“Si, Señor Coronet.”
“And ’twas you I saw coupled to the Tejano?”
“The same, Señor. In that prosecuted by a like ill, no doubt, the devil all the time directing it.”
“But where have you been since, sirrah?”
“Ah! Excellenza! that’s just it; the very thing I want to tell you. I was on my way to the city in hopes of obtaining an interview with you. What a bit of fortune you passing here: ’twill save me a journey I was ill able to make; for I’m quite worn out, and weak, from being starved up there in the mountains.”
“Oh! you’ve been up there?”
“Yes, Señor Coronel, in hiding with the others. But not like them voluntarily. They took me along with them, whether I would or no, and have kept me ever since—till this night, when an opportunity offered for giving them the slip. It isn’t all of four hours since I parted company with them. But if your Excellency wishes to hear the whole story, perhaps you’d like it better in private. If I mistake not, some of it should only reach your own ears.”
Santander had been already thinking of this, and turning to the officer by his side, he said—
“Take the men on, Ramirez. Halt at a hundred yards or so, and wait for me.”
In obedience to the order the escort moved on, stopping as directed, the dialogue between Santander and the dwarf meanwhile continuing. It was more of a monologue, the latter giving a detailed relation of all that had occurred to him since the time of their escape from the chain-gang, with comments and suggestions added.