"Yes, Señor, I know you, as well as your companions, the Señor Count Mendoza and Colonel Zinozain. I know even with what design you have come thus to wander about these mountains; you see that I am well served by my spies."
"¡Caramba!" gaily cried Captain Ortega, "I wish I had been as well served by mine."
The partisan smiled with irony.
"In point of fact, Señor," said the Count, "what do you intend to do with us, since we are in your power, and you do not wish to have us shot?"
"You acknowledge, do you not, that I should have the right to do so if that were my good pleasure?"
"Perfectly," pursued the captain; "as to us, be convinced that we should not have failed to break your skull if fate had made you fall into our hands. Is it not so, Señores?"
The two officers answered affirmatively.
"Touching unanimity!" said the Montonero with a sneer, "I give you credit, believe me, for your good intentions towards me; however, they do not change my resolution."
"Then," resumed the captain, "it is probable that you find it more advantageous to yourself to allow us to live than to order our execution?"
"That is evident."