"Oho! We have now an advance of our enemies which puts us out of their reach."
"We have gained no advance on the Guaycurus, my lord; our only chance of safety is to reach the river, and to cross it."
"Well! What prevents us from doing so?"
"Look at the horses; before we have got half the distance which separates us from the Pilcomayo, the enemy will be upon us."
"You are thoroughly obstinate to the end; you see yourself that the plain is perfectly clear."
"You think so, my lord?"
"Why, I have looked in vain in every direction."
"That is because you are not used to the prairie, that is all. Look," added he, stretching his arm in the direction of the northeast. "Notice that convulsive undulation of the high grass."
"Just so; but what does that prove?"
"Do you see again," continued the impassable captain, "those companies of nandus and of seriemas who run madly in all directions. Those flights of guaros and of kamichis?"