"Do you despair?" he asked significantly.
"I do not, far from that, I am resolved to fall if necessary, sooner than yield to the law, which would be imposed on me by that villain Juárez, a hateful and vindictive Indian, picked up through pity on the side of a road by a Spaniard, and who only employs the learning he has gained, and the education he has received by accident, to distract his country, and plunge it into an abyss of misfortunes."
"What would you have, General?" the adventurer answered sarcastically. "Who knows whether the Spaniard to whom you allude did not educate this Indian for the purpose of accomplishing a vengeance, and with a prevision of what is taking place today?"
"Everything would lead to the belief, on my soul! Never did man follow with more catlike patience, the darkest schemes, or accomplish more odious actions, with such impudent cynicism."
"Is he not the chief of the Puros?" the adventurer said laughingly.
"Curses on the man!" the general exclaimed, with an outburst of generous indignation, which he could not overcome. "He wishes the ruin of our unhappy country."
"Why do you refuse to follow my advice?"
The general shrugged his shoulders impatiently.
"Good Heavens!" he said, "Because the plan you have submitted to me is impracticable."
"Is that really the sole motive that prevents you from adopting it?" he asked cleverly.