A cheer broke from the lips of the horseman, who was splendidly mounted and equipped, and dressed in the garb of a Mexican gentleman ranchero.
The horseman had been riding along the ridge-trail upon the Mexican side of the river.
He saw the danger, just as the driver was dragged from his seat, and, wheeling his horse, he dashed down to the bank, to see that the vehicle was at the mercy of the waters and very soon would be swept away with its occupants.
At once he had seized the long lariat he had hanging from the horn of his saddle.
He was a man whose handsome face and courtly manners would win admiration anywhere. His fine physique was set off by his elegant Mexican dress, and he wore upon his head a sombrero richly embroidered in gold and silver, a tiny crossed American and Mexican flag being upon the brim on the left side.
His hair was very long, falling far down his back, and he wore a mustache and imperial which gave him a military air.
His horse was richly caparisoned, and it looked ready for any service its master demanded.
His lasso coil having been most skilfully launched over the waters and caught by Nina de Sutro, the horseman called out in a voice of command:
“Tie a firm knot about the dash of the carriage, and I will make fast my end to this tree.”
The girl obeyed with alacrity, and, dismounting, the man took his stake-rope, and, throwing aside his hat, jacket, belt of arms, and boots with heavy spurs, plunged into the stream, and was, with a few vigorous strokes, carried to the vehicle, which was just balancing upon the bar of sand, the horses barely keeping their feet.