"You think so; but take care. You know that I am rarely deceived in my appreciations. Now, I am convinced this man deceives, and is playing a long studied part." "My dear friend, several persons have said to me what you are now stating. I have watched the man with the greatest care, and never has anything suspicious in his conduct justified the unjust doubts entertained about him." "Heaven grant that he may always be so, my friend; and that you may not be aroused, at the moment when you least expect it, from your imprudent slumber by a thunderclap." At the same instant a dazzling flash shot athwart the sky, and the thunder burst forth furiously. The two men, involuntarily struck by this strange coincidence, remained for a moment dumb and amazed, listening to the alarm cries of the sentries as they challenged each other in the darkness, and feeling their hearts contracted by an undefinable sadness. "It is, perchance, a warning from heaven," Don Pelagio muttered in a low voice. "Oh! I cannot believe it," the hacendero replied, as he passed his hand over his damp forehead. The general rose. "Come," he said, as he looked out, "that thunderclap is the last effort of the tempest, and the sky seems growing clearer. We shall have a splendid day tomorrow." "At what hour do you intend starting, General?" the hacendero asked him. Don Pelagio looked at his watch. "It is half past ten," he said; "the camp will not be completely evacuated till midnight. We will set out at two o'clock, with the few men I have selected." "In that case, with your permission, I will retire and sleep till the hour for departure." "Do so, my friend; but mind and be here again at half past one." "That is settled, General." The two gentlemen shook hands affectionately, and Don Aníbal walked towards the door of the jacal. Just as he was going, the noise of several horses could be heard. "_¿Quién vive?_" the sentry challenged. "_Méjico e independencia,_" a voice replied, which Don Aníbal fancied he recognized. "_¿Qué gente?_" the soldier continued. "El Coronel Don Aurelio Gutiérrez." "Let him come in, let him come in," the general shouted. "_Pase Vd: adelante,_" the sentry said. "Stay here," Don Pelagio said to the hacendero. "This unexpected visitor doubtless brings us valuable news." The horsemen dismounted; their heavy spurs could be heard clanking on the saturated ground, and five men entered the jacal. Four remained at the door, half hidden by the darkness, and the fifth alone walked up to the general. It was Don Aurelio. "How comes it, Colonel," the general asked him quickly, without leaving him time to speak, "that you are here, instead of remaining at the post I assigned you?" Don Aurelio bowed respectfully to his chief.