"Well, then, the friends of our friends are ours, and have a claim to our attention."
"I thank you, Caballero," the Scalper replied with a bow; "I trust you will have no cause to repent having offered me hospitality."
"The company in which I find you is an excellent guarantee to me, Señor," the adventurer continued with a courteous smile.
"Do you intend to lead us to your camp tonight?" Ruperto asked.
"Why not? We are not more than fifteen miles from it at the most."
"That is true; but this caballero is wounded, and so long a distance after a fatiguing day—"
"Oh, I feel very well, I assure you. My strength has almost entirely returned; I even believe that, were it absolutely necessary, I could sit a horse. Hence do not put yourself out of the way for me, I beg," the old man said.
"As it is so, we will start whenever you like."
"All right," said Sandoval; "however, I will undertake to lead you by a road which will shorten your distance one half."
All being thus arranged, the horses were saddled afresh, and they started. The strangers were on foot; the Scalper would not enter the litter, and even insisted on it being left behind, declaring that he did not want it, and cutting a rather long branch, he converted it into a staff. He then took his place by Sandoval's side, who, delighted by his manner, gave him a glance of satisfaction.