The latter, after some minutes of this strange treatment, uttered a scarcely perceptible sigh, moved his lips slightly, and at last opened his eyes, which as yet had no consciousness in them.
"He is saved!" repeated Pablito; "Now let us leave nature to work: she is the best doctor I know."
Don Torribio raised himself up, supporting himself on one elbow, and passed his hand across his forehead, as if to recall his thoughts.
"Who are you?" he said in a feeble tone.
"Friends, señor; fear nothing."
"I am killed; my limbs are all broken."
"It is nothing to signify, señor; it is only fatigue: you are as well as we are?"
Don Torribio sat up and looked attentively at the men who surrounded him.
"I must be mistaken," said he; "I never expected to find you here. By what miracle did you reach me in time to save me?—you, whom I promised to meet at a rendezvous so far from the spot where we are?"
"It was your horse performed the miracle, señor," said the verado.