of this _forban_ direct to the valley
of the Del Norte. Don't fear that I shall fail in obtaining justice,
whatever Don Manuel Armijo may do to defeat it."

"Well, if you are determined I shall not hold out against you. Only I
fear your errand may be fruitless, if not worse. The two mules are at
your service, and you can leave them at a place I shall indicate. When
Manuel returns I shall send him to bring them back."

"Possibly I may bring them myself. I do not intend making stay in New
Mexico; only long enough to communicate with the American Consul at
Santa Fe, and take some preliminary steps for the end in view. Then I
shall return to the--States to lay the whole affair before our
Government."

"And you think of coming this way?"

"Walt, here, has been making explorations down the stream that runs
through this valley; he has no doubt about its being one of the heads of
the Red River of Louisiana, if not the Texan Brazos. By keeping down it
we can reach the frontier settlements of Texas, then on to the States."

"I'm glad you intend returning this way. It will give us the pleasure
of soon again seeing you."

"Colonel Miranda," rejoins Hamersley, in a tone that tells of something
on his mind, a proposition he would make to his host, and feels delicacy
in declaring it, "in coming back by the Llano Estacado I have another
object in view besides the idea of a direct route."

"What other object, _amago mio_?"

"The hope of inducing you to accompany me to the States--you and yours."

"Senor Don Francisco, 'tis exceedingly kind of you. But the period of
our banishment may not be long. I've had late news from our friends,
telling me things are taking a turn and the political wheel must soon
make another revolution, the present party going below. Then I get back
to my country, returning triumphant. Meanwhile we are happy enough
here, and I think safe."

"In the last I disagree with you. I'm sorry to say, but have reasons.
Now that I know the real character of this ruffian Uraga--his deeds
actually done, and others we suspect--he's just the man who'll leave no
stone unturned to discover your hiding place. He has more than one
motive for doing so, but one that will move him to follow you here into
the desert--aye, to the uttermost end of the earth!"

The motive in the speaker's mind is Uraga's desire to possess Adela.

After a pause, this though: passing him, he adds,--

"No, Don Valerian, you are n