leap and had curtly declined, it is worth while to pause and give
particulars of this passenger on the runaway diligencia. He was a
slightly built man, dressed in the ordinary dark clothes and soft
black felt hat of the middle class Spaniard. His face was brown and
sun-dried, with deep lines drawn downwards from the nose to the lips
in such a manner that cynicism and a mildly protesting tolerance
were contending for mastery in an otherwise studiously inexpressive
countenance.

"The Excellency does not blame me for this?" the driver jerked out,
as he hauled round a corner with a sort of pride.

"No, my friend," replied the American; and he broke off suddenly to
curve his two hands around his lips and give forth a warning shout
in a clear tenor that rang down the valley like a trumpet.

A muleteer leading a heavily laden animal drew his beast into the
ditch, and leapt into the middle of the road. He stepped nimbly
aside and sprang at the leading mule, but was rolled into the ditch
like an old hat.

"That is an old torero," shouted the driver. "Bravo, bravo!"

As they flew on, Whittaker turned in his seat and caught a glimpse
of the man standing in the middle of the road, with arms spread out
in an attitude of apology and deprecation.

"Ah!" cried the driver, "we shall not pass these. Now leap!"

"No," answered the other, and gave his warning shout.