During the afternoon, everything had been made ready for the journey of the morrow. There was not a great deal to be done for the three rescuers would travel light. There would be no need of a pack animal, because the Senor had assured the boys that they would find hospitality on the way.
Jo however was in mourning because when he gave his black a trial gallop, it was discovered that he was badly lamed in the right knee. It would not have been safe for any of the pirate gang to come within range of Jo's wrath.
"The cursed brutes stove him up for fair," he declared grinding his teeth.
"I'm afraid it will take a month's rest before he will be fit," determined Jim.
"Then I'm out of it," exclaimed Jo sorrowfully.
"Not so, my friend," interrupted the Spaniard. "Take the bay. He is not as good a horse as yours, but he has great endurance. He is yours to use as long as you wish."
Jo thanked the Spaniard heartily for his kindness and generosity. Then he spoke in a low voice to his brother. "How about that money, Jim? Don't forget to pay the Spaniard for those goods we bought at the store." Jim spoke up.
"Senor, I wish to show you a little something of interest."
Then Jim got his heavy saddle, on which he had ridden so many hundred miles. And the Senor regarded it with interest, because of the carved leather workmanship which was of the finest and he was a connoisseur of such matters.
"How much would you give for it, Senor Sebastian," inquired Jim, "if it were put up for purchase?"
"It is a beautiful saddle. I would be willing to give a hundred dollars. It is worth it."
"That saddle is worth several thousand, Senor," replied Jim confidently.
"I do not understand," replied the Spaniard. "It is the personal value, I suppose."
Then he took from his hip pocket a heavy bone handled knife which he had bought at the store and pulled back the hoof cleaner, an instrument attached to the knife that was used to get a pebble or anything that had got into the horse's hoof.
With this he worked at the leather that covered the high and rather thick horn of the saddle. Finally he pried the top leather flap off. There was a heavy piece fitted into the top of the horn. With some difficulty Jim got this out disclosing a hollow, in which was concealed most of the jewels he had found in Mexico.