"They killed some of us," replied Marcelino, "when we tried to keep them out, but when they got inside they let the rest of us go."
"Look you, what an escape you made! You have never seen them again I feel sure," said Venceslao.
"I did though. I went off to Las Conchas, and had my revenge at the Reconquest."
"Also you found yourself in that affair? Already you had not enough of them?"
"A patriot never has enough while an enemy treads the soil of his native country."
"A patriot! what is that?"
"A patriot is one who is ready to make every sacrifice for the good of his country, as you did when you risked your life for our country at Perdriel."
"You are mistaken. They talked to us in the encampment about that; but excuse me, I am not a patriot, of that I understand nothing. I went to the war because Julian Sanchez was going, and asked me to go with him. You see he has done me many favours, he is my brother-in-law, and we were always great friends, so that I could not do less than go when he invited me."
"And how did it go with him?" asked Don Gregorio.