"But hold," he added, as though with a sudden thought.

"Excuse me for a moment." Thus saying, he stepped outside, only to return with Ridge's saddle-bags, which he coolly opened.

"Coffee, as I live!" he cried, "and hard biscuit, the first bread I have seen in many a month! Senor, we are under obligations to you for these welcome additions to our _menu_.

Manuel, hast thou forgotten how to make coffee, strong, and black as thine own ebony face?
Waste thou not one precious grain, or, by holy St.Jago, I will blow out thy meagre brains." Provoked as Ridge was at seeing his entire stock of provisions thus appropriated to be expended on a single meal, he was not in a position to remonstrate.

So, a little later, when a revised edition of breakfast was pronounced ready, he sat down with the host whom he did not yet know whether to consider as friend or foe, and ate heartily of the food thus provided.
The furnishing of that rude table was unique, for, mingled with shells from the beach and those of cocoanuts, both of which were used in place of cups, gourds, plantain-leaves, and wooden trays, appeared several dishes of cut glass and dainty china, generally cracked or chipped, and looking wofully out of place.
Seeing that Ridge noticed these, the host said, carelessly: "Ah yes, senor, we have seen better days!" Then, lighting a cigarette, he continued, more sternly, "Now, sir, can you give any reason why I should not have you led out and shot as a spy ?" "You would not dare do such a thing!" replied Ridge, indignantly.
"Oh! wouldn't I?
My friend, you do not realize into whose hands you have fallen.