it be done to
him."

And these three inexorable men seated themselves solemnly upon the
summit of the pyramid, where Cuchillo already awaited them. At sight of
the severe aspect of those whom he had inwardly so many reasons to
dread, Cuchillo felt all his apprehensions renewed. He endeavoured,
however, to recover his assurance.

"Do you see," said he, pointing out behind the sheet of water, whose
majestic torrent foamed beside them, "the spot where the block of gold
sheds forth its dazzling rays?"

But the eyes of his judges did not turn in the direction he indicated.
Fabian rose slowly; his look caused the blood to curdle in the veins of
the outlaw.

"Cuchillo!" said he, "you saved me from dying of thirst, and you have
not done this for one who is ungrateful. I have forgiven you the stab
with which you wounded me at the Hacienda del Venado. I have pardoned
another attempt you made near El Salto de Agua; also the shot which you
only could have fired upon us from the summit of this pyramid. I might,
in short, have forgiven every attempt you have made to take away a life
you once saved; and with having pardoned you, I have even recompensed
you, as a king does not recompense the executioner of his justice."

"I do not deny it; but this worthy hunter, who has informed me with a
great deal of circumspection upon the delicate subject you wish to touch
upon, ought also to inform you how reasonable he found me in the
matter."

"I have forgiven you," continued Fabian, "but there is one crime,
amongst others, from which your own conscience ought not to absolve
you."

"There is a perfect understanding between my conscience and myself,"
resumed Cuchillo, with a graciously sinister smile, "but it seems to me
that we are getting away from our subject."

"That friend whom you assassinated in such a cowardly manner--"

"Disputed with me the profits of a booty, and faith, the consumption of
brandy was very considerable," interrupted Cuchillo. "But permit me--"

"Do not pretend to misunderstand me!" cried Fabian, irritated by the
knave's impudence.

Cuchillo collected his thoughts.

"If you allude to Tio Tomas, it is an affair which was never very well
understood, but--"

Fabian opened his lips to form a distinct accusation with reference to
the assassination of Arellanos, when Pepe broke in--

"I should be curious," he said, "to learn the real facts concerning Tio
Tomas: perhaps Master Cuchillo has not sufficien