"Stay, father," Carmela said eagerly, as she seized his arm; "perhaps it is a poor wretch lost in the desert, who needs help."
"It may be so," Tranquil replied after a moment's reflection; "at any rate, we shall soon know."
"What do you intend doing?" the girl exclaimed, terrified at seeing him rise.
"Go and meet the man, and ask him what he wants, that is all."
"Take care, father."
"Of what, my child?"
"Suppose this man were one of the bandits who traverse the desert?"
"Well, what then?"
"And he were to kill you?"
The Canadian shrugged his shoulders.