"¡Caray! I do not know what I would give to know who are these demons."
"They are part of the squadron of Don Zeno Cabral I even believe that he is among them."
"So much the better!" said the Montonero, with rage; "I shall perhaps have my revenge."
"Do you intend to fight these people?"
"Pardieu! Do you think that I will allow myself to be shot from behind, like a cowardly dog?"
"I do not say that; but it appears to me that we can redouble our pace."
"What good will that be? Do you not see that these fellows have with them a fresh recua, and that they will still overtake us? We had better anticipate them."
"As affairs stand, I believe, with you, that that will be best," said Emile, who feared that the Montonero might suppose he was afraid.
"Good!" answered Don Santiago, "You are a man! Let me act."
Then, without anyone foreseeing what was his intention, he made his horse suddenly dart off, and dashed at full speed to the front of the patriots.