"Yet it is possible that we may do something. Promise me that you will return slowly, and not go further than the casa-teja till I see you or write to you."
"You have some fresh scheme in your head?"
"I have, and I may need your assistance."
"For three days I will wait, but no longer. Do what you can, and count upon me."
"I am going at once to see Liniers, to try what can be done with him. He must see by now what he can expect from the Spaniards. If he will but declare for us our cause is won."
Darkness shrouded the city which during the day had been the scene of so much tumult. It wanted but an hour of midnight, the moon had not yet risen, and the stars shining calmly down from the blue vault where they kept their stations, were the only lights which illumined the path of a tall man, enveloped in a large cloak, who picked his way carefully across the Plaza de los Perdices. He walked up to the drawbridge which crossed the dry ditch surrounding the fort on the land side. The bridge was down, but the gate beyond was closed, and on the bridge a sentry of the Patricios kept watch and ward.
"Good-night, friend," said the tall man to the sentry.
"Keep back, whoever you are," said the sentry, bringing down his musket to the charge.
"Do not alarm yourself, Pancho, I am no enemy," said the other. "Who is the officer of the guard?"
"Back!" replied the sentry. "Who are you? How do you know that my name is Pancho?"