There could be no reply to such a peremptory mode of reasoning, so Sandoval merely contented himself with nodding an assent, and they continued their march in silence. Night had fallen for some time, but it was a bright and starry night, which allowed them to march in safety, and have no fear of losing their way. After three hours of a very difficult journey, the travellers at length reached the crest of a high hill. "We have arrived," Sandoval then said, as he stopped under the pretext of resting a moment, but in reality to give his companion, whom he saw to be winded, though he made no complaint, an opportunity to draw breath. "What, arrived?" the Scalper said in surprise, looking round him, but not perceiving the slightest sign of an encampment. In fact, the adventurers found themselves on a species of platform about fifteen hundred yards long, entirely denuded of trees, save in the centre, where grew an immense aloe, more than sixty feet in circumference, which looked like the king of the desert, over which it soared. Sandoval allowed his comrade to look around him for a moment, and then said, as he stretched out his arm to the giant tree--- "We shall be obliged to enter by the chimney. But once is not always, and you will not feel offended at it when I tell you that I only do this to shorten our journey." "You know that I did not at all understand you," the Scalper answered. "I suspected it," Sandoval said with a smile. "But come along, and you will soon decipher the enigma." The old man bowed without replying, and both walked toward the tree, followed by their comrades, who were smiling at the stranger's amazement. On reaching the foot of the tree, Sandoval raised his head-- "Ohé!" he shouted, "Are you there, Orson?" "Where should I be if I was not?" a rough voice answered, issuing from the top of the tree. "I was obliged to wait for you here, as you have taken it, into your head to wander about the whole night through." The pirates burst into a laugh. "Always amiable!" Sandoval continued; "it is astonishing how funny that animal of an Orson always is! Come, let down the ladder, you ugly brute!" "Ugly brute, ugly brute!" the voice growled, although its owner still remained invisible; "That is the way in which he thanks me." In the meanwhile, a long wooden ladder was let down through the branches. Sandoval caught hold of it, secured it, and then turned to the wounded man-- "I will go first to show you the way." "Do so," the Scalper said resolutely; "but I swear that I will be the second." "Halloh!" the Captain said, turning round, "Why you are a Yankee." "What does it matter to you?" the other said roughly. "Not at all. Still, I am not sorry to know the fact." "Well, you know it. What next?" "Next?" Sandoval answered with a laugh; "You will be among countrymen, that is all." "It makes little difference to me." "Canarios, and how do you suppose it concerns me?" the Captain said, still laughing, and ascended.