Every heart beat anxiously; a dozen horsemen could be noticed moving in the darkness about thirty yards off; but the gloom was so dense that it was impossible to recognise them, or know with whom they had to deal.
"Say what you want or I fire," the sentry shouted for the third time, as he levelled his piece.
"Down with your arms, friends," the same voice, still perfectly calm, repeated; "I am Don Pedro Sallazar."
"Yes! yes!" the general exclaimed, joyfully, as he threw down his gun, "I recognise him: let Don Pedro enter, my friends."
Four men hastily removed some bales to make a passage for the officer who entered the camp, while his escort remained outside. The general stepped forward to meet the newcomer.
"How is it you are here?" he asked him. "I fancied you were at Santiago."
"You will soon learn," Pedro replied, "for I have important communications to make to you. But first permit me to give some instructions to the men who accompany me."
Then turning to his soldiers, he said, "Cabo Lopez, take care that no one leaves the camp, and post yourself here, and try to be on good terms with the worthy persons here present."
"Yes, general," the corporal answered, with a bow.
"What? general!" Don Juan asked, with surprise. "Are you really a general, my dear Don Pedro?"