his own destiny, and
how much he is the sport of circumstances. Both were, in fact, serving
the cause opposed to that of their heart's choice.

Just then a series of loud huzzas and _vivas_ of triumph came from both
sides of the battle-field; but it was impossible for either of them to
tell upon which side the victory had declared itself.

"Ah! Senor Don Rafael," cried the ex-student, "if our side has
succumbed, then I am your prisoner."

"And if you are victorious, I am _not_ yours," responded the Colonel,
casting towards Lantejas a glance of contempt that he could not
conceal--while at the same time he gathered up the reins of his bridle.

As he did so, at both extremities of the road appeared a number of
mounted men, whose half-military equipments proclaimed them to be
insurgents. One was heard to call out--

"Senor Colonel! Yonder he is--Don Cornelio still living and well!"

It was Costal who spoke.

In another moment both the Captain and Don Rafael were surrounded by the
horsemen.

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.

A GENEROUS ENEMY.

The situation of Don Rafael had now become as critical as was that of
Lantejas but the moment before. His pistols had been discharged; his
sabre, broken in the battle, he had flung from him; and the only arm of
which he could now avail himself was the dagger so near being sheathed
in the heart of Don Cornelio.

During the Mexican revolutionary war but few prisoners were taken by the
Royalists; and the cruelties exercised upon those that were, naturally
led to retaliation. On both sides it was a war of extermination. The
lives of captives were rarely spared, even after they had voluntarily
surrendered.

Don Rafael, therefore, had made up his mind to sell his life as dearly
as he could, rather than fall into the hands of his enemies, when one of
them, an officer, addressing Lantejas, called out, in a voice which the
latter recognised--

"Ah! Captain Lantejas! haste and come this way. The General wishes to
thank you for the victory which you have given us."

Don Rafael also recognised the officer, who was advancing at a gallop;
and brave though Tres-Villas was, it was not without satisfaction that
the enemy he saw coming towards him was Colonel Trujano, the
ex-muleteer.

Trujano, on his side, at the same instant recognised the royalist
officer.

Don Rafael, too proud to appeal to old friendships for protection--even
to one whose life he had saved, in return for a simi