I will call some of my men and visit your camp." He spoke sternly, taking a step backward as if about to seek his companions.

"The tale you tell may be true enough, yet these are troublous days along the river, and my orders are strict against permitting any to pass unsearched." My hands clinched hard around the gun-barrel for a swing, while I braced my body for a leap forward, yet held back from such desperate action, making hazard of one more effort to draw him out.
"I have met soldiers of Spain before, my lord," I said, speaking the words with deference, yet managing to inject sufficient tinge of sarcasm to the tone, "yet never previously found them so fearful of a stray hunter's camp as not to dare approach it without a guard of armed men.

My companions yonder are asleep, excepting the woman; we are only three, and of peaceful life.

You would discover nothing except warm welcome at our fire." I caught the quick responsive smile lighting his hard, thin face, observing how suddenly awakened pride and contempt combined to curl his upturned moustache.
"Ah!" he exclaimed gayly, with a derisive wave of the hand, "so you suppose it is from fear I proposed calling others to accompany me! _Caramba_! 'tis well you put your suspicion in no stronger words.

But stay; I trust not altogether the truth of your tale.