“Hum!” said the Lieutenant, with a dubious shrug of the shoulders, “I suppose you expect your virtue to be well rewarded. But how did you ascertain that the man you encountered so unexpectedly was the Colonel?”
Zapote now recounted their subsequent interview with the brigands; and how he had learnt from them the object of their pursuit—as well as the adroit ruse he had practised to secure the escape of himself and his “compadre.”
“It’s all true as gospel!” affirmed Gaspar, when his companion had finished the relation.
Zapote also made known the advice he had given to Don Rafael: to conceal himself among the bamboos.
“At what place?” demanded the Lieutenant.
“Just below the ford,” answered the deserter.
“But, Señor Lieutenant,” added he, “I shall be most happy to conduct you to the spot myself.”
“You shall do no such thing, my brave fellow. You and your worthy compadre, as you call him, shall remain here as hostages, till Don Rafael is found. I have no confidence in lambs that have been so long in the company of wolves. If the Colonel be living, so may you; but if I find it otherwise, then your prospects— Ho, there!” cried the Lieutenant, without finishing the threat, “take these two men to the guard-house, and keep them there, till I order them to be set free.”
So saying, the Catalan poured out a glass of his favourite liquor, and commenced drinking it.
“What, and me, too?” inquired Gaspar, in a tone not very complimentary to his companion in misfortune.