Estevan took from his purse the piece of gold
he had promised, and handed it to Cuchillo.

"It is the young Tiburcio Arellanos to whom you have given life,"
continued the outlaw. "As for me I only followed the dictates of my
heart; but it may be that we have both done a very foolish action."

"Why that?" asked the Spaniard. "This young man will be easily watched
so long as he is near us; and I presume he is decided to be one of our
expedition?"

"He has asked twenty-four hours to reflect upon it."

"Do you think he knows anything of--"

"I have my fears," replied Cuchillo, in a melancholy tone, little
regarding the lie he was telling, and the purpose of which was to render
the Spaniard suspicious of the man he had himself vowed to kill. "In
any case," continued he, with a significant smile, "we have saved his
life, and that will serve as _tit for tat_."

"What do you mean to say?"

"Only that my conscience assures me it will be perfectly tranquil if--
if--Carramba!" added he, brusquely--"if I should send this young fellow
to be broiled with his mother in the other world."

"God forbid that!" exclaimed the Spaniard, in a lively tone. "What
need? Admit that he knows all: I shall be in command of a hundred men,
and he altogether alone. What harm can the fellow do us. I have no
uneasiness about him. I am satisfied, and so must you be."

"Oh! I am satisfied if you are," growled Cuchillo, like a dog whose
master had hindered him from biting some one, "quite satisfied," he
continued, "but perhaps hereafter--"

"I shall see this young man," said the Spaniard, interrupting him, and
advancing in the direction where Tiburcio stood, while Cuchillo
followed, talking to himself:

"What the devil possessed him to ask how long I had owned my horse? Let
me see! the animal stumbled, I remember, and it was just then he
dismounted and threatened me. I can't understand it, but I suspect what
I do not understand."

When Arechiza and Cuchillo reached the camp, an excitement was observed
among the horses, that gathered around the _capitansa_, at a short
distance from the fire, and to all appearance in a state of extreme
terror, were uttering a wild and continuous neighing. Some danger yet
afar, but which the animals' instincts enabled them to perceive, was the
cause of this sudden _stampede_.

"It is some jaguar they have scented," suggested one of the domestics.

"Bah!" replied another, "the jaguars attack only yo