It might be difficult for him to pass for a Mexican and she would give the alarm.

But he went yet nearer and stood where he could see her face.

It was broad, fat and dark, more Aztec than Spaniard, and then he approached boldly, his speed increased by the appetizing aroma arising from some flat cakes that lay over burning charcoal.
"I will take these, my mother," he said in Mexican, and leaning over he snatched up half a dozen gloriously hot tortillas and frijoles.

A cry of indignation and anger was checked at the old woman's lips as two small silver coins slipped from the boy's hands, and tinkled pleasantly together in her own.
Holding his spoils in his hands Ned walked swiftly up the street.

He glanced back once, and saw that the old Aztec woman had sunk back into her original position.