"What do you want, then?"
"I want the remainder for a simple reason, your lordship; because, our bargain expiring at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, I prefer to settle with you this evening, rather than cause you any trouble during the march."
"What, is it so long since we began the journey?"
"Calculate, your lordship."
"Just so, quite as long," replied he, pensively.
There was a long silence.
"So you wish to quit me, Malco Diaz," said the young man abruptly, in a more friendly tone than that which he had employed just before.
"Has not my engagement terminated, your lordship?"
"Just so; but you can renew it."
The mameluco hesitated; his master did not take his eye off him.