’Lying across the bed, his face livid, every muscle in motion, a prey to the most violent convulsions, I saw my unfortunate fellow-countryman.  No sooner, however, did the noise of my entrance fall upon his ear, than he summoned strength enough to rise, and seizing a pistol that was beside him, pointed it at me.

‘’Ah! it is you?’ said he, lowering his weapon, and falling back, ’you have arrived just in time to see me die.’

’’Take courage, my friend; for heaven’s sake, be of good cheer.  It is only one of your usual attacks, and will pass off; there is no danger.’

‘’No danger!’ repeated the unfortunate sufferer, biting the sheet and striving to stifle the cry which agony drew from him; ’no danger? why, I am poisoned!’

‘’Poisoned! you must be mad,’ I exclaimed:  but without loss of time, I summoned Donna Lopez, and sent instantly for a doctor, who fortunately lived within a few doors of our house.

’Once more alone with Arthur, I inquired, during a momentary cessation of his sufferings: 

‘’What reason have you for thinking you are poisoned?’

‘’I am sure of it,’ he replied.  ’About an hour since, I received a visit from the Mexican General who is superintendent of the recruiting service.  He desired me to give him certain explanations relative to Pepito, which, of course, I did.  It was very warm, and he asked for a glass of iced water.  I offered him some claret to mix with it, and, at his request, joined him in the drink.  But a few moments elapsed after I had taken my draught, when I felt a weakness steal over me; my eyelids grew heavy, my knees gave way, and an intolerable heat burned my veins.  I was compelled to sit down upon my bed.  At that moment, the General changed his tone, and imperiously demanded the key of my desk.  ’I do not want your money,’ he said, ’but I must have the papers relative to the opal-mine.’  I can not express the effect these words produced upon me.  ‘To deal frankly with you,’ continued the General, ’you are poisoned, and the Indian poison that is now coursing through your veins has no antidote.  Ten minutes, and your strength will begin to fail; two hours, and your earthly career will end.  If you do not at once give me your keys, I shall force the lock.’  These words, which he doubtless thought would crush me, filled me with boundless rage, and for a few moments revived my sinking energies.  I started to my feet, and seized my revolver.’

‘’’The devil! it seems the dose was not strong enough,’ exclaimed my assassin, taking flight; ‘but I will return, be sure of that.’’

’The doctor soon arrived.  At the first glance at the patient, he knit his brow, and his countenance became overcast.

‘’How long have you been ill?’ he inquired.

‘’I was poisoned, about an hour since.’

‘’Ah! you know you have been poisoned?’

’’Yes, doctor, and also the man who poisoned me.  Tell me, I beseech you, how long I have to live?  Speak! you need have no fear; I am prepared for the worst.’