"Insist, I beg, friend, on establishing a friendly connection with Loyal Heart." "I shall not fail; besides, Tranquil is sure to know where to find him." "That is probable. Now, I can speak to you with open heart, my friend. Honour alone has hitherto kept me at my post; I desire to recover my liberty, and only await an honourable occasion to send in my resignation. I should not like to abandon my comrades in arms at a critical moment; but I swear to you on my honour, friend, that on the day when I am free, and that day is approaching I hope, I will join you, and then we shall find Carmela again, even at the risk of my life." The Colonel uttered these words with a fire and animation which made his friend start involuntarily, and aroused in his heart a lively feeling of jealousy. Still, the Jaguar had sufficient power over himself to conceal the emotion he felt, and he replied in a calm voice: "May Heaven grant that it may speedily be so, my friend. What could we two not do?" "Then you intend to make the expedition you told me of this night?" the Colonel continued. "It is not I, though I shall probably be present, but another person who will direct it." "Why not you?" "Tranquil desires it so; he is Carmela's father, and I must yield to his wishes." "That is true. Now, when and how shall we meet again? I have the greatest desire to learn what may occur tonight; whatever be the result of the expedition, I trust to be informed of what you have done. Unfortunately, I fear it will be very difficult for us to meet again." "Why so?" "Why, my friend, you know as well as I do, the truce made between General Rubio and yourself expires tonight." "Well?" "I presume you do not intend returning to Galveston?" "For the present, no; but I hope to do so shortly." "Let us not trust to probabilities, for we run too great a risk of deceiving ourselves." The Jaguar burst into a laugh. "You are perfectly right," he said; "still, it is important that we should meet within the next twenty-four hours." "Certainly." "If I cannot enter Galveston, you can leave it, I suppose?" "Oh, of course." "Well then, the matter is easily arranged; I will tell you a spot where you will be certain of finding me." "Take care, my friend, be prudent; I will not conceal from you that the General is furious at having fallen into the trap you so cleverly laid for him, and will do all in his power to seize your person." "I expect so; but do not be alarmed, he will not succeed." "I hope so, friend; but believe me, do not be too confident." "I defy him to come and take me at the spot where I shall be within an hour, and where I shall be delighted to welcome you, if you are inclined to pay me a visit." "And where is this privileged spot, my friend?" "The Fort of the Point." "What!" the Colonel said, suddenly stopping and looking him in the face; "Of course you are joking." "Not the least in the world." "What! You give me the meeting at the Fort of the Point?"