ought with him, put foot in stirrup, and mounted. For a
few moments he remained motionless, gazing at Pampeluna, as though
bidding a silent adieu to the friends he left behind him; then striking
his single spur into his horse's flank, he rapidly disappeared. Two
hours later he entered at full trot the village of Huarte Araquil, five
leagues from Pampeluna. The officer alighted at the house of a friend,
where there presently came to meet him a respectable inhabitant of
Pampeluna, by name Don Luis Mongelos, and the vicar or parish priest of
Huarte, Don Pedro Miguel Iraneta. The latter, as well by his sacred
character as by reason of the services that, at a former period, he had
rendered to the cause of the Spanish monarchy, enjoyed some influence in
his district.

The conference that Mongelos and Iraneta held with the unknown officer
lasted till a late hour of the night, when they separated to take a few
hours' repose. At early dawn they reassembled, and set out for the
valley of Berrueza, where they were told that they would find the chief
of the Navarrese Carlists, Don Francisco Iturralde, whom they were
desirous of seeing. They were fortunate enough to meet with him that
same day at the village of Piedramillera.

In those early days of the Royalist insurrection, and in the state of
anxiety and fermentation in which men's minds then were, the appearance
in the Carlist camp of an officer of rank could not do less than excite,
in the highest degree, the curiosity and interest of the inhabitants,
especially of those who had taken up arms for Don Carlos. Accordingly,
whilst the three strangers were with Iturralde, there was rapidly formed
at the door of the latter's quarters a large group, composed of
volunteers and peasants, and even of women and children. All were eager
to know who the person in the colonel's uniform might be; but
nevertheless, when he at last came out, and the crowd pressed forward to
examine him, not one of the numerous assemblage could tell his name.
The disappointed gazers were dispersing, when a party of officers
came up; and no sooner did these behold the stranger, than they
exclaimed simultaneously, and in a tone of mingled surprise and
enthusiasm--"ZUMALACARREGUI!"

Rarely has the axiom, that circumstances and opportunity make the man,
been more fully exemplified than in the person of the chief whose name
we have just written. For forty-five years he lived unknown and
unnoticed beyond a very li