"Ah, 'tis you, Captain?" said the young man, stopping. "What news?"
"Nothing, your Excellency," answered the Indian. "All is calm; the night, I think, will be tranquil."
"However, you have, if I am not deceived, something to say to me."
"Just so, your Excellency; I come to announce that I am about to quit the camp."
"You quit the camp!"
"Is it not necessary that I go out for information?"
"True; how long do you reckon to be on this excursion?"
"Who can say, your Excellency? Perhaps one day, perhaps two; perhaps only a few hours. All will depend on circumstances. It is possible that I shall never return."
The marquis remained an instant—his eyes fixed with a strange expression on the captain.
"Don Diogo," said he, at last, placing his hand in a friendly way on his shoulder, "before leaving me, permit me to ask you a question."