"Miserable fellow! what do you dare to say?" the General cried, angrily.
"No insults, if you please! Allow me to terminate the answer I have to give you," Don Tadeo replied, coolly.
The General, involuntarily brow-beaten by the heroic courage of this man, who, alone, unarmed before a triple row of muskets ready to be directed towards his breast, had dared to speak in this loud, firm tone, and overcome by that ascendancy which a great character always exercises, bit the pommel of his sword with rage.
"In the name of the people," Don Tadeo, still calm and stoical, continued, "Don Pancho Bustamente is declared a traitor to his country, and as such is degraded from his titles and his power. Liberty! Chili!"
"Liberty! Chili!" the populace assembled on the square shouted with the greatest enthusiasm.
"Oh, this is too audacious!" the General cried, pale with anger. "Soldiers, seize that rebel!"
Several soldiers stepped forward; but, quicker than thought, Don Gregorio and Valentine had sprung to Don Tadeo's side, and dragged him back with them among the people.
"Cordieu!" cried Valentine, pressing his hands enough to crush them, "you are a troublesome man! but I love you the better for it."
The General, outrageous at seeing his enemy escape, shouted silence. "In the name of the Protector," he said, "I command that rebel to be given up!"
Hisses and hootings were the only reply.