The two strangers, who had constantly repulsed modestly, but firmly, the advances the general had made in the warmth of his gratitude, threw themselves carelessly on the baggage for a few hours' rest. A little before dawn they arose. "The earth must be cool by this time," said the hunter: "let us be gone before these people wake; perhaps they would not wish us to leave them so." "Let us be gone!" the other replied laconically. At the moment he was about to pass over the boundary of the camp, a hand was laid lightly upon the shoulder of the elder. He turned round, and Doña Luz was before him. The two men stopped and bowed respectfully to the young lady. "Are you going to leave us?" she asked in a soft and melodious voice. "We must, señorita," the hunter replied. "I understand," she said with a charming smile; "now that, thanks to you, we are saved, you have nothing more to do here,--is it not so?" The two men bowed without replying. "Grant me a favour," she said. "Name it, señorita." She took from her neck a little diamond cross she wore. "Keep this, in remembrance of me." The hunter hesitated. "I beg you to do so," she murmured in an agitated voice. "I accept it, señorita," the hunter said, as he placed the cross upon his breast close to his scapulary; "I shall have another talisman to add to that which my mother gave me." "Thank you," the girl replied joyfully; "one word more?" "Speak it, lady." "What are your names?" "My companion is called Belhumeur." "But yourself?" "Loyal Heart." After bowing a second time, in sign of farewell, the two hunters departed at a quick pace, and soon disappeared in the darkness. Doña Luz looked after them as long as she could perceive them, and then returned slowly and pensively towards her tent, repeating to herself in a low but earnest tone,-- "Loyal Heart! Oh! I shall remember that name." CHAPTER VII. THE SURPRISE. The United States have inherited from England that system of continual invasion and usurpation which is one of the most salient points in the British character.