n altogether of war and rumors of war. Every hour that subtile
consciousness of coming events, which makes whole communities at
times prescient, was becoming stronger. "If the powers of the air have
anything to do with the destinies of men," he muttered, "there must be
unseen battalions around me. The air I am breathing is charged with the
feeling of battle."

After leaving the city there were only a few Mexican huts on the shady
road leading to his own house. All within them were asleep, even
the fighting cocks tied outside were dozing on their perches. He was
unusually weary, he had been riding since dawn, and his heart had
not been in sympathy with his body, it had said no good cheer to it,
whispered no word of courage or promise.

All at once his physical endurance seemed exhausted, and he saw the
white wall and arched gateway of his garden and the turrets of his home
with an inexpressible relief. But it was the hour of siesta, and he was
always careful not to let the requirements of his profession disturb his
household. So he rode quietly to the rear, where he found a peon nodding
within the stable door. He opened his eyes unnaturally wide, and rose to
serve his master.

"See thou rub the mare well down, and give her corn and water."

"To be sure, Senior, that is to be done. A stranger has been here
to-day; an American."

"What did he say to thee?"

"That he would call again, Senor."

The incident was not an unusual one, and it did not trouble the doctor's
mind. There was on the side of the house a low extension containing two
rooms. These rooms belonged exclusively to him. One was his study, his
office, his covert, the place to which he went when he wanted to be
alone with his own soul. There were a bed and bath and refreshments in
the other room. He went directly to it, and after eating and washing,
fell into a profound sleep.

At the hour before Angelus the house was as noisy and busy as if it had
been an inn. The servants were running hither and thither, all of them
expressing themselves in voluble Spanish. The cooks were quarrelling in
the kitchen. Antonia was showing the table men, as she had to do afresh
every day, how to lay the cloth and serve the dishes in the American
fashion. When the duty was completed, she went into the garden to listen
for the Angelus. The young ladies of to-day would doubtless consider her
toilet frightfully unbecoming; but Antonia looked lovely in it, though
but a white m