"Hum! it was not he I was afraid of; for he and I have been good friends for a long time; but it was the confounded monk."
"Eh, eh, if he had not arrived just in time, he would probably have spoiled our fun; what is your opinion, John?"
"I think you are right, Sam. By Jabers, I laughed at seeing him writhe under the chicote."
"It was certainly a glorious sight; but are you not afraid that he may avenge himself? these monks are devilishly spiteful."
"Bah! what have we to fear from such vermin? He will never dare to look us in the face."
"No matter, we had better be on our guard. Our trade is a queer one, as you know, and it is very possible that some day or other this accursed animal may play us an ugly trick."
"Don't bother about him; what we did was all fair in war. Be assured that, under similar circumstances, the monk would not have spared us."
"That is true; so let him go to the deuce; the more so as the prey we covet could not be in a better situation for us. I should never pardon myself if I let it escape."
"Shall we remain here in ambush?"
"That is the safest way; we shall have time to rejoin our comrades when we see the recua enter the plain; and, besides, have we not to meet somebody here?"