Poor
nina! She might as well have perished then, by the monster's claws.
She met her death from worse monsters--a death far more horrible; but
you shall hear."

"Go on! From what you have disclosed, I am painfully interested in your
tale."

CHAPTER NINETY THREE.

A BLOODY BRIDAL.

"_Puez senor_! what I am about to tell you happened full ten years ago,
though it's as fresh in my mind as if it was yesterday. You may have
heard of the village of Valverde? It is about fifty leagues south of
Santa Fe, on the Rio del Norte--that portion of the valley we call the
_Rio Abajo_. It was at one time a settlement of some importance--rich
and prospering as any in New Mexico--but, in consequence of the
incursions of the Apaches, it fell into decay. Is now a complete ruin
without a single inhabitant."

"_Well, amigo_; it was there I was born: and there lived I, till I was
twenty-five years of age--up to the time when that calamity befell me,
and mine--the same I am about to speak of. I may say two years after
that time; for I did not leave the neighbourhood till I had taken
revenge upon those who were the cause of my misfortunes. I have spoken
of Gabriella Gonzales. I have told you that I loved her; but I could
not find words to tell you how much I loved her. You, who have come all
this way in pursuit of a sweetheart,--you, _cavallero_, can understand
all that. Like you with yours, I too could have followed Gabriella to
the end of the world! _Puez amigo_! Like you, I had the good fortune
to be loved in return."

I could not divine the object of the Mexican in proclaiming this
similitude. Perhaps it was done with the view of cheering me--for the
quick-witted fellow had not failed to notice my despondency. It could
only be a conjecture on his part: for how could he know ought of Lilian,
beyond the fact of my preference for her, and that she was the object of
our expedition? Of course he was aware, like all the others, of the
purpose of our pursuit. From Sure-shot, or Wingrove, he might have
learnt a little more; but neither he nor they could possibly have been
acquainted with a sentiment of which, alas! I was myself in doubt--the
very doubt which was producing my despondency. His incidental allusion
could have been only conjecture. I would have joyed to believe it just;
but whether just or not it had the effect of soothing me; and, silently
accepting it, I permitted him to continue his narration.

"I nee