The Canadian shrugged his shoulders.
"It is easy to threaten a defenceless man," he muttered in a voice loud enough to be heard by the general.
"Make haste," the latter continued.
Clary, without any hurry, felt in a pocket of the coat he wore under the zarapé, took out the despatches Father Sandoval had entrusted to him, and presented them to the general with a bow.
"The Mexican patriots," he said, "hope that your Excellency will deign to lay before the governor this humble petition, which contains the enunciation of their grievances, and the concessions they wish to obtain from his justice."
The general took the letter, crumpled it in his hand, and threw it on a table, without reading. There was a moment of mournful silence; the officers, who knew the general's violent and implacable character, awaited a tragical finale, and were especially alarmed by the unusual patience which their chief had displayed. The latter did not leave them long in doubt.
"Now, scoundrel," he continued in a rough voice, "you have said all, I think?"
"Yes, all, Excellency."
"And I have listened to the end without interruption?"
"Yes, Excellency."