"Never mind what I wish; but say, where is it to be seen?"
"If you ride fast, senores, the light will yet enable you to reach the valley," replied the hostalero, still smiling,—almost grinning, in fact.
"Pursue the way from this to the eastward for nearly a league, passing on your left La Montanza de Centejo, and so on, till you reach a well shaded by three old rosewood trees."
"What next?"
"Wheel off by a narrow path that lies to the right, and pass between two rocks; you will then see the summit of the great peak before you; and after proceeding about a mile, you will come to a flat stone, and from there you will perceive the diamond (if the atmosphere serves) shining like a light in the face of the rock, about fifty yards or so before you."
"Muchos gratios, senor," said Hislop; "these directions seem very clear."
"I am glad senor is pleased," replied the hostalero, removing his broad straw hat.
"Could you oblige me with a piece of hard chalk?"
"Hard chalk," reiterated the hostalero; "certainly, senor," and in a second he brought a piece from his kitchen.
Hislop thanked him, placed it in his pocket, and we rode off just as the clear twilight began to deepen with the most magnificent effects of lingering light and purple shadow on land and sea, on mountain, isle, and shore.