"I confess I have no great confidence in his future faithfulness."
"You are in error; you do not know the Manso Indians. This man, when once he has been corrected, will serve you faithfully; you may safely trust me for that."
"I will do so willingly, but this punishment, whatever it may be, I confess I feel incapable of administering it to him."
"Oh, don't let that disturb you; here is our friend, Don Torribio, who has not so tender a heart as you."
"I ask nothing more than to be agreeable to you," said don Torribio, in confirmation.
We arrived at that moment close to the prisoner; the poor fellow who doubtless knew what awaited him, had a very disconsolate air, and was very ill at ease.
Don Zeno approached the prisoner, while with an imperturbable coolness. Don Torribio occupied himself by doubling up his laço several times in his right hand.
"Listen, pícaro," said don Zeno, to the attentive Indian; "this caballero engaged you at Buenos Aires; not only have you basely abandoned him in the pampa, but you have robbed him; you merit punishment, and that punishment you are about to receive. Don Torribio, my dear sir, will you, I beg, apply fifty strokes of the laço on the shoulders of this bribón."
The Indian did not answer a word; the gaucho then approached, and with the conscientiousness with which he did everything, he raised his laço, which fell whizzing on the shoulders of the poor fellow, on which it made a bluish stripe.
The Indian did not make a movement; he did not utter a cry.