It is a general rule with the lower class Mexicans that all foreigners are English, and consequently hunters or gringos.
"Come here, Ño Lusacho," Valentine said, addressing the landlord, who was turning his hat between his fingers with an air of considerable embarrassment, "I have to talk on important matters with these gentlemen, and as I do not wish to be disturbed by you, I propose that you should give me up this room for an hour."
"Excellency," he muttered.
"I understand, you expect to be paid. Very good, I will pay you, but on condition that no one, not even yourself, comes in till I call."
"Still, your excellency——."
"Listen to me without interruption. Day will not break for two hours, so you will not open your rancho till then, and, consequently, you have no customers to expect. I will pay an ounce for each hour; will that suit you?"
"I should think so, your excellency; at that price I will sell you the whole day if you wish."
"That is not necessary," the hunter said, with a laugh; "but you understand I want fair play—no ears on the listen, or eyes at the slits of the panelling."
"I am an honest man, your excellency."
"I am ready to believe so; but I warn you, because in the event of my seeing an eye or an ear lap, I shall immediately fire a bullet at it as a recommendation to prudence, and I have the ill luck to be a dead shot. Does the bargain suit you with those conditions?"