of the insurgent chief had replaced that
of Don Rafael's father, and that it was blood that had been paid for
blood.

If in that crisis the captain had presented himself, Don Mariano, it is
true, might not have consented to his daughter forming an alliance with
a renegade to the Mexican cause. The profound patriotism of the
haciendado might have revolted at such a connection; but an explanation,
frank and sincere, would have expelled from the thoughts both of himself
and his daughter all idea of treason or disloyalty on the part of Don
Rafael. The latter, ignorant of the fact that the news of his father's
death had not reached Las Palmas--until a period posterior to the report
of that of Valdez--very naturally neglected the favourable moment for an
_eclaircissement_.

How many irreparable misfortunes spring from that same cause--
misunderstanding!

The two captains, Caldelas and Tres-Villas, soon transformed the
hacienda of Del Valle into a species of fortress, which some species of
cannon, received from the governor of the province, enabled them to do.
In strength the place might defy any attack which the insurgent bands of
the neighbourhood could direct against it.

During the constant excursions which he made against the other two
assassins of his father, Arroyo and Bocardo, Don Rafael left the charge
of their citadel to the Captain Caldelas.

Listening only to the whisperings of his heart, he had finished by
making a compromise between his love and his pride. Repelling the idea
of communicating by a messenger, he had at one time resolved to present
himself in person at the hacienda of Las Palmas; but, carried forward by
the ardour of his vengeance, he dreaded that an interview with Gertrudis
might have the effect of weakening his resolution; and for this reason
he deferred seeking the interview, until he should complete the
accomplishment of that rash vow made over the grave of his murdered
parent.

Notwithstanding the almost superhuman efforts which he daily made in the
pursuit of the insurgents, the result was not such as to appease his
spirit of vengeance. Man by man did he accomplish the destruction of
their band; but both the leaders still contrived to escape. In fine,
after more than two months had passed since the death of Valdez, the
rumour became spread throughout the neighbourhood that Arroyo and
Bocardo had quitted the province of Oajaca, and gone northward with the
remnant of their guerilla