e legible. Enough, however, could be read to establish the
identity of Don Cornelio and the authority under which he was acting.

The names of Morelos and Galeana in the midst of this band of brigands
were, for him, like the whisper of the Lord to Daniel in the den of
lions. Even the two ferocious leaders lowered their tone at the mention
of these names, so universally feared and respected.

"You may go, then!" cried Arroyo, yielding reluctantly to the authority
that had awed him; "but if you ever boast of the arrogant language you
have used to me, _Carajo_!" and the brigand hissed out the infamous
oath. "As for General Morelos," he added, "you may say to him, that
each of us fights according to his own way; and, notwithstanding his
threats, I shall follow mine."

Saying this, an order was issued to let the three prisoners pass free,
after delivering up to them their arms and horses.

"Let six horsemen get ready to pursue this runaway Senora!" cried the
bandit chief, as Don Cornelio and his companions were leaving the room.
"Some one bridle my horse, and quickly. I shall go along with them, and
you too, Bocardo."

Bocardo made no reply, but not equally silent was Arroyo's female
companion.

"What want you with the Senora?" she inquired, in a tone of angry
jealousy. "Have you got the keg of dollars to satisfy you!"

"I have told you already," rejoined Arroyo, with a demoniac glance at
his wife, "that I want her for the purpose of enabling me to extract a
ransom from her father. I want her, and will have her. You stay here,
and guard the treasure; and by all the devils if you don't behave
yourself better--"

The bandit drew his dagger with such an air of resolution and menace,
that the hag, cowed by the gesture, no longer offered opposition to his
will. Shrinking to one side, she appeared to busy herself in looking
after the keg of dollars.

Meanwhile Don Cornelio and his two acolytes, not caring to remain in
such company longer than was absolutely necessary, hastened from the
room; and, mounting their restored steeds, rode off into the darkness of
the night.

CHAPTER SIXTY NINE.

THE CATALAN LIEUTENANT.

It is already known how Don Rafael Tres-Villas had fortified his
hacienda of Del Valle, and how, when called elsewhere by his military
duties, he had left its garrison of nearly a hundred men, under the
command of a Catalonian officer, Lieutenant Veraegui.

On the same day in which he had mad