The Rebel Chief

ch they were created by Providence, disturbed the silence of the night: the deep blue sky had not a cloud: a gentle, penetrating brilliancy fell from the stars and the moonbeams flooded the landscape

tinguished: here and there fireflies darted like will-o'-the-wisps through

hts, unknown in our cold climates less favoured by heaven, a

he black and still undecided outline of a horseman; the sound of horses' hoofs

le rather loose, and allowed it to go much as it pleased, until the animal, on reaching some crosroads, in the mid

from his reflections, would have been thrown, had he not, by an in

, while he looked anxiously around, "what is going on here? Come, Moreno, my good h

eemed to be on good terms, the animal still continued t

not accustomed to be thus frightened for

cing a corpse stretched out on the road, "Moreno is right; there is something there, the body of some hacendero without doubt, whom the

mself in a low voice, the

held himself in readiness either for attack or defense, in the event of the individual whom he proposed to succor suddenly rising to ask him fo

se and gazed at it for an instan

certainty that there was nothing to be fea

s to be very bad: if he is not dead, he is not worth much more, well, I sup

now alluded, uncocked his gun which he leaned against the road side, so as to have it within reach in case

f the alforjas or double pockets carried on the back of the saddle, put them on his shoulder, and kneeling down by the side

th remarkable strength, joined to great skill in all his movements, which were not without a certain manly grace: he was, in a word, one of those powerful men uncommon in all countr

at curled naturally, his large mouth with rather thick lips, his fiercely curled moustache, his well designed and squarely cut chin gave his face an expression of frankness, boldness and kindness, which was really attractive, while

rration. "Well, he will have a job, to recover, if he does recover," Dominique continued as he rose, after vainly trying to feel the beating

ts," he said with a smile, "and always

a vial, poured on the wound a few drops of reddish liquor, and the blood at once ceased flowing as if by enchantment. Then with a skill that evid

h rum and water, only stopping from time to time to examine with an anxious eye his pale contracted face. Everything appeared to be useless: no contraction, no nervous quiver indicated the return of life. But there is nothing so persistent as the will of a man who desires to save his fellow man. Although he began seriously to doubt the success of his efforts, far from being discouraged, Dominiqu

oment and smote his forehead, as if a

n his alforjas, which seemed inexhaustible, so many things d

ured into his mouth a portion of the contents, while examining his face anxiously. At the end of two or th

h joy, "This time I beli

lose a little of their rigidity, life was returning by inches. The young man redoubled his efforts; by degrees the breathing, though faint and broken, became more distinct

ave given him so tremendous a sword thrust? People do not fight duels in Mexico. On my soul! If I were not afraid of insulting him. I could almost swear I know the

came more distinct and decidedly more intelligent. Twice already his eyes had opened, although they closed again immediately; but the improvement in him was sensible: he would soon recover his senses, it was now but a que

the young man asked

the whole of the wounded man's body; he made a gesture as if repu

" Dominique exc

rouble in recover

wildly around, and at length gazed at the youn

claimed, "The mas

s suffering from a feverish hallucination which, if it continued, might pro

unded man continue

d mind only recalls the last scene of murder, in which he acted so unfortunate a part. I mu

unded man who overheard the last word said; "Kil

ught on this road, to come to your assistance and, as I hope, to save you: you understand me, do you not? Hence cease to invent chimeras; forget, if it be possible, for the present at any rate, what passed between you

his strength betrayed him, and he fell back with

rightful sword thrust you received did not kill you on the spot: he

ssin, who are you?" the woun

d you expiring here, and was fortun

me that your int

it, on my

he wounded

a rather l

e wounded man resumed, w

desire-it is quite n

live, for I must

s just, for venge

at you will sav

will do all

ich: I will

ero shook

votedness can be bought? Keep your gold, caballero-it w

it is

ssure on your part would be a mortal insult to me. I am doing my

you plea

bjection to what I may consider it p

omise

tand one another. Day will soon appear, a

faint, that I cannot possibl

se; and by making it go at a foot pace, it will carr

yself in y

u could do. Do you wish me

ised terror, and making a movement as if he would try

r house is situated. How could I know such de

a traveller. I come from Veracruz, and was going to Mexico, when I was suddenly attacked, plundered of everything I possessed, and left for dead at the foot of this cross, when

st you, therefore, to refrain from giving me information which I do not ask of you-which does not concern me, and which, in your pr

fit more dangerous than the one from which he had been so miraculously drawn by his generous saviour. Already he felt his arteries throbbing, a mist spread before his sight: there was a sinister buzzing in his ears; an icy sweat beaded on his temples; his thoughts, into w

int voice, "do with me what you p

few drops of cordial, with which he had mixed a soporific. This help was efficaciou

to him, quickly; "You hav

d him in his cloak, and

not stir, and try to sleep, while I reflect on the me

pon him: he smiled softly, closed his eyes, and was soon plunged in a calm and strengthe

Ah! All is not over yet: now we must be off as rapidly as possible, if I do not

dded his sarape, pulling it off without the slightest hesitation, he raised the wounded man in his powerful arms, with as much ease as if he had been a child instead of a t

is horse, whose bridle he held, without leaving his place by the side of the wounded man, whom he supported, and proceede