Don Torribio shuddered involuntarily on hearing this redoubtable name, but recovered himself immediately.
"Very good," said he; "the name you reveal is a guarantee of success to my vengeance."
"Yes," said the bandit, chuckling, "I dare say it is; my reputation has been established a long time on the frontiers. In the meantime, this is what I exact of you. Ponder well what you are about to hear—reflect seriously on what I am going to propose—before you answer; for, I repeat once more, I will compel you to act up to the conditions when once you have accepted them."
"Speak," he replied impatiently; "have I not told you I am longing for revenge?"
"Hear me, then, and remember your oath. I am at this moment preparing an expedition against San Lucar, of which I intend to gain possession at any price. For certain reasons, which need not be mentioned, I have assembled several tribes of the Apaches and a considerable number of vaqueros, who are concealed not far from hence, and only await my signal to fall, like tigers thirsting for blood, upon the pueblo, as it is gorged with wealth. An active and intelligent ally, upon whom I counted to execute this bold coup-de-main, has deserted me at the last moment. You alone can replace him: will you do so?"
"What is this?" exclaimed Don Torribio, shuddering; "It is treason you propose!"
"No," replied the other, in a deep voice, "it is revenge!—consummate vengeance, by which I shall confound your enemies, and those who have applauded their success, while they laughed in scorn at each of your disasters."
"What! I, Don Torribio Quiroga, belonging to one of the oldest families in the country; I am to associate—"
He hesitated and paused. The Tigercat laughed with disdain.
"With bandits and redskins, you would say, and wage war on your own countrymen. Why hesitate to pronounce the words? As for me, those qualifications have no value. I offer you revenge on your countrymen, who have become your enemies in siding with your adversary. You are about to engage in a duel. In a duel, all feints to kill your opponent are lawful. But these are my conditions, and I will not alter them a tittle. I will give you twenty-four hours for consideration."