Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/490

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484
FACE TO FACE WITH THE MEXICANS.

thieves endeavor to force an entrance into the orchard by means of ropes (6) thrown over the wall. These ropes are fastened to the ground by iron spikes (7). The man from his observatory sees the approach of the robbers, and hastens with his servants (8) to the rescue. Guns are fired, and a brisk fusillade (9) takes place.—A pause at this part of the story reveals the astounding fact that the picture of a pato (duck) has been evolved during the recital of this thrilling narrative.

That "boys will be boys" all the world over, and the teasing instinct universal among them, is demonstrated in the following dialogue. Says one mischief-loving lad to another:

Quieres que te cuente el cuento del gallo pelón?" ("Do you wish me to tell you the story of the bald-headed rooster?")

"Si" ("yes "), answers his companion, eagerly.

"No te digo que si, que si quieres que te cuente el cuento del gallo pelón." ("I did not tell you yes; I said, do you wish me to tell you the story of the bald-headed rooster?") says the first boy.

"Si," again answers the other, growing impatient.

Again the aggravating lad repeats his question, and again his companion signifies his anxiety to hear the interesting tale. And so it goes on till either the story-teller tires of the amusement or the wrath of his disappointed listener brings the unchanging query to an end.

This story reminds one of the abortive attempts to spell Con-stan-ti-no-ple.