deceive the fools, and consolidate the position you have acquired."
At this moment the shriek of the owl was heard in the thickest part of the forest.
"What's that?" El Buitre asked, not sorry to break off a conversation which was taking a personal turn rather disagreeable to him.
"A signal given by a sentry," El Garrucholo answered; "a spy who doubtlessly brings us news. We are awaiting, as you know, the passing of certain travellers."
"I know it; but they are said to be well armed, and under good escort."
"All the better; they will defend themselves, and that will be a change."
"The truth is, that those we have stopped for some time past seemed to have agreed to let themselves be plundered without a murmur."
"If the information I have received be exact, that will not be the case with the present party."
The owl cry was heard a second time, but now much nearer.
"It is time," El Garrucholo observed.
The two chiefs then put on black velvet masks, and almost immediately a man appeared, led by two bandits. On entering the clearing this individual threw around a glance rather of astonishment than terror: nothing in his conduct showed that he had fallen into an ambuscade, for his face was calm, though rather pale, and his step was assured.
The bandits who escorted him led him before the two chiefs, who examined him attentively through the holes in their masks. El Buitre then addressed the bandits in Spanish.
"Where the deuce did you catch that scoundrel?" he said in a rough voice. "He has not an ochavo about him. Hang him, and let us have no more bother."
"Yes," the lieutenant observed, "he is only fit for that, as he was such an ass as to rush into the net prepared for more noble game."
"Permit me, excellency," one of the bandits said, bowing respectfully; "this man was not caught by us."
"How is he here, then?"
"Because, illustrious captain, he earnestly asked to be led into your excellency's presence, as he had matters of the utmost importance to impart to you."
"Ah!" the chief said, but added, "I know the fellow; he is, if I am not mistaken, the huésped of the mesón of San Juan."
The prisoner bowed in affirmation.
It was really the worthy Saccaplata himself. After sending off his criado, and while Don Cornelio was with the colonel, the host thought that nobody could do one's business so well as one's self; and as he was probably anxious that it should succeed, he had started off after the peon, whom he had no difficulty in catching up, for the poor fellow was not at all anxious to execute the commission his master had intrusted to him. Saccaplata sent him back to the mesón; and, while the peon returned in delight, had himself attempted the adventure.
"Indeed!" the lieutenant remarked. "Does Señor Saccaplata wish to enter into business relations with us? That would be an excellent idea."
"I do not say no, honourable caballero," the landlord replied in a honeyed voice. "Business is very bad at this moment, and it is certain that a little extra profit, honestly come by, would be acceptable; but, for the present, I only desire – "
"To the point," El Buitre suddenly interrupted him; "we have no time to lose in silly remarks."
The landlord understood that he must be brief, if he did not wish to bring down certain unpleasantnesses on himself.
"The fact is this," he said: "I have in my house, at the present moment, several rich travellers."
"We know it. What next?"
"Among them is the Señor Colonel – "
"Don Sebastian Guerrero, proceeding to Tepic with his daughter and four servants," the lieutenant interrupted him. "What next?"
"What next?" the landlord said, sadly discountenanced.
"Yes, what next?"
"That is all."
"What, you scoundrel! And you had the effrontery to venture among us, only to tell us a thing we knew as well as yourself?" El Garrucholo exclaimed.
"I thought I was doing you a service."
"You wished to be a spy on us."
"I!"
"Of course. Do you take us for fools like yourself, you wretch? But you shall remember this visit. The orejada" he added, turning to the two bandits, who had remained by the landlord's side.
"One moment," the captain said.
Saccaplata, fancying he should escape with the fright, grimaced a smile.
"I will tell you," the captain continued, "why you came to us. You want to revenge yourself on Colonel Guerrero, who a few hours back inflicted on you a well-merited correction."
"But – " the landlord ventured.
"Silence! Do not attempt to deny it. I was there. I saw what occurred. As you are too great a coward to dare to avenge yourself, you thought of us, supposing that we should not refuse to render you that slight service. What do you say – is that the truth?"
"Hum! I would not venture to contradict your excellency," the landlord said, now beginning to regret having entered this wasp's nest.
The bandits, attracted by the colloquy, had gradually drawn nearer, and formed a circle round the speakers, while laughing cunningly to each other. Still, although accustomed to the pleasing eccentricities of their worthy chief, they were far from anticipating the dénouement of this scene.
After having proved to Saccaplata as clearly as the day that he knew the motive that led him to offer his good services to the salteadores, the captain continued in these terms, while smiling cunningly: —
"Dear huésped of my heart, we do not refuse to undertake revenging you, the more so as we had already made up our minds to stop the colonel."
"Ah!" the landlord said, beginning to feel easier.
"Yes: still, after reflecting on it thoroughly, we gave up the plan. The colonel is brave – he will defend himself; moreover, he has with him four well-armed and determined men. My faith, it was too great a risk; but if you insist – "
"Immensely!" the other exclaimed, deceived by the bandit's feigned kindliness.
"Very good," the other answered, changing his tone; "then it is a matter of business between us. Now, such things are always paid for, as you know, my scamp."
Saccaplata turned involuntarily toward the other salteadores, who were grinning affably at him.
"Consequently," the captain continued with perfect calmness, "you will pay me twenty ounces for your vengeance, which I take on my own account, and ten for your ransom."
"Heaven save me!" the landlord said, clasping his hands in despair. "I never possessed such a sum, not even in a dream."
"That is a matter of perfect indifference to me. I never recall my decision under any circumstances. Another time
