At length Don Valentine and Don Sylvio appeared, accompanied by the two ladies. At the sight of Mercedes, the capataz felt fire rise from his heart to his face; he drew himself up, curled his moustache cordially, and gave his well-beloved a tender and respectful glance.
"Good day, Blas, my friend," Don Valentine said to him cordially. "I fancy we shall have a fine day's sport."
"I think so too, Excellency; the weather is superb."
"Have you chosen quiet horses for my daughter and her companion?"
"Oh, Excellency," the capataz answered; "I lassoed them myself on the corral. I answer for them, or my head. They are real ladies' horses—lambs."
"We are easy in mind," said Doña Concha, "for we know that Don Blas spoils us."
"Come, to horse, and let us start."
"Yes, it is a long ride from here to the plain of the Ñandus (a species of the ostrich)," said Blas, with an affectionate glance at Mercedes.
The little party, composed of twenty well-armed men, proceeded to the battery, where Patito lowered the drawbridge.
"You must double your vigilance," the capataz said to the gaucho.