Roderic had good intentions, and was not to be thwarted by such minor disturbances.
This must be looked upon only as an incident, one of those petty affairs which, when grasped in the general run of events are to be throttled and cast aside.
He continued his movement as unconcernedly as though it were a private instead of a public exhibition, which feature was one of the strongest points in Owen's general make up.
Several of the soldiers seemed to have some common sense about them, or at least found inspiration in the action led by Julio, for they too made a forward movement, intending to clutch hold of Roderic's swaying body ere he could snatch it out of their reach.
That they were unsuccessful in this endeavor was not so much their fault as their misfortune, since no one could doubt the hearty enthusiasm with which they meant to pull the Yankee's leg, an undertaking in general at which Spanish regulars are usually proficient, especially those who have attained officer's rank.
The girl came between them and their intended victim—she had saved one Yankee from barbarous treatment at the hands of her people, and having thus entered the field as a champion of the oppressed, considered that she might as well continue her labors.
Of course she could not effectually bar the enthusiastic rush of the military forces, but for a few seconds she served as an obstacle to their forward movement, and even that brief time was enough for Roderic.
He completed his deal.
There was at least some satisfaction in the knowledge that he stood temporarily out of the reach of those who would destroy him.
A partial success brings with it new difficulties, new problems to be solved, and one must be always ready to grapple with the forces that are thrown to the front.