"And I, on the contrary, am very uneasy."
"What the devil! You are not dead yet!"
"¡Vive Dios! I am little better off; I am literally between death and the devil."
"How can you be afraid—you, the most daring hunter of the jaguar I know?"
"A jaguar is but a jaguar, after all; one can talk reason to him with a ball. But these two birbones (rascals), whom Don Fernando has maliciously set upon my trail, are veritable demons, without faith or law, who would bleed their own fathers for a small measure of pulque." ("To bleed" is the common Mexican expression for "to stab.")
"True; but time presses. For reasons with which I need not acquaint you, I take enormous interest in Don Pedro de Luna, and more in his lovely daughter. Don Fernando Carril, as we have just learnt, is concocting some infernal plot against this family. I mean to frustrate it. Will you assist me? Two men can do a great deal, if they work with a will."
"Do you propose a partnership with me, Don Torribio?"
"Call it what you will; but answer promptly."
"In that case, sincerity for sincerity, Don Torribio. This morning I would have refused your proposal: tonight I accept it; for I have done with soft-heartedness. My position is completely changed. Rid themselves of me quietly! ¡Vive Dios! I will have my revenge. I am yours, as my knife is to the sheath. I am yours, body and soul, on the word of a vaquero."
"I see we shall easily come to an understanding."