"Yes, I. Unfortunate persons have been confided to our guard and our honour. I am but a man; my life is of but little consequence for the defence of the town. I am old, colonel, and will try to save the inhabitants of Carmen."
The governor suppressed a sigh, and affectionately shook his old friend's hand.
"Go," he said with considerable emotion, "and may Heaven protect you!"
"Thanks," Major Bloomfield answered.
[CHAPTER XV.]
A BRAVE RESOLVE.
On leaving Carmen, Pedrito felt a recollection of his sister aroused in his mind, and in order to warn Don Valentine Cardoso of the invasion of the Indians, he started at a gallop for the estancia, which, thanks to the speed of the fresh horse the governor had given him, he reached without a check. All was quiet at San Julian, and the sentry watching in the mirador had perceived nothing alarming in the distance.
Patito, in the capitaz' absence, was on guard at the battery, like a faithful watchdog.
"Where is Don Blas?" the bombero asked.