her and sister, and the female attendants, rode the mules; the rest
of the party were mounted on horseback. It was settled that Mr Laffan
and I should accompany them to Egido, as we could without difficulty be
back before nightfall.

Our uncle, Dr Cazalla, came to see our mother off.

"I wish that you would accompany us, my dear brother," she said. "If
the Spaniards take the place, you are certain to be annoyed and
persecuted, even should no worse consequences follow."

"No, no; I must stay at my post, as your husband intends doing. We must
set a good example. If the principal people run away, what may be
expected of others?"

My mother's entreaties were of no avail, so Uncle Richard, finding that
all was ready, gave the word to move on.

We proceeded as fast as the mules could travel, and by noon arrived at
Uncle Richard's hacienda, where Aunt Maria and Rosa gave my mother a
warm reception.

"We shall here, I trust, be safe from the Spaniards; but if we hear of
their coming, we must take to the mountains, where even they will be
unable to find us," said Dona Maria.

"But what will become of the house and estate?" asked my mother.

"We must leave that matter in God's hands," answered Dona Maria. "If
the fruit trees are cut down, and the corn destroyed, he can restore
them. The Godos cannot prevent that."

As soon as our horses had baited, the dominie and I prepared to start on
our return. I embraced my mother and sister affectionately, and bade
farewell to dear little Rosa and Aunt Maria. We knew not what might
occur before we should meet again. I had, while staying at the house,
admired a fine dog called Lion, which had grown from a puppy into a
noble animal since I first saw him. The creature had taken a great
fancy to me, too, and this had been observed by Uncle Richard.

"I make you a present of him, Duncan," said Uncle Richard; "he will
prove faithful, I am sure, and may possibly be of service."

Lion was a species of hound, with a thick tawny coat and large paws,
possessing prodigious strength. He was good-tempered and obedient, but
at the same time it was very evident that he could fight desperately
with those powerful jaws of his. Patting his head, I told him that he
was to accompany us, and he seemed fully to understand me. The dominie
was already mounted. Lion looked at Uncle Richard when he saw me
getting on horseback, as if to ask if he was to go. Uncle Richard
nodded, and pointed