"What charm has this mysterious stranger," muttered Don Torribio behind his maple, "to make himself beloved like this?"
After a short silence, Don Fernando again spoke.
"I know you are devoted to me. I have great confidence in your fidelity; but you are a drunkard, and drink is an evil counsellor."
"I will drink no more," replied the vaquero.
Don Fernando smiled in disdain.
"Drink, but do not drown your reason. Drunkenness such as yours lets fall words for which there is no remedy,—words more murderous than the dagger. It is not the master, it is the friend who speaks to you. Can I count on you both?"
"You can."
"I leave this place for a few days; you will remain in the neighbourhood. At a short distance from the pueblo is the Hacienda de las Norias de San Antonio; do you know it?"
"Who does not know Don Pedro de Luna?"
"Watch that hacienda carefully, both without and within. If anything extraordinary befalls Don Pedro or his daughter, Doña Hermosa, one of you will come and acquaint me with it. You know where to find me?"