"Do you think Peter will go?" said Jack, doubtfully.
"Of course he will," said Tim, promptly. "The little man's of no use here. I'll make him Queen's messenger for once in his life."
"Hallo!" cried Philip, at this moment, "there's old Cocom making signs. Ola, Cocom!"
The old Indian, who was hobbling on the other side of the street, came over to them with an excited look on his usually immobile face.
"Carambo, Señores! the news. The terrible news!"
"What is it?" cried the three Englishmen simultaneously.
"Chichimec has fallen!"
Jack uttered an ejaculation of rage, and darted off to the gate, followed by Tim and Philip. They found an excited throng of people talking wildly together. Don Sebastian was just under the archway, with his glasses to his eyes, looking towards the plains beyond.
"Is the news true of Chichimec's fall?" asked Jack pushing his way through the crowd.
Don Sebastian turned slowly with a grave bow, and handed Jack the glasses.