the
spot, and halting over horse and rider, still prostrate.

I flung myself from the saddle just as Isolina disengaged herself, and
rose to her feet. With her right hand clasping the red knife, she stood
confronting me.

"Savage! approach me not!" she cried in the Comanche tongue, and with a
gesture that told her determination.

"Isolina! I am not--It is--"

"Henri!"

No words interrupted that wild embrace; no sound could be heard save
that made by our hearts, as they throbbed closely together.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silently I stood upon the plain with my betrothed in my arms. Moro was
by our side, proudly curving his neck and chafing the steel between his
foaming lips. At our feet lay the prairie-horse with the barb in his
vitals, and the feathered shaft protruding from his side. His eyes were
fixed and glassy; blood still ran from his spread nostrils; but his
beautiful limbs were motionless in death!

Horsemen were seen approaching the spot. We did not attempt to flee
from them: I recognised my followers.

They came galloping up; and, drawing bridle, sat silent in their
saddles.

We looked back over the plain; there was no sign of pursuit; but for all
that, we did not tarry there. We knew not how soon the Indians might be
after us; the friends of Hissoo-royo might yet come upon the trail of
Wakono!

We scarce gave a parting look to that noble form stretched lifeless at
our feet; but plying the spur, rode rapidly away.

It was near daybreak when we halted to rest, and then only after the
prairie had been fired behind us.

We found shelter in a pretty grove of acacias, and a grassy turf on
which to repose. My wearied followers soon fell asleep.

I slept not; I watched over the slumbers of my betrothed. Her beautiful
head rested upon my knees; her soft damask cheek was pillowed upon the
robe of jaguar-skins, and my eyes were upon it. The thick tresses had
fallen aside, and I saw--

The matador, too, had been merciful! or had gold bribed him from his
cruel intent? No matter which--he had failed in his fiendish duty.

There in full entirety were those delicate organs--perfect, complete. I
saw but the trifling scar where the gold circlet had been rudely
plucked--the source of that red haemorrhage that had been noticed by
Cyprio!

I was too happy to sleep.

It was our last night upon the prairies. Before the setting of another
sun we