Augustin's house; and,
above all, he had testified a great wish to learn whether Dona Rosarita
was still unmarried.

The unknown always wore on his head a red checkered handkerchief, the
folds of which hung down over his eyes; and in consequence of this
head-dress he always went by the name of the "man with the red
kerchief."

This being explained, let us now return to our two travellers.

The new-comers--whose arrival created some sensation--on entering the
presidency, directed their steps towards one of the houses of the
village, at the door of which sat a man, who was soothing his leisure
hours by playing upon the guitar.

One of the cavaliers, addressing him, said--

"_Santas tardes_! my master; will you afford hospitality to two
strangers for a day and a night?"

The musician rose and bowed courteously.

"Pray dismount, noble cavaliers," he answered, "this dwelling is at your
service as long as you please to remain."

Such is the simple ceremonial of hospitality still in vogue in these
distant countries.

The cavaliers dismounted from their horses, in the midst of an idle
group who had collected around them, and who observed the two strangers
with considerable curiosity--for in the Presidio of Tubac an arrival is
a rare event.

The host silently assisted his guests to unsaddle their horses, but the
more inquisitive of the crowd did not exercise so much discretion, and
without scruple addressed a multitude of questions to the travellers.

"Good people," said one of the cavaliers, "let us first attend to our
horses, and afterwards, when we have taken a mouthful of food, we shall
have a chat. My comrade and myself have come here for that very
purpose."

Thus saying, the bearded cavalier unfastened his gigantic spurs, threw
them across his horse's saddle, which he deposited, together with its
woollen covering carefully folded, in the piazza attached to the house.

The two strangers did not dwell long over their repast. They soon
rejoined their host upon the threshold, and sat down beside him.

Their questioners had not yet departed from the house.

"I am the more inclined," resumed the bearded traveller, "to inform you
all of the object of our visit to the Presidio, since we are sent by our
master to ask you a few questions. Will that be agreeable to you?"

"Perfectly," replied several voices, "and first, may we know who your
master is?"

"He is Don Augustin Pena; you are not without some know