"And for that sum you agree to deliver up to us, the general, his niece, and all the individuals who accompany them."
"At your first signal."
"Very well! Now listen to what I am going to say to you."
"I listen."
"You know me, do you not?"
"Perfectly."
"You know dependence is to be placed upon my word?"
"It is as good as gold."
"That's well. If you loyally fulfil the engagements you freely make with me, that is to say, deliver up to me, not all the Mexicans who comprise your caravan, very respectable people no doubt, but for whom I care very little, but only the girl, called, I think, Doña Luz, I will not give you five thousand dollars as you ask, but eight thousand—you understand me, do you not?"
The eyes of the guide sparkled with greediness and cupidity.