"A magnificent opportunity for me?" the monk repeated, in amazement; "What opportunity, honourable Captain?"
"For preaching to the Infidels, and teaching them the dogmas of our Holy Faith," he replied, with imperturbable coolness.
At this abrupt proposal the monk made a frightful face.
"Deuce take the opportunity!" he exclaimed, snapping his fingers; "I will leave that to other asses! I feel no inclination for martyrdom."
"As you please, Padre; still you are wrong."
"That is possible, honourable Captain, but hang me if I accompany you near those pagans; in two days I shall leave you."
"So soon as that?"
"Why, I suppose, that since you are going on to the prairie, you will leave the recua of mules you are escorting at the Rancho of San Jacinto, which is the extreme point of the Mexican possessions on the desert border."
"It is probable."
"Well, I will go on with the muleteers; as all the dangerous passes will then have been left behind, I shall have nothing to fear, and shall continue my journey in the most agreeable way possible."