Part 32 (1/2)
”It is I who am your debtor,” the hunter answered, frankly; ”had it not been for your sublime devotion, I should have arrived too late.”
”I have done no more than another in my place.”
”Perhaps so. Your name, brother?”
”Loyal Heart. Yours?”
”Tranquil. We are friends for life and death.”
”I accept, brother. And now let us attend to this poor girl.”
The two men shook hands for a second time, and went up to Carmela, on whom Quoniam was lavis.h.i.+ng every imaginable attention, though unable to recall her from the profound faint into which she had fallen.
While Tranquil and Loyal Heart took the Negro's place, the latter hastily collected a few dried branches and lit a fire.
After a few minutes, however, Carmela faintly opened her eyes, and was soon sufficiently recovered to explain the cause of her presence in the forest, instead of being quietly asleep in the Venta del Potrero.
This story, which, in consequence of the maiden's weakness, and the poignant emotions she had endured, it took her several hours to complete, we will tell the reader in a few words in the next chapter.
CHAPTER XVIII
LANZI.
Carmela watched for a long time the Jaguar's irregular ride across country, and when he at length disappeared in the distance, in a clump of pine trees, she sadly bowed her head and re-entered the venta slowly and pensively.
”He hates him,” she murmured, in a low, agitated voice; ”he hates him.
Will he be willing to save him?”
She fell into an equipal, and for some minutes remained plunged in a deep reverie.
At last she raised her head; a feverish flush covered her face, and her soft eyes seemed to emit flashes.
”I will save him!” she exclaimed, with supreme resolution.
After this exclamation she rose, and walking hurriedly across the room, opened the door leading into the corral.
”Lanzi?” she cried.
”Nina?” the half-breed replied, who was engaged at this moment in giving their alfalfa to two valuable horses belonging to the young lady, which were under his special charge.
”Come here.”
”I will be with you in a moment.”
Five minutes later at the most he appeared in the doorway.
”What do you want, senorita?” he said, with that calm obsequiousness habitual to servants who are spoiled by their masters; ”I am very busy at this moment.”