204 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



smoke and "gazpacho," Don Antonio would not have 

 shone, even amongst pigmy Mexicans, for physical 

 beauty. Five feet high, a framework of bones covered 

 with a skin of Andalusian tint, the Trueba stood erect 

 and stiff in all the consciousness of his " sangre regular." 

 His features were handsome, but entirely devoid of flesh, 

 his upper lip was covered with a jet-black mustache 

 mixed with gray, his chin was bearded " like the pard." 

 Every one around him clad in deer and goat skin, our 

 Don walked conspicuous in shining suit of black much 

 the worse for wear, it must be confessed with beaver 

 hat sadly battered, and round his body and over his 

 shoulder an unexceptionable " capa " of the amplest 

 dimensions. Asking, as he stepped over him, the pardon 

 of an Indian urchin who blocked the door, and bowing 

 with punctilious politeness to the sturdy mozas who 

 were grinding corn, Don Antonio approached our friend 

 Augustin, who was discussing warlike matters with his 

 administrador. 



"Hola! Don Antonio, how do you find yourself, sir?" 



"Perfectly well, and your very humble servant, 

 reverend father ; and your worship also, I trust you are 

 in good health 1 " 



" Sin novedad without novelty ; " which, since it 

 was one hour and a half since our friends had separated 

 to take their siestas, was not impossible. 



" Myself and the worthy Jose," continued Fray 

 Augustin, " were speaking of the vile invasion of a band 

 of North American robbers, who three years since 

 fiercely assaulted this peaceful Mission, killing many of 



