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Updated: September 2, 2025
"Hold there, friend Benito!" cried Baraja, interrupting him, "no more of your horrible stories; I have not forgotten that frightful night by the well of La Poza." "Well," rejoined the herdsman, "unless they are firing at either Cuchillo or Gayferos or perhaps at both I cannot divine the cause of their continued fusillade.
In a remote chamber of the hacienda were lodged the four adventurers, Pedro Diaz, Oroche, Cuchillo, and Baraja. These gentlemen were not slow in becoming acquainted with one another, and this acquaintance was soon of the most familiar character.
After remaining awake for a considerable time, Baraja began to feel confidence, and perhaps would have gone to sleep, like the others, when all at once he heard several shots, similar to those that had been heard during the day, and which appeared to proceed from the same direction. "They are still firing over there," said he, nudging the old herdsman so as to awake him.
"Senor Benito," said Baraja, speaking to the old herdsman, "you who are so well acquainted with all the affairs of these deserts, can you explain to me what is the cause of these shots, which we have been hearing ever since noon, and which can only be fired by our enemies, the Indians?"
One may also predict that several of them will utter their death-cry, as many among us will have to say their last prayer; but who those will be no one can say. Do you know any prayers for the dying, Senor Baraja?" "No," replied the latter, dolefully.
As already stated, the report had vaguely spread that he knew the secret of the immense riches, and cupidity supplied to Oroche and Baraja the place of enthusiasm. "Carramba!" cried Baraja, "a man possessing such a secret should be invulnerable." "Immortal!" said Oroche, "or only die after " A blow from a hatchet on his head cut short his words.
"Who knows that better than I?" said Baraja, "have you ever been present at such a thing?" "Never; that is why I dread it so much." "Well, if you had, you would dread it more."
The assassin would have taken with him his two associates Baraja and Oroche; and as three bullets instead of one would thus have been aimed at the intended victim, the chances are that some of them would have reached his life.
"How?" hastily inquired Don Estevan. "The bird has flown: the young man is no longer about the place." "Gone!" exclaimed Don Estevan. "And you have let him escape?" "How could I hinder him? This brute, Baraja, as well as Oroche, were both drunk with mezcal; and Diaz refused to assist me, point-blank.
"Listen!" said he to Baraja; "to recompense you for the care you will take of my old friend, I shall teach you, while there is still time, a verse of the psalm for the dying, that may serve you as " "Well!" said Baraja, as he did not go on, "what more terrifying things have you to say?"
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