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Show 80 WESTERN WILDS. saw nothing; this basin was to them the world. Ambition had no place in their dull emotions, and though central to a dozen warring tribes, they were simple, civil and unwarlike. " One year I abode with these people. It was rest; but for a life-time ah, that would be consignment to a living tomb ! But Gomez returned, and with a message from Dolores. There was peace at last ; the captive Tejanos had been released, and I might safely return. The journey was a long reverie of delightful anticipation. The meet-ing I leave you to imagine. But all was not well; Colonel Warfield and his brave companions had been released, and many Americans were coming into Santa Fe; but the Mexican authorities felt that peace was temporary, and armed parties still hovered along the front-ier. We scarcely seemed nearer the fruition of our hopes, and months of weary waiting were yet before us. Her father but I need not tell you of Castilian pride. He was of the genie fina of New Mexico, and, boasting of his saugre azul, an alliance with an unknown foreigner would have seemed to him worse than her death. I urged immediate flight; that we would seek the States, and there remain till permanent peace should allow us to return and settle in Mexico, as I hoped after the manner of sanguine youth we might soon do with the wealth that I should earn. I abode at the adjacent pueblo, and as often as possible saw and conferred with Dolores, never failing to urge immediate flight. I need not recount the progress I made, if you know aught of the female heart. She yielded, and in the midst of all my distractions and uncertainties, I thought myself the happiest of men. We were to set out the first opportunity. The distance was great, and no guide to be had. In vain I sought for one in the pueblo; the honest fellows shook their heads. In their own country, among their own people, they were at my service, but not among los Americanos, los diabolos Gringos! We could not retreat from our project. Before a Pueblo priest we plighted our faith, and thus united in * life and death, set out upon our northward route. One Pueblo accompanied us the first night and till noon the next day; then point-ing out our sa/ est route along the higher part of the plateau to avoid Mexican scouts bade us farewell, and we were alone upon the tierra templada. " The route led to a water- hole, where we paused exhausted, and remained till midnight. Thence we rose to a dim trail higher up the rocky slope, and toiled on till late next afternoon, when fatigue and fear for our animals again compelled us to stop. A long rest, and then on to the next pool, which we reached late at night, and soon |