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 of both of them, try as Felipe might to hold it back for whatever kind purpose that he would.

"The coward has tried and condemned her. She will be shot at the first light of dawn."

"Roberto? Would he dare defy his father to this length?"

"It is true, Gabriel. My friend is in confidence of a captain of the military; he has heard all. It was over this trial and condemnation that Roberto and the governor quarreled. The governor would not have gone so far."

"Where do they—where will it be done?"

Henderson's voice was dry, harsh. It seemed that the blasting fire of Roberto's vengeance had leaped and reached him, as Roberto had designed that it should do; it seemed that it had withered the youth in him, leaving only the ashes of a man.

"In the plaza, in the face of all the town. God's pity! we have come too late!"

"No, we are still in time."

"Time? Then for what, my poor Gabriel, but to see her die? Two of us against twenty-five soldiers! My heart breaks, but it is hopeless."

"Twenty-five? Are there only twenty-five soldiers here?" Henderson inquired eagerly.

"Maybe not more than twenty, still ten to one. They have sent several out to hunt for us. They are hurrying like bats through the night, guarding the pass and road."

"Your friend told you this?"

"Yes, he is a man who sees. Fifteen soldiers