after so long a journey, a man requires relaxation,
and enjoys a social glass; so, with your permission, I will see you
again to-morrow.'

'This answer was any thing but pleasing to Mr. Livermore, who turned to
me, and addressing me in English, said:

''My dear sir, once more I must trespass on your good-nature. It is
essential to the success of my plans, that these two men should not be
left together. Will you, _can_ you, tack yourself on to them, and keep
close to Pepito until they separate?'

''Your request is as strange as it is difficult of execution; but I will
do my best.'

''Gentlemen,' said I, to the two Mexicans, as we all three were going
down the stairs, 'you were speaking of dining--now I want to visit a
real Mexican _fonda_; I am tired of these French cafes; will you favor
me by taking me to a first-rate house, for I am not acquainted with this
city.'

''If you will accompany us to the Fonda Genovesa, Caballero,' said
Pedro, 'I will warrant you will have no cause to repent it.'

''I am infinitely indebted to you, and shall gladly accept your
guidance.'

'The Fonda Genovesa was certainly one of the vilest establishments I
ever visited, and the dinner was, of course, detestably bad. However, I
treated my two worthies to a couple of bottles of wine, which being to
them a rare luxury, they declared they had fared sumptuously.

''But, look here, Pepito,' said Pedro, 'you have not yet alluded to your
journey. Where have you been all this time?'

''Where have I been? Oh! well, that is a secret.'

''A secret! what, from me, from your compadre Pedro?'

''Even so, my dear Pedro, even so; I have sworn not to mention the
object of my journey nor my destination.'

''Oh! I dare say; but look here, what did you swear by--the holy Virgin
of Guadalupe? No? Well, was it the cross?'

''No, neither by the one nor the other.'

''What is there binding, then? nothing else ought to keep you silent
when _I_ am in question?'

''I pledged my sacred honor.'

''Your sacred honor! Give me your hand, you always were a wag, but you
humbugged me this time, I confess; well, that _is_ a good one--the best
joke I have heard for an age--excellent! well, go on, I am all
attention, all ears.'

''Well, you won't hear much, for I am a man of honor, and bound not to
speak; besides, I received a hundred dollars to keep mum.'

'Pedro for a moment appeared to be in a brown study; at last, gazing
hard at his friend, he said: