re hidden under an ample _seraph_,
which covered him from neck to ankles; while the little one was
altogether invisible, and under a threat of having his skull kicked in
if he attempted to show himself.

Alike quick and complete had been the transformation of the "insides."
There now sat two gentlemen, decently, indeed rather stylishly dressed--
one wearing a blue cloth cloak with velvet collar; the other a scarlet
"manga," with gold bullion embroidery from neck to shoulders.

About the equipage there was little now to make remark upon, or cause it
to be regarded with suspicion. Some rich _haciendado_, who had been at
the laying of the foundation-stone, on return to his country house,
taking a friend along with him. The strapping fellow on the box might
be mayor-domo of the estate--they are usually tall men--who had taken a
fancy to try his hand at driving, and the coachman had surrendered him
the reins. All perfectly natural, and _en regle_, even to the rapid
speed at which the horses were put. The driver not accustomed to
handling the ribbons would account for this. Besides, the sun was
getting low, the _casa de campo_ might be a good distance from town, and
such a splendid turnout, belated on a country road would be like
tempting Providence, and certainly the _salteadores_!

How little would its occupants have regarded an encounter with
highwaymen. Perhaps just then they would have welcomed it. Nor much
did Rivas anticipate further trouble in the streets of the city. He was
familiar with those they were now driving along, and felt no fear of
being obstructed there--at least by the people. Had they hung their
chain out of the carriage window and exposed the prison dress, no one in
that quarter would have cried "Stop thief!" The man who should so cry,
would run the risk of having his clamour suddenly silenced.

For all they had apprehensions of the keenest. If they were in no
danger while in the streets, they would be when parting from them--at El
Nino Perdido. That gauntlet had yet to be run.

But while thinking of it, they had not been idle; instead, all the while
planning and preparing for it; Rivas instructing the others as to how
they should act.

"A _garita_ of the usual kind," he said to Kearney, making known the
nature of the anticipated obstruction; "a gate across the road, with a
guard-house alongside. There's sure to be a sergeant and eight or ten
files in it. If, by good luck, the gate b