The officers grouped round the General, and the soldiers drawn up in the place, shouted—
"Long live the Protector!"
But the people were mute.
"Hum!" the general murmured to himself; "they do not display much enthusiasm."
A man came forward from the group collected round the fountain, and advanced boldly to within twenty paces of the soldiers. This man was Don Tadeo de Leon; his countenance was calm and his bearing firm and collected. He made a sign with his hand.
"What is your will?" the general shouted.
"To reply to your proclamation," the King of Darkness said, intrepidly.
"Speak! I hear you," the general replied.
Don Tadeo bowed with a significant smile.
"In the name of the Chilian people," he said, in a loud, clear voice, "the senate of Santiago de Chili, composed of creatures sold to the tyrant, is declared traitorous to its country."