"Not at this moment. We have not come here to discuss politics, but our own affairs. Let us proceed regularly. We shall always have time enough to return to politics."
"That is true; but answer me one question first."
"What is it?"
"Is the news you have to tell me really serious?"
The Jaguar frowned and stamped his foot on the ground with suppressed violence.
"Extremely serious," he said.
There was a moment's silence; at length the young man walked up to the Colonel and laid his hand on his shoulder.
"Don Juan," he said to him in a kindly voice, "listen to me for a moment."
"Speak, my friend."
"Don Juan," he continued, "why do you so obstinately defend a lost cause? Why shed your generous blood in the service of tyranny? Texas wishes to be free, and will be so! Count the capable men who serve in your ranks; with the exception of two, perhaps three, there is not another you can mention: Mexico, exhausted by the revolutions which incessantly overthrow it, has at its disposal neither men nor money enough to assume a vigorous offensive: the very name of Mexican is odious to the Texans. On all sides the people are rebelling against you; it is a constantly rising tide, which breaks down every dyke. You are surrounded: within a month your army will be disgracefully expelled from our territory. Reflect, my friend, for there is yet time; return your sword to its scabbard, and leave fate to accomplish its task."