lf in an exceptional
situation--his past was equally mysterious with his future.

"Oh, my mother! my mother!" murmured he, despairingly, to himself, "why
did you not tell me who I am!"

And as he said this he appeared to listen--as if the breeze, sighing
through the leaves, would give a response to his interrogation. Little
thought he at the moment that one of those men, lying near him under the
light of the moon, could have given the desired answer--could have told
him the name which he ought to hear.

Nevertheless, on her death-bed, the widow of Marcos Arellanos had
revealed to him a secret--perhaps almost as interesting as that of his
birth and parentage.

The secret of the Golden Valley, which had been made known to Tiburcio,
had opened his eyes to a world of pleasant dreams. A prospect which
hitherto had appeared to him only as a chimerical vision was now viewed
by him in the light of a reality. A gulf that before seemed impassable
was now bridged over as if by the hand of some powerful fairy.

Gold can work such miracles. Had he not in prospect the possession of a
rich placer? Would not that enable him to overcome all obstacles both
of the past and the future? Might he not, by the puissance of gold,
discover who were his real parents? and by the same means, might he not
realise that sweeter dream that had now for two years held possession of
his heart?

As he lay upon the ground, kept awake by these hopeful reflections, a
vision was passing before his mind's eye. It was a scene in which were
many figures. A gentleman of rich apparel--a young girl his daughter--a
train of servants all affrighted and in confusion. They have lost their
way in the middle of the forest, and are unable to extricate themselves
from the labyrinth of llianas and thickets that surround them. A guide
appears in the presence of a young hunter, who engages to conduct them
to the place whither they wish to go. That guide is Tiburcio himself,
who in his reverie--as in the real scene that occurred just two years
before--scarce observes either the gentleman in rich apparel nor the
attendants that surround him, but only remembers the beautiful dark eyes
and raven hair of the young girl. Tiburcio reassures them of safety,
guides them, during a journey of two days--two days that appeared to him
to pass only too rapidly.

In his waking dream one scene is forcibly recalled. He remembers a
night halt in the woods. All were asleep a