and she had never been beautiful, but her face seemed very pleasant to
Ned, as she asked the Holy Virgin to watch over him in his wanderings.

"I have five silver dollars," said Benito. "They are yours. They will
make the way shorter."

But Ned refused absolutely to accept them. He would not take the store
of people who had been so kind to him. Instead he offered the single
dollar that he had left for a heavy knife like a machete. Benito brought
it to him and reluctantly took the dollar.

"Do not try the northern way, Texan," he said, "it is too far. Go over
the mountains to Vera Cruz, where you will find passage on a ship."

It seemed good advice to Ned, and, although the change of plan was
abrupt, he promised to take it. Juana gave him a bag of food which he
fastened to his belt under his serape, and at midnight, with the
blessing of the Holy Virgin invoked for him again, he started. Fifty
yards away he turned and saw the man and woman standing before their
door and gazing at him. He waved his hand and they returned the salute.
He walked on again a little mist before his eyes. They had been very
kind to him, these poor people of another race.

He walked along the shore of the lake for a long time, and then bore in
toward the east, intending to go parallel with the great road to Vera
Cruz. His step was brisk and his heart high. He felt more courage and
hope than at any other time since he had dropped from the prison. He had
food for several days, and the possession of the heavy knife was a great
comfort. He could slash with it, as with a hatchet.