whom the people gazed with curiosity.
There were two other prisoners--one of whom was regarded with an
interest equal to that felt at the sight of the outlaw himself. This
prisoner was his mother. Upon her the eyes of the multitude turned with
an expression of awe mingled with indignation; while jeering and angry
cries hailed her as she passed on her way to the _Calabozo_.

"_Muera la hechicera! muera_!" (Death to the witch--let her die!) broke
from ruffian lips as she was carried along.

Even the dishevelled hair and weeping eyes of her young companion--her
daughter--failed to touch the hearts of that fanatical mob, and there
were some who cried, "_Mueran las dos! madre y hija_!" (Let both die--
mother and daughter!)

The guards had even to protect them from rude assault, as they were
thrust hastily within the door of the prison!

Fortunately Carlos saw nought of this. _He was not even aware that they
were prisoners_! He thought, perhaps, they had been left unmolested in
the rancho, and that the vengeance of his enemies extended no farther
than to himself. He knew not the fiendish designs of his persecutors.

CHAPTER SIXTY THREE.

The female prisoners remained in the Calabozo. Carlos, for better
security, was carried on to the Presidio, and placed in the prison of
the guard-house.

That night he received a visit. The Comandante and Roblado could not
restrain their dastard spirits from indulging in the luxury of revenge.
Having emptied their wine-cups, they, with a party of boon companions,
entered the guard prison, and amused themselves by taunting the chained
captive. Every insult was put upon him by his half-drunken visitors--
every rudeness their ingenuity could devise.

For long all this was submitted to in silence. A coarse jest from
Vizcarra at length provoked reply. The reply alluded to the changed
features of the latter, which so exasperated the brute, that he dashed,
dagger in hand, upon the bound victim, and would have taken his life,
but that Roblado and others held him back! He was only prevented from
killing Carlos by his companions declaring that such a proceeding would
rob them of their anticipated sport! This consideration alone
restrained him; but he was not contented until with his fists he had
inflicted several blows upon the face of the defenceless captive!

"Let the wretch live!" said Roblado. "To-morrow we shall have a fine
spectacle for him!"

With this the inebria