"_Camaradas_!" he said, as soon as the buzz of conversation had ended, "as you're aware, we part from this place to-night; and some of you know whither we are going and for what purpose. But not all; therefore I deem it my duty to tell you. You saw a courier who came up early this morning--bringing good news, I'm glad to say. This despatch I hold in my hand is from an old friend, General Alvarez, who, though he may not boast _sangre-azul_ in his veins, is as brave a soldier and pure a patriot as any in the land. You know that. He tells me his _Pintos_ are ready for a rising, and only wait for us--the `Free Lances'--with some others he has summoned to join him in giving the _grito_. By his messenger I have sent answer that we, too, are ready, and will respond to his summons. You all approve of that, I take it?" "All!" was the exclaim in chorus, without a dissenting voice. "Moreover," proceeded the speaker, "I've told the General we'll be on the march to-morrow morning, and can meet him at a place he has mentioned the day after. His plan is to attack the town of Oaxaca; and, if we succeed in taking it, then we move direct on the capital. Now _camarados_, I've nothing more to say; only that you're to scatter after your horses, and lose no time in mustering again--the old rendezvous, this side La Guarda." So ended the speech of the Free Lances' leader; but despite the suggestions of immediate departure, the circle around the table did not instantly break up. The bottles were not all empty as yet, nor the revellers satisfied to leave them till they should be so. Besides, there was no particular need of haste for another hour or two. So they stuck to the table, smoking, drinking, and toasting many things, as persons, among the latter their lately joined allies--the _Irlandes_ and _Tejano_, about whose proved valour on other fields, of which they had heard, the Free Lances were enthusiastically eloquent. Kearney, speaking in their own tongue, made appropriate response; while Rock, when told he had been toasted, delivered himself in characteristic strain, saying:-- "Feller-citizens,--For since I tuk up yur cause, I reck'n you'll gi'e me leave to call ye so--it air a glad thing to this chile to think he'll soon hev a bit o' fightin'. An' 'specially as it's to be agin ole Santy, the durned skunk. By the jumpin' Geehosofat! if Cris Rock iver gits longside him agin, as he war on't San Jacinty, there wan't be no more meercy for the cussed tyrant, same as, like a set of fools, we Texans showed him thar an' then. Tell them what I sayed, Cap." With which abrupt wind-up he dropped back upon his seat, gulping down a tumblerful of best Madeira, as though it were table-beer. Kearney did tell them, translating his comrade's speech faithfully as the _patois_ would permit; which heightened their enthusiasm, many of them starting to their feet, rushing round the table, and, Mexican fashion, enfolding the _Tejano_ in friendly embrace.