Part 29 (2/2)
That of itself was a question, a delicate one He and his coe ht be; and to separate froratitude Stillto as further said
For, noting his eh, the Mexican hastened to relieve hi, Senor Irlandes, say so; and without fear of offence All the same, you may rest assured of our protection while you reet you safe out of the country At all events, I won't send you back to the Acordada gaol, and the tender care of its governor So you can speak frankly, without reserve Are you willing to be one of us?”
”I aiven without further hesitation
Why should he have either hesitated or said nay? In the heart of a hostile country, an escaped prisoner, his life, as he felt sure, forfeited should he be retaken Joining Rivas and his Free Lancesit Even had they been banditti, he could not have done better then
”Yes, Don Ruperto,” he added; ”if you dee to your brotherhood, be it so I accept your invitation”
”And your comrade, Don Cristoforo Will he be of the same mind, think you?”
”Sure to be I take it I can answer for him But you shall hear for yourself Rock!”
He called to the Texan, who, not understanding their dialogue, had sauntered apart, chewing away at the Imperador
”Wal, Cap; what's up now?” he asked on rejoining the freely in their own tongue
”Gled to hear it I didn't think they war--noways Nor uess?”
”Nor monks”
”What then, Cap?”
”The sa for their country, and got defeated That's why they are here--in hiding”
”Yes, Cap; I see it all, clar as coon's track on a ot beat it thar last risin'”
”Just so But they expect another rising soon, and wish us to join thereed, and said so What say you?”
”Lordy, Cap; what a questun to be axed, an' by yurself! Sure this chile air boun' to stick to ye, whatsoants, I shed 'a put oe'd in wi' 'ereed Nor I wudn't 'a htin' for freedom? Haleluyah! Cris Rock air all thar! Yeto the Mexican; ”and willingly as race--an honour--to be so associated, and we shall do the best we can to show ourselves worthy of it”
”_Mil gracias, Senor_! The grace and honour are all given to us Two such _valientes_, as I know you to be, will be no slight acquisition to our strength And now, arb which, as you see, is our present uniform? That by way of precaution for the tiorio orders to get it ready So you see, _Ca upon you”
”Gehosofat!” exclaimed the Texan, when told of the dress he was expected to put on ”What wi' New Orleens store close, an' prison duds, an' the like, this chile hev had a goodish wheen o' changes since he stripped off his ole huntin' shi+rt An' now a-goin' in for a monk! Wal; tho' I mayn't be the most sanctified, I reck'n I'll be the tallest in thar mon'stery”
CHAPTER FORTY SIX
SAINT AUGUSTINE OF THE CAVES
One of the pleasantest villages in the valley of Mexico is San Augustin de las Cuevas--_Tlalpanation--both nahbourhood It is some ten or twelve miles from the capital, on the southern or Acapulco road, just where this, forsaking the valley level, begins to ascend the Sierra, passing over which by Cruz del Marques, it continues on through the _tierras calentes_ of Cuernavaca and Guerrero to the famed port of the Pacific