Ned saw once more the silver cone of Orizaba now on his left.

It had not led him on a happy quest before, but he believed that it was a true beacon now.

They walked rapidly, staying their hunger as best they could, not willing to approach any hut, until they were a considerable distance from Vera Cruz.

It was nearly nightfall when they dared a little adobe hut on a hillside.
"We'll claim to be Spaniards out of money and walking to the City of Mexico," said Obed.

"They probably won't believe our statements, but, owing to the sight of these loaded pistols, they will accept them." It was a poor hut with an adobe floor and its owner, a surly Mexican, was at home, but it contained plenty of food of the coarsest Mexican type, and Obed White stated their requests very plainly.
"Food we must have," he said, "sufficient for two or three days.
Besides, we want the two serapes hanging there on the wall.