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"The only thing I could do," answered Baraja, with the air of a cavalier, "was to stake my remaining half against his on a game, and let the winner take the whole." "Did he accept this proposal?" "After a fashion." "What fashion?" "Why, you see I am too timid when I play in presence of company, and certain to lose.
"Ave Maria!" screamed Baraja, in anguish, "the tiger has a wife!" "You speak true," said Benito, "there are two of them, and they must be a male and female, since two male jaguars never hunt in company." "Carrai!" exclaimed Cuchillo, "may the devil take me if ever I passed a night in the company of such a man as this old herdsman. He would frighten the hair off one's head if he could."
The first who interrogated Cuchillo were the shepherd and Baraja. "Unless you drew the Indians on to our track, how could they have discovered us?" said the former, with a suspicious look. "Certainly it was I," replied Cuchillo, impudently. "I should have liked to have seen you pursued by a hundred, of these demons, and whether you would not, like me, have galloped to the camp to seek an asylum!"
He was not playing with his friend Baraja for the mere sport of the thing; for a moiety of the half ounce he had received from Don Estevan had already gone into Baraja's pockets, and Cuchillo was in hopes that the attention which he had given to the cutting of the cards might change the luck that had hitherto been running against him.
"It is Cuchillo," cried the servant; then, in a low voice, to Baraja, "Let the travellers take care when the will-o'-the-wisp dances on the plain!" That evening, as usual, Don Estevan watched in his tent, while his people reposed.
And you, Senor Baraja! you have not the right to attempt the life of our guide. Come! put up your knives, and let there be no more of this matter." This speech recalled the two combatants to their senses.
That is just why I have established my headquarters in an abandoned village, where there is not a soul to keep company with." "Senor Don Pedro," replied Baraja, "I have already formed too good an opinion of you not to believe that the fault is entirely upon the side of the alcalde, and especially on the part of your friend."
"The same, cavallero!" replied the other, rising to his feet, and returning the salute with no less politeness than it had been given. "Cavallero! I have been sent forward to meet you, and announce to you the approach of the Senor Arechiza, who at this time cannot be many leagues distant. My name is Manuel Baraja, your very humble servant." "Your honour will dismount?"
Observe how they stand listening, as if they heard something. Well, what is to come will come; and I have not much to lose even my life is not worth much." And with this consolatory speech the old shepherd wrapped himself up in his cloak and lay down to sleep. Not so Baraja. The words of his comrade had produced their effect, and he was unable to compose himself to rest.
At the words "false alarm," a smile played over Cuchillo's features. "However," added Don Estevan, "let every one saddle his horse and be prepared." Then he returned to his tent, making a sign to Diaz to accompany him. "That means, friend Baraja," said Benito, "that if the orders are given to light the fires, we are sure to be attacked at night too; it is terrible."
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