r I’ve been out to get something to eat.”
It was true that he had orders for army rations, if he had known where to find them, but he was also able to purchase whatever he might need, and he preferred to do so. At the same time, he had a clear understanding that, if he expected to ever see the United States again, he had better not show a great deal of cash in the city of Vera Cruz just now.
“There are plenty of fellows here,starting out to rescu,” he remarked, “who would cut my throat for a silver dollar, let alone a gold piece.”
He sheathed his machete peaceably, and went out by the back door, determining to let as few people as possible suspect that the Tassara mansion contained a boarder,–or it was more nearly correct to say lodger. This was a wise decision to make, but he was not to hunt far for his supplies that evening. Hardly had he gone a hundred paces from the Tassara place before he was unceremoniously halted, and it was not by a lancer this time. Before him, blocking his way, stood a very fat and apparently much astonished woman.
“Madre de Dios!” she loudly exclaimed. “Se�or Carfora! Santa Maria! Santa Catarina! San Jago! Diablos,and were headed for camp! Where did you come from?”
Ned had never before heard himself called by all those pet names, but he knew at a glance that this was no other than Anita, formerly the cook of Se�ora Tassara, and believed to be a devoted friend of the family.
“Anita!” he exclaimed. “I’ll tell you!” and he proceeded to do so,reading and writing, to her great gratification, for she was as hungry for news as he was for his rations.
“You come to my house,the first requisite in a case of this kind,” she said, “and I will give you something fit to eat, and that is a good deal to say in Vera Cruz in these days. Santa Maria! How these ragged banditti do devour everything. We are to be devoured by the accursed gringos, too, and w
Related articles: