"Come forward. We are friends."
The rural turned and called to somebody, and then joining Kit glanced at the sailor's pistol with a dry smile.
"It looks as if I had run some risk. You did not mean to be surprised."
"No," said Kit; "one takes precautions. I came very near being surprised last night."
"So the Galdareros are about? We suspected something like this."
"I suppose it was why you meant to search the hacienda. But did you see us?"
The rural indicated a plume of smoke that curled up from behind the ruined wall.
"We saw that. When one takes precautions it is prudent to see they are complete."
Kit nodded. There was no use in getting angry; his men were rash and careless, but, to some extent, this was why he had chosen them. They had, no doubt, lighted the fire to cook breakfast.
"Where is your companion?" he asked.