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Show DOLORES. 73 thought again, ' Much wondering what I was, whence hither brought, and how.' Beyond my school days I could not get the clew. Again I slept, and awaking memory brought back my journey to the States, the Texan expedition, and all at once I was again at the rendezvous ; again I rushed madly on the chasm, again I dared the awful leap, and, with a shriek, relapsed into insensibility. " I was dimly conscious of two persons about my bed, both men ; but men of a garb and color I had seen only in dreams. The one who seemed to have most authority again pressed the bitter draught to my lips, and I sank into a long refreshing sleep. When I awoke it was midday, and I saw that I was in a room half cave, half cabin, such as the Mexican herdsmen build far up the mountains. On the wall were pictures of the Virgin and some saints, at the foot of the bed a crucifix, while a few adornments of some elegance were scattered about. It was evidently the abode of rude herdsmen, hastily refitted by a woman. All this I saw in a few seconds of half- waking con-sciousness. But only for an instant. As I moved, some one came forward holding a cup, and at sight of her, the red blood rushed over my enfeebled frame. She spoke. Away flew all my dreams of Texan independence, away my heroic plans for the Brotherhood of Man, away my cultivated hatred of all the Spanish race; any life was worthless that did not include her. In this there was no cold reasoning; there was no thought that it was best, or why , ., ,11, " SOMEONE CAME FORWARD HOLDING A CUP." it was best; it came as the hot winds come from the desert, upon the green oasis. " ( The Virgin be praised, he speaks and lives ! ' "' But where am I?' "' Safe.' " ' But my friends, my companions in arms ? ' " ' They are gone to their own country ; but never mind. Rest and sleep.' " I need not recount the progress of our attachment. Her home was at a hacienda, some miles down the valley one of the outposts. Her parents were rich only in flocks and herds ; their servants, peons and Pueblo Indians. As the custom of these herders is to move higher |
