El Mojoso, who had little liking for evil encounters, pricked up his beast in order to get into the paths ahead of the group, but the chief, who wore the insignia of a sergeant, when he noticed the innkeeper’s intention, shouted to him:
“Hey, my good man, wait a moment!”
El Mojoso stopped his donkey.
“What do you want?” he asked ill-humouredly.
“We’ve got something to say to you.”
“Well, I can’t lose anything by listening to it.”
“You are the owner of the Cross-roads Store, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir: what else do you want?”
“Why, just don’t go so fast, friend, we feel like going along with you.”
“Are you going to Pozo Blanco?”