hind us. Our road lay between lanes bordered by hedges of the
prickly pear, and gardens filled with fruit trees of every description;
while before us rose the Cordilleras, adding much to the beauty of the
scenery. Before we had ridden far, Don Juan confessed to me that,
besides paying a promised visit to my friends, his object was to see
Dona Dolores.

"She is beautiful and good, and full of sense and spirit, so unlike the
greater number of my countrywomen," he exclaimed; "I believe there is
nothing that she would not dare and do."

"I quite believe all you say of her, Juan," I answered; though I confess
I did not admire the young lady quite as much as my friend did.
According to my taste, her manner was somewhat too determined and
forward--shall I call it?--although I could not exactly say that she was
masculine in her appearance, or wanting in feminine attractions; and I
had no doubt that she could be soft and tender on occasion.

"But does Dona Dolores return your love?" I asked.

"I hope so; I have no reason to believe that she dislikes me," he
answered, "though I own that she treats me sometimes as if I were a mere
boy. But perseverance conquers all difficulties. My great desire is to
convince her of the sincerity of my affection, and that I am worthy of
her love."

"I should think that she would soon be convinced of that," I observed,
looking up at Juan, of whom I thought a great deal; he was a man, I
fancied, to whom any girl would willingly give her heart.

"I have determined to visit her to-day, after paying my respects to Don
Ricardo and Dona Maria, and to learn my fate. Will you accompany me,
Duncan? I dare say that, if I give you a sign, you will find an excuse
for leaving us together while I plead my cause."

I, of course, said that I was perfectly ready to do as Juan wished,
although I did not think my presence would be necessary.

We had got more than half-way to Egido, when we overtook a large party
of Indians returning from Popayan to their own village. At their head
marched one of their number playing the tabor and pipes, to which they
kept admirable time. The men were a remarkably fine-looking set of
fellows; and the women were handsome, with good figures. The former,
who carried long lances, wore kilts, and on their heads blue cloth caps
trimmed with scarlet, ornamented with gold lace somewhat the worse for
wear. Their bearing, also, was bold and independent. They saluted Don
Jua