when the dance and song ran swift and loud and
all was merriment, I saw him standing out from
the circle of warriors, of young maidens and men,
with folded arms, looking out on the land below.
I had too much respect, nay reverence, for this man
to disturb him. I leaned against a tree and looked
as he looked. Once his eyes left the dance before
him, arid stole timidly toward the place where
Paquita sat with her brother watching the dance.
What a devotion in his face. I could not understand
him. Now he turned to the valley again, tapped
the ground with his foot in the old, restless way,
but his eyes soon wandered back to Paquita. At
last my gaze met his. He blushed deeply, held
down his head and walked away in silence.
The next day was the time set apart for feats of horsemanship. The band was driven in, all common property, arid the men selected their horses. The Prince drew out with his lasso a stout black steed, with a neck like a bull. His mane poured down on either side, or stood erect like a crest ; a wiry, savage, untrained horse that struck out with his feet, like an elk at bay. Pie saddled him, and led him out all ready now, where the other horses stood in line, then came to me, walked a little way to one side, put out one hand and with the other drew me close to him, held down his head to my uplifted face, and said,
" Good-bye."
I sprang up and seized hold of him, but he went pri calmly