"Do not pity her, but rejoice, on the contrary, that she fell into my hands; who knows what might have happened with anyone else?"
"That is true, go on."
"I was willing enough to let the poor girl continue her journey, but the Scalper opposed it. It seemed that he knew her, for on seeing her he exclaimed—'Oh, oh! This time she shall not escape me;' is that clear, eh?"
The two men bowed their assent.
"However, the prisoner was mine, as I had captured her."
"Ah!" said the Jaguar, with a sigh of relief.
"Yes, and I would not consent to surrender her to the Scalper at any price."
"Good, very good! You are a worthy man."
The pirate smiled modestly.
"Yes," he said, "I am all right, but my comrade, seeing that I would not give up the girl to him, offered me a bargain."