Maria, without answering, took the torch, which was burning in a ring against the wall, and illumined the Indian's countenance.
"Tcharanguii!" he exclaimed.
"Yes," she said, "and it was this that killed him." She displayed with savage energy the pistol that she held in her hand.
"Oh!" said Leon, falling on his knees, "Heaven be thanked!"
"Captain, captain!" Wilhelm shouted, as he rushed into the room, "here are the Indians!"
Leon hurried out. The fight had recommenced between his men and the Indians. Day was beginning to break, and discovered an entire army of Indians forming a circle round the hacienda.
"Comrades!" Leon said, in a thundering voice, addressing the smugglers, "we cannot hope to conquer, but we must die like brave men."
"We will!" they replied, with an accent of sublime resignation.
They were only twenty-nine in all, for sixty had been killed in the first two attacks.
"Do not let us waste our powder," Leon added; "but make sure of our aim."