Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/316

288 moments before they were ready to ignite the train, the light and voice had departed from the room—and when they fired it, there was no one there! For the captain and his brother officers were unavoidably detained for the night in attendance upon the General; and the captain had only despatched his attendant—a fellow who had the habit of singing and laughing to himself—for his muster-roll, which he had forgotten.

The worthy father and sapient Xelin, therefore, expended their rage and imbecility upon vacant walls and empty apartments. And soon they had to run for their lives, for the neighbourhood and soldiers being aroused, the place became too hot for them!