"Oh, oh! the song of the Maukawis already!" Don Torribio said in a loud voice.
"Does not the note of the Maukawis announce sunrise?" the voice asked.
"You are right, Panchito," Don Torribio replied, "we are alone, so you can come, as well as your comrade, who, I suppose, is your friend Corrocho."
"You have guessed right, Excellency," said Corrocho, as he came from behind a sandhill.
"Faithful to our word," said Panchito, "we have arrived at the spot and hour appointed."
"That is well, my good fellows, and thanks. Come here, but remain on horseback. Are you both devoted to me?"
"To the last drop of our blood, Excellency," the two gauchos said.
"And you do not despise money?"
"Money can only injure those who have none," the sententious Panchito remarked.
"When it is honourably gained," Corrocho added, with an ape-like grimace.