"Perhaps so. Do you refuse?"
"I am not at liberty either to accept or decline. You have the power on your side, and I am forced to obey."
"I like to hear you talk in that way. Perhaps you can find the enemy for me?"
The hunter detected the snare.
"Hang it!" he said simply, "As a wood ranger I can easily follow a trail. Put me on the traces of the Mexicans, and if they have not run to earth like prairie dogs, or flown away like eagles, there are heavy odds in favour of my bringing you up with them."
The general reflected.
"Listen to me," he said directly after, "I trust to you. If you serve me faithfully, you shall be nobly rewarded; if you deceive me, you will die."
"I do not understand you; I will try to bring you up with the people you are looking for; but I cannot pledge myself to more, as the rest concerns you."
"That is all I ask."
"On those conditions I am your man."