"It is indeed an important piece of advice, and I will take care to follow it; the consequences of a single mistake would be incalculably disastrous to us."
"Lastly, be ready to act at the first signal, be it by night or day. Never mind what you may be doing; leave everything instantly to assume the offensive the moment the signal is given."
"Good. After tomorrow, on the pretence of having certain urgent work to be carried out at the hacienda, I will quietly enlist a score of leperos,—hairbrained fellows,—who for gold will obey me blindly and recoil before no danger."
"The very thing! You can easily employ them here in doing nothing till the time comes for the use of knife and rifle."
"I will be answerable that no one shall make a single inquiry concerning them. But what sort of token will you send me, and through whom will you send it?"
"The token will be a white eagle's plume broken into three pieces, and with the quill painted red. He who brings the plume will only say the words, 'My two piastres.' You will give them to him without remark, and send him away again."
"But who is the man, Fernando?"
"He will be a stranger; most likely the first man I happen to meet. It is requisite that the messenger should not suspect the importance of the message he conveys, should he chance to fall into the enemy's hands."
"Well reasoned! Come, come, I think we shall get through this business successfully."
"As for me, I am sure of it," exclaimed Don Fernando, "if you will only follow my instructions to the letter."