ed the surface
of the water, it was necessary to manage the canoe with caution. Thus
retarded, it was near mid-day before the voyageurs arrived within sight
of the hacienda. Along the way Don Cornelio had inquired from his new
companions, what strange accident had conducted them to the spot where
they had found him.

"Not an accident," said Costal; "but a horseman, who appeared to be in a
terrible hurry himself, as _Por Dios_! he had need to be. He was on his
way to the house of Don Mariano, for what purpose I can't say. It
remains to be known, Senor student, whether he has been as fortunate as
you, in escaping the flood. God grant that he has! for it would be a
sad pity if such a brave young fellow was to die by drowning. Brave men
are not so plentiful."

"Happy for them who are brave!" sighed Don Cornelio.

"Here is my friend, Clara," continued Costal, without noticing the
rejoinder of the student, "who has no fear of man; and yet he is as much
afraid of tigers as if he were a child. Well, I hope we shall find that
the gallant young officer has escaped the danger, and is now safe within
the walls of the hacienda."

At that moment the canoe passed round a tope of half-submerged
palm-trees, and the hacienda itself appeared in sight, as if suddenly
rising from the bosom of the waters. A cry of joy escaped from the lips
of the student, who, half-famished with hunger, thought of the abundance
that would be found behind those hospitable walls.

While gazing upon them a bell commenced to toll; and its tones fell upon
his ears like the music of birds, for it appeared as if summoning the
occupants of the hacienda to pass into the refectory. It was, however,
the _angelus_ of noon.

At the same instant two barges were seen parting from the causeway that
led down in front, and heading towards the high ridge that ran behind
the hacienda, at a little distance on the north. In the first of these
boats appeared two rowers, with a person in a travelling costume of
somewhat clerical cut, and a mule saddled and bridled. In the second
were two gentlemen and the same number of ladies. The latter were young
girls, both crowned with luxuriant chaplets of flowers, and each
grasping an oar in her white delicate fingers, which she managed with
skill and adroitness. They were the two daughters of Don Mariano de
Silva. One of the gentlemen was Don Mariano himself, while the other
was joyfully recognised by Costal as the brav