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"Whatever Pepe says, the Indians may still doubt, but if we show ourselves, all is over. To accept an alliance with these Indians, even against Don Estevan de Arechiza, would be an unworthy cowardice. What can we do?" added he, sadly. One fear tormented him; he had seen Fabian in danger when his blood was boiling with passion, but had he the calm courage which meets death coolly?
However, notwithstanding his self-satisfaction, and his confidence in the future, the Senator could not fail to remark the grave reserve of Don Augustin's manner. He thought himself at liberty to remark it. "Don Estevan de Arechiza, the Duke of Armada, is no more," said the haciendado; "both you and I have lost a dear and noble friend."
Cuchillo was, in truth, one of those gentlemen who have the ill luck to give to whatever name they bear a prompt celebrity; and for this reason he had changed his more than once. "Senor Senator," said Arechiza, turning toward his compagnon de voyage, "this place does not appear very suitable for our noon siesta?"
"Well, Senor Don Vicente!" began Arechiza, who appeared to make light of the impatience of his protege, "what do you think of the daughter of our host? have I exaggerated her beauty?" "Oh, my friend!" exclaimed the Senator, with all that vivacity of pantomimic gesture so characteristic of the South, "the reality far exceeds the imagination. She is an angel!
The chamber set apart for the Senor Don Estevan de Arechiza was undoubtedly the best in the house; and, notwithstanding the little progress that luxury has made in the state of Sonora, was furnished with considerable elegance. In this chamber Don Estevan found the Senator pacing to and fro, with an air that bespoke him a prey to the most vivid emotions.
"I agree with you," responded the haciendado; "but, as I have said to you, my word is given to Don Estevan de Arechiza." "What!" exclaimed the monk, "this Spaniard to be your son-in-law!" Don Augustin smiled mysteriously as he replied: "He! no, good Fray Jose, not he, but another. Don Estevan does not wish this alliance." "Caspita!" exclaimed the monk. "Does he think it beneath him?"
"Don Estevan Arechiza!" replied one of the interlocutors, "a Spaniard, and one such as we do not often see in this country; one who seemed, by his noble deportment and majestic countenance, to have commanded all his life." "Don Estevan Arechiza: the very same," said the major-domo, "a man who as far exceeds all others in generosity as a gamester who has just won a fortune.
Visible to the eyes of the eagle, in the road along which these travellers must have passed, were corpses of men and animals strewn on the arid plain, marking the bloody track of this band of adventurers. Doubtless our readers have already recognised the Gold-seekers under the command of Don Estevan de Arechiza.
"Don Estevan, then, has received the message which I sent him?" "He has, but what that message was is only known to you and him." "No doubt of that," muttered Cuchillo to himself. "The Senor Arechiza," continued the envoy, "started for Tubac shortly after receiving your letter.
"I have listened," said he, "with the utmost attention to your accusation again Don Estevan de Arechiza, whom I also know to be the Duke de Armada; may I express my thoughts freely?" "Speak!" said Fabian. "One point seems to me doubtful. I do not know whether the crime you attribute to this noble cavalier was committed by him; but, admitting that to be the case, have you any right to condemn him?
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