The Indians of that region are as fierce as alligators." "I have a few _maracotes_ in the waistband of my trousers and this ring." "That ring is worth nothing, my friend; at any rate not more than a few reals." "A few reals! It contains a ruby, though you don't see it, worth fully five hundred piasters--if I could find a customer for it." "I don't think you will easily find a customer for a ruby ring on the llanos.

However, I'll tell you what.

An old friend of mine, a certain Senor Morillones, has a large estate at a place called Naparima on the Apure.

Let us go there to begin with.

Morillones will supply us with mules, and we may possibly persuade some of his people to accompany us.
Treasure-hunting is always an attraction for the adventurous.