"A friend, a friend!" the American replied, without changing his position, "That is possible, and the sound of your voice is not unknown to me; but, no matter, whether friend or foe, tell me your name, for if you don't, I will keep you on the spot, as this is not the time for fishing." "Viva Dios!" the young man said with a laugh, "That dear John is always prudent." "I should hope so, but enough talking; your name, that I may know with whom I have to deal." "What, do you not recognise the Jaguar?" The American lowered his rifle, and the butt echoed on the ground. "By Heaven!" he said joyously, "I suspected it was you, but did not dare believe it." "Why not?" the young man asked as he approached. "Hang it! Because I was assured that you were dead." "I?" "Yes, you." "Who the deuce could have told you that nonsense?" "It is not nonsense. Fray Antonio assured me that he leapt his horse over your body." The Jaguar reflected for a moment. "Well," he answered, "he told you the truth." "What?" the American exclaimed as he gave a start of terror, "Are you dead?" "Oh, oh! Make your mind easy," the young man answered with a laugh; "I am as good a living man as yourself." "Are you quite sure of it?" the superstitious American said dubiously. "_Rayo de Dios!_ I am certain of it, though it is possible that Fray Antonio leaped his horse over my body, for I lay for several hours senseless on the battlefield." "That is all right, then." "Thanks; but what are you doing there?" "As you see, I am on guard." "Yes, but why are you so? Are there more of you inside?" "There are about a dozen of us." "All the better; and who are your comrades?" The American looked at him for some moments fixedly, and then took his hand, which he squeezed. "My friend," he said with emotion, "thank heaven, for it has shown you a great mercy this day." "What do you mean?" the young man exclaimed, anxiously. "I mean that those you confided to us are safe and sound, in spite of the dangers innumerable they incurred during the terrible day we have passed through." "Can it be true?" he said, laying his hand on his chest, to check the beating of his heart. "I assure you." "Then, they are both here?" "Yes." "Oh! I must see them!" he exclaimed, as he prepared to rush into the rancho. "Wait a moment." "Why so?" he asked in alarm. "For two reasons: the first being that before you enter, I must warn them of your arrival." "That is true; go, my friend, I will await you here." "I have not yet told you the second reason." "What do I care?" "More than you fancy; do you not wish me to tell you the name of the man who protected and eventually saved Doña Carmela?" "I do not understand you, my friend. I entrusted the guardianship of Tranquil and Doña Carmela to you." "You did so." "Then, was it not you who saved them?" The American shook his head in denial. "No," he said, "it was not I, I could only have died with them."