"All strangers are Englishmen," Diego López, said, sententiously.
"How famously you fellows are taught. It is curious enough."
"And all Englishmen are heretics," the peon continued, calmly.
"Be kind enough to tell me," the hunter said, with a grin, "who teaches you all these pretty things?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"For two reasons. In the first place, for my personal satisfaction; and next, for my instruction."
"It is our priests."
"Ah! Very good. I thank you. Why, my friend, if it cause you any pleasure, learn first that I am not an Englishman but a Canadian, which is not at all the same thing; next, not only that I am no heretic, but at the least quite as good a Catholic as yourself, I flatter myself."
"Is what you are saying true?" Diego López asked, as he drew close to the hunter.
"Why should I tell a falsehood?"