Having said this, he retired; leaving the travellers in astonishment, and perplexed as to his true character so easily did this man vary both manner and language.
An hour and a half passed over without Don Pedro receiving any news of his host. At the end of that time an Indian appeared, and without uttering a word, made a sign to the travellers to follow him. They obeyed without hesitation.
After following him for some minutes, they found themselves on the summit of the teocali which the evening before, under the silver rays of the moon, they had taken for a hill.
From this elevation the travellers commanded an immense extent of horizon, and enjoyed a magnificent landscape, still partially veiled by the mists of morning, but illumined here and there by the dazzling sunbeams, which produced the most striking effects amongst this chaos of trees and mountains intersecting the boundless prairies.
The morning repast was prepared on a mound of turf, covered over with the large leaves of the mahogany.
The Tigercat standing by the mound, was waiting for his guests. Some redskins, few in number, and scattered here and there about the platform, all armed, and in their war paint, were walking about with seeming indifference, and taking no apparent note of the presence of the strangers.
"I have preferred to have the meal served here," said the Tigercat, "where you can enjoy the magnificent prospect."
Don Pedro thanked him; and, at his repeated invitation, sat down by the mound with his daughter and Don Luciano. The peones ate by themselves.
The repast was frugal. It consisted of fritters, with red pepper, tasajo (sun-dried beef), a few slices of venison, and rolls made of maize flour, the whole washed down with eau de smilax and pulque,—a spirit prepared from a species of aloe. It was a true hunter's meal.
"Eat and drink," said the Tigercat; "you have a long journey before you."