ew Orleans with
the intention of gaining information, and then deserting on his arrival
at Mexico. This he succeeded in doing in the manner detailed. Had he
been in command of the "Rifle Rangers", he would doubtless have found an
opportunity to deliver them over to the enemy at La Virgen or elsewhere.

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.

AN ADIOS.

Clayley had now recovered, and I once more enjoyed the society of my
light-hearted friend. But neither that nor the smiles of the hospitable
Jalapenas could make me happy. My thoughts dwelt upon Guadalupe, and
often was I harassed with the painful apprehension that I should never
see her again. Better fortune, however, was in store for me.

One day Clayley and I were sitting over our wine, along with a gay party
of friends, in the Fonda de Diligencias, the principal hotel of Jalapa,
when Jack touched me on the shoulder, and whispered in my ear:

"Captain, there's a Mexican wants to see ye."

"Who is it?" I demanded, somewhat annoyed at the interruption.

"It's the brother," replied Jack, still speaking in a whisper.

"The brother! What brother?"

"Of the young ladies, Captain."

I started from my chair, overturning a decanter and several glasses.

"Hilloa! what's the matter?" shouted several voices in a breath.

"Gentlemen, will you excuse me?--one moment only--I--I--will--"

"Certainly! certainly!" cried my companions, all at once, wondering what
_was_ the matter.

The next moment I was in the _ante-sala_, embracing Narcisso. "And so
you are all here! When did you arrive?"

"Yesterday, Captain. I came to town for you, but could not find you."

"And they are well?--all well?"

"Yes, Captain. Papa expects you will come this evening, with the
lieutenant and the other officer."

"The other officer! Who, Narcisso!"

"I think he was with you on your first visit to La Virgen--_un senor
gordo_."

"Oh! the major! Yes, yes, we shall come; but where have you been since
we met, Narcissito?"

"To Orizava. Papa has a tobacco-farm near Orizava; he always goes to it
when he comes up here. But, Captain, we were so astonished to hear from
your people that you had been a prisoner, and travelling along with us!
We knew the guerillos had some American prisoners, but we never dreamt
of its being you. _Carambo_! if I had known that!"

"But how came you, Narcisso, to be with the guerilla?"

"Oh! papa had many things to carry up the country; and he, with some
other