Free The Rifle Rangers by Mayne Reid

welcoming the guerilleros.
    The hoofs of our mules struck upon a hard pavement, and the sounds echoed as if under an arched way.
    Our animals were presently halted, and we were unpacked and flung rudely down upon rough stones, like so many bundles of merchandise.
    We lay for some minutes listening to the strange voices around. The neighing of horses, the barking and growling of dogs, the lowing of cattle, the shouts of the arrieros unpacking their mules, the clanking of sabres along the stone pavement, the tinkling of spurs, the laughter of men, and the voices of women-all were in our ears at once.
    Two men approached us, conversing.
    "They are of the party that escaped us at La Virgen. Two of them are officers."
    "Chingaro! I got this at La Virgen, and a full half-mile off. 'Twas some black jugglery in their bullets. I hope thepatrone will hang the Yankee savages."
    "Quien sabe?" (Who knows?) replied the first speaker. "Pinzon has been taken this morning at Puenta Moreno, with several others. They had a fandango with the Yankee dragoons. You know what the old man thinks of Pinzon. He'd sooner part with his wife."
    "You think he will exchange them, then?"
    "It is not unlikely."
    "And yet he wouldn't trouble much if you or I had been taken. No-no; he'd let us be hanged like dogs!"
    "Well; that's always the way, you know."
    "I begin to get tired of him. By the Virgin! Jose, I've half a mind to slip off and join the Padre."
    "Jarauta?"
    "Yes; he's by the Bridge, with a brave set of Jarochos-some of our old comrades upon the Rio Grande among them. They are living at free quarters along the road, and having gay times of it, I hear. If Jarauta had taken these Yankees yesterday, the zopilote would have made his dinner upon them to-day."
    "That's true," rejoined the other; "but come-let us un-blind the devils and give them their beans. It may be the last they'll ever eat."
    With this consoling remark, Jose commenced unbuckling ourtapojos , and we once more looked upon the light. The brilliance at first dazzled us painfully, and it was some minutes before we could look steadily at the objects around us.
    We had been thrown upon the pavement in the corner of thepatio -a large court, surrounded by massive walls and flat-roofed houses.
    These buildings were low, single-storied, except the range in front, which contained the principal dwellings. The remaining three sides were occupied by stables, granaries, and quarters for the guerilleros and servants. A portale extended along the front range, and large vases, with shrubs and flowers, ornamented the balustrade. The portale was screened from the sun by curtains of bright-coloured cloth. These were partially drawn, and objects of elegant furniture appeared within.
    Near the centre of the patio was a large fountain, boiling up into a reservoir of hewn mason-work; and around this fountain were clumps of orange-trees, their leaves in some places dropping down into the water. Various arms hung or leaned against the walls-guns, pistols, and sabres-and two small pieces of cannon, with their caissons and carriages, stood in a prominent position. In these we recognised our old acquaintances of La Virgen.
    A long trough stretched across the patio, and out of this a double row of mules and mustangs were greedily eating maize. The saddle-tracks upon their steaming sides showed them to be the companions of our late wearisome journey.
    Huge dogs lay basking upon the hot stones, growling at intervals as someone galloped in through the great doorway. Their broad jaws and tawny hides bespoke the Spanish bloodhound-the descendants of that race with which Cortez had harried the conquered Aztecs.
    The guerilleros were seated or standing in groups around the fires, broiling jerked beef upon the points of their sabres. Some mended their saddles, or were wiping out an old carbine or a clumsy escopette. Some strutted around the yard, swinging their bright mangas, or trailing after them the picturesque serape.