The Empecinado, who, on recognizing old Gutierrez, had lowered his riding-whip, and listened unmoved to his curses and predictions, rode forward, explaining as he went, to the astonished corregidor, the scene that had just occurred.  A little further on he separated from his companions, giving them rendezvous at ten o’clock at the house of the ayuntamiento.  Proceeding to his brother’s dwelling, he paid a visit to Madame Barbot, breakfasted with her, and then prepared to keep his appointment.  He placed a brace of pistols and a poniard in his belt, and taking a loaded trabuco or blunderbuss, in his hand, wrapped himself in his cloak so as to conceal his weapons, and repaired to the town-hall.

He found the tribunal already installed, and every thing in readiness.  Saluting the corregidor, he began pacing up and down the room without taking off his cloak.  The corregidor repeatedly urged him to be seated, but he refused, and continued his walk, replying to the questions that were put to him, his answers to which were duly written down.  About a quarter of an hour had passed in this manner, when a noise of feet and talking was heard in the street, and the Empecinado, as he passed one of the windows that looked out upon the plaza, saw, with no very comfortable feelings, that a number of armed peasants were entering the town hall.  He perceived that he was betrayed, but his presence of mind stood his friend, and with his usual promptitude, he in a moment decided how he should act.  Without allowing it to appear that he had any suspicion of what was going on, he walked to the door of the audience chamber, and before any one could interfere, shut and locked it.  Then stepping up to the corregidor, he threw off his cloak, and presented his trabuco at the magistrate’s head.

“Senor Corregidor,” said he, “this is not our agreement, but a base act of treachery.  Commend yourself to God, for you are about to die.”

The corregidor was so dreadfully terrified at these words, and at the menacing action of the Empecinado, that he swooned away, and fell down under the table—­the escribano fled into an adjoining chamber, and concealed himself under a bed—­while the alguazils, trembling with fear, threw themselves upon their knees, and petitioned for mercy.  The Empecinado, finding himself with so little trouble master of the field of battle, took possession of the papers that were lying upon the table, and, unlocking the door, proceeded to the principal staircase, which he found occupied by inhabitants of the town, armed with muskets and fowling-pieces.  Placing his blunderbuss under his arm, with his hand upon the trigger, “Make way!” cried he; “the first who moves a finger may reckon upon the contents of my trabuco.”  His menace and resolute character produced the desired effect; a passage was opened, and he left the house in triumph.  On reaching the street, however, he found a great crowd of men, women, and even children,