"Do you want money?"
"No, master."
"No matter; take this."
He threw to Corrocho a long silk purse, through the meshes of which a great number of gold ounces glittered.
"My horse, Panchito."
The gaucho entered the wood, and almost immediately re-appeared, holding the bridle of a magnificent charger, upon whose back Don Torribio leaped.
"Farewell," he said to them; "prudence and fidelity; any indiscretion would cost your life."
And, after giving the gauchos a friendly nod, he dug his spurs into the horse's sides, and went off in the direction of Carmen, while Corrocho and Panchito went back toward Población del Sur. As soon as they had gone some distance, the bushes in a corner of the brake were shaken, and a face pale with fear peeped out. This head belonged to Patito, who, with a pistol in one hand, and a knife in the other, drew himself up, and looked around with great agitation, while muttering in a low voice—
"¡Canario! kill me cleverly. We shall see, we shall see. ¡Santa Virgen del Pilar! What demons! Well, listening is a good thing."
"It is the only way to hear," someone replied a mocking voice.