pter. Count Ludovic de la Saulay and Oliver were still riding

hed by mounted vaqueros, bearing the reata on the saddle, a machete at their side, and a long lance in its rest. Along a road, whose windings formed a yellow track on the green carpet of the plain, appeared like black dots, teams of mules hurry

to the plain; the curtains of trees which masked the view suddenly falling back on the right and left, the land

dmiration at the sight of the magnificent k

you were an amateur, and it was a surpris

nything so beautiful," the youn

ve told you several times, it is only in the savannahs of the great Mexican desert that it is possible to see nature

smiled at

l or not, I consider

dscape must have been in the early days of the world, since, in spite of

ughter was redoubl

mpanion, Mr. Oliver; and when I part from you,

ord," he replied with a smile, "for we hav

w s

y. The sun is beginning to grow hot, and the shadow

slowly went down the almost insensible in

est after your fatigue, my lord?" the adventur

ourney has seemed to me delightfu

monot

twenty times; hence it is with some degree of apprehension that we land on these shores. I had my head stuffed with stories to make one's hair stand on end. I was prepared for surprises,

ot yet out

ntry. Confound travelling! Four days ago I believed that we were going to have an adventure; while you left me alone I formed tremendous plans of battle, and then at the end of two long hours of abse

erceptible irony; "Civilization is so gaining on us, that we nowaday resemb

ou full liberty to do so; but let us

del Arenal, and that if you did not turn from the road instead of pushing straight on to Mexico, it was because you were afraid

say s

, the question is becoming

w s

ou, my lord. W

ilding that resem

cienda del Arenal." The count

? You are not decei

se?" the advent

ise is even more charming t

r is of some importance to you; your servants and all you

e my servant

rned

e hardly

or a few minutes, but

r. Oliver, I thank you sincerely

, you are

the owner of

de la Cruz

rt of ma

or phys

ral

does a great deal of good, and is acce

rawing a magnif

truth; he has a g

emi

country, and thanks to God, they

daughter,

iful, innocent and pure; her eyes reflect heaven, she is an angel whom

o the hacienda, sir, I s

rés; in a few minutes I shall have

again soo

promise it y

y, side by side, for

now rapidly nearing the hacienda, whose b

ss, such as the Spaniards erected at that day on their estates, in order to hold the Indians in check, and resis

ty of the owner of the hacienda; as gentlemen alone possessed the right of

h rose above the walls, could be see

ning with burdens hanging on their back by a thong passed round their forehead. Then came herds, driven by vaqueros, to change their pasturage, monks t

a, the adventurer stopped his horse at the moment when it was

man, "we have now reached our journey's

have promised

are diametrically opposite. Besides, it wi

do you

nal to you; permit me to sh

oung man exclaimed, as he w

time flies rapidly, and I ought to hav

and darted with the speed of an arrow alo

ossible to see him; and when he was hidden by

muttered in a low voice. "Oh! I

ed the path, which would lead him in a few minutes to th

first courtyard, and handed his

ah, and which gave admission to the apartment, don Andrés went out, ran eagerly towa

, at last! We were beginning to

happening to him, or with whom he had to deal; but the old gentleman, perceiving the amazement he felt, and which, in spite of

nd on no ceremony-act here as if you were at home: this house,

esting, but don Andrés o

t that you have had a long ride, and must need rest. Come, I wish to have the pleasure of

times for your kind attention; but I think it would be only

t up in her boudoir with her women. Let me announce you first, for I know bet

s, since you are so good as to place me so thoroughly at my ea

plied, gaily; "But all young peopl

and furnished under the immediate inspection of don Andrés, and were intended to serve as t

anged in a very sensible and comfortable mann

om attached, a study, serving as a drawing room, an antechamber, and a room fo

ts in the hacienda. It was entered by three doors, one opening on the vestibule, the second into the common court yard,

renal a lodging so convenient, and in such conformity with his rather serious tastes and habits, hence he was really ravished by everything he saw. He warmly thanked don And

, rubbed his hands in glee, and at length withdrew, leavin

able to the country than the one he was wearing, questioned his servant as to the way in which he h

y-built fellow, tolerably good looking, very brave, and possessing a quality very precious in a servant-that of seeing nothing,

on, and at whatever hour of the day or night the count might call him, he never presented himself before him, unless dressed in the strict garb he had adopted, and which was composed of a black coat with a stand-up collar and gold buttons, a black

, and wore the count's livery-blue and silver: his name was Lanca Ibarru. He was devoted to his master, and awfully afraid of his godfather, for whom he professed a profou

order which a strange man had delivered to him, as from his master, not to continue his journe

d told him: he dismissed his valet, sat down on a butaca

d the room, and announced that don Andrés de la Cruz was waiting for h

preceded by Raimbaut, who acted as his guide