"While now----?" "Now I have guessed it." An ironical smile curled the old man's pale lips. "Do you think so?" he said. "I am sure of it; there are not two men of your stamp in the desert; you are the genius of evil if you are not White Scalper." At this name an electric quiver traversed the limbs of the hearers. The old man raised his head haughtily. "Yes," he said, in a sharp voice, "I am White Scalper." During this long conversation a number of pirates, brought up either by idleness or curiosity, had entered the dining room one after the other. On hearing this name uttered which they had been accustomed so long to admire, on seeing at length this man for whom they felt a secret terror, they burst into a formidable shout, which the resounding echoes repeated indefinitely, and which caused the roof to tremble as if agitated by an earthquake. The White Scalper made a signal to ask silence. "Señores," he said, "I am very grateful for the friendly demonstrations of which I am the object. Up to the present I have refused every species of alliance; I obstinately resolved to live alone and accomplish, without help, the work of destruction to which I have devoted myself. But, after what has passed here, I must break the promise I made myself; he who receives is bound to give! Henceforth I am one of yourselves, if you deem me worthy to form part of your cuadrilla." At this proposal the huzzas and shouts of joy were redoubled with extreme frenzy. Sandoval frowned; he understood that his precarious power was menaced. But, too skilful and crafty to let the secret fears that agitated him be guessed, he resolved to outflank the difficulty, and regain, by a masterstroke, the power which he felt instinctively was slipping from his grasp. Raising the glass he held in his hand, he shouted in a thundering voice: "Muchachos! I drink to White Scalper!" "To White Scalper," the bandits joined in enthusiastically. Sandoval allowed the first effervescence time to calm down. Himself exciting this enthusiasm, he at length requested silence at the moment when this enthusiasm had attained its paroxysm. For a few minutes his efforts were in vain, for heads were beginning to grow hot under the influence of copious and incessant libations of mezcal, pulque, and Catalonian refino. By degrees, however, and like the sea after a storm, the cries died out, a calm was re-established, and nothing was audible save a dull and confused murmur of whispered words. Sandoval hastened to profit by this transient moment of silence to speak again. "Señores," he said, "I have a proposal to make, which, I believe, will suit you." "Speak, speak," the pirates shouted. "Our association," Sandoval continued, "is founded on the most entire equality of its members, who freely elect the man they consider most worthy to command them." "Yes, yes," they exclaimed. "Long live Sandoval!" some said. "Let him speak, do not interrupt him," the majority vociferated.