hacienda Del Valle--what other should it be? There our men--the
greater number of them at least--have been besieging it for three days
without any result. No, not without result, for I've just this moment
learnt that three of our people have been killed in a sortie, and that
this accursed Catalan, who commands the place, has nailed their heads
over the door of the hacienda!"

"Who has told you this?" quickly demanded Arroyo.

"Gaspacho. He is outside awaiting your orders. He has been sent to ask
for a reinforcement."

"By all the devils!" cried Arroyo in a rage. "Woman! who has given you
the privilege of interrogating the couriers that are sent me?"

As he put this interrogatory the brigand sprang to his feet; and,
seizing the bullock's skull upon which he had been seated, made a motion
as if he would crush with it that of his amazonian partner. Perhaps,
influenced by the late councils of Bocardo, he would have decided on
bearing the public execration upon his own shoulders, had it not been
for that scapulary blessed by the Pope, and whose fatal influence he at
the moment remembered.

Bocardo paid no attention to the threatening demonstration of his
associate, but sat phlegmatically silent.

"_Maria Santissima_!" exclaimed the virago, as she retreated before the
angry menace of her husband. "Will you not protect me, Senor Bocardo?"

"Hum!" replied the latter, without moving from his seat, "you know the
proverb, worthy Senora? Between the tree and the bark--you understand?
These little domestic broils--"

"Must not occur any more," interposed Arroyo, quieting down; "and now,
Senora," continued he, addressing himself to his helpmate, "before
receiving Gaspacho, I have a commission for you to execute."

"What may that be?" brusquely demanded the woman, elevating her tone in
proportion as that of her husband became lowered.

"It is a magnificent scheme conceived by me," interrupted Bocardo.

"Ah!" exclaimed the virago, "if you had only as much courage as
intelligence, Senor Bocardo!"

"Bah! Arroyo has courage enough for both of us."

"That," said Arroyo, suddenly turning his anger upon his associate, who
had not the advantage of possessing a charmed scapulary, "that is as
much as to say that you have the intelligence for both of us?"

"God forbid I should either say or think so," rejoined Bocardo in an
humble tone; "you are as intelligent as you are brave, Senor Arroyo."

"Wife!" continued Arroyo,