ght have made my escape at any time without
difficulty, was twofold. In the first place I knew that it would not do
for me to return to the Indian village empty-handed. My ill-considered
and unauthorized foray having resulted in defeat and disaster, I could
not expect a very cordial reception on my return, unless I performed
some very daring feat in making my escape, or returned with a more than
ordinary share of booty. The last I could not hope to accomplish, but
the former was quite possible.

"My second design was of an entirely different nature, and its
successful accomplishment promised to be a very difficult matter.

"Don Rafael's immediate family consisted of a wife and daughter, the
latter a girl of fifteen, and one of the most rarely beautiful women it
has ever been my fortune to behold. Her I had resolved to possess, and
it was this reason more than any other which impelled me to the
execution of the bloody deed I am about to relate.

"Guadalupe, as she was called, evidently viewed me with marked disfavor,
but this only intensified the passion I felt for her. I was consumed
with desire, and determined that no obstacles should prevent me from
accomplishing my purpose.

"It was not long before the opportunity I sought presented itself, and
the events took place which rendered me doubly an outcast from those of
my race and color."

CHAPTER XIX.

A STRANGE HISTORY CONTINUED.

"The hacienda of Don Rafael was a stone building, or rather a collection
of buildings, forming a square. Like nearly all Mexican dwellings it was
but one story in height, but covered a large extent of ground. It was
flat roofed, with a parapet, breast high, running around the edge. There
were few external windows, and these were mere slits in the wall,
guarded by heavy iron bars and massive wooden shutters. The interior of
the square formed a large court-yard, entrance to which was gained by
two archways, one at each extremity. These were closed by great
jail-like doors--in fact, the whole structure had some resemblance to a
fortress, a style of architecture peculiar to this region, and rendered
necessary for security against the annual raids of the Indian warriors.

"On entering the _patio_ or court-yard, you saw the real front of the
house. Here the windows had glazed sashes reaching to the ground, and
opening on curtained verandahs. The surface of the _patio_ was paved
with brick, and in the center stood a fountain, surrou