"Will you permit me, master?"—
"Are you not in your own place? Do what you like; I wash my hands of it."
After having answered, by this outburst, the young man threw himself on a seat, and lit a cigar with the most careless air he could affect, although he felt himself in reality quite upset by the situation in which he found himself.
The Indian looked at him a moment with an indefinable expression, and then, taking his hand, and kissing it respectfully—
"Oh, master!" said he, in a gentle and somewhat trembling voice, "Do not be unjust towards a faithful servant."
And then he strode towards the gallery.
"Come, Don Santiago," cried he, with a loud voice, stopping at the entrance, "you can show yourself; there are none here but friends."
The sound of a quick step was heard, and the Montonero almost immediately showed himself.
Alter having cast a glance around him, he advanced briskly towards the Guaraní, and, grasping him heartily by the hand—
"¡Vive Dios!" cried he; "My brave friend, I am happy to see you here!"