"What shall we do, then?" the count asked with some hesitation.
"Return to the colony," the capataz replied. "I see no other means."
"Shall we abandon Don Sylva and his daughter?"
Blas Vasquez frowned. He replied in a solemn voice, and with much emotion,—
"Excellency, I was born on the estate of the Torrés family. No one is more devoted, body and soul, than I am to the persons whose names you have pronounced; but no one is bound to attempt impossibilities. It would be tempting God to enter the desert in our present state. We have no right to calculate on a miracle, and that alone could bring us back here safe and sound."
There was a moment's silence. These words produced on the count's mind an impression which he tried in vain to master. The lepero guessed his hesitation, and approached.
"Why," he said in a crafty voice, "did you not tell me that you needed a guide, señor conde?"
"What good would that do?"
"In fact, that is true; it was not worth the trouble, as I promised to conduct you to Don Sylva. You have doubtlessly forgotten that?"
"You know the road, then?"