"That is just; but what is to be done?" the Mexican remarked, struck by the adventurer's logical reasoning. "Patience," the latter said, with a smile full of meaning. "Did not my comrade, Moonshine, tell you last night that if you broke your engagement with me I should not fail of avengers." "It is true," Don Aurelio exclaimed, eagerly. "Well," the Canadian said, "what I did not care to tell you then I will confess now. I have some twenty comrades a few leagues from here, Canadians like myself, all resolute men and devoted to me. I was going to rejoin them last night when we met. I will place them at your orders, if you like, for this expedition, on the understanding that when the danger has passed--should there be any--if the conditions we offer do not please you, we shall be at liberty to withdraw in safety." "Certainly," Viscachu exclaimed, yielding involuntarily to the joy he probably experienced; but, recognizing at once the fault he had committed, he humbly withdrew behind his master, muttering-- "Pardon me, Señor Caballero." "I pledge you my word as a gentleman," Don Aurelio answered; "then you have at your disposal twenty bold comrades?" "Yes, or nearly so," the adventurer said; "and I offer them to you." "Unfortunately we are in a hurry, and you will not have time to warn them." "Well, I did not think of that," the Canadian said, thoughtfully. "Where are they at this moment?" "I told you; about two leagues from here." "But in what direction?" Don Aurelio pressed him. "Hang it! As you belong to the country, you will know better than I; they are encamped at a place called the Giant's Peak, on the road running to the Hacienda del Barrio." "What!" the Mexican exclaimed, in delight, "Why that is the very hacienda we are going to!" "Can it be possible?" the adventurer asked, in amazement. "Nothing is truer; my friends are going to assemble there." "If that be the case, it is useless to lose any further valuable time; let us be off at once." "Of course; I am most anxious to do so." "By the way," said the Sumach, "I will go on ahead, so as to warn my comrades, in that way you will not be obliged to make a circuit to reach our camp, and when you arrive opposite the Giant's Peak, you will find us on the road ready to follow you. Does that suit you?" "¡Canarios! I should think so; you are a precious man, you think of everything, so be off at once." The Canadian dug his spurs into his horse's flanks and started at full speed. The travellers followed him at once; their pace, though rapid, was however much more moderate than that of the adventurer, who appeared to devour space. Moonshine remained with the Mexicans, and galloped by the side of Don Aurelio. "Why did you not tell me about your cuadrilla?" the latter asked him. "Pardon me, señor," the Canadian said, "but your memory fails you at this moment; I was about to speak of it when my friend, the Sumach, forced me to be silent." "That is true; I remember."