efore them, and saw they were
on the brow of a steep slope--almost a precipice--which, after trending
a short distance right and left, took a turn back toward the mass of the
mountain. It was the boundary of the platform on which the building
stood, with a still higher cliff behind.

The point they had arrived at was a prominent one, affording view of the
whole valley of Mexico, that lay spread out like a picture at their
feet. And such a picture! Nothing in all the panoramic world to
excel--if equal it.

But as scenery was not in their thoughts, they gave it but a glance,
sitting down with faces turned towards one another. For there were
seats here also--several rustic chairs under shady trees--it being
evidently a favourite loitering place of the friars.

"Well, Cris, old comrade," said Kearney, first to speak, "we've gone
through a good deal this day or two in the way of change. What do you
think of these new acquaintances of ours?"

"Thar, Cap, ye put a puzzler."

"Are they monks?"

"Wal, them is a sort o' anymals I hain't had much dealin's wi'; niver
seed any till we kim inter Mexiko, 'ceptin' one or two as still hangs
round San Antone in Texas. But this chile knows little u' thar ways,
only from what he's heerin'; an' judgin' be that he'd say thar ain't
nerry monk among 'em."

"What then? Robbers?"

"Thar, agin, Cap, I'm clean confuscated. From what we war told o' Mr
Reevus in the gaol, they oughter be that. They sayed he war a captain
o' _saltadores_, which means highwaymen. An' yet it do 'pear kewrous
should be sich."

"From what I know of him," rejoined Kearney, "what I learned yesterday,
it would be curious indeed--remarkably so. I've reason to believe him a
gentleman born, and that his title of captain comes from his having been
an officer in the army."

"That mou't be, an' still wouldn't contrary his havin' turned to
t'other. Down by the Rio Grande, thar are scores o' Mexikin officers
who've did the same, from lootenants up to kurnels--ay, ginrals. Thar's
Canales, who commanded the whole cavalry brigade--the `Chaperal fox' as
we Texans call him--an' thar ain't a wuss thief or cut-throat from
Mantamoras up to the mountains. An' what air ole Santy hisself but a
robber o' the meanest an' most dastardly sort? So, 'tain't any sign o'
honesty their bearing military titles. When they've a war on in thar
revolushionary way, they turn sogers, atween times takin' to the road."

"Well, Cr