I rode into the _patio_. The court was lit up by the glare of the fire.
It presented a picture of ruin. Rich furniture was scattered about in
the verandah and over the pavement, broken or tumbled down. I called
her name--the name of Don Ramon. Loudly and earnestly did I raise my
voice, but echo gave the only reply.
I dismounted, and rushed into the verandah, still vociferating, and
still without receiving a response.
I hurried from room to room--from _cuarto_ to _sala_--from _sola_ to
_saguan_--up to the azotea--everywhere--even to the _capilla_ in the
rear. The moonbeams gleamed upon the altar, but no human form was
there. The whole house was deserted; the domestics--even the women of
the _cocina_--had disappeared. My horse and I seemed the only living
things within those walls--for my followers had remained outside with
their prisoners.
A sudden hope gleamed across my heart. Perhaps they had taken my
counsel, and gone off before the mob appeared? Heaven grant it might be
so!
I rushed out to question the captives. They should know, both men and
women: they could certainly tell me.
A glance showed me I was too late to receive information from the men.
A large _pecan_ tree stood at one corner of the building. The firelight
glared upon it; from its branches hung six human forms with drooping
heads, and feet far from the earth. They had just ceased to live!
One told me that the herredero was among them, and also the cruel
matador. Pedro had identified both. The others were _pelados_ of the
town, who had borne part in the affair of the day. Their judges had
made quick work, and equally quick had been the ceremony of execution.
Lazos had been reeved over the limbs of the pecan, and with these all
six had been jerked up without shrift or prayer!
It was not revenge for which I panted. I turned to the women; many of
these had made off, but there were still a dozen or more in the hands of
the men. They looked haggard with drink; some sullen, and some
terrified. They had reason to be afraid.
In answer to my questions, they shook their heads, but gave me no
information. Some remained doggedly silent; others denied all knowledge
of Don Ramon or his daughter. Threats had no effect. They either knew
not, or _feared to tell_ what had befallen them. Oh heaven! could it be
the latter?
I was turning away angered and despairing, when my eyes fell upon a
figure that seemed to skulk under the shadow of the walls. A shout of
joy escaped me as I recognised the boy Cyprio, just emerging from his
place of concealment.
"Cyprio!" I cried.
"_Si, senor's_" answered he, advancing rapidly to where I stood.
"Tell me, Cyprio! where are they gone--where--where?"
"_Carrai, senor's_! these bad men have carried the _dueno_ away; I do
not know whither."
"The senora? the senora?"
"Oh! _cavallero! es una cosa espantosa_!" (It is a terrible thing.)
"Quick, tell me all! Quickly, Cyprio!"
"Senor's, there came men with black masks, who broke into the house and
carried off the master; then they dragged out Dona Isolina into the
patio! _Ay de mi_! I cannot tell you what they did before--_pobre
senorita_! There was blood running down her neck and over her breast:
she was not dressed, and I could see it. Some went to the caballeriza,
and led out the white horse--the steed that was brought from the
_llanos_. Upon his back they bound Dona Isolina. _Valga me dios_! such
a sight!"
"Go on!"
"Then, senor's, they led the horse across the river, and out to the
plain beyond. All went along, to see the sport, as they said--_ay de
mi_! such sport! I did not go, for they beat and threatened to kill me;
but I saw all from the hill-top, where I had hidden myself in the
bushes. _O Santissima Maria_!"
"Go on!"
"Then, senor's, they stuck _cohetes_ in the hips of the horse, and set
them on fire, and pulled off the bridle, and the steed went off, with
fire-rockets after him, and Dona Isolina tied down upon his back--_pobre
senorita_! I could see the horse till he was far, far away upon the
_llano_, and then I could see him no more. _Dios de mi alma! la nina
esta perdida_!" (Alas! the young lady is lost.)
"Some water! Rube! Garey! friends--water! water!--"
I made an attempt to reach the fountain in the patio; but, after
staggering dizzily a pace or two, my strength failed me, and I fell
fainting to the earth.