The vaquero saluted and left them. Five minutes later, they heard his horse's hoofs clattering over the stony road.
"Well," said the colonel, looking at the two others; "what did I tell you? Did my forebodings lie?"
Don Fernando rose.
"Where are you going?" asked the colonel.
"Back to the Hacienda del Cormillo."
"At once! Without finishing your breakfast?"
"This instant. I am torn by indescribable anxiety. The Indians may attack the hacienda; and God knows what may happen."
"El Cormillo is fortified, and cannot be taken by a coup-de-main. However, I think Doña Hermosa would be safer here. Try, if there is time, to induce Don Pedro to return: no one can foresee the issue of an invasion undertaken on such a scale; and one cannot take too many precautions. I should be glad to see Don Pedro and his daughter safe among us."
"Thank you, colonel; your advice is excellent. I will use every effort to induce Don Pedro to follow it. Good-bye. I venture to flatter myself that an energetic demonstration on your part will rid us of these ferocious foes, whose tactics are always to attempt a surprise, and who disappear as suddenly as they came the moment they find their plans have been discovered."
"God grant it! But I scarcely hope as much." "Farewell, caballeros, and good luck!" said Don Fernando, pressing the hands of the two old soldiers.