Part I, XVI - XXI Summary

XVI: Demetrio and his men march to a nearby town, where Federal soldiers are stationed in the chapel. Luis advises they get a guide and learn the lay of the land, but Demetrio is confident he can simply barge in and surprise them; this is what he has always done.

Once there, they get a frightened man to take them to where the soldiers are stationed. The soldiers suddenly shoot, and the man, along with Demetrio's horse, are shot dead. A workman ushers the rebels into his home, where he instructs them how to sneak up on the chapel from a back alley.

Meanwhile, the soldiers are headed by a "coxcomb" of a captain, who cowardly urges his lieutenant to go outside to kill the bandits as he arrogantly begins a communication to his superior...