seeing a light--a
great blaze. It came from a bivouac fire, which threw its red glare on
the rocks around, embracing within its circle the forms of men and
horses. Armed men they were, and horses caparisoned for war, as could
be told by the glint of weapons and accoutrement given back to the
fire's blaze.

There appeared to be over a hundred of them; but the hunchback did not
approach near enough to make estimate of their number. Enough for him
to know who they were; and this knowledge he obtained by seeing a man of
gigantic size standing by the side of the fire--the "big _Tejano_!" He
saw, too, that the _cochero_ had got upon the ground, his arrival
creating an excitement. But he stayed to see no more: his purpose was
fulfilled; and turning back down the ravine, he again got out to the
road, where he put on his best speed in return for Tlalpam.

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.

READY TO START.

As in all Mexican country houses of the class mansion, that of Don
Ignacio Valverde was a quadrangular structure enclosing an inner
courtyard--the _patio_. The latter a wide open area, flagged, in its
centre a playing fountain, with orange trees and other ornamental
evergreens growing in great boxes around it. Along three sides ran a
verandah gallery, raised a step or two above the pavement, with a
baluster and railing between. Upon this opened the doors of the
different chambers, as they would into the hallway of an English house.
Being one-storeyed, even the sleeping apartments were entered direct
from it.

That into which the ladies had retired was the _cuarto de camara_ of Don
Luisa herself. No sentry had been stationed at its door; this being
unnecessary, in view of one posted at the _patio_. But through a
casement window, which opened into the garden at the back, they could
see such precaution had been taken. A soldier out there, with carbine
thrown lightly over his left arm, was doing his beat backwards and
forwards.

As they had no thought of attempting escape, they might have laughed at
this had they been in a mood for merriment. But they were sad, even to
utter prostration.

Only for a time, however; then something of hope seemed to reanimate the
Condesa, and communicate itself to her companion. It was after a report
brought in by Pepita; for the lady's maid was allowed to attend upon
them, coming and going freely.

"He's got away--safe!" were her words, spoken in a cautious but cheering
tone, as for t