Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/66

44 and hopeful expectation, therefore, quickened their eager footsteps, and kept time with the tinkling of their mules bells as they hastened on.

There was one man of the troop, however—a certain Don Surillo—who appeared to take but little interest in the self-satisfied demonstrations of his comrades; in fact, he seemed to regard the company generally with something like contempt. As he happened to be a paunchy, mean-looking personage, this conduct produced some astonishment in the minds of his fellow-travellers. They could not make it out at all! That this man should affect to be so reserved and haughty, when they were evidently disposed to unbend a little to each other—it was a perfect mystery! However, as he persevered in his demeanour, they became inclined to regard him—in spite of his appearance—as a superior kind of person, gifted with an unusually strong mind and great intelligence. Nevertheless, two or three members of the party determined to keep their eye upon him, and paid him the utmost attention accordingly. They listened attentively for any tokens of conversation on his part; watching him keenly for any signs of abating rigour in his eye or the corners of his mouth