to find the bottle, which stood there like a wart on the nose of the mountain. He picked it up, held it to the light and seeing the devil, whom time, imprisonment, fasting, and the heat of the sun had withered away till he looked like a dried plum, he cried out:
"What little mis-begotten imp is this?"
"I am a very worthy and respectable devil," answered the prisoner hastily, with the utmost humility and politeness. "The wicked plot of a treacherous mother-in-law (just let me get my hands on her once) has kept me imprisoned here for ten years. Let me out, gallant warrior, | and I will grant you any favor you may ask of me."
"I want my discharge," answered Briones, without a moment's hesitation.
"You shall have it; but take out the stopper quick, for it is a horrible shame in these rebellious times to keep the chief of rebels shut up in prison."
Briones loosened the cork, and there rushed out of the bottle such a smell of brimstone that it choked him. He sneezed and hastened to drive in the cork again. He gave it such a violent blow with his open hand that it hit the prisoner, who howled with rage and pain.
"What are you doing, you wretch?" cried he; "you are more wicked and treacherous than my mother-in-law."
"I'm going to add another condition to our bargain. It seems to me that the service I am going to render you is worth it."
"And what is your condition?" asked the devil.
