been dangerous to pursue the
defeated foe, as we could not leave my sister without protection.

Having already performed nearly half the distance to Don Fernando's
house, we agreed to proceed thither, it being somewhat nearer than my
father's--though I was anxious to inform my parents of Norah's safety.
But we remembered that our arrival, though we should be welcomed by our
friends, would bring sorrow to the household.

Norah, though pale and thin from the fatigue and alarm she had
undergone, soon recovered her spirits; her happiness being increased by
finding that Don Carlos had escaped the dangers to which he had been
exposed, albeit she was grieved at hearing of the death of his brother.

She very briefly, at that time, narrated her adventures. After leaving
Castle Concannan on her way to Don Fernando's house, while she was
riding on ahead a party of banditti pounced out of a wood and surrounded
her and her attendants, and made them all prisoners. She before long
discovered that Aqualonga was the leader of the party. He was, she
believed, going to carry her off across the mountains; but, from some
intelligence he obtained, he changed his plan and proceeded across the
savannah. He left her at a solitary rancho, under the charge of a
negress, and a party of men to guard her. She received no insult, but
she was coarsely fed, and no attention was paid to her comforts. She
was, however, allowed to stroll about the rancho; and one day, to her
surprise, she saw an Indian whom she recognised as belonging to
Kanimapo's tribe. She found an opportunity of communicating with him,
and persuaded him to inform his chief where she was. He promised to do
so, and to return with any message she might give him.

After some time Aqualonga and his band returned, whereupon they set out
to the north-west, carrying her with them; so her hopes of being rescued
vanished.

One evening, however, Kanimapo fearlessly entered the camp, and
introduced himself to Aqualonga, succeeding by the account he gave in
winning his confidence. He soon found means of communicating with
Norah; when he told her that he had a disguise ready for her, and a
couple of fleet horses, and that if she would agree to escape with him
he would conduct her to the patriot camp. Feeling confidence in his
honour, she consented; and the following night, accompanied by her
faithful attendant, she stole out unperceived by any one, dressed as an
Indian girl, with a p