“Ah! Once more the unbounded hospitality of Santa Barbara’s presidio!” the new-comer gasped. “I accept with delight, hail wine and food with joy!”
He picked up his saddle and bridle and entered, to throw them on the floor in a corner of the room. Already the neophyte had filled the wine cups and put out cold food. The stranger bowed and sat at the head of the table.
“I trust that you will excuse my lack of conversation for the time being,” he said. “Ten miles such as I have had to-day give a man hunger and thirst.”
“More food, neophyte!” the sergeant roared. “We have before us a famished man. Water, that he may bathe his face and hands after he has eaten. Brush his cloak, also, and clean his boots. The hospitality of the Santa Barbara presidio is questioned, I believe. By the good saint, we will treat him as well as any fray or padre at any mission in the chain!”
“I toast you, fair sir!” exclaimed the stranger, and emptied the wine cup. The eager neophyte filled it again quickly and departed for water.
“When we observed you in the distance,” the sergeant said, “I sent a man to awaken our ensign. Being an officer who loves his sleep, it probably will be some minutes before he arrives to greet you. If, in the meantime, you care to relate what has befallen you on the highway we shall rejoice to hear it.”
“A matter of small consequence,” replied the stranger. “I was set upon by bandits, both Indian and Mexican.”
“One of each?” inquired the sergeant, blandly.
“At least half a score of each, señor—quite a company, in fact.”
“Ah! Now we are to get the story of your prowess. Kindly proceed, caballero!”