"You are complimentary, muchacho."
"Answer frankly and categorically the questions I will put to you!"
"Bah, Bah! Go on, go on. What are you afraid of?"
"Of nothing, I tell you; but my time is short: I have no leisure to follow you through all the Indian circumlocutions it may be your pleasure to invent. That is why I listen to nothing but the plain truth."
"I cannot bind myself to that until I hear the questions you wish to put."
"Take heed, father! If you deceive me, I shall find it out, and then—"
"And then?" repeated the old man mockingly.
"May the devil take my soul, if I do not plant my bowie knife between your two shoulders."
"You forget that two can play at that game."
"So much the better; it will be a strife and I prefer it."