fe-lore of the prairies.

When Walt chances to be indoors, he has companion of his own, which
hinder him from too frequently intruding upon his comrade. Enough for
him the company of Conchita.

Hamersley has equally as little to dread the intrusion of Don Prospero.
Absorbed in his favourite study of Nature, the ex-army surgeon passes
most of his hours in communion with her. More than half the day is he
out of doors, chasing lizards into their crevices among the rocks,
impaling insects on the spikes of the wild maguey plant, or plucking
such flowers as seem new to the classified list of the botanist. In
these tranquil pursuits he is perhaps happier than all around--even
those whose hearts throb with that supreme passion, full of sweetness,
but too often bringing bitterness.

So ever near the shrine of his adoration, having it all to himself,
Hamersley worships on, but in silence.

CHAPTER FORTY TWO.

A DANGEROUS DESIGN.

At length the day, the hour, is at hand when the young Kentuckian
purposes taking departure. He does not anticipate this with pleasure.
On the contrary, the prospect gives him pain. In that sequestered spot
he could linger long--for ever, if Adela Miranda were to be with him.
He is leaving it with reluctance, and would stay longer now, but that he
is stirred by a sense of duty. He has to seek justice for the
assassination of his teamsters, and, if possible, punish their
assassins. To obtain this he intends going on to the Del Norte--if need
be, to Albuquerque itself. The information given by the ex-commandant,
with all the suspicious circumstances attending, have determined him how
to act. He intends calling Uraga to account; but not by the honourable
action of a duel, but in a court of justice, if such can be found in New
Mexico.

"If it turns out as we have been conjecturing," he says, in conversation
with Miranda, "I shall seek the scoundrel in his own stronghold. If he
be not there, I shall follow him elsewhere--ay, all over Mexico."

"Hyar's one'll be wi' ye in that chase," cries the ex-Ranger, coming up
at the moment. "Yis, Frank, go wi' ye to the heart o' Mexiko, plum
centre; to the halls o' the Montezoomas, if ye like, enywhar to be in at
the death o' a skunk like that."

"Surely, Colonel Miranda," continues Hamersley, gratified, though not
carried away by his old comrade's enthusiastic offer of assistance,
"surely there is law in your land sufficient to give redress for