rinned down at them from
the crowded door. A flaky-skinned beggar slouched from behind the corner
of the building and held out an imploring hand, which the driver's
contemptuous denial turned into a clenched fist afloat in a sea of
Spanish maledictions.

The pack train having reached its destination, the two pairs of guards,
clutching their "writin'" from Turley, departed in hot haste to claim
their payment, and not long thereafter, rifleless, wandered about on
foot to see the sights, gaping and curious. In the hand of each was a
whiskey jug, the cynosure of all eyes. The _Plaza Publica_ seemed to
fascinate them, for they spent most of their time there; and when they
passed the guard house in the _palacio_ they generously replied to the
coaxing banter of the guard off watch, and went on again with lightened
jugs. Here as elsewhere they sensed a poorly hidden feeling of unrest,
and hid their smiles; somewhere north of Texas the _Tejanos_ rode with
vengeance in their hearts and certain death in their heretic rifles. No
one knew how close they might be, or what moment they would storm into
the town behind their deadly weapons. But the fear was largely
apathetic, for these people, between the Apache and Comanche raids of
year after year, had suckled fear from their mothers' breasts.

Finally, apprehensive of the attention they were receiving, the strange
Indians left the plaza and sought refuge with the mules of the _atejo_,
to remain there until after dark; and at their passing, groups of
excited women or quarreling children resumed their gambling in the
streets and all was serene again.

Gambling here was no fugitive evader of the law, no crime to be enjoyed
in secret, but was an institution legalized and flourishing. There even
was a public gaming house, where civil officers, traders, merchants,
travelers, and the clergy grouped avidly around the _monte_ tables and
played at fever heat, momentarily beyond the reach of any other
obsession. Regularly the governor and his wife graced the temple of
chance with their august persons and held informal levees among the
tables, making the place a Mecca for favor-seekers and sycophants, and a
golden treasury for the "house." At this time, so soon after the arrival
of two great caravans and the collection of so much impost, part of
which stuck to every finger that handled it, the play ran high
throughout the crowded room.

The round of festivities attending the arrival of the w