anced with
those nondescript damsels who now and then find their way to the forts
of the fur-traders scattered among the Rocky Mountains and along the
border-land of the prairies. To all this he has confessed.

But these have been only interludes, "trifling love scrapes." His
present affair with the little mestiza is different. Her sparkling
black eyes pierced deeper and more direct--"straight plum-centre to his
heart," as, in professional jargon, he described it.

The invalid is at length convalescent; the doctor removes the seal of
injunction placed upon the lips of Colonel Miranda, and the latter
fulfils his promise made to give a narrative of the events which have
led to their residence in that remote and solitary spot.

The two seated together sipping Paseno wine and smoking cigars, the
Mexican commences his tale.

"We are refugees, as I've already stated, and came here to save our
heads. At least, there was danger of my losing mine--or, rather, the
certainty of it--had we not succeeded in making our escape from
Albuquerque. The word _pronunciamento_ explains all. A revolt of the
troops under my command, with a name, that of the leader, will give you
a key to the whole affair."

"Uraga!" exclaims Hamersley, the word coming mechanically from his red
lips; while a cloud passes over his brow, and a red flush flecks the
pallor on his cheeks. "Captain Uraga! 'Twas he?"

"It was."

"The scoundrel! I thought so."

"Not Captain Uraga now, but Colonel; for the reward of his treason
reached him simultaneously with its success, and the traitor is now in
command of the district from which I have been, deposed. Not only that,
but, as I have heard, he has appropriated my house--the same where,
twelve months ago, I had the pleasure of showing you some hospitality.
Contrasting it with our present humble abode, you will see, senor, that
my family affairs have not prospered, any more than my political
fortunes. But to the narration.

"Not long after you left us I made application to the Government for an
increase to the mounted force at my disposal. This had become necessary
for due protection of the district from our warlike neighbours in the
west--the Navajoes. They had made several raids upon the river
settlements, and carried off goods, cattle, and a number of captives.
The force I had made requisition for was obtained; but not the right
men, or at least the officers I should have chosen to command it. A