t upon his feet, was fast losing consciousness.

"Hold!" said Don Rafael to the domestic. "It is useless placing him on
the _litera_. He will not be able to endure the motion. His blood has
nearly all run out by this terrible wound."

As the officer spoke he pointed to a large red spot upon the vest of the
wounded man, beneath which the bloody orifice of a wound showed where
the bullet had entered.

The dragoon captain had fairly won his spurs in the sanguinary wars of
the Indian frontier. He had witnessed death in all its forms, and his
experience had taught him to adopt the readiest means in such a crisis.

He first stopped the bleeding with his handkerchief, and then, taking
the scarf of China crape from his waist, he bound it tightly over the
wound. For all this he had but little hopes of the man's recovery. The
bullet had entered between his shoulders, and passed clear through his
body.

Don Rafael only anticipated that, the haemorrhage once stopped, the
wounded man might return for a moment to consciousness, he was, no
doubt, the bearer of some important message from his master, and it
behoved Don Rafael to learn its purport.

Some time elapsed before the old servant opened his eyes; but one of Don
Mariano's people at that moment came up, carrying a flask of
_aguardiente_. A few drops were poured down his throat. Some of the
liquid was sprinkled over his temples, and this had the effect of
momentarily reviving him.

Opening his eyes, he beheld his young master bending over him. He had
not seen Don Rafael since childhood, but he knew he was in the
neighbourhood, and that the young officer must be he.

"It is I, Rodriguez," said Don Rafael, speaking close to his ear. "I--
Rafael Tres-Villas. You have a message from my father? Why has he sent
you?"

"Blessed be God that He has sent _you_," said the old man, speaking with
difficulty. "Oh! Senor Don Rafael, I bring fearful news. The hacienda
Del Valle--"

"Is burnt?"

The wounded man made a sign in the negative.

"Besieged, then?"

"Yes," replied Rodriguez in a feeble voice.

"And my father?" inquired the officer with a look of anguish.

"He lives. He sent me to you--to Don Mariano's--to ask assistance. I--
pursued by the brigands--a bullet--here! Do not stay with me. Hasten
to your father. If any misfortune happen--Antonio Valdez--Remember--
Antonio Valdez--miscreant--taking vengeance for--oh, young master! Don
Rafael--pray for