They seemed to have kindly feelings for everybody, but he remembered that cruel Spanish strain, often dormant, but always there, and he hastened on.
Three officers, their swords swinging at their thighs, came down the narrow street abreast.

At another time Ned would not have given way, and even now it hurt him to do so, but prudence made him step from the sidewalk.

One of them laughed and applied an insulting epithet to the "peon," but Ned bore it and continued, his sombrero pulled well down over his eyes.
His course now led him by the great palace of Yturbide, where he saw many windows blazing with light.

Several officers were entering and chief among them he recognized General Martin Perfecto de Cos, the brother-in-law of Santa Anna, whom Ned believed to be a treacherous and cruel man.

He hastened away from such an unhealthy proximity, and came to La Viga.
He saw a rude wharf along the canal and several boats, all with the sails furled, except two.