He hoped to find at the canal one of the bergantins, or flat-bottomed boats, in which vegetables, fruit and flowers were brought to the city for sale.

They were good-natured people, those of the bergantins, and they would not scorn the offer of a stout lad to help with sail and oar.
Hidden in his serape and sombrero, and, secure in his knowledge of Spanish and Mexican, he now advanced boldly through the more populous and better lighted parts of the city.

He even lingered a little while in front of a cafe, where men were playing guitar and mandolin, and girls were dancing with castanets.

The sight of light and life pleased the boy who had been so long in prison.

These people were diverting themselves and they smiled and laughed.