"We have lost time enough; let us proceed to business," said the old man, alighting from his horse.
"Well, let us proceed to business. What is it you want with me?" replied Don Fernando, also dismounting.
"Why have you deceived and turned against me, instead of serving me, as you are bound?"
"I was bound to nothing with you; on the contrary, I roundly refused the mission which you persisted in forcing upon me."
"Could you not have remained neuter, and allowed these people to fall into my hands again?"
"No; my honour compelled me to defend them."
"Your honour!" burst out the Tigercat, with a cynical laugh.
The Mexican was confused: he frowned, but recovered himself, and continued:
"Hospitality is sacred in the prairie; its rights are indefeasible. The people I guided had placed themselves, of their own accord, under my protection: to abandon, or refuse to defend them, would have been to betray them. You yourself would have done as I did."
"It is useless to recur any more to this, or to discuss a deed that is done. Why did you not return to me?"