"There! I knew you would recognise me."
"Ah! This is a fortunate arrival!" said the captain.
"You know," said Don Zeno, "that I expect that you will permit me to pass."
"¡Vive Dios! General, are you not chief among us? We will escort you."
"Come, gentlemen," said he, addressing the two Spaniards, "I believe we shall be well received."
"I should like to see it otherwise," grumbled Don Sylvio, through his moustache.
The news of the arrival of the general had now been spread through the camp; those who had been watching had risen; the sleepers, rudely awakened, had imitated them, rubbing their eyes; and all hastened, with torches and cries of joy, into the presence of the chief whom they adored.
Zeno Cabral then entered his camp, amidst the bright reflection of the torches, agitated by the night breeze.
As soon as the chief found himself in the midst of his staff, who hastened round him to congratulate him, he, by a gesture, ordered silence.
"Gentlemen," said he, pointing to the two men who accompanied him, and who stood modestly behind him, "these two caballeros are my friends, and not my prisoners. Although devoted to another cause than our own, and not sharing our political convictions, they are, for a time at least, placed under the security of our honour. I commend them to your honourable care; see that they want for nothing, and are treated with the respect due to them."