At length a remote sound, scarcely perceptible, but which practised ears could recognise, rose from the sea. This sound became gradually more and more distinct; and it was easy, especially for sailors, to recognise the sharp and cadenced sound of oars striking against the tholes and dipping into the sea; although these oars, judging from the sound, were muffled, and employed with the utmost caution. In fact, the boat itself ere long became visible. Its long black outline stood out in the luminous line traced by the moon on the waves, as it approached the jetty at great speed. The two officers had bent forward curiously, but did not leave the post of observation they had selected. On coming within pistol-shot, the boat stopped. Suddenly, a rough voice, lowered prudently, however, rose in the silence, singing the first verse of a song well known in these parts: ¿Qué rumor Lejos suena, Qué el silencio En la serena Negra noche interrumpió?[1] The man who was singing had scarce finished these five lines ere one of the officers took up the song in a sonorous voice; doubtless, replying to the signal made him by the steerer of the boat: ¿Es del caballo la veloz carrera, Tendido en el escape volador, O el aspero rugir de hambrienta fiera, O el silbido tal vez del aquilon?[2] There was a delay of a few seconds, during which no other sound was audible save the monotonous break of the waves as they died away on the beach, or the distant twanging of some jarabés or vihuelas, playing those seguedillas and tyranas so dear to all peoples of the Spanish race. At length, the voice which first struck up the song continued, but this time with an intonation approaching to a threat, although the man who spoke did not appear to be addressing anyone in particular. "The night is dark, it is imprudent to wander haphazard on the seashore." "Yes, when a man is alone, and feels his heart die out in his bosom," the officer who had sung answered immediately. "Who can flatter himself with possessing a firm heart?" the voice went on. "The man whose arm is ever ready to support his words for the defence of a good cause," the other at once replied. "Come, come," the sailor exclaimed, gaily, addressing his companions this time; "lay on your oars, lads, the Jaguars are out hunting." "Take care of the coyotes," the officer said again. The boat pulled up alongside the jetty; the officers had by this time left their place of shelter, and hurried to the end of the jetty. There a man, dressed in sailor's garb, with an oilskin souwester, whose large brim concealed his features, was standing motionless, with a pistol in either hand. "Patria!" he said, sharply, when the officers were only two paces from him. "Libertad!" they answered, without hesitation.