The Insurgent Chief

f a cavern, philosophically making up his mind to this voluntary seclusion, which, however, c

lt the natural impossibility of taking another mouthful-he lit a cigar, and began to smoke with the beatific resignation of a Mahometan, or a drinker of hatckich. After this cigar he smoked

t was with a sigh of regret that he closed his eyes and slept; for he could not foresee the term

denly he jumped up, sat up in his hammock, with his forehead pale

se it when they are not accustomed to smoke it to excess-he suddenly thought he heard cries, and the trampling of hors

ch an intensity-appeared so near the young man

g that it was but a sound existing only in his imagina

etely awake, he acquired the certainty, not only that this noise was real-that he was not the

desperate combat was even bein

brilliant light might not hinder his sleeping-shed a gentle and uncertain light, but strong enough to enable him to assu

y to extraordi

tted the absurdity of this supposition, and reassured himself; the people charged to secure him would simply have entered the ca

this frightful tumult which sti

oung man, and awakened his c

ch. It was half past

wild beasts, the sun making them retire into their caves; mor

as it,

f San Miguel, the capital of the province of Tucuman, where, on account of the co

ocking at the trapdoor, to get it opened

his presence among them-that this inconsiderate proceeding would displea

r rancho, half dead with fright, and had flown across the country, in order to conceal themselves in some retreat known to themselves alone, t

from committing an imprudence in revealing his retreat, if, by

least, he gave himself this reason to justify in his own eyes the step he wished to take-to know what was passing around him, in order to know h

carbine, and thus armed, and ready for any event, he lit a lantern, and proceede

walk abreast; its walls were high and dry, and the ground was covered with a fine yell

ched a room which at the moment serv

d violently snorting, as they tried to break the cords which bound

aressed them, and tried to reassure them

became intense. It was no longer cries and trampling that he

ious combat was being fought a few

creased his desire to know positively what was pass

n enormous stone hermetically s

as not discouraged by this app

d; but what means could he employ

to examine the stone above, below, and on the s

it was useless, and he began to despair of discovering the secret which

e stone was gently moved, and was,

cessful termination, he quickly placed himself in concealment in a corner of the gallery, placed his lantern on the ground near him, taking care to cover it with his hat, so that its light might not be perceived. Seizing a pistol in each hand, to be ready f

ne was detached and rolled on the ground, and a man, holding in his hand a

d to listen for a few seconds, and then stood up, m

oo late; the tige

of the carbine, as with a lever, he rapidly

" said the unknown, with an ironi

t give him time to do so. Rushing from his concealment, and removing the hat which co

he unknown made a movement of surprise and flig

?" cried he; "Am

rbine; "The expression seems to me rather strange from your mouth, Se?or

r the unknown to regain his coolness, a

Se?or," said he; "they are not wanted

nswered the painter; "but wh

tleman," he repli

osition to study the character of the inhabitants of the country, to know what reliance he

cocking his pistols, and p

n picked u

it was no longer a combat which was heard, but the sound of iron

the young man; "you must

iled with an a

nd me," said he;

ase; come,

-be i

are

e-a pro

re are various ki

st kind," said t

e young man, "W

I had fallen into an ambuscade, I have been conquered just at the moment when I thought I had

id the young man, philosophicall

you see I have ta

fear that you wi

knows of the exist

ever-I

ou are a proscri

you kn

therwise you wou

thers may know it-especially a

oubt, to place you in a position where you will not run the risk of falli

a knock-down logic. In my turn, I give you my word of honour as a Frenchman, t

the unknown, holding out his hand;

give up seeking for you any longer. Follow me; I am, I believe

t moment, I wa

ha

d two hou

the

that does not

is it,

possible to rejoin my companions, that

en, when you have reposed long enough, you shall choose

eed?" cried the unknow

ot do it, since

on me; I did not kno

hen, pr

let u

ity of the gallery, and

aid the young man, as he

mply said

vern, the unknown looked

" said he; "Do you re

u not guessed that I, lik

ou-a Fr

young man, laughing; "sit down and eat." And after having

not also eat?" a

tend to keep

eir places, and

use, "I wish to give you a decided proof

o me h

ke to gain 15

the young man

money?" said the unkn

is not worth the troub

without the least troub

r affair. Let m

very

h the b

d of four Pinc

ft

rably

ad, but esp

e so many tongu

s true.

a price is put

Ah!

d not k

it? It does not con

am a Pincheyra," said he

upon his chair so as to examine his guest

tiago Pincheyra, the sec

ighted at having mad

worth 15,0

ether mine, which I value very mu

understand w

no; not the lea

you the money, and, more tha

rows; his eyes flashed, and a

he table with his fist, "Do you k

held out his hand to the young man, and, inviting

ving asked who I am, I have told you; and now, knowing that I am completely in your power, I am going to stretch mys

I admit your explanation; only, if you choose to make yourself known to m

gain, Se?or; it is more than a man like me is accusto

e Pincheyra offered him, and resume

eal without any fresh

atigue, that, towards the end of t

e Pincheyra was making, and put an end to

you want?

another want, more imperious still, to satisfy; it is time that you w

eeping as I sit; I really do not know how to

, I think, is the only thing

about it, and since you are so good a companion, I wi

vercome was he by fatigue, and, aided by the young man, he

digesting his breakfast, he began to reflect on this new episode of his varied life which had just been unexpectedly grafted on

he knew the cavern before me. How will all this finish? Suppose Tyro does not arrive! Devoted as the brave fellow may be to me, I fear the allurement of 15,00

ly. The Frenchman faithfully watched over his bed, and all the while ga

that the Montonero had sufficiently slept. He approached

his eyes, and bounded like

ter?" demanded h

know of," answ

en I was sleeping so w

ou have sl

aid the

is time

t us say nothing more about it. I will do what you wish," added he, in a

f it only depended upon me, you might remain here as long as

on whom does i

ho, probably, will not be long before he pays me a visi

to an Indian would be to be irretrievably l

he will come, but I expect h

I will not expect him. If you will

choose y

e, which he loaded as he walked

young, full of blood, fire, and swiftness. The Montonero,

bliged to leave the same way as I came, and that I run the risk of falling into an ambuscade. T

ery is still there. You ca

saved," cried the M

oice, rapidly putting his hand on his com

ed, and heard the so

, with a gestu

'll answer for all," the y

. It was time that he came. Tyro was