"Hence, under the present circumstances?"
"I should turn back without shame, and be off to Coahuila at the same pace at which I started, that is, a gallop; that is what I should do. I can understand that you would act differently."
"Ah!" the general said, giving him a piercing glance, "For what reason?"
"Nonsense, General, you are making fun of me; for you know as well as I do. Come, have me shot, and let us have an end of it."
"I shall not have you shot," he answered; "for, traitor or no, you have spoken to me like an honest man. Go where you please; you are free."
The Canadian felt involuntarily affected by this remark.
"Thanks, General. Now take my advice, and do not push on."
"Does danger really exist?"
"I cannot tell you; still, I confess that I have a bad opinion of that black large hole I see over there; it seems to me to contain a storm."
"Yes, I feel that I ought to follow your advice, but unhappily I cannot do so. The troops of the king, my master, must not appear to recoil before such miserable foes; for it would be giving these scoundrels an importance which they do not possess."