orte.

On the side of the Staked Plain the Pecos receives but few affluents,
and these of insignificant character. From the Sierras, however,
several streams run into it through channels deeply cut into the plain,
their beds being often hundreds of feet below its level. While the
plateau above is often arid and treeless, the bottom lands of these
tributaries show a rich luxuriant vegetation, here and there expanding
into park-like meadows, with groves and copses interspersed.

On the edge of one of these affluents, known as the _Arroyo Alamo_
(Anglice "Cottonwood Creek"), two tents are seen standing--one a square
marquee, the other a "single pole," of the ordinary conical shape.

Near by a half score of soldiers are grouped around a bivouac fire, some
broiling bits of meat on sapling spits, others smoking corn-husk
cigarettes, all gaily chatting. One is some fifty paces apart, under a
spreading tree, keeping guard over two prisoners, who, with legs lashed
and hands pinioned, lie prostrate upon the ground.

As the soldiers are in the uniform of Mexican lancers, it is needless to
say they belong to the troop of Colonel Uraga. Superfluous to add that
the two prisoners under the tree are Don Valerian Miranda and the
doctor.

Uraga himself is not visible, nor his adjutant, Roblez. They are inside
the conical hut, the square one being occupied by Adela and her maid.

After crossing the Pecos, Uraga separated his troop into two parties.
For some time he has sent the main body, under command of his alferez,
direct to Albuquerque, himself and the adjutant turning north with the
captives and a few files as escort and guard. Having kept along the
bank of the Pecos till reaching the Alamo, he turned up the creek, and
is now _en bivouac_ in its bottom, some ten miles above the confluence
of the streams.

A pretty spot has he selected for the site of his encampment. A verdant
mead, dotted with groves of leafy _alamo_ trees, that reflect their
shadows upon crystal runlets silently coursing beneath, suddenly
flashing into the open light like a band of silver lace as it bisects a
glade green with _gramma_ grass. A landscape not all woodland or
meadow, but having also a mountain aspect, for the basaltic cliffs that
on both sides bound the valley bottom rise hundreds of feet high,
standing scarce two hundred yards apart, grimly frowning at each other,
like giant warriors about to begin battle, while the tall stems of the
_