t, the main body of the guerrilla had mounted and scampered off
into the darkness. Six of them fell to our shots; and as many more,
with their she-associates, remained prisoners in our hands; but as usual
that subtle coward had contrived to escape.

Pursuit was idle; they had taken to the dark woods beyond the hill.

I thought not of pursuit; my mind was bent on a far different purpose.

I rode into the _patio_. The court was lit up by the glare of the fire.
It presented a picture of ruin. Rich furniture was scattered about in
the verandah and over the pavement, broken or tumbled down. I called
her name--the name of Don Ramon. Loudly and earnestly did I raise my
voice, but echo gave the only reply.

I dismounted, and rushed into the verandah, still vociferating, and
still without receiving a response.

I hurried from room to room--from _cuarto_ to _sala_--from _sola_ to
_saguan_--up to the azotea--everywhere--even to the _capilla_ in the
rear. The moonbeams gleamed upon the altar, but no human form was
there. The whole house was deserted; the domestics--even the women of
the _cocina_--had disappeared. My horse and I seemed the only living
things within those walls--for my followers had remained outside with
their prisoners.

A sudden hope gleamed across my heart. Perhaps they had taken my
counsel, and gone off before the mob appeared? Heaven grant it might be
so!

I rushed out to question the captives. They should know, both men and
women: they could certainly tell me.

A glance showed me I was too late to receive information from the men.
A large _pecan_ tree stood at one corner of the building. The firelight
glared upon it; from its branches hung six human forms with drooping
heads, and feet far from the earth. They had just ceased to live!

One told me that the herredero was among them, and also the cruel
matador. Pedro had identified both. The others were _pelados_ of the
town, who had borne part in the affair of the day. Their judges had
made quick work, and equally quick had been the ceremony of execution.
Lazos had been reeved over the limbs of the pecan, and with these all
six had been jerked up without shrift or prayer!

It was not revenge for which I panted. I turned to the women; many of
these had made off, but there were still a dozen or more in the hands of
the men. They looked haggard with drink; some sullen, and some
terrified. They had reason to be afraid.

In answer to my