V.

'On beholding the ranchero, Valiente was unable to suppress an outburst

of ill-humor.

''What do you come here for, Pedro?' said he, lowering his voice; 'you

know well enough that I have forbidden you to accost me in public.'

'This flattering reception, however, did not disturb Pedro's equanimity.

''Before you fly off into a passion, General,' said he, 'perhaps you

will deign to cast a glance at my change of attire. How does it strike

you?'

''Oh! good enough, good enough, Pedro, but--'

''Suits me admirably, I think, don't you? I need not say it's the

first-fruits of a lucky hit. The run on the odds gave up, and I went in

and won twice running on the evens. I find it impossible to express to

you, General, my delight, the intense joy I experienced, when I threw

that villainous old suit of mine out of the window, it was a hideous

abomination, and I really felt ashamed to walk with you this morning

across the Alameda. But now luck has changed; Pedro and the evens win,

and I feel ready to undertake what other men might deem

impossibilities.'

''I am very glad your luck has turned, Pedro, and I appreciate your

willingness to act; but as I before told you, you must not be seen

talking to me, thus publicly, so be off quickly.'

''Yes, I know all that, General, but first let me hand you a letter that

I received just now from Brown and Hunt.'

''Hush! Are you drunk or mad, to mention names in such a place as this?'

'The General looked around him, but the precision with which I was

comparing my watch with the clock over the mantelpiece, saved me from

suspicion, and he resumed his conversation, in a voice which evidently

betokened suppressed rage.

''Listen, Pedro; twice have I expressly forbidden you holding any

communication with that firm; beware, lest I find you daring again to

disobey me. This once more I will overlook it; but keep this well in

mind, that it is far better to have me for your friend than your enemy.

Now not another word; begone!'

'Pedro, whose consequential air had gradually faded into one of deep

humility, as soon as the General ceased speaking, bowed very low and

left without uttering a sound. The voice of the croupier was soon heard

announcing that the monte would recommence, and yielding to the pressing

invitation of those around me, I resumed my position at the table.

'It was past midnight ere the bank closed, and I rose the winner of some

ten ounces. Not being at all ambitious of exciting the cupidity of the

less fortunate brethren around me, I was very particular in intrusting

all my money to the croupier and taking his receipt for it, payable to

my order. This precaution settled in the most public manner, I bade my

friends good night.

'At the foot of the stairs I found General Valiente waiting for me,

apparently, for he accosted me in the most gracious tone, and bowed with

the most exquisite air of well-bred politeness.

''Believe me, Señor Rideau, I feel extremely mortified about that little

affair of the counterfeit dollars.'

''You are altogether too considerate, General, to think about the matter

in any way.'

''O Señor! such a circumstance jars upon my feelings; those confounded

villains! we must have a strong government, and make an example of some

of them. I feel anxious to make amends to you--something more than a

mere apology. Now an idea struck me as I came down-stairs. Will you

oblige me by allowing me to buy the spurious dollars? Well, now, suppose

I give you four good ones, it will be so much out of the fire.'

''Willingly, General, most willingly; but the fact is, I can only return

you twelve; I have a particular use for the other three.'

''Ah! you sly rogue, you passed off three on the croupier, eh? Well,

that is not so bad.'

''General, you flatter me too highly. I assure you I have a special

purpose for three of them.'

''Oh! well,' said he, 'it is not of the least importance; I happen to

have four dollars in my pocket, and I will give them to you in exchange

for your twelve, rather than see a friend lose all.'

''General, I thank you a thousand times; here are your twelve

counterfeits.'

''O Señor! pray do not mention thanks; between caballeros, there is no

need for thanks; I have only done the right thing; here are four genuine

dollars. Good-night--pleasant dreams.'

'Half-past twelve was striking as I reached, without further adventure,

the door of my habitation.

''Who is there?' cried I, as I suddenly beheld, a few steps from the

door, wrapped in a large cloak, leaning against the railing, a tall man.

'The unknown made no reply. I therefore stepped back and drew out my

revolver. Dialogues carried on by knives and fire-arms are by no means

of rare occurrence at mid-night in the streets of Mexico; but I was

anxious, ere proceeding to extremities, to have a good look at my

antagonist. Although the Cathedral Square was illumined by a magnificent

moonlight, still I could not succeed. His hat was forced down over his

brow; his ample cloak was raised, and the folds covered the lower

portion of his face entirely. I could distinguish only a pair of glaring

eyes, and also discover that his long hair, which nearly reached his

shoulders, was almost perfectly white.

'The contemptuous silence and disdainful listlessness of my cloaked

adversary tended rather to enrage than calm me; so, with my revolver in

full view, and my arm stretched forth, I advanced toward him.

''I have already once demanded who you are, and you have not seen fit to

answer me. As I intend entering this house, and can not do so in safety,

since you block my passage, and may have a dagger hidden beneath your

cloak, I warn you, unless you clear the way, I shall be obliged to

proceed to violent means to enforce my demand.'

'Whether the unknown was duly impressed with wholesome prudence, by the

tone of my voice and the sight of my pistol; whether, finding he had

woke up the wrong customer, he determined to change his tactics; or

whether he had no sinister motives, I could not then determine; suffice

it to say, he evacuated the disputed territory, and with a measured and

majestic step, moved away some eight or ten paces, reminding me of a

stage bandit, in some Bowery melodrama.

'Keeping my face toward him, and letting no movement of his body escape

me, I knocked loudly at the door, and in a minute more Donna Lopez

herself opened it, and I entered.

'Mexican houses all are provided with two doors, and my hostess and I

had not crossed the vestibule leading to the inner one, when the knocker

fell on the outer door, with a force that fairly startled the obese

Teresa.

''Holy Virgin!' exclaimed she, 'who can be there at this hour? But

angels defend us, why, Señor, have you your pistol in your hand?'

'In a few words, I explained to her the adventure which had befallen me

at the door; but ere I had fairly ended, the door shook with the

increased violence with which the knocker now fell upon it. I rushed

forward to open it.

''For mercy's sake, Señor, be prudent; do not open it,' said my

terrified hostess, 'wait--wait, I will go myself.'

'Poor Donna Teresa, overpowered by fear, was slower than even was her

custom, in obeying the impetuous summons, and as she reached the door,

it shook for the third time beneath the rapid blows of the knocker.

'Who is there?' said she, in a faltering tone, opening a little slide

which was so protected by bars and cross-bars as to prevent the

intrusion of a dagger or even the muzzle of a pistol; 'who is there?'

''_The price of liberty is eternal vigilance_,' was the answer from

without.