They sat down on a bench placed before a clumsily planed table, and one of them striking it sharply with his fist, turned to the girl and said roughly-- "Drink here." She started, and raised her head quickly. "What do you wish for, Caballeros?" she said. "Mezcal." She rose and hastened to serve them; the man who had spoken caught her by the dress at the moment she passed. "An instant, Carmela," he said. "Let go my dress, Ruperto," she replied, with a slight pout of ill-humour, "you will tear it for me." "Nonsense!" he replied, with a coarse laugh, "you must fancy me very awkward." "No, but your manner does not please me." "Oh! oh! you are not always so wild, my charming bird." "What do you mean?" she continued, with a blush. "No matter, I understand it; but that is not the question just at present." "What is it, then?" she asked with feigned surprise; "Have I not brought you the mezcal you ordered?" "Yes, yes; but I have something to say to you." "Well, say it quickly, and let me go." "You are in a great hurry to escape from me; are you afraid lest your lover may surprise you in conversation with me?" Ruperto's comrades began laughing, and the maiden stood quite abashed. "I have no lover, Ruperto, and you know it very well," she answered with tears in her eyes; "it is cruel of you to insult a defenceless girl." "Nonsense! I am not insulting you, Carmela; what harm is there in a pretty girl like you having a lover, if not two?" "Let me go," she cried, as she made an angry movement to free herself. "Not before you have answered my question." "Ask it then, and let us have an end of this." "Well, my wild little maid, be good enough to repeat to me what you whispered just now to that springald of a captain." "I?" she replied in embarrassment; "what do you suppose I said to him?" "That is the very point. Niña, I do not suppose what you said to him, I merely wish you to tell me what it was." "Leave me alone, Ruperto, you only take a delight in tormenting me." The Mexican looked at her searchingly. "Do not turn the conversation, my beauty," he said drily, "for the question I ask you is serious." "That is possible; but I have no answer to give you." "Because you know you have done wrong." "I do not understand you." "Of course not! Well, I will explain myself; at the moment the officer was about to start, you said to him, 'Take care,' Would you venture to deny it?" The girl turned pale. "Since you heard me," she said, attempting to jest, "why do you ask me?" The Campesinos had frowned on hearing Ruperto's accusation; the position was growing serious. "Oh, oh!" one of them said, as he looked up; "Did she really say that?" "Apparently, since I heard it," Ruperto retorted brutally. The girl took a timid glance around, as if imploring an absent protector. "He is not there," Ruperto remarked cruelly, "so it is of no use looking for him."