"Unhappily, before undertaking anything, we must wait for sunrise."
"Why should we wait till tomorrow, my lord? I ask your pardon for daring to interrogate you."
"Why, it appears to me that to discover a track, even if it were ever so plainly indicated, the first condition is to see clearly."
"That is of little importance, my lord," answered the captain; "for a man accustomed as I am to track the desert at all hours, darkness does not exist."
"So," cried the marquis, with a movement of satisfaction, "if I ordered you to mount horse—"
"I would mount immediately, my lord."
"And you would bring me news?"
"No doubt of it; am I not an Indian myself, my lord—a civilised Indian, it is true; but, nevertheless, I have preserved sufficient of the sagacity of the race to which I belong to fear no failure in a step which may appear to you very difficult."
"Since it is to be so, Don Diogo, put yourself in the saddle as soon as possible, and go, for heaven's sake. I await your return with most eager impatience."
"Before the rising of the sun I will return, and with good news; but I want you to allow me to conduct the affair in my own way."