Francisco smiled at the guard and said, "Do not concern yourself. My servants are following. I have learned my lesson—last time, I was far too lax with them. Since then, they have taken it upon themselves to be more vigilant. Look—there, behind us."
He gestured toward the rear, where two of his servants rode on horseback, muskets slung across their backs.
The guard followed his gaze and nodded, visibly relieved. "That is well. Still, you should remain cautious. We have heard that those behind the last incident were…" He glanced about, lowering his voice. "…the British."
Straightening again, he resumed in a normal tone, "And as you know, they are not inclined to surrender or abandon their pursuits."
