The Guide of the Desert

trode about his tent, cursing the fate which appeared to dog his steps, and obstinately to destroy his most skilful plans, constantly removing far from him at the moment when he thought to seize it, the rich treasure that

tness to his eye; he tore a page from his pocketbook, wrote some words in haste, and ga

es of purple and gold; the morning breeze gently refreshed the atmosphere, and the

cene, so calm and majestic, which t

cious morning, and appeared to have forgotten their past perils and fatigues to care for nothing but the future, which appeared to them so sweet, and so f

old, his heart concealed a terrible tempest, and remained insensible to the magnificent harmonies

d on a waggon drawn by several oxen. Do?a Laura had stepped into her palanquin, which was imm

have forgotten that all was ready for the departure, and that the mome

ventured to touch hi

th me, Don Diogo?" a

e only await your pleasure

mmediately," answered he, maki

ore you give orders for the march, I have s

marquis, looking at

d," coldly answ

d?" pursued he, with a bitter smile; "And do

d," sharply answered the Indian; "I

xcuse me, Don Diogo; and let us come

matter, my lord; we shall arrive q

ish to say-exp

to you this morning, my lord, that not on

ade a gesture

o me your sinister predictions

either to control your acts or to oppose your plans. I

word to anyone of these absurd cr

ldiers placed under my orders know as well as I do what awaits them in the desert. As to your slaves, what use would it be to f

s eyebrows, and crosse

voice, but nevertheless, with trembled em

g better, you

time flies, an hour ago we oug

h an embarrassed air, but appearing al

traversed civilised countries, or nearly so, where we have only had to contend agai

el

are about, in a few minutes, to en

with these interminable pr

e ignorance of life in the desert. I believe then, with all due respect to you, my lord, that it would be well for you to permit me to take

ilent; his eyes fixed on the calm a

very side; the men on whom I thought I had the most right to count have been the first to abandon me; you

a are all tried men, chosen with the greatest care, and since the formation of this corps there has never been found a traitor in it. I do not say this for myself,

ngs have been in good faith; yo

o the knowledge acquired in civilised life, and not by that

pe

a few leagues only from the Indian enemies,

murmured the m

, your Excellency; now,

not sa

e now are-to leave with my soldiers, and believe me, your Excellency, you would be as

captain's reason struck him to the heart, showing him his own powerlessness, and the great devo

own way, without even consulting me, if you think necessary. I swear to you, on my word of honour as a gentleman, that I w

life to sacrifice for you, my

e of that, my friend,

irst, will you inform me in what

f a little lake which lies in the

iving there, all the country of the Guaycurus and the Payagoas; then we shall pass t

that Malco Diaz made us

doned you shows that he had the greatest interest in bri

is t

ease to mount horse, we will

," answered

do?a Laura was shut up, whilst the captain rejoin

e right side of the palanquin, and

said he, "do

the young girl, althoug

e for a few minutes?"

for me to do other

y letter this mornin

ve re

you, Se

t thanks which

hat re

t in the least influenced m

made a gestu

accept my

N

a terrible dange

may be, if it delivers me from

ur last wor

e l

obstinacy

ny case it ave

th that you a

nearly passed. Spare me then, Se?or, speaking anymore to me, for I shall not

the mountain, the path narrowed more and more, and

ou," cried the m

laughter. Don Roque made a last gesture of menace

rangements for the march the qualities bo

had been placed in advance by him, and on the flanks of the caravan, under orders

mpact troop, advanced, fusil on thigh and fin

aves formed

men in all, of whom about forty-five were resolute fellows, for a long time accustomed to track the desert, and who could

its track cleared right and left by the s

the desert, the landscape changed, and

, and the descent

Diogo, and touching him

ot seen a living soul. Believe me, captain, the threats made by the Ind

ord?" said the Indian. "Do yo

nd everything, it appears to

ency, for I certify to you that the Guaycurus have a

n attack?" sai

aps, immediately, bu

on the par

rt of the Guayc

ng. On what do you b

ose, your Exce

, you

me, for before a quarter of an hour the m

! That

s arm in a certain direction; "do you see that gra

see it

is movement is only partial, and

t what does

ncy, that an Indian is com

are jesting

rld, my lord; you will s

believe it w

aptain, hiding a smile, "bel

cent horse, suddenly emerged from the high grass, and boldly reined up across t

," cried the marquis,

that," said

an enemy?" purs

ellency; but at this m

u are jesting with me withou

let us hear what this

l it be?" said

ow the projects of tho

tant, then placing his carbi

tter allow him to explain himself. Who kno

aughing; "but, in any case, if you will perm

iogo; I am curious t

down his tromblon, his sabre, and his knife

owards him; "what, do you abandon your ar

isdain, and, holding back the marquis's horse by

at that man is wit

surprise, and stopped; he had