"Your hand, caballero; and now a word."
"Speak."
"Take care of the persons in whom you place confidence."
"Explain yourself."
"I can say no more, or I should be a traitor myself."
"Oh, ever, ever the same treachery!" the count muttered, growing thoughtful.
"And now farewell, caballero. If I am forbidden to wish the success of your plans, at least I will do nothing against them; and if you do not see me among the ranks of your friends, I shall not be in those of your enemies."
The old captain bounded into his seat, made his horse perform a few graceful curvets, and after bowing to the company, started at a gallop.
The remainder of the day was one continued festival. The count had succeeded: his generous conduct to the prisoners bore its fruits. The French adventurers had risen enormously in the opinion of the Sonorians. The count had already acquired a great influence in the country, and several persons began to prognosticate a successful issue for the expedition.
At nightfall Don Louis convoked all the chiefs of the army to a secret council of war. By a providential accident, the count, who would doubtlessly have permitted Don Cornelio to be present at the council, owing to the confidence he placed in him, had sent that gentleman to La Magdalena to buy several horses he required. This commission, by preventing the Spaniard's presence at the council, insured its secrecy.