"Thank you once more, master. Oh! Make your mind easy; you shall never repent the kindness that you have shown me."
"I know it well; therefore, I am easy. Go, and you have but to try and reassure me."
"Come," said the Montonero, reappearing; "all is ready; we only wait for you; as to the horses—"
"I will take care of that," answered Tyro.
They then went to the gallery; the horses of the young man were not in the stable which had been assigned to them, but he did not disquiet himself on that account.
They soon came out into the midst of the underwood, where, the night before, the Spaniards and the patriots had waged so furious a battle. A numerous troop of horsemen was stationed motionless and silent before the entrance of the cavern.
The Guaraní had taken precautions; when the Montonero came out into the open air, he immediately found the gaucho, holding several horses by the bridle.
"Here are your horses, ladies," said he, addressing them; "here are two coursers of very sure and swift pace."
The marchioness thanked him. The Indian fastened behind the horses the valises that she had given him, and then assisted the mother and the daughter to place themselves in the saddles.
Emile, the Montonero, and the gaucho were already mounted.