disgrace humanity; and that not only did
he oppress his fellow-citizens with the soldiery placed at his disposal
to protect them from Indian enemies, but was actually in secret league
with the savages themselves to aid him in his mulcts and murders!
Whatever his eye coveted he was sure to obtain, by fair means or foul--
by open pillage or secret theft--not unfrequently accompanied by
assassination. And as with the despot himself, so with his
subordinates--each in his own town or district wielding irresponsible
power; all leading lives in imitation of the provincial chieftain, as he
of him--the great prototype and patron of all--who held dictatorial sway
in the capital of the country, Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

A knowledge of this abnormal and changeable condition of Mexican affairs
will, in some measure, explain why Colonel Miranda so suddenly ceased to
be commandant of Albuquerque. Santa Anna's new accession to power
brought in the _Padres_, turning out the _Patriotas_, many of the latter
suffering death for their patriotism, while the adherents of the former
received promotion for their support.

Staunchest among these was the captain of Lancers, Gil Uraga, promoted
to be colonel as also commandant of the district from which its deposed
chief so narrowly escaped with his life.

And now this revolutionary usurper is in full authority, his acts
imitating his master, Armijo, like him in secret league with the
savages, even consorting with the red pirates of the plains, taking part
in their murderous marauds, and sharing their plunder.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

PROSPEROUS, BUT NOT HAPPY.

Despite his rapid military promotion and the ill-gotten wealth he has
acquired, Colonel Gil Uraga is anything but a happy man. Only at such
times as he is engaged in some stirring affair of duty or devilry, or
when under the influence of drink, is he otherwise than wretched. To
drinking he has taken habitually, almost continually. It is not to
drown conscience; he has none. The canker-worm that consumes him is not
remorse, but disappointment in a love affair, coupled with a thirst for
vengeance.

There are moments when he is truly miserable, his misery reaching its
keenest whenever he either looks into his mirror or stands before a
portrait that hangs against the wall of the _sala_. It is a likeness of
Adela Miranda; for he has taken possession of the house of his
predecessor, with all its furniture and pictures, l