suppressed, began to spring up within his heart, and
with such force, that he feared to know the truth--lest it should be
crushed on the instant.

"Senor, you ask me more than I am able to answer," rejoined the
domestic. "I have told you all I know of this sad story!"

Heaving a deep sigh, the Colonel remained for some moments silent.
After a while, he resumed the conversation, by putting a question, the
answer to which might terminate his doubts.

"Have you ever heard the name of this young officer?"

"No," replied the domestic; "but were I in his place, I should not leave
this young lady to die, for one lovelier I never beheld in all my life."

These were the last words spoken on either side: for at that moment the
voices of the sentinels, challenging from the walls of the hacienda, put
an end to the conversation.

"Say to Lieutenant Veraegui," commanded Don Rafael, in reply to the
challenge, "that it is Colonel Tres-Villas."

The sound of the trumpets inside soon after signalised the joy felt by
the garrison at the return of their old commandant, while the domestic
of Don Fernando flung himself promptly to the ground, asking a thousand
pardons for not recognising the quality of his _compagnon de cheval_.

"It is I who have most reason to feel obliged," said Don Rafael.
"Remain here till I see you again. I may, perhaps, need you for an
important message."

The domestic bowed respectfully, taking hold of the bridle of Don
Rafael's horse, while the Lieutenant Veraegui, the _alferez_, with
several soldiers of the garrison, came forth with torches to
congratulate their superior officer on his escape from the dangers that
had so lately surrounded him.

As soon as their first greetings had been exchanged, Veraegui informed
the Colonel that they were just about preparing to start upon an
expedition against the banditti of Arroyo.

"You know where they are, then?" said Don Rafael.

"Not the precise spot. But it is not difficult to find the traces of
these gentry," replied Catalan.

"True," rejoined the Colonel. "But I chance to know their whereabouts.
They are just now at the hacienda of San Carlos. This faithful servant,
who is holding my horse, has lately escaped from them, and come to beg
your assistance to rescue his master from the brutal outrages they are
at this moment inflicting upon him. Lieutenant Veraegui! see that your
men are provided with a sufficient quantity of ropes. Let a piece of
ordn