"I am convinced of it, my child, for Captain Melendez is exactly what you describe him."
"Is he not?" she quickly asked.
"Yes, he is a true Caballero; unfortunately, there are not many officers like him in the Mexican army."
"This morning, the conducta set out, escorted by the Captain; two or three ill-looking fellows, who remained at the venta, watched the soldiers depart with a cunning smile, then sat down, began drinking and saying to me things a girl ought not to hear, until at last they even threatened me."
"Ah!" Tranquil interrupted her, with a frown, "Do you know the scoundrels?"
"No, father, they are border ruffians, like those of whom there are too many about here; but, though I have seen them several times, I do not know their names."
"No matter, I will discover them, you may feel assured.
"Oh, father, you would do wrong to trouble yourself about that."
"Very well, that is my business."
"Fortunately for me, while this was occurring, a horseman arrived, whose presence was sufficient to impose silence on these men, and force them to become what they should always have been, that is to say, polite and respectful to me."