hink only of those who may bewail your death_."
Was there in that hacienda, where he was hourly expected, one who would
bewail it? Perhaps yes, and bitterly!

The thought would have urged him onward; but Don Rafael still remained
halted. He saw that his horse required a moment of rest, in order to
recover his wind, otherwise he could not have proceeded.

The dragoon had the presence of mind to perceive this imperious
necessity; and, in spite of the danger that threatened he dismounted,
loosened the girdle of his saddle, thus permitting the horse to breathe
more freely.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

A FRIEND IN NEED.

He was counting with anxiety the minutes that passed, when at that
moment there echoed upon his ear the hoof-strokes of another horse,
going at full gallop.

It was a horseman following the same route, and running the same risk as
himself. He was mounted upon a strong, swift animal, that appeared to
pass over the ground like a bird upon the wing.

In an instant the horseman came up, and drawing vigorously on the
bridle, halted alongside.

"What are you about?" cried the new-comer, speaking in hurried phrase.
"Do you not hear the alarm-bell? Don't you know that the flood is
coming down?"

"Yes; but my horse has given out. I am waiting till he recovers his
wind."

The stranger cast a glance towards the bay-brown of Don Rafael, and then
threw himself out of his saddle. "Take hold of this," he said, flinging
his bridle to the officer. "Let me examine your horse."

Raising the saddle-flap, he placed his hand underneath, to feel the
pulsations of the lungs.

"All right yet," he exclaimed, after a pause, apparently satisfied that
the animal would recover.

Then stooping down, he took up a large stone, and began to rub it
vigorously over the ribs and along the belly of the panting steed.

Don Rafael could not help gazing with curious interest on a man who,
thus careless of his own life, was occupying himself so generously about
the safety of another--that other, too, a perfect stranger!

The man was costumed as an _arriero_ (muleteer). A species of
tight-fitting blouse, of coarse greyish-coloured wool, striped black,
covered the upper part of his body, over which, in front, hung a short
leathern apron. Wide calzoneros of linen flapped about his legs. His
feet were encased in buskins of brown goat-skin, while over his face
fell the shadow of a broad-brimmed hat of coarse felt cloth.

He was