The Silent Rifleman! A tale of the Texan prairies

ar above the horizon was beginning to pour her

t barking of a large dog was distinctly heard by all the party, and within a few minutes after that sound became audible, the advanced dragoon, who was

or speak, or call out, whatever they might hear or see, dismounted from his horse, cast the rein to a drago

ed the Partisan to himself. "It is Jua

jectured by the sound, while they were yet at a distance, above a hundred of them-in fact, he reckoned

every word that f

d nothing to tell him that the eyes of the two who now passed him-eyes wandering suspiciously at every step of their horses t

om each other also, though one of them was clad, except that the mate

an. Yet within that frail and meagre frame, hardened as it was, and exercised into a mere mass of compact bone and s

orses and get the troop forward at a quicker pace. At this rate, we shall not reach

n be correct, and there be a lady with them, as I doubt not it is, they will have halte

the words that reached the ears of the Partisan. No more did he

lence of the woods, the Partisan hurried back to join his friends, who wer

of the little party; "all is well. It is Padre Taranta and y

had as yet ventured on trying. Half an hour's ride brought them to the banks of the rivulet

pavement, a fierce baying broke upon the stillness of the night, and two huge sheep-dogs,

was heard to stir within the rancho, a light flashed through one of the casements,

an, in the Spanish tongue. "It is I,

who had spoken from within; "welcome, s

ng; but they could hear him hallooing within t

rguerita; he, Pedro the Fo

and the gate thrown open, and the lady, wit

the hall of that lonely dwelling, was the figure of a young, delicate, tall girl, who struck her, at the firs

small lamp, which was the onl

her slumbers; for, as the Partisan advanced, who had stood hitherto in the back-ground, and had been c

ed, you? Lord of my life! friend of my soul! preserver of my honour! is

sped her snowy arms about the rough soldier's neck, and letting fall h

ocent girl's embrace; "nay, nay! weep not, sweet Senorita, this is no time for t

g the tears to trickle down her cheeks unheeded, "for it is you

indeed, that either I should ask, or you grant, were it to save a wor

wife," said the girl in a singular tone of half-rese

Gordon, lady," he replied; "no volunteer

fe as if you were within the temple of your God. You are alone, you are in danger, he loves you, and I doubt not you love him; and I, Marguerita de Alava, swears it, by all the saints of Heaven, that I will die before one hair of your head,

delay ere he was summoned, appeared instantly, bearing a pair of tall waxen candles, almost t

s; for, in the present crisis Gordon had delegated the command to him; while the young husband drew ne

candles, she started, as if she had but that instant remembered how slenderly she was clad; blushed crimson, and raisi

s of you, Juli

ly as she said the words; and he observed the blush,

of shame, Julia?" he said, after a m

e use such words, entertain such thoughts of me. Yes, Arthur Gordon, she is both in love and jealous. I saw that at a glance; and I will tell y

stood abashed, crest-fallen, dumb before her. Convictio

oubt herself, it is to be doubted by him who should sustain her; if once she doubt herself, others will soon have cause to doubt, to despise her. If I were not so proud, I should say to you, therefore, 'Make me not that which you would not have me!' I am too proud, too strong, too confident in the right to say so. But I do say, 'Make me not scorn you, cast you away from me, hate you.' I could do all these things, Arthur Go

or indignant, but full of confidence and love, a faint smile played over his

ul

osom and kissed him tenderly; and then withdrawing herself g

-and beware how you let that n

t, a firm step, and a mind perfectly re-assured and easy he went forth by one