"Oh! Your Excellency is perfectly right; my travellers do not at all deserve so honourable an escort. They are costeños, who do not appear to me at all rich. Besides, I shall be obliged to stop at least three hours at Orizaba, to repair my coach."
"In that case, good-bye, and go to the deuce!" the officer answered.
The mayoral hesitated a moment, but then, instead of stating as he was ordered, he rapidly got down from his box and went up to the officer.
"You have some news to give me, have you not, compadre?" the latter said.
"I have señor," the mayoral replied with a false laugh.
"Ah, ah," said the other, "and what is it, good or bad?"
"El Rayo is ahead on the road to Mexico." The officer gave an almost imperceptible start at this revelation, but at once recovered himself.
"You are mistaken," he said.
"No, I am not, for I saw him as I see you now." The officer seemed to reflect for a minute or two.
"Very good, I thank you, compadre, I will take my precautions. And your travellers?"