"Oh, oh," the Canadian said, "eat something, compadre, and when your appetite is satisfied, you will tell us all you have learnt." "I wish for nothing better, especially as there are sundry matters it is as well for you to know." "Eat then without further delay, that you may be able to talk to us all the sooner." The Negro did not let the invitation be repeated, and began vigorously attacking the provisions which Tranquil had put aside, and which Loyal Heart now spread on the ground. The hunters were eager to hear the news of which Quoniam stated himself to be the bearer; after all they had been able to see during the past few days, they must possess considerable importance. Still, however great their curiosity might be, they succeeded in hiding it, and patiently waited till the Negro had finished his meal. The latter, who suspected what thoughts were crossing their minds, did not put their patience to a long trial; he ate with the proverbial rapidity of hunters, and had finished in a twinkling. "Now I am quite at your service," he said, as he wiped his mouth on the skirt of his hunting shirt, "and ready to answer all your questions." "We have none to ask you," Tranquil said; "we wish you, gossip, to give us a short narrative of all that has happened to you." "Yes, I fancy that will be the best; in that way it will be clearer and more easy for you to show the conclusions you think the most suitable." "Excellently reasoned, my friend; we are listening to you." "Do you know why I left you?" Quoniam began. "Yes, I was told, and approved of it highly." "All the better, because I fancied for a moment that I did wrong in going without informing you, and I was on the point of returning." "You would have done wrong." "At present I am convinced of that, and congratulate myself on having pushed forward. It is not a long ride from here to the Larch-tree hacienda in a straight line; my horse is good; I went straight ahead, and covered the distance in eight hours." "That was good riding."