"Yes."
"No, indeed, I have not, for the ganado is growing beyond all price. The discovery of gold in California has caused an enormous number of adventurers from every country to flock there. You know what the gringos are; they must have meat. These miserable heretics are such gluttons that they could not do without it; and thus they have devoured all the ganado they could find in their neighbourhood, and are now obliged to fetch it for nearly two hundred leagues. You can understand that such a thing sends prices up enormously."
"That is annoying."
"And yet, general, only an instant agone, while placing my horse in the corral. I saw the most magnificent herd of novillos that can be imagined. It is evident that the poor animals have travelled at least one hundred leagues, for they appear so fatigued."
Doña Angela gave a sly glance at her camarista, who was standing behind her.
"I have heard of them," the general said carelessly; "they are on the road to San Francisco, I believe."
"What did I say not a moment ago?" the captain exclaimed, striking his fist on the table. "Caray! If those confounded gringos are let alone, they will have devoured all our cattle before ten years have passed."
"Can we not try to purchase these?"
"It would be an excellent business for us, even if we paid dearly; but their owners will not be inclined to sell."
"Who knows? I fancy, on the contrary, that they are willing to get rid of them."