After pronouncing these words he folded his arms on his chest, and boldly surveyed his auditors. In spite of themselves the adventurers felt moved by a species of admiration for the savage resolution of this man, with his feline and crafty manner, who had suddenly revealed himself in so different a light from that in which they had hitherto known him. In speaking with such brutal frankness the bandit had, as it were, raised himself in the eyes of all. His roguery appeared less vile; he inspired a sort of sympathy in these brave men, for whom courage and virtue are the first two virtues.
"Then you do not even try to defend yourself?" Don Louis said sorrowfully.
"Defend myself," he said in amazement, "for having acted as I thought it my duty to do, and as I should act again if you were such fools as to pardon me! Come, caballeros, that is not common sense. Besides, if I defended myself, I should to a certain extent recognise the competency of your tribunal, and I absolutely deny it; so, believe me, you had better finish with me—the sooner the better, both for you and me."
The count rose, took off his hat, and, addressing the adventurers, said in a solemn voice,—
"Friends and comrades, on your soul and conscience, is this man guilty?"
"Yes!" the adventurers answered in a hollow voice.
"What punishment has this man merited?" the count continued.
"Death!" the adventurers replied simultaneously.
The count then turned to the colonel.
"Don Francisco Florés, otherwise called El Garrucholo, you are condemned to the penalty of death."