"The night is cold; here is fire; warm yourselves."
"Thank you," answered one of the men: "fire is good at this hour of the night."
The persons who had arrived then entered the circle of light spread by the torch. Two wore the costume of Guaycurus chiefs; they were Gueyma and the Cougar. The third, dressed in the European fashion, was no less than Don Sylvio Quiroga.
"Thanks be given to these caballeros," said he, after respectfully bowing to his chief; "I think that they are nyctalopes, and that, like cats and other animals, they have the faculty of seeing in the dark. I was completely lost when they met me, and was groping like a blind man rudely striking myself against the trees."
"Well, rest yourself, Don Sylvio, while I talk with these caballero," answered the Montonero, laughing, "and warm yourself at the same time."
"I should not like to be indiscreet, general."
"Do not fear that, my friend; we shall converse in a language that you will not understand."
"As that is the case, I will venture," answered the old soldier.
The Indians had remained motionless and indifferent to this short conversation.
"Will you be seated near me, captains," said Zeno Cabral; "I am happy to see you."