Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 26, 2025
The gipsy, after guiding the two friends to Salvatierra, and receiving an ample reward from Herrera, performed the secret service with which Zumalacarregui had charged him, returned to that general with a ready framed excuse for the slight delay in its execution, and pocketed the ten additional onzas promised him by Paco.
The Comandante Vizcarra now stepped forth and commanded silence. Placing a Spanish dollar upon the smooth turf, he called out "This to the man who can take it up at the first trial. Five gold onzas that Sergeant Gomez will perform the feat!" There was silence for a while. Only a "rico" could afford to lose such a sum. After a pause, however, there came a reply. A young ranchero stepped forth:
After all," added he, speaking to himself, "it is better I didn't. I shall be twenty onzas the richer that I didn't settle with him then. Now," continued he, once more raising his voice, "where can he have gone, unless to yonder fire in the woods?" A little farther on in the direction of the forest, other spots of fresh blood were discovered upon the dry calcareous surface of the soil.
Carlos will now take your bet for the onza, and I challenge you to place ten." "Agreed!" said the Comandante, stiffly. "Dare you double it?" inquired the ranchero. "Dare I, sir?" echoed the Colonel, indignant at being thus challenged in the presence of the spectators. "Quadruple it, if you wish, sir." "Quadruple then!" retorted the other. "Forty onzas that Carlos performs the feat!"
They were really awed by the terrible fate which they believed awaited the reckless cibolero. A voice, however, answered him: "Twenty onzas, Carlos, for any other purpose. But I cannot encourage this mad project." It was the young ranchero, his former backer, who spoke. "Thank you, Don Juan," replied the cibolero. "I know you would lend them. Thank you all the same. Do not fear! I'll win the onza.
These were now the property of Carlos the cibolero. Not a bad outlay of his eight onzas! Not only would they yield well on his return, but it was his intention that each of them should carry back its full load of buffalo-hides, or "tasajo."
After a lapse of time, Cuchillo was heard knocking softly at his door; and as soon as it was opened, the hired assassin stepped in. His confused looks caused Don Estevan to tremble. Was the deed already done? He wished it, yet feared to ask the question. Cuchillo relieved him from his embarrassment by speaking first. "My twenty onzas are gone to the devil!" said he, in a lugubrious tone.
Don Juan was not afraid to spend money, and he had no reason on that occasion, with fifty onzas of clear gain in his pocket a fact that by no means sat easily on the mind of the Comandante. The latter was observed, with a clouded countenance, strolling around, occasionally approaching the carreta, and glancing somewhat rudely towards the group.
The glass beads and other glistening baubles will secure the young, while a few golden onzas skilfully distributed will do the same for the sagamores. No fear then, no failure yet! With the Tovas on my side, there isn't a spot in the Chaco to shelter them. So, caballeros! you can keep on. In a week from this time, I hope to hold an interview with you, less distant and more satisfactory to myself."
In comparison, the bold ringer of dice has something almost noble in him. Your apathetic Don, who stakes his gold onzas on a single throw of the ivory your Mexican monte-player, who risks his doubloons on each turn of the cards, are, to some extent, dignified by the very boldness of their venture.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking