"Just so," answered the man. "The Señor General Liniers took me with him that day, and yesterday I was with him to the end."
"Then you were present at the fight on the Plaza Miserere?"
"Yes, I saw it all, but I do not call that a fight. When they ought to have rushed on them they stopped to shoot, and it was all disorder. But what would you? They were on foot. I, yes; last year I saw a fight farther away, beyond the Plaza Miserere. There, yes; there we went on to the top of them like men, but it was all in vain; in the same, no more, it ended. Look you that these English are the very devil, but have no fear, in some way we shall arrange them."
"Were you with Don Juan Martin Puyrredon at Perdriel?"
"I was, and I escaped only by a miracle. That, yes; that was a fight. When a man is on horseback he is worth three, but these people of the city who go on foot! what would you have?"
"But these English, they were on foot, both yesterday and at Perdriel."
"And among houses and fences. Let them come and seek us in the open camp; we will teach them."
"It appears that my son has had a warrior among his men."
"Your son, Señor! Who will he be?"
"Colonel Lopez, who was your chief two days ago."