There was something so frank in the tone in which this salute was, as it were, thrown at me, that my suspicions vanished instantly. I replied. "Where are you going so late?" he said. "In good faith," I replied, ingenuously, "I should be quite delighted if I knew myself; I think I have lost my way, and, in that doubt, I was preparing to pass the night under this tree." "A poor bed that!" said the horseman, shaking his head. "Yes," I remarked philosophically; "but for want of a better I must content myself with it. I am dying with hunger, my horse is knocked up, and we do not either of us care to wander further in search of problematic hospitality, particularly at this hour of the night." "Hum!" said the stranger, casting a glance at my mustang, who, with his head lowered, was endeavouring to snap a few blades of grass, "your horse appears to be well bred; do you think he is so much fatigued that he could not manage to go a couple of miles, at most?" "Oh! he would go for two hours if necessary," I said, with a smile. "Follow me, then, in God's name," the stranger answered, in a jovial tone; "I promise you both a good bed and a good supper." "Which offer I accept for both with thanks," I said, making my horse feel the spur. The noble beast, which appeared to understand what was going on, fell into a very fair trot. The stranger was, as well as I could judge, a man of about forty, with an open countenance and intelligent features; he wore the costume of the inhabitants of the country, a broad brimmed felt hat, the crown of which was encircled by a gold band three fingers broad, a variegated zarapé fell from his shoulders to his thighs, and covered the quarters of his horse, and heavy silver spurs were fastened by straps to his vaquero boots. Like all Mexicans, he had, hanging at his left side, a machete, which is a sort of short and straight sabre, very much like the sword-bayonets of French foot soldiers. Conversation soon commenced between us, and was not long in becoming expansive. At the end of about half an hour, I perceived at some distance before me, issuing from the darkness, the imposing mass of a large house; it was the hacienda in which my unknown guide had promised me a good welcome, a good supper, and a good bed. My horse snorted several times, and of its own accord mended its pace. I cast a curious glance around me, and could discern the lofty trees of a huerta well kept up, and every appearance of comfort. I inwardly rendered thanks to my good star, which had brought about so fortunate a rencontre. At our approach a horseman, placed, no doubt, as a vidette, uttered a loud challenge; while seven or eight rastreros of pure blood, came yelping with joy, bounding around my guide, and smelling me one after another. "It is I," my companion replied. "Eh! come along, Belhumeur," replied the sentry; "we have been expecting you more than an hour."