"My honour, Señor General," the Jaguar answered, proudly; "my honour, which, as you know, is as unsullied as your own."
"Very good, Señor, I trust to you as you do to me. Must we surrender our swords?"
"General," the Jaguar answered nobly, "a brave soldier never separates from his weapons; I should blush to deprive you of yours. Your companions, like yourself, can keep their swords."
"Thanks for that courtesy, Caballero, for it proves to me that every good feeling is not dead in your heart. Now I am waiting for you to supply me with the means for leaving the place into which you made me fall so skilfully."
"You shall be satisfied, Señor General. As for you, Colonel, you can retire, for the door is now open."
"Not before I have seen you," the officer answered.
"What good would that do, since you have not recognised me?" the young man said, reassuming his natural voice.
"The Jaguar!" the Colonel ejaculated in surprise.
"Ah! I might have expected that; I shall certainly remain now," he added, with a singular inflection in his voice.
"Very good," said the Chief, "remain."