Part 60 (1/2)
Some of the soldiers who had ”rifled” the body of Dubrosc found a paper upon him which proved that the Frenchman was a spy in the service of Santa Anna. He had thrown himself into the company at New Orleans with the intention of gaining information, and then deserting on his arrival at Mexico. This he succeeded in doing in the manner detailed. Had he been in command of the ”Rifle Rangers”, he would doubtless have found an opportunity to deliver them over to the enemy at La Virgen or elsewhere.
CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.
AN ADIOS.
Clayley had now recovered, and I once more enjoyed the society of my light-hearted friend. But neither that nor the smiles of the hospitable Jalapenas could make me happy. My thoughts dwelt upon Guadalupe, and often was I hara.s.sed with the painful apprehension that I should never see her again. Better fortune, however, was in store for me.
One day Clayley and I were sitting over our wine, along with a gay party of friends, in the Fonda de Diligencias, the princ.i.p.al hotel of Jalapa, when Jack touched me on the shoulder, and whispered in my ear:
”Captain, there's a Mexican wants to see ye.”
”Who is it?” I demanded, somewhat annoyed at the interruption.
”It's the brother,” replied Jack, still speaking in a whisper.
”The brother! What brother?”
”Of the young ladies, Captain.”
I started from my chair, overturning a decanter and several gla.s.ses.
”Hilloa! what's the matter?” shouted several voices in a breath.
”Gentlemen, will you excuse me?--one moment only--I--I--will--”
”Certainly! certainly!” cried my companions, all at once, wondering what _was_ the matter.
The next moment I was in the _ante-sala_, embracing Narcisso. ”And so you are all here! When did you arrive?”
”Yesterday, Captain. I came to town for you, but could not find you.”
”And they are well?--all well?”
”Yes, Captain. Papa expects you will come this evening, with the lieutenant and the other officer.”
”The other officer! Who, Narcisso!”
”I think he was with you on your first visit to La Virgen--_un senor gordo_.”
”Oh! the major! Yes, yes, we shall come; but where have you been since we met, Narcissito?”
”To Orizava. Papa has a tobacco-farm near Orizava; he always goes to it when he comes up here. But, Captain, we were so astonished to hear from your people that you had been a prisoner, and travelling along with us!
We knew the guerillos had some American prisoners, but we never dreamt of its being you. _Carambo_! if I had known that!”
”But how came you, Narcisso, to be with the guerilla?”
”Oh! papa had many things to carry up the country; and he, with some other families, paid Colonel Cen.o.bio for an escort--the country is so full of robbers.”
”Ah! sure. Tell me, Narcisso, how came I by this?”