sed, and the prisoner, squeezed down, gave a
shout of rage and pain.

"What are you doing, vile earthworm, more malicious and perfidious
than my mother-in-law?" he exclaimed.

"There is another condition," responded Briones, "that I must add to
our treaty; it appears to me that the service I am going to do you is
worth it."

"And what is this condition, tardy liberator?" inquired the demon.

"I should like for thy ransom four dollars daily during the rest of my
life. Think of it, for upon that depends whether you stay in or come
out."

"Miserable avaricious one!" exclaimed the demon, "I have no money."

"Oh!" replied Briones, "what an answer from a great lord like you!
Why, friend, that is the Minister of War's answer! If you can't pay me
I cannot help you."

"Then you do not believe me," said the demon, "only let me out, and I
will aid you to obtain what you want as I have done for many others.
Let me out, I say, let me out."

"Gently," responded the soldier, "there is nothing to hurry about.
Understand me that I shall have to hold you by the tail until you have
performed your promise to me; and if not, I have nothing more to say
to you."

"Insolent, do you not trust me then!" shouted the demon.

"No," responded Briones.

"What you desire is contrary to my dignity," said the captive, with
all the arrogance that a being of his size could express.

"Now I must go," said Briones.

"Good-bye," said the demon, in order not to say _adieu_.

But seeing that Briones went off, the captive made desperate jumps in
the phial, shouting loudly to the soldier.

"Return, return, dear friend," he said; and muttered to himself, "I
should like a four-year-old bull to overtake you, you soulless fool!"
and then he shouted, "Come, come, beneficent fellow, liberate me, and
hold me by the tail, or by the nose, valiant warrior;" and then
muttered to himself, "Some one will avenge me, obstinate soldier; and
if the son-in-law of Mother Holofernes is not able to do it, there are
those who will burn you both, face to face, in the same bonfire, or I
have little influence."

On hearing the demon's supplications Briones returned and uncorked the
bottle. Mother Holofernes's son-in-law came forth like a chick from
its shell, drawing out his head first and then his body, and lastly
his tail, which Briones seized; and the more the demon tried to
contract it the firmer he held it.

After the ex-captive, who was somewhat cramped, had