bridesmaids, and still
wore the flowers and jewels they had used at the ceremony. The place
chosen for our _dia de campo_ was a pretty spot, about a mile distant
from the town. It was a glade in the midst of the _chapparal_,
surrounded by beautiful trees, and sweet-smelling flowers. We went
afoot: for the distance did not make it worth while for us to ride.
Besides, we preferred enjoying the ramble, without being encumbered with
horses. Well, _senor_; we had arrived on the ground, spread out the
repast we had brought with us, uncorked the wine-bottles, and were in
the full tide of enjoyment--talking and laughing gaily--when all of a
sudden--we heard the trampling of horses. Not of one or two; but the
hoof-strokes of a whole troop. At first we thought it might be the
_cavallada_ of some rich proprietor, galloping past the place. We knew
that horses were pastured in that neighbourhood; and it was like enough
to be one of the half-wild droves straying through the _chapparal_.
Still we were not without apprehension: for it might also be a troop of
Apaches--who in those times made frequent forays upon the defenceless
settlements. Alas, _cavallero_! our apprehensions proved but too just.
We had been seated on the grass, around our festive preparations. We
had scarce time to spring to our feet, ere the yell of the savages
sounded in our ears; and almost on the instant the glade was filled with
dusky warriors. They were all upon horseback, brandishing their long
lances, and winding their _lazos_ around their heads. Fearfully
painted, and whooping their wild cries, they resembled the very
_demonios_! We could neither retreat nor defend ourselves. Against
such odds it would have been idle to have attempted the latter: besides,
we were all without weapons. On an occasion like that which had called
us forth, one does not think of preparing for such an event. I own it
was imprudent of us to go out unarmed--more especially when the country
was filled with Indian _novedades_--but who could have dreamt that such
was to be the fatal termination to our joyous _dia de campo? Ay de mi_!
I may well call it fatal. Very few of our men survived that dreadful
day. Two or three of the young fellows managed to retreat into the
bushes; and afterwards got off. The others were killed upon the spot--
most of them impaled upon the spears of the Apaches! The women were
left untouched: for the Indians rarely kill our women. Them they