"Wait a moment. What a man you are! There is no way of having an explanation with you." "One word, then, but be brief." "Well, as you are aware, I am not accustomed to make long speeches." "I am listening to you." "Why play with the butt of your pistol so? Vengeance is only real when complete. A shot fired would be the signal for your death, for you would be surrounded and attacked on all sides at once before you had even time to place a foot in the stirrup. You allow this, I suppose?" "To the point, Master Davis, for I am in a hurry." "You admit," the other said, with his old stoicism, "that I am seeking no unworthy subterfuge to avoid a meeting with you?" "I know that you are a brave man." "Thanks! I do not discuss the validity of the reason which makes you wish to exchange bullets with me: a pretext is nothing with men like ourselves. I pledge my word to be at your disposal on any day, and at any hour you please, with or without witnesses. Does that suit you?" "Would it not be better to mount, gallop into the plain that stretches out before us, and settle the affair at once?" "I should like to do so, but, unfortunately, I must, for the present, deprive myself of the pleasure. I repeat to you that we cannot fight, at least not at this moment." "But the reason, the reason?" the young man exclaimed, with feverish impatience. "The reason is this, as you absolutely insist on my telling it you: I am at this moment entrusted with very great interests; in a word, I am charged by the Chief of the Texan army with a mission of the utmost importance to General Rubio, Military Governor of Galveston. You are too much of a gentleman not to understand that this prohibits me risking a life which does not belong to me." The Colonel bowed with exquisite politeness and uncocked the pistol, which he restored to his belt. "I am confounded at what has taken place," he said. "You will excuse me, Señor, for having allowed my passion to carry me away thus; I recognise how worthy and delicate your conduct has been under the circumstances. May I venture to hope you will pardon me?" "Not another word about the past, Colonel. So soon as I have terminated my mission, I shall have the honour of placing myself at your orders. Now, if nothing further keeps you here, we will proceed together to Galveston." "I accept gladly the offer you make me. There is a truce between us: be good enough till further orders to consider and treat me as one of your friends." "That is settled; I was certain we should end by understanding each other. To horse, then, and let us start." "I ask nothing better; still, I would observe that the night is as yet only half spent." "Which means?" "That till sunrise, and perhaps later, it will be impossible for us to find a boat in which to cross over to the island." "That need not trouble you, Colonel; I have a boat waiting for me, in which I shall be delighted to offer you a place."