"How is that?" asked Don Torribio, whose voice grew stronger every moment, and who had already managed to stand up.
"The case is very simple. We were skirting the forest, on our road to the place you had pointed out to us, when suddenly a horse passed across us at a giddy speed, a pack of wolves at his heels. We soon relieved him from his incarnate foes. Then, as we thought it unlikely for a saddled horse to be all alone in a forest into which none dare venture, we set out in search of his rider. Your cry was our pilot."
"Thanks!" replied Don Torribio; "I shall know how to repay the debt I have contracted with you."
"Nonsense! That is not worth speaking of. Come! here is your horse; we can go as soon as you like."
Don Torribio held up his hand.
"Stay here," said he; "we shall find no more suitable place than this to discuss what we have got to say to each other."