"Look there!" cried he enthusiastically, pointing to the morning star; "Look there! Your Father is smiling upon your deeds! Forwards! Forwards!"
"Forwards!" repeated the redskins, advancing with fresh fury.
But the major knew this horrible struggle could not last much longer. The redskins had carried all the barricades; the town swarmed with them. The Mexicans disputed it house by house, only leaving one to throw themselves into another when dislodged by main force. The redskins formed into a solid mass, led by Don Torribio, charged up the steep street leading to the old presidio and the fort which commands it. In spite of the ravages caused in their ranks by the grape from the guns of the fort, they advanced without wavering; for they saw, after each of the discharges which showered death amongst them, the Tigercat ten paces in advance, bestriding his black charger, and brandishing the totem, with Don Torribio at his side waving his sword.
"Come," said the major gravely to Don Estevan; "the time has arrived to execute the orders I gave you."
"You insist upon them, major?" replied the latter.
"I do Estevan."
"Enough, major; they shall not say I disobeyed your last orders. Farewell! Or rather, may we soon meet in heaven; for I shall fall as well as you."
"¿Quién sabe? Farewell, farewell!"
"Let us still hope," answered the mayor domo in a stifled voice.
The two men silently clasped each other's hands in a final pressure; for they knew that, without a miracle, they should never meet again.