Mexicans would be scarce in such a place.

He remained a lad of stout heart, confident that he would succeed.
He ate sparingly and reckoned that with self-denial he had food enough to last three days.

He might obtain more on the road by some happy chance or other.

Then becoming impatient he started again, keeping well among cypress and cactus, and laying his course toward the small mountain that he saw ahead.

He pressed forward the remainder of the afternoon, coming once or twice near to the great road that led to Vera Cruz.