That was the first blunder the wily Captain had made.
The regiment of lancers, like a great many other Mexican regiments, was only "regular" because it happened just then to be employed by the national government. Its pay had not been regular at all, and the minds of both officers and men were excited by the mention of such a thing.
A half-scornful smile shot across the dark face of the colonel as he looked at those ragged men, and wondered how much they would be likely to pay for anything, even if they were not disposed to help themselves without paying. A young officer at his side was more sagacious, and suggested,
"I beg a thousand pardons, colonel, but they are miners."
"Ah! They may have been successful."
The expression of his face underwent a rapid change, and there was nothing scornful in it when he remarked to Captain Skinner that the price of a written "safe-conduct" for him and his men would be a hundred dollars each.
"That's reasonable, Cap."
"We won't mind that."
"Pay him. It's the best we can do."
"All right, Señor Colonel," said the Captain. "We will pay you in gold as soon as it's written."