Part 33 (1/2)
The Hussars turned out--an escort of soht or ten files, with two officers at its head; these riding side by side, and a little in advance They were chatting gaily and rather vociferously; the voice of hi well-known to Jose For Colonel Santander, whether welcome or not, was a frequent visitor at the _casa de canacio Valverde And the dwarf now re all atte out into the middle of the road
”_Carajo_!” simultaneously shouted the two officers, as their horses reared up, snorting at the strange shape so suddenly presented before them ”What the _Demonio_ is it, if not Satan himself?” added Santander
”No, _Senor Coronet_,” returned Zorillo ”Not the devil; only a poor creature whoether fashi+onable But just for that reason I trust being recalled to your Excellency's remembrance--am I not?”
”Ah! You were in the Acordada?”
”_Si, Senor Coronet_”
”And 'twas you I saw coupled to the Tejano?”
”The same, Senor In that prosecuted by a like ill, no doubt, the devil all the ti it”
”But where have you been since, sirrah?”
”Ah! _Excellenza_! that's just it; the very thing I want to tell you
I was onan intervieith you
What a bit of fortune you passing here: 'twill save me a journey I was ill able tostarved up there in the mountains”
”Oh! you've been up there?”
”Yes, Senor Coronel, in hiding with the others But not like the with them, whether I would or no, and have kept ht, when an opportunity offered for giving them the slip It isn't all of four hours since I parted company with them But if your Excellency wishes to hear the whole story, perhaps you'd like it better in private If I mistake not, some of it should only reach your own ears”
Santander had been already thinking of this, and turning to the officer by his side, he said--
”Take the men on, Ramirez Halt at a hundred yards or so, and wait for me”
In obedience to the order the escort ue between Santander and the dwarf iving a detailed relation of all that had occurred to hi, with co all, Santander rose in his stirrups, his features showing triuht feel at a world of souls just delivered to hiame is mine at last!” he muttered to himself, ”every trick of it
They're in a trap now; and when they go out of it, 'twill be to the _garrota_”
For aas his best course to pursue Then, see decided, he called out--
”Ramirez! Send a couple of men to me--the corporal and another”
These, detached fro the road
”Here, _cabo_! Take charge of this curious specimen Keep him here, and see that you hold hi him Don't stray from this spot as you value your own neck--not an inch”
Saying which he put spurs to his horse, and rejoined his escort Then co, ”Forward! at the double quick!” they started off at full gallop towards the city