Of course, the soldiers who assisted would be aware of it, but they would not venture to speak, and it is only I and your men and my servant who have still to be silenced.
"I tell you this, in order that you may impress upon the men the necessity for the greatest vigilance, such as they would use if travelling through an enemy's country.

Messengers were, I hear, sent off yesterday evening in various directions, and I have no doubt that these were to the various contractors concerned in the plot, urging upon them the necessity of preventing the news from reaching Madrid; and perhaps to some of the robber bands in the sierra.

Therefore, instead of keeping the main road up the valley, we will ride by country tracks and avoid all large towns.

We will not put up anywhere, but will bivouac in the open.

In this way I hope that we shall yet avoid any parties of men who may be lying in wait for us.
"The most dangerous part of the journey will, of course, be the passage of the mountains.