Ere long, like an electric current, the challenges of the hounds succeeded each other with extreme rapidity, raised in all directions.
Still, nothing seemed to justify these warnings given by the sentries. No suspicious sound could be heard, and the savannah seemed to be plunged into the most perfect solitude.
"I beg your pardon, caballero," Don Sancho said to Lepoletais, who continued his task with the same ardor, while laughing merrily with his comrade; "but will you permit me to ask you a question?"
"Do so, do so, my good gentleman. It is at times well to ask questions: besides, if the question does not suit me, I shall be at liberty not to answer it, I suppose?"
"Oh! Of course."
"In that case, speak without fear."
"For some minutes past your dogs seem to have been giving you signals—or, at least, I suppose so?"
"You suppose right, caballero. They are really signals."
"And would there be any indiscretion in asking you the meaning of the signals?"
"Not the least in the world, señor, especially as they interest you quite as much as us."