Turning towards the two gauchos, who were carelessly leaning over the side of the boat—
"I have paid you, you are free now to leave us," said the Guaraní to them, "unless you consent to make a new bargain with this gentleman, in whose name I have engaged you."
"Let us see the bargain," answered one of the two gauchos.
"First, are you free?"
"We are."
"Is it for both that you answer me?"
"This; this caballero is my brother; his name is Mataseis, and mine Sacatripas: where one goes, the other follows."
Tyro bowed with a delighted air. The reputation of these two caballeros had long been known, and Tyro was well acquainted with it. They Were two of the most noted bandits of all the Banda Oriental, Under present circumstances, nothing could have happened better. Men of the sack and of the cord, their arms were red up to the elbow. For a real, they would, without hesitation, have assassinated their fathers, but their word was their bond. Once given, they would not have violated it for the possession of all the mines of the Cordillera. It was their only failing, or, if it be preferred, their only virtue. Man, that strange animal, is so constituted that he is neither complete for good, nor for evil.
"Very well," resumed Tyro, "I am happy, caballeros, to have to do with men like you; I hope that we shall understand one another."
"Well, let us know what you want," answered; Mataseis.