"I, excellency; a friend."
"A friend? a strange friend who has been trying to assassinate me for the last ten minutes."
"Believe me, colonel, that had we known whom we had to deal with, we should never have attacked you. All this is the result of a deplorable misunderstanding, which you will, however, excuse."
"But who are you, in the demon's name?"
"What, excellency, do you not recognize the Zaragate?"
"The Zaragate!" the colonel exclaimed, with glad surprise. "Well, scoundrel, are you aware that yours is a singular trade?"
"Alas! excellency, a man must do what he can," the bandit replied, in a sorrowful voice.
"Hum! then you have turned robber at present?"
The scoundrel drew himself up with dignity.
"No, excellency. I am serving, in the company of these honourable caballeros the persons who claim my help."