old woman who by
this time had crossed the court and stood before her, leaning on her
stick.

"They said you sent for us, Senorita, and compelled us to come."

"I never sent for you!" answered Chiquita.

"Do you wish for further proof?" asked Don Felipe, addressing the
Captain. "You see, the child found no difficulty in recognizing its
mother," he added sarcastically.

"'Tis a lie!" cried Chiquita. Captain Forest was speechless, stunned. As
for Don Felipe, he only laughed at Chiquita's impotent rage.

"Between five and six years ago," he began, "the Senorita and one
Joaquin Flores brought this child late one night to the Indian _pueblo_,
Onava, and placed it in charge of this woman with whom it has lived ever
since. Is it not so?" he asked, turning to the old Indian woman.

"It is, Senor," she answered in confusion.

"And has not the Senorita visited the child each month and provided for
its wants ever since the day it was given into your charge?" Again the
old woman answered in the affirmative. "And has not the child,"
continued Don Felipe, "always called her mother ever since it has been
able to speak, and have you not always thought her to be its mother?"
The old woman hesitated and glanced nervously about her as though
seeking a way of escape.

"Speak, Juana!" commanded Don Felipe sharply. "Onava lies within my
domain. Unless you speak the truth, I'll have you and the rest of your
family driven to the desert to starve."

"It is so, Senor!" sobbed the old woman, thoroughly frightened by Don
Felipe's threat, yet not daring to raise her eyes to those of Chiquita.

"You now know why the Senorita Chiquita danced in public during the
_Fiesta_. It was to provide for the wants of her child," he added with a
sneer.

"I can't believe it!" exclaimed Captain Forest contemptuously, breaking
the long silence he had preserved. "The introduction of this child and
woman doesn't prove anything that I can see."

"Every Indian in the village," interrupted Don Felipe, "will
substantiate what you have just heard. Why, the Senorita herself taught
this child to call her mother. But there are still other things which
you shall learn in due time."

"Chiquita," said the Captain without heeding Don Felipe's words, "speak!
I know you can explain." She glanced up at him for a moment and then
cast her eyes down at the child.

"I must first send to La Jara for Joaquin and Manuelita Flores," she
answered. "When they come, I shall