But between the outskirts of the town and the inn, the cords behind the diligence were cut, and every particle of luggage had disappeared.

At the inn-gate they got out and discovered their loss.
They set upon the Administrador of the diligence-company, who sympathized deeply with them, but had no more substantial comfort to offer.

They declared the driver must have been an accomplice, and the driver was sent for, for them to wreak their fury upon.

He appeared with his mouth full of beans, and told them, as soon as he could speak, that they ought to be very thankful they had come off so easily, and, looking at them with an expression of infinite disgust, returned to his supper; they followed his example, and seemed to have at last found consolation in hot dishes and Catalan wine.

It was wonderful to hear of the fine things that were in the lost portmanteaus,--the rings, the gold watches, the rouleaux of dollars, the "papers of the utmost importance." I am afraid the Spanish American has not always a very strict regard for truth.
These gentlemen had indeed got off easily, as the driver said; for the last diligence from Vera Cruz, with our steamboat acquaintances in it, had been stopped just outside this very town of Huamantla as they left it before daylight in the morning.