I found him in the midst of five men, forming a sort of quincunx around
him; against all five of whom he was industriously defending himself;
while they were as busy in the endeavour to get him down.
They were all armed with _machetes_; while he wielded a sword, which he
had drawn from under his cloak.
I could see that the attacking party carried pistols, but did not
attempt to use them--perhaps from fear of causing an alarm, and thus
defeating their purpose: to all appearance plunder!
I was not so chary about the discharging of mine. The moment I caught
sight of the _Red Hats_--for the assailants were so distinguished--I had
a clear comprehension of the sort of gentry with whom the Mexican had to
deal, as well as the character of the attack.
The blood ran scalding within my veins. But that very day I had been
sickened at hearing the details of an atrocity, committed by these
precious pets of our commander-in-chief; and I had mentally vowed, if I
should ever chance to catch one of them at their tricks, to make short
work with him.
The chance had come sooner than I expected; and I remembered my vow.
The shout with which I interrupted their pastime was almost loud enough
to hinder them from hearing the report of my pistol; but one of them
caught the bullet that came out of it, and went groaning into the
gutter.
I might have shot down a second, or even a third, before they could get
out of the way; though they were anything but slow in making
disappearance.
I was satisfied with having put an end to one: for this had I done, as
was evident from the silent lump of humanity that lay doubled up along
the stones.