Youre right in what you say, Anton Chico. I know one who, instead of disliking to look at her beautiful countenance, would give an onza for a single glance at it. Carrambo ! that he would.
Who who is he? asked several of the party.
That big captain of guerilleros Rayas, his name. I know hed like to see her.
Why, her brother belonged to his cuadrilla ; and the girl was with him in the camp. I saw her myself, not three days ago, down by Puente National.
Thats quite true! assented the speaker who had endorsed the declaration of Anton Chico.
She was with the army for some days, along with the other women that followed Rayass troop. But then all at once she was missed, and nobody knew where she went to. Capitan Rayas didnt, I know; or why should he have offered an onza to any one who would tell him?
He made that offer?
Ver dad ! I heard him.
To whom?
To that ugly zambo youve seen skulking about the camp who belongs to nobody. It was at the Puente National, as I have said. I was standing under the bridge the dry arch at the further end. It was just after dark; when, who should come there but Capitan Rayas, and the zambo following him. They were talking about this very niña : and I heard her name more than once. I did not hear much, for I had to keep a good distance off, so that they might not see me. But I heard that.
What?
What Ive said about the offer of the onza. Find out, Santucho, said Rayas Santucho is the zambos name find out where he has hid her.
Who has hid her?
Carrambo ! thats what I couldnt make out; but who, if it wasnt her own brother? Calros, they call him.
Theres something ugly in all that, remarked one of the men.
It isnt the niña, thats certain, jocularly rejoined Anton Chico.
The zambo, then! hes ugly enough. What say you, camarados?
The patron, who wanted to employ him, is no great beauty himself, said one who had not before spoken. Notwithstanding his fine trappings, he has got some black marks against him. Look here, hombres , continued the speaker, drawing nearer to the others, and adopting a more confidential tone. Im a blind man, if I havent seen his phiz before; ay, and tapado at that.
Tapado? echoed several.
With black crape! It was only on my last trip but one up the country. I went with the recua of José Villares. He carried goods for that English house you know in the Calle do Mercaderos. Well, we were stopped at the Pinal, between Peroté and Puebla; every mule stripped of its carga ; and every man of us, with José himself obliged to lie with our mouths to the grass, till the rascals had rifled the recua . They took only what was most valuable and easiest carried; but, carrambo !
it well nigh ruined poor José; he has never been the same aniero since.
What of all that, hombre? inquired one, who seemed to be still unsatisfied. What has that to do with the Capitan Rayas?
Ah! I forgot, said the accuser; it was of the Capitan Rayas we were speaking. Well, it has this to do with him. The salteadores were all tapado, with black crape over their faces, their captain like the rest; but while he was engaged examining some papers he took from José, I caught a glance of his ugly countenance just enough to know it again. If it wasnt the same I saw the other day when I met this Rayas in the camp, then I dont know chingarito from holy water. Ill answer for it from the chin up to the eyes. Above that I didnt see it, for the tapado was over it.
Bah! exclaimed one of the men, who appeared to be of easy conscience himself; what if the Capitan Rayas has done a little business on the road? There are officers in our army of higher rank than he whove cried out, Boca abajo ! ay, some that are now generals!
Hush, camarade! interrupted one who stood nearest the speaker. See, the medicos coming out. Guardate, guardate ! its treason youre talking!
The interest with which I had listened to this singular palaver, had hindered me from entering the tent. The men had spoken loud enough for me to overhear every word no doubt under the supposition that I did not understand their language and to keep them in this belief, I had made pretence of being engaged in a whispering conversation with one of my own troopers who stood near.
As the return of the medico put an end to the talking of his attendants, I advanced to meet him, and inquired the condition of his patient.
Thanks to your care, cavallero, he is out of danger from his wound. But from what he has confided to me and to you also, I believe he will be in danger of another kind by remaining in this place.
I could tell from this speech that Calros had communicated to the surgeon the incidents of the preceding night.
How long do you keep guard here? inquired the Mexican, with an abstracted air.
I am under orders to strike tents and march exactly at noon.
To Jalapa, I presume?
To Jalapa.
In that case this young fellow must be carried back to the village of El Plan. A body of your troops will likely remain there for some time?
I believe that is the intention of our commander-in-chief.