"Shall we start, señor?" Diego asked the hunter.
"Whenever you please," said the latter, as he drew up by the side of his guide.
They started at a gallop, and remained silent for a long time.
"Are we very far from Leona Vicario?" the hunter at length asked, feeling wearied of this silence and disposed to talk with his comrade.
"No!" the latter answered.
"Well, you are no great talker, my friend," the Canadian continued.
"What is the good of talking when you have nothing to say, especially when in the company of a heretic?"
"A heretic!" the adventurer said, "Hang me if that is true."
"Are you not an Englishman?"
"I? Not a bit of it."