"Tomorrow, señor, a general assault will be made on Carmen."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. Tomorrow I shall have destroyed the Spaniards' power in the Patagonia, or be dead myself."
"God will protect the good cause," Doña Concha said in a prophetic voice.
A cloud passed over Don Valentine's forehead.
"During the battle, which will be obstinate, I implore you, señorita, not to leave this toldo, before which I will leave twenty men on guard."
"Are you going to leave us already, Don Torribio?"
"I must; so excuse me, madam."
"Good-bye, then," Doña Concha said.
"All is over!" Don Valentine murmured, in despair, when Nocobotha had gone out. "They will succeed."