"A capital account," said the colonel, rubbing his hands for joy.
"Unfortunately," continued the major, "although we have plenty of arms, we have very few men fit for service."
"How many men have we?"
"The effective state should be two hundred and seventy; but, unluckily, disease, death, and desertion have reduced them to a hundred and twenty."
"The deuce!" said the colonel, shaking his head; "But I think we might manage to increase the number. We are in one of those critical positions where the end sanctifies the means: we must not be nice in our choice. Besides, the common safety is in question. I trust to meet with no opposition to the execution of a plan which I hope will save us all."
"What is it? We all go hand and hand with you."
"I know that very well. I do not allude to you, señores, but to the inhabitants of the town, who will reject it, and with whom we shall be obliged to have recourse to forcible measures. It is of the last importance to make an imposing show of men on the walls. Now, this is what I propose: all the peones of the haciendas shall be enrolled, and formed into companies; the merchants shall form another corps; the haciendas, well mounted and armed, shall defend the approaches, and patrol the plain. By these means, we shall muster an effective force of about eleven hundred men,—a number quite sufficient to hold the savages in check, and force them to retreat precipitately to their villages."
"You must recollect, colonel, that the greater number of the vaqueros here are criminals, to whom any disturbance is a pretext for plunder."
"For that reason, I have appointed them the exterior defence of the place. They shall encamp outside the presidio, into which they shall not enter on any pretence. To lessen the chance of a mutiny amongst them, they shall be formed into two divisions—one of which shall be constantly employed in scouring the neighbourhood, while the other remains in camp. Thus, by keeping them always at work, we shall have nothing to fear from them."
"As for the creoles, and the strangers at present in the presidio," said the major, "I think you had better order them to assemble in the fort every night: we shall be able to use them in case of necessity."