At this accusation the corporal feigned immense indignation. He frowned, bit his lip, and drew his sword, which he brandished menacingly.
"What words are those, lieutenant?" cried he. "Do you address such an insult to me? Do you call me, the most devoted partisan of our well-beloved General Rosas, a salvaje unitario? ¡Vive Dios!"
"Come, come; calm yourself," answered the lieutenant, who, like all men of his calibre, was as cowardly as he was cruel, and was intimidated by the pretended anger of the corporal; "I did not mean to insult you! I know you are to be trusted."
"It is well you say so," replied Luco; "for I have no mind to listen patiently to unjust reproach."
"Lose no more time in talking," said a soldier, interfering; "¡rayo de Dios! I have a capital idea."
"What is it?" asked Don Torribio. "Out with it, Eusebio, or it will blow you up."
The soldier laughed.
"This old hovel," said he, "is full of forage. Let us set fire to it, and roast in the flames all the salvajes unitarios who are here."
"¡Vive Dios!" cried Don Torribio, in high glee; "that is a capital idea. We will set about it at once. The general will be pleased enough when he knows we have rid him so expeditiously of a harbour for his enemies. Two of you arrange the straw properly, while we mount and chase those rascals back here. Not a soul of these malvados (malicious rogues) shall escape the punishment he richly deserves."
The lieutenant then signed to the soldiers to leave.