While Bonavia was still speaking a singular noise reached the tent, as if coming from the besieged town. It appeared as a chorus of many voices intoning some solemn chaunt. This was followed by the clangour of horns and trumpets, and the explosion of fireworks--as if let off upon the occasion of a jubilee. "These rejoicings," remarked Regules, "are an ill omen for us. It is not to-morrow that the siege should be raised, but this very day." "That is to say," rejoined Caldelas, "that we should take to flight before an exhibition of fireworks!" "Or, like the walls of Jericho, fall down at the sound of trumpets!" added the Colonel. "Well," said Regules, "perhaps before long you may learn to your cost that I have been right." In spite of his opinion, however, a last assault was determined upon, to take place on the following morning; and after the plans were discussed and arranged, Bonavia dissolved the council; and the officers proceeded to their respective tents. Don Rafael hastened towards his: he was anxious to be alone. He desired to indulge in reflection--to ponder upon the meaning of the message he had received--and above all to caress the sweet ray of hope which had lately entered his heart, so long desolate and sad. He did not even deign to lend an ear to the tumultuous rejoicings that came swelling from the beleaguered town; although the whole Royalist camp was at that moment occupied with these demonstrations, the soldiers deeming them, as Regules had pronounced, sounds of sinister import. CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. VALERIO TRUJANO. In Colonel Valerio Trujano the reader will recognise the ex-muleteer, who, it will be remembered, declined exposing his life to the chances of war before paying his debts. Though in full command at Huajapam, he was simply a leader of guerilleros--nothing more; and in these partisan chieftains the country at the time abounded. The renown, however, which Trujano had gained within the narrow sphere of his exploits, had already rendered him a subject of constant inquietude to the government of Oajaca; and to crush this formidable enemy had been the object of the march upon Huajapam, where Trujano chanced to be at the time. The Royalist officers believed that a favourable opportunity had offered, in the absence of two of Trujano's ablest supporters--Miguel and Nicolas Bravo--both of whom had been summoned by Morelos to assist at the siege of Cuautla. Such was the importance attached to the defeat of the religious insurgent, that the government employed against him nearly every soldier in the province--concentrating its whole force upon Huajapam. The little town was at the time entirely without fortifications of any kind, and on all sides open to an enemy. All the more does the remarkable defence made by Trujano deserve to be immortalised. Fortunately for him the place was well supplied with provisions.