the Captain his saddle-cloth to serve as a
napkin; and, taking some pieces of the broiled meat from the coals,
placed them upon it. To this he added two or three of the roasted ears.
Then, seating himself close to the fire, he drew from the ashes the
remaining portions of meat, and commenced eating with an earnestness
that was likely to prove fatal to Costal's share in the banquet.

"Ho!" cried the Captain, "if you continue on in that fashion, your
comrade Costal will be likely to go without his dinner."

"Costal will not eat before to-morrow," replied the negro in a grave
tone.

"That I can easily believe," assented Don Cornelio. "There will be
nothing left for him to eat, I fancy."

"You misunderstand me, Senor Captain. To-day is the third after
midsummer, and to-night the moon will be at the full. That is why
Costal will not eat, in order that by fasting he may prepare himself to
hold communion with his gods."

"You fool! Do you believe in the wretched fables of the pagan Costal?"

"I have reason to believe them," gravely replied the negro. "The God of
the Christians dwells in the sky; those of Costal inhabit the Lake of
Ostuta, Tlaloc, the god of the mountains, lives on the summit of
Monopostiac; and Matlacuezc his wife, the goddess of the water, bathes
herself in the waters of the lake that surround the enchanted mountain.
The third night after the summer solstice--at the full of the moon--is
the time when they show themselves to the descendants of the caciques of
Tehuantepec--to such as have passed their fiftieth year--and Costal
intends to invoke them this very night."

As Don Cornelio was about endeavouring to bring the negro to a more
rational religious belief, Costal strode silently up.

"Well," said the Captain, "is our information correct? Have you learnt
whether Arroyo is really encamped on the banks of the Ostuta?"

"Quite true," answered the Indian, "a _peon_ of my acquaintance, whom I
chanced to meet, has told me that Arroyo and Bocardo are by the ford,
where they intercept the passage of all who come this way. It is close
by, so that this evening you can deliver your message. After that is
done, I would ask leave of absence for Clara and myself for the night.
We wish to spend it on the shore of the Sacred Lake."

"Hum!" muttered Don Cornelio, without noticing the request. "So near!"
continued he, speaking to himself, and abruptly ceasing to eat. "What
else did your _peon_ acquainta