le.

Up to this time Uraga has presumed him to be a perfect stranger, but
when the broad brim of the sombrero no longer casts its shade over his
face, and his eyelids become elevated through increasing confidence, the
colonel starts to his feet with an exclamatory speech that tells of
recognition.

"_Carrambo_! You are Manuel--mule driver for Don Valerian Miranda?"

"_Si, Senor; a servido de V_ (Yes, Sir; at your Excellency's service),"
is the reply meekly spoken, and accompanied with a second sweep of the
straw hat--as gracefully as if given by a Chesterfield.

At sight of this old acquaintance, a world of thought rushes crowding
through the brain of Gil Uraga--conjectures, mingled with pleasant
anticipations.

For it comes back to his memory, that at the time of Colonel Miranda's
escape, some of his domestics went off with him, and he remembers that
Manuel was one of them. In the Indian bending so respectfully before
him he sees, or fancies, the first link of a chain that may enable him
to trace the fugitives. Manuel should know something about their
whereabouts? And the _ci devant_ mule driver is now in his power for
any purpose--be it life or death.

There is that in the air and attitude of the Indian which tells him
there will be no need to resort to compulsory measures. The information
he desires can be obtained without, and he determines to seek it by
adopting the opposite course.

"My poor fellow," he says, "you look distressed--as if you had just come
from off a toilsome journey. Here, take a taste of something to
recuperate your strength; then you can let me know what you've got to
say. I presume you've some communication to make to me, as the military
commandant of the district. Night or day, I am always ready to give a
hearing to those who bring information that concerns the welfare of the
State."

While speaking the colonel has poured out a glass of the distilled
mezcal juice. This the peon takes from his hand, and, nothing loth,
spills the liquor between his two rows of white glittering teeth.

Upon his stomach, late unused to it, the fiery spirit produce! an effect
almost instantaneous; and the moment after he becomes freely
communicative--if not so disposed before. But he has been; therefore
the disclosures that follow are less due to the alcohol than to a
passion every whit as inflammatory. He is acting under the stimulus of
a revenge, terrible and long restrained.

"I've missed