"_Santa Virgen_!" mentally ejaculated the Colonel. "This droll fellow, who thinks it is the lot of all men to be hanged sooner or later, appears to be so sure of the fact, that it would not expose him to much more risk to conduct me also to a safer harbour." And in making this reflection, Don Rafael caught hold of the llianas by which he had climbed up; and at the risk of leaving some of his garments behind him, sprang out from between the branches, and dropped down between the two pedestrians with a suddenness that stupefied them. The man who was to pay so dear for the precious packet sent him by Gertrudis, was now face to face with the messenger who bore it; and yet neither of them knew the other! "Hush!" said the Colonel, taking the initiative, "you have nothing to fear. I promise you my protection; but first lay down your arms!" Zapote had drawn his long dagger, and stood ready to use it against the first enemy who came near, with that indifference peculiar to one who believed in the rope or garotte as the necessary termination of his life. But Don Rafael had at the same instant caught hold of his arm, which he held with a grasp, that proved he could also become as terrible an antagonist as he might be a powerful protector. "Who are you?" simultaneously inquired the two fugitives. "Ah! it might be indiscreet in me to tell you that," replied Don Rafael. "I am a young man who has just sprung down from the tree above you, as you may see by my hat still sticking up there among the branches." Without letting go his hold of Zapote the Colonel raised himself on his toes; and, stretching his arm upwards, proceeded to disengage the insurgent's hat from among the branches. "So, amigos!" continued he as soon as he had recovered his hat. "You are fleeing from the guerilleros of Arroyo? Well--so am I: that is enough for you to know at present. You are two and I only one; but let me plainly tell you, that if you do not make common cause with me, I shall be under the necessity of killing you both. Now you may choose-- Yes or no!" "_Carrambo_!" exclaimed Zapote, not ill pleased with the frank, off-hand manner of the stranger, "what a capital trader you would make with your roundabout way of coming to terms! Well, cavallero! what can we do for you?" "Pass me off with these fellows of Arroyo: as you are intending to do your comrade here. Say that I am charged with the ransom of a prisoner at the hacienda Del Valle, and thus obtain for me permission to pass the lines. If you do this, I promise you a recompense. And since you are both about to share the bounty of some one between you--" "Only a little commission," interrupted Zapote; "and if you knew what it is--" "Oh, I have no intention of claiming my third in the reward. I don't care to know what it is."