The horseman had been riding along the ridge-trail upon the Mexican side of the river. He saw the danger, just as the driver was dragged from his seat, and, wheeling his horse, he dashed down to the bank, to see that the vehicle was at the mercy of the waters and very soon would be swept away with its occupants. At once he had seized the long lariat he had hanging from the horn of his saddle. He was a man whose handsome face and courtly manners would win admiration anywhere. His fine physique was set off by his elegant Mexican dress, and he wore upon his head a sombrero richly embroidered in gold and silver, a tiny crossed American and Mexican flag being upon the brim on the left side. His hair was very long, falling far down his back, and he wore a mustache and imperial which gave him a military air. His horse was richly caparisoned, and it looked ready for any service its master demanded. His lasso coil having been most skilfully launched over the waters and caught by Nina de Sutro, the horseman called out in a voice of command: “Tie a firm knot about the dash of the carriage, and I will make fast my end to this tree.” The girl obeyed with alacrity, and, dismounting, the man took his stake-rope, and, throwing aside his hat, jacket, belt of arms, and boots with heavy spurs, plunged into the stream, and was, with a few vigorous strokes, carried to the vehicle, which was just balancing upon the bar of sand, the horses barely keeping their feet. The stake-ropes of the horses were taken from the boot and tied securely to the one carried by the rescuer. The new line was then made fast to the pole, the stranger meanwhile acting rapidly and coolly, while he said: “Have no fear now, ladies, for I will swim ashore with this line, attach it to my saddle, and my horse will drag your carriage ashore. You, miss, hold the reins, but cling to the carriage top-rail, should the vehicle capsize, as this lady must also do. Now all is ready, and there is no time to lose.” With this he sprang into the stream once more, and was whirled away by the swiftly flowing current. He swam splendidly, and landed below, just as he reached the end of the united stake-ropes. Running up the bank, he made the end fast to his saddle-horn, and, seizing the lasso tied to the tree, untied it and took position near his horse--the intelligent animal seeming to understand just what was expected of him. “All ready, now!” cried the horseman, to the nun and Nina upon the box of the carriage. The latter still held the reins and whip. Then he started his horse slowly forward, thus drawing, with the stake-ropes attached to the saddle-horn and the lasso which he held, the horses and vehicle up against the current of the surging stream. At the call of the stranger, Nina gathered the reins, and at the same time laid the whip upon the backs of the horses.