"You see, gentlemen," said Don Antonio, "that time presses. Go all of you to your duties."
"One moment," said Major Bloomfield, "I have one more suggestion to make."
"Speak, my friend."
"We are, so to speak, lost in this corner of the earth, and remote from any help; we may be besieged in Carmen, and forced into surrender by starvation. Under these imperious circumstances, I ask that a ship should be sent to Buenos Aires to describe our situation, and request reinforcements."
"What do you think, gentlemen, of the major's suggestion?" the colonel asked, looking inquiringly at the officers.
"It is excellent, colonel, excellent," one of them answered.
"The suggestion will be carried out at once," Don Antonio continued, "and now, gentlemen, you can withdraw."
The defence of the fort and town was organized with a rapidity inconceivable to anyone acquainted with Spanish sloth; danger gave courage to the timid and doubled the ardour of the others. Two hours later the cattle had been driven in and corraled, the streets barricaded, the guns sponged out, and the women and children shut up in buildings adjoining the fort, a vessel was sailing for Buenos Aires, and one hundred and fifty resolute men were intrenched at Población del Sur, the houses of which they had loop-holed.
The governor and Major Bloomfield seemed to be everywhere at once; encouraging the troops, ordering the workmen, and imparting energy to all.
About three in the afternoon, a violent breeze sprang up, which bore from the southwest the smoke occasioned by firing the country, and hiding distant objects. The inhabitants of Carmen were devoured with anxiety.