I turned back; and we walked on towards our tents, in which direction we had not far to go, before arriving at a coffee-shop. There he drank some water, with a glass of brandy; and then, ordering a breakfast, he went out to have a wash in the river—an operation of which I had never seen a human being in greater need.
He ate his breakfast in haste—scarce speaking a word until he had finished. Then, starting suddenly from his seat, he hurried out of the house; and moved on along the road towards the place where our tents were pitched.
“Come on!” cried he. “I cannot stop to talk. I’ve work to do. I want revenge. Look here!”
He stopped till I came up—when, lifting the long dark hair from the sides of his head, he permitted me to see that he had no ears!
“Will you aid me in obtaining revenge?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered, “with my body and soul!”
“I knew you would!” he exclaimed. “Come on! we have no time to lose.”
As we walked homeward, I learnt from him the particulars of the terrible misfortune that had befallen him.
On the Saturday morning, after starting off for the town, he had got about a mile beyond the place where I had met him, when he was overtaken by a party of four Mexicans.
Before he was well aware that they had any intention to molest him, a lazo was thrown over his shoulders; and he was dragged to the ground—where his arms were instantly pinioned.