purpose. He was flattered by the promises I
was able to make in the name of my royal master, and at once placed his
fortune at my disposal.

"Nothwithstanding the large pecuniary resources I have been able to
dispose of, I am seeking to augment them still farther, and chance has
favoured me. While here in my former campaign I made the acquaintance
of an odd character--a young fellow who in turns betrayed both royalists
and republicans. My relations with him recall a somewhat droll
occurrence. I found that he was guiding the regiment I commanded into
an ambuscade of the insurgents, and I ordered him to be hung to the
first tree we should meet with. Fortunately for him my men translated
the order in its most literal sense; and being at the time in the middle
of vast savannahs entirely destitute of trees, the execution was held
over, as it was an impossibility to perform it. The result was that in
the middle of our marchings and counter-marchings the fellow escaped;
and it appears did not, afterwards, hold any rancour towards me, since
he has again offered his services to me. This fellow to-day goes by the
name of Cuchillo. It was he whom I met at the village of Huerfano,
where you saw us renew our acquaintance; and at that interview he has
made known to me the secret of an immense placer of gold--whither I
intend to conduct my expedition. Besides ourselves, Cuchillo alone
knows the object of this enterprise," (the Spaniard did not mention the
name of Tiburcio), "which is generally supposed to be merely a new
expedition--like many others that have been got up to go gold seeking by
chance.

"And now, Senor Senator," continued Don Estevan, "you need not proceed
farther with us. You may remain here, where you will have an easy part
to play, in making yourself agreeable to the fair Rosarita, while I am
braving the perils of this unknown frontier. As for Cuchillo, if he
attempt to play the traitor with me a second time, I shall take care to
be a little more prompt in punishing him.

"The product of this expedition," pursued the Spaniard,--"of which, as
leader, I shall be entitled to a fifth part--will be added to the
resources I have already. The men who compose it will be easily
converted into devoted partisans of our design; and should it happen
that the forces I expect from Europe should fail to come to hand in due
time, these adventurers will serve a good purpose. But I have no fear
for the want of followers