“Send me a sergeant and a file of soldiers,” ordered Don Rafael. “I have decided not to wait until daylight. The execution will take place at once in the patio.”
“It has come!” said Donald aside to Adrian. “Be brave!”
Silently they once more clasped hands, and awaited the coming of the soldiers, while Don Rafael eyed them savagely.
“I’ll teach you,” he exclaimed, “to interfere with my plans. It will serve as a lesson to other Americans!”
Then, as the tramp of feet was heard on the stone pavement without: “Here they come! Now, then, get ready,” and he stepped aside, so as not to obstruct the doorway.
The boys threw back their shoulders, and looked the man squarely in the face. His eyes fell before their honest gaze, and he turned his head with a muttered oath.
At the same moment there was a crash of rifles, which seemed at the very door, and the sergeant, who had just appeared in the doorway, fell with a groan.
“Caramba! What is it?” yelled Don Rafael.
He dashed across the room toward the door, as a hearty American “Hurrah!” followed by a regular cowboy yell was heard without.
At the sound Don Rafael turned as white as his dusky color would permit. He drew his revolver from his holster, and backed slowly into the room, with his eye fastened upon the doorway.