“And––”
“Yes:––your Excellency?”
“As to that pagan grandmother of whom you made mention:––her relationship need not be widely tooted through a horn on the journey––yet of all things vital to the honorable Maestro Diego and his ‘Relaciones,’ I stand surety that not any one thing will 79 be given so much good room on paper as the things he learns of the heathen worship of the false gods.”
“A nod is as good as a wink to a mule that is blind!” called back the lad in high glee. “Happy am I to have your excellency’s permission to hold discourse with him concerning the church accursed lore of our ancestral idols!”
Then he joined José and Ysobel as instructed, and gave the message as to bed and quarters. José said no word in reply, but proceeded to secure blankets, one from the camp of Don Ruy. Ysobel––a Mexican Indian––who had been made Christian by the padre ere she could be included in the company, was building a fire for the evening meal. Seeing that it burned indifferently the new page thrust under the twigs the fine sheet of paper containing the signature of the Viceroy.
Ysobel made an exclamation of protest––but it was too late––it had started the blaze in brave order.
“Your letter––if you should need it––perhaps for the padre!” she said.
“Rest you easy, Nurse,” said the lad and stretched himself to watch the supper cooked. “I have no further needs in life but supper and a bed,––see to it that José makes it near you own! I am in the employ of Don Ruy Sandoval for a period indefinite. And he has promised––laugh not out loud Ysobel!––that he will see to it I am not questioned as to whence or why I came to seek service under his banner!––even the holy father is set aside by that promise––I tell you that laughter is not to be allowed! If you let him see that you laugh, I will beat you when we are alone, Ysobel––I will though you have found a dozen husbands to guard you!”
Don Ruy did see the laughter of the woman, and 80 was well pleased that the lad could win smiles from all classes,––such a one would lighten weary journeys.
He felt that he had done well by Maestro Diego. Plainly the quick wit of the lad betokened good blood, let him prate ever so surely on his heathen grandmother!