ions.

"_Burro_!" (donkey) exclaimed one; a second crying out, "What a clumsy
_cochero_!" a third, "You're a nice fellow to be trusted with reins! A
rope tied to a pig's tail would better become you?"

Other like shafts, equally envenomed, were hurled at Josh's head; for it
scarce needs telling that he was the driver of the carriage, and the
ladies inside it his mistress and the Condesa Almonte. For all he
seemed but little to regard what was being said to him--indeed nothing,
having enough on hand with his restive horses. But why did he not give
them the whip, and let them have more rein! It looked as if that would
start them off all right again, and that was what every one was shouting
to him to do, he instead doing the very opposite, holding the animals in
till they commenced plunging.

The ladies looked sorely affrighted; they had from the first, for it was
all but the occurrence of an instant. Both had risen to their feet, one
tugging at the strap to get the sash down, the other working at the
handle of the door, which perversely refused to act, all the while
uttering cries of alarm.

Several of the passengers rushed to the door in the near side to assist
them, that on the off being unapproachable by reason of the open drain.
But on this also appeared rescuers--a pair of them--not street
promenaders, but two of the chain-gang! All muddy as these were, they
were advancing with as much apparent eagerness as the others--more in
reality--to release the imperilled senoritas. A proof that humanity may
exist even in the breast of a gaol-bird; and the spectators, pleased
with an exhibition of it, so rare and unexpected, were preparing to
applaud them enthusiastically.

Their admiration, however, received a rude and almost instantaneous
check, changing to wild astonishment, succeeded by equally wild
indignation. The _forzados_ got their door open first; but the ladies,
apparently terrified at the rough, unclean creatures, refused to go out
that way, and only shrank back. Luckily, the other was by this also
opened, and they made through it into the street. But not before the
two scavengers had leaped up into the carriage beside them, and, as if
angry at their earlier offer being declined, given them a rude shove
outward!

That was not all the spectators saw to astonish them. Other incidents
followed equally unlooked-for, and with lightning rapidity. One was
indeed of simultaneous occurrence; a second coup