I could scarcely credit my own alacrity as this prospect of better days inspired me with fresh vigor; I recovered my feet at once, and, in something which I intended should resemble a trot, set out in the direction indicated, and where already a small bundle of clothes had been placed for my acceptance. A piece of lighted charcoal and some firewood also apprised me of the office required at my hands, and which I performed with a most hearty good-will; and as I threw the odious rags into the flames, I felt that I was saying adieu to the last tie that bound me to the horrible Lazaretto of Bexar. "Let him join us now," said the Englishman; "though I think if the poor fellow has walked from Bexar, you might have been satisfied he could n't carry the leprosy with him." "I've known it go with a piece of gun-wadding from Bexar to the Rio del Norte," said one. "I saw a fellow who caught it from the rind of a watermelon a lépero had thrown away." "There was a comrade of ours at Puerta Naval took it from sitting on the bench beside a well on the road where a lépero had been resting the day before," cried a third. "Let him sit yonder, then," said the Englishman "You 're more afeard of that disease than the bite of a cayman; though you need n't be squeamish, most of you, if it 'a your beauty you were thinking of." And thus amid many a tale of the insidious character of this fell disorder, and many a rude jest on the score of precaution against it, I was ordered to seat myself at about a dozen or twenty paces distant, and receive my food as it was thrown towards me by the others,--too happy at this humble privilege to think of anything but the good fortune of such a meeting. "Don't you remember me yet?" cried the Englishman, standing where the full glare of the fire lit up his marked features. "Yes," said I, "you 're Halkett." "To be sure I am, lad. I 'm glad you don't forget me." "How should I? This is not the first time you saved my life." "I scarcely thought I had succeeded so well," said he, "when we parted last; but you must tell me all about that to-morrow, when you are rested and refreshed. The crew here is not very unlike what you may remember aboard the yacht: don't cross them, and you 'll do well with them." "What are they?" said I, eagerly. "Gambusinos," said he, in a low voice. "Bandits?" whispered I, misconceiving the word. "Not quite," rejoined he, laughing; "though, I've no doubt, ready to raise a dollar that way if any one could be found in these wild parts a little richer than themselves;" with this, he commended me to a sound sleep, and the words were scarcely spoken ere I obeyed the summons. Before day broke, I was aroused by the noise of approaching departure; the band were strapping on knapsacks, slinging muskets, and making other preparations for the march; Halkett, as their captain, carrying nothing beyond his weapons, and in his air and manner assuming all the importance of command.