Using what was left of the wagon for a stepping block, and ably assisted by the jailer and his crew, the peddler managed to get astride his animal.
"It is well," he said, and added gratefully: "A thousand thanks, senors. It has been my good fortune to meet with honest men with whom my goods will be safe only poor goods, peddler's goods, you understand; but to me, everything, my way upon the road. The pleasure has been mine to meet you. To-morrow I shall return with my kinsman, whom I certainly shall find, and relieve from you the burden of safeguarding my inconsiderable property." He doffed his hat. "Adios, senors, adios!"
He rode away at a careful walk, timid of the animal he bestrode which had caused his catastrophe. He halted and turned his head at a call from Pedro Zurita.
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