"Count the grains of the sand on the Pampa, and you will have their number."
"Oh," the colonel exclaimed, "that is impossible, the Indians cannot thus organize an army at a day's notice. Terror must have made you see double."
"Terror, nonsense!" the bombero answered disdainfully, "In the desert we have not time to know it."
"But, tell me, how are they coming?"
"Like a hurricane, burning and plundering everything on their passage. They form a vast semicircle, whose two extremities are gradually drawing nearer to Carmen. They act with a certain method, under the orders of a chief who is, doubtless, practised and skilful."
"That is serious," the commandant said.
The major shook his head.
"Why did you warn us so late?" he said to the bombero.
"This morning at sunrise my three brothers and I were surrounded by two or three hundred Indians, who seemed to emerge suddenly from the ground. What a fight it was! We defended ourselves like lions; Juan is dead, Pepe and Lopez are wounded, but we escaped at last, and here I am."
"Return to your post as speedily as possible; a fresh horse will be given you."