Chapter 35

           "Thechicken-heartedfool!Foolmyself,tohavetrustedtosuchahope!Imighthaveknownshe’dcajoletheyoungcalf,andletthescoundrelescape.Icouldhaveshothimfrombehindthetree—deadasadrownedrat!Andwithoutriskinganything—evendisgrace!Notaparticleofrisk.UncleWoodleywouldhavethankedme—thewholesettlementwouldhavesaidIhaddoneright.Mycousin,ayounglady,betrayedbyacommonscamp—ahorse,trader—whowouldhavesaidawordagainstit?Suchachance!WhyhaveImissedit?Deathandthedevil—itmaynottrumpupagain!"

           Suchwerethereflectionsoftheex-captainofcavalry,whileatsomepacesdistancefollowinghistwocousinsontheirreturntothehacienda.

           "Iwonder,"mutteredhe,onre-enteringthepatio,"whethertheblubberingbabybeinearnest?Goingaftertoapologisetothemanwhohasmadeafoolofhissister!Ha—ha!Itwouldbeagoodjokewereitnottooserioustobelaughedat.Heisinearnest,elsewhythatrowinthestable?’Tishebringingbuthishorse!Itis,bytheAlmighty!"

           Thedoorofthestable,asiscustomaryinMexicanhaciendasopeneduponthepavedpatio.

           Itwasstandingajar;butjustasCalhounturnedhiseyeuponit,amancomingfromtheinsidepusheditwideopen;andthensteppedoverthethreshold,withasaddledhorsefollowingcloseafterhim.

           ThemanhadaPanamahatuponhishead,andacloakthrownlooselyaroundhisshoulders.ThisdidnothinderCalhounfromrecognisinghiscousinHenry,asalsothedarkbrownhorsethatbelongedtohim.