With others, Juan Lepe worked hard, unlading and storing.

All done, he and the bully slept almost in each other's arms, under the arches of the court, dreamlessly.
The next day and the next were still days of labor.

It was not until the third that Juan Lepe considered that he might now absent himself and there be raised no hue and cry after strong shoulders.

He had earned his quittance, and in the nighttime, upon his hands and knees, he crept from the sleepers in the court.

Just before dawn the inn gate swung open.