property. You may therefore return to General Echague and inform him
that we have placed the estate in a condition of defence; that we are
prepared to resist attack to the last gasp; and that if he is ill-
advised enough to persist in his attempt at destruction, he, and he
only, will be responsible for the bloodshed that must ensue."

"It is well, Senor," answered the officer; "I will tell the General what
you say. And you, in turn, may inform Senor Montijo that if he persists
in his mad resolve to resist us, his blood and that of every soul who
takes part with him will be on his own head: for General Echague is in
no mood to deal leniently with rebels; when he turns his back upon you a
few hours hence the estate will be a blackened, fire-scorched waste, and
every man, woman, and child upon it will have been put to the sword!"

And, wheeling his horse, with a swaggering show of contemptuous
indifference to possible danger he rode slowly away.

Jack watched the party until it had returned to the camp, and the
officer in command had made his report; and then, seeing that the
Spanish troops were to be allowed to get breakfast before being led to
the attack, he dispatched Calderon--who had undertaken to perform the
duties of galloper--to Carlos with a message to the effect that no
immediate attack was to be expected. Then, having posted sentries and
given his own contingent instructions to get their breakfast at once,
where they were, he mounted his horse and galloped up to the house to
snatch the meal which he knew would by this time be ready for him. It
was a hurried meal, of course, but it was none the less welcome on that
account, and it imparted that feeling of refreshment and vigour which is
so comforting to a man who is about to engage in a possibly long and
arduous fight; while it also afforded him the opportunity to personally
acquaint Don Hermoso and Carlos--who also presently came in--with the
details of what had passed between him and the Spanish officer.

Then, having fortified himself with food, Jack returned to his post, to
find his negro forces busily discussing their own breakfast, which they
finished nearly half an hour before there was any sign of movement in
the Spanish camp. At length, however, the blare of bugles and the
rattle of drums gave intimation that a movement of some sort was
impending; and presently the troops were seen to be mustering under
arms. They consisted, as Jack soon saw, m