And Don Servando's janizaries, though very certain of victory, began to grow impatient, and to assail Miguel, who, in his turn, was still more vexed by their innuendos, and felt the most savage inclination to say something impudent in their faces.
One afternoon, when they were as usual drinking beer in Don Servando's office, they heard the sound of a bomb exploding in the air. They suddenly became solemn and silent with their ears pricked up. In a moment another was heard, and some one present said:—
"They are rockets!"
"Rockets at this time of day?"
And the seven or eight men present looked at each other in amazement and no little alarm, for the two factions lived in perpetual excitement.
"Is there any special celebration at church to-morrow?"
"No, sir."
"Suppose one of you go out and investigate...."
Two men left the room, and returning in a few moments pale and excited, said, with trembling voices:—
"The rockets are being sent up from the balcony of the Casona."