Soon they entered under the shadow of the trees; long-leaved evergreen pines loaded with parasites and epiphytes, among these several species of orchids--rare phenomenon in the vegetable world, that would have delighted the eye of a botanist. As they wished to get beyond earshot of those left lounging by the porch, they continued on along a walk which had once been gravelled, but was now overgrown with weeds and grass. It formed a cool arcade, the thick foliage meeting overhead, and screening it from the rays of the sun. Following it for about a hundred yards or so, they again had the clear sky before them, and saw they were on the brow of a steep slope--almost a precipice--which, after trending a short distance right and left, took a turn back toward the mass of the mountain. It was the boundary of the platform on which the building stood, with a still higher cliff behind. The point they had arrived at was a prominent one, affording view of the whole valley of Mexico, that lay spread out like a picture at their feet. And such a picture! Nothing in all the panoramic world to excel--if equal it. But as scenery was not in their thoughts, they gave it but a glance, sitting down with faces turned towards one another. For there were seats here also--several rustic chairs under shady trees--it being evidently a favourite loitering place of the friars. "Well, Cris, old comrade," said Kearney, first to speak, "we've gone through a good deal this day or two in the way of change. What do you think of these new acquaintances of ours?" "Thar, Cap, ye put a puzzler." "Are they monks?" "Wal, them is a sort o' anymals I hain't had much dealin's wi'; niver seed any till we kim inter Mexiko, 'ceptin' one or two as still hangs round San Antone in Texas. But this chile knows little u' thar ways, only from what he's heerin'; an' judgin' be that he'd say thar ain't nerry monk among 'em." "What then? Robbers?" "Thar, agin, Cap, I'm clean confuscated. From what we war told o' Mr Reevus in the gaol, they oughter be that. They sayed he war a captain o' _saltadores_, which means highwaymen. An' yet it do 'pear kewrous should be sich." "From what I know of him," rejoined Kearney, "what I learned yesterday, it would be curious indeed--remarkably so. I've reason to believe him a gentleman born, and that his title of captain comes from his having been an officer in the army."