"
"Vera Cruz is a long way, senor. I never expect to go that far
from home--me and my little Peppa."
Adrian smiled.
"I expect it does look like a long ways to you, senora; but it is
not far. Do you think I can stay here with you until my ankle is
well enough to walk? I have a little money. I will pay you
something."
"Oh, Mother!" exclaimed the girl, who now spoke for the first
time. "You will let him stay, won't you?"
"The wife of Leocadio would not turn a lame dog out, much less a
lame boy."
"_Mil gracias, senora!_" exclaimed Adrian, with much gratitude.
"Yes, more than a thousand thanks. You will never regret it."
"The wife of Leocadio is not learned," was the reply, "but she
knows an honest youth when she sees one. Come, Peppita, let the
young man go to sleep. We will make our bed out here."
She drew the curtains together and Adrian was left alone to his
own reflections.
"By George!" he exclaimed under his breath, "if I ever get out of
this measly country, I'll be glad. I wonder what has become of
Billie? Of course he'll look for me, and old Don, too; but it
looks as though it might be weeks before I could walk. Well, I
don't care. If Mr. Black and Josie got away, that's glory enough
for one day.
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