The poor devils shook their heads in despair. Terror had deprived them of all energy, and they were incapable of organizing the least resistance.
The shouting of the soldiery was heard on every side, as they excited each other in their human chase; and each moment, wretches who had been hunted up from all corners, rushed in to seek a precarious refuge in the room whence they had escaped a few minutes previously.
Don Torribio, almost certain that he had driven all his game into the net, signalled to his soldiers to leave off, and ordered them to enter the rancho.
All of a sudden the galloping of several horses was heard; six cavaliers rode fiercely up, and ranged themselves in battle array before the door of the house.
The lieutenant started when he saw them, went to his horse, and made as if he would mount.
"Who are you, caballeros?" said he in menacing tones; "And how dare you dispute my passage?"
"You shall soon know, Don Torribio the Butcher," said a voice, whose mocking accent made the lieutenant turn pale.