He was sidling behind a high point of the parapet, when the stranger rushed forward, and, throwing both arms about his neck, poured forth a perfect cataract of Spanish, in which the word _gracias_ (thanks) was of frequent occurrence.
"What does the man mean with his _grashes_ ?" exclaimed the major, struggling to free himself from the Mexican.
But the latter did not hear him, for his eyes at that moment rested upon my dripping habiliments; and dropping the major, he transferred his embrace and _gracias_ to me.
"Senor Capitan," he said, still speaking in Spanish, and hugging me like a bear, "accept my thanks.

Ah, sir! you have saved my children; how can I show you my gratitude ?" Here followed a multitude of those complimentary expressions peculiar to the language of Cervantes, which ended by his offering me his house and all it contained.
I bowed in acknowledgment of his courtesy, apologising for being so ill prepared to receive his "hug", as I observed that my saturated vestments had wet the old fellow to the skin.
I had now time to examine the stranger, who was a tall, thin, sallow old gentleman, with a face at once Spanish and intelligent.

His hair was white and short, while a moustache, somewhat grizzled, shaded his lips.
Jet-black brows projected over a pair of keen and sparkling eyes.

His dress was a roundabout of the finest white linen, with waistcoat and pantaloons of the same material--the latter fastened round the waist by a scarf of bright red silk.

Shoes of green morocco covered his small feet, while a broad Guayaquil hat shaded his face from the sun.
Though his costume was transatlantic--speaking in reference to Old Spain--there was that in his air and manner that bespoke him a true hidalgo.
After a moment's observation I proceeded, in my best Spanish, to express my regret for the fright which the young ladies--his daughters, I presumed--had suffered.
The Mexican looked at me with a slight appearance of surprise.
"Why, Senor Capitan," said he, "your accent!--you are a foreigner ?" "A foreigner! To Mexico, did you mean ?" "Yes, Senor.