"What aileth thee! Thou 'rt a fool—a madcap," replied the Morisco, bluntly. "What hare-brained motive hath possessed thee, Cristoval? For two nights and a day I've seen thee in the city, careering like a santon pursued of devils."
"Por Dios!" growled Cristoval; "thou wast not far from putting an estoppel upon it, Abul Hassan."
"When I split an arrow on thy casque? I did not know thee, Cristoval, save as a Spaniard—and thou hadst followed me. For what purpose?"
"I was not in purpose to follow thee. It was a chance."
"Then it might have been a costly chance, for I had it in mind to kill thee, until I found thee killing pikemen. What dost seek in Cuzco?"
"The Ñusta Rava."
"Ah!" Abul Hassan studied him narrowly, then asked, "Hast friends outside, among the Indios?" Cristoval nodded.
"As soon as thou canst move we'll seek them," said the other.
The cavalier shook his head. "I must find the Ñusta Rava," he answered, with resolution.
"Galimatias! Bosh! Thou'lt find the garrote. Dost know how long thou hast lain thus among these cinders? This is the second day. I found thee yester morning. But, canst eat?"