into his views, allured by so tempting a booty, and forthwith active preparations were made to insure a successful issue. To Bravo was intrusted the management of every thing; and this wily bandit, to throw a better blind over his intentions, removed a long distance with ali his band; lulling the inhabitants of San Juan and the adjacent ranchos into a false sense of security; fondly imagining that Bravo, convinced that the terror of his name had caused the roads in that neighborhood to be deserted, had gone in search of more lucrative thoroughfares. In the meanwhile, our plotters were not idle: they recruited men, and their spies penetrated into the very house at Barragan, so that the manners and customs of the Gil family were perfectly well known to them. All was ready, and they only waited now for an opportunity. It soon presented itself.
Early in the month of December, the rancho was left almost alone. The young men, as well as most of the feones, had gone off to attend a festa at some distance, leaving Don Cirilo, his eldest son Pepe (José), and the youngest at home. The old man was rather unwell. He was now over eighty, and age, added to sickness, had somewhat soured his once even temper. Pepe wished to retain a guard of picked men in the house, understanding the danger they would be exposed to in being left thus solitary, but his father would not hear of such a thing. "Who," said he, peevishly, "is likely to come and harm us? Have I ever done ill to any one? Do I ever refuse hospitality to strangers, or aid to my peones? Who, then, would attack me?" All was done according to the old man's wish, and away went a large and merry troop, bent on enjoyment; little thinking they were never again to behold—these, their father; those, their master, alive or dead.
That very night was the one chosen by Bravo and Noriega for their expedi tion; and silently they wended their way over the hills and through the darrancas, generally so peaceful, now alive with so many scoundrels of the worst kind. Between eighty and ninety men assembled at last, at about ten P. M., close to the house, and a careful survey was made. Every thing was quiet: the few inmates were at rest, and the only sounds that broke the stillness of the night were the gentle lowing of the cattle in an adjacent corra/, the occasional distant howl of the coyoée, the almost unearthly screech of the owl —answered by the barking of the dogs. Cautiously was the advance made, and at last every thing was ready: a chain was formed all around the house, and a small picket thrown out to prevent any chance of assistance from the side where lay the cluster of houses of the farm-hands. The only danger now lay in being seen by the sentry on the roof as they scaled the wall; but here again the demon of Evil had befriended them. The usual guardian was ill, and Gil's youngest son, a boy some fifteen years old, (whose name I forget, but whom we will call Juan) had been put on the lookout. Poor Juan, unaccustomed to such lonely work, had soon fallen asleep; and, with his rifle in his lap, was peacefully dreaming of the great things that 4e would do, later on, in the bull-ring, when he was suddenly awakened by a pair of rough hands grasping him by the throat. Overcome by terror, he was unable to utter a cry; and ina few seconds he was gagged, blindfolded, and tied so as to render any chance of assistance from him hopeless; they then took his rifle, and, in a few moments, several dark forms were on the roof. The light ladder by which they had mounted served them for the descent to the Jatio; and thus a picked body, headed by Noriega, were safely in the heart of the enemy's stronghold—Bravo hav. ing taken upon himself the duty of cut ting off the retreat, and preventing th:
