I completed the purchase of Sancho, by handing over to my friend the eighty dollars, and receiving an acknowledgment of the same, which he had brought in his pocket. Just at that moment, my attention was called from my friend, by something in the boats. The next instant I turned, to resume our conversation—he had vanished! By the dim ray of evening at length I caught sight of him in the distance, walking down the road towards the town. My friend! My jolly, good-humoured, hospitable friend! My friend, who could sing a good song! My friend, who laughed indiscriminately and immoderately at all my jokes! He had got his money. It was all he wanted. He was off, without staying to say “Good night!” CHAPTER XI. The departure of my friend was soon followed by that of the boats. The treasure was then placed in security for the night, in charge of two sentries; and Captain Rattler politely offered me accommodation in his quarters, as well as stable-room for Sancho. We accordingly started together, I leading the pony; when one of the soldiers stepped up, and, saluting in due form, took hold of the bridle. “Well,” said I, “just lead him to the stable, will you?” “Yes, sir,” said he smartly; “and take care on him too, sir. Git across him, sir, if you’ve no objections, sir. Got a bullet in my leg, sir.” Suiting the action to the word, and not waiting for leave, he then mounted the pony, or, as he had more graphically described the process, “got across” him. That is, laying hold with both hands, he took a spring, and brought the pit of his stomach upon the saddle; then, wriggling forwards, got one leg over, dug his heels into Sancho’s side before he was well in his seat, and started off at a trot, his legs dangling, and the stirrups too. As he mounted and rode away, I noticed a hard, droll sort of leer, on the weather-beaten countenances of his comrades. Jones, it soon became apparent, was both the wag and the butt of the whole escort. The corporal, meanwhile, was receiving his instructions from Captain Rattler. “Fraser of the 42d?” said the captain. “Oh, very well. You will see to the whole party. We haven’t another corporal in the escort. Turn them out to-morrow in good time; and be sure to have them here by eight o’clock, when we load the mules.” While the captain and I were seated at our tea, Jones entered without knocking, twitched his forelock, and with a savage look made a plunge at my boots, and walked away with them. Jones, it was clear, had made up his mind to be my personal attendant, as long as I and he marched in company. That being the case, I here beg leave to give you his character,—though I fear it would not gain him admittance into your service.