The Bee Hunters

nd remained motionless as an eque

me," he muttere

eceived me?-It

ith a suddenness which made his horse perform a curvette and wince with pain. Don Fernando had just seen two cava

e is Don Torribio Quiroga. But who is this other cavalier?"

lly, and saying half-aloud, "It is better as it is," made his horse execute a traverse, and

ernando's position: neither seemed to feel alarm, and both advanced at the same speed as before. The cava

ive knowledge of social decorum, which never deceives them, and a ref

ach of his voice, he slightly altered the position o

permit me to ask

nger, with no less politeness

Don Fernan

, Don Est

ake your acquaintance. Would you th

essed for time I might be, I wo

s. I will explain in half a dozen words. T

a," interposed Don E

ed. That honourable personage, as I found o

is a

enemy, that he has tried four times to have me assa

lays an evil game wit

sh to have done with him, I have resolved to of

ct of a true

ill be. I am charmed at your consenti

asure, ca

gladly return the complim

ring this short conversation, and was no

istake, it is my admirable friend, Don Fernando

happy as you can be at the chan

I will not let you go; we will ri

of all, with your permission, I have a fe

utter words I shall be happy to

uested me to be present at the

be better! Let

d Don Estevan; "the conver

ernando; "I know a grotto where we shall

e at once," sai

he right, and directed their steps towards a little wood of

other, would have incontestably believed them to be intimate friends, delighted

they soon gained the wood, and found th

ons were scanty enough. Carpeted with verdure inside and out, it was a charm

freshness caused by a slender stream of water which ran between its banks with a melancholy murmur, forming a pleasant contrast with the burning atmosphere

this delicious retreat," said Don Torribio; "now, if it is y

courtesy. Heaven bear witness, that if I were not your

rribio, "Heaven has

se?or, and regret

than I do,

the case, we mus

s just what I

interest and mine, I have r

get at that result, unless one

of yours has cost you

s you are still alive; to say nothing of two hundred others I pr

ssing! If this goes on,

sighed, but m

hrew away his cigarette and occu

able clumsiness of the people you employ, I begin to be tir

that; it must be v

t an end to it, once for all, I have racked my brains until I think I ha

w you to be a man of imagination, Don

ary, it is quite simp

it is hardly wo

proposal I have to make: it is evident

e?or?" said Don Tor

lse you would have

t: what, then,

the ace of hearts) falls shall win, and be master over the life of his

the idea is

ommon game, only the loser cannot have

d, had each a pack of cards in his pocket. They produced them with such spo

ith which Don Torribio accepted the game proposed by his foe has nothing in it to astonish those who know the character of those strang

hitherto listened without joining in the conversa

n Fernando and Don Torribi

t in reality it can only be satisfie

d Don Torrib

merely repl

tead of having recourse to blind chance, wh

de a gestur

, at the risk of disfiguring or crippling ourselves, which w

etter that chan

, caballeros;

n Torribio, "w

ndo; "that is a good remark

"and so much the more readily, as my friendship for

avoid all cause for dispute, you must cho

e packs under a hat; I wil

you did not think of this

?or?-I have only jus

he two foes every facility for arranging the thre

are determined to

, they

chever of you it may be whom fortune favours, to subm

tevan, by the wor

d drawing out a pack of cards. "And now recommend your souls to

devoutly, and fixed their eyes

the greatest care, and then made eac

es," said he; "I

heir pajillos with a perfect assumption of indifferenc

the zarapé: Don Estevan held only about

d he, "for the la

Torribio excitedly; "the

aid Don Estevan

de copas. Look, Don Torribio; it is curious. ?Vive Dios! yo

essed immediately, and resumed the tone of affecte

e. "I must confess, Don Fernando, I

despair, dear

capital game; I neve

tunately, I cannot g

now I must p

bowed witho

ing such time as is absolutely necessary. If I could

e; they are perfect

kind enough to

stol from his holsters, and

oaded; the trigger

are, Don Fernando! You provide for

abits, Don Torrib

ook the pistol

to the mercy of the wild beasts; it would distress

me across your own horse. We should be in despair if the

st of you, se?ores; now acce

nd him, and coolly placed the muzzle

suddenly arre

remark to ma

ithout exhibiting emotion: "two seconds more, and it would have b

udge. You have lost y

ly as po

ou are dead; I have the right of

bserve that I am ready to pay

are bound to kill yourself at my first requisition, and to employ the life I leave you (whic

me a bargain?" s

hit the word; i

res consideration. What would you do,

ation. Life is so beautiful, take it all in al

become Don Fernando's slave as I could only employ my life in his se

o who will only exact this sacrifice

gain to ten years. If by that time Don Torribio is not dead, he will again enter upon

; and I accept the life you offer me so gracefully. A thousand thanks!"

can read the future, you will not objec

but where shall

the writing materi

you a perfect man of business, w

which is fastened behind the saddle, to hold the necessary articles for travelling,

nk, and paper, and laid them

, "write as I

dear se?or; I

rnando

use obedience to the orders he may give me, whether they be to kill myself before his eyes, or to risk in any perilous adventure the life I have lost, and which I acknowledge to hold only at his pleasure. I farther acknowledge that all sentiments of hatred to the aforesaid Don Fernando Carril are extinguished in my heart, and that I will never seek to injure him directly

March 18-, and subscribed, as witness

Torribio signed with the greatest good humour, added a tremendous flourish to his signature, and gave the

paper, to dry the ink, folded it neatly in four, and placed it in the

bio. "Now se?or, if you have no commands

nger, caballero; go where your engagemen

it will scarcely be fulfilled; I h

re, put the bridle on his hor

n of this bond?" asked Don Estevan, as soon

is my mortal foe. But I must leave you, Don Estevan; I must b

the hacienda of

e hacienda, but to

ther; for I, too, am g

looking at him

o of the hacienda,"

orses. Don Fernando rode pensively by the side o