"I shall have great pleasure in going with you, I feel quite strong again now, and have a great curiosity to see something of your life on the Pampas, but I have neither saddle nor horse."
"I will find you a saddle," said Marcelino; "as for a horse, that can always be found. Leave all that to me; we will make a gaucho of you before we let you go back to your own country."
Marcelino and Lieutenant Gordon had shared one room between them since they had been living at the quinta. As they retired for the night, so soon as they were alone together, Gordon seated himself on the side of his bed and asked his friendly gaoler:
"Why did you think that I would not give my parole to your father?"
"I was afraid you might have thought it your duty to lose no chance of rejoining your army."
"My parole does not prevent me from doing all I can to procure my release by exchange; but if you sent me up the country no one would know anything of me."
"Then when the English come, if they take any officer of ours prisoner they will give him back for you?"
"Probably so."
"And then you would go back to them and would fight against us?"