ass through. He could have
accomplished this feat, in still shorter time, but he was compelled to
work with caution, and as silently as possible. Twice he fancied that
his guards were about to enter the cell, and both times he had sprung to
his feet, and stood, knife in hand, ready to assail them. Fortunately
his fancies were without foundation. No one entered until the hole was
made, and the captive had the satisfaction to feel the cold air rushing
through the aperture!

He stopped his work and listened. There was no sound on that side of
the prison. All was silence and darkness. He pressed his head forward,
and peered through. The night was dark, but he could see weeds and wild
cactus-plants growing close to the wall. Good! There were no signs of
life there.

He widened the aperture to the size of his body, and crawled through,
knife in hand. He raised himself gradually and silently. Nothing but
tall rank weeds, cactus-plants, and aloes. He was behind the range of
the dwellings. He was in the common. He was free!

He started towards the open country, skulking under the shadow of the
brushwood. A form rose before him, as if out of the earth, and a voice
softly pronounced his name. He recognised the girl Josefa. A word or
two was exchanged, when the girl beckoned him to follow, and silently
led the way.

They entered the chapparal, and, following a narrow path, succeeded in
getting round the village. On the other side lay the ranche, and in
half-an-hour's time they arrived at and entered the humble dwelling.

In the next moment Carlos was bending over the corpse of his mother!

There was no shock in this encounter. He had been half prepared for
such an event. Besides, his nerves had been already strained to their
utmost by the spectacle of the morning. Sorrow may sometimes eclipse
sorrow, and drive it from the heart; but that agony which he had already
endured could not be supplanted by a greater. The nerve of grief had
been touched with such severity that it could vibrate no longer!

Beside him was one who offered consolation--she, his noble preserver.

But it was no hour for idle grief. Carlos kissed the cold lips--hastily
embraced his weeping sister--his love.

"The horses?" he inquired.

"They are close at hand--among the trees."

"Come, then! we must not lose a moment--we must go hence.--Come!"

As he uttered these words, he wrapped the serape around the corpse,
lifted it in hi