"You are welcome, Master John; do not be angry with me, for you know that prudence is the mother of safety." "Yes, yes," the American said, with a laugh, "deuce take me if you easily get into a scrape for lack of prudence, gossip." They then entered the camp without farther obstacle. The border rifles were generally sleeping round the fires, but a cordon of vigilant sentries, placed at the openings of the camp, watched over the common security. John Davis dismounted, inviting his comrade to follow his example; then, making him a sign to follow, he walked toward a tent, through the canvas of which a weak light could be seen flickering. On reaching the entrance of the tent, the hunter stopped, and tapped twice. "Are you asleep, Jaguar?" he asked, in a suppressed voice. "Is that you, Davis, my old comrade?" was immediately asked from within. "Yes." "Come in, for I was impatiently waiting for you." The American raised the curtain which covered the entrance, and glided into the tent; the soldier followed him gently, and the curtain fell down behind them. The Jaguar, seated on a buffalo skull, was reading a voluminous correspondence by the dubious light of a _candil_; and in a corner of the tent might be seen two or three bear-skins, evidently intended to serve as a bed. On seeing the newcomers, the young man folded up the papers, and laid them in a small iron casket, the key of which he placed in his bosom, then raised his head, and looked anxiously at the soldier. "Who's this, John?" he asked; "Have you brought prisoners?" "No," the other answered, "this caballero was most desirous of seeing you, for certain reasons he will himself explain; so I thought I had better carry out his wishes." "Good; we will settle with him in a moment. What have you done?" "What you ordered me." "Then you have succeeded?" "Completely." "Bravo, my friend! Tell me all about it." "What need of details?" the American answered, looking meaningly at the dragoon, who stood motionless a couple of paces from him. The Jaguar understood him. "That is true," he said, "suppose we see of what sort of wood this man is made;" and addressing the soldier, he added, "Come hither, my good fellow." "Here I am, at your orders, Captain." "What is your name?" "Gregorio Felpa. I am a dragoon, as you can see by my uniform, Excellency." "What is your motive for wishing to see me?" "An anxiety to render you an important service, Excellency." "I thank you, but usually services are confoundedly dear, and I am not a rich man." "You will become so." "I hope so. But what is the great service you propose to render me?" "I will explain to you, in two words. In every political question there are two sides, and that depends on the point of view from which you regard it. I am a child of Texas, son of a North American and an Indian woman, which means that I cordially detest the Americans." "Come to facts."