176 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



to enter, he replied with cries of defiance, " Viva Carlos Quinto," 

 and, " Death or glory." He shouted in vain to the flying crowd 

 to halt ; but, seeing their panic was beyond hope, he clutched his 

 weapon more firmly as the Americans dashed at him, closed his 

 teeth and his eyes, thought once of the vega of his beloved Genii, 

 and of Granada la Florida, and gave himself up for lost. Those 

 inside the mission, when they observed the flight of their cavalry, 

 gave up the defense as hopeless ; and already the charging moun- 

 taineers were almost under the walls, when they observed the 

 curious figure of the little Don making demonstrations of hostility. 



" Wagh I" exclaimed the leading hunter (no other than our 

 friend La Bonte), " here's a little crittur as means to do all the 

 fighting ;" and seizing his rifle by the barrel he poked at the 

 Don with the butt-end, who parried the blow, and with such 

 a sturdy stroke, as nearly severed the stock in two. Another 

 mountaineer rode up, and, swinging his lasso overhead, threw the 

 noose dexterously over the Spaniard's head, and as it fell over his 

 shoulders, drew it taut, thus securing the arms of the pugnacious 

 Don as in a vice. 



" Quartel !" cried the latter; " por Dios, quartel I" 



" Quarter be d — I" exclaimed one of the whites, who under- 

 stood Spanish ; " who's a-goin' to hurt you, you little crittur ?" 



By this time Fray Augustin was waving a white flag from the 

 roof, in token of surrender ; and soon after he appeared trembling 

 at the door, beseeching the victors to be merciful and to spare the 

 lives of the vanquished, when all and every thing in the Mission 

 would be freely placed at their disposal. 



*' What does the niggur say I" asked old Walker, the leader of 

 the mountaineers, of the interpreter. 



" Well, he talks so queer, this hos can't rightly make it out." 



*' Tell the old coon then to quit that, and make them darned 

 greasers clear out of the lodge, and pock some corn and shucks 

 here for the animals, for they're nigh give out." 



