The Indian Scout: A Story of the Aztec City. Gustave Aimard

in his hands he eagerly perused it; it appeared to have a great interest for him, for he turned visibly pale, and a convulsive tremor passed over his limbs; but he recovered himself almost immediately."

      "'It is well,' he said, as he tore up the paper into imperceptible fragments; 'here's for you.'"

      "And he threw a fresh handful of ounces on the table."

      "'Thanks, caballero,' Tío Leporello exclaimed, as he bounded greedily on the precious metal."

      "An ironical smile played round the soldier's lips, and, taking advantage of the old man's position, as he leant over the table to collect the gold, he raised his knife, and buried it to the hilt between the evangelista's shoulders. The blow was dealt so truly, and with such a firm hand, that the old man fell like a log, without uttering a sigh or giving a cry. The soldier regarded him for a moment coldly and apathetically, then, reassured by the immobility of his victim, whom he believed dead, – "

      "'Come,' he muttered, 'that is all the better; at any rate, he will not speak in that way.'"

      "After this philosophical funeral oration, the assassin tranquilly wiped his knife, picked up the gold, put out the candle, opened the door, closed it carefully after him, and walked off with the steady, though somewhat hasty step of a belated traveller hurrying to his home."

      "The Plaza Mayor was deserted."

      CHAPTER VII

      A DARK HISIORY CONTINUED

      "Ancient Mexico was traversed by canals, like Venice, or, to speak more correctly, like Dutch towns, for generally in all the streets there was a path between the canal and the houses. At the present day, when all the streets are paved, and the canals have disappeared save in one quarter of the city, it is difficult to understand how Cervantes, in one of his novels, could compare Venice with Mexico; but if the canals are no longer visible, they still exist underground; and in certain low quarters, where they have been converted into drains, they manifest their presence by the foetid odours which they exhale, or by the heaps of filth and stagnant water."

      "The sergeant, after so skilfully settling accounts with the hapless evangelista, crossed the Plaza, and entered the Calle de la Monterilla."

      "He walked for a long time along the streets with the same quiet step he had adopted on leaving the evangelista's stall. At length, after about twenty minutes' walk through deserted streets and gloomy lanes, whose miserable appearance became with every step more menacing, he stopped before a house of more than suspicious aspect, above the door of which a flaring candle burned behind un retablo de las animas veneritas; the windows of the house were lit up, and on the azotea the watchdogs were mournfully baying the moon. The sergeant tapped twice on the door of this sinister abode with his vine stick."

      "It was a long time ere he was answered. The shouts and singing suddenly ceased in the inside: at length the soldier heard a heavy step approaching; the door was partly opened – for everywhere in Mexico an iron chain is put up at night – and a drunken voice said harshly, – "

      "'¿Quién es? (Who's there?)'"

      "'Gente de paz,' the sergeant answered."

      "'Hum! it is very late to run about the tuna and enter the vilaio,' the other remarked, apparently reflecting."

      "'I do not wish to enter.'"

      "'Then what the deuce do you want?'"

      "'Pan y sal por los Caballeros errantes,'1 the sergeant answered, in a tone of authority, and placing himself so that the moonbeams should fall on his face."

      "The man fell back, uttering an exclamation of surprise."

      "'¡Valga me Dios! señor Don Torribio!' he exclaimed, with an accent of profound respect; 'who could have recognized your Excellency under that wretched dress? Come in! come in! they are waiting impatiently for you.'"

      "And the man, who had become as obsequious as he had been insolent a few moments previously, hastened to undo the chain, and threw the door wide open."

      "'It is unnecessary, Pepito,' the soldier continued, 'I repeat to you that I shall not come in. How many are there?'"

      "'Twenty, Excellency.'"

      "'Armed?'"

      "'Completely.'"

      "'Let them come down directly. I will wait for them here. Go, my son, time presses.'"

      "'And you? Excellency,'"

      "'You will bring me a hat, an esclavina, my sword and pistols. Come, make haste!'"

      "Pepito did not let the order be repeated. Leaving the door open, he ran off. A few minutes after, some twenty bandits, armed to the teeth, rushed into the street, jostling one another. On coming up to the soldier, they saluted respectfully, and, at a sign from him, remained motionless and silent."

      "Pepito had brought the articles demanded by the man whom the evangelista called Don Annibal, himself Don Torribio, and who, probably, had several other names, although we will keep temporarily to the latter."

      "'Are the horses ready?' Don Torribio asked, as he concealed his uniform under the esclavina, and placed in his girdle a long rapier and a pair of double-barrelled pistols."

      "'Yes, Excellency,' Pepito answered, hat in hand."

      "'Good, my son. You will bring them to the spot I told you; but as it is forbidden to go about the streets on horseback by night, you will pay attention to the celadores and serenos.'"

      "All the bandits burst into a laugh at this singular recommendation."

      "'There,' Don Torribio continued, as he put on a broad brimmed hat, which Pepito had brought him with the other things, 'that is all right; we can now start. Listen to me attentively, Caballeros!'"

      "The leperos and other scoundrels who composed the audience, flattered by being treated as caballeros, drew nearer to Don Torribio, in order to hear his instructions. The latter continued, – "

      "'Twenty men, marching, in a troop, through the streets of the city would, doubtless, arouse the susceptibility and suspicions of the police agents; we must employ the greatest prudence, and, above all, the utmost secrecy in order to succeed in the expedition for which I have collected you. You will, therefore, separate, and go one by one under the walls of the convent of the Bernardines; on arriving there, you will conceal yourselves as well as you can, and not stir without my orders. Above all, no disputes, no quarrelling. You have understood me clearly?'"

      "'Yes, Excellency,' the bandits answered, unanimously."

      "'Very good. Be off, then, for you must reach the convent in a quarter of an hour.'"

      "The bandits dispersed in every direction with the rapidity of a flock of buzzards. Two minutes later they had disappeared round the corners of the nearest streets. Pepito alone remained."

      "'And I?' he respectfully asked Don Torribio. 'Do you not wish, Excellency, for me to accompany you? I should be very bored if I remained here alone.'"

      "'I should be glad enough to take you with me; but who would get the horses ready if you went with me?'"

      "'That is true. I did not think of it.'"

      "'But do not be alarmed, Muchacho, if I succeed as I hope, you shall soon come with me.'"

      "Pepito, completely reassured by this promise, bowed respectfully to the mysterious man, who seemed to be his chief, and re-entered his house, carefully closing the door after him."

      "Don Torribio, when left alone, remained for several seconds plunged in deep thought. At length he raised his head, drew his hat over his eyes, carefully wrapped himself in his esclavina, and walked off hurriedly, muttering, 'Shall I succeed?'"

      "A question which no one, not even himself, could have answered."

      "The convent of the Bernardines stands in one of the handsomest quarters of Mexico, not far from the Paseo de Bernardo, the fashionable promenade. It is a vast edifice, built entirely of hewn stone, which dates from the rebuilding of the city after the conquest, and was founded by Fernando Cortez himself.

1

Literally "Bread and salt for the knight-errants."