"Yes, the opal burns red. And our hearts burn with indignation at the insolence of this man. I swear," cried the President, drawing his sword. "I swear, by my sword, by the Chalchuih Tlatonac, that I shall not sheath this weapon till it has exterminated these traitors, and purified the Republic. Hear me, God!"
"Hear us, God!" And a myriad swords flashed in the air.
"Will I put the offer of the traitor Xuarez to the vote?"
"No, no! War! war!"
Ignatius tried to speak, but he saw that the Junta was unanimous in proclaiming war. His cross fell from his nerveless hands; his head sunk on his breast.
"Holy Mary, have mercy on these misguided men."
He passed out of the hall in dejected silence, and after him swept a whirlwind of men, headed by the President. Outside the Palacio Nacional, a crowd of people were waiting to hear the decision of the Junta. Standing on the marble steps of the palace, Don Francisco caused the standard of the Republic to be unfurled, and waved his bare sword in the air.
"In the name of the Junta! In the name of the free people of the great Republic of Cholacaca, I proclaim war against the traitor Xuarez!"
"War! war! war!" yelled the mob, frantically. "The opal burns red! War! war!"
Then, with one accord, the rabble dashed down to the sea-gate of the city.