while the
light of her black eyes shone full on Evaleen. The side glare cast on
Lucrece was less vicious.

"Mex, here is two fine ladies that will stop in our house a while,"
said Palafox. "Treat 'em to the best you've got. Take mighty good care
of 'em till I come back, Blackie, or you'll hear from me. Put 'em in
number three, there's most light there, and it's safer. Tell Sott,
when he comes back, to keep his nine eyes on the front door, to see
that nobody that oughtn't to gets in or out."

"One apiece for us, eh, Mex?" added Sheldrake.

The kidnappers departed, after fastening the outer bolt of the door.
Mex, sole custodian of the unwilling guests, scowled upon them, in
silence. Evaleen came to her with appealing looks.

"Please unlock the door and let us go. Here, take my purse. I will
give you more if you will set us free--all I have. You are a woman;
have pity; let us go."

Mex grasped the silken purse, keeping her eyes steadily on the
beautiful pleader.

"You window woman?"

Evaleen, nonplussed, ventured to nod acquiescence with these
unintelligible words.

"White antelope?"

The captive nodded again, in dumb perplexity, eager to encourage any
sign of human kindness on the part of the wild being into whose power
she had fallen.

"White Mex teeth." She showed her sharp incisors, presenting an aspect
of fierce scorn.

"Castiliano. My home. Come."

The laconic hostess accompanied these words with a gesture, beckoning
the young ladies to follow her, and led the way through the second
room, to the heavy wooden portal of the third.

"Mex let lady out."

With exulting hearts, the girls heard this promise. The dark woman
opened the door and motioned them to enter, which they did. Mex then
slammed the door, and bolted it upon her unlucky prisoners.

XIX. ARLINGTON'S RIDE.

Chester Arlington set out from his Virginia home for the Southwest,
carrying in his brain many anticipations, memories, and dreams, having
slight connection with his nominal duties as Burr's business agent. He
hoped to swell his own fortune by speculation in Wachita land;
certainly he was eager to be among the first to march into Mexico when
the signal for invasion should be given, openly or secretly. Moreover,
sheer restlessness and love of adventure prompted him to ride over the
hills and far away.

As he proceeded westward along the Old Wilderness Road, through
Cumberland Gap, into the heart of Kentucky, he had plenty