Let the
lieutenant do no more than provide the necessary money for the
cattle, and the rest should happen as by enchantment - and Souza
himself would see to it that the price was fair and proper.
The lieutenant asked no better. He had no great opinion of himself
either as cattle dealer or cattle drover, nor did his ambitions
beget in him any desire to excel as one or the other. So he was
well content that his host should have the bullocks fetched to Regoa
for him. The herd was driven in on the following afternoon, by when
the rain had ceased, and our lieutenant had every reason to be
pleased when he beheld the solid beasts procured. Having disbursed
the amount demanded - an amount more reasonable far than he had
been prepared to pay - Mr. Butler would have set out forthwith to
return to Pinhel, knowing how urgent was the need of the division
and with what impatience the choleric General Craufurd would be
awaiting him.
"Why, so you shall, so you shall," said the priestly, soothing Souza.
"But first you'll dine. There is good dinner - ah, but what good
dinner! - that I have order. And there is a wine - ah, but you
shall give me news of that wine."
Lieutenant Butler hesitated. Cornet O'Rourke watched him anxiously,
praying that he might succumb to the temptation, and attempted
suasion in the form of a murmured blessing upon Souza's hospitality.
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