oo
quick for them on this occasion. The wind seemed to rush down upon them
with evil intent and fury, changing the temperature from sultry heat to
sudden and bitter cold. Dust, too, was stirred up, and swept along so
thickly that the day became as dark as night. Then the rain burst upon
them like a waterspout, and, mingling with the flying dust overhead,
came down in the form of mud, mixed with flying sticks and stones, and
grass, and prickly thistle-heads.

So fierce was the hurly-burly that it seemed as if man and horse must
perish under it. Thunder also cracked and roared in terrific peals,
while ever and anon the lightning flashed like gleaming steel through
the darkness.

In the midst of this elemental war the party reached the Gaucho huts.
What they were like Lawrence could not tell. He had galloped like the
rest wildly along, with his face buried in his poncho, and saw nothing--
save once or twice, when, raising his head slightly and opening one eye,
he saw, or fancied he saw, the Gauchos, like dark phantoms, flying
before him, and Quashy at his side, bending flat on his horse's neck.
The stout negro seemed to care nothing for his body so long as his face
was safe, for he had let his poncho go, and as it was fastened only at
the neck, it flapped wildly above his head.

Presently they passed through an opening in what seemed a mud wall.
Then they stopped so suddenly that Lawrence almost went over his steed's
head, while his man effectually did so, and, throwing a complete
somersault, alighted by good fortune on his feet.

They all tumbled promiscuously into a mud hut, and then, clearing their
eyes, found that the Gaucho-leader and a woman, apparently his wife,
were smiling welcome beside them; that the short-lived storm was already
passing away, after having done its worst, and that they were drenched
to the skin as well as covered with mud and thistle-heads from top to
toe.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

BEGINS WITH GAUCHO HOMES AND DOMESTIC CONCERNS; CONTINUES WITH TWO
FIGHTS, AND ENDS WITH A FRIEND AND A "PUZZLER."

That a hard ride and a thorough soaking do not interfere much with the
comfort of the young and healthy was proved that night in the Gaucho
camp by the intense devotion paid by Lawrence and Quashy to the ample
supper set before them, and by the profundity of their slumbers
thereafter.

True, the supper was not luxurious. It consisted of only one dish,--
roasted mare's flesh--and one bev