CHAPTER IV.
THE EXPLOSION.
During Valentine's absence facts of extreme gravity had occurred at themission. The Count de Prebois Crance had finished his correspondence,and held in his hand the letters he had just written, while he gavea peon, already mounted, his final instructions. At this momentthe advanced posts uttered the cry of "Who goes there?" which wasimmediately taken up along the whole line. Louis felt his heartcontracted by this shout, to which he was, however, accustomed; a coldperspiration beaded on his temples; a mortal pallor covered his face;and he was forced to lean against a wall lest he should fall, so weakdid he feel.
"Good heavens!" he stammered in a low voice, "what can be the matterwith me?"
Let who can explain the cause of this strange emotion, this innerpresentiment which warned the count of a misfortune; for our part, weconfess our inability, and content ourselves with recording the fact.
The count, however, wrestled with this extraordinary emotion, for whichthere was no plausible reason. Owing to a supreme effort of the will, aperfect reaction took place in him, and he became once more cold, calm,and stoical, ready to sustain, without weakness as without bravado, theblow by which he instinctively felt himself menaced.
In the meanwhile an answer had been returned to the sentries' challenge,and words exchanged. Don Cornelio came up to the count, his face quitediscomposed by astonishment, and himself a prey to the most livelyemotion.
"Senor conde----" he said in a panting voice, and then stopped.
"Well," the count asked, "what is the meaning of those challenges Iheard?"
"Senor," Don Cornelio continued with an effort, "General Guerrero,accompanied by his daughter, several other ladies, a dozen officers, anda powerful escort, requests to be introduced to your presence."
"He is welcome. At length, then, he consents to treat directly with me."
Don Cornelio withdrew to carry out the orders he had received, and soona brilliant cavalcalde, at the head of which was General Guerrero,entered the mission. The general was pale, and frowned: it was easyto see that he with difficulty suppressed a dumb fury that filled hisheart. The adventurers, in scattered groups, and haughtily wrapped upin their rags, regarded curiously these smart Mexican officers, so vainand so glittering with gold, who scarce deigned to bestow a glance uponthem. The count walked a few paces toward the general, and uncoveredwith a movement full of singular grace.
"You are welcome, general," he said in his gentle voice; "I am happy toreceive your visit."
The general did not even lift his finger to his embroidered hat, but,suddenly stopping his horse when scarce two paces from the count,--
"What is the meaning of this, sir?" he exclaimed in an angry voice. "Youare guarded as if in a fortress! You have, Heaven pardon me! sentriesand patrols round your encampment, as if you were in command of aregular army."
The count bit his lips; but he restrained himself, and replied in acalm, though grave voice,--
"We are on the edge of the _despoblados_ (deserts), general, and oursafety depends on our vigilance. Although I am not the commander of anarmy, I answer for the safety of the men I have the honour of leading.But will you not dismount, general, so that we may discuss more at ourease the grave questions which doubtless bring you here?"
"I will not dismount, sir, nor anyone of my suite, before you haveexplained to me your strange conduct."
Such a flash sparkled in the count's blue eye that, in spite of himself,the general turned his head away. This conversation had taken placeunder the vault of heaven, in the presence of the Frenchmen, who hadcollected round the newcomers. The patience of the adventurers wasbeginning to grow exhausted, and hoarse, mutterings were heard. Witha sign the count appeased the storm, and silence was immediatelyre-established.
"General," Don Louis continued with perfect calmness, "the words youaddress to me are severe. I was far from expecting them, especiallyafter the way in which I have acted since my landing in Mexico, and themoderation I have constantly displayed."
"All that is trifling," the general said furiously. "You Frenchmen havea honeyed tongue when you wish to deceive us. But, by heavens, I willteach you differently! You are warned once for all."
The count drew himself up, and a feverish flush suffused his cheeks. Heput on again the hat he had hitherto held in his hand, and looked thegeneral boldly in the face.
"I would observe, Senor Don Sebastian Guerrero," he said, in a voicebroken by emotion, which he attempted in vain to check, "that youhave not returned me my salute, and that you employ strange languagein addressing a gentleman at least as noble as yourself. Is this theboasted Mexican courtesy? Come to the facts, caballero, without holdinglanguage unworthy of yourself or me; explain yourself frankly, that Imay know, once for all, what I have to hope or fear from these eternaltergiversations, and the continued treachery of which I am the victim."
The general remained for a moment thoughtful after this rude apostrophe.At length he made up his mind, removed his hat, saluted the countgraciously, and suddenly changed his manner.
"Pardon me, caballero," he said; "I was so far carried away by my temperas to employ expressions which I deeply regret."
The count smiled disdainfully.
"Your apologies are sufficient, sir," he said.
At the word "apologies" the general quivered, but soon regained commandof himself.
"Where do you desire that I should communicate to you the orders of myGovernment?"
"At this spot, sir. I have, thanks to Heaven, nothing to hide from mybrave comrades."
The general, though evidently annoyed, dismounted. The ladies andofficers who accompanied him did the same. The escort alone remainedon horseback, with their ranks closed up. At an order from Don Louisseveral tables were produced, and instantaneously covered withrefreshments, of which the French officers began to do the honours withthe grace and gaiety that distinguish their nation. The general and thecount seated themselves on butacas, placed in the doorway of the missionchurch, near a table, on which were pen, ink, and paper.
There was a lengthened silence. It was evident that neither wished to bethe first to speak. The general at length opened the conversation.
"Oh, oh!" he said, "you have guns with you?"
"Did you not know it, general?"
"My faith, no!"
And he added, with a sarcastic smile,--
"Do you intend to pursue the Apaches with such weapons?"
"At the present moment less than ever, general," Don Louis answereddryly. "I do not know of what use this artillery will be to me. Still itis good, and I am convinced that it will not betray me in the hour ofneed."
"Is that a menace, sir?" the general asked significantly.
"What is the use of threatening when you can act?" the count saidconcisely. "But that is not the question, for the present at least. Iam awaiting your pleasure, sir, to explain to me the intentions of yourGovernment with regard to me."
"They are kind and paternal, sir."
"I will wait till you have told me them ere I express any opinion."
"This is the message I am charged to deliver to you."
"Ah! have you a message for me?"
"Yes."
"I am listening, caballero."
"The message is quite paternal."
"I am certain of it. Let us see what your Government's intentions are."
"I should have wished them better, but I consider them acceptable intheir present form."
"Be kind enough to communicate them to me, general."
"I was anxious to come myself, senor conde, in order to lessen by mypresence any apparent bitterness these proposals might contain."
"Ah!" the count remarked, "propositions are made to me; in other words,and speaking by the card, conditions which it is desired to impose onme. Very good."
"Oh, conde, conde, how badly you take what I say to you!"
"Pardon me, general, you know that I do not speak your magnificentSpanish very well; still I t
hank you from my heart for your kindness inaccepting the harsh mission of communicating these propositions to me."
This was said with an accent of fine raillery which completelydiscountenanced the general.
"I would observe, general, that we are now only a few leagues from themine, and the alternative offered me is most painful, especially afterthe evasive answers constantly made to me and the persons I sent withfull powers to treat personally with the authorities of the country."
"That is true; I can comprehend that. Colonel Flores, whom you sentto me a few days back, will have told you how pained I felt at allthat is happening. I lose as much as yourself. Unfortunately, you willunderstand me, my dearest count, I must obey, whether I like it or not."
"I understand perfectly," Louis answered ironically, "how deeply painedyou must feel."
"Alas!" the general said, more embarrassed than ever, and who began toregret in his heart that he was not accompanied by a larger force.
"Well, as it is useless to prolong this position indefinitely, as it isso cruel for you, explain yourself without further circumlocution, Ibeg."
"Hum! Remember that I am in no way responsible."
The fact is the general was afraid.
"Go on--go on!"
"The propositions are as follow:--You are enjoined----"
"Oh! that is a harsh term," Louis observed.
The general shrugged his shoulders, as much as to say that he hadnothing to do with drawing up the document.
"Well, then," the count said, "we are enjoined----"
"Yes, First. Either to consent to give up your nationality asFrenchmen----"
"Pardon me," the count interrupted, and laid his hand on the general'sarm, "an instant, if you please. As I see that what you are commissionedto communicate to me interests all my comrades, it is my duty to invitethem to be present at the reading of these propositions; for you havethem in writing, I believe?"
"Yes," the general stammered, turning livid.
"Very good. Buglers!" the count shouted in a high and imperative voice,"sound the assembly."
Ten minutes later the whole company was ranged round the table, atwhich the general and the count were seated. Don Louis looked carefullyaround, and then noticed the Mexican officers and ladies, who, curiousto know what was going on, had also drawn nearer.
"Chairs for these ladies and caballeros," he said. "Pray excuse me,senoras, if I do not pay you all the attention you deserve; but I amonly a poor adventurer, and we are in the desert."
Then, when all had taken their seats,--
"Give me a copy of these proposals," he said to the general; "I willread them myself."
The general obeyed mechanically.
"Gentlemen and dear comrades," Don Louis then said in a sharp voice,in which, however, a scarcely suppressed anger could be noticed, "whenI enrolled you at San Francisco, I showed you the authentic documentsconferring on me the ownership of the mines of the Plancha de Plata, didI not?"
"Yes!" the adventurers shouted with one voice.
"You read at the foot of those documents the names of Don AntonioPavo, President of the Mexican Republic, and of General Don SebastianGuerrero, present here at this moment. You then knew on what conditionsyou enlisted, and also the engagements the Mexican Government enteredinto with you. Today, after three months' marching and counter-marching;after suffering without a murmur all the annoyances it pleased theMexican Government to inflict on you; when you have proved, by your goodconduct and severe discipline, that you were in every way worthy tofulfil honourably the mission that was intrusted to you; when, finally,in spite of the incessant obstacles continually raised in your path, youhave arrived within less than ten leagues of the mines, do you know whatthe Mexican Government demands of you? Listen: I will tell you, for youare even more interested than myself in the question."
A thrill of curiosity ran through the ranks of the adventurers.
"Speak--speak!" they shouted.
"You have three alternatives:--First. You are enjoined to resign yourFrench nationality, and become Mexicans, and will be permitted towork the mines, without any pay, under the supreme command of GeneralGuerrero, whose aide-de-camp I shall become."
An Homeric burst of laughter greeted this proposition.
"The second--let us have the second!" some shouted.
"_Sapristi!_" others remarked, "these Mexicans are not fools to wish tohave us for their countrymen."
"Go on--go on!" the remainder howled.
The count gave a sign, and silence was re-established.
"Secondly. You are ordered to take out cards of surety if you wish toremain Frenchmen. By means of such cards you can go anywhere: still,as foreigners, you will be forbidden any possession--that is to say,working--of the mines. You have quite understood me, I presume?"
"Yes, yes! The last one--the last one!"
"I did not fancy the Mexicans were such funny fellows," a soldierremarked.
"Thirdly. I personally am ordered to reduce the company to fifty men, tohand over my command to a Mexican officer, and on that condition you canat once take possession of the mines."
When the captain had ended his reading there was such an explosion oflaughter, shouts, and yells, that for nearly a quarter of an hour itwas almost impossible to hear anything. At length the count succeededin restoring some degree of order and silence, though with considerabledifficulty.
"Such are the paternal intentions of the Mexican Government as regardsus. What do you think of them, my friends? Still, I implore you, donot allow yourselves to be carried away by your just indignation,but reflect deeply on what you think it your duty to do for your owninterests. As for myself, my resolution is formed--it is immutable; andeven if it cost my life, I shall not alter it. But you, my friends, mybrethren, your private interests cannot be mine; hence do not sacrificeyourselves through friendship and devotion to me. You know me wellenough to put faith in my words. Those among you who wish to leave mewill be free to do so: not only will I not oppose their departure, but Ishall bear them no ill will. The strange position in which we are placedby the ill faith of the Mexicans imposes on me obligations and a line ofconduct to which you can refuse to submit without disgrace. From thismoment I release you from every engagement with me. I am no longer yourchief, but I will ever be your friend and brother."
These words had scarce been uttered ere the adventurers, through anirresistible impulse, overthrowing all in their way, rushed toward thecount, surrounded him with shouts and cries, lifted him in their arms,and showered on him assurances of their complete devotion.
"Long live the count! Long live Louis! Long live our chief! Death to theMexicans! Down with the traitors!"
Their effervescence assumed proportions which threatened to becomedangerous to the Mexicans at the moment in the camp. The exasperationwas at its height. Still, owing to the influence the count exerted overhis comrades, and the energetic conduct of the officers, the tumultgradually died out, and all returned nearly to the normal condition.
General Guerrero, at first alarmed by the effect produced on the Frenchby the untoward propositions of which he had constituted himself thebearer, soon reassured himself, however, especially on seeing withwhat abnegation and loyalty the count protected him against the justindignation of his companions. Nearly sure of running no risk, owing tothe noble character of the man he had so unjustly deceived, he resolvedto strike the final blow.
"Caballeros," he said in that honeyed voice peculiar to the Mexicans,"permit me to address a few words to you."
At this request the tumult was on the point of recommencing: still thecount succeeded in producing a stormy silence, if we may be allowed toemploy the phrase.
"General, you can speak," he said to him.
"Gentlemen," Don Sebastian went on, "I have only a few words to add.The Count de Prebois Crance has read you the conditions the MexicanGovernment imposes, but he was unable to read to you the consequences ofa refusal to obey those conditions."
"T
hat is true, sir. Be good enough, therefore, to make them known to us."
"It is a terrible duty for me to fulfil; still I must do so for yourbenefit, caballeros."
"Come to the point!" the adventurers shouted.
The general unfolded a paper, and after a moment of hesitation he readas follows, with a voice which, spite of all his efforts, slightlytrembled:--
"Count Don Louis de Prebois Crance, and all the men who remain faithfulto him, will be regarded as pirates; placed without the pale of the law,and arrested as such; tried by a military commission, and shot withintwenty-four hours."
"Is that all, sir?" the count asked coldly.
At a sign from the count the two papers containing the proposals and theproclamation of outlawry were nailed on the trunk of a tree.
"And now, sir, you have fulfilled your mission, I believe? You havenothing further to add?"
"I regret, senor conde----"
"Enough, sir. Were I really a pirate, as you so charitably callme, it would be easy for me to retain you, as well as the personsthat accompany you, which would supply me with ample means for thesatisfaction of my vengeance; but, whatever you may say, neither I northe men I have the honour to command are pirates. You will leave hereas free as you came: still I fancy you would do well not to delay yourdeparture."
The general did not need to hear this twice. For two hours he had seendeath several times too near, or at least he fancied so, to desire toprolong his stay in the camp; and hence he gave the necessary ordersfor immediate departure. At this moment Dona Angela, suddenly emergedfrom the group of ladies among whom she had hitherto stood, and walkedforward, majestically robed in her _rebozo_, her eye flashing with asombre fire.
"Stay!" she said with an accent so firm and so imposing that each wassilent, and regarded her with astonishment.
"Madam," Don Louis said to her, "I conjure you----"
"Let me speak," she said energetically; "let me speak, senor conde.As no one in this hapless country dares to protest against the odioustreachery of which you are a victim, I--a woman, the daughter of yourmost implacable enemy--declare openly before all, that you, count, arethe only man whose genius is powerful enough to regenerate this unhappycountry. You are misunderstood--insulted; and the epithet of pirate isattached to your name. Well, pirate--be it so. Don Louis, I love you!Henceforth I am yours--yours alone. Persevere in your noble enterprise.As long as I live there will be a woman in this accursed land who willpray for you. And now, farewell! I leave my heart with you."
The count knelt before the noble woman, kissed her hand respectfully,and raised his eyes to heaven.
"Dona Angela," he said with emotion, "I thank you. I love you, andwhatever may happen, I will prove to you that I am worthy of your love."
"Now, my father, let us go," she said to the general, who was halfmad with rage, and who yet did not dare give way to his passion; andturning for the last time to the count, she said, "Good-by, Don Louis!My betrothed, we shall soon meet again."
And she left the camp, accompanied by the enthusiastic shouts of theadventurers.
The Mexicans marched out with drooping heads and a blush on theirforeheads. In spite of themselves they were ashamed of the infamoustreachery they had dealt out to men whom they had earnestly summoned,whom they had deluded during four months with false promises, and whomthey were now preparing to rush upon like wild beasts.
Scarce two hours after these events occurred Valentine re-entered thecamp.