I replied that four days would be consumed in going and coming; that time was precious, and that it was impossible for us to wait.

Seeing that they were likely to refuse to do what I wished, I made a little speech, in which I told them they had better do what I asked, and that promptly.
No one so far had recognized me as having been there before.

I told them that they had never had better friend that I; that this was not the first time I had visited Juquila; that when I came before I had had difficulty; that my companion, presenting an order from the governor, had been badly received by their _presidente_, who tried to do him violence; that if I had reported this incident, they knew well what would have happened; that, however, being their good friend, I had never reported it.

Having jogged their memory regarding the past, I suggested to them that a report of the previous occurrence, with their present disregard of orders, might be serious.

I told them that they knew what I desired; that they might at once inform me whether it would be done or not; if they decided in the negative, the _secretario_ and my _mozo_ must start at once on foot to Oaxaca, carrying my complaint to the governor; that, as for me, having started them upon their journey, I should leave early the following morning going to some town where the people knew what obedience to the law meant.