Brevoort had no need to strike again.
"You go see if the horses are saddled. I'll watch the door," said Brevoort.
Arguilla was awakened from a heavy sleep by the sound of a shot and the shrill yelp of one of his men. A soldier entered and saluted. "The Americans have gone," he reported.
Arguilla's bloated face went from red to purple, and he reached for his gun which lay on the chair near his bed. But the lieutenant who had reported the escape faced his chief fearlessly.
Arguilla hesitated. "Who guarded them?" he asked hoarsely.
The lieutenant named the men.
"Take them out and shoot them—at once."
"But, Señor Comandante, they may not stand. The Americans have beaten them so that they are as dead."
"Then shoot them where they lay—which will be easier to do."