Martin took leave of the general and Briones, and returned to yeara, to reassure his wife. Bautista told his conversation with the general Baptist told his wife, and she to Catalina.

At midnight, Martin was preparing to ride when he presented Catherine with her child.

– Martin! Martin! ‘He said sobbing. I am assured that you go with the army to rise to Peñaplata.

– I?

Yes.

‘It’s true. Does that scare you?

‘Do not go. They’ll kill you, Martin. Do not go! For our son! For me!

‘Oh, nonsense! What fear can you have? If I’ve been at other times only, what will happen to me, going in the company of so many people?

Yes, but do not go now, Martin. The war will end soon.
Something happens you will not last.

‘I am committed. I have to go.

– Oh, Martin! Sobbed Catherine. You are everything to me, I have no father, no mother, no brother I have, because the love that would have him, I have given you and your child. Do not go leave me a widow, Martin.

-Do not worry. Be still. My life is insured, but I have to go. I gave my word …

-For your son …

‘Yes, my son … I do not want, in time, can say of him: “This is the son of Zalacaín, who gave his word and kept it out of fear”, not if they say something, they say: “This is Michael Zalacaín, the son of Martin Zalacaín, as brave as his father … No. More valiant even than his father.”

And Martin, in his words, came to hearten his wife, patted the boy, who smiled at him from the lap of his mother, hugged it and riding, the road disappeared Elizondo.