While conversing thus the general and the Canadian reached the ford where Sotavento had escaped that morning. The column halted for a moment; for about two leagues on the other side of the river ran a chain of lofty, wooded mountains, while an enormous barranca yawned in the centre of this range, and formed a narrow defile--the only place by which the Spanish troops could pass to continue their march. The general examined with growing anxiety the gloomy landscape spread out before him. All around was silent and desolate. In vain did the general survey the plain through his telescope; he could see nothing but trees growing very close together, through which it seemed almost impossible to force a passage. The canyon or barranca began just opposite the ford, and there was no doubt but that the Mexican army had followed this, the sole practicable road, for the traces of its passage were deeply marked in the ground. The general frowned, and looked suspiciously at the hunter; the latter, who had fallen behind to tighten his girths, went up to him. "I understand--" he said to him. "What do you understand?" "Why, that you suspect me, General." "And suppose I did, what then?" "You would be wrong." "Why so?" "For a hundred reasons." "Tell me one of them." "For what purpose should I have led you into a trap?" "To betray me, ¡viva Cristo! If, as I suppose, you belong to the Mexican army." "I do belong to that army," the hunter replied coolly; "but what does that prove?" "What it proves?" the general exclaimed furiously, "That you are a spy, and that I shall have you shot." "That is not answering, General, but knocking a man down." "Be it so; recommend your soul to God." "A man like myself is ever ready to appear before Him. Could you say the same?" The general stamped his foot furiously. "But give me a reason, at least," he said. "I did give you one; but you would not accept it." "Seek another." "Well, if you wish to argue the matter, I am quite agreeable," the hunter, who still quiet, calm, and straightforward, continued. "What has occurred between us? I informed you that the Mexicans had abandoned their camp, leaving their train behind. Was that false? No; it was true, and I told you nothing else. You resolved to set out in pursuit of the insurgents, and instead of urging you on to do so, I recommended you to remain at Coahuila. Is that like a traitor? I do not think so. You insisted on my following you, and I obeyed. My part was entirely restricted to that, I think you will allow, General? Now that you find yourself in front of a defile in which you are afraid of being attacked, you turn upon me. Is that fair? I fancy that if you are really afraid of falling into an ambuscade, there is one very easy thing to do." "What is it?" "Why, turn back and reach Coahuila again as quickly as possible; if the Mexicans wished to lay a trap for you, they will be caught in it themselves, as they leave their guns and ammunition in your hands."