"Simply thus: we found you many miles from this place, on a cliff that overlooks the Del Norte. You were hanging over on your lasso, that by a lucky accident had become entangled around your body. One end of it was knotted to the bit-ring, and the noble animal, thrown back upon his haunches, sustained your weight upon his neck!" "Noble Moro! what a terrible situation!" "Ay, you may say that! Had you fallen from it, you would have passed through a thousand feet of air before striking the rocks below. It was indeed a fearful situation." "I must have staggered over in my search for water." "In your delirium you walked over. You would have done so a second time had we not prevented you. When we drew you up on the cliff, you struggled hard to get back. You saw the water below, but not the precipice. Thirst is a terrible thing--an insanity of itself." "I remember something of all this. I thought it had been a dream." "Do not trouble your brain with these things. The doctor here admonishes me to leave you. I have an object, as I have said," (here a sad expression passed over the countenance of the speaker), "else I should not have paid you this visit. I have not many moments to spare. To-night I must be far hence. In a few days I shall return. Meanwhile, compose yourself, and get well. The doctor here will see that you want for nothing. My wife and daughter will nurse you." "Thanks! thanks!" "You will do well to remain where you are until your friends return from Chihuahua. They must pass not far from this place, and I will warn you when they are near. You are a student. There are books here in different languages. Amuse yourself. They will give you music. Monsieur, adieu!" "Stay, sir, one moment! You seem to have taken a strange fancy to my horse?" "Ah! monsieur, it was no fancy; but I will explain that at some other time. Perhaps the necessity no longer exists." "Take him, if you will. Another will serve my purpose." "No, monsieur. Do you think I could rob you of what you esteem so highly, and with such just reason, too? No, no! Keep the good Moro. I do not wonder at your attachment to the noble brute." "You say that you have a long journey to-night. Then take him for the time." "That offer I will freely accept, for indeed my own horse is somewhat jaded. I have been two days in the saddle. Well, adieu!" Seguin pressed my hand and walked away. I heard the "chinck, chinck" of his spurs as he crossed the apartment, and the next moment the door closed behind him. I was alone, and lay listening to every sound that reached me from without. In about half an hour after he had left me, I heard the hoof-strokes of a horse, and saw the shadow of a horseman passing outside the window. He had departed on his journey, doubtless on the performance of some red duty connected with his fearful avocation!