lar service--put
spurs to his horse, and galloped towards Trujano. With such impetuosity
did he ride, that in another instant the two horses would have come into
collision, had not the bridle of Don Rafael's been grasped by a hand--
the hand of Lantejas! The Captain, at the risk of being crushed under
the hoofs of both horses--moved by the generosity which Don Rafael had
so lately bestowed upon him--rushed between the two horsemen as a
mediator.

"Colonel Trujano!" cried he, "I do not know what you mean in saying that
the General is indebted to me for a victory; but, if I have done
anything that deserves a recompense, I do not wish any other than the
life and liberty of Don Rafael Tres-Villas."

"I ask favours from no one," interrupted Don Rafael, with a haughty
glance towards Trujano.

"You will grant me one--that of giving me your hand," said the
ex-muleteer, at the same time cordially holding out his own.

"Never to a conqueror!" exclaimed Don Rafael, though evidently affected,
in spite of himself, by the action and speech of his generous enemy.

"Here there is neither conqueror nor conquered," rejoined Trujano, with
that winning smile that gained all hearts. "There is a man, however,
who always remembers a service done to him."

"And another who never forgets one," repeated Don Rafael, with warmth,
at the same time grasping the hand that was still held towards him.

Then the two horsemen drew their horses nearer, and exchanged the most
cordial greetings.

Trujano profited by this occasion to whisper in the ear of his enemy,
and with a delicacy which still further moved Don Rafael, whose pride he
had treated with such condescension--

"Go--you are free. Only promise not to cut the hair off the heads of
any more poor women; although it is said there was one whose heart
trembled with pride that the conqueror of Aguas Calientes should send
her such a terrible souvenir. Go!" added he, withdrawing his hand from
the convulsive grasp of Don Rafael, "deliver yourself up a prisoner at
the hacienda Las Palmas, where the road is open for you, believe me."

Then, as if he had too long occupied himself with the trivial affairs of
the world, the countenance of Trujano resumed its expression of ascetic
gravity, and when the eye of Don Rafael was interrogating it, in hopes
of reading there the true signification of the last words, the insurgent
chieftain called out--

"Let Don Rafael Tres-Villas pass free! Let eve