“I’ll bet Ramon would give a lot to have that horse back,” observed Jack, gazing at the beast admiringly.
“Yes, considering that we chose him in the dark and in such a hurry, I don’t think we made a bad choice,” was Walt’s rejoinder.
The boys ate sparingly at noon day, despite the variety and splendor of the dishes set before them. They felt that they were the representatives of America at the games, and that it would not do to risk a tummy-ache or any other uncomfortable feeling. Ralph, however, eyed the various dishes longingly, having, as we know, a fastidious appetite. But Jack’s whispered, “You’re in training,” was enough to keep him to the agreement they had made before luncheon.
“I will have your horses saddled for you and brought round,” said the Don, after the conclusion of the meal. He was preparing to give the order to a servant when Jack interposed.
“Without meaning any discourtesy, Don Alverado,” he said, “we would rather saddle up Ourselves. You see——”
“Say no more, say no more. It shall be as you wish,” said the Don, but it was plain to see that he was rather nettled over the Americans’ independence.
“You see,” Jack explained to his chums later, as they wended their way to the stables, “the lower orders of Mexicans have no love for Americans, and they are capable of putting up any tricks on us. I don’t say that they would, but then again it’s best to be on the safe side.”
A chorus of assent greeted this. It did not take long to saddle up, the necessary trappings being among the gifts which Don Alverado had insisted on showering on the saviors of his daughter. The party had protested that they were well able to pay their own way, but the Don would not hear of it.