"How the devil can you expect me to advise you? Can I tell what is going on here so as to tell you what you must do?" The guide reflected for a minute, then he raised his head, and surveyed the heavens attentively. "Listen," he replied, "it is but two o'clock in the morning." "About that." "You are going back to the grotto?" "Immediately!" "Yes." "Very well. What next?" "You will tell the captain that, if he wishes it, I will deliver the girl up to him this night." "Hum! that appears to me rather difficult." "You are stupid." "Very possibly, but I don't see how." "Attend then. The guarding of the camp is thus distributed:--In the daytime the soldiers guard the intrenchments; but as they are not accustomed to the life of the prairies, and as in the night their assistance would do more harm than good, the other guides and I are charged with the guard whilst the soldiers repose." "That's cleverly managed," Kennedy said, laughing. "Is it not?" the Babbler said. "You get on horseback then? when you arrive at the bottom of the hill, six of the bravest of you must come and join me with their aid I undertake to bind, while they sleep, all the soldiers and the general himself." "There is something in that; that's a good idea." "Don't you think so?" "By my faith do I." "Very well. When once our folks are safely bound, I will whistle, and the captain will come up with the rest of the troop. Then he may arrange his matters with the girl as well as he is able; that is his concern; my task will be accomplished. Now, what do you think of all that?" "Capital!" "In this fashion we shall avoid bloodshed and blows, for which I have no great fancy, when I can do without them." "We know your prudence in that respect." "Zounds! my dear fellow, when we have affairs like this on hand, which, when they succeed, present great advantages, we should always endeavour so to arrange matters as to have all the chances in our favour. "Perfectly well reasoned; besides which, your idea pleases me much, and, without delay, I will put it into execution; but, in the first place, let us make things clear, to avoid misunderstandings, which are always disagreeable." "Very well." "If, as I believe he will, the captain finds your plan good, and very likely to succeed, as soon as we are at the foot of the hill, I will come up with six resolute fellows, whom I will pick out myself. On which side must we introduce ourselves into the camp?" "The devil! why on the side you have already entered: you ought to know it." "And you, where will you be?" "At the spot where you enter, ready to assist you." "That's well. Now all is agreed and understood. You have nothing more to say to me?" "Nothing." "I am off, then." "The sooner the better." "You are always right. Guide me to the place I am to go out at; it is so cursedly dark, that I may lose my way, and tumble over some sleeping soldier, and that would not help our business at all." "Give me your hand."