"So we took your carts up in to the mountains." "We ?" exclaimed Jose.

He took a step forward, and gazed keenly into Martin Hillyard's face.

Hillyard nodded.
"I was one of your companions on that first night venture of yours thirteen years ago." "_Claro!_ You were certainly there," returned Jose Medina, and he was no longer speaking either with doubt or with the exaggerated politeness of a Spaniard towards a stranger.

He was not even speaking as _caballero_ to _caballero_ the relationship to which, in the beginning, Hillyard had most wisely invited him.

He was speaking as associate to associate, as friendly man to friendly man.