Here comes the owld one, and, by the powers! he's got a big paper; he's goin' to make over the property!" Laughing, I looked round, and saw that the Don was returning, sure enough.

He hurried up, holding out a large sheet of parchment.
"Well, Senor, what's this ?" I inquired.
"_No soy Mexicano--soy Espanol_!" (I am no Mexican--I am a Spaniard), said he, with the expression of a true hidalgo.
Casting my eye carelessly over the document, I perceived that it was a _safeguard_ from the Spanish consul at Vera Cruz, certifying that the bearer, Don Cosme Rosales, was a native of Spain.
"Senor Rosales," said I, returning the paper, "this was not necessary.
The interesting circumstances under which we have met should have secured you good treatment, even were you a Mexican and we the barbarians we have been represented.

We have come to make war, not with peaceful citizens, but with a rabble soldiery." "_Es verdad_ (Indeed).

You are wet, Senor?
you are hungry ?" I could not deny that I was both the one and the other.
"You need refreshment, gentlemen; will you come to my house ?" "Permit me, Senor, to introduce you to Major Blossom--Lieutenant Clayley--Lieutenant Oakes: Don Cosme Rosales, gentlemen." My friends and the Don bowed to each other.

The major had now recovered his complacency.
"_Vamonos, caballeros_!" (Come on, gentlemen), said the Don, starting towards the house.
"But your soldiers, Capitan ?" added he, stopping suddenly.
"They will remain here," I rejoined.
"Permit me to send them some dinner." "Oh! certainly," replied I; "use your own pleasure, Don Cosme, but do not put your household to any inconvenience." In a few minutes we found our way to the house, which was neither more nor less than the cage-looking structure already described..