;
and, probably, reflected that, by wasting time in searching for me, they
might risk losing it again. For this, or some other reason, they gave
up the search; and I could tell by their voices, heard at a greater
distance, that they were riding off. Without staying to assure myself,
I limped on to the town--which I reached at length. Two of my friends,
who had escaped at the first onslaught, had got there before me. The
news of the sad disaster had spread like a prairie fire. The whole
population was excited by the outrage; for the young girls made captives
had many friends and relations in the place. So also the men who had
been murdered. The troops were summoned to arms. It chanced to be a
squadron of lancers--one of the best then in the service of the
government--and these, along with about a hundred volunteers, all
mounted, rode forth in pursuit of the savages. Notwithstanding that my
wounded ankle pained me exceedingly, I was able to accompany them on
horseback. _Americano_! I fear my narrative may be wearying you; and
therefore I shall not enter into the particulars of the pursuit.
Sufficient to say, that we succeeded in overtaking the ravishers. It
was near midnight when we came up with them. We found them in their
camp, with huge fires blazing all over the ground. We approached within
pistol range before any alarm was given. They had been carousing on
_mezcal_, and were keeping no guard. The bright blaze showed us how
they had been occupied. The women sat here and there, many of them
lying prostrate upon the earth. Their torn garments and dishevelled air
betokened that a sad catastrophe had befallen them! We could bear the
sight no longer. With hearts full of vengeance, both soldiers and
citizens rushed upon the base despoilers; and the work of retribution
began. Gabriella had been the first to become aware of our advance;
and, springing to her feet, had bounded beyond the reach of her captors,
and was running outward to meet us. _Ay de mi_! it was the last race of
her life. An Indian arrow shot after was too quick for her; and,
pierced through and through, she fell dying into my arms. _Pobrecita_!
She kissed me with her parting breath, and then expired. Ah! _senor_,
that was a kiss of death!" A long deep-drawn sigh, and the drooping
attitude into which the speaker had fallen, told me that he had ended
his narrative. Out of respect to the sacredness of his sorrow, I
forbore questioning