"I did not leave Don Sylvio at all."
"Oh, nonsense!"
"We were together, when masked bandits suddenly came out of this wood, and attacked us. Our Negroes were killed at the first discharge, but Don Sylvio and I got our backs against a tree behind our horses; I fought—and I can tell you no more."
"This blow on the head settled you; it was, by Heaven, enough to fell an ox; but you have a hard head, and lucky for you, for you will recover. So you were unable to recognize your assassins?"
"Yes."
"Just come and have a look at them with me. Can you walk?"
"I think so."
"Try."
And Don Blas Salazar got up, and tottered a few steps with extreme difficulty.
"Take my arm," Pedrito said.