When these measures were taken, and the Captain had assured himself by a final glance that his orders were punctually executed, he bent down to the ear of no Bautista, the chief arriero, and whispered a few words. The arriero gave a quick start of surprise on hearing the Captain's words, but recovered himself immediately, and bowed his head in assent. "You will obey?" Don Juan asked, as he looked at him fixedly. "On my honour, Captain," the arriero answered. "Very good," the young man said gaily; "we shall have some fun, I promise you." The arriero fell back, and the Captain placed himself in front of the soldiers. He had scarce taken up his fighting position, when a man appeared at the top of the right hand bank; he held in his hand a long lance, from the end of which fluttered a piece of white rag. "Oh, oh," the Captain murmured, "what is the meaning of this! Are they beginning to fear lest their prey may escape them? Hilloh," he shouted, "what do you want?" "To parley," the man with the flag answered laconically. "Parley," the Captain answered, "what good will that do? Besides, I have the honour of being a Captain in the Mexican army, and do not treat with bandits." "Take care, Captain, misplaced courage is frequently braggadocio; your position is desperate." "Do you think so?" the young man said in an ironical voice. "You are surrounded on all sides." "Bar one." "Yes, but there is an impassable abyss there." "Who knows?" the Captain said, still mockingly. "In a word, will you listen to me?" the other said, who was beginning to grow impatient at this conversation. "Well," the officer said, "let me hear your propositions, after which I will let you know my conditions." "What conditions?" the bandit asked in amazement. "Those I intend to impose on you, by Jove." A Homeric laugh from the border rifles greeted these haughty words. The Captain remained cold and impassive. "Who are you?" he asked. "The Chief of the men who hold you imprisoned." "Prisoners? I do not believe it; however, we shall see. Ah! you must be the Jaguar, whose name is held in execration on this border?" "I am the Jaguar," the latter answered simply. "Very good. What do you want with me? Speak, and before all be brief," the Captain said, as he leaned the point of his sword on the end of his boot. "I wish to avoid bloodshed," the Jaguar said. "That is very kind of you, but I fancy it is rather late to form so laudable a resolve," the officer said in his sarcastic voice.