His eyes rolled, he clenched his fists, and, striking his forehead furiously, rushed out of the hut.
In a few minutes he returned, apparently more composed, and walked straight up to my bed.
"Stranger, you must do me a service," said he abruptly.
"Ten rather than one," replied I; "any thing that is in my power. Do I not owe you my life?"
"You're a gentleman, I see, and a Christian. You must come with me to the squire—the Alcalde."
"To the Alcalde, man! What must I go there for?"
"You'll see and hear when you get there; I've something to tell him—something for his own ear."
He drew a deep breath, and remained silent for a short time, gazing anxiously on all sides of him.
"Something," whispered he, "that nobody else must hear."