The general, considering it useless to leave a strong garrison in the town, as the enemy had retired, and not wishing, in the case of the Mexicans making a stand, to advance without an imposing force, ordered two regiments of cavalry to mount, each trooper having an infantry man on his crupper, and took two field guns with him. This small army amounted to about five thousand men, more than sufficient to pursue and destroy demoralized bands, who would probably attempt no defence and be easily cut up. When all was ready for the start, General Cárdenas gave orders to bring up the Canadian, who had first brought him the happy news of the enemy's flight. The latter arrived, accompanied by the officer to whom he had been given in charge. The general smiled on the hunter. "Listen to me," he said to him, "you appear a man of sense. You will come with us." "What to do, General?" the hunter answered coldly; "I suppose you do not want me anymore?" "I should like to have you near me." "In order to blow out my brains, if you think proper to do so, eh?" "That is possible; but come, notwithstanding." "That would not be fair, General; I have honestly kept to my bargain. It is not my fault if, instead of quietly remaining here, you think proper to roam about the country at the risk of something happening." "Then your advice would be that I should remain here?" the general said to him, with a searching glance. "I have no advice to give you, General; I am neither a soldier nor an officer, and your affairs do not concern me. I tell you my opinion, that is all." "But you are a wood ranger?" he continued, after a moment's reflection. "Yes, General, and nothing else." "In that case, you will make a famous scout." "You want to make a second bargain with me, I think." "Perhaps so. Do you refuse?" "I am not at liberty either to accept or decline. You have the power on your side, and I am forced to obey." "I like to hear you talk in that way. Perhaps you can find the enemy for me?" The hunter detected the snare. "Hang it!" he said simply, "As a wood ranger I can easily follow a trail. Put me on the traces of the Mexicans, and if they have not run to earth like prairie dogs, or flown away like eagles, there are heavy odds in favour of my bringing you up with them." The general reflected. "Listen to me," he said directly after, "I trust to you. If you serve me faithfully, you shall be nobly rewarded; if you deceive me, you will die." "I do not understand you; I will try to bring you up with the people you are looking for; but I cannot pledge myself to more, as the rest concerns you." "That is all I ask." "On those conditions I am your man." "Come along, then," the general continued; "but," he added, looking fixedly at him, "remember that you risk your head; at the slightest suspicion I will have you strung up without the least hesitation."