"Ah! then I have nothing more to say to you," replied the Indian, with an air of disappointment. "For a certain object I had in view, I was in search of a comrade, one with more courage than Clara. I must content myself with the negro. I expected that you--never mind--we need not talk any more about the matter." The Indian did not add a single word; and the officer, whose fears were excited by the half-confidences of his companion, was silent also. Both awaiting to hear the sounds of the attack upon the castle, continued to gaze upon the vast mysterious ocean, in which the luminous tracks of the sharks and the dark body of the manatee alone animated its profound solitude. They were thus seated in silence, with their eyes wandering over the dark blue surface of the water, when all at once the manatee was heard to plunge under the waves, uttering a melancholy cry as it went down. Just then the loud booming of a cannon drowned the voice of the amphibious creature. "The castle is taken!" cried Lantejas. "No," replied Costal, "on the contrary, Pepe Gago has betrayed us. I fear our General has been tricked." Several discharges of cannon followed on the instant, confirming Costal's surmise; and the two men, hastening to leave their dangerous post by the bridge of Hornos, retreated towards a narrow defile called the _Ojo de Agua_. There they saw the Mexican detachment scattered, and in full retreat towards their encampment. A man standing in the middle of the path was trying to intercept their flight. "Cowards!" cried he, "will you pass over the body of your general?" Many halted, and, returning, made an attack upon the works of the citadel. But it was to no purpose: the gate was too well defended; and a discharge of grape had the effect not only of terrifying the assailants, but also killed several of their number. Morelos now saw that he had been betrayed, and caused the retreat to be sounded. It was the first check he had experienced during a victorious career of months. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The day had not yet dawned, when two men were seen advancing from the direction of the insurgent camp toward the bridge of Los Hornos. One of these men was Costal, but this time he was accompanied by Clara the negro. The resin candle still burned within the lantern, but giving out a more feeble light, as the first streaks of day began to succeed to the darkness of night. "You see that lantern, Clara?" said Costal, pointing out the glimmering light to his companion. "You know what it was hung there for: since I have just told you. But you haven't yet heard the vow I have taken against the traitor who has so played with us. I shall tell you now." And Costal proceeded to disclose to his old camarado the oath he had registered against Pepe Gago. "Devil take me!" said Clara in reply, "if I can see how you will ever be able to fulfil your vow."