Last of the Incas

ks of the Rio Negro, to one of the charming oases created by the river mud, and covered with clumps of willows, nopals, palms, chiri

om the front of his saddle and laid her gently on the tur

d you find our s

he fancied he saw again the living portrait of his mother, and said to himself, "The same look, at once gentle and tender! The smile full of

the water like a lot of ducks, and confiscate the girl's kind looks. If she is really our deeply-regrette

, brothers, but joy rendered me egotistic. Yes

omed to such happiness, yielded to the intoxication of joy. While they were indulging in these transports, Pedrito had lit a fire and prepared a substantial meal, composed of fruit and a leg of guanaco. They sat down and ate with good appetites. Pedrito recoun

said to him, "that

t I love life since I have found the child again. Well, here she is, and he will be a clever fellow who

," the other

done?" Pepe m

e cannot make a female bombero of her, drag h

lone when with you,

ands of the Aucas or the Puelches troubles me; and if you remained with us and shared our

g about the Pampas," Pepe remarked, "we ha

bserved, "we find her a sa

wit

of the Estancia de San J

las Sa

aved his life and his master's ere now, and that bo

yielded their skins to that demon of a Pincheira, who wi

affair. Lop

passes for a go

he tenderly loves, and will unde

e, "but we cann

cia, then; it will only t

while Pepe and I escort the chica. Kiss your brothers, Mercedes.

r brothers, and, escorted by Pepe and P

s from them, the estancia, which Don Valentine an

land, twenty feet in width at the most, was guarded by a battery of five heavy guns. The house, which was surrounded by lofty parapeted and bastioned walls, was a species of fortress, capable of sustaining a regular siege, thanks to eight guns, which, planted on the four bastions, defended the approaches. It was composed of

on plates, extended a large English garden, well wooded and beautifully laid out. The space left free behind the farm was occupi

wned it with foliage. From the first floor windows there was a view on one side of the sea, on the other of the Rio N

night, ordered to watch and announce the approach of strangers upon a buffalo horn. In addition, the isthmus battery was guarded by six men, ready to discharge the guns at the slightest alarm. Hence, when the bom

s, especially on the borders, where people are exposed to the continual depredations of

here?" a vo

" Pedrito

are

mbe

hat do y

Se?or Capataz,

self exclaimed,

recognized you at once, but duty is duty.

on Blas, by your leave,"

e, lower the

d the bridge was immedia

most remarkably seldom. Come to my house, and while we drain a cup, you will

indeed," Ped

"you stay here; I am

his horse, and drew

tion, who that girl dressed in the Indi

ur sister

Don Pedro! A

en fo

a sister, so forgive me,

ground floor room, where an elderly, healthy-looking woman was busy peeling Indian corn. It was Don Blas's mother, and Don Valentine's nurs

lling the pewter cups to the brim. "The sun is confou

edrito, who had

less," Blas added, "my mother is in your way. If

t remain, for what we have to say everybody may hear, and especi

m, "but you did wrong in keeping the young lady with you, for she ca

assent, and the brothers

ed; "everybody is at liberty to arrange his life as he pl

d, "overwhelms us with joy. You are

ngular story. Toward its close Do?a Salazar lef

me if you are not, though the bomberos generally are considered sorry

consent?"

low, and a bachelor in the bargain, hence my protection would compromise a young lady's reputation, for tongues are wicked here as elsewhere, and though I live w

?" Pedrito muttered

lentine Cardoso, my master, is kind, he is fond of me, and has

," said Don Valentine, whom Do?a Salaza

a good action had tempted her heart, and she begged her father to take charge of the bomberos' sister, w

my debt to you. We have an old account outstanding between us. Eh

the two young

sister, and I two daughters instead

iss your brothers and follow me to my apartments; I will myself give you the articles o

elf into her brothe

t cry thus, you will see them again, wipe your eyes, for I mean you to be

nt announced that a stranger was

lentine," Pedrito said, "we

l we meet agai

the estancia, and crossed on their passage a horse

have I seen that man? I do not know, b

orribio Carvajal?"

, who he is, or where I have seen him; still, I

A

hank you," the bomberos sa