"You have in no way annoyed me, Señor Padre. I have no reason for concealing the road I purpose following; this recua of mules I am escorting does not affect me in any way, and I propose leaving it to-morrow or the day after." The monk could not restrain a start of surprise. "Ah!" he said, as he looked searchingly at the speaker. "Oh yes," the Captain continued, in an easy tone, "these worthy men begged me to accompany them for a few days, through fear of the gavillas that infest the roads; they have, it appears, valuable merchandize with them, and would not like to be plundered." "I understand; it would not be at all pleasant for them." "Would it? hence I did not like to refuse them the slight service which took me only a little way out of my road; but so soon as they consider themselves in safety, I shall leave them and enter the prairie, in accordance with the instructions I have received, for you know that the Indios Bravos are stirring." "No, I was not aware of it." "Well, in that case, I tell it you; there is a magnificent opportunity that presents itself to you, Padre Antonio, and you must not neglect it." "A magnificent opportunity for me?" the monk repeated, in amazement; "What opportunity, honourable Captain?" "For preaching to the Infidels, and teaching them the dogmas of our Holy Faith," he replied, with imperturbable coolness. At this abrupt proposal the monk made a frightful face. "Deuce take the opportunity!" he exclaimed, snapping his fingers; "I will leave that to other asses! I feel no inclination for martyrdom." "As you please, Padre; still you are wrong." "That is possible, honourable Captain, but hang me if I accompany you near those pagans; in two days I shall leave you." "So soon as that?" "Why, I suppose, that since you are going on to the prairie, you will leave the recua of mules you are escorting at the Rancho of San Jacinto, which is the extreme point of the Mexican possessions on the desert border." "It is probable." "Well, I will go on with the muleteers; as all the dangerous passes will then have been left behind, I shall have nothing to fear, and shall continue my journey in the most agreeable way possible." "Ah," the Captain said to him, with a piercing glance; but he was unable to continue this conversation, which seemed highly interesting to him, for a horseman galloped up at full speed from the front, stopped before him, and stooping to his ear, whispered a few words. The Captain looked scrutinizingly round him, drew himself up in the saddle, and addressed the soldier-- "Very good. How many are they?" "Two, Captain." "Watch them, but do not let them suspect they are prisoners; on arriving at the halting ground I will cross-question them. Rejoin your comrades." The soldier bowed respectfully without reply, and went off at the same speed he had come up. Captain Melendez had for a long time accustomed his subordinates not to discuss his orders, but obey them unhesitatingly.