After taking a haughty and assured glance at the persons collected in disorderly groups around him, the young man leant against a barrel, and, with affected carelessness, said to the individuals who surrounded him—"Well, my scamps, have you amused yourselves properly?"
A murmur of general satisfaction ran along the ranks.
"Good, my coyotes," he continued, with the same mocking tone; "now, I suppose, you would like to smell a little blood?"
"Yes," these sinister persons answered unanimously.
"Well, console yourselves; I will let you smell it ere long, and in a satisfactory manner. But I do not see Ramirez among you; can he have been so awkward as to get himself hung? Although he has deserved it a long time. I do not think him such a fool as to let himself be apprehended by the spies of the Mexican Government."
These words were uttered in a soft voice, harmoniously modulated, but at the same time sharp and rather shrill.
"I heard my name," said Ramirez, as he appeared in the doorway.
"Yes, I mentioned it. Well, are you alone?"
"No."
"Are they both here?"