about two in the afternoon
Lanzi punctually carried out the order given him , and five minutes later , the Mexican banner , surmounted by a dagger , was majestically floating from the flagstaff . The Jaguar soon obtained the certainty that his signal was understood , for the brig , closely pursued by the corvette , waited till it had come within pistol shot of the fort ere it tacked , which it assuredly would not have done had there been any cause of fear . During the greater part of the day , the Jaguar followed with the greatest interest the progress of the two ships , and witnessed the final incidents from his observatory . At about two in the afternoon , however , he went down into the interior of the fort , and , after recommending the greatest vigilance to his friends , he armed himself , threw a zarapé over his shoulders , and quitted the castle . By Lanzi 's care , a horse had been prepared for him near the foot of the rock : the Jaguar bounded into the saddle , and after giving one glance at the fortress , he dug in the spurs , and started at a gallop . The Jaguar was proceeding to the Salto del Frayle , where , on the previous evening , he had appointed to meet Don Juan Melendez de Gongora . The coasts of Mexico are probably the most varied of all those in the New World .