"You may be right, my good friend; but who will be fool enough to risk his life among these lawless bandits?"
"I, if you will permit me," answered the major.
"You!" cried Don José, in astonishment.
"Yes; is it not our duty to suffer no means to escape us by which we may save the wretched people confided to our honour? I am only one man; my life is of little importance to the defence of the presidio, and the step I am about to take may save it."
The colonel stifled a sigh, pressed his old friend's hand affectionately, and exclaimed, in a voice half choked with the emotion he vainly endeavoured to suppress:
"Go, since you insist upon it."
"Thanks," said the major joyfully. And he turned with a firm step in the direction of the barricade.