The headquarters were first prepared, that is to say, the tent was raised, and the horses hobbled near pickets driven into the ground.
At the moment when the leader proceeded with several peons armed with picks and spades toward the entrance, with the probable intention of marking the exact spot where the trench was to be dug, the capataz approached him obsequiously, and said with a respectful bow—
"Mi amo, I have an important communication to make to you."
His master turned and looked at him with ill-concealed distrust.
"An important communication to make to me?" he repeated.
"Yes, mi amo," the capataz replied with a bow.
"What is it? Speak, but be brief, Carnero, for, as you see, I have no time to lose."
"I hope to gain you time, excellency," the capataz said with a silent smile.
"Ah, ah, what is it?"
"If you will allow me to say two words aside, excellency, you will know at once."