ast cleft
that traversed the plain leading down to the deserted mine. This chasm,
like a fissure caused by some terrible earthquake, extended for a
distance of twenty miles. On either side was a trail; for on both the
table-plain ran in horizontally to the very lips of the abyss. About
midway to the mine, on the left brow, the guide knew of a spring, and we
proceeded towards this with the intention of camping by the water.

We dragged wearily along. It was near midnight when we arrived at the
spring. Our horses were unsaddled and staked on the open plain.

Here Seguin had resolved that we should rest longer than usual. A
feeling of security had come over him as he approached these
well-remembered scenes.

There was a thicket of young cotton-trees and willows fringing the
spring, and in the heart of this a fire was kindled. Another mule was
sacrificed to the manes of hunger; and the hunters, after devouring the
tough steaks, flung themselves upon the ground and slept. The
horse-guard only, out by the caballada, stood leaning upon his rifle,
silent and watchful.

Resting my head in the hollow of my saddle, I lay down by the fire.
Seguin was near me with his daughter. The Mexican girls and the Indian
captives lay clustered over the ground, wrapped in their tilmas and
striped blankets. They were all asleep, or seemed so.

I was as wearied as the rest, but my thoughts kept me awake. My mind
was busy with the bright future. "Soon," thought I, "shall I escape
from these horrid scenes; soon shall I breathe a purer atmosphere in the
sweet companionship of my beloved Zoe. Beautiful Zoe! before two days
have passed I shall again be with you, press your impassioned lips, call
you my loved: my own! Again shall we wander through the silent garden
by the river groves; again shall we sit upon the moss-grown seats in the
still evening hours; again shall we utter those wild words that caused
our hearts to vibrate with mutual happiness! Zoe, pure and innocent as
the angels." The child-like simplicity of that question, "Enrique, what
is to marry?" Ah! sweet Zoe! you shall soon learn. Ere long I shall
teach you. Ere long wilt thou be mine; for ever mine!

"Zoe! Zoe! are you awake? Do you lie sleepless on your soft couch? or
am I present in your dreams? Do you long for my return, as I to hasten
it? Oh, that the night were past! I cannot wait for rest. I could
ride on sleepless--tireless--on--on!"

My eye rest