"Take our precautions, voto de Dios! believe me, we are watched; remaining longer here would be the utmost imprudence."
The squatter's sons nodded their assent.
"It is evident," Sutter observed, "that our enemies have discovered our trail."
"And that they will soon be here," Nathan added.
"You hear?" the monk went on.
"Once again I ask, what is to be done?" Red Cedar asked.
"Caspita, be off as speedily as possible."
"Where can we go at this advanced season of the year? The snow will soon cover the ground, and interrupt all communication; if we leave the jacal, we run a risk of dying of hunger."
"Yes, if we remain in the desert," the monk observed, in an insinuating voice.
"Where do you propose going then?" the squatter asked.