“And you came to tell me—”
“Yes, and it was a risky task. What with your enemies and your friends,” he added meaningly, “I wonder that I am alive.”
“Forgive me!” cried Don Ramon. “I had been looking upon you as one who had forsaken me in my distress. But yes, you are right; I am in danger, but still alive. Surely you have no worse news?”
“Yes, the worst.”
“Well, tell me; I can bear anything now.”
“You have beaten Villarayo off twice to-day.”
“Yes, with the help of my friends,” said the Don, turning in a courtly way towards the English party. “And you have come to warn me that they are just going to make another attack?”
“They are, but not yet. I have been with them at the risk of my life, and I know that the men were so horribly discouraged by their losses that they refused to attack again, and threatened to break up and return to their homes; but at last Villarayo has prevailed upon them to stay, and messengers went hours ago along the passes to Velova.”
“Yes; what for?”
“With instructions that every fighting man from the fort and the earthworks facing the sea, is to be withdrawn, and come through the mountains to Villarayo’s help. They will be here some time to-morrow, and you must be overwhelmed, or flee at once.”