The Spaniards remained motionless at the place where they first stopped, and they allowed to defile before them, without making the least hostile movement, the little troop, at the head of which walked side by side the two Frenchmen. When they passed before him, the captain exchanged a courteous salute with them, and then he gave his troop the order to depart. It darted off at a gallop, and before long had disappeared in the meandering of the track. "You have been more fortunate than wise," said M. Dubois, to his young companion, when they had crossed the river, and had made the distance between them and the Spaniards rather considerable. "Why so?" asked the painter, with surprise. "Why, because you have risked being killed." "My dear sir, in the country where we now are, we continually run the risk of being killed. In leaving France, I have made a complete abnegation of my life, persuaded that I shall never again see my country. I therefore consider every moment which passes without bringing me misfortune as a favour done me by Providence; so that, my mind being made up, I do not attach the least value to an existence which at any moment can be taken from me under the first pretext that turns up, and even, if need be, under the very slightest provocation." "You have a rather strange philosophy." "What can you expect? With the patriots, the royalists, the bandits, the Indians, and the wild animals that infest this country--blessed by Heaven as it is--it would be, in my opinion, folly to reckon on more than four-and-twenty hours of existence, and to form projects for the future." M. Dubois burst out laughing. "Nevertheless," said he, "it is necessary for us to think a little of the future just now, if it be but to choose the place where we shall camp for the night." "Do not let that disquiet you. Have I not said that I would conduct you to my house." "You have proposed it to me, it is true, but I do not know if I ought to accept your hospitality." "It will be modest, for I am not rich--far from it; but you may depend it will be cordial." "But the embarrassment that so great a number of guests will occasion you--" "You are jesting, Monsieur, or you know very little of Spanish customs. Your people will not cause me any embarrassment." "Since it is so, then, I accept without further ceremony, so as to pass a few hours more in your charming company." "Bravo; that is agreed," gaily said the young man; "now, if you will permit me, I will be your guide; for without my assistance, it would be very difficult to find my habitation." The painter then, in fact, assumed the superintendence of the caravan, and, turning it to the left, he led it by the tracks of wild animals, scarcely perceptible in the grass, to the summit of a gently rising hill, which commanded a view of the plain to a great distance. It was crowned by several buildings, the extent and importance of which the darkness prevented the travellers from deciding.