"What use is it wasting time in explaining it to you, as it is not likely we shall have a deal together?" "Who knows? Tell me, at any rate. We are going to a meeting of very rich caballeros, and expect to join them in the morning. Let me know your demands, which I will lay before them; and if they are not too high, they may probably deal with you." "Nonsense, why tell them to you?" the adventurer continued carelessly. "It will be time enough tomorrow for us to have an explanation with the gentlemen to whom you refer." "As you please, I have no wish to force myself on your confidence." "I intend to do so; but listen to me. Give me your word of honour that if we do not come to terms I shall be at liberty to go wherever I please, without any fear for my safety or my life." "I pledge you my word of honour," Don Aurelio said quickly; "you can trust to me." "I do so with the more confidence," the adventurer remarked with a laugh; "because if a hair of my head fell, it would cost you much more dearly than you imagine." "What do you mean?" "Enough that I know it," the Sumach said with a crafty smile; "we have no need to enter into further details." "Why play fast and loose with this caballero?" Moonshine observed; "His intentions are good. I see no harm in your being frank with him." "Nonsense," the adventurer said, with a shrug of his shoulders. "Let me alone, Moonshine; least said is soonest mended. In that way, we shall see if we can have confidence in the word of a Spaniard." "Of a Mexican you mean," Don Aurelio interrupted him with some vivacity. "Well, a Mexican; it is of little consequence, though the difference appears to me very slight." "That is possible, but to me it is enormous." "As you please," the adventurer answered carelessly. "I have not the slightest wish to argue with you--the more so, that you must know more about the matter than I do." "In one word," Don Aurelio continued, "do you accept the proposition I made you to accompany me tomorrow to the hacienda, where the leaders of the revolutionary party are going to assemble, and may I rely on your word?" "Yes, if I may rely on yours." "I gave it to you. Here is my hand, you can take it without fear; it is that of a man of honour, and a friend." The two Canadians cordially pressed the hand so frankly offered. "That is settled," Moonshine said, as he shook the ashes of his pipe out on his thumb nail, and then passed the stem through his belt. "Now that is all arranged between us, if you will take my advice we will have a sleep. The night is getting on, and we must be mounted by sunrise."