t the student looked
under his pillow. Sure enough there lay a document, which proved upon
examination to be an ensign's commission, granted to Don Cornelio
Lantejas, and signed by the commander-in-chief of the insurgent army--
Don Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon.

An overwhelming anguish seized the spirit of the student; and once more
he sprang from his couch and rushed towards the window. This time it
was with the design of disavowing all participation in the
insurrection--like the early Christians, who in the midst of an
idolatrous host of persecutors still continued to avow their faith in
God.

But the evil genius of Don Cornelio was yet by his side; and, at the
moment when he was about opening his lips to deny all complicity with
the enemies of Spain, his senses again gave way; and, without knowing
what came out of his mouth, he cried in a loud voice, "_Viva Mexico,
muera el tyran_!" Then, overcome by the effort, he staggered back to
his couch.

This time his syncope was of short duration. On recovering his senses,
he perceived that his bed was surrounded by armed men; who, judging from
their looks and speeches, were examining him with more than ordinary
interest. Among others he recognised the voice of Morelos himself!

"How can one explain this sudden sympathy with our cause?" Morelos was
inquiring. "It seems as if the young man was under the hallucination of
his fever?"

"Something more than that, General," suggested an officer of the name of
Valdovinos. "If the most ardent patriotism was not boiling at the
bottom, the foam would not thus rise to the surface."

"No matter!" rejoined Morelos, "but I cannot think that my ascendancy--"

A new-comer interrupted the speech of the _cura_ of Caracuaro, just as
Lantejas had got his eyes fairly open. This was a man of robust and
vigorous appearance, with a noble martial air, and a bold open
countenance. His large beard, and hair slightly grizzled, betrayed his
age to be somewhere near fifty.

"And why not, General?" said he, taking hold of the hand which Morelos
stretched out to him. "Why should not this brave young man have
submitted to your ascendancy at first sight, just as I have done? It is
only this morning I have seen you for the first time, and yet you have
no follower more devoted than myself. I shall answer for this young
stranger. He is one of us, beyond doubt."

As the new-comer pronounced these words, he cast upon Lantejas a glance
so wi