Part 39 (1/2)

There it was darker, fro cliffs; and for a ti Still, he kept on, groping his way, and at length was rewarded by seeing a light--a great blaze It calare on the rocks around, e within its circle the forms of men and horses Armed men they were, and horses caparisoned for war, as could be told by the glint of weapons and accoutreiven back to the fire's blaze

There appeared to be over a hundred of theh to h for hie he obtained by seeing aby the side of the fire--the ”big _Tejano_!” He saw, too, that the _cochero_ had got upon the ground, his arrival creating an excitement But he stayed to see noback down the ravine, he again got out to the road, where he put on his best speed in return for Tlalpam

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE

READY TO START

As in all Mexican country houses of the class ular structure enclosing an inner courtyard--the _patio_ The latter a wide open area, flagged, in its centre a playing fountain, with orange trees and other orna three sides ran a verandah gallery, raised a step or two above the pave between Upon this opened the doors of the different chalish house

Being one-storeyed, even the sleeping apartments were entered direct from it

That into which the ladies had retired was the _cuarto de camara_ of Don Luisa herself No sentry had been stationed at its door; this being unnecessary, in view of one posted at the _patio_ But through a casearden at the back, they could see such precaution had been taken A soldier out there, with carbine thrown lightly over his left ar his beat backwards and forwards

As they had no thought of attehed at this had they been in a mood for merriment But they were sad, even to utter prostration

Only for a ti of hope seemed to reanimate the Condesa, and coht in by Pepita; for the lady'sfreely

”He's got away--safe!” were her words, spoken in a cautious but cheering tone, as for the second time she came into the room

”Are you sure, Pepita?”

It was the Countess who put the question

”Quite sure, your ladyshi+p I've been all around the place, to the stable, grounds, everywhere, and couldn't hear or see anything of hilad I am They'd have in, they haven't”

The thanksgiving was for Jose, and however fervent on Pepita's part, it was as fervently responded to by the others, the Condesa seeence

She better understood its iiven hiht be now in the act of carrying them out

Upheld by this hope, which the Dona Luisa, when told of it, shared with her, they less irksoth, alas! it, too, was near being given up, as the night grew later, nearing ed with new intelligence; not so startling, since they anticipated it The _Dueno_ had got home, and, as themselves, was under arrest Astounded by what he had learned on return, and angrily protesting, the soldiers had rudely seized hold of hihter

She had harboured a belief that allhome of her father The last plank was shattered now Fronacio Valverde would step direct into the cell of a prison! Nothing uncommon in the political history of Mexico--only one of its ”cosas”

On their feet they were now, and had cohtly open by Pepita There they stood listening to as going on outside The sounds of revelry lately proceeding frorande_ were no more heard Instead, calls and words of coh the trellis-work they could see a carriage with horses attached, distinguishable as their own It was the sanacio from the city But the heads of the _frisones_ were turned outward, as if it was intended to take the around it; soldiers, as could be seen by their ar theirOne of the soldiers on foot, whose sleeve chevrons proclaimed hi along it, halted in front of their door Seeing it open, with faces inside, he :

”_Senoritas_! Carriage ready I've orders to conduct you to it without delay”

There was so offensive in the ue, and was evidently half intoxicated But his air showed him in earnest