ger at the risk of his own
life--had only added to the great respect already entertained for him by
the inmates of the Hacienda las Palmas.

Although the dragoon officer had in some measure requited the service,
by afterwards snatching the _arriero_ from the jaws of the devouring
flood, he did not on that account feel a whit less grateful. Neither
did Gertrudis, who with her thoughts of love had already mingled her
prayers for him, who had a just title to be called the saviour of Don
Rafael's life.

The man, Valerio Trujano, whose nature at a later period became
immortalised by the siege of Huajapam, was at this time about forty
years of age; but his fine delicate features, overshadowed by an
abundance of glossy black hair, gave him the appearance of being much
younger.

"Senor Don Mariano," said he, on coming into the presence of the
haciendado, "I have come to bid _adios_, and thank you for your
hospitality."

"What!" exclaimed Don Mariano, "surely you are not going to leave us so
soon? No, no."

Gertrudis at the same time expressed her unwillingness that he should
depart.

"I must leave you, Don Mariano," answered the _arriero_. "The man who
has business to attend to is not always his own master. When his heart
impels him to turn to the right, his affairs often carry him to the
left. He who is _in debt_, is still less master of himself."

"You owe a sum of money, then?" said Don Rafael, interrogatively, at the
same time advancing towards the _arriero_ and offering him his hand.
"Why could you not have told me of this? Whatever be the amount, I--"

"Ah! _cavallero_," interrupted Trujano, with a smile, "it is a bad plan
to borrow from one for the purpose of paying another. I could not think
of accepting a loan. It is not from pride, but a sense of duty that I
decline your generous offer; and I hope you will not be offended. The
sum I owe is not a very heavy one--a few hundred dollars. Since it has
pleased God that my mules should find a shelter in the stables of Don
Mariano, and thus escape the inundation, I can now take the road through
the mountains to Oajaca, where the money I shall receive for my _recua_
will, I hope, entirely clear me from debt."

"What!" cried Don Mariano, in a tone of surprise, "do you talk of
selling your mules--the only means you have of gaining your livelihood?"

"Yes," modestly replied the muleteer, "I intend selling them. I do so
in order that I may be able to go whe