orses kept abreast, and the travellers were left free to
continue the conversation.

"You have been courteous enough," said the stranger, "to inform me that
you are from Valladolid. In return, let me tell you that I am from
Mexico, and that my name is Rafael Tres-Villas, captain in the Queen's
dragoons."

"And mine," rejoined the young traveller, "is Cornelio Lantejas, student
in the University of Valladolid."

"Well, Senor Don Cornelio, can you give me the solution of an enigma
which has puzzled me for two days, and which I have been unable to ask
any one else, for the reason that I have not met with a soul since I
entered this accursed country. How do you explain this complete
solitude--the houses, and villages without inhabitant, and skiffs and
canoes suspended from the trees in a district where you may go ten
leagues without finding a drop of water?"

"I cannot explain it at all, Senor Don Rafael," replied the student; "it
has equally astonished myself; and more than that--has caused me most
horrible fear."

"Fear!" echoed the captain of dragoons; "of what?"

"The truth is, Senor Capitan, I have a bad habit of being more afraid of
dangers which I cannot comprehend, than those which I know. I fear that
the insurrection has gained this province--though I was told to the
contrary--and that the State of Oajaca was perfectly tranquil. Like
enough the people have abandoned their dwellings to avoid falling into
the hands of some party of insurgents that may be scouring the country?"

"Bah!" exclaimed the dragoon, with a contemptuous toss of his head.
"Poor devils like them are not in the habit of fleeing from marauders.
Besides, the country-people have nothing to fear from those who follow
the banner of the insurrection. In any case, it was not for sailing
through these sandy plains that the canoes and _periaguas_ have been
hung up to the trees? There's some other cause, than the panic of the
insurrection, that has breathed a spirit of vertigo into the people
here; though, for the life of me, I can't guess what it is."

For a while the two travellers continued their journey in silence--each
absorbed in speculating upon the singular mystery that surrounded them,
and of which neither could give an explanation.

CHAPTER FOUR.

THE HUNGRY TRAVELLERS.

The dragoon was the first to resume the conversation.

"You, Senor Don Cornelio," said he, "you who have come from Valladolid,
perhaps you can give me so