Thereupon the _rurales_, who had pulled up at a spot marked by a white stone, turned and rode away.
We were now passing down the central street of the town, which I noticed seemed very deserted.

As we drew near to the _plaza_ or market square we met a cart drawn by two mules and led by a man who had a _serape_ wrapped about his nose and mouth as though it were still the hour before the dawn.

Over the contents of this cart a black cloth was thrown, beneath which were outlined shapes that suggested--but, no, it could not be.

Only why did Antonio cross himself and mutter _Muerte!_ or some such word?
Now we were in the _plaza_.

This _plaza_, where in happier times the band would play, for all Mexicans are musical, and the population of San Jose was wont to traffic in the day and enjoy itself at night, was bordered by an arched colonnade.