The peon obeyed with the passive resignation of a good servant, and after a few efforts a rather large block started and fell to the ground.
"Very good," the count said; "go on; now this one." A second stone, larger than the first, fell, and revealed the entrance of a cave.
"Now," the count continued, "enlarge the passage."
"By heavens!" the Canadian exclaimed, "That is prodigious, and we can pass through, horses and all."
"Of course. Do you not know that all the haciendas of any size in this country were built by the first conquistadors of the country, who, being daily exposed to the attacks of the Indians, were obliged to dig passages of this nature, which allowed them, in the event of a siege, to procure provisions, or call in the aid of their friends and allies?"
"And you are not afraid to show this passage to me?" the Canadian said, in wonderment.
"Why should I be afraid? I repeat, that you are a friend, and that I have faith in you."
"That is true," the Canadian replied; "but, no matter," he added, with a shake of his head, "you have run a tremendous risk."
"Nonsense," the count continued, with a careless shrug of the shoulder. "With you?"
While they were conversing, Diego López and his comrades had worked so well that the entrance was now wide enough for the little band to pass.