So soon as he had reduced the wretch to utter impotence, Don Miguel drew from his vaquera boot a long sharp knife, and buried the entire blade in his body. The bandit writhed convulsively for a few seconds; a livid pallor suffused his face; his eyes closed, and he then remained motionless. Don Miguel left the weapon in the wound, and slowly rose.
"Ah, ah!" he muttered as he gazed at him with a sardonic air, "I fancy that rogue will not denounce me now."
Without loss of time he seized the letters lying on the table, took from the box the few documents he found in it, hid them all in his bosom, opened the door of the cabin, which he carefully closed after him, and went off with long strides.
The squatter's sons had not quitted their post; but, so soon as they perceived the Mexican, they went up to him.
"Well," Shaw asked him, "have you come to an understanding with the old man?"
"Perfectly so," the Mexican answered.
"Then the affair is settled?"
"Yes, to our mutual satisfaction."
"All the better," the young men exclaimed joyously.
The hacendero unfastened his horse and mounted.