"He will probably be here in a few minutes."
"Very good, you are a clever lad," the stranger answered; "here is another piastre for you, and now you can retire."
"Thanks, your excellency," the peon said, joyfully pocketing his piastre. "Caray! I should be a rich man with only two nights a month like this."
And after bowing a second time, he left the room to go and sleep, in all probability, in the corral. The peon had told the truth, for he had scarce left the room ten minutes ere a rather loud voice was heard without: horses stamped, and not only was the door struck, but there were several loud calls.
"Open the door without fear," the stranger said; "I know that voice."
The ranchero obeyed, and several persons entered the inn.
"At last you have returned, my dear Valentine," the newcomer exclaimed in French, as he walked quickly towards the travellers, who, for their part, went to meet him.
"Thanks for your promptitude in responding to my invitation, my dear Rallier," the hunter answered.
The ranchero bit his lips on hearing them talk in a language he did not understand.
"Hum! they are Ingleses," he muttered spitefully. "I suspected they must be gringos."