"You have come with a large escort," don Antonio continued.
"Caray! Do you fancy, my dear sir, that I have any wish to fall into the hands of Miramón's scouts? My account would be soon settled if they caught me. But I fancy that in spite of all the pleasure we feel at meeting, we had better attend to business without delay. What is your opinion?"
"The general thanks you for the last information you sent him--it was scrupulously exact; hence he has sworn to reward you as you deserve, so soon as the occasion offers."
"Have you the paper?" he asked, with some degree of eagerness.
"Everything is in it, señor, so set your mind at rest," the colonel continued, with a coarse laugh.
"Where could honesty be found at the present day, except among people of our stamp? What you stipulated is accepted. The whole is signed, 'Ortega, General-in-Chief of the Federal Army,' and countersigned, 'Juárez, President of the Republic.' Are you satisfied?"
"I will answer you, señor, when I have seen the paper."
"Nothing easier. Here it is," the guerillero said, drawing a large envelope from his dolman, and presenting it to don Antonio.
The latter seized it with a movement of joy, and broke the seal with a febrile hand.
"You will have a difficulty in reading at this moment," the colonel said, with a knowing look.
"Do you think so?" don Antonio asked, ironically.
"That is of no consequence. I will soon have a light:" and rubbing a lucifer match on a stone, he lit a rolled up taper, which he drew from his pocket.
As he read, a lively satisfaction was legible on his face. At length he put out the taper, folded up the paper, which he carefully secured in his pocketbook, and then addressed the colonel.
"Señor, you will thank General Ortega from me. He has behaved toward me like a perfect caballero."
The guerillero bowed. "I will not fail, señor," he answered; "especially if you have some information to add to that which you have already given us."
"I certainly have, and of a very important nature."
"Ah! Ah!" said the other, rubbing his hands eagerly; "pray let me have it, my dear señor."
"Listen, then. Miramón is at the last gasp. He wants money, and cannot possibly obtain any. The troops, nearly all recruits, badly armed, and worse clothed, have not been paid for two months, and are murmuring."