," said Ned. "Now, I suggest, since we have no money, that we offer
the musket for as much provisions as we can carry."

"It's not a bad idea. But our pistols are loaded and we'll keep them in
sight. It won't hurt if the humble peon takes us for brigands. He'll
trade a little faster, and, as this is a time of war so far as we are
concerned, we have the right to inspire necessary fear."

They started toward the north and west, anxious to leave the tierra
caliente as soon as they could and reach the mountains. Ned saw once
more the silver cone of Orizaba now on his left. It had not led him on a
happy quest before, but he believed that it was a true beacon now. They
walked rapidly, staying their hunger as best they could, not willing to
approach any hut, until they were a considerable distance from Vera
Cruz. It was nearly nightfall when they dared a little adobe hut on a
hillside.

"We'll claim to be Spaniards out of money and walking to the City of
Mexico," said Obed. "They probably won't believe our statements, but,
owing to the sight of these loaded pistols, they will accept them."

It was a poor hut with an adobe floor and its owner, a surly Mexican,
was at home, but it contained plenty of food of the coarsest Mexican
type, and Obed White stated their requests very plainly.

"Food we must have," he said, "sufficient for two or three days.
Besides, we want the two serapes hanging there on the wall. I think they
are clean enough for our use. In return we offer you this most excellent
musket, a beautiful weapon made at Seville. Look at it. It is worth
twice what we demand for it. Behold the beautifully carved stock and the
fine steel barrel."

The Mexican, a dark, heavy-jawed fellow, regarded them maliciously,
while his wife and seven half-naked children sat by in silence, but
watching the strangers with the wary, shifting eyes of wild animals.

"Yes, it is a good musket," he said, "but may I inquire if it is your
own?"

"For the purposes of barter and sale it is my own," replied Obed
politely. "In this land as well as some others possession is ten points
of the law."

"The words you speak are Spanish but your tone is Gringo."

"Gringo or Spanish, it does not change the beauty and value of the
musket."

"I was in Vera Cruz this morning. Last night there was a storm and the
great guns at the mighty Castle of San Juan de Ulua were firing."

"Did they fire the guns to celebrate the storm?"

"No. They gave a