"Hum! In that case take care."
"Thank you, but I run no heavy risk; I have only to deliver a letter."
"It is true that a letter—" the American carelessly remarked.
"Oh! this one is more important than you fancy it."
"Nonsense!"
"On my honour it is, for it concerns some millions of dollars."
"What is that you say?" John Davis exclaimed with an involuntary start.
Since his meeting with the soldier, the hunter had quietly worked to get him to reveal the reason that brought him into these parts, for the presence of a single dragoon on the desert seemed to him queer, and for good reason; hence it was with great pleasure that he saw him fall into the trap set for him.
"Yes," the soldier continued, "General Rubio, whose asistente I am, has sent me as an express to meet Captain Melendez, who at this moment is escorting a conducta de plata."
"Do you mean that really?"