"Ah," the Captain said to him, with a piercing glance; but he was unable to continue this conversation, which seemed highly interesting to him, for a horseman galloped up at full speed from the front, stopped before him, and stooping to his ear, whispered a few words.
The Captain looked scrutinizingly round him, drew himself up in the saddle, and addressed the soldier—
"Very good. How many are they?"
"Two, Captain."
"Watch them, but do not let them suspect they are prisoners; on arriving at the halting ground I will cross-question them. Rejoin your comrades."
The soldier bowed respectfully without reply, and went off at the same speed he had come up.
Captain Melendez had for a long time accustomed his subordinates not to discuss his orders, but obey them unhesitatingly.
We mention this fact because it is excessively rare in Mexico, where military discipline is almost a nullity, and subordination unknown.
Don Juan closed up the ranks of the escort, and ordered them to hurry on.
The monk had seen with secret alarm the conference between the officer and the soldier, of which he was unable to catch a word. When the Captain, after attentively watching the execution of his orders, returned to his place by his side, Father Antonio tried to jest about what had happened, and the cloud of gravity that had suddenly darkened the officer's face.