Part 39 (2/2)
”More than you think,” replied the ex-student, a little restored to his senses at finding his exploit was to be forgiven. ”You have no idea of the terrible fright that he and you caused me just now. But, Senor Don Rafael--with your permission--I am in a _very_ uncomfortable position for conversing--”
”Perhaps you will pardon me again for setting you safe and sound upon your feet?” said Don Rafael, permitting the captain to slide gently to the ground. ”Adieu, then, Captain!” continued he, about to ride away.
”I leave you, regretting that I have not time to inquire how it is that the peace-loving student, so terribly frightened at the mandate of the Bishop of Oajaca against the insurrection has become transformed into an officer of the insurgent army?”
”And I,” replied Lantejas, ”I should like to know how it is that a captain in the Queen's Dragoons, who did not appear to view that same mandate with a favourable eye, is to-day one of the bitterest adversaries of the insurrection? If it pleases you, Senor Don Rafael, to sit down here beside me, and let us discourse a bit--like the old Paladins, who often interrupted their deadliest combats for such a purpose--it would be much more agreeable to me than returning to the battle-field.”
A sombre shadow pa.s.sed over the countenance of Don Rafael at the allusion made to the change of his opinions. Both officers presented a striking example of how little man can do to direct his own destiny, and how much he is the sport of circ.u.mstances. Both were, in fact, serving the cause opposed to that of their heart's choice.
Just then a series of loud huzzas and _vivas_ of triumph came from both sides of the battle-field; but it was impossible for either of them to tell upon which side the victory had declared itself.
”Ah! Senor Don Rafael,” cried the ex-student, ”if our side has succ.u.mbed, then I am your prisoner.”
”And if you are victorious, I am _not_ yours,” responded the Colonel, casting towards Lantejas a glance of contempt that he could not conceal--while at the same time he gathered up the reins of his bridle.
As he did so, at both extremities of the road appeared a number of mounted men, whose half-military equipments proclaimed them to be insurgents. One was heard to call out--
”Senor Colonel! Yonder he is--Don Cornelio still living and well!”
It was Costal who spoke.
In another moment both the Captain and Don Rafael were surrounded by the hors.e.m.e.n.
CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.
A GENEROUS ENEMY.
The situation of Don Rafael had now become as critical as was that of Lantejas but the moment before. His pistols had been discharged; his sabre, broken in the battle, he had flung from him; and the only arm of which he could now avail himself was the dagger so near being sheathed in the heart of Don Cornelio.
During the Mexican revolutionary war but few prisoners were taken by the Royalists; and the cruelties exercised upon those that were, naturally led to retaliation. On both sides it was a war of extermination. The lives of captives were rarely spared, even after they had voluntarily surrendered.
Don Rafael, therefore, had made up his mind to sell his life as dearly as he could, rather than fall into the hands of his enemies, when one of them, an officer, addressing Lantejas, called out, in a voice which the latter recognised--
”Ah! Captain Lantejas! haste and come this way. The General wishes to thank you for the victory which you have given us.”
Don Rafael also recognised the officer, who was advancing at a gallop; and brave though Tres-Villas was, it was not without satisfaction that the enemy he saw coming towards him was Colonel Trujano, the ex-muleteer.
Trujano, on his side, at the same instant recognised the royalist officer.
Don Rafael, too proud to appeal to old friends.h.i.+ps for protection--even to one whose life he had saved, in return for a similar service--put spurs to his horse, and galloped towards Trujano. With such impetuosity did he ride, that in another instant the two horses would have come into collision, had not the bridle of Don Rafael's been grasped by a hand-- the hand of Lantejas! The Captain, at the risk of being crushed under the hoofs of both horses--moved by the generosity which Don Rafael had so lately bestowed upon him--rushed between the two hors.e.m.e.n as a mediator.
”Colonel Trujano!” cried he, ”I do not know what you mean in saying that the General is indebted to me for a victory; but, if I have done anything that deserves a recompense, I do not wish any other than the life and liberty of Don Rafael Tres-Villas.”
”I ask favours from no one,” interrupted Don Rafael, with a haughty glance towards Trujano.
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