After having more substantially repeated his message, Don Cornelio was
conducted by the Colonel to his quarters, and shown the apartment in
which he was to sleep.

It only remained for him to seek the few hours' rest that would
intervene before daybreak--the hour fixed for the decisive battle which
was to take place. Wrapped in his cloak, he flung himself upon the
wooden bench that served for a bed--vowing to himself as he fell asleep
to attempt no heroic deeds on the following day, beyond those which were
rigorously necessary for the defence of his own person.

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.

THE MORN OF THE BATTLE.

Not until several hours after the arrival of Don Cornelio did the
insurgent Colonel warn his troops of the coming event. Then they were
instructed to be ready at the first dawn of day, for a sortie against
the Royalist camp--which at the same instant of time was to be attacked
by Morelos on the opposite side.

While the shadows of night were still hanging above the beleaguered
town, a singular noise was heard proceeding from the Piazza. It
resembled the creaking of a watchman's rattle, or rather half-a-dozen of
these instruments that had been sprung together. Such in reality it
was: for since the church bells had been converted into cannon, the
rattles of the _serenos_ had been substituted as a means by which to
summon the inhabitants to prayers!

According to the monastic regulation, which Trujano had imposed upon the
besieged, they were each day called together to _oration_. On this
morning, however, their reunion was earlier than usual: since it had for
its object not only the ordinary prayers, but preparation for the combat
that was to decide the issue of a long and irksome siege.

At the same hour the Royalist camp was aroused by the beating of drums
and bugles sounding the _reveille_; while behind the chain of hills that
bounded the plain Morelos was silently setting his army in motion.

In a few minutes the Piazza of Huajapam was filled with citizens and
soldiers, all armed for the fight. They stood in silent groups,
awaiting the prayer that would endue them with the necessary energy and
enthusiasm. The horsemen were dismounted--each man standing by the head
of his horse, and in the order in which they were accustomed to range
themselves.

Trujano appeared in his turn, his countenance solemn, yet smiling, with
confidence in his heart as upon his lips. He was armed, according to
his cus