The general looked after him as long as he could perceive him; then he passed his hand across his careful brow, murmuring,—
"Brave boy! excellent nature!"
"Is he not, uncle?" Doña Luz replied, who had approached and listened without being seen.
"Ah! were you there, dear child?" he said, with a smile, which he endeavoured in vain to render cheerful.
"Yes, dear uncle, I have heard all."
"That is well, dear little one," the general said, with an effort; "but this is not the time to give way to feeling. I must think of your safety. Do not remain here longer; come with me; an Indian bullet might easily reach you here."
Taking her by the hand, he led her affectionately to the tent.
After leading her in, he gave her a kiss upon her brow, advised her not to go out again, and returned to the intrenchments, where he set himself to watch with the greatest care what was going on in the plain; calculating the while, mentally, the time that had passed since the departure of the doctor, and feeling astonished at not seeing him return.
"He must have fallen in with the Indians," he said; "I only hope they have not killed him."
Captain Aguilar was an intrepid soldier, trained in the incessant wars of Mexico; he knew how to unite prudence with courage.