about pretexts. I have a
plan which will serve equally as well--my particular purpose, much
better. As I've promised, you shall know it in good time--participate
in its execution. But, come, we've been discoursing serious matters
till I'm sick of them. Let's talk of something lighter and pleasanter--
say, woman. What think you of my charmer?"

"The Dona Adela?"

"Of course. Could any other charm me? Even you, with your heart of
flint, should feel sparks struck out of it at the sight of her."

"Certainly she's the most beautiful captive I've ever assisted at the
taking of."

"Captive!" mutters Uraga, in soliloquy. "I wish she were, in a sense
different."

Then, with a frown upon his face, continuing,--

"What matters it! When he is out of the way, I shall have it all my own
way. Woo her as Tarquin did Lucretia, and she will yield not as the
Roman matron, but as a Mexican woman--give her consent when she can no
longer withhold it. What is it, _cabo_?"

The interrogatory is addressed to a corporal who has ridden alongside,
and halts, saluting him.

"Colonel, the _alferez_ sends me to report that the Indian is no longer
with us."

"What! the man Manuel?"

"The same, colonel."

"Halt!" commands Uraga, shouting aloud to the troop, which instantly
comes to a stand. "What's this I hear, _alferez_?" he asks, riding
back, and speaking to the sub-lieutenant.

"Colonel, we miss the fellow who guided us. He must have dropped behind
as we came out of the gorge. He was with us on leaving the house, and
along the valley road."

"It don't much signify," says Uraga, in an undertone to Roblez; "we've
got all out of him we need care for. Still, it may be better to bring
him along. No doubt he slipped off to settle some affair of his own--
some pilferings, I presume; and will be found at the ranche. _Cabo_!
take a file of men, go back to the valley, and bring the loiterer along
with you. As I intend marching slowly, you'll easily overtake us at our
night camp."

The corporal, singling out the file as directed, rides back towards the
buttes, still in sight, while the troop continues its uninterrupted
march. Uraga and Roblez again go in advance, the former making further
disclosure of his plans to his _particeps criminis_.

Their confidential dialogue has lasted about an hour, when another of
the lancers riding up again interrupts it. He is a grizzled old
veteran, who has once been a _cibolero_, and s