"Here, Crawford!" answered San Martin, opening the door of an inner room. "Is anything wrong?"
"No, general, but I fear there soon will be. Do you know it is whispered in the town that you are about to leave Peru?"
"The rumour is correct, my friend, as I have just been telling Guido. No, it is useless to talk; my mind is made up. I can do the country no more good."
For a long time both Guido and my father tried to prevail upon him to stay, but in vain.
"The world will regard you as a deserter!" urged Guido.
"What matters it as long as I know the truth? I care not for the applause of the world, my friends, nor fear its frowns. I leave my work unfinished, it is true, but others will finish it and reap the glory. Besides, Peru will be the better for my absence."
"No, no!" exclaimed my father earnestly. "The people love you and trust you. They will uphold your authority."
San Martin held out his hand, saying,—
"You are a true friend, Crawford, but you are a true patriot and a shrewd man as well. Now listen to me. Without help it will take two years at least to subdue the Spaniards. That will mean two years of misery. Do you follow me?"
"Perfectly."