"Perfectly."
"Then let your witnesses be ready at day-break."
"They shall be."
The conversation ended here. The travellers wrapped themselves in their fressadas and zarapés, lay down on the lumpy floor of the room, and fell asleep; the host followed their example.
As was arranged between them, the landlord, a little before daybreak, saddled his horse, and went to fetch the witnesses necessary for the validity of the transaction; for this purpose he galloped to the Larch-tree hacienda and returned by sunrise, accompanied by the major-domo and seven or eight peons.
The major-domo, the only one who could read and write, drew up the deed of sale, and after collecting all the persons, read it aloud.
Tranquil then took thirty-seven and a half gold onzas from his girdle, and spread them out on the table.
"Be witnesses, Caballeros," the major-domo said, addressing his audience, "that the Señor Tranquilo has paid the six hundred piastres agreed on for the purchase of the Venta del Potrero."
"We are witness," they replied.
Then all present, the major-domo at their head, passed into the corral behind the house.