"By the way," Don Sebastian said, "have you recovered any of the cattle those demons of Apaches took from us in their last attack?"
"Not a head, general, Válgame Dios! You might as well pursue the wind and the tempest as try to catch up those red devils."
"Then we have lost—"
"All that was within their reach; that is to say, about 2500 head."
"That is hard; and how have you repaired the loss?"
"Up to the present I have only succeeded in collecting 1500 head; and if you remember, it was on this very subject that you gave me the meeting here."
"I remember the fact perfectly; still I do not exactly see what we can do, except buy other cattle."
"Hang it! That is the only way we have of completing our herds."
"Have you any in view?"
"At this moment?"