The Insurgent Chief

ed in the room of the Duke de Montone, and were talking in French with animation. These two persons were the Duke de Montone himself; or M. Dubois, as he wis

well built. His features would have been handsome, had it not been for

st complete type of the villains which the revolutionary foam, from the commencement of the century, threw to the surface of society, to tyrann

adic life of the gauchos, their savage independence, everything about them, even their ferocity, had led away this unruly spirit. For several years he shared thei

over his companions in rapine, m

no bounds, and acquired a celebri

estroying the crops, carrying away the women, murdering the men, pilla

f volunteers, specially charged to pursue the band of Moratin; but this means was insuffici

n the army, and their chief, besides a large sum of money, received the commi

ver to the insurgents, followed by his old companions, formed a powerful Montonero, resolutely a

o whose hands this book may fall will immediately recognise. We will merely add that, after acts of revolting ferocity, mingled with brilliant deeds-for he was endowed w

inces presented was the most sad an

destroy one another, to the de

s by caprice that they agreed or refused to obey their officers,

ans for their own security, and the Buenos Aireans to maintain the unio

f patriotism had been drowned in blood, and each one no longer took hi

ation was everywhere

e English and French very well-not from a liking to these languages, but from necessity, and in order to facilitate, by an

o say, we shall make the reader present at the conclusion of the conversation

es been striding about the room, tu

his fingers-a gesture which was habitual to him-"I repeat, Monsieur le Duc,

eral-" objecte

Every woman wishes to be a little forced-that's a preliminary. Instead of that he puts on sorrowful airs, rolls his eyes, sighs, and almost goes the length of composing madrigals. Upon my word, it would be enough to make one burst out into laughter, if it did not make one shrug his shoulders with pity. Mother and daughter only mock him, and they ar

utburst with coolness, which was perpetuall

at him for a time, with a slightly mockin

id he, "but this is, after all, only

," said Do

, resumed he, smiling, "if the words you have

m the eye of the general; but

e, "that I should

o well by what slight threads the deepest political combinations are often held, ever to abuse confidence; but in a hasty moment you might per

said the general, laughing; "co

this moment you have the most pressing

happily, I cannot

ring his confidence, to

Don Zeno will not be long before he comes here. I should like

an looked a

that is more than is necessary to decide u

ident of the republic!" h

hat is not of wha

e you speak

employ to reach the end you

ches. I do not know what to do; we a

interrupted the duke; "the best fish

with a burst of laughter; "I have never

eded up to the present t

ike to do s

ously for some minutes, while the

of Don Zeno for the daughter of the Marchioness de Castelmelhor-a love that you have spoken

east in the world what rel

who, loved and respected by all as he is, resume his presence, influence the votes of the deputies uttered

ill not consent, under a

sneered, casting a look

"have you ever been

start of surprise. "Ah, you are

n the world," an

lly question, when we are de

ring from our business. So I beg you do me the pleasure of a

, I have never been what you

e difference between you and Don

ws that you tell me, my dear duke!-

t wait the

e the concl

by a fabulist of our nation, in a charming way

cried the general, sta

rbably, amused by the exasperation of his companion. "Listen; it is n

ur! Quand tu

dire: Adieu,

u unde

ly did not understand at all, but who did not

my dear general; it is just

is t

to excite this love, we shall succe

Monsieur le Duc; this love has no ne

jealousy, at all events; as to that, let me act; I have take

ke me acquainted with your projects, so that I can, in case of need, come to your assistance; whereas, if I rem

son to hide from you the means I intend to emplo

be much obliged to you

y we

ed wide, and a servant, dressed

cy General Do

id look of intelligence, an

gentlemen?" said the

plied the Frenchman; "on the contrary, we have b

r our interview, Monsieur le Duc; but as I knew I should find his Excellency the go

elcome, dear general,"

unt of the difficulty that the duke felt in expressing himself in Spanish, was continued in

Don Eusebio, when they were seated, "that you

ieur le Go

duke knows all our secrets; moreover, it is not fair to our fr

ners, who were to have been tried tomorrow as spies by the council of war-Don Louis Orteg

rrupted Gene

hey have

d the governor,

anciscan monks. Accomplices held their hors

ed treason!" cried the general,

w be useless; they have fourteen hours in advance, and

this escape, of which

hunting,

rue; I am

ur absence I took upon

you, dear

ides-de-camp, general, who was looking for you, and wished to mount horse to join you, gave me the new

y go

ed, except one, without learni

t but further complicate the difficult pos

he director about the particulars of the escape; moreover, I dispersed through the town some inte

or better advised, my dear Don Zeno;

h importance to s

have you

ch diplomatist, "I have learnt one thing that will much astonis

"Have I, without knowing it, aid

, laughing, "it is so

e duke; "You are going to ex

t, reassure yourself; you are not concer

no one except you that I know in the town, where I

no, laughing; "it is o

my compa

ld appear that he has-understand that I

nue-he

whom he has known for a long time; and, in a word,

on the thin lips of the diplomatist at this rev

mmediately prove to you the falsity of this ac

ing better, for my

o that?" demand

rather, my friend, lives in this v

overnor; "by his answers we

nothing," pursued Don Zeno-"that I in no

ression of indignation; "if he were really guilty-which I declare

thout answering. The

ant ap

the duke, "that I wish to

artment, your lordship," answered

"Still out at this hour! Well, when he return

bowed with

?" resumed the diplomatist;

lly answered the servant,

t return! What do

taken away by a man, who said that he w

sign for the ser

n the door had closed upon the vale

oked at each other

et believe him guilty; there is evidently some

this moment

Sylvio Quiroga," an

me in," sai

ng toward

atched by me in pursuit of the fugitives. He is an old tr

welcome, then,"

information which he will give us will dissipate the doubts which

it!" said

ctfully bowed to the persons who were in the room, he d

Have you found any trace

eneral," h

brought

N

not overta

gene

hat you return wit

appears that they have secured a companion o

during which the Frenchman and

e," resumed Don Zeno. "How is it, captain, that h

ot from them-two or three hundred horsemen unawares darted out of a little wood, and charged us with fury. As I had with me only eight men, I tho

cried Don Zeno, "You were

much so," frankly answered the officer, "especiall

, then, so

orm you, general; for, as I was escaping, I h

emanded the gover

ur Excellency," coolly a

se to whom he spoke. Don Zeno especially, and

as!" repe

. I have placed two men in ambush on their

r le Duc, for quitting you so abruptly; but the news brought by this brave officer is of the utmost importance. I mus

answered the diplomatist; "you

rrow then. Are you comin

the latter. "We cannot employ too m

ook leave of the duke, and wen

mself alone, he rubbed his hands, and darting an ironical

Eh! Eh! My dear friend Emile will do well if he escape. I like him too much not to make hi

takest possession of us, we