But when soldiers in the death-pang rejoice under its influence, what wonder that the living feel its intoxicating rapture?
They talked and walked as if they already walked the streets of Mexico.

All things seemed possible to them.

The royalty of their carriage, the authority in their faces, gave dignity even to their deerskin clothing.

Its primitive character was its distinction, and the wearers looked like the demi-gods of the heroic stage of history.
Lopez Navarro touched the doctor and directed his attention to them.
"Does the world, Senor, contain the stuff to make their counterparts ?" "They are Americans, Navarro.

And though there are a variety of Americans, they have only one opinion about submitting to tyrants--THEY WON'T DO IT!" This was the conversation interrupted by Ortiz and the message he brought, and the doctor was thoroughly sobered by the events following.
He was not inclined to believe, as the majority of the troops did, that Mexico was conquered.