The odor of the cooking made him realize again that he was fiercely hungry.

A Mexican brought him a large tin plate filled with beans and meat chopped small.

He ate slowly although only an effort of the will kept him from devouring the food like a famished wild animal.

The Mexican who had brought him the plate stood by and watched him, not without a certain sympathy on his face.
Several more Mexicans approached and looked at him with keen curiosity, but they did not say or do anything that would offend the young Gringo.
Knowing that it was now useless, Ned no longer made any attempt to conceal his nationality which was evident to all.

He finished the plate and handed it back to the Mexican.
"Many thanks," he said in the native tongue.
"More ?" said the soldier, looking at him with understanding.
"I could, without hurting myself," replied Ned with a smile.
A second plate and a cup of water were brought to him.