The Free Lances: A Romance of the Mexican Valley

by Mayne Reid

  CHAPTER FIFTY.

  AN ENCOUNTER WITH OLD ACQUAINTANCES.

  Passing out of the San Augustin towards the city, the great NationalRoad, as already said, touches upon the Pedregal, the lava rocks hereand there rising cliff-like over it. On the other side are levelmeadows stretching to the shore of the Laguna de Xochimilco; this lastovergrown with a lush aquatic vegetation called the _cinta_, at adistance appearing more pastureland than lake. Excellent pasturage isafforded on the strip between; that end of it adjacent to the _pueblo_being apportioned among several of the rich proprietors of villas, whoturn their household stock upon it, as milch kine, and horses kept forthe saddle or carriage.

  Just about the time when the hunchback was abruptly bidding "Adios" tothe ladies, a man might have been seen moving along this part of theroad at some half-mile distance from the skirts of the village, withface turned cityward. But that he had no intention of journeying so farwas evident both by his gait and the character of his dress. He wasgoing at a slow walk, now and then loitering, as if time was of littleconsequence. Moreover, he was in his shirt sleeves, and without theuniversal _serape_, which often serves for both cloak and coat.Otherwise his garb was the ordinary stable wear of a Mexican gentleman'sservant; wide velveteen trousers open along the outer seams, and fendedwith leather at breech and bottoms. "Batos" and a black glaze hatcompleted his habiliments, with a scarf of China crape, the _chammora_,around his waist. Scanning the face shadowed by the broad rim of his_sombrero_, it was seen to be that of Jose, Don Ignacio's groom; whilehis errand along that road could be guessed, by seeing what he carriedover his arm--a couple of slip halters. The horses, for whom they wereintended, were to be seen standing at a gate, a little further, havingbrowsed their fill; a pair of greys, recognisable as the famous_frisones_; all the easier now from one of them showing a split ear.They had been turned out to cool their hoofs on the soft meadow sward,and he was on his way to take them back to their stable.

  Along the other side of the road, for a stretch of some distance,extended the Pedregal, forming a low ridge with a precipitous facetowards the causeway. As the _cochero_ got up to where his pets wereexpecting him, he saw a _coyote_ standing upon the crest cliff, justopposite the horses, in an attitude and with an air as if it had beenholding conversation with them. Solely for frolic's sake, he made arush towards it, giving a swoop and swinging the halters around hishead. Of course, the affrighted animal turned tail, and retreated;instantly disappearing from his sight. The little spurt had carried himin under the shadow of the rocks; and as he faced round to recross themoonlit causeway, he saw coming along it that which, by some mysteriousinstinct, prompted him to keep his place. After all, no mystery aboutit; for in the diminutive, crab-like form seen approaching, herecognised the dwarf-hunchback who had shared the box seat with him onthat day never to be forgotten.

  Nothing had been heard of the creature since, so far as Jose knew; andtherefore it might be supposed his appearance would have been welcome,promising some news of those with whom he had been last seen. But sofar from the _cochero_ stepping out into the road to receive him, he butdrew closer to the cliff, where an embayment in black shadow promisedhim perfect concealment.

  Soon after Zorillo came shuffling along through the dust, keeping closeto the shaded side of the road. Having cleared the skirts of thevillage, however, he was less careful now. Not likely there would beany one abroad at that hour--for it had gone ten--but if so, there wasthe Pedregal alongside, to which he could retreat. Evidently he had notseen Jose as when first seen himself he was turning a corner, and theother had been for some time in shadow.

  When nearly opposite the meadow gate he also made a stop, with a start,at perceiving the two horses' heads stretched over it, one with a cleftear! His start came through recognition of them.

  "Oho!" he exclaimed, "you there, too, my noble _frisones? Caspita_!this is meeting one's old acquaintances all in a heap! It now onlyneeds to encounter _cochero_, and the party will be complete! Well, Imay live in hope to see him too, sometime; and won't there be areckoning when we're all together again?"

  He was about to pass on, when a clattering of hoofs was heard behind, inthe direction of the _pueblo_, as if horsemen were issuing out of it.Shortly after, a dark clump was seen rounding the corner, and coming onalong the white ribband of road. The sabres clanking againststirrup-irons proclaimed it a cavalry troop.

  Like a tarantula retreating to its tree-cave, the dwarf darted in underthe cliff, there crouching down--so close to Jose that the latter couldhave almost touched him with the tips of his fingers. He had no desireto do so, no thought of it; but the very opposite. His wish was toavoid an encounter; and good reason for it, as he was soon after madeaware. Fortunately for him, the hunchback neither saw nor had asuspicion of his proximity. With face turned to the road, he wasaltogether occupied with the party approaching.

  The Hussars turned out--an escort of some eight or ten files, with twoofficers at its head; these riding side by side, and a little inadvance. They were chatting gaily and rather vociferously; the voice ofhim who spoke loudest being well-known to Jose. For Colonel Santander,whether welcome or not, was a frequent visitor at the _casa de campo_ ofDon Ignacio Valverde. And the dwarf now remembered it too, as he did soabandoning all attempt at concealment, and gliding out into the middleof the road.

  "_Carajo_!" simultaneously shouted the two officers, as their horsesreared up, snorting at the strange shape so suddenly presented beforethem. "What the _Demonio_ is it, if not Satan himself?" addedSantander.

  "No, _Senor Coronet_," returned Zorillo. "Not the devil; only a poorcreature whom God has cursed by making him in a shape that isn'taltogether fashionable. But just for that reason I trust being recalledto 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 devilall the time directing it."

  "But where have you been since, sirrah?"

  "Ah! _Excellenza_! that's just it; the very thing I want to tell you.I was on my way to the city in hopes of obtaining an interview with you.What a bit of fortune you passing here: 'twill save me a journey I wasill able to make; for I'm quite worn out, and weak, from being starvedup there in the mountains."

  "Oh! you've been up there?"

  "Yes, Senor Coronel, in hiding with the others. But not like themvoluntarily. They took me along with them, whether I would or no, andhave kept me ever since--till this night, when an opportunity offeredfor giving them the slip. It isn't all of four hours since I partedcompany with them. But if your Excellency wishes to hear the wholestory, perhaps you'd like it better in private. If I mistake not, someof it should only reach your own ears."

  Santander had been already thinking of this, and turning to the officerby his side, he said--

  "Take the men on, Ramirez. Halt at a hundred yards or so, and wait forme."

  In obedience to the order the escort moved on, stopping as directed, thedialogue between Santander and the dwarf meanwhile continuing. It wasmore of a monologue, the latter giving a detailed relation of all thathad occurred to him since the time of their escape from the chain-gang,with comments and suggestions added.

  After hearing all, Santander rose in his stirrups, his features showingtriumph, such as Satan might feel at a world of souls just delivered tohim.

  "The game 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 a moment he sat silent, apparently considering what was his bestcourse to pursue. Then, seemingly having decided, he called out--

  "Ramirez! Send a couple of men to me--the corporal and another."

  These, detached from the escort, came trotting back along the road.

  "Here, _cabo_! Take charge of this curious specimen. Keep him here
,and see that you hold him safe till you have my orders for releasinghim. Don't stray from this spot as you value your own neck--not aninch."

  Saying which he put spurs to his horse, and rejoined his escort. Thencommanding, "Forward! at the double quick!" they started off at fullgallop towards the city.