Antonio! I warrant me the knaves are hiding
in these woods."

This was exactly the truth, for at the old gentleman's call three
serving-men came forward from the trees and advanced tremblingly towards
the coach. At sight of them their master flew into a terrible rage, and
scolded them with a vigor which at any other time would have amused me
highly.

"Cowards and knaves that ye are!" quoth he. "A pretty body-guard,
indeed. What, ye pitiful rogues, did I not fit ye all out with pikes and
pistols before quitting Mexico in case we met with ventures of this
sort? Oh, ye poltroons, to fly me at the first glimpse of danger! And
thou, Pedro Gomez, my coachman these ten years, fie upon thee!"

"Most noble Senor," said the man, trembling and bowing, "I did but run
to find assistance."

"Thou liest, knave. Thou didst run to save thine own skin. But I will
remember ye when we are safe in Oaxaca. I will have a convoy of soldiers
over these mountains, and trust not to pitiful cowards like ye three.
Tie me up this robber who lies there in the road, and fasten him behind
the coach. We will see justice done on him at Oaxaca."

While the men were doing this the old gentleman once more talked to
Pharaoh, thanking us again, and asking how he could reward us. Were we
journeying to Oaxaca? If so, let us go along with him, and he would
reward us bounteously for our protection.

"We thank your honor," said Pharaoh, "but we are two poor shipwrecked
mariners, bound across country to Acapulco, where we hope to find ship.
But if you would give us food and drink we would thank you, for in good
sooth we are desperately hungered."

Now it luckily chanced that the coach was well supplied with both the
commodities which we desired so earnestly, and, therefore, the old
gentleman made haste to reward us according to Pharaoh's request, so
that presently we found ourselves with our arms full of meat and bread
and bottles of wine, our new-found friend pressing all upon us with
great hospitality. Also, he would have us to take a purse of money,
assuring us that we should find it useful, and as we had not a
penny-piece between us we accepted this offering with thankfulness.

"I am sorry that ye cannot accompany me to Oaxaca," said he. "I should
have been glad of the company of two such stalwart champions. But know,
caballeros, that I am devoutly thankful to you, and will aid you if ever
ye have need of me, and it lies in my power."

So we thanked