"True, but Nature does not work blindly, she knows what will be the result of the storms she sends upon us. Do you know, Carlos, what will be the result of the storm you would fain raise amongst us?"
"I do. The result will be the birth of a great nation."
"If the nation is to be, it is born already, but it is not yet strong enough to walk alone."
"And therefore requires assistance," said Evaña.
"We shall know before long what sort of assistance we may expect from your friends the English. I was awakened an hour ago by their trampling along the street; they do not treat us very much like friends."
"Some patrol, I suppose."
"No patrol at all, but an expedition."
"A reconnaissance, probably, into the suburbs."
"A reconnoitring party would not take guns with them."
"Guns!" said Evaña, with an involuntary shudder of apprehension; "what direction did they take?"