thoritiesinthesouth，inatowncalledLinares。GasparRuizwasentrustedwithasmallpartyonly，buttheyprovedthemselvesworthyofSanMartin\'sconfidence。
Theseasonwasnotpropitious。Theyhadtoswimswollenrivers。Theyseemed，however，tohavegal-
lopednightanddayout-ridingthenewsoftheirforay，andholdingstraightforthetown，ahundredmilesintotheenemy\'scountry，tillatbreakofdaytheyrodeintoitswordinhand，surprisingthelittlegarrison。
Itfledwithoutmakingastand，leavingmostofitsofficersinGasparRuiz\'hands。
\"Agreatexplosionofgunpowderendedthecon-
flagrationofthemagazinestheraidershadsetonfirewithoutlossoftime。Inlessthansixhourstheywereridingawayatthesamemadspeed，withoutthelossofasingleman。Goodastheywere，suchanexploitisnotperformedwithoutastillbetterleadership。
\"IwasdiningattheheadquarterswhenGasparRuizhimselfbroughtthenewsofhissuccess。AnditwasagreatblowtotheRoyalisttroops。Foraproofhedisplayedtousthegarrison\'sflag。Hetookitfromunderhisponchoandflungitonthetable。Themanwastransfigured；therewassomethingexultingandmenacingintheexpressionofhisface。HestoodbehindGeneralSanMartin\'schairandlookedproudlyatusall。Hehadaroundbluecapedgedwithsilverbraidonhishead，andweallcouldseealargewhitescaronthenapeofhissunburntneck。
\"SomebodyaskedhimwhathehaddonewiththecapturedSpanishofficers。
\"Heshruggedhisshouldersscornfully。\'Whataquestiontoask!Inapartisanwaryoudonotburdenyourselfwithprisoners。Iletthemgo——andherearetheirsword-knots。\'
\"Heflungabunchofthemonthetableupontheflag。ThenGeneralRobles，whomIwasattendingthere，spokeupinhisloud，thickvoice:\'Youdid!Then，mybravefriend，youdonotknowyethowawarlikeoursoughttobeconducted。Youshouldhavedone——this。\'
Andhepassedtheedgeofhishandacrosshisownthroat。
\"Alas，senores!Itwasonlytootruethatonbothsidesthiscontest，initsnaturesoheroic，wasstainedbyferocity。ThemurmursthataroseatGeneralRobles\'
wordswerebynomeansunanimousintone。ButthegenerousandbraveSanMartinpraisedthehumaneaction，andpointedouttoRuizaplaceonhisrighthand。Thenrisingwithafullglassheproposedatoast:\'Caballerosandcomrades-in-arms，letusdrinkthehealthofCaptainGasparRuiz。\'Andwhenwehademptiedourglasses:\'Iintend，\'theCommander-in-
Chiefcontinued，\'toentrusthimwiththeguardianshipofoursouthernfrontier，whilewegoafartoliberateourbrethreninPeru。Hewhomtheenemycouldnotstopfromstrikingablowathisveryheartwillknowhowtoprotectthepeacefulpopulationsweleavebehindustopursueoursacredtask。\'AndheembracedthesilentGasparRuizbyhisside。
\"Lateron，whenweallrosefromtable，Iapproachedthelatestofficerofthearmywithmycongratulations。
\'And，CaptainRuiz，\'Iadded，\'perhapsyoudonotmindtellingamanwhohasalwaysbelievedintheupright-
nessofyourcharacterwhatbecameofDonaErminiaonthatnight?\'
\"Atthisfriendlyquestionhisaspectchanged。Helookedatmefromunderhiseyebrowswiththeheavy，dullglanceofaguasso——ofapeasant。\'Senorteniente，\'
hesaid，thickly，andasifverymuchcastdown，\'donotaskmeaboutthesenorita，forIprefernottothinkaboutheratallwhenIamamongstyou。\"
\"Helooked，withafrown，allabouttheroom，fullofsmokingandtalkingofficers。OfcourseIdidnotinsist。
\"These，senores，werethelastwordsIwastohearhimutterforalong，longtime。Theverynextdayweem-
barkedforourarduousexpeditiontoPeru，andweonlyheardofGasparRuiz\'doingsinthemidstofbattlesofourown。Hehadbeenappointedmilitaryguardianofoursouthernprovince。Heraisedapartida。ButhisleniencytotheconqueredfoedispleasedtheCivilGovernor，whowasaformal，uneasyman，fullofsuspicions。HeforwardedreportsagainstGasparRuiztotheSupremeGovernment；oneofthembeingthathehadmarriedpublicly，withgreatpomp，awomanofRoyalisttendencies。Quarrelsweresuretoarisebe-
tweenthesetwomenofverydifferentcharacter。AtlasttheCivilGovernorbegantocomplainofhisinactivityandtohintattreachery，which，hewrote，wouldbenotsurprisinginamanofsuchantecedents。GasparRuizheardofit。Hisrageflamedup，andthewomaneverbyhissideknewhowtofeeditwithperfidiouswords。
IdonotknowwhetherreallytheSupremeGovernmenteverdid——ashecomplainedafterwards——sendordersforhisarrest。ItseemscertainthattheCivilGovernorbegantotamperwithhisofficers，andthatGasparRuizdiscoveredthefact。
\"Oneevening，whentheGovernorwasgivingatertullia，GasparRuiz，followedbysixmenhecouldtrust，appearedridingthroughthetowntothedooroftheGovernmentHouse，andenteredthesalaarmed，hishatonhishead。AstheGovernor，displeased，ad-
vancedtomeethim，heseizedthewretchedmanroundthebody，carriedhimofffromthemidstoftheappalledguests，asthoughhewereachild，andflunghimdowntheouterstepsintothestreet。AnangryhugfromGasparRuizwasenoughtocrushthelifeoutofagiant；
butinadditionGasparRuiz\'horsemenfiredtheirpistolsatthebodyoftheGovernorasitlaymotionlessatthebottomofthestairs。
X
\"AFTERthis——ashecalledit——actofjustice，RuizcrossedtheRioBlanco，followedbythegreaterpartofhisband，andentrenchedhimselfuponahill。A
companyofregulartroopssentoutfoolishlyagainsthimwassurrounded，anddestroyedalmosttoaman。
Otherexpeditions，thoughbetterorganized，wereequallyunsuccessful。
\"Itwasduringthesesanguinaryskirmishesthathiswifefirstbegantoappearonhorsebackathisrighthand。Renderedproudandself-confidentbyhissuc-
cesses，Ruiznolongerchargedattheheadofhispartida，butpresumptuously，likeageneraldirectingthemove-
mentsofanarmy，heremainedintherear，wellmountedandmotionlessonaneminence，sendingouthisorders。
Shewasseenrepeatedlyathisside，andforalongtimewasmistakenforaman。Therewasmuchtalkthenofamysteriouswhite-facedchief，towhomthedefeatsofourtroopswereascribed。SherodelikeanIndianwoman，astride，wearingabroad-rimmedman\'shatandadarkponcho。Afterwards，inthedayoftheirgreatestprosperity，thisponchowasembroideredingold，andsheworethen，also，theswordofpoorDonAntoniodeLeyva。ThisveteranChilianofficer，havingthemis-
fortunetobesurroundedwithhissmallforce，andrunningshortofammunition，foundhisdeathatthehandsoftheAraucoIndians，thealliesandauxiliariesofGasparRuiz。Thiswasthefatalaffairlongremem-
beredafterwardsasthe\'MassacreoftheIsland。\'TheswordoftheunhappyofficerwaspresentedtoherbyPeneleo，theAraucanianchief；fortheseIndians，struckbyheraspect，thedeathlypallorofherface，whichnoexposuretotheweatherseemedtoaffect，andhercalmindifferenceunderfire，lookeduponherasasupernat-
uralbeing，oratleastasawitch。BythissuperstitiontheprestigeandauthorityofGasparRuizamongsttheseignorantpeopleweregreatlyaugmented。ShemusthavesavouredhervengeancetothefullonthatdaywhenshebuckledontheswordofDonAntoniodeLeyva。Itneverleftherside，unlesssheputonherwoman\'sclothes——notthatshewouldorcouldeveruseit，butshelovedtofeelitbeatinguponherthighasaperpetualreminderandsymbolofthedishonourtothearmsoftheRepublic。Shewasinsatiable。Moreover，onthepathshehadledGasparRuizupon，thereisnostopping。Escapedprisoners——andtheywerenotmany——usedtorelatehowwithafewwhisperedwordsshecouldchangetheexpressionofhisfaceandrevivehisflagginganimosity。Theytoldhowaftereveryskirm-
ish，aftereveryraid，aftereverysuccessfulaction，hewouldrideuptoherandlookintoherface。Itshaughtycalmwasneverrelaxed。Herembrace，senores，musthavebeenascoldastheembraceofastatue。Hetriedtomelthericyheartinastreamofwarmblood。SomeEnglishnavalofficerswhovisitedhimatthattimenoticedthestrangecharacterofhisinfatuation。\"
AtthemovementofsurpriseandcuriosityinhisaudienceGeneralSantierrapausedforamoment。
\"Yes——Englishnavalofficers，\"herepeated。\"Ruizhadconsentedtoreceivethemtoarrangeforthelibera-
tionofsomeprisonersofyournationality。Intheterritoryuponwhichheranged，fromseacoasttotheCordillera，therewasabaywheretheshipsofthattime，afterroundingCapeHorn，usedtoresortforwoodandwater。There，decoyingthecrewonshore，hecapturedfirstthewhalingbrigHersalia，andafterwardsmadehimselfmasterbysurpriseoftwomoreships，oneEnglishandoneAmerican。
\"Itwasrumouredatthetimethathedreamedofsettingupanavyofhisown。Butthat，ofcourse，wasimpossible。Still，manningthebrigwithpartofherowncrew，andputtinganofficerandagoodmanymenofhisownonboard，hesentherofftotheSpanishGovernoroftheislandofChiloewithareportofhisexploits，andademandforassistanceinthewaragainsttherebels。TheGovernorcouldnotdomuchforhim；
buthesentinreturntwolightfield-pieces，aletterofcompliments，withacolonel\'scommissionintheroyalforces，andagreatSpanishflag。ThisstandardwithmuchceremonywashoistedoverhishouseintheheartoftheAraucocountry。Surelyonthatdayshemayhavesmiledonherguassohusbandwithalesshaughtyreserve。
\"TheseniorofficeroftheEnglishsquadrononourcoastmaderepresentationstoourGovernmentastothesecaptures。ButGasparRuizrefusedtotreatwithus。ThenanEnglishfrigateproceededtothebay，andhercaptain，doctor，andtwolieutenantstravelledinlandunderasafe-conduct。Theywerewellreceived，andspentthreedaysasguestsofthepartisanchief。Asortofmilitarybarbaricstatewaskeptupattheresidence。
Itwasfurnishedwiththelootoffrontiertowns。Whenfirstadmittedtotheprincipalsala，theysawhiswifelyingdownshewasnotingoodhealththen，withGasparRuizsittingatthefootofthecouch。Hishatwaslyingonthefloor，andhishandsreposedonthehiltofhissword。
\"Duringthatfirstconversationheneverremovedhisbighandsfromthesword-hilt，exceptonce，toarrangethecoveringsabouther，withgentle，carefultouches。
Theynoticedthatwhenevershespokehewouldfixhiseyesuponherinakindofexpectant，breathlessatten-
tion，andseeminglyforgettheexistenceoftheworldandhisownexistence，too。Inthecourseofthefarewellbanquet，atwhichshewaspresentrecliningonhercouch，heburstforthintocomplaintsofthetreatmenthehadreceived。AfterGeneralSanMartin\'sdeparturehehadbeenbesetbyspies，slanderedbycivilofficials，hisservicesignored，hislibertyandevenhislifethreatenedbytheChilianGovernment。Hegotupfromthetable，thunderedexecrationspacingtheroomwildly，thensatdownonthecouchathiswife\'sfeet，hisbreastheaving，hiseyesfixedonthefloor。Shereclinedonherback，herheadonthecushions，hereyesnearlyclosed。
\"\'AndnowIamanhonouredSpanishofficer，\'headdedinacalmvoice。
\"ThecaptainoftheEnglishfrigatethentooktheopportunitytoinformhimgentlythatLimahadfallen，andthatbythetermsofaconventiontheSpaniardswerewithdrawingfromthewholecontinent。
\"GasparRuizraisedhishead，andwithouthesitation，speakingwithsuppressedvehemence，declaredthatifnotasingleSpanishsoldierwereleftinthewholeofSouthAmericahewouldpersistincarryingonthecon-
testagainstChiletothelastdropofblood。Whenhefinishedthatmadtiradehiswife\'slongwhitehandwasraised，andshejustcaressedhiskneewiththetipsofherfingersforafractionofasecond。
\"Fortherestoftheofficers\'stay，whichdidnotextendformorethanhalfanhourafterthebanquet，thatferociouschieftainofadesperatepartidaover-
flowedwithamiabilityandkindness。Hehadbeenhospitablebefore，butnowitseemedasthoughhecouldnotdoenoughforthecomfortandsafetyofhisvisitors\'
journeybacktotheirship。
\"Nothing，Ihavebeentold，couldhavepresentedagreatercontrasttohislateviolenceorthehabitualtaciturnreserveofhismanner。Likeamanelatedbeyondmeasurebyanunexpectedhappiness，heover-
flowedwithgood-will，amiability，andattentions。Heembracedtheofficerslikebrothers，almostwithtearsinhiseyes。Thereleasedprisonerswerepresentedeachwithapieceofgold。Atthelastmoment，suddenly，hedeclaredhecoulddonolessthanrestoretothemastersofthemerchantvesselsalltheirprivateproperty。Thisunexpectedgenerositycausedsomedelayinthedepar-
tureoftheparty，andtheirfirstmarchwasveryshort。
\"LateintheeveningGasparRuizrodeupwithanescort，totheircampfires，bringingalongwithhimamuleloadedwithcasesofwine。Hehadcome，hesaid，todrinkastirrupcupwithhisEnglishfriends，whomhewouldneverseeagain。Hewasmellowandjoyousinhistemper。Hetoldstoriesofhisownexploits，laughedlikeaboy，borrowedaguitarfromtheEnglishmen\'schiefmuleteer，andsittingcross-leggedonhissuperfinepon-
chospreadbeforetheglowoftheembers，sangaguassolove-songinatendervoice。Thenhisheaddroppedonhisbreast，hishandsfelltotheground；theguitarrolledoffhisknees——andagreathushfelloverthecampafterthelove-songoftheimplacablepartisanwhohadmadesomanyofourpeopleweepfordestroyedhomesandforlovescutshort。
\"Beforeanybodycouldmakeasoundhesprangupfromthegroundandcalledforhishorse。
\"\'Adios，myfriends!\'hecried。\'GowithGod。I
loveyou。AndtellthemwellinSantiagothatbetweenGasparRuiz，coloneloftheKingofSpain，andtherepublicancarrion-crowsofChilethereiswartothelastbreath——war!war!war!\'
\"Withagreatyellof\'War!war!war!\'whichhisescorttookup，theyrodeaway，andthesoundofhoofsandofvoicesdiedoutinthedistancebetweentheslopesofthehills。
\"ThetwoyoungEnglishofficerswereconvincedthatRuizwasmad。Howdoyousaythat?——tileloose——eh?
Butthedoctor，anobservantScotsmanwithmuchshrewdnessandphilosophyinhischaracter，toldmethatitwasaverycuriouscaseofpossession。Imethimmanyyearsafterwards，butherememberedtheexperi-
enceverywell。Hetoldme，too，thatinhisopinionthatwomandidnotleadGasparRuizintothepracticeofsanguinarytreacherybydirectpersuasion，butbythesubtlewayofawakeningandkeepingaliveinhissimplemindaburningsenseofanirreparablewrong。Maybe，maybe。ButIwouldsaythatshepouredhalfofhervengefulsoulintothestrongclayofthatman，asyoumaypourintoxication，madness，poisonintoanemptycup。
\"IfhewantedwarhegotitinearnestwhenourvictoriousarmybegantoreturnfromPeru。Systematicoperationswereplannedagainstthisblotonthehonourandprosperityofourhardlywonindependence。Gen-
eralRoblescommanded，withhiswell-knownruthlessseverity。Savagereprisalswereexercisedonbothsidesandnoquarterwasgiveninthefield。HavingwonmypromotioninthePerucampaign，Iwasacaptainonthestaff。GasparRuizfoundhimselfhardpressed；atthesametimeweheardbymeansofafugitivepriestwhohadbeencarriedofffromhisvillagepresbyteryandgallopedeightymilesintothehillstoperformthechristeningceremony，thatadaughterwasborntothem。
Tocelebratetheevent，Isuppose，Ruizexecutedoneortwobrilliantforaysclearawayattherearofourforces，anddefeatedthedetachmentssentouttocutoffhisretreat。GeneralRoblesnearlyhadastrokeofapoplexyfromrage。Hefoundanothercauseofinsomniathanthebitesofmosquitoes；butagainstthisone，senores，tumblersofrawbrandyhadnomoreeffectthansomuchwater。Hetooktorailingandstormingatmeaboutmystrongman。AndfromourimpatiencetoendthisingloriouscampaignIamafraidthatallweyoungofficersbecamerecklessandapttotakeunduerisksonservice。
\"Nevertheless，slowly，inchbyinchasitwere，ourcolumnswereclosinguponGasparRuiz，thoughhehadmanagedtoraisealltheAraucaniannationofwildIndiansagainstus。ThenayearormorelaterourGovernmentbecameawarethroughitsagentsandspiesthathehadactuallyenteredintoalliancewithCar-
reras，theso-calleddictatoroftheso-calledrepublicofMendoza，ontheothersideofthemountains。WhetherGasparRuizhadadeeppoliticalintention，orwhetherhewishedonlytosecureasaferetreatforhiswifeandchildwhilehepursuedremorselesslyagainstushiswarofsurprisesandmassacres，Icannottell。Thealliance，however，wasafact。Defeatedinhisattempttocheckouradvancefromthesea，heretreatedwithhisusualswiftness，andpreparingforanotherhardandhazardoustussle，beganbysendinghiswifewiththelittlegirlacrossthePequenarangeofmountains，onthefrontierofMendoza。
XI
\"NowCarreras，undertheguiseofpoliticsandliberalism，wasascoundrelofthedeepestdye，andtheunhappystateofMendozawasthepreyofthieves，robbers，traitors，andmurderers，whoformedhisparty。
Hewasunderanobleexterioramanwithoutheart，pity，honour，orconscience。Heaspiredtonothingbuttyranny，andthoughhewouldhavemadeuseofGasparRuizforhisnefariousdesigns，yethesoonbecameawarethattopropitiatetheChilianGovern-
mentwouldanswerhispurposebetter。IblushtosaythathemadeproposalstoourGovernmenttodeliveruponcertainconditionsthewifeandchildofthemanwhohadtrustedtohishonour，andthatthisofferwasaccepted。
\"WhileonherwaytoMendozaoverthePequenaPassshewasbetrayedbyherescortofCarreras\'men，andgivenuptotheofficerincommandofaChilianfortontheuplandatthefootofthemainCordillerarange。
Thisatrocioustransactionmighthavecostmedear，forasamatteroffactIwasaprisonerinGasparRuiz\'
campwhenhereceivedthenews。Ihadbeencapturedduringareconnaissance，myescortofafewtroopersbeingspearedbytheIndiansofhisbodyguard。Iwassavedfromthesamefatebecauseherecognizedmyfeaturesjustintime。NodoubtmyfriendsthoughtI
wasdead，andIwouldnothavegivenmuchformylifeatanytime。Butthestrongmantreatedmeverywell，because，hesaid，Ihadalwaysbelievedinhisinnocenceandhadtriedtoservehimwhenhewasavictimofinjustice。
\"\'Andnow，\'washisspeechtome，\'youshallseethatIalwaysspeakthetruth。Youaresafe。\'
\"IdidnotthinkIwasverysafewhenIwascalleduptogotohimonenight。Hepacedupanddownlikeawildbeast，exclaiming，\'Betrayed!Betrayed!\'
\"Hewalkeduptomeclenchinghisfists。\'Icouldcutyourthroat。\'
\"\'Willthatgiveyourwifebacktoyou?\'IsaidasquietlyasIcould。
\"\'Andthechild!\'heyelledout，asifmad。Hefellintoachairandlaughedinafrightful，boisterousmanner。\'Oh，no，youaresafe。\'
\"Iassuredhimthathiswife\'slifewassafe，too；butIdidnotsaywhatIwasconvincedof——thathewouldneverseeheragain。Hewantedwartothedeath，andthewarcouldonlyendwithhisdeath。
\"Hegavemeastrange，inexplicablelook，andsatmutteringblankly，\'Intheirhands。Intheirhands。\'
\"Ikeptasstillasamousebeforeacat。
\"Suddenlyhejumpedup。\'WhatamIdoinghere?\'hecried；andopeningthedoor，heyelledoutorderstosaddleandmount。\'Whatisit?\'hestam-
mered，cominguptome。\'ThePequenafort；afortofpalisades!Nothing。Iwouldgetherbackifshewerehiddenintheveryheartofthemoun-
tain。\'Heamazedmebyadding，withaneffort:\"I
carriedheroffinmytwoarmswhiletheearthtrembled。Andthechildatleastismine。Sheatleastismine!\'
\"Thosewerebizarrewords；butIhadnotimeforwonder。
\"\'Youshallgowithme，\'hesaid，violently。\'Imaywanttoparley，andanyothermessengerfromRuiz，theoutlaw，wouldhavehisthroatcut。\'
\"Thiswastrueenough。Betweenhimandtherestofincensedmankindtherecouldbenocommunication，accordingtothecustomsofhonourablewarfare。
\"Inlessthanhalfanhourwewereinthesaddle，flyingwildlythroughthenight。Hehadonlyanescortoftwentymenathisquarters，butwouldnotwaitformore。Hesent，however，messengerstoPeneleo，theIndianchiefthenranginginthefoothills，directinghimtobringhiswarriorstotheuplandsandmeethimatthelakecalledtheEyeofWater，nearwhoseshoresthefrontierfortofPequenawasbuilt。
\"WecrossedthelowlandswiththatuntiredrapidityofmovementwhichhadmadeGasparRuiz\'raidssofamous。Wefollowedthelowervalleysuptotheirprecipitousheads。Theridewasnotwithoutitsdan-
gers。Acorniceroadonaperpendicularwallofbasaltwounditselfaroundabuttressingrock，andatlastweemergedfromthegloomofadeepgorgeupontheuplandofPequena。
\"Itwasaplainofgreenwirygrassandthinflower-
ingbushes；buthighaboveourheadspatchesofsnowhunginthefoldsandcrevicesofthegreatwallsofrock。
Thelittlelakewasasroundasastaringeye。Thegarri-
sonofthefortwerejustdrivingintheirsmallherdofcattlewhenweappeared。Thenthegreatwoodengatesswungto，andthatfour-squareenclosureofbroadblackenedstakespointedatthetopandbarelyhidingthegrassroofsofthehutsinsideseemeddeserted，empty，withoutasinglesoul。
\"Butwhensummonedtosurrender，byamanwhoatGasparRuiz\'orderrodefearlesslyforwardthoseinsideansweredbyavolleywhichrolledhimandhishorseover。IheardRuizbymysidegrindhisteeth。\'Itdoesnotmatter，\'hesaid。\'Nowyougo。\'
\"Tornandfadedasitsragswere，thevestigesofmyuniformwererecognized，andIwasallowedtoapproachwithinspeakingdistance；andthenIhadtowait，becauseavoiceclamouringthroughaloopholewithjoyandastonishmentwouldnotallowmetoplaceaword。
ItwasthevoiceofMajorPajol，anoldfriend。He，likemyothercomrades，hadthoughtmekilledalongtimeago。
\"\'Putspurstoyourhorse，man!\'heyelled，inthegreatestexcitement；\'wewillswingthegateopenforyou。\'
\"Iletthereinsfalloutofmyhandandshookmyhead。\'Iamonmyhonour，\'Icried。
\"\'Tohim!\'heshouted，withinfinitedisgust。
\"\'Hepromisesyouyourlife。\'
\"\'Ourlifeisourown。Anddoyou，Santierra，adviseustosurrendertothatrastrero?\'
\"\'No!\'Ishouted。\'Buthewantshiswifeandchild，andhecancutyouofffromwater。\'
\"\'Thenshewouldbethefirsttosuffer。Youmaytellhimthat。Lookhere——thisisallnonsense:weshalldashoutandcaptureyou。\'
\"\'Youshallnotcatchmealive，\'Isaid，firmly。
\"\'Imbecile!\'
\"\'ForGod\'ssake，\'Icontinued，hastily，\'donotopenthegate。\'AndIpointedatthemultitudeofPeneleo\'sIndianswhocoveredtheshoresofthelake。
\"Ihadneverseensomanyofthesesavagesto-
gether。Theirlancesseemedasnumerousasstalksofgrass。Theirhoarsevoicesmadeavast，inarticulatesoundlikethemurmurofthesea。
\"MyfriendPajolwasswearingtohimself。\'Well，then——gotothedevil!\'heshouted，exasperated。ButasIswungroundherepented，forIheardhimsayhurriedly，\'Shootthefool\'shorsebeforehegetsaway。\'
\"Hehadgoodmarksmen。Twoshotsrangout，andintheveryactofturningmyhorsestaggered，fellandlaystillasifstruckbylightning。Ihadmyfeetoutofthestirrupsandrolledclearofhim；butIdidnotattempttorise。Neitherdaredtheyrushouttodragmein。
\"ThemassesofIndianshadbeguntomoveuponthefort。Theyrodeupinsquadrons，trailingtheirlongchusos；thendismountedoutofmusket-shot，and，throw-
ingofftheirfurmantles，advancednakedtotheattack，stampingtheirfeetandshoutingincadence。Asheetofflameranthreetimesalongthefaceofthefortwithoutcheckingtheirsteadymarch。Theycrowdedrightuptotheverystakes，flourishingtheirbroadknives。
Butthispalisadewasnotfastenedtogetherwithhidelashingsintheusualway，butwithlongironnails，whichtheycouldnotcut。Dismayedatthefailureoftheirusualmethodofforcinganentrance，theheathen，whohadmarchedsosteadilyagainstthemusketryfire，brokeandfledunderthevolleysofthebesieged。
\"DirectlytheyhadpassedmeontheiradvanceI
gotupandrejoinedGasparRuizonalowridgewhichjuttedoutupontheplain。Themusketryofhisownmenhadcoveredtheattack，butnowatasignfromhimatrumpetsoundedthe\'Ceasefire。\'Togetherwelookedinsilenceatthehopelessroutofthesavages。
\"\'Itmustbeasiege，then，\'hemuttered。AndI
detectedhimwringinghishandsstealthily。
\"Butwhatsortofsiegecoulditbe?WithoutanyneedformetorepeatmyfriendPajol\'smessage，hedarednotcutthewaterofffromthebesieged。Theyhadplentyofmeat。And，indeed，iftheyhadbeenshorthewouldhavebeentooanxioustosendfoodintothestockadehadhebeenable。But，asamatteroffact，itwasweontheplainwhowerebeginningtofeelthepinchofhunger。
\"Peneleo，theIndianchief，satbyourfirefoldedinhisamplemantleofguanacoskins。Hewasanathleticsavage，withanenormoussquareshockheadofhairresemblingastrawbeehiveinshapeandsize，andwithgrave，surly，much-linedfeatures。InhisbrokenSpan-
ishherepeated，growlinglikeabad-temperedwildbeast，thatifanopeningeversosmallweremadeinthestockadehismenwouldmarchinandgetthesenora——
nototherwise。
\"GasparRuiz，sittingoppositehim，kepthiseyesfixedonthefortnightanddayasitwere，inawfulsi-
lenceandimmobility。Meantime，byrunnersfromthelowlandsthatarrivednearlyeveryday，weheardofthedefeatofoneofhislieutenantsintheMaipuvalley。
Scoutssentafarbroughtnewsofacolumnofinfantryadvancingthroughdistantpassestothereliefofthefort。Theywereslow，butwecouldtracetheirtoilfulprogressupthelowervalleys。IwonderedwhyRuizdidnotmarchtoattackanddestroythisthreat-
eningforce，insomewildgorgefitforanambuscade，inaccordancewithhisgeniusforguerillawarfare。
Buthisgeniusseemedtohaveabandonedhimtohisdespair。
\"Itwasobvioustomethathecouldnottearhimselfawayfromthesightofthefort。Iprotesttoyou，senores，thatIwasmovedalmosttopitybythesightofthispowerlessstrongmansittingontheridge，indiffer-
enttosun，torain，tocold，towind；withhishandsclaspedroundhislegsandhischinrestingonhisknees，gazing——gazing——gazing。
\"Andtheforthekepthiseyesfastenedonwasasstillandsilentashimself。Thegarrisongavenosignoflife。Theydidnotevenanswerthedesultoryfiredirectedattheloopholes。
\"Onenight，asIstrolledpasthim，he，withoutchanginghisattitude，spoketomeunexpectedly。\'I
havesentforagun，\'hesaid。\'IshallhavetimetogetherbackandretreatbeforeyourRoblesmanagestocrawluphere。\'
\"Hehadsentforaguntotheplains。
\"Itwaslongincoming，butatlastitcame。Itwasaseven-pounderfieldgun。Dismountedandlashedcrosswisetotwolongpoles，ithadbeencarriedupthenarrowpathsbetweentwomuleswithease。Hiswildcryofexultationatdaybreakwhenhesawthegunescortemergefromthevalleyringsinmyearsnow。
\"But，senores，Ihavenowordstodepicthisamaze-
ment，hisfury，hisdespairanddistraction，whenheheardthattheanimalloadedwiththegun-carriagehad，duringthelastnightmarch，somehoworothertumbleddownaprecipice。Hebrokeintomenacesofdeathandtortureagainsttheescort。Ikeptoutofhiswayallthatday，lyingbehindsomebushes，andwonderingwhathewoulddonow。Retreatwasleftforhim，buthecouldnotretreat。
\"Isawbelowmehisartillerist，Jorge，anoldSpanishsoldier，buildingupasortofstructurewithheaped-upsaddles。Thegun，readyloaded，wasliftedontothat，butintheactoffiringthewholethingcollapsedandtheshotflewhighabovethestockade。
\"Nothingmorewasattempted。Oneoftheammuni-
tionmuleshadbeenlost，too，andtheyhadnomorethansixshotstofire；ampleenoughtobatterdownthegateprovidingthegunwaswelllaid。Thiswasimpossiblewithoutitbeingproperlymounted。Therewasnotimenormeanstoconstructacarriage。AlreadyeverymomentIexpectedtohearRobles\'bugle-callsechoamongstthecrags。
\"Peneleo，wanderingaboutuneasily，drapedinhisskins，satdownforamomentnearmegrowlinghisusualtale。
\"\'Makeanentrada——ahole。Ifmakeahole，bueno。
Ifnotmakeahole，thenvamos——wemustgoaway。\'
\"AftersunsetIobservedwithsurprisetheIndiansmakingpreparationsasifforanotherassault。Theirlinesstoodrangedintheshadowsofthemountains。
OntheplaininfrontofthefortgateIsawagroupofmenswayingaboutinthesameplace。
\"Iwalkeddowntheridgedisregarded。Themoon-
lightintheclearairoftheuplandswasbrightasday，buttheintenseshadowsconfusedmysight，andIcouldnotmakeoutwhattheyweredoing。IheardthevoiceofJorge，theartillerist，sayinaqueer，doubtfultone，\'Itisloaded，senor。\'
\"Thenanothervoiceinthatgrouppronouncedfirmlythewords，\'Bringtheriatahere。\'ItwasthevoiceofGasparRuiz。
\"Asilencefell，inwhichthepoppingshotsofthebesiegedgarrisonrangoutsharply。They，too，hadobservedthegroup。Butthedistancewastoogreatandinthespatterofspentmusket-ballscuttinguptheground，thegroupopened，closed，swayed，givingmeaglimpseofbusystoopingfiguresinitsmidst。I
drewnearer，doubtingwhetherthiswasaweirdvision，asuggestiveandinsensatedream。
\"Astrangelystifledvoicecommanded，\'Haulthehitchestighter。\'
\"\'Si，senor，\'severalothervoicesansweredintonesofawedalacrity。
\"Thenthestifledvoicesaid:\'Likethis。Imustbefreetobreathe。\'
\"Thentherewasaconcernednoiseofmanymentogether。\'Helphimup，hombres。Steady!Undertheotherarm。\'
\"Thatdeadenedvoiceordered:\'Bueno!Standawayfromme，men。\'
\"Ipushedmywaythroughtherecoilingcircle，andheardoncemorethatsameoppressedvoicesayingearnestly:\'ForgetthatIamalivingman，Jorge。
Forgetmealtogether，andthinkofwhatyouhavetodo。\'
\"\'Bewithoutfear，senor。Youarenothingtomebutagun-carriage，andIshallnotwasteashot。\'
\"Iheardthesplutteringofaport-fire，andsmeltthesaltpetreofthematch。Isawsuddenlybeforemeanondescriptshapeonallfourslikeabeast，butwithaman\'sheaddroopingbelowatubularprojectionoverthenapeoftheneck，andthegleamofaroundedmassofbronzeonitsback。
\"Infrontofasilentsemicircleofmenitsquattedalone，withJorgebehinditandatrumpetermotionless，histrumpetinhishand，byitsside。
\"Jorge，bentdouble，muttered，port-fireinhand:
\'Aninchtotheleft，senor。Toomuch。So。Now，ifyouletyourselfdownalittlebylettingyourelbowsbend，Iwill……\'
\"Heleapedaside，loweringhisport-fire，andaburstofflamedartedoutofthemuzzleofthegunlashedontheman\'sback。
\"ThenGasparRuizloweredhimselfslowly。\'Goodshot?\'heasked。
\"\'Fullon，senor。\'
\"\'Thenloadagain。\'
\"Helaytherebeforemeonhisbreastunderthedarklyglitteringbronzeofhismonstrousburden，suchasnoloveorstrengthofmanhadeverhadtobearinthelamentablehistoryoftheworld。Hisarmswerespreadout，andheresembledaprostratepenitentonthemoonlitground。
\"AgainIsawhimraisedtohishandsandkneesandthemenstandawayfromhim，andoldJorgestoopglancingalongthegun。
\'\"Leftalittle。Rightaninch。PorDios，senor，stopthistrembling。Whereisyourstrength?\'
\"Theoldgunner\'svoicewascrackedwithemotion。
Hesteppedaside，andquickaslightningbroughtthesparktothetouch-hole。
\"\'Excellent!\'hecried，tearfully；butGasparRuizlayforalongtimesilent，flattenedontheground。
\"\'Iamtired，\'hemurmuredatlast。\'Willanothershotdoit?\'
\"\'Withoutdoubt，\'saidJorge，bendingdowntohisear。
\"\'Then——load，\'Iheardhimutterdistinctly。
\'Trumpeter!\'
\"\'Iamhere，senor，readyforyourword。\'
\"\'BlowablastatthiswordthatshallbeheardfromoneendofChiletotheother，\'hesaid，inanextraordinarilystrongvoice。\'Andyouothersstandreadytocutthisaccursedriata，forthenwillbethetimeformetoleadyouinyourrush。Nowraisemeup，andyou，Jorge——bequickwithyouraim。\'
\"Therattleofmusketryfromthefortnearlydrownedhisvoice。Thepalisadewaswreathedinsmokeandflame。
\"\'Exertyourforceforwardagainsttherecoil，miamo，\'saidtheoldgunner，shakily。\'Digyourfingersintotheground。So。Now!\'
\"Acryofexultationescapedhimaftertheshot。
Thetrumpeterraisedhistrumpetnearlytohislipsandwaited。Butnowordcamefromtheprostrateman。Ifellononeknee，andheardallhehadtosaythen。
\"\'Somethingbroken，\'hewhispered，liftinghisheadalittle，andturninghiseyestowardsmeinhishope-
lesslycrushedattitude。
\"\'Thegatehangsonlybythesplinters，\'yelledJorge。
\"GasparRuiztriedtospeak，buthisvoicediedoutinhisthroat，andIhelpedtorollthegunoffhisbrokenback。Hewasinsensible。
\"Ikeptmylipsshut，ofcourse。ThesignalfortheIndianstoattackwasnevergiven。Instead，thebugle-
callsoftherelievingforceforwhichmyearshadthirstedsolong，burstout，terrifyinglikethecalloftheLastDaytooursurprisedenemies。
\"Atornado，senores，arealhurricaneofstampededmen，wildhorses，mountedIndians，sweptovermeasI
coweredonthegroundbythesideofGasparRuiz，stillstretchedoutonhisfaceintheshapeofacross。Pe-
neleo，gallopingforlife，jabbedatmewithhislongchusoinpassing——forthesakeofoldacquaintance，I
suppose。HowIescapedtheflyingleadismoredifficulttoexplain。Venturingtoriseonmykneestoosoonsomesoldiersofthe17thTaltalregiment，intheirhurrytogetatsomethingalive，nearlybayonetedmeonthespot。Theylookedverydisappointed，too，when，someofficersgallopingupdrovethemawaywiththeflatoftheirswords。
\"ItwasGeneralRobleswithhisstaff。Hewantedbadlytomakesomeprisoners。He，too，seemeddis-
appointedforamoment。\'What!Isityou?\'hecried。
Buthedismountedatoncetoembraceme，forhewasanoldfriendofmyfamily。Ipointedtothebodyatourfeet，andsaidonlythesetwowords:
\"\'GasparRuiz。\'
\"Hethrewhisarmsupinastonishment。
\"\'Aha!Yourstrongman!Alwaystothelastwithyourstrongman。Nomatter。Hesavedourliveswhentheearthtrembledenoughtomakethebravestfaintwithfear。Iwasfrightenedoutofmywits。Buthe——no!Queguape!Where\'stheherowhogotthebestofhim?ha!ha!ha!Whatkilledhim，chico?\'
\"\'Hisownstrength，General，\'Ianswered。
XII
\"BUTGasparRuizbreathedyet。Ihadhimcarriedinhisponchoundertheshelterofsomebushesontheveryridgefromwhichhehadbeengazingsofixedlyatthefortwhileunseendeathwashoveringalreadyoverhishead。
\"Ourtroopshadbivouackedroundthefort。TowardsdaybreakIwasnotsurprisedtohearthatIwasdesig-
natedtocommandtheescortofaprisonerwhowastobesentdownatoncetoSantiago。OfcoursetheprisonerwasGasparRuiz\'wife。
\"\'Ihavenamedyououtofregardforyourfeelings，\'
GeneralRoblesremarked。\'ThoughthewomanreallyoughttobeshotforalltheharmshehasdonetotheRepublic。\'
\"AndasImadeamovementofshockedprotest，hecontinued:
\"\'Nowheisaswellasdead，sheisofnoimportance。
Nobodywillknowwhattodowithher。However，theGovernmentwantsher。\'Heshruggedhisshoulders。
\'Isupposehemusthaveburiedlargequantitiesofhislootinplacesthatshealoneknowsof。\'
\"AtdawnIsawhercominguptheridge，guardedbytwosoldiers，andcarryingherchildonherarm。
\"Iwalkedtomeether。
\"\'Ishelivingyet?\'sheasked，confrontingmewiththatwhite，impassivefaceheusedtolookatinanador-
ingway。
\"Ibentmyhead，andledherroundaclumpofbusheswithoutaword。Hiseyeswereopen。Hebreathedwithdifficulty，andutteredhernamewithagreateffort。
\"\'Erminia!\'
\"Shekneltathishead。Thelittlegirl，unconsciousofhim，andwithherbigeyeslookingabout，begantochattersuddenly，inajoyous，thinvoice。Shepointedatinyfingerattherosyglowofsunrisebehindtheblackshapesofthepeaks。Andwhilethatchild-talk，incom-
prehensibleandsweettotheear，lasted，thosetwo，thedyingmanandthekneelingwoman，remainedsilent，lookingintoeachother\'seyes，listeningtothefrailsound。Thentheprattlestopped。Thechildlaiditsheadagainstitsmother\'sbreastandwasstill。
\"\'Itwasforyou，\'hebegan。\'Forgive。\'Hisvoicefailedhim。PresentlyIheardamutterandcaughtthepitifulwords:\'Notstrongenough。\'
\"Shelookedathimwithanextraordinaryintensity。
Hetriedtosmile，andinahumbletone，\'Forgiveme，\'
herepeated。\'Leavingyou……\'
\"Shebentdown，dry-eyedandinasteadyvoice:
\'OnalltheearthIhavelovednothingbutyou，Gaspar，\'
shesaid。
\"Hisheadmadeamovement。Hiseyesrevived。
\'Atlast!\'hesighedout。Then，anxiously，\'Butisthistrue……isthistrue?\'
\'\"Astrueasthatthereisnomercyandjusticeinthisworld，\'sheansweredhim，passionately。Shestoopedoverhisface。Hetriedtoraisehishead，butitfellback，andwhenshekissedhislipshewasalreadydead。
Hisglazedeyesstaredatthesky，onwhichpinkcloudsfloatedveryhigh。ButInoticedtheeyelidsofthechild，pressedtoitsmother\'sbreast，droopandcloseslowly。
Shehadgonetosleep。
\"ThewidowofGasparRuiz，thestrongman，allowedmetoleadherawaywithoutsheddingatear。
\"Fortravellingwehadarrangedforheraside-
saddleverymuchlikeachair，withaboardswungbeneathtorestherfeeton。Andthefirstdaysherodewithoututteringaword，andhardlyforonemomentturninghereyesawayfromthelittlegirl，whomsheheldonherknees。AtourfirstcampIsawherduringthenightwalkingabout，rockingthechildinherarmsandgazingdownatitbythelightofthemoon。Afterwehadstartedonoursecondday\'smarchsheaskedmehowsoonweshouldcometothefirstvillageoftheinhabitedcountry。
\"Isaidweshouldbethereaboutnoon。
\"\'Andwilltherebewomenthere?\'sheinquired。
\"Itoldherthatitwasalargevillage。\'Therewillbemenandwomenthere，senora，\'Isaid，\'whoseheartsshallbemadegladbythenewsthatalltheunrestandwarisovernow。\'
\"\'Yes，itisallovernow，\'sherepeated。Then，afteratime:\'Senorofficer，whatwillyourGovernmentdowithme?\'
\"\'Idonotknow，senora，\'Isaid。\'Theywilltreatyouwell，nodoubt。Werepublicansarenotsavagesandtakenovengeanceonwomen。\'