"Because you will swear to me on the spot, by your honour, to forget every feeling of hatred toward your enemy, and never to return to the prairie."
"And if I will not swear?"
"Then it will be different. I shall leave you to your fate; and as that will have happened by your own fault, I shall consider myself entirely quits with you."
"Oh! oh! but assuming that I accept the harsh conditions you force on me, I must know how we are to travel. The road is long from here to the establishments, and I am not in a condition to go afoot."
"That is true, but need not trouble you. I have left my horse in a thicket, a few paces from the Rubio. You will ride it till I can procure another."
"And you?"
"I will follow on foot. We hunters are as good, walkers as riders. Come, make up your mind."
"Well, I must do what you desire."
"Yes; I believe that is the best for you. Then you consent to take the oath I demand?"
"I see no way of getting out of the scrape otherwise. But," he suddenly said, "what is the matter behind that tree?"