the possibility of such a rich lading surviving the perils of a long and dangerous road, while the greatest part of the spectators in tatters did not take the least pains to conceal their real sentiments.
"Canario!" said a lépero, covering a breast seamed with scars with a cloak almost torn to ribbons, "if I had only a beast like the one that cavalier has between his legs!"
And he eyed a horse, black as jet, which a ranchero was riding. The animal, tightly reined in by his rider, champed his bit furiously, and threw the foam to the right and left. I could not help admiring the beauty of the horse, and remarking at the same time the firm but easy seat of the cavalier, who seemed to manage his steed only by his own will, a quality possessed in the highest degree by the gentlemen of Mexico.
"Well! what would you do if you had, Gregorito?" asked one of his companions.
"Canario! I would accompany the conducta to a spot on the road I know well; and though, as you are well aware, I am no braggart, I should count myself very unlucky if one or two such loads did-not fall to my share."
"One or two loads, Gregorito!" said the other, in a tone of surprise.
"Yes, three loads at most. You know I never had very much ambition, but the horseman there seems to have even less than I."
The ranchero, in appearance at least, looked on the whole convoy with disdain, but what was passing through his mind it was impossible to tell from his face.
Meanwhile a squadron of lancers, designed to serve
