"Will you skin it?"
"Yes, certainly, Master Sunbeam; firstly, because this is any thing but a common bird; and, secondly, during the few days we shall stay here, we must endeavor to fill the boxes which we have had so much difficulty in making."
At this moment a finch, with red, brown, and white feathers, settled near us.
"It is the Pyrrhula telasco," said my friend, "a species discovered by Lesson, the celebrated ornithologist, in his journey to Lima. Ah! if I wasn't so economical with the powder—"
"I have some powder," muttered Torribio.
"You have some powder!" I cried; "will you sell us some?"
"No," answered the Indian, dryly.
"Why not?" was my rejoinder. "Are you also a sportsman? Besides, if you are, you will soon be going to Puebla, where you could get a fresh supply."
"I never sell my powder," was the terse response.
"Very well, then, let us say no more about it."