le of the scavengers--
the _gigante y enano_--rushing towards the coachman's box, clambering up
to it, Rock flinging the dwarf before him as one would an old
carpet-bag, and mounting after. Then, jerking the reins and whip out of
Josh's hands--letting him still keep his seat, however,--he loosened the
one, and laid the lash of the other on the horses' hips, so sharply and
vigorously, as to start them at once into a gallop.

Meanwhile, the uncouth couple inside had pulled-to the doors, shutting
themselves in, and taken the seats late occupied by the elegantly
dressed ladies--a transformation so grotesque as to seem more dream than
reality. And so off all went, leaving behind a crowd as much amazed as
any that ever witnessed spectacle on the streets of the Mexican
metropolis.

CHAPTER THIRTY.

THE POOR LADIES.

Quite a combination of circumstances had favoured the escape of the four
_forzados_--the balking of the horses, the absence of Dominguez, and the
relaxed vigilance of the guards--from their brains bemuddled with drink.
But there was yet another lucky chance that stood them in stead--the
point from which they had started. The line of sentries ended at the
Alamedas Gate, and, as the one posted there was he who had them in
particular charge, once past him they had only to fear a single bullet
sent after them.

As it turned out, they did not even get that, fortune favouring them in
every way. This sentry, though last on the line outward, was the first
encountered by the people returning from the ceremony at San Corme;
therefore made most of by passing friends, with the bottle oftener
presented to his lips. As a consequence, when the carriage whirled past
him he had but an indistinct idea of why it was going so fast, and none
at all as to who were in it. With eyes drowned in _aguardiente_ he
stood as one dazed, looking after, but taking no measures to stop it.
When at length some one bawled the truth into his ear and he brought his
flint-lock to an unsteady level, it would have been too late--had the
piece gone off. Luckily for those on the sidewalk, it did not; missing
fire by a flash in the pan, as might have been anticipated.

Never were sentries more completely taken by surprise than they guarding
the chain-gang. Nor more disagreeably. They knew they had been
neglecting their duty, and might expect severe punishment! possibly set
at the very task they were now superintending! Still, they made no