He did all in his power to earn the reward promised him, and in the end was paid it. He had only stipulated to take me into the presence of the robber-chief; and to the letter was this stipulation carried out. Through his agency I was brought face to face with Torreano Carrasco, and my comrades hand to hand with his _cuadrilla_ of _salteadores_. Reader! I forbear to harrow your heart with a description of the conflict that followed. It was too sanguinary to be told to your gentle ear, as it is too sad a _souvenir_, even for my remembrance. Suffice it to say, that one-third of the faithful followers who accompanied me in that expedition, slept their last sleep on the cold sides of Ixticihuatl--the dark pines singing over them their eternal requiem--that more than two-thirds of our outlawed antagonists were slain at the same time; and that the rest--including their chief,-- contrived to make their escape across the mountain. I cared not so much for that, so long as Mercedes remained safe--and to me. She did so, and I was satisfied. The _bandoleros_, taken by surprise, had no time either to conceal their captives, or hurry them out of the way. Each had enough to do in providing for his own safety; and at the very first rush into the _rancho_ Mercedes became mine! As she lay panting upon my breast, I felt like one who has long been in chase of some beautiful bird--fearing by a too close contact to ruffle its rich plumage--at length, enfolding it in his embrace, in the full faith of having a treasure from which he will never more be called upon to part! It was the first time I had holden her in my arms--the first of our exchanging speech--and yet it seemed to both of us like the renewal of an old love, by some sinister chance long interrupted! We talked, as if years had sanctified our affection; though a love like ours needs scarce an hour to carry it to the spring-tide of passion. On the spot I called her Mercedes--_my_ Mercedes; while she in return gave me the endearing title of "querido!" It was no longer "Querido Francisco!" It cast no shadow over my joy, that Francisco survived that terrible night; and, along with his Dolores, lived to complete the _marriage commenced among the mountains_, and so ruthlessly interrupted. I had the pleasure of being present at the crowning scene of the ceremony. It came off in the Capital--in the quiet little church of the Capuchins--where Don Eusebio, instead of insisting upon his daughter becoming _una novia del Cristo_, gave his consent to her being the bride of Francisco Moreno. THE END.