My companions were Gahra, and a dozen Indians and mestizoes, to each of whom I was enabled, by Don Esteban's kindness, to give a handsome gratuity beforehand.
To Juanita I gave as a wedding-present my ruby-ring, to Carmen my horse Pizarro.
Our parting was one of the most painful incidents of my long and checkered life.

I loved them both and I think they loved me.

Juanita wept abundantly; we all embraced and tried to console ourselves by promising each other that we should meet again; but when or where or how, none of us could tell, and in our hearts we knew that the chances against the fruition of our hopes were too great to be reckoned.
Then, full of sad thoughts and gloomy forebodings, I set out on my long journey to the unknown..