"Voto a Dios!" Bloodson said, with an outburst of laughter, "This is beyond a joke; the scoundrel is absolutely making fun of me."
Andrés Garote stood unmoved before the ranger.
"Come, come," the latter continued, "this is far more amusing than I at first fancied; and how are you indispensable to me?"
"Oh, Excellency, that is very simple; you do not know what has become of Red Cedar?"
"That is true; I have been seeking him in vain for a long time."
"I defy you to find him, unless I help you."
"Then you know where he is?" Bloodson exclaimed, suddenly raising his head.
"Ah! That interests you now, Excellency," the ranchero said, with a crafty look.
"Answer, yes or no," the ranger said, roughly; "do you know where he is?"
"If I did not, should I have come to you?"