"Be of good cheer," says I; "we will for certain not go back to this Castello Lagos, for if the Portugal will not venture his carcase there, I will assuredly not risk mine. Nay, you should know, cousin," I adds, feeling a little sore for reasons that I shall presently explain, "that I treasure your safety more than this man does his merchandise. I see through this rogue of a merchant, who, as likely as not, has contrived this difficulty for his own profit. Do you ask the fellow such questions as I would put to him."
"With all my heart," says Lady Biddy, "What shall I ask him, Benet?"
"Ask him if he be a merchant of Castello Lagos," says I, putting on a pretty determined air.
To this Lewis de Pino replied that he was a merchant of Valerias, whither he was now going. "Valerias," says I, pretending to be mighty knowing, that he might not perceive my ignorance, "that lies betwixt here and Caracas, I take it."
He replied yes, but after looking at me in silence a minute, as though to make out what I was driving at.
"And Caracas," says I, in the same tone, "is t'other side of those mountains?"
"Preciseamento!" says he, with a grin, holding up his hand with the tips of his thumb and second finger joined.
"How far is it to Valerias?" I asked.
"About six days' journey," says he in reply.
"And from Valerias to Caracas is no great matter," says I still, as if I knew the road well enough.