Before passing out, she paused a moment to state apologetically the object of her departure some trifling errand relating to the invalid.
But for this I might have fancied that my flattery had offended, or perhaps the glance of gallantry with which I had regarded her. Even had it been so, I could not then have apologised: for in another instant she was gone.
Story 1, Chapter X An Implacable Pursuer
Found with an enemy standing over him, not a national foe, but a countryman and, as it appeared, an old school-fellow, macheté in hand, threatening to accomplish what the foeman had left incomplete threatening his life, and only hindered from taking it by the merest accidental intervention!
Near at hand, soon after to appear by his side, a woman not one of those hideous hags sometimes seen on the morrow of a bloody battle, skulking among the slain, and stooping, vulture-like, over the mangled corpse but a young girl of sweet voice and lovely aspect; so contrasting with the rude objects around her, so apparently out of place amid such scenes, that instead of a human being, a form of flesh and blood, one might have believed her to be an angel of mercy, that had descended from the sky to soothe the sufferings which men in their frantic fury had caused one another!
And this angel-like creature to prove the sister and not the sweetheart of him whose cries had called me from my couch!
Even in this circumstance there was something to cause me surprise. It would not have been the first time I had met the soldiers sweetheart on the field of battle; but never before had I encountered his sister.
I might have been more surprised at this peculiar encounter, but that on the afternoon of that very day I had been spectator
of a scene calculated to explain it. In a field adjoining the hamlet-village of El Plan I had gazed upon four thousand soldiers of Santa Annas army made prisoners during the action; and circling among them not as spectators, but real actors in the affairs of the camp were at least half this number of women!
Though most stood in a different relationship, I learned that many of these devoted creatures were the sisters some of them the mothers of the men who had mingled in the fight!
I could not help contrasting this bi-sexual crowd with the invading army to which I myself appertained; in which some half-dozen hags, under the appellation of sutlers assistants; a like number performing the métier of the laundress; and one or two virgins of still more questionable calling, formed the whole female camp-following.
After such a scene as that witnessed by the rancheria of El Plan, it could not much astonish me to find the sister of Cairo? Vergara on the field of battle. My astonishment only arose from seeing such a sister !
On being left alone with the Jarocho, I could no longer repress my desire to obtain an explanation of the series of mysteries, that had so suddenly and unexpectedly surrounded me.
My interference in his behalf had furnished me with a sort of right to make the request even to demand it.
Ramon Rayas, I said, as soon as the girl was gone out of hearing This Ramon Rayas appears to be no friend of yours?
Ah, señor! my bitterest enemy.
He is not the enemy of your sister, though! He professes to be her very best friend at least her lover, which should be the same thing? Is she of that opinion?
My sister hates him.
Are you sure of that?
Ñor capitan, you are a stranger to me; but the service youve this night performed makes me feel as if I were talking to an old friend. Excuse the freedom I take. I am only a poor Jarocho owning nothing but my rancho , a few varas of garden-ground, my horse, my saddle, and my macheté . I was going to say my liberty, but thats not true: else why am I dragged from my home to fight battles in which I have no interest? You may say what our military oppressors say it is to fight for my country. Bah! what use in spilling ones blood for a country thats not free? It isnt for that Ive been brought to Cerro Gordo, and shot down like a dog. It was to fight for a tyrant, not for a country for El Cojo, and nobody else!
You have not been in the battle by your own will, then?
Carrambo ! nothing of the sort, ñor deconocio ! I am here by conscription; and Ive been shot down by conscription. No matter now. We have no liberty left in Mexico at least I have none. Still, ñor capitan, theres one treasure left to me which I prize above everything else before riches, or even liberty. It was left me by my parents who have long ago gone to a better world.
What treasure? I inquired, seeing that the speaker hesitated to declare it.
Ña Lola mia hermanita . (Lola, my dear sister.)
I hope there is no danger of your losing her?
There is. This very night you must have heard something to tell you that there is.
Tis true I heard something that sounded like a threat; but what need you fear from a man who can have no control over you or your sister? You say she scorns his suit. If that be so, I cannot understand how she is in danger.