"Near Despenaperros."
"Are they after us?"
"Yes, there is a cavalry company at Sevilla, one of infantry at Cordoba, and another of the mountain soldiery at Utrera."
"There will be some shoes worn out before they see our faces, and if they do get to see them it will cost them dear."
"Yes, yes," Andres replied; "we know that whoever puts himself in Diego's way may as well look for his grave; but then--there may be so many of them . . ."
"Perhaps you would like to get a crack of my fist on your bugle?" said the bandit.
"Not at all," said Andres, retreating a step or two.
"Put more ballast in your tongue then--and hurry up with the bread --quick now!"
Andres hastened to obey. The bandit was going away when he heard Martha's voice calling after him.
"It slipped my mind--you take this money," she said, handing him the piece of gold. "Give it to the captain, and tell him that what I do for this lad I do for charity, and not for interest."