"And now, sir, as we are already indebted to you for such good advice, complete your task. In my place, what would you do?"
"My advice is as follows," Louis answered seriously. "The Apaches will attack you for certain reasons I know, and which it is unnecessary to tell you. They make a point of honour of the success of that attack. Hence intrench yourselves here as well as you can. You have a considerable garrison composed of tried men; consequently, nearly all the chances are in your favour."
"I have one hundred and seventy resolute Frenchmen, who have all been soldiers."
"Behind good walls, and well armed, they are more than you want."
"Without counting forty peons, accustomed to pursuing the Indians, and whom I brought with me," Don Sylva remarked.
"Are those men here at this moment?" Louis asked sharply.
"Yes, sir."
"Oh! That simplifies the question materially. If you will believe me, the Indians have now everything to fear instead of you."
"Explain."
"It is evident that you will be attacked from the river. Perhaps, in order to divide your forces, the Indians will make a feigned attack from the side of the isthmus; but that point is too strongly defended for them to attempt to carry it. I repeat, then, all the enemy's efforts will be directed on the side of the river."