CHAPTER XXIII.
THE ENGINEER TURNS "You are about to have more visitors, I see," announced Mr.Hippen, from a corner of the porch.
Barely five hundred yards from the house, on one of the roughest roads coming down the mountains, were some forty or fifty horsemen.
Nor did it require more than a second glance to show that the newcomers were cavalry troops of the Mexican army.
At the head of the cavalcade rode three or four men who had an official appearance.
"It is one of the periodical visits of the governor of the state of Bonista," explained Don Luis.

"Ah, if the governor is with that party, Senor Haynes, you will soon have more reason to know that it would be impossible for me to defraud you.

The governor himself will assure you that I am of an old Spanish family and of the highest personal honor." "I shall be most glad to meet the governor," remarked Mr.Haynes, dryly.
Don Luis Montez stepped to where he could obtain a better view of the horsemen, who were moving their horses at a walk.

He held his hands over his eyes to keep the light from interfering with his view.
"I am afraid, after all, that his excellency, the governor of the state, is not one of the horsemen," said Montez, regretfully.
"Not unless he is riding at the rear of the party.

But we shall soon know." Just inside the limits of the estate all of the cavalrymen except a half dozen halted.