"Never let it be said that the Mexican nation was outdone by the great Americanos in deeds of courtesy and affection.

Let it rather stand that Juanita was a sacred trust put into my hands years ago by the goddess of American liberty, and nurtured in the Mexican eagle's nest.

Is it not so, my soul ?" he added, more humanly, to the girl, when he had quite recovered from the intoxication of his own speech.

"We love thee, little one, but we keep our honor." "There's nothing mean about the old man," said Brown, admiringly, with a slight dropping of his left eyelid; "his head is level, and he goes with his party." "Thou takest my daughter, Senor Cranch," continued the old man, carried away by his emotion; "but the American nation gives me a son." "You know not what you say, father," said the young girl, angrily, exasperated by a slight twinkle in the American's eye.
"Not so," said Cranch.

"Perhaps one of the American nation may take him at his word." "Then, _caballeros_, you will, for the moment at least, possess yourselves of the house and its poor hospitality," said Don Juan, with time-honored courtesy, producing the rustic key of the gate of the _patio_.