For myself--with the motive I had, to move, and madden me,--odds never entered my thoughts. As it was, we simply considered ourselves in the presence of _vermin_, that we could crush beneath the heels of our boots. With such feeling of contempt for our antagonists, the impulse was to set upon them at once. My men only waited for the word. I was prevented from giving it by a reflection. In destroying the vermin the game might be injured along with it? Mercedes and her sister--I thought only of Mercedes--might be wounded, perhaps killed in the conflict? This fear was sufficient to restrain us. My comrades intuitively shared it with me; and I had no difficulty in keeping them in check. For some time we stayed, crouching behind the trees, where we had first come within sight of the cabin. Who could say what was best to be done? This was the inquiry that passed mechanically among us. The sergeant had conceived an idea. He was an old veteran of the Texan wars--had served in the campaigns of Houston--and obtained a thorough knowledge of the Mexican character. "Best way, capten," said he, whispering close to my ear, "would be to besiege 'em, and make 'em come to tarms." "How?" "Surround the place. It's half surrounded already. We've only got to `filade' the other half, and they'll be complete caged." There was sense in the sergeant's suggestion. I should at once have acceded to it, but for the thought--I need not say what. Time was the enemy I most dreaded. Just then an hour seemed eternity! "No," I rejoined, "we must attack them at once. If we leave them undisturbed till the morning, then our pursuit would be to no purpose. These ladies--" "I kin understan you, capten. I didn't mean to leave it till the mornin'. Let's pounce upon 'em now--them that's outside yonder! Lick that lot up first, and then summon the others to surrender. Seein' their comrades taken, and theirselves surrounded--with ne'er a chance of escapin'--they'll be only too glad to give up the weemen--ay, without rufflin' a hair o' their heads. Besides," continued he, pointing to the summit of Ixticihuatl, seen distinctly from the spot, "talkin' o' mornin', look yonder, capten!" I directed my glance upwards. A roseate tint appeared upon the snow. It was the first kiss of the Aurora. Though still night where we lay, there were signs of morn upon the summit of the mountain. In less than twenty minutes there would be daylight around us! The thought decided me to act according to the suggestion of the sergeant. My commands, imparted in a low tone to the comrades that crouched behind me, were followed by a quick rush across the open ground, and the almost instantaneous capture of the fellows around the fire. It might have been done without alarming their comrades inside, but for one of them discharging his carbine as we came up.