Lopez was at their head, and never relaxed his vigilance for a moment. It was plain that he considered the padre a man of his word.
After we had remained about half an hour on the brow of the cliff, an exclamation from one of the men drew our attention; and, looking round, we perceived a band of horsemen straggling up the hill at a slow gallop. It was Jarauta, with about fifty of his followers. They were soon close up to us.
“Buenos dias, caballeros!” (Good day, gentlemen!) cried their leader in a mocking tone, leaping down and approaching us, “I hope you passed the night comfortably. Lopez, I am sure, provided you with good beds. Didn’t you, Lopez?”
“Yes, Captain,” answered the laconic Lopez.
“The gentlemen rested well; didn’t they, Lopez?”
“Yes, Captain.”
“No kicking or tumbling about, eh?”
“No, Captain.”
“Oh! then they rested well; it’s a good thing: they have a long journey before them—haven’t they, Lopez?”
“Yes, Captain.”