"Here is this young man," said the convict as they drew near.
Without changing his position, the captain slowly turned his eyes and examined the new arrival from head to foot. His scrutiny finished, he asked,
"Are you a fugitive from justice?"
Perico inclined his head, but did not answer.
"There is no cause for fear," proceeded his questioner, and presently, in brief phrases, added,
"Men have fatal hours, and of these some are as red as blood and some as black as darkness itself. One is enough to destroy a man, and turn his heart to a stone which has neither pulse nor feeling, only weight. He remains lost, for the past is past, and there is nothing to do but bear it with pluck. Life is a fight, in which one must look before him, like a brave man, and not behind, like a poltroon."
"I cannot do it," exclaimed Perico vehemently. "If you knew--"
The captain, with an imperative gesture, extended his arm to silence him, and continued.
"Here, each one carries his own secrets within himself, a sealed packet, without awakening in the others either curiosity or interest. If you have nowhere to go, stay with us; here we defend all we have left, our life. Mine I do not guard because I value it, but to keep it from the headsman."
"But you rob?" said Perico.