The Rebel Chief

e from that town it turned off and reached by a shortcut the Puebla road, along which it advanced in the direc

her small mouth, whose coral lips when parted allowed a glimpse of her pearly teeth, her slightly dimpled chin, her pale complexion rendered even paler by the silky tresses of raven hair which surrounded her face and fell on her shoulders, produced one of those pale and attrac

slin, she allowed her eyes to wander pensively over the country, only answeri

fected a certain assurance, app

e repeated affirmations of the heads of the Veracruz government, and

the young lady

you know that unfortunately at the present time, that name is a furthe

e, papa, but permit m

o so, D

u to leave Veracruz suddenly, and take this journey with me, more espe

might become ere long, dangerous for our family. I therefore have resolved that, after leaving you in Puebla with our relation don Luis de Pezal, whose god-daughter you are, and who loves you dearly, to push on to Arenal, where I shall take up yo

hat, papa?" the young lady said, le

have but what I have just

ot know, papa,

ughingly, shaking his finger at her, "you

have a sec

you must be satisfied with knowing so

y, dea

ge you

w too well that when you put on your big voic

a madcap,

ed to know why you assumed a

known, as that of a rich man, for me to venture to carry it a

no othe

that is sufficient, and that prude

ith a pout: "but," she suddenly exclaimed, "I fanc

ntleman answered, "what

ring the defile of the Cumbres, and the road made so many winds, that it was impossible to see more than th

he traveller asked. "I fancy we

apidly, though I do not know the reason: the soldiers of our escort appear alarmed, and are talking to

Sánchez-Hem! The spot would be capitally chosen for a surprise, still, our escort is numerous, and unless they have an understanding with the bandi

riage pass him, and then prepared to carry out the

ures were distorted, his panting voice hissed between his teeth whi

he muttered, as he bent do

ter, who was dumb with terror, a glance charged with the most impassioned pater

is se?or don Jesús Domínguez, the chief of the escort, coming

, a certainty however terrible

square: the old gentleman looked out: the escort still surrounded, the ber

y lay in submission: still, as in spite of his age, he was endowed with a firm character and energetic mind, he would not thus a

happen, he opened the carriage door, and actively sprang into the road, with a revolver in each hand. The sold

ehind him unhesitatingly, with their rifles in re

uez was coming up at a gallop; but he was

glance: the reddish tinge of his complexion proved him to be a full bloo

as don Felipe Neri Irzabal, one of the guerillero chiefs of

waited the arrival of the two men; still, when they were only a few paces f

ghty voice, "what is the meaning of this, and w

grin; "and in the first place, that you may know at once wha

ld gentleman protested.

iva Cristo! I might, if I thought proper, reply that it was by t

d sarcastically, "and I presume i

; I do not invoke it, but arrest you

ad, se?or Coronel. I

Juárez, has had its eye on you; your movements have been watched; we know for what

the fact, as he himself signed my safe conduct, and the escort that accompanies m

ation for your grey hairs, to leave you means of escape; but your last act of treachery has filled up the measure, and though he has been obliged to force himself to do

of what treaso

s de la Cruz, the motives which induced you to give up

been effected with the assent of the President; but he was confounded by the duplicity of the people who arrested him, and who, for want o

me his emotion, and address

ody, and will not let myself be thus despoiled without complaining; there

lf ambassador extraordinary of H.M. the Queen of Spain, has thought proper to recognize the government of the traitor Miramón. Hence we of the other party have nothing to do with him, and his influence with the

no hope or support to expect from anyone but his own servants, hence

ce; "but I protest before all those who surro

me. Don Jesús Domínguez," he added, addressing the officer who had calmly and carelessly witnessed this scene

shrugged his shoul

"unluckily you are a lit

do you

gage are no longer there. I know you too well, se?or, not to have take

is fist; "Devil of a gachupine; do not fancy you will escape in this way. I will k

aid ironically, and he

which his avarice had led him; had no reason to affect moderation towar

and bending down to don Jesús' ear,

most effectual means by which to force the Spaniard t

to Veracruz, we will proceed together to your hacienda of Arenal, where we shall be able to discuss our business far more comfortably than on this high ro

rrible extent of the threat which the bandit made him; he rai

d out of the way in terror, and a horseman, coming up at full speed, das

ed up his horse on its hind legs, and fixing on the guerillero eyes that flashed l

going o

lero gave a pull at his bridle, and m

mself crossed themselves in ter

yo! El

the unknown said, after a

dually falling back, considerably enlarged the circle, as they cordially

east produce a more advantageous phase for himself; moreover, he fancied that he could confusedly recall the stranger's voice, though it was impossible for him to remember whe

f the escort, had disappeared; he ha