ght, almost
as fast as we could travel; we should be many miles along it before
morning; maybe before then we should get sight of the steed. It would
not be hard to surround and capture him; now that he was half-tamed, he
might not run from us; if he did, he could be overtaken. Once in view,
we would not lose sight of him again. The saynyora would be safe
enough; there was nothing to hurt her: the wolves would not know the
`fix' she was in, neyther the `bars' nor `painters.' We should be sure
to come up with her before the next night, an would find her first-rate;
a little tired and hungry, no doubt, but nothing to hurt. We should
relieve her, and rest would set all right again."

Notwithstanding the rude phrase in which these consolatory remarks were
made, I appreciated their kind intention.

Garey's speech had the effect of rendering me more hopeful; and in
calmer mood, I awaited the return of Quackenboss and the Canadian.

These did not linger. Two hours had been allowed them to perform their
errand; but long before the expiration of that period, we heard the
double tramp of their horses as they came galloping across the plain.

In a few minutes they rode up, and we could see in the hands of Le Blanc
three whitish objects, that in length and thickness resembled stout
walking-canes. We recognised _les chandelles magnifiques_.

They were the property of the church--designed, no doubt, to have
illumined the altar upon the occasion of some grand _dia de fiesta_.

"Voila! mon capitaine!" cried the Canadian, as he rode forward--"voila
les chandelles! Ah, mon Dieu! c'est von big sacrilege, et je suis bon
Chretien--buen Catolico, as do call 'im ze dam Mexicaine; bien--ze bon
Dieu me forgive--God ve pardon vill pour--for ze grand necessitie; sure
certaine he will me pardon--Lige et moi--ze brave Monsieur Quack'bosh."

The messengers had brought news from the village. Some rough
proceedings had taken place since our departure. Men had been punished;
fresh victims had been found under the guidance of Pedro and others of
the abused. The trees in the church enclosure that night bore horrid
fruit.

The alcalde was not dead; and Don Ramon, it was supposed, still
survived, but had been carried off a prisoner by the guerrilla! The
rangers were yet at the rancheria; many had been desirous of returning
with Le Blanc and Quackenboss, but I had sent orders to the lieutenants
to take all back to camp as soon as their a