"Montilla? No; there is a mystery about him too. It is given out that he was abducted by brigands, but some people whisper another story."
"What?"
"That he fled to the Royalists, my boy, as I prophesied he would."
"Then you were a false prophet."
"Then I ask the worthy Don's pardon for suspecting him without cause. But how did you get here?"
"I was brought in a wagon."
"Lucky dog! Always lucky, Juan. I had to walk," and he showed me his feet, naked, and scored with cuts.
After sympathizing with him, I asked him how events were shaping.
"Canterac did not capture Callao, as he hoped, and is now back in the highlands. Many things have happened, however; let me be your chronicle. Where shall I start?"
"From the day that Canterac swooped down on Lima."