Unless, I am greatly mistaken the regiment of Irun, or, at any rate, a squadron of it is on the march hitherward.

If they started at sunrise and rested during the heat of the day, this is about the time the advance-guard would be here.

Having no enemy to fear in these parts, they would naturally break up into small detachments; there has been no rain for weeks, and the dust raised by a large body of horsemen is simply stifling.

However, we may as well go forward to certain death as go back to it.

Besides, I hate going back in any circumstances.