They had not to wait long. A few minutes later and old Ignacio returned with several men, one of whom, from his manner and bearing, appeared to be a chief among the outlaws.
“Who are you, and who bound you?” asked this chief, with a stern look.
Answering in his best Spanish, Lawrence explained how he fell into the hands of the savages.
The chief did not speak for a few seconds, but looked inquiringly at Ignacio.
“It won’t do to make more prisoners, you know,” said the old hunter, replying to the look; “we have too many on our hands as it is. The troops are already on our track, and you may be sure they won’t lose time. Besides, these men are unknown, and won’t fetch a ransom.”
“What would you advise, then?”
“Cut their throats,” suggested Ignacio, coolly.
“You old fool!” returned the outlaw, “what good would that do? Isn’t it clear that these men are the enemies of the savages, and we want such to join us.”
“Ay,” returned Ignacio, “but they may be friends of the troops, and you don’t want such to join us.”
“There’s truth in that, old man. Well, we’ll just let them lie. They’re safe enough, as they are, not to do either good or evil. As you say, it is of no use burdening ourselves with prisoners who won’t fetch a ransom. The colonel and his women will fetch a good price, but these—nothing. I suppose that is why Cruz has ordered Conrad to be shot before we leave the place.”