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I dare say that, if I give you a sign, you will find an excuse for leaving us together while I plead my cause." I, of course, said that I was perfectly ready to do as Juan wished, although I did not think my presence would be necessary. We had got more than half-way to Egido, when we overtook a large party of Indians returning from Popayan to their own village.
I regretted that I should have such sad intelligence to convey to Dona Dolores. A glance was sufficient to show us what had been done, and as we galloped on our anxiety increased lest Egido should have shared the same fate. "We must be prepared for the worst," said Mr Laffan, as he pointed to a column of smoke which ascended above the trees in the direction of Egido.
It was settled that Mr Laffan and I should accompany them to Egido, as we could without difficulty be back before nightfall. Our uncle, Dr Cazalla, came to see our mother off. "I wish that you would accompany us, my dear brother," she said. "If the Spaniards take the place, you are certain to be annoyed and persecuted, even should no worse consequences follow."
"I want you to come with me to visit your friends Don Ricardo and Dona Maria at Egido. You can easily obtain a holiday from Senor Miguel. As the ride is a long one, I shall be glad of your companionship. You will have no objection either, I am sure, to enjoying the bright smiles of your sweet little cousin, Dona Rosa, their daughter."
As the more distant fires were in the direction of Egido, and Senor Monteverde's hacienda, I felt very anxious about our family. Had they had time to escape? I knew too well that the Spaniards spared neither sex nor age.
She was an only daughter, and heiress of a fair estate close to Egido. Mr Laffan making no objection, Don Ricardo despatched a messenger, as he had promised, to our father, and we remained with clear consciences. The house itself, I may here say, was a long low building, of two stories only in one portion, round which ran a broad verandah.
Just as Mr Laffan and I returned home my father came in, tired out by the arduous labours in which he had all night been engaged. On my telling him of the fears I entertained of what had happened at Egido, he, after some hesitation, gave me leave to ride out and ascertain if the inmates had escaped.
This estate was only one of many others of a similar character scattered over the country, but probably Egido benefited by the energy and perseverance of its owner. My father used to remark, that Dona Maria was twice as rich as she would have been had she married a countryman with an estate double the size of her own.
Don Ricardo, I should explain, was our old friend Richard Duffield; and Senor Miguel was Mr Michael Laffan, our tutor. "She is not my cousin, though we are both half British, and our fathers are old friends. But confess, Juan, that you have another object in going to Egido.
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