"Good," said the adventurer, rubbing his hands; "let the redskins come now and we will give them the reception they deserve."
Still he did not consider himself sufficiently safe yet behind these natural defences, and, helped by his comrades, he actively began raising a barricade with trees and lumps of rock, so as to form a sort of parapeted wall behind which it was possible to fire without showing themselves.
"Now," he said to the Spaniards, as he calculated the height of the sun, "it is five o'clock. The Indians, who although invisible, have not lost one of our movements, will not attack us before nightfall; that is to say, we have two hours before us to rest and eat our supper. Do not be afraid about lighting a fire; our enemies are perfectly acquainted with our position. Hence, we have no need to hide ourselves. Still, two of you will carefully watch the bank, while two others collect dry wood and cut grass for the horses."
The order was immediately executed. The Canadian then sat down, quietly lit his pipe, and made the count a sign to follow his example.
"Now, señor," he said to him, "you see that every precaution has been made for a vigorous defence."
"Yes," the count kindly replied, "and with a skill and promptness which I cannot sufficiently admire."
"Nonsense, it is only habit. I suppose your soldiers are brave?"
"As lions."
"Very good. Are they good shots?"
"They are far from equalling you, still they possess considerable skill."