The phrase was well-known to Don Cornelio.
"What word came before it?" inquired he of his companion; "_viva_, was
it not?"
"No, it was _muera_," replied the negro.
"You are mistaken, I think, Clara."
"No, I repeat it,--it was _muera_!"
Not having inquired from the horsemen whether San Carlos was in the
power of the royalists or insurgents, Don Cornelio remained as undecided
upon that point as ever.
A considerable time passed, and still Costal did not return.
"Suppose I gallop forward a bit," suggested Clara, "and see whether I
can meet him?"
The Captain having become uneasy about the prolonged absence of Costal,
assented to this proposition; but at the same time directed the black to
return in a quarter of an hour, if Costal did not make his appearance
within that time.