When he turned back, Belhumeur had disappeared; the Canadian with his characteristic agility was already running in the direction of Valentine's house. As for the capataz, as he was in no particular hurry, he quietly walked back to the general's, where he found his master in a furious passion with all his people, and more particularly with himself.
By an accident, too portentous not to have been arranged beforehand, not one of his horses could be mounted; three were foundered, four others had been bled, and the last three were without shoes. In the midst of this the capataz arrived with a look of alarm, which only heightened his master's passion. Carnero prudently allowed the general's fury to grow a little calm, and then answered him.
He proved to him in the first place that he would commit a serious act of imprudence by himself starting in pursuit of the fugitives in the present state of affairs, and especially on the eve of a pronunciamiento which was about to decide his fortunes. Then he remarked to him that six peons, commanded by a resolute man, would be sufficient to conquer two men probably badly armed, and, in addition, shut up in a carriage with two ladies, whom they would not expose to the risk of being killed. These reasons being good, the general listened and yielded to them.
"Very good," he said; "Carnero, you are one of my oldest servants, and to you I entrust the duty of bringing back my niece."
The capataz made a wry face.
"There will be probably plenty of blows to receive, and very little profit to derive from such an expedition."
"I believed that you were devoted to me," the general remarked bitterly.
"Your excellency is not mistaken; I am truly devoted to you, but I have also a fondness for my skin."
"I will give you twenty-five ounces for every slit it receives; is that enough?"
"Come, I see that your excellency wishes me to be cut into mincemeat!" the capataz exclaimed joyously.