s of Rosarita, and
after having tamed him, ride him up panting into her presence. That
will gain you more grace than handling the thread and distaff _a la
Hercules_."

The Senator responded to these counsels with a sigh: and Don Estevan,
having given him further instructions as to how he was to act during the
absence of the expedition, took leave of him, and repaired to the
chamber of Don Augustin.

The clank of his heavy spurs, as he entered the sleeping apartment of
the haciendado, awoke the latter--who on opening his eyes and seeing his
nocturnal visitor in full riding-costume, cried out:

"What! is it time to set forth upon the chase? I did not know the hour
was so late!"

"No, Don Augustin," replied the Spaniard, "but for me the hour has come
to set forth upon a more serious pursuit than that of wild horses. I
hasten to pursue the enemy of your house--the man who has abused your
hospitality, and who if not captured, may bring ruin upon all our
projects."

"The enemy of my house! the man who has abused my hospitality!" cried
the haciendado, starting up in astonishment, and seizing a long Toledo
rapier that hung by the side of his bed, "Who is the man that has acted
so, Don Estevan?"

"Be calm!" said Don Estevan, smiling inwardly at the contrast exhibited
between the spirit of the haciendado and the pusillanimity of the
Senator. "Be calm! the enemy I speak of is no longer under your roof--
he has fled beyond the reach of your just vengeance."

"But who is he?" impatiently demanded Don Augustin.

"Tiburcio Arellanos."

"What! Tiburcio Arellanos my enemy! I do not believe it. Loyalty and
courage are the characteristics of the young man. I shall never believe
him a traitor."

"He knows the situation of the Golden Valley! Furthermore, he loves
your daughter!"

"Is that all? Why, I was aware of these facts already!"

"Yes, but your daughter loves him--perhaps you were not aware of that
fact?"

Don Estevan here detailed the events that had just transpired, and which
proved that the passion of the young gambusino was reciprocated by
Rosarita.

"Well!" calmly rejoined Don Augustin; "so much the worse for the
Senator!"

This reply could not fail to astonish the Spaniard, and create a feeling
of disappointment.

"Remember," said he, "remember, Don Augustin Pena; that you have engaged
your word--not only to me, not only to Tragaduros, but to a prince of
the blood royal of Spain, from whose brow