The spot where they had now made stop--final for the night--was still
far below the summit of the mountain. It was a sort of platform or
bench, formed by the crest of a projecting spur, the cliff rising sheer
at its back. Its level surface was only a few acres in extent,
supporting a thick growth of tall evergreen pines, the long-leaved
species indigenous to Mexico. Centrally there was a place clear of
timber, which ran up to the cliff's base, or rather to a building
contiguous to it. In front of this they halted, Rivas saying--
"Behold my humble abode, _caballeros_! Let me bid you welcome to it."
There was light enough to let them see a massive pile of mason work
outlined against the cliff's _facade_, while too dim for them to
distinguish its features. They could make out, however, what appeared
to be a pair of windows with pointed arches, and between them a large
doorway, seeming more like the mouth of a cavern. Out of this came a
faint scintillation of light, and as they drew up to it, a candle could
be seen burning inside a sort of covered porch, resembling the lych-gate
of a country church. There were some stone benches outside, from one of
which a man started up and advanced toward them, as he did so putting
the formal question--
"_Quien es_?"
"_Yo, Gregorio_!" was the answer given by Rivas.
"_El Capitan_!" exclaimed the questioner, in a tone also telling of
pleased surprise. "And free again! I'm so glad, Don Ruperto! Praise
to the Lord for delivering you!"
"Thanks, good Gregorio! And while you're about it, you may as well give
part of your praise to a lady, who had something to do with it--indeed,
two of them."
"Ah! Senor Capitan, I think I know one of them anyhow, and in all
Mexico I can say--ay, swear it--"
"True, true!" interrupted the Captain. "But stay your asseveration.
There's no time to talk about the Senoritas now. My friends and I are
in want of something to eat. We're as hungry as _coyotes_. What have
you got in the larder?"
"Not much, I fear, your worship. And the cook's gone to bed, with
everybody else. But they'll only be too delighted to get up when they
hear it's your worship come back. Shall I go and rouse them, Senor?"
"No, no. Let them sleep it out. Any cold thing will do for us. We're
as much fatigued as famished, and wish to be in bed ourselves as soon as
possible. So look out whatever eatables there are, and don't forget the
drinkables. I trust the cellar isn't as low as the larder?"
"No, Senor. Of that I can speak with more confidence. Not a cork has
been drawn since you left us--I mean of the best wines. Only the common
Canario was drunk in your absence."
"In that case, mayor-domo, we may sup satisfactorily, so far as the
liquids are concerned, should the solids prove deficient. Bring a
bottle of Burgundy, another of the Brown Madeira, and, let me see--yes,
one of old Pedro Ximenes. I suppose the brethren have used up all my
best cigars?"
"Not one of them, Senor. The Havannahs have been under lock and key,
too. I gave out only _puros_."
"What a faithful steward you've proved yourself, Gregorio! Well, along
with the wine, let us have a bundle of Imperadores. We haven't tasted
tobacco for days, and are all dying for a smoke."
By this time they had entered the porch, and were passing on through a
long corridor, still more dimly illuminated. But there was light
issuing from a side-door, which stood open. By this Rivas made stop,
with word and gesture signifying to the others to pass on inside, which
they did. Not all of them, however; only Kearney and Rock. A different
disposition he meant making of the dwarf than giving him Burgundy and
Madeira to drink, with the smoking of "Emperor" cigars. Pointing to the
crooked semblance of humanity, at which Gregorio was gazing with a
puzzled air, he whispered to the latter--
"Take the beast back, and shut him up in one of the cells. You may give
him something to eat, but see to his being securely kept. Insignificant
as he looks, there's mischief in him, and he might take it into his head
to stray. You comprehend, Gregorio?"
"I do, your worship. I'll take care to stow him safe."
Saying which, the mayor-domo of the establishment, for such Gregorio
was, caught the hunchback by one of his ears--grand auricles they were--
and led him away along the corridor, with the prison chain trailing
behind.
Rivas did not stay till they were out of sight, but turning, stepped
inside the room into which he had ushered the other two.
It was rather a large apartment, but plainly and sparsely furnished; a
deal table and half a dozen common chairs, with leathern backs and
bottoms, such as may be seen in most Mexican houses. It was better
supplied with arms than household effects; several guns standing in
corners, with swords hanging against the walls, and a variety of
accoutrements--all giving it more the appearance of a guard-house than
the reception-room of a gentleman's mansion.
"Now _amigos_" said the Mexican, after rejoining his guests, on whose
faces he could not fail to note an odd inquiring expression, "I can at
last say to you, feel safe, if I can't assure you of a supper good as
I'd wish to give. Still, if I mistake not, 'twill be superior to our
prison fare. _Por Dios_! Having to put up with that was punishment
enough of itself, without being set to work in the sewers."
"Ah," remarked Kearney, speaking for himself and the Texan, "had you
been one of us prisoners from Mier up to Mexico, the diet you complain
of would have seemed luxury for Lucullus."
"Indeed! What did they give you to eat?"
"Brown beans only half boiled, _tortillas_, usually cold; and sometimes,
for a whole stretch of twenty-four hours, nothing at all."
"_Carramba_!" exclaimed the Mexican. "That was hard usage. But nothing
to surprise. Just as Santa Anna might be expected to treat his captive
enemies, whether of his own people, or as yourselves, foreigners. More
cruel tyrant never ruled country. But his reign, thank Heaven, will not
be long. I've reason for saying that, and better still for thinking
it."
The little interlude of dialogue was brought to a close by the entrance
of the mayor-domo loaded with bottles and glasses. He had orders to
bring the wine first, the cigars along with it.
Lumping all down upon the table, he left them to wait upon themselves,
while he went off to ransack the pantry soon to return with a
sufficiency of viands, and savoury enough to satisfy men who had just
come out of the Acordada. There was cold mutton, ham, and venison,
maize bread, and "guesas de Guatemala," with a variety of fruit to
follow. Verily a supper at which even a gourmand might not cavil;
though it was but the _debris_ of a dinner, which seemed to have been
partaken of by a goodly array of guests.
Not long lingered they over it, before whom it was set a second time.
Overcome by the toil and struggle of days, and more the mental worry
attendant, even the wine freely quaffed failed to excite them afresh.
Rest and sleep they more needed and much desired; all glad when Gregorio
again showed his face at the door, saying--
"_Caballeros_, your sleeping rooms are ready."