He was a short, stout man, with cat-like manners, and crafty looks, already of a certain age, but still quick and active. When the travellers had placed their horses in the corral, before a good stock of alfalfa, and had themselves supped with the appetite of men who have made a long journey, the ice was broken between them and the host, thanks to a few tragos of Catalonian refino, liberally offered by the Canadian, and the conversation went on upon a footing of the truest cordiality, while the little girl, carefully wrapped up in the hunter's warm zarapé, was sleeping with that calm and simple carelessness peculiar to that happy age when the present is all in all, and the future does not exist. "Well, gossip," Tranquil said gaily, as he poured out a glass of refino for the host; "I fancy you must lead a jolly life of it here." "I?" "Hang it, yes; you go to bed with the bees, and I feel certain you are in no hurry to get up in the morning." "What else can I do in this accursed desert, where I have buried myself for my sins?" "Are travellers so rare, then?" "Yes and no; it depends on the meaning you give the word." "Confound it! there are not two meanings, I should fancy." "Yes, two very distinct meanings." "Nonsense! I am curious to know them." "That is easy enough: there is no lack of vagabonds of every colour in the country, and if I liked, they would fill my house the whole blessed day; but they would not shew me the colour of their money." "Ah, very good; but these estimable Caballeros do not constitute the whole of your customers, I presume?" "No; there are also the Indios Bravos, Comanches, Apaches, and Pawnees, and Heaven alone knows who else, who prowl about the neighbourhood from time to time." "Hum! those are awkward neighbours, and if you have only such customers, I am beginning to be of your opinion; still, you must now and then receive pleasanter visits." "Yes, from time to time, straggling travellers like yourself, of course; but the profits, in any case, are far from covering the expenses." "That is true, here's your health." "The same to you." "In that case, though, allow me a remark which may appear to you indiscreet." "Speak, speak, Caballeros, we are talking as friends, so have no chance of offence." "You are right. If you are so uncomfortable here, why the deuce do you remain?" "Why, where would you have me go?" "Well, I do not know, but you would be better off anywhere than here." "Ah! if it only depended on me," he said, with a sigh. "Have you anybody with you here?" "No, I am alone." "Well, what prevents you going then?" "Eh, Caramba, the money! All I possessed, and that was not much, was spent in building this house, and installing myself, and I could not have managed it had it not been for the peons." "Is there a hacienda here?" "Yes, the Larch tree hacienda, about four leagues off, so that, you understand, if I go, I must give up my all."