"In the name of Heaven, explain yourself, Hermosa."
"While we were wandering in the forest, a prey to despair," she replied, in extreme agitation—"while we were expecting the death that could not be long in coming,—I felt my foot bitten by a snake of the most venomous kind. At first I overcame my pain, in order not to increase the discouragement of my companions."
"How well I recognise your strength and courage there, niña!"
"Let me continue," said she, with a sad smile. "The pain soon became so piercing, that my strength failed me, in spite of my courage. At that moment God sent to our aid, him whom you call Stoneheart. The first thought of that man was to help me."
"It is wonderful!" said Don Estevan Diaz.
"By the use of some sort of leaf, he managed to neutralise the effect of the poison, so that, shortly after having been bitten, I felt no pain from the wound, and am quite recovered today. Can you now deny that I owe him my life?"
"No," said he frankly; "for he saved you indeed. Yet for what purpose? That is what puzzles me."
"For the sake of saving me,—for humanity's sake; his after conduct sufficiently proves it. It is to him alone we owe our subsequent escape from the Apaches, who were on our trail."
"All you say, niña, appears like an incomprehensible dream; I do not know whether I am asleep or awake while I listen to you."
"But has this man really been guilty of the infamous actions which excite your indignation?"