"Not at all; it is simply the logical consequence of the threat you make me; we shall be dead, but as men of honour, and have fulfilled our duty, as the money will be saved." "All my efforts, then, to bring about a peaceful settlement are sterile." "There is one way." "What is it?" "To let us pass, after pledging your word of honour not to molest our retreat." "Never! That money is indispensable to me, and I must have it." "Come and take it, then," "That is what I am going to do." "Very good." "The blood I wished to spare will fall on your head." "Or on yours." They separated. The Captain turned to his soldiers, who had been near enough to follow the discussion through all its turnings. "What will you do, lads?" he asked them. "Die!" they answered in a loud and firm voice. "Be it so--we will die together;" and brandishing his sabre over his head, he shouted, "_Dios y libertad Viva México!_" "_Viva México_!" the dragoons repeated, enthusiastically. While this had been going on, the sun had disappeared below the horizon, and darkness covered the earth, like a sombre winding-sheet. The Jaguar, with rage in his heart at the ill success of his tentatives, had rejoined his comrades. "Well," John Davis asked him, who was anxiously watching for his return, "what have you obtained?" "Nothing. That man is a fanatic." "As I warned you, he is a demon; fortunately he cannot escape us, whatever he may do." "Then you are mistaken," the Jaguar replied, stamping his foot passionately; "whether he live or die the money is lost to us." "How so?" The Jaguar told his confidant in a few words what had passed between him and the Captain. "Confusion!" the American exclaimed; "In that case let us make haste." "To increase our misfortunes, it is as dark as in an oven." "By heavens! Let us make an illumination. Perhaps it will cause those demons incarnate to reflect, who are croaking there like frogs calling for rain." "You are right. Torches here!" "Better still. Let us fire the forest." "Ah, ah," the Jaguar said, with a laugh, "bravo! Let us smoke them out like musk-rats." This diabolical idea was immediately carried out, and ere long a brilliant belt of flame ran all around the gorge, where the Mexicans were stoically awaiting the attack. They had not long to wait; a sharp fusillade began, mingled with the cries and yells of the assailants. "It is time!" the Captain shouted. The sound of a chest falling down the precipice was immediately heard. Owing to the fire, it was as bright as day, and not a movement of the Mexicans escaped their adversaries. The latter uttered a yell of fury on seeing the chests disappear one after the other in the abyss. They rushed at the soldiers; but the latter received them at the bayonet's point, not giving ground an inch.