"Tell it to me, sir."
"I am called the King of Darkness."
"The leader of the Dark-Hearts!" the General murmured, starting, in spite of himself, and surveying the speaker with uneasy curiosity.
"Yes, General, I am the leader of the Dark-Hearts, but I am still something more."
"Explain yourself, sir," the General asked, who began to be in doubt how to behave toward the strange personage who was speaking to him.
"I am the leader of the men whom you term insurgents, but who have, in reality, only taken up arms to defend the institutions you have overthrown, and the constitution you have violated."
"Sir!" said the General, "your words——"
"Are severe, but just," continued Don Tadeo; "ask your own loyal, soldier's heart, General, and then tell me which side is right."
"I am not a lawyer, sir," Don Tiburcio replied impatiently; "you have yourself said that I am a soldier, and, as such, I confine myself to obeying, without discussion, the orders I receive from my leaders."
"Let us not lose time uselessly in idle speeches, sir; will you, or will you not, lay down your arms?"