"_You have made captive what was once as wild and free_." What? I
asked myself. I scarce dared to give credence to the answer that leaped
like an exulting echo from out my heart!
There was a postscript, of course: but this contained only "business."
It gave minuter details as to when, how, and where the white horse had
been seen, and stated that the bearer of the note--the vaquero who had
seen him--would act as my guide.
I pondered not long upon the strange request. Its fulfilment promised
to recover me the position, which, but a moment before, I had looked
upon as lost for ever. I at once resolved upon the undertaking.
"Yes, lovely Isolina! if horse and man can do it, ere another sun sets,
you shall be mistress of the _white steed of the prairies_!"