"O Señor caballero," said the man, "will you have the charity to tell a poor wayfarer the time?"
Jack was on the point of pulling out his big hunting-watch, but it struck him suddenly that it was advisable to be on his guard until he was sure of his man.
"Somewhere about seven o'clock, I fancy," he said courteously. "You are right in my way, my friend."
"Sí, caballero, but it is my way as well as yours."
"It is wide enough for both of us," rejoined Jack with a smile; "and as I have some miles to ride, I shall be obliged to you if you'll stand away and let me get on."
The man did not budge, but brought his left hand from beneath his cloak and seized the off rein.
"Come, my friend, don't delay me. 'Tis a cold night, and the sooner I reach my journey's end the better I shall be pleased."
Jack spoke quietly and politely as before, but he was watching the fellow with the wariness of a hawk.
"'Tis cold for me also, caballero; a fire and warm drink await me yonder. I am going to fight the accursed French, and it strikes me a mule like yours will serve me well. I will trouble you, therefore, to dismount, caballero. I perceive you are a tradesman from the town, and you will admit the fighter is more useful to Spain than the shopkeeper. If you will do me the honour to descend, I will mount in your place."
"Not so fast, my man," said Jack. "I don't want to hurt you, but if you continue to stand there you may come to grief when I whip up my mule."