l resolved to stop and
question him. Sabre in hand, therefore, he placed himself in front of
the pedestrian.

The latter, thus assailed by a man with a naked sword--and who was
covered from head to foot with a coating of mud--was almost frightened
out of his senses.

"Oh, Lord!" he cried, "help a poor servant who is seeking assistance for
his master!"

"Who is your master?" demanded Don Rafael.

"Don Fernando Lacarra," answered the man.

"Of the hacienda San Carlos?"

"_Si, Senor_. You know him?"

"Yes: is he in any danger?"

"Alas!" replied this servant, "the hacienda is pillaged by guerilleros;
and, just as I was leaving it, I heard the groans of my poor master
under the lash of their Captain Arroyo--"

"Again this villain!" muttered Don Rafael, interrupting the narrator
with his angry soliloquy.

"Ah! he is always committing some crime," rejoined the servant.

"And your mistress--the Dona Marianita--what of her?"

"It was to make him tell where she was concealed that Arroyo was
flogging my master," replied the man. "Fortunately I was able to get
her out of the way, by assisting her to descend from the window of the
chamber where they had hidden her. Afterwards I got off myself, and am
now on my way to the hacienda Del Valle, in hopes of getting assistance
from its brave defenders, who themselves never violate the laws of war."

"But how will you get in there? Are not some of Arroyo's guerilleros
still besieging the place?"

"No, Senor. The whole band is now at San Carlos."

"Good!" exclaimed the Colonel. "Come along with me, and I promise you a
prompt and bloody vengeance."

Without further explaining himself, Don Rafael leaped upon his horse,
directing the domestic to mount behind him, and then started off at a
rapid trot in the direction of Del Valle.

"Where did you leave your mistress?" inquired Don Rafael, as they rode
on.

"In truth, sir," replied the domestic, "I was so confused when she left
me, that I did not think of reminding her to fly to Del Valle. I only
told her to make into the woods near San Carlos. But the most important
matter was for her to get out of the reach of Arroyo; and I hope she
will be safe in the chapparal. Poor young creature! She was so happy
this morning. She was expecting on this very night the arrival of her
father and sister--neither of whom she has seen for a long time."

The Colonel could not hinder himself from shuddering.

"Are you sure th