"Come," said Harry, "Let us have but few words. Explain yourself once for all, without beating about the bush, señor padre."
"Yes," Red Cedar observed, "men ought not to waste their time thus in chattering."
"Very good. This, then, is what I propose. Red Cedar will collect within three days from this time thirty resolute men, of whom he will take the command, and we will start immediately in search of the placer. Does it suit you in that way?"
"Hum!" Red Cedar said. "In order to go in search of the placer we must know a little in what direction it is, or deuce take me if I undertake the business!"
"Do not trouble yourself about that, Red Cedar; I will accompany you. Have I not got a plan of the country?"
The colossus shot at the monk a glance which sparkled under his dark eyelash, but he hastened to moderate its brilliancy by letting his eyes fall.
"That is true," he said with feigned indifference; "I forgot that you were coming with us. Then you will leave your parishioners during your absence?"
"Heaven will watch over them."
"Eh! It will have its work cut out. However, that does not concern me at all. But why did you oblige me to come to this mesón?"
"In order to introduce you to these two hunters, who will accompany us."