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He had watched the long line of rickety cabs backed up against the curb, the two honking auto-busses, the shifting army of pleasure-seekers along the sidewalks, the noisy saloons round which the crowds eddied like bees about a hive, and he was once more appraising the groups closer about him, when through that seething and bustling mass of humanity he saw Dusty McGlade pushing his way, a Dusty McGlade on whom the rum of Jamaica and the mezcal of Guatemala and the anisado of Ecuador had combined with the pulque of Mexico to set their unmistakable seal.
Some tables behind the pillars were laid out with wine and fruit, and Adam beckoned a mulatto waiter. "Tinto and siphon. Bring some ice." "There is no siphon, señor. We have sherry, vermouth, and some very good anisado." "You have plenty siphon" Adam declared. "Go and look." The waiter went away and Adam frowned. "I can't stand for their scented liquors; I want a long, cool drink."
"It is a strong-smelling liquor and one drinks a small quantity, taking water afterwards, if one wants. Don Adam knows the country, and after all my enemies have not much imagination. To offer him anisado was a rather obvious trick." "I'm thankful they failed," Kit said sternly, and clenched his fist with sudden passion. "If they had not "
Non-commissioned officers, their squad-rolls in their hands, took their station in front of the houses where their men were billeted; in the stables, dragoons lighted greasy iron lamps, and, suspending them against the wall, commenced cleaning and saddling their horses; the shutters of the various wine-houses were taken down, and drowsy, nightcapped taberneros busied themselves in distributing to innumerable applicants the tiny glassful of anisado, which, during the whole twenty-four hours, is generally the sole spirituous indulgence permitted himself by the sober Spanish soldier.
"Where is Don Adam?" the latter asked. Kit told him and added that his uncle had seemed to get worse after drinking some wine. "Ah," said Alvarez thoughtfully. "Fresh lime-juice is better when one is feverish. Did he drink anything else?" "No," said Kit. "The waiter wanted to bring some anisado, but he insisted on the wine."
At length, Alvarez sent for him, and although his heart beat as he followed the messenger he felt some relief when he saw the president. "I have good news," the latter said. "The doctor is no longer anxious and you may see your uncle in the morning. It looks as if Don Adam's caution saved him." "You mean when he refused the anisado?" Alvarez nodded.
"In this country, one takes precautions," Alvarez replied. "You look ill, my friend." "I'd have looked worse if I'd drunk anisado," Adam remarked. "Anyhow, you had better light out and let Señor Martin get to work." The doctor, who felt Adam's pulse, made a sign of agreement, and then writing on a leaf of his pocketbook gave it to the president. "Will you send that to my house?
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