The senator looked at him with a bewildered air; the worthy man had not the least recollection of what he had either said or done while the balls were whistling round him.
"I do not at all understand you, General," he replied.
"Poor man! pretend to be innocent, do!" said the General, laughing, and slapping him on the shoulder; "do you wish to persuade me you are like the Guanacos, which lose their memory through trembling with fear?"
"Upon my honour," said the senator, "I swear, Don Tiburcio, that I have not the least remembrance of having promised you anything."
"Ah! well, it is possible, for you were devilishly frightened. Come, I will refresh your memory: pay attention!"
"You will give me great pleasure."
"Well, I doubt that! but that is of no consequence. You said to me, on the spot where we now stand, not more than half an hour ago, that if I found the means of securing your escape, safe and sound, you would hold me quits for the two thousand piastres I lost to you, and owed you."
"Do you flatter yourself that that is the truth?" said the senator, whose avaricious instincts began to revive, as fear departed.
"I am sure it is. Ask these gentlemen," the General asked, turning towards some officers who stood by.
"Oh, certainly! true to the letter," they said, with a laugh.