"Who goes there?" a powerful voice shouted in French from behind the battery.
"Well, what do you think of it now?" the count said to the hacendero.
"It is perfectly wonderful," rejoined the latter.
"Friends," the count answered. "Lhorailles and freedom!"
"All right—open," the voice commanded. "They are friends. Would that we often received such visitors!"
The peons lowered the drawbridge (the only passage by which the hacienda could be entered), the caravan passed over and the drawbridge was immediately raised after them.
"You will excuse me, captain," Martin Leroux said, respectfully approaching the count, "but, although I recognised you, we live in a country where, I think, too great prudence cannot be exercised."
"You have done your duty, lieutenant, and I can only thank you for it. Have you any news?"
"Not much. A troop of horse I sent out into the plain discovered a deserted fire. I fancy the Indians are prowling round us."
"We will be on our guard."