On seeing the band from afar, the multitude was stirred tempestuously, and there arose a dull, universal clamor:—
"There they are now! There they are now!"—"I was told that they intended to assassinate all the liberals of Nieva last night."—"Ah! the rascals! Fortunate they fell beforehand into the trap!"
"They must be undeceived," declared a fat and highly-colored caballero, with a good-natured face; "all the Carlists are either rascals or fools. I would not employ any other means with them than extermination.... Fire and sword!"
"Let us sing them El trágala when they pass," said a ragged lad to two other swells accompanying him.
The people pressed close as the band approached, those who could finding standing-room on the street-walls and the trees along the way. On seeing the wounded, and learning through the curt account of some soldier about the incident of Don César, the inquisitive citizens felt justified in manifesting their indignation, and though at first they contented themselves with giving each other the benefit of their hostile thoughts, finally they began to belch forth against the prisoners furious insults, apostrophizing them in loud tones, as though they had all received from their hands some wrong. Thus they continued escorting them through the streets of the city, their fury and indignation ever on the increase, until words were not enough to satisfy them. The prisoners marched with sunken heads and flushed faces.
"Oh, you hypocrites! saint-killers!" shouted one at them; "may the day soon come when we shall see you strung up!"
"See how those cursed rascals[65] hang their heads! If they had us in their fists the meanest of them would be happier."
"Now cry 'Long live Carlos Seventh,' you rubbish!" But the popular fury was most madly excited against Maria. Neither her youth, nor her beauty, nor her weakness, served to spare her from ferocious, filthy insults.
"Who is that woman with 'em? They say she's a saint."—"Yes, a saint, but she's a loose character!"—"See here, wench, if you are hunting for a husband, you'll find one here!"—"That one needs a few dozen lashes!"—"See what hypocritical eyes the harridan[66] has!"
It is easy to appreciate the state of disturbance, wrath, anguish, and excitement which overmastered Don Mariano Elorza, at being obliged to listen to these rude remarks. In his impotent rage he bit his hands and stopped his ears, fearing that his blood would boil over and lead him to do something endangering his daughter's life.