The baggage was then taken from the top, and placed in the boot again; the nun entered the carriage, Nina retaining her seat upon the box, seeming not to hear the good Felicite’s gentle command for her to sit with her. Springing to his seat, the stranger called to his horse to follow, and drove off with the skill of an experienced driver.
The Mission San José was reached in safety, and there the stranger left them, but Nina de Sutro never forgot that ride, or the face of the man who had saved her life.
Without a word regarding himself, not even giving his name or calling, the daring rescuer of two lives had sprung into his saddle, after reaching the mission, raised his sombrero courteously, and, dashing spurs into his horse, had gone off like the wind.
“Who is he, Father Ambrose?” asked the nun, addressing the head priest of the Mission.
“I do not know, Sister Felicite, for I never saw him before; but he shall have the prayers of the church for his noble deed done this day for you and this child,” was the response, and the travelers were made comfortable at the Mission for the night.
The next day another driver was secured, and Sister Felicite and her fair young charge, who was going to the City of Mexico, to a convent, to receive her education, went on their way.
But Sister Felicite soon discovered that the peril through which they had passed had seemed to cast a gloom upon the heart of Nina de Sutro. The young girl became thoughtful, and no longer gathered wild flowers when they halted to rest by the wayside.
Arriving at the convent, Nina did not have the same merry nature as before, and her leisure hours seemed to be passed in reveries.
After some months at the convent, the girl went into the city, to pass a short vacation with her kindred, and to accompany them to a grand tournament which was given by army officers and gentlemen fond of such sports.
There was a bull-fight, then a riding-match for a prize, a shooting-match, a combat on horseback with swords, and lasso-throwing.