"Yes, my friend; but before I explain to you the cause of my coming, allow Señor Don Olivero to report to your chief the way in which he carried out the mission confided to him."
"Very good," the hacendero answered, as he fell back a step.
"Come, speak, Colonel," Father Sandoval said.
"Am I still a colonel?" the hunter asked.
"Hang it, as you are not dead, I see no reason why you should not be, especially as I am extremely pleased with your lieutenant, Moonshine, and your cuadrilla has done me eminent services."
"In that case, all is well," the hunter said joyfully, as he snapped his fingers, and coquettishly twisted his light moustache.
After this outburst of joy, the hunter began his narrative, to which the general listened with the deepest attention. When he came to the carrying off the papers, Don Pelagio interrupted him.
"Have you those papers with you?" he asked eagerly.
"Here they are," the hunter answered, as he drew them from the pocket into which he had stuffed them, and laid them on the table.
The general seized them, and going up to the candle, carefully perused them.