"No, no, I will go with you," the monk exclaimed, with a look of terror; "caspita! I want to take advantage of your escort."
"Then make haste, for I shall give orders to start within five minutes."
The officer, after looking round the plain, gave his asistente orders to bring up his horse, and mounted with that grace peculiar to Mexican riders. The monk stifled a sigh of regret, probably thinking of the savoury hospitality he was leaving, to run the risk of a long journey, and, aided by the arrieros, he contrived to lift himself on to a mule, whose loins gave way beneath the enormous load.
"Ouf!" he muttered, "Here I am."
"To horse!" the officer commanded.
The dragoons obeyed at once, and for a few seconds the clash of steel could be heard.
The maiden, to whom we have alluded, had hitherto stood silent and motionless in the doorway, apparently suffering from some secret agitation, and looking now and then anxiously at two or three Campesinos, who, leaning negligently against the wall of the venta, listlessly followed the movements of the party; but at the moment when the Captain was about to give the order to start, she resolutely went up to him and offered him a mechero.
"Your cigarette is not lighted, sir," she said, in a soft and melodious voice.
"On my honour, 'tis true," he replied, and bending gallantly down to her, he returned her the mechero, saying, "thanks, my pretty child."
The girl profited by this movement, which brought his face close to hers, to whisper hurriedly—