At these words, uttered with that crafty carelessness characteristic of the French Canadian, the company rose tumultuously, and remarks were made violently from all parts of the hall. Some even shouted treachery. In a word, the confusion was tremendous. Don Aníbal and Don Aurelio exchanged anxious glances, and tried in vain to appease the agitation of their friends, and establish some degree of order in the meeting. At length, by exhortations and entreaties, they succeeded in producing a semi-silence, of which they hastened to take advantage. "What!" Don Aurelio exclaimed, addressing Moonshine, "Are we not to reckon on you and your comrade?" "For what reason should you do so?" the adventurer said, bluntly. "We have made no bargain; to my knowledge, you have made me no proposition I am able to accept. _¡Viva Dios!_ business is business. The honourable gentlemen I command have a right to ask me of an account of the blood they have sold me. I suppose that they do not fight for mere amusement." "You are perfectly in the right," Don Aníbal said, prudently and politely. "Still, your noble and devoted conduct this morning lead us to suppose that you wished to defend our cause." "A mistake," Moonshine replied, with a shake of his head. "My friend and myself only wished to give you a specimen of what these men can do--that was all. And then, again, could we honourably abandon travellers who trusted to our loyalty, and whom we had promised to defend?" "Certainly not," said the hacendero; "and in the name of these caballeros, as well as my own, I thank you for your brilliant conduct, and the valiant assistance you rendered them." The company were beginning to grow tired of this conversation which seemed to have no object. Shouts and threats were beginning to be heard again. Don Aníbal understood that he must come to an end as quickly as possible. "Tell me, señores," he said, "are you free from engagements?" "Completely," the adventurer replied. "Do you feel disposed to fight for us?" "Yes, if your terms suit us." "Very good. These are the terms. You, Caballero, are appointed colonel of a regiment of cavalry, which you will undertake to organize, and of which your men will form the nucleus. Your pay will begin from today; your engagement is for three months; and you will receive a month and a half in advance. Do these terms suit you?" "I find them very fair," the adventurer replied; "but how much will you give my comrades?" "Two piastres a man. Is that enough?" "Certainly, if you are not too exacting." "What do you mean?" "If you will shut your eyes to certain things which take place after a battle or a siege." "Colonel, as your regiment is a free corps, it cannot be subjected to the strict discipline of regular troops." "Very good, I understand," the Sumach said, with a wink of intense significance. "Is that settled?" "Yes; whatever may happen, I belong to you for three months."