"Yes, yes, I see all that; well?"
"Well! Well, your Excellency, the undulation of the grass without apparent cause, since there is not a breath of air stirring, the mad course of the nandus and the seriemas, and the frightened flight of the guaros and the kamichis, simply mean that the Guaycurus are on our track."
"But in an hour we shall have crossed the river."
"With our horses that is impossible; it is with difficulty that they can put one foot before the other."
"That is true," murmured the marquis, "but then what is to be done?"
"Prepare ourselves to die."
"Oh, that is not true that you say, Diogo."
"In an hour not one of us will exist," coolly answered the captain.
"But we shall not allow ourselves to be assassinated without defending ourselves?"
"That is another question, my lord. Will you fight to the last gasp?"