The Free Lances: A Romance of the Mexican Valley

by Mayne Reid

  CHAPTER FORTY.

  A FAITHFUL STEWARD.

  The spot where they had now made stop--final for the night--was stillfar below the summit of the mountain. It was a sort of platform orbench, formed by the crest of a projecting spur, the cliff rising sheerat its back. Its level surface was only a few acres in extent,supporting a thick growth of tall evergreen pines, the long-leavedspecies indigenous to Mexico. Centrally there was a place clear oftimber, which ran up to the cliff's base, or rather to a buildingcontiguous to it. In front of this they halted, Rivas saying--

  "Behold my humble abode, _caballeros_! Let me bid you welcome to it."

  There was light enough to let them see a massive pile of mason workoutlined against the cliff's _facade_, while too dim for them todistinguish its features. They could make out, however, what appearedto be a pair of windows with pointed arches, and between them a largedoorway, seeming more like the mouth of a cavern. Out of this came afaint scintillation of light, and as they drew up to it, a candle couldbe seen burning inside a sort of covered porch, resembling the lych-gateof a country church. There were some stone benches outside, from one ofwhich a man started up and advanced toward them, as he did so puttingthe formal question--

  "_Quien es_?"

  "_Yo, Gregorio_!" was the answer given by Rivas.

  "_El Capitan_!" exclaimed the questioner, in a tone also telling ofpleased surprise. "And free again! I'm so glad, Don Ruperto! Praiseto the Lord for delivering you!"

  "Thanks, good Gregorio! And while you're about it, you may as well givepart of your praise to a lady, who had something to do with it--indeed,two of them."

  "Ah! Senor Capitan, I think I know one of them anyhow, and in allMexico I can say--ay, swear it--"

  "True, true!" interrupted the Captain. "But stay your asseveration.There's no time to talk about the Senoritas now. My friends and I arein want of something to eat. We're as hungry as _coyotes_. What haveyou got in the larder?"

  "Not much, I fear, your worship. And the cook's gone to bed, witheverybody else. But they'll only be too delighted to get up when theyhear it's your worship come back. Shall I go and rouse them, Senor?"

  "No, no. Let them sleep it out. Any cold thing will do for us. We'reas much fatigued as famished, and wish to be in bed ourselves as soon aspossible. So look out whatever eatables there are, and don't forget thedrinkables. I trust the cellar isn't as low as the larder?"

  "No, Senor. Of that I can speak with more confidence. Not a cork hasbeen drawn since you left us--I mean of the best wines. Only the commonCanario was drunk in your absence."

  "In that case, mayor-domo, we may sup satisfactorily, so far as theliquids are concerned, should the solids prove deficient. Bring abottle of Burgundy, another of the Brown Madeira, and, let me see--yes,one of old Pedro Ximenes. I suppose the brethren have used up all mybest cigars?"

  "Not one of them, Senor. The Havannahs have been under lock and key,too. I gave out only _puros_."

  "What a faithful steward you've proved yourself, Gregorio! Well, alongwith the wine, let us have a bundle of Imperadores. We haven't tastedtobacco for days, and are all dying for a smoke."

  By this time they had entered the porch, and were passing on through along corridor, still more dimly illuminated. But there was lightissuing from a side-door, which stood open. By this Rivas made stop,with word and gesture signifying to the others to pass on inside, whichthey did. Not all of them, however; only Kearney and Rock. A differentdisposition he meant making of the dwarf than giving him Burgundy andMadeira to drink, with the smoking of "Emperor" cigars. Pointing to thecrooked semblance of humanity, at which Gregorio was gazing with apuzzled air, he whispered to the latter--

  "Take the beast back, and shut him up in one of the cells. You may givehim something to eat, but see to his being securely kept. Insignificantas he looks, there's mischief in him, and he might take it into his headto stray. You comprehend, Gregorio?"

  "I do, your worship. I'll take care to stow him safe."

  Saying which, the mayor-domo of the establishment, for such Gregoriowas, caught the hunchback by one of his ears--grand auricles they were--and led him away along the corridor, with the prison chain trailingbehind.

  Rivas did not stay till they were out of sight, but turning, steppedinside the room into which he had ushered the other two.

  It was rather a large apartment, but plainly and sparsely furnished; adeal table and half a dozen common chairs, with leathern backs andbottoms, such as may be seen in most Mexican houses. It was bettersupplied with arms than household effects; several guns standing incorners, with swords hanging against the walls, and a variety ofaccoutrements--all giving it more the appearance of a guard-house thanthe reception-room of a gentleman's mansion.

  "Now _amigos_" said the Mexican, after rejoining his guests, on whosefaces he could not fail to note an odd inquiring expression, "I can atlast say to you, feel safe, if I can't assure you of a supper good asI'd wish to give. Still, if I mistake not, 'twill be superior to ourprison fare. _Por Dios_! Having to put up with that was punishmentenough of itself, without being set to work in the sewers."

  "Ah," remarked Kearney, speaking for himself and the Texan, "had youbeen one of us prisoners from Mier up to Mexico, the diet you complainof would have seemed luxury for Lucullus."

  "Indeed! What did they give you to eat?"

  "Brown beans only half boiled, _tortillas_, usually cold; and sometimes,for a whole stretch of twenty-four hours, nothing at all."

  "_Carramba_!" exclaimed the Mexican. "That was hard usage. But nothingto surprise. Just as Santa Anna might be expected to treat his captiveenemies, whether of his own people, or as yourselves, foreigners. Morecruel tyrant never ruled country. But his reign, thank Heaven, will notbe long. I've reason for saying that, and better still for thinkingit."

  The little interlude of dialogue was brought to a close by the entranceof the mayor-domo loaded with bottles and glasses. He had orders tobring the wine first, the cigars along with it.

  Lumping all down upon the table, he left them to wait upon themselves,while he went off to ransack the pantry soon to return with asufficiency of viands, and savoury enough to satisfy men who had justcome out of the Acordada. There was cold mutton, ham, and venison,maize bread, and "guesas de Guatemala," with a variety of fruit tofollow. Verily a supper at which even a gourmand might not cavil;though it was but the _debris_ of a dinner, which seemed to have beenpartaken of by a goodly array of guests.

  Not long lingered they over it, before whom it was set a second time.Overcome by the toil and struggle of days, and more the mental worryattendant, even the wine freely quaffed failed to excite them afresh.Rest and sleep they more needed and much desired; all glad when Gregorioagain showed his face at the door, saying--

  "_Caballeros_, your sleeping rooms are ready."