The Rebel Chief

ico had the privilege of concentrating on himself the cu

Rayo, that is to

Whence did he com

though they were, no one coul

inary number of legends

few words the fact

mail coaches, protecting or levying blackmail on the passengers, that is to say, in the second event, obliging the rich to bleed their purses slightly in favour of their compa

e had never been seen uncovered. As for his nationality, it is equally impossible to determine,

public; he knew not only the name and social position of the travellers with whom he thought proper to have dea

er what their number might be. We must add that the influence which his presence exercised over the latter was so great, that the mere sight of hi

aballero, who seemed to them a dangerous rival; but all their attempts to obtain this result had failed in a deplorable manner. El Rayo, being put on his guard, no one knew how, and pe

hoped that it was all over with El Rayo, and that h

e from Paso-del-Macho; a detachment of twenty dragoons, commanded by Carvajal, one of the most cru

seized him, doubtless to prevent him from making any attempt t

they succeeded in their awkward expedition, were perfectly prepared to do their duty, as they felt a

om El Paso they had met a monk, who, with his hood drawn over his face

cepted with some degree of hesitation. At the moment when the detachment, whi

g, padre?" the com

ance off, and while leaving you to continue your journey, I ask your permission to leave

oarse laugh, "That will not do, se?or p

ked, approaching the officer,

mple reason, m

ice, se?or caballero," t

ou, or, to speak more correctly, your good offices: in

is

w El Rayo,

urse I know him, ill

he who is g

u arrest

minutes it will be done

Where is

replied, bending down complacently to the monk, and

f it, illustrio

Of cour

ncy you are

u mean? Do you

ething, for I am El R

ad seized him by the leg, hurled him on the ground, leaped into his saddle, and drawing two revolvers concealed under his gown, he d

n their officer by this rude, and so unexpecte

ed, and after halting for a few minutes a hundred yards off with an air of defiance, seeing that the dragoons did not pursue him-which the poor horrified fellows had no intention

rs; for my part I require it no longer. I am going to wait for you at the rancho, where, if you still have a desire to arrest

trode his mule, and proceeded to t

officer and soldiers so eager in his pursuit did not dare come to dist

he escort of the berlin had caused such great terror

ning in the face of the soldiers grouped in front

republic. Se?or don Felipe Neri," he added, turning to the officer, who was standing motionless a few paces from

fancy," the colonel replied, with some hes

m; those whom you expected to meet a few paces further on are no longer there; the corpses of several of th

ng his horse forward a few yards, he said,

die is nothing for a soldier when he is struck in the chest when facing the enemy; once already I

pleasure that you do not lack courage, and I do not despair of converting you some day, if a bullet does not brutally cut your thread of life, and suddenly arrest your

er exclaimed, "Can it be p

upted him, mockingly-"Why not? You wish for a le

and ordered his troopers to fall back, a manoeuvre wh

true name, had looked on with great interest at this

re taking, he thought it, however, h

ervention in my favour, permit me to remark that I have been delayed in this defile for a long time already, an

sides, I wish you to witness this combat, which is to some extent fought in support of your cause, hence I beg you to have patience. But stay, here is don Felipe

" don André

rily. "You have, as I know, excellent revolvers which Devismes sent you from Paris;

eplied, offering the off

in his hands, and then raised his

ow to use these

ly acquainted with their mechanism in an instant. Se?or don Andrés, be kind en

ficer at once comprehended the

satisfaction on the condition that whatever the issue of the combat may be, you agree to turn back immediately after, leav

inly,

do; so soon as we have dismounted we will station ourselves

ly, Exce

re the six shots of your revolver; after that I

but suppose I kill you

me, se?or," El Ra

u thin

pe," El Rayo said, with an accent of cutting irony, "a firm

, with pale brow and frowning gesture, he resolutely

e officer, with his head thrown back, his right

od though they are, generally have the fault of carrying a little

invitation be repeated, but

not even hear the whistle of the bullets. Come, be calm

felt involuntarily fascinated by the black motionless statue before him, whose eyes he could see sparkling like live coals through the ho

om the spectators the frightful agony he was suffering: by a supreme

said mockingly, "but a lit

s fire, don Felipe

rock about an inch abo

was now left i

Rayo; "perhaps you will not th

m, the officer bounded like a wild beas

to re-establish the distance; "you forgot to take your hat off, c

, stretched out his arm and fired without taking the trouble of aimin

ered a howl li

laimed, "You

am an honest man. Now, bego

iend, I will kill you. I swear it, even if I

he arm, drew him on one side, and lifting the vei

hollow voice; "But remember that now you have seen me f

placed himself at the head of his terrified soldie

lateau. El Rayo, doubtless taking advantage of the moment of surprise and d