Zeno Cabral drew from his alforjas a little travelling companion, containing ink, pens, and paper, and immediately proceeded with his despatch, which he then folded, sealed, and handed to Mataseis.
"Now," said he, "there are the ten ounces; I rely on your attention."
"Consider it as good as done, your Excellency," answered Mataseis, pocketing the money.
In a few minutes the three men wrapped themselves in their skins and blankets, stretched their feet towards the fire, and were soon asleep.
"If these fellows do not now succeed in being received by Moratín," said the partisan, "they must be very awkward."
When the gauchos awoke at break of day, they were alone; Zeno Cabral had gone, having taken French leave.
The gauchos easily reconciled themselves to this want of politeness; they were paid in advance, and very well paid too.
We will briefly say that they met General Moratín at Santiago del Estero, and that they found no difficulty in being incorporated in the general's escort.
To the questions that the general and M. Dubois addressed them on this subject, they replied that they knew the desert in its most secret paths.
We will now abandon the Señores Mataseis and Sacatripas, and will return to Zeno Cabral.