him farther at the time. It was only afterwards
that I learnt from him some additional particulars: how most of the
savages were slain upon the spot, and the captive girls rescued; but,
although escaping with lifer they had all been the victims of barbarian
lust, that brought more than one of them to an early grave! A wild tale
it may appear; and, although we may term it a _romance of New Mexico_,
its counterpart is not the less an oft-recurring _reality_ in that
unhappy land.

CHAPTER NINETY FIVE.

ASSUMING THE DISGUISE.

Our fire began to burn low, before the lovers returned into its light.
During their moonlit ramble, no doubt, many sweet memories were renewed.
No wonder they should wish to prolong it. But all of us required a
certain measure of rest; and it was time to make the necessary
arrangements for passing the night. Although we had given up all
apprehension on the score of the Arapahoes; yet that was no reason why
we should not observe a proper prudence, and keep prepared for any
emergency that might arise. In that wild neutral road, trodden by many
tribes, an enemy may spring up at any moment, or come from any side. It
was agreed between us that one should keep watch, while the others
slept--each taking his _tour_ of guard throughout the night. Marian was
of course excepted from this "detail," and, after bidding us all
good-night, the huntress-maiden retired to her tent--at the entrance of
which the ever-faithful and ever-watchful Wolf placed himself. There
did the great dog stretch his body--a sentinel _couchant_--with such
grim Cerberus-like resolution, that even Wingrove might not have dared
to cross the threshold of that sacred precinct? As yet we had not
assumed our Indian disguises. The opening scene of the travestie was
reserved for the morning; and, after arranging the hours of our
respective watches--the trapper taking the first and longest--the rest
of us crept under the covering of the buffalo lodge, and sought that
repose necessary to recruit us for coming events.

At earliest dawn, and long before the sun had gilded the snowy summits
of the Spanish peaks, we were all afoot. A breakfast--similar in
materials to our supper of the preceding night was hastily prepared, and
still more hastily eaten. After that we proceeded to equip ourselves
for the masquerade. Peg-leg acted as principal _costumier_; and well
understood he the _role_ he was called upon to perform. Perfectly
acq