"Well, console yourselves; I will let you smell it ere long, and in a satisfactory manner. But I do not see Ramirez among you; can he have been so awkward as to get himself hung? Although he has deserved it a long time. I do not think him such a fool as to let himself be apprehended by the spies of the Mexican Government." These words were uttered in a soft voice, harmoniously modulated, but at the same time sharp and rather shrill. "I heard my name," said Ramirez, as he appeared in the doorway. "Yes, I mentioned it. Well, are you alone?" "No." "Are they both here?" "Both." "That is excellent. Now, if the Jaguar be as true to his word as I am to mine, I answer for success." "I hold your promise, Señor Alferez," said a man who had entered the room some moments previously. "Rayo de Dios! You and your comrades are welcome; for, of course, you are not alone." "I have twenty men, worth a hundred." "Bravo! I recognise the Jaguar in that." The latter began laughing. "They only await a signal from me to come in." "Let them come, let them come; time is precious, so let us not waste it in trifling." The Jaguar walked to the door, and threw away the lighted cigarette he held in his hand. The twenty conspirators entered, and ranged themselves silently behind their Chief. Ramirez came in immediately after, followed by the two naval officers. "All is clearly understood between us, Jaguar?" "All." "We act toward each other with all frankness and honesty of purpose?" "Yes." "You swear it?" "Without hesitation, I swear it." "Thanks, my friend. On my side I swear to be a faithful comrade." "How many men have you?" "As you see, thirty." "Who, added to the twenty I bring, give the respectable amount of fifty men; if the affair be properly managed, they are more than we require." "Now, let us divide our parts." "Nothing is changed, I think; I will surprise the fort, while you board the corvette." "Agreed; where are the guides?" "Here," the two men said, with whom Ramirez conversed when he entered the pulqueria the first time. El Alferez examined them attentively for some minutes, and then turned to the Jaguar. "You can start, I fancy." "How many men do you keep with you?" "Take them all; I will only keep Ramirez and the two persons to whom he has to introduce me." "That is true," said the sailor. "Come, my coyotes," El Alferez continued, "follow your new Chief. I place you temporarily under the orders of the Jaguar, to whom I surrender all my claims upon you." The men bowed, but made no reply. "And now, brothers," the young man continued, "remember that you are about to fight for the liberty of your country, and that the man who commands you will not grudge his life for the success of the daring stroke he is about to attempt with your aid; that ought to render you invincible. Go." "Do not forget the signal--one rocket, if we fail." "Three, if we succeed; and we shall do so, brother." "May Heaven grant it."