families, paid Colonel Cenobio for an escort--the country is so
full of robbers."

"Ah! sure. Tell me, Narcisso, how came I by this?"

I held out the dagger.

"I know not, Captain. I am ashamed to tell you that I lost it the day
after you gave it to me!"

"Oh! never mind. Take it again, and say to your papa, I shall bring
`_el senor gordo_' (the fat gentleman) along with me."

"You will know the way, Captain. Yonder is our house." And the lad
pointed to the white turrets of an aristocratic-looking mansion that
appeared over the tree-tops, about a mile distant from the town.

"I shall easily find it."

"Adieu, then, Captain; we shall be impatient till you arrive--_hasta la
tarde_!" (till the evening).

So saying, the youth departed.

I communicated to Clayley the cause of my temporary withdrawal; and,
seizing the earliest opportunity, we left our companions over their
cups.

It was now near sundown, and we were about to jump into our saddles,
when I recollected my promise to bring the major. Clayley proposed
leaving him behind and planning an apology; but a hint that he might be
useful in "keeping off" Don Cosme and the senora caused the lieutenant
suddenly to change his tactics, and we set out for Blossom's quarters.

We had no difficulty in persuading "_el senor gordo_" to accompany us,
as soon as he ascertained where we were going. He had never ceased to
remember _that_ dinner. Hercules was brought out and saddled, and we
all three galloped off for the mansion of our friends.

After passing under the shadows, of green trees, and through copses
filled with bright flowers, we arrived at the house, one of the fairest
mansions it had ever been our fortune to enter. We were just in time to
enjoy the soft twilight of an eternal spring--of a landscape _siempre
verde_; and, what was more to the major's mind, in time for a supper
that rivalled the well-remembered dinner.

As I had anticipated, the major proved exceedingly useful during the
visit. In his capacity of quarter-master he had already picked up a
little Spanish--enough to hold Don Cosme in check over the wine; while
Clayley and myself, with "Lupe" and "Luz", walked out into the verandah
to "take a peep at the moon". Her light was alluring, and we could not
resist the temptation of a stroll through the gardens.

It was celestial night; and we dallied along _dos y dos_ (two and two),
under the pictured shadows of the orange-trees, and sat u