"Were we not obliged to get out of the wasp's nest into which we had thrust our heads?" he said. "Bah! It is only put off for a time. Let us go and find our horses."
"One moment if you will grant it me," Belhumeur said, leaving his hiding place, and advancing politely with his two comrades.
"What's this?" Cucharés said, pulling out his knife again, while Don Martial coolly cocked his pistols.
"This? Caballero," Belhumeur said quietly, "I fancy you can see plainly; enough."
"I see three men."
"Indeed, you are not at all mistaken. Three men who have been unseen witnesses of the scene you ended so bravely—three men who held themselves ready to come to your aid had it been necessary, and who now offer to make common cause with you, to prevent the plunder of the hacienda by the Apaches. Does that suit you?"
"That depends," the Tigrero said. "I must know first what interest urges you to act in this manner."
"That of being agreeable to you in the first place," Belhumeur replied politely, "and next, the desire to save the scalps of the poor wretches menaced by those infernal redskins."
"In that case I heartily accept your offer."
"Be good enough, then, to follow us to our camping ground, that we may discuss the plan of the campaign."