"Oh, they will not owe you a grudge, my dear sir, you may be sure of that."
The bandits, perfectly reconciled with the colonel by means of the coin, gave him tremendous bows, accompanied by offers of service, and took leave of him, after exchanging a few sentences in a whisper with their chief; then they went off to the right, while the colonel and his companion turned to the left.
"They seem to be rather determined fellows," the colonel said, in order to broach his subject.
"Perfect lions, excellency, and obedient as rastreros."
"Excellent; and have you many of that sort under your hand?"
"Nothing would be easier, in the case of need, than to make up a dozen."
"All equally true?"
"All."
"That is really valuable, do you know that, Señor Zaragate; and you are a lucky caballero!"
"Your excellency flatters me."