EL BRONCE DE PETORCA. ^03 



These they put fresh into their hair, and when 

 this simple toilette was completed, they looked as 

 interesting, and as nicely dressed, as if " the 

 carriage was to have called for them at eleven 

 o'clock and in a few minutes, when I returned 

 to the ball, I was happy to see them each with a 

 partner. 



In the morning, before day, we started, and for 

 many a league my companions were riding toge- 

 ther, and discussing the merits of their partners. 

 The country we rode over was mountainous, and 

 it was very fatiguing both to mules and riders. 

 I had just climbed up a very steep part of the 

 mountain, and, with one of my party, was winding 

 my mule through some stunted trees, when I sud- 

 denly met a large-headed young man, of about 

 eighteen years of age, riding his horse at a walk, 

 and with tears running, one after another, down his 

 face. I stopped, and asked him what was the mat- 

 ter, but he made no reply. I then asked him how 

 many leagues it was to Petorca, but he continued 



crying, and at last he said, He had lost " 



" Who have you lost ?" said I, debating whether it 

 was his mother or his mistress. The fellow burst 



