Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/97

Rh every day. At last, at a short distance from this region, I was told that a man answering to his description had been seen in the capacity of vaquero upon these prairies. I suppose he fancied this distant spot would be the last in which I should expect to find him; and so it might have been, but for the information I had received. Here, then, was the end of my search! I never rested till I had seen him—myself unobserved—as he was conversing with a man whom I conjectured was the capitaz—his employer. By a great effort, I bridled the fierce passion within me for that night, and after I had sharpened my knife, lay down in a bed of shrubs and rushes, and tried to obtain a little of that rest I so much needed;3 but in vain. Far from sleeping or resting, I could not remain many moments in the same posture; excitement seemed to fire my very blood, and I longed for the coming daylight, which should see me amply revenged.

" 'I had not waited quite an hour after the sun rose, when I saw my foe quietly emerging from the doorway of his hut, to attend to his occupations for the day, in an opposite part of the prairie. I was soon behind him; he did