"And, now, what is the advice you wish to give me?"
"You will be dumb?"
"As a fish; go on."
"Well, if you will believe me, in spite of the letter my master gave you for the governor, you will wait to present it to him till the count has rejoined you."
"Confusion! Then you suspect that I am incurring some danger?"
"A terrible one."
"Hang it, hang it, that is not reassuring."
"I will lead you to a cousin of mine who is an arriero. You will remain concealed at his house till tomorrow, and so soon as my master arrives I will warn you."
"My friend," the adventurer replied seriously, "I thank you for your advice. I see that the interest you feel in me induces you to give it me, but, unluckily, it is impossible for me to profit by it. I must present myself without delay to the governor, in spite of all the peril to which I may be exposed. But as a warned man is worth two, I shall take my precautions accordingly. But I fancy that is the town we can see."
"Yes," said the peon,