The black slaves, the half-caste hunters, and the Indian soldiers who composed the caravan, felt, spite of themselves, the magnetic influence of that delicious 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 full of seductive promise; it was in laughing, in singing, and in talking gaily among themselves, that they accomplished the rude task of raising the camp. The marquis alone remained dull and pensive. It was because, scorched by the shameful thirst for gold, his heart concealed a terrible tempest, and remained insensible to the magnificent harmonies of nature which acted so powerfully on the rude but honest organisations of the Indians and Negroes. However, the horses were saddled, the mules were again loaded, the rolled up tents were placed on a waggon drawn by several oxen. Doña Laura had stepped into her palanquin, which was immediately closed upon her. They only waited the order of the marquis to put themselves en route. Don Roque was walking apart, absorbed in his thoughts; he appeared to have forgotten that all was ready for the departure, and that the moment had come to effect the descent of the mountain--to enter the desert. At last the captain ventured to touch him lightly on the arm. "What do you want with me, Don Diogo?" asked Don Roque, drily. "My lord," answered he, "we only await your pleasure to commence the journey." "If it is so, let us set out immediately," answered he, making a movement towards his horse. "Pardon, my lord," pursued the Indian; "before you give orders for the march, I have some important information to submit to you." "To me!" cried the marquis, looking at him with surprise. "To you, my lord," coldly answered the Indian. "Is it a new treason by which I am threatened?" pursued he, with a bitter smile; "And do you wish to abandon me--you also, Don Diogo?" "You are doubly unjust to me, my lord," sharply answered the Indian; "I have no intention of abandoning you." "If I am wrong, which is possible, excuse me, Don Diogo; and let us come to business, I beg you. Time flies." "Some minutes more or less do not matter, my lord; we shall arrive quickly enough where we are going." "What do you wish to say--explain yourself." "What I have already had the honour to say to you this morning, my lord, that not one of us will return from this expedition." The marquis made a gesture of impatience-- "Is it then for you to repeat to me your sinister predictions that you stop me thus?" he cried. "By no means, your Excellency; I do not admit my right either to control your acts or to oppose your plans. I have warned you, that is all. I am now at your orders." "You have not, I hope, whispered a word to anyone of these absurd crotchets which possess your brain?"