"Ah!" Tranquil exclaimed, in stupor.
"All," Quoniam repeated; "not one escaped; it must have been a frightful butchery."
"Speak lower, my friend," the hunter remarked, as he looked in the direction of the jacal, "Carmela might hear you."
The Negro gave a nod of assent.
"But," he continued, in a lower key, "this victory was not very productive to the Borderers, for the Mexicans had been careful to hurl the gold they carried into a barranca, whence it was impossible to get it out."
"Well played, by Heaven!" the Canadian exclaimed; "The Captain is a brave fellow."
"Was so, you mean," said Quoniam.
"That is true," the Canadian remarked, sadly; "but go on, my friend."
"This victory fired the mine; the whole of Texas has risen; the towns and pueblos are in full revolt, and the Mexicans are pursued like wild beasts."
"Is it so serious as that?"