"What's the Lieutenant's opinion about these scamps?" the Captain asked the corporal.
"They are too far off yet, and too hidden by the dust they raise, Captain, for it to be possible to recognise them," the non-commissioned officer replied with a bow.
"That is true. We had better, I believe, go and look for ourselves. Will you come?"
"I should think so," the hunter said, as he seized his rifle, which he had deposited in a corner of the room; and they went out.
Don Ruiz and his sister were talking together, while doing ample justice to the refreshment placed at their disposal. On seeing the Captain, the young man rose and walked up to him.
"Cousin," he said to him, with a bow, "I hear that you are on the point of being attacked; and as it is to some extent my cause you are going to defend, for the bandits who threaten you at this moment are allies of those with whom I had a fight last night, pray allow me to fire a shot by your side."
"¡Viva Dios! Most heartily, my dear cousin," the Captain answered, gaily: "although these scoundrels are not worth the trouble. Come along!"
"That's a fine fellow!" the Captain whispered in the hunter's ear.
The latter made no answer. He contented himself with shrugging his shoulders, and turned away.
"Oh," Doña Mariana exclaimed, "Ruiz, what are you going to do? Stay with me, I implore you, brother!"