The Queen of the Lakes; A Romance of the Mexican Valley (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ...shout--a responsive hail Thank the Heavenly and merciful Father No pen could paint, or tongue tell, the thrill of joy that ran through us on hearing that hail. It might be likened to the cry "Reprieved " sent over the heads of the spectators, to the ears of a condemned man standing on the scaffold. The shout so sweet to our ears was repeated; for we had hailed in response. And then we heard several voices calling in chorus; one of which our canoeman recognized. For he also was now roused from his apathy, and himself again. "Praise to the Virgin Glory to the good Santa Mercedes " he exclaimed, starting up and flinging his arms excitedly around. "You hear, Caballeros? It's the Seftor Don Tito who calls " Don Tito it surely was; his presence there soon after explained by himself. He had not come by chance or accident; but carrying out a purpose, in which he had now succeeded; since it was neither more nor less than to search for ourselves. How he should know we were lost, scarce needs to be told. Simply, by the canoeman not returning to the chinampas in due time. The good alcalde suspecting something amiss, had sent his own son--meanwhile returned home--to San Isidro, to inquire whether we had reached that place in safety. Taking the more direct route--the acalote leading to the left--the youth arrived at San Isidro, to find from his father's friend, that we had not been for the horses which were to have been furnished us. Speeding back to the chinampas with this intelligence, it was there surmised that we had met with the mischance, which had actually befallen us. The violent storm coming suddenly on just after we had started, led Don Tito to believe that we were beset by bandoleros of a different...