“Quite so!” he said, thoughtfully. “Then let us talk of affairs at the other end of El Camino Real. I understand that his excellency is coming along the highway soon.”
The ensign sat up straight on his stool, all attention, and regarded the speaker closely. The neophyte’s eyes narrowed an instant, and he drew nearer the table, pretending to be of service, listening intently at every word.
“His excellency coming? This is news!” the ensign exclaimed.
“I heard it rumoured before I left San Francisco de Asis. A tour of inspection, I believe. Ha! Perhaps, officer, you can solve me that riddle? ’Tis said he makes the journey within a month. A tour of inspection, eh? With a couple of hundred soldiers at his heels?”
The neophyte dropped a wine cup.
“Clumsy idiot!” the ensign growled.
CHAPTER II
ALONG THE HIGHWAY
The table was cleared save for three fresh cups newly filled by the Indian, one at the elbow of each man. Sergeant Cassara lurched across the room pulling at his belt, and the corporal and soldiers followed at a respectful distance, and slowly, trying not to show so much interest in the proceeding that there would be a rebuke from the ensign.
The mule’s owner was chuckling to himself; the caballero sat at the other end of the table grim and determined.
“I do not pretend to interest myself too much in the business of either of you gentlemen,” the ensign announced, “yet it seems to me a day or two at Santa Barbara would not be amiss. Within two days I can get an excellent horse and you two may take the remainder of your journey together.”