines. On reaching +it, we might make sure of seeing Carrasco! + +This _rancho_ was the "head-quarters" of the _cuadrilla_--the cabin on +the cliff serving as a sort of outlying post, to be used only in cases +of close pursuit. The _salteadores_ had but halted there, to wait for +the morning light--the more safely to make the passage of the swing +bridge. + +Their real rendezvous was the _rancho_--a large house in the heart of +the pine-forest, where the renegade assured us we would find his chief, +his comrades, and their captives. + +"Lead on!" I cried, roused to renewed energy at thought of the last. +"A hundred _pesos_ for every minute spared. On! on!" + +Without another word the Mexican struck off among the trees, the +sergeant treading close upon his tracks. + +It was now broad daylight; but in five minutes after we were again in +twilight darkness. + +We had entered the pine-forest, and were travelling among trees whose +stems stood thickly around us, and whose leafy boughs, interlocking +overhead, formed an umbrageous canopy scarcely penetrable by the sun. + +The path led labyrinthine through the close-standing trunks, and still +more deviously among those that had fallen. + +Properly speaking there was no path; for our guide was conducting us by +a route different from that usually taken by the _salteadores_. This +was to secure us against the chance of an ambuscade. + +Unless the robbers had taken the precaution to throw out sentinels, +there was not much danger of our approach being perceived; and this +their _ci-devant_ comrade assured us was never done. He was confident +that no picket would be placed: the _salteadores_ considering themselves +safe, after having crossed the _quebrada_. + +Notwithstanding his assurance, we advanced with caution. It was not due +to me--too excited to care--but to the sergeant. + +The latter kept close to the traitor, holding a cocked pistol to his +ear--with the determination to shoot him down, should he show the +slightest sign of a second treason! + +The stage-driver betrayed no such concern. Better acquainted with +Mexican morals, he had full confidence in the fidelity of our guide; who +had but one motive for being false, and two thousand for proving true. + +"Let him alone!" he muttered to the suspicious sergeant. "Leave him to +take his own way. I'll go his bail for bringin' us out in the right +place. If thar be any fluke, it won't be his fault. So long as he +meets nobody to promise _more_ than two thousand he'll be true; an' that +bid ain't like to be riz 'mong these here mountings. Leave the skunk to +himself. He'll take us whar we kin trap Carrasco." + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +The conjecture of Sam Brown proved but partially true; though the +renegade was not responsible for any part of its failure. + +He did all in his power to earn the reward promised him, and in the end +was paid it. He had only stipulated to take me into the presence of the +robber-chief; and to the letter was this stipulation carried out. + +Through his agency I was brought face to face with Torreano Carrasco, +and my comrades hand to hand with his _cuadrilla_ of _salteadores_. + +Reader! I forbear to harrow your heart with a description of the +conflict that followed. It was too sanguinary to be told to your gentle +ear, as it is too sad a _souvenir_, even for my remembrance. + +Suffice it to say, that one-third of the faithful followers who +accompanied me in that expedition, slept their last sleep on the cold +sides of Ixticihuatl--the dark pines singing over them their eternal +requiem--that more than two-thirds of our outlawed antagonists were +slain at the same time; and that the rest--including their chief,-- +contrived to make their escape across the mountain. + +I cared not so much for that, so long as Mercedes remained safe--and to +me. She did so, and I was satisfied. + +The _bandoleros_, taken by surprise, had no time either to conceal their +captives, or hurry them out of the way. Each had enough to do in +providing for his own safety; and at the very first rush into the +_rancho_ Mercedes became mine! + +As she lay panting upon my breast, I felt like one who has long been in +chase of some beautiful bird--fearing by a too close contact to ruffle +its rich plumage--at length, enfolding it in his embrace, in the full +faith of having a treasure from which he will never more be called upon +to part! + +It was the first time I had holden her in my arms--the first of our +exchanging speech--and yet it seemed to both of us like the renewal of +an old love, by some sinister chance long interrupted! + +We talked, as if years had sanctified our affection; though a love like +ours needs scarce an hour to carry it to the spring-tide of passion. + +On the spot I called her Mercedes--_my_ Mercedes; while she in return +gave me the endearing title of "querido!" + +It was no longer "Querido Francisco!" + +It cast no shadow over my joy, that Francisco survived that terrible +night; and, along with his Dolores, lived to complete the _marriage +commenced among the mountains_, and so ruthlessly interrupted. + +I had the pleasure of being present at the crowning scene of the +ceremony. It came off in the Capital--in the quiet little church of the +Capuchins--where Don Eusebio, instead of insisting upon his daughter +becoming _una novia del Cristo_, gave his consent to her being the bride +of Francisco Moreno. + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bandolero, by Mayne Reid + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BANDOLERO *** + +***** This file should be named 35197.txt or 35197.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/1/9/35197/ + +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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