They! He could not doubt it: before his eyes were the first Uhlans! For some time they remained motionless, as though exploring the horizon.
Then, from the obscure masses of vegetation that bordered the roadside, others and still others came sallying forth in groups.

The little tin soldiers no longer were showing their silhouettes against the horizon's blue; the whiteness of the highway was now making their background, ascending behind their heads.

They came slowly down, like a band that fears ambush, examining carefully everything around.
The advisability of prompt retirement made Don Marcelo bring his investigations to a close.

It would be most disastrous for him if they surprised him here.

But on lowering his glasses something extraordinary passed across his field of vision.