ight bodice, lashed with lace, displayed the full
rounding of her bosom, as it rose and fell in quiet regular breathing--
for she seemed in no way excited or nervous. Her full round eye
expressed only calmness and courage.

I stood transfixed with admiration. I thought of the Amazons: were they
beautiful like her? With a troop of such warriors one might _conquer a
world_!

A fierce-looking bull, moved by curiosity or otherwise, had separated
from the herd, and was seen approaching the spot where we were. This
was just what the fair rider wanted. At a touch of the spur, the horse
sprang forward, and galloped directly for the bull. The latter, cowed
at the sudden onset, turned and ran; but his swift pursuer soon came
within lazo distance. The noose circled in the air, and, launched
forward, was seen to settle around the horns of the animal. The horse
was now wheeled round, and headed in an opposite direction. The rope
tightened with a sudden pluck, and the bull was thrown with violence to
the plain, where he lay stunned and apparently lifeless. Before he had
time to recover himself, the rider turned her horse, trotted up to the
prostrate animal, bent over in the saddle, unfastened the noose, and,
after coiling the rope under her arm, came galloping back.

"Superb!--magnificent!" she exclaimed, leaping from the saddle and
gazing at the steed. "Beautiful!--most beautiful! Ah, Lola, poor Lola!
I fear I shall soon forget thee!"

The last words were addressed to the mustang. Then turning to me, she
added--

"And this horse is mine?"

"Yes, lady, if you will it," I replied somewhat cheerlessly, for I felt
as if my best friend was about to be taken from me.

"But I do _not_ will it," said she, with an air of determination; and
then breaking into a laugh, she cried out, "Ha! capitan, I know your
thoughts. Think you I cannot appreciate the sacrifice you would make?
Keep your favourite. Enough that one of us should suffer;" and she
pointed to the mustang. "Keep the brave black; you well know how to
ride him. Were he mine, no mortal could influence me to part with him."

"There is _but one_ who could influence _me_."

As I said this, I looked anxiously for the answer. It was not in words
I expected it, but in the glance. Assuredly there was no frown; I even
fancied I could detect a smile--a blending of triumph and satisfaction.
It was short-lived, and my heart fell again under her light laugh.

"Ha! ha