"You are well aware that I fear nothing, General. I will bring you the answer." "I wish it; good-bye." "Farewell," the American answered. And bowing to the company, he withdrew, accompanied by the Colonel. "You played a dangerous game," the latter said, when they had gone a few steps; "the General might very easily have had you hung." The American shrugged his shoulders. "He would not have dared," he said, disdainfully. "Oh, oh! and why not, if you please?" "How does that concern you, Colonel; am I not free?" "You are." "That must be sufficient for you, and prove to you that I am not mistaken." The Colonel led the American to his quarters, and asked him to walk in for a moment, while a horse was being got ready. "Master Davis," he said to him, "be good enough to select from those weapons, whose excellence I guarantee, such as best suit you." "Why so?" he remarked. "Confound it! you are going to travel by night; you do not know whom you may meet. I fancy that under such circumstances it is prudent to take certain precautions." The two men exchanged a glance; they understood each other. "That is true," the American said, carelessly; "now that I come to think of it, the roads are not safe. As you permit me, I will take these pistols, this rifle, machete, and knife." "As you please, but pray take some ammunition as well; without that your firearms would be of no service." "By Jove! Colonel, you think of everything, you are really an excellent fellow," he added, while carelessly loading his rifle and pistols, and fastening to his belt a powder flask and bullet pouch. "You overwhelm me, Master Davis; I am only doing now what you would do in my place." "Agreed. But you display a graciousness which confuses me." "A truce, if you please, to further compliments. Here is your horse, which my assistant is bringing up." "But he is leading a second; do you intend to accompany me beyond the advanced posts?" "Oh, only for a few yards, if my company does not seem to you too wearisome." "Oh, Colonel, I shall always be delighted to have you for a companion." All these remarks were made with an accent Of excessive courtesy, in which, however, could be traced an almost imperceptible tinge of fun and biting raillery. The two men left the house and mounted their horses. The night was limpid and clear; millions of stars sparkled in the sky, which seemed studded with diamonds; the moon spread afar its white and fantastic light; the mysterious night breeze bowed the tufted crests of the trees, and softly rippled the silvery waters of the Rio Trinidad, as they died away amorously on the bank.