In less than five minutes after both had divested themselves of every article in the way of gold or gems adorning them. They even plucked the pendants from their ears, thrusting all indiscriminately into the outstretched hands of the hunchback. "_Gracias!--mil gracias_!" he ejaculated, crowding everything into his pocket. "But your ladyships will scarce care to accept thanks from me. 'Twill be more to your satisfaction to know that your generosity will be the saving of valuable lives, two of them, if I mistake not, very dear to you. Oh! won't the Senores Don Ruperto and Don Florencio be delighted at the tale I shall take back--the Virgin seeing me safe! Not for the provisions I may carry, but how I obtained the means of purchasing them. But as time's pressing, Senorita, I won't say a word more, only _Adios_!" Without waiting for permission to depart, or rejoinder of any kind, he slipped down from the wall, and disappeared on its other side. It was an abrupt leave-taking, which alike surprised and disappointed them. For they had many questions to ask, and intended asking him--many anxieties they wished set at rest. CHAPTER FIFTY. AN ENCOUNTER WITH OLD ACQUAINTANCES. Passing out of the San Augustin towards the city, the great National Road, as already said, touches upon the Pedregal, the lava rocks here and there rising cliff-like over it. On the other side are level meadows stretching to the shore of the Laguna de Xochimilco; this last overgrown with a lush aquatic vegetation called the _cinta_, at a distance appearing more pastureland than lake. Excellent pasturage is afforded on the strip between; that end of it adjacent to the _pueblo_ being apportioned among several of the rich proprietors of villas, who turn their household stock upon it, as milch kine, and horses kept for the saddle or carriage.