"By the way," said he, "you doubtless remember all the conditions of your agreement?"
"All," answered the gaucho, with his eye fixed on the pieces of gold that Tyro amused himself by chinking in his hand.
"Good; you know that you cannot undertake anything against Señor Don Emile or his friends during the month which follows the termination of your agreement with him?"
"Eh!" said the bandits, starting as if they had been stung by a serpent.
"Yes, so it is written," answered Tyro carelessly.
"Pardon!" sentimentally observed Sacatripas; "But I think that this clause adds that we shall be free of that engagement on the condition of not accepting at our departure the last month's salary."
"Ah! I see that you remember this clause well," cried Tyro, laughing, and making the gold glitter more than ever in the eyes of the gauchos; "so, make your decision, my masters--accept or refuse."
"To receive our salary," answered with effort the two men, whose tongues appeared to stick to the roof of their mouths, so much difficulty had they in saying these few words.
"Good, that is agreed," said Tyro, putting the gold in his leather purse, and the purse in his pocket; "a word to the wise! We will be on our guard."
"Oh. I do not fear them," said Emile shrugging his shoulders with scorn.
"¡Caray! Nor I either," said the Guarani. "However, it is good to know how to act."
"Señor," said Mataseis, wrapping himself with dignity in the folds of his poncho, "we have neither hatred nor friendship for you. You are indifferent to us. We do not cherish any project to your prejudice, but we wish to remain free. Liberty is better than gold."
And after this bit of buffoonery, the two gauchos bowed, as Scaramouche would have done, and withdrew apparently quite satisfied with themselves.
Emile followed them with a look for a short time, and then turning towards Tyro:
"No matter, my friend," said he laughing, "it must be confessed that those two fellows are very well matched, physically and morally."
"I expect we shall soon hear something more of them."
"Probably," answered the Guarani, becoming thoughtful. "I will watch them."
"You are right; as to me, I shall worry myself no more about them. Well, good night. I shall go and regain the time they have caused me to lose. I am very sleepy. What a capital invention is that siesta!"
