"In the first place, to ascertain if they spoke truly."
"They could not speak more truly: you see, I am frank."
"Then you really did surprise these travellers in their sleep?"
"Yes, muchacho, like a litter of prairie dogs in their earth."
"You stole their horses and baggage?"
"In good truth, I did all that."
"Afterwards, you had them carried into the thick of the forest, to die a frightful death?"
"I did have them carried to the forest; but not, as you pretend to believe, for the purpose of leaving them to starve."
"For what other purpose, then? I cannot suppose it was with the intention of effacing all traces of the robbery. You care little about such precautions, and do not stick at a knife thrust."
"Admirably reasoned, muchacho. I had no intention to do these travellers the least harm in the world."