“The Whites must have entered the town and won,” Hi said to the American. “That firing was in the town.”
“It was in the town all right,” the American said.
Hi rose from his seat and began to pace up and down in his excitement. The thought of Carlotta being set free was more than he could bear. The guards lit a couple of candles in a side chapel, peered to see who was walking, and called to Hi to keep still. The town outside was deathly still for some time after the firing had ceased: then all the streets began to ring with the trotting of horses, coming into the city from the direction of the Medinas Gate. They came in at a fast trot on at least three roads, so that the clatter and clink filled the air.
“Here the conquering heroes come,” the Americans said.
“The Whites?”
“It’s the side that’s won anyway, or they wouldn’t come in in order.”
“All the White army is cavalry.”
“Our darned Consuls might get a wiggle on without slopping over into speed.”
“I don’t suppose they know we’re here.”
“It’s their job to know we’re not here.”