344 AN OPPORTUNE RENCONTRE. 



lowed raw, without any preparation. Confidence returned 

 with returning strength ; I murmured a brief but fervent 

 thanksgiving to Almighty God, whose divine hand I recog- 

 nized in this unhoped-for succour, and throwing myself 

 back upon the moss, I fell into a profound and tranquil 

 slumber. 



A slumber which lasted for four-and-twenty hours, at 

 least, as well as I could judge when I awoke. I then de- 

 voured the remainder of my squirrel, and felt myself 

 capable of resuming my march. At first, on attempting 

 to rise, I felt a sensation of feebleness, as if I were rooted 

 to the ground ; but I was so persuaded Heaven had 

 taken pity on me, that, by a superhuman effort, I subdued 

 my pain, and finally found myself once more on my feet. 

 I staggered as I moved forward, but did not lose hope. 



After a two hours' journey, I perceived in the distance 

 three men on horseback driving a herd before them. The 

 encounter did not surprise me : I almost expected it ; for, 

 as I have said, I had regained my faith in my Maker ; I 

 felt certain that He would not abandon me after the 

 merciful interposition I had already experienced. 



The three men I speak of came towards me, and I dis- 

 covered that they were Mexicans. Persuaded that from 

 these wretches I should gain nothing by mild treatment, 

 I carefully concealed my gun under my hunting-coat, and 

 allowed them to approach unsuspiciously within musket- 

 range. When they were about thirty paces from me 

 I took aim at them. Greatly terrified, they suddenly 

 checked their career, and seemed on the point of wheeling 

 round and flying at full gallop ; but my gestures arrested 

 their intention. I ordered them, under pain of death, to 



