Part 65 (1/2)
”Now, he can breathe more freely. Pardieu! what can have caused it?
Lazoed in his saddle and dragged to the earth? That is most probable.
But who could have done it? It was a woman's voice. Surely it was? I could not be mistaken about that.
”And yet there is a man's hat, and a _serape_, not this man's! Was there another, who has gone away with the woman? Only one horse went off.
”Ah! he is coming to himself! thank Heaven for that! He will be able to explain all. You are recovering, sir?”
”S'norita! who are you?” asked Don Miguel Diaz, raising his head, and looking apprehensively around.
”Where is she?” he continued.
”Of whom do you speak? I have seen no one but yourself.”
”_Carrambo_! that's queer. Haven't you met a woman astride a grey horse?”
”I heard a woman's voice, as I rode up.”
”Say rather a she-devil's voice: for that, sure, is Isidora Covarubio de los Llanos.”
”Was it she who has done this?”
”Maldito, yes! Where is she now? Tell me that, s'norita.”
”I cannot. By the sound of the hoofs I fancy she has gone down the hill. She must have done so, as I came the other way myself.”
”Ah--gone down the hill--home, then, to --. You've been very kind, s'norita, in loosening this lazo--as I make no doubt you've done.
Perhaps you will still further a.s.sist me by helping me into the saddle?
Once in it, I think I can stay there. At all events, I must not stay here. I have enemies, not far off. Come, Carlito!” he cried to his horse, at the same time summoning the animal by a peculiar whistle.
”Come near! Don't be frightened at the presence of this fair lady.
She's not the same that parted you and me so rudely--_en verdad_, almost for ever! Come on, _cavallo_! come on!”
The horse, on hearing the whistle, came trotting up, and permitted his master--now upon his feet--to lay hold of the bridle-rein.
”A little help from you, kind s'norita, and I think I can climb into my saddle. Once there, I shall be safe from their pursuit.”
”You expect to be pursued?”
”_Quien sale_? I have enemies, as I told you. Never mind that. I feel very feeble. You will not refuse to help me?”
”Why should I? You are welcome, sir, to any a.s.sistance I can give you.”
”_Mil gracias, s'norita! Mil, mil gracias_!”
The Creole, exerting all her strength, succeeded in helping the disabled horseman into his saddle; where, after some balancing, he appeared to obtain a tolerably firm seat.
Gathering up his reins, he prepared to depart.