pleasure. Of love he
seems incapable, and does not surrender himself to its lure, though
there has been a chapter of it in his life's history, of which Uraga is
aware, having an unfortunate termination, sealing his heart against the
sex to contempt, almost hatred. Partially to this might be traced the
fact of his having fallen into evil courses, and, like his colonel,
become a robber. But, unlike the latter, he is not all bad. As in the
case of Conrad, linked to a thousand crimes, one virtue is left to him--
courage. Something like a second remains in his admiration of the same
quality in others. This it is that leads him to put in a word for
Colonel Miranda, whose bravery is known far and wide throughout the
Mexican army. Continuing to plead for him, he says--

"I don't see why you should trouble yourself to turn States'
executioner. When we get to Santa Fe our prisoners can be tried by
court-martial. No doubt they'll be condemned and shot."

"Very great doubt of it, _ayadante_. That might have done when we first
turned their party out. But of late, things are somewhat changed. In
the hills of the Moctezumas matters are again getting complicated, and
just now our worthy chief, El Cojo, will scarce dare to sign a sentence
of death, especially where the party to be _passado por les armes_ is a
man of note like Don Valerian Miranda."

"He must die?"

"_Teniente_! Turn your head round and look me straight in the face."

"I am doing so, colonel. Why do you wish me?"

"You see that scar on my cheek?"

"Certainly I do."

"Don Valerian Miranda did not give the wound that's left it, but he was
partly the cause of my receiving it. But for him the duel would have
ended differently. It's now twelve months gone since I got that gash,
at the same time losing three of my teeth. Ever since the spot has felt
aflame as if hell's fire were burning a hole through my cheek. It can
only be extinguished by the blood of those who kindled it. Miranda is
one of them. You've asked the question, `Must he die?' Looking at this
ugly scar, and into the eye above it, I fancy you will not think it
necessary to repeat the question."

"But how is it to be done without scandal? As you yourself have said,
it won't do for us to murder the man outright. We may be held to
account--possibly ourselves called before a court-martial. Had he made
resistance, and given us a pretext--"

"My dear _ayadante_, don't trouble yourself