"I think," said Emile, addressing the chiefs, "that it is time for us to return to the camp. If nothing detains Don Zeno Cabral in this place, he will perhaps do us the honour to accompany us."
"It would be with the greatest pleasure that I should accept your obliging offer, caballero," answered the partisan. "Unhappily, my way is diametrically opposite to that in which you are going."
"Permit me, then, caballero, to take leave of you," answered the young man, rising.
"You will not go away without taking the skin of your lion."
"And that of the lioness, that I am happy to offer you," added Gueyma
"I thank you, and accept your offer joyfully," said the young man; "unhappily, I do not know how to proceed to skin these noble animals."
"Will you permit us to say a few words to our friend? We shall then be happy to render you this service."
"Very well, gentlemen, I am at your orders," answered the young man, stretching himself again upon the grass; and he mentally added— "Perhaps I shall thus learn something."
But the painter's hope was completely deceived; it was in vain for him to pay the most earnest attention; it was impossible for him not to hear, for they spoke in a very high voice, but to understand a word of the conversation, for the simple reason that, either from mistrust or because they could more easily express their thoughts in that language, the conversation of the three men took place in Guaycurus.
The conversation lasted for more than an hour, in a very animated way; at last, Zeno Cabral turned towards Emile, who was still lying on the grass, and carelessly smoking his cigar. Extending his hand to him, he said in a friendly tone—