rramba_!" muttered the horseman as he eyed the man on the _serape_,
"if I wasn't sure that he is the gentleman I have been sent to meet, I
should believe that I had chanced upon a very unlucky acquaintance."

At the same instant he upon the ground said to himself--

"_Por Dios_! if that infernal Seven of Spades had left any dollars in my
purse, I should have considered them in danger of being taken out of it
just now."

Despite the nature of his reflection, the horseman did not hesitate any
longer, but spurring his horse forward to the edge of the fire, lifted
his hat courteously from his head, and saluted him on the ground, at the
same time saying interrogatively:--

"No doubt it is the Senor Don Pedro Cuchillo I have the honour to
address?"

"The same, cavallero!" replied the other, rising to his feet, and
returning the salute with no less politeness than it had been given.

"Cavallero! I have been sent forward to meet you, and announce to you
the approach of the Senor Arechiza, who at this time cannot be many
leagues distant. My name is Manuel Baraja, your very humble servant."

"Your honour will dismount?"

The horseman did not wait for the invitation to be repeated, but at once
flung himself from the saddle. After unbuckling his enormous spurs, he
speedily unsaddled his horse, fastened a long lazo around his neck, and
then giving him a smart cut with the short whip which he carried,
despatched the animal without further ceremony to share the meagre
provender of his companion.

At this movement the _tasajo_, beginning to sputter over the coals, gave
out an odour that resembled the smell of a dying lamp. Notwithstanding
this, Baraja cast towards it a look of longing.

"It appears to me Senor Cuchillo," said he, "that you are well provided
here. Carramba!--_tortillas_, of wheaten meal! _tasajo_!--it is a
repast for a prince!"

"Oh, yes," replied Cuchillo, with a certain air of foppishness, "I treat
myself well. It makes me happy to know that the dish is to your liking;
I beg to assure you, it is quite at your service."

"You are very good, and I accept your offer without ceremony. The
morning air has sharpened my appetite."

And saying this, Baraja proceeded to the mastication of the tassajo and
tortillas. After being thus engaged for some time, he once more
addressed himself to his host.

"Dare I tell you, Senor Cuchillo, the favourable impression I had of you
at first sight?"

"Oh! you sho