“Certainly we desire to buy mules and guns,” answered the señor, “and if you think that your father will be able to supply these, we will avail ourselves of your kindness and pass a night or two at his hacienda.”
“Señor, the place is yours and all that it contains,” Don José answered with much courtesy; but as he spoke I saw his eye gleam with an evil fire.
“Doubtless,” I interrupted, “for I understand that Don Pedro Moreno is famed for his hospitality. Still, in accepting it, I venture to ask for a promise of safe-conduct, more especially as, save for our pistols and knives, we are unarmed.”
“Do you wish to insult me, señor?” Don José asked angrily.
“Not in the least, señor, but I find it a little strange that you, who two nights ago refused to sit at meat with ‘a dog of an Indian,’ should now be anxious to receive that same dog into your home.”
“Have I not said that I am sorry for what is past?” he answered, “and can a man do more? Gentlemen, if any evil is attempted towards you in my father’s house, I will answer for it with my life.”
“That is quite sufficient,” broke in the señor, “especially as in such an event we should most certainly hold you to your bond. And now tell me how far is the hacienda from this spot?”
“If we start at once we should reach it at sundown,” he answered, “that is on foot, though it is but three hours’ ride from the house to the mouth of the river.”
“Then let us go,” he said, and ten minutes later we were on the road.
Before we went, however, we bade a warm farewell to the sailors, and also to the alcalde of the village, all of whom were somewhat disturbed on learning that we proposed to sleep at Santa Cruz.