"Well," said Jack, in a low tone, "this beats anything we have found before. But if they will give our poor horses care we can get along ourselves."
"I suppose we had better give them our personal attention," said Ronie.
"In due course of time, lad. I wish now we had kept nearer the seacoast, but I will not borrow trouble. Who is coming now?"
The visitor proved to be an attendant of the house, who wished to inquire in regard to the wants of their "illustrious guests."
"We need nothing more at present," replied Jack, "than a couple of basins of cool water in which to lave these bodies and limbs of ours."
"_Si, señors_; your slightest wish is law at San Andrea," and, bowing very low, the speaker withdrew, and our friends were left alone for more than half an hour, when the man returned bearing in either hand a small calabash filled with water that was too thick with mud to spill over. These rude dishes possibly contained a quart of the dirty liquid each. Depositing these vessels on the table, the servant expressed the wish that they might enjoy a "very excellent bath."
"No doubt we shall," declared Jack. "Did you have to bring this far?"
"From the river, señor; two kilometers away."
"Horn of rock--Gibraltar, if you please, we'll excuse you for the time it took you. But haven't you water nearer than a mile?"
"A little, señor. Supper will be ready when you have washed."
After supper they went to examine their-horses, to find that Ronie's did not show much improvement. One of the peons, however, had interested himself so far as to bandage the limb in some black decoction that he claimed was good for a sprain, which was evidently the trouble with the creature. This man became very friendly upon finding that his efforts were so well appreciated, and he began to talk glibly of other matters, saying, among other things:
"You come from Maracaibo, I think, señors. Did you see anything of Captain Rhoades and his bold riders?"
"We heard of him," replied Jack. "We have been looking for them. Are you expecting them this way?"
"No one can tell where El Capitan will strike next, señor. He is very brave, and he moves about as if he and his men had wings."
"Is it possible that Castro's hirelings have penetrated into this region?" asked Jack, as a feeler.
