"Hum! We do not treat with insurgents, who are placed beyond the pale of the law, and who, as such, cannot offer us any serious guarantee." "Caballero," the Jaguar exclaimed with ill-disguised impatience, "I have the honour of remarking that you insult me." "I am very sorry for it; but what other answer than that can I give you?" There was a momentary silence; the vigorous resistance offered him made the Jaguar feel seriously alarmed. "Are you the Fort-Commandant?" he asked. "No." "Why did you come, then?" "Because I was ordered to do so." "Hum! And who is the Governor of the place?" "A Colonel." "Why did he not come in person to meet me?" "Because he probably did not think it worth while to put himself out of the way." "Hum! That way of behaving seems to me rather lax, for war has laws which every man is bound to follow." "Maybe, but it is not war in this case, that must not be let out of sight." "What is it then, in your opinion?" "Insurrection." "Well, I wish to speak with your Commandant, for I can only treat with him. Are you disposed to let me see him?" "That does not depend on me, but on him." "Very good. Can I trust to your delivering my message to him?" "I do not see why I should not." "Be kind enough, then, to return at once to him, and I will wait for you here, unless you permit me to enter the fortress." "That is impossible." "As you please; I will, therefore, await your reply here." "Very well." The two men bowed courteously, and took leave of each other. Don Felix Paz re-entered the fortress, while the Jaguar, sitting on the trunk of a felled tree, examined with the greatest attention the fortifications of the hacienda, the details of which he could easily survey from the spot where he now was. The young man leaned his elbow on his knee, and let his head rest on his hand; his eyes wandered over the surrounding objects with an expression of indefinable melancholy; gradually a gloomy sadness seized on his mind; while indulging in his thoughts, external objects disappeared from his sight, and isolating himself completely, he gave way to the flood of bitter recollections which rose from his heart to his brain, and removed him from the preoccupations of his present situation. For a long time he had been plunged in this species of prostration, when a friendly voice smote his ear. The Jaguar, suddenly drawn from his reverie by the sound of a voice which he fancied he recognised, threw up his head sharply, and gave a start of surprise on recognising Don Juan Melendez de Gongora, for it was really the Colonel who was now addressing him. The Texan Chief rose, and spoke to his officers. "Back, Caballeros," he said; "this gentleman and myself have matters to talk about which no one must hear." The Texans withdrew out of earshot. The Colonel was alone, for on recognising the Jaguar, he had ordered his escort to await him at the base of the intrenchments.