ritory,
standing guard against the Rebel forces in Tamaulipas, is a sun-baked
little town sprawling about a naked plaza, and, except for the presence
of Colonel Blanco's detachment of troops, it would have presented much
the same appearance as any one of the lazy border villages. A scow
ferry had at one time linked it on the American side with a group of
'dobe houses which were sanctified by the pious name of Sangre de
Cristo, but of late years more advantageous crossings above and below
had come into some use and Romero's ferry had been abandoned. Perhaps a
mile above Sangre de Cristo, and directly opposite Romero's weed-grown
cemetery, stood the pumping-plant of Las Palmas, its corrugated iron
roof and high-flung chimney forming a conspicuous landmark.

Luis Longorio had just awakened from his siesta when Jose gained
admittance to his presence. The general lay at ease in the best bed of
the best house in the village; he greeted the new-comer with a smile.

"So, my brave Jose, you wish to become a soldier and fight for your
country, eh?"

"Yes, my general."

Longorio yawned and stretched lazily. "Body of Christ! This is a hard
life. Here am I in this goatherd's hovel, hot, dirty, and half starved,
and all because of a fellow I never saw who got himself killed. You
would think this Ricardo was an Englishman instead of a Gringo, for the
fuss that is made. Who was he? Some great jefe?

"A miserable fellow. I knew him well. Then he is indeed dead?"

"Quite dead, I believe," Longorio said, carelessly; then turning his
large, bright eyes upon the visitor, he continued, with more interest,
"Now tell me about the beautiful senora, your mistress."

Jose scowled. "She's not my mistress. I am no longer of her gente. I
have a debt of blood to wipe out."

Longorio sat up in his bed; the smile left his face. "My Jose", he
said, quietly, "if you harm her in the least I shall bury you to the
neck in an ant's nest and fill your mouth with honey. Now, what is this
you are telling me?"

Jose, uncomfortably startled by this barbarous threat, told as
connectedly as he knew how all about his cousin's death and his reasons
for leaving Las Palmas.

"Ah-h!" Longorio relaxed. "You gave me a start. At first I thought you
came with a message from her--but that was too much to expect; then I
feared you meant the lady some evil. Now I shall tell you a little
secret: I love your senora! Yes, I love her madly, furiously; I can
think of n