ioned the day after. His plan is to attack the town of Oaxaca; and,
if we succeed in taking it, then we move direct on the capital. Now
_camarados_, I've nothing more to say; only that you're to scatter after
your horses, and lose no time in mustering again--the old rendezvous,
this side La Guarda."

So ended the speech of the Free Lances' leader; but despite the
suggestions of immediate departure, the circle around the table did not
instantly break up.

The bottles were not all empty as yet, nor the revellers satisfied to
leave them till they should be so. Besides, there was no particular
need of haste for another hour or two. So they stuck to the table,
smoking, drinking, and toasting many things, as persons, among the
latter their lately joined allies--the _Irlandes_ and _Tejano_, about
whose proved valour on other fields, of which they had heard, the Free
Lances were enthusiastically eloquent.

Kearney, speaking in their own tongue, made appropriate response; while
Rock, when told he had been toasted, delivered himself in characteristic
strain, saying:--

"Feller-citizens,--For since I tuk up yur cause, I reck'n you'll gi'e me
leave to call ye so--it air a glad thing to this chile to think he'll
soon hev a bit o' fightin'. An' 'specially as it's to be agin ole
Santy, the durned skunk. By the jumpin' Geehosofat! if Cris Rock iver
gits longside him agin, as he war on't San Jacinty, there wan't be no
more meercy for the cussed tyrant, same as, like a set of fools, we
Texans showed him thar an' then. Tell them what I sayed, Cap."

With which abrupt wind-up he dropped back upon his seat, gulping down a
tumblerful of best Madeira, as though it were table-beer.

Kearney did tell them, translating his comrade's speech faithfully as
the _patois_ would permit; which heightened their enthusiasm, many of
them starting to their feet, rushing round the table, and, Mexican
fashion, enfolding the _Tejano_ in friendly embrace.

The hugging at an end, there was yet another toast to follow, the same
which always wound up the festivals of the "Free Lances," whatever the
occasion. Their leader, as often before, now again pronounced it--

"_Patria y Libertad_".

And never before did it have more enthusiastic reception, the cheer that
rang through the old convent, louder than any laughter of monks who may
have ever made it their home.

Ere it had ceased reverberating, the door of the Refectory was suddenly
pushed open,