It proved to be Samuel Brannan, dusty and weary, with dispatches from Captain Ward which Hull almost snatched from his hand. A group of men and women who had watched his arrival, gathered about asking questions. Nathan Spear spoke first. He had been too ill to join the Americans, but had furnished them horses and arms. "How goes it with our 'army,' Sam?" he asked. "None too well," said Brannan. "Those greasers can fight and they've a good leader. Everyone of them would die for Sanchez. And everyone's a sharpshooter. For a time they amused themselves this morning knocking off our hats--it rather demoralized the recruits." Hull, with an imprecation, crushed the dispatch and turned to Brannan. "We must have more men and quickly," he announced. "Ward asks for instant reinforcements.... Can you recruit--say fifty--from your colony?" "Impossible," said Brannan, shortly. "I have sent all who can ride or manage a rifle." He came a little closer and regarded the commander steadily. "Did Ward write anything about a parley?" he inquired. "Yes," said Hull. "He indicates that peace might be arranged if I will give a guarantee against further horse or cattle commandeering." "May I suggest that such a course is wise--and just?" "Damn it, sir! You'd have me treat with these--these brigands!" the other shouted. "Never. They've defied the United States by laying violent hands on an official. They've wounded two of my marines." He turned to the crowd which had assembled. "Do you hear that? Two Americans wounded. Five held in captivity--including your alcalde. Shall we stand that passively? Shall we let the enemy dictate terms?" "No, no!" a voice shouted. "Fight to the last ditch. Kill the greasers. Hang them to a tree. I'm with you, horse and gun. Who else?" "I, I, I," a score made answer. They pressed forward. "Who's to lead us?" asked the first speaker. Brannan stepped forward but Commander Hull raised a protesting hand. "I shall send a corporal of marines from the Warren. You will rest your horse, since I cannot spare you a fresh mount, and hold yourself in readiness to act as a courier, Mr. Brannan." He summoned an orderly and sent him to the Warren with an order to Corporal Smith. Meanwhile the volunteers assembled in the square, thirty-four in all; men of half a dozen nationalities. One giant Russian loomed above them, a Goliath on a great roan horse. And near him, to accentuate the contrast, an elderly moustached, imperialed Frenchman on a mare as under-sized and spirited as himself. Brannan and Leidesdorff watched them galloping down the camino ten minutes later under the guidance of a smart young corporal. "I trust it will soon be over," said the former. "I saw Benito Windham riding beside Sanchez in the battle today." * * * * *