"It is perfectly indifferent to me whether you hear me or not," Sandoval said, carelessly; "I only said so for the sake of the Señor, who may not wish a third party to hear what I have to say." "If that be really your sole motive," the Jaguar continued, "you can speak, for I repeat to you I have no secrets from this Caballero." "All right then," said Sandoval. He seated himself on an equipal, rolled a husk cigarette, lit it by the candil, whose light had become quite unnecessary, owing to the daylight becoming each moment brighter, and then turned easily to his two hearers. "Señores," he said, puffing out a large quantity of smoke from his mouth and his nostrils, "it is as well for you to know that I am the recognised Chief of a numerous and brave band of banished men, or proscripts, whichever you may call them, whom the so-called honest townsfolk fancied they branded by calling them skimmers of the Savannah, or pirates of the prairies, both of which titles are equally false." At this strange revelation, made with such cool cynicism, the two men gave a start and regarded each other with considerable surprise. The pirate watched this double movement, and probably satisfied mentally by the effect he had produced, he continued: "I have reasons that you should know my social position," he said, "for you to understand what is going to follow." "Good," John Davis interrupted; "but what motive urged you to take the present step?" "Two important reasons," Sandoval answered, distinctly; "the first is, that I wish to avenge myself; the second, the desire of gaining a large sum of money by selling you in the first battle, for the highest price I can obtain, the co-operation of the cuadrilla I have the honour to command, a cuadrilla composed of thirty well armed and famously mounted men." "Now go on, but be brief, for time presses." "Do not be frightened, I am not fond of chattering; how much do you offer me for my cuadrilla?" "I cannot personally make a bargain with you," the Jaguar said; "I must refer the matter to the General in Chief." "That is perfectly true." "Still, you can tell me the price you ask; I will submit it to the General and he will decide." "Very good; you will give me fifty thousand piastres,[1] half down, the rest after the battle is won. You see that I am not exorbitant in my demands." "Your price is reasonable; but how can we communicate?" "Nothing is easier; when you desire to speak to me you will fasten red pendants to the lances of your cavalry, and I will do the same when I have any important communication to make to you." "That is settled; now for the other matter." "It is this: one day a monk of the name of Fray Antonio sent me a wounded man." "The White Scalper?" John Davis exclaimed. "Do you know him?" the pirate asked. "Yes, but go on." "He is a pretty scamp, I think?" "I am quite of your opinion." "Well, I greeted him as a brother and gave him the best I had; do you know what he did?"