et; and having arrived within a dozen paces of the wall, he reined
up, and, taking off his hat again, waited to be addressed.

"What is your business?" demanded Roblado.

"Cavalleros! I wish to speak with the Comandante."

This was delivered in the tone of one who is soon to ask a favour. It
gave confidence to Vizcarra, as well as to the bolder villain--who,
notwithstanding all his assurances to the contrary, had still some
secret misgivings about the cibolero's errand. Now, however, it was
clear that his first conjecture was correct; Carlos had come to solicit
their assistance.

"I am he!" answered Vizcarra, now quite recovered from his fright, "I am
the Comandante. What have you to communicate, my man?"

"Your excellency, I have a favour to ask;" and the cibolero again
saluted with an humble bow.

"I told you so," whispered Roblado to his superior. "All safe, my
colonel."

"Well, my good fellow," replied Vizcarra, in his usual haughty and
patronising manner, "let me hear it. If not unreasonable--"

"Your excellency, it is a very heavy favour I would ask, but I hope not
unreasonable. I am sure that, if it do not interfere with your manifold
duties, you will not refuse to grant it, as the interest and trouble you
have already taken in the cause are but too well-known."

"Told you so," muttered Roblado a second time.

"Speak out, man!" said Vizcarra, encouragingly; "I can only give an
answer when I have heard your request."

"It is this, your excellency. I am but a poor cibolero."

"You are Carlos the cibolero! I know you."

"Yes, your excellency, we have met--at the fiesta of San Juan--"

"Yes, yes! I recollect your splendid horsemanship."

"Your excellency is kind to call it so. It does not avail me now. I am
in great trouble!"

"What has befallen? Speak out, man." Both Vizcarra and Roblado guessed
the purport of the cibolero's request. They desired that it should be
heard by the few soldiers lounging about the gate and for that reason
they spoke in a loud tone themselves, anxious that their petitioner
might do the same.

Not to oblige them, but for reasons of his own, Carlos replied in a loud
voice. He, too, wished the soldiers, but more particularly the sentry
at the gate, to hear what passed between himself and the officers.
"Well, your excellency," replied he, "I live in a poor rancho, the last
in the settlement, with my old mother and sister. The night before last
it was attac