"At length," he said, drawing himself up. "I was afraid he would insist on sitting up and keeping me company."
The hunter thrust into his girdle the pistols he had laid on the ground, threw his rifle over his shoulder, and stepping carefully across the stones and rubbish that burdened the soil, rapidly but noiselessly retired, and speedily disappeared in the darkness. He walked in this way for about ten minutes, when he reached a dense thicket. Then he crouched behind a shrub, and, after taking a cautious survey of the surrounding country, whistled gently thrice, being careful to leave an equal space of time between each signal. At the expiration of two or three minutes the cry of the moorhen was heard twice from the midst of the trees that bordered the river's bank only a few paces from the spot where the hunter was standing.
"Good!" the latter muttered. "Our friend is punctual; but, as the wisdom of nations says somewhere that prudence is the mother of surety, let us be prudent: that can do no harm when dealing with such scamps."
And the worthy hunter set the hammer of his rifle. After taking this precaution he left the thicket in which he had been concealed, and advanced with apparent resolution, but still without neglecting any precaution to avoid a surprise, toward the spot whence the reply to his signal had come. When he had covered about half the distance four or five persons came forward to meet him.
"Oh, oh!" the hunter said; "these people appear very eager to speak with me. Attention!"
Hereupon he stopped, raised his rifle to his shoulder, and aimed at the nearest man.
"_Capo de Dios!_ you are quick, caballero," an ironical voice answered. "You do not allow yourself to be easily approached; but uncock your rifle--you see that we are unarmed."
"Apparently so, I grant; but who guarantees me that you have not arms concealed about your person?"
"My honour, sir," the first speaker answered haughtily. "Would you venture to doubt it?"
"I doubt everything at night, when I am alone in the desert, and see before me four men whom I have every reason for believing are not my friends."
"Come, come, sir, a little more politeness, if you please."
"I wish nothing more. Still, you requested this interview; hence you are bound to accept my conditions, and not I yours."