"As you hear," Louis answered with a smile.
"You wished to make a remark," the count asked.
"I have lived in America a very long time. My home has been the desert, and I know the Indians, whom I have learned to rival in craft. If you allow me. I will give you some advice, which, I fancy, may be useful to you under present circumstances."
"By Jove!" the count exclaimed; "pray speak, my dear countryman. Your advice will be very advantageous to us, I feel assured."
At this moment Don Sylva entered the room.
"Ah!" the count continued, "come hither, my friend. We have great need of you. Your knowledge of Indian habits will prove most useful to us."
"What has happened?" the hacendero asked as he bowed courteously to all present.
"We are threatened with an attack from the Apaches."
"Oh, oh! That is serious, my friend. What do you propose doing?"
"I do not know yet. I had given Don Martin orders to scour the neighbourhood; but this gentleman appears to be of a different opinion."