However, if you and Carmen like to go and have a look you may." Carmen was nothing loath, and two hours before sunset we saddled our horses and set out.

I could speak more freely to him than to any of the others, and as we rode on I remarked how carelessly the camp was guarded.
There were no proper outposts, and instead of being kept out of sight in the _quebrado_, the men were allowed to come and go as they liked.

Nothing would be easier than for a treacherous soldier to desert and give information to the enemy which might not only ruin the expedition but bring destruction on the army.
"No, no, Fortescue, I cannot agree to that.

There are no traitors among us," said my companion, warmly.
"I hope not.

Yet how can you guarantee that among two or three thousand men there is not a single rascal! In war, you should leave nothing to chance.