Meanwhile, don Zeno Cabral, without appearing to remark the emotion produced by this scene, strode about the place where he was, his arms behind his back, and his head leaning on his breast, seemingly a prey to great agitation.
The officers stood apart, watching him by stealth, waiting with visible anxiety the determination which doubtless he would not be long in taking--a determination on which depended the life or death of the unhappy prisoners.
Captain Quiroga at last approached him, and respectfully barred his passage at the moment when, after having terminated his promenade in one direction, he was turning to continue it in the other.
"The confirmation of that you have given me."
"Yes, General; I wish to know if it is necessary to shoot immediately the twelve Brazilian prisoners there."
The general started as if a serpent had stung him; he stealthily darted a look towards the beautiful young girl. She was weeping, her face hidden in her mother's bosom.
"Nothing much--poor devils of servants, I believe."
The general fixed his piercing eye upon the impassive face of the old soldier.
"Ah!" said he; "How many of your men have they killed?"
"I find you very tenderhearted today, Captain Quiroga," said he, in a tone of sarcasm.
"I am just, as usual, General," he answered.
The general turned pale at this hard remark, but immediately recovering himself--
"Thank you, my old friend," pursued he, holding out his hand; "thank you, for having reminded me what I owe to myself. Let them sound the signal to saddle; we leave for San Miguel, gentlemen. Captain, I leave the prisoners under your special care; let them be treated with kindness."
"Good Zeno, I am grateful to you," answered the old soldier, with a low but firm voice, taking the hand that his chief held out, and kissing it; "good, my friend."
"Come, gentlemen, to horse!" cried the general, turning aside to conceal his emotion.
The cabildo of San Miguel de Tucumán was gay with excitement, and brilliantly lighted up. The people collected on the Plaza Mayor saw through the open windows the crowd of guests, men and women, in their most magnificent costumes, and their most brilliant toilets.
The governor was giving a tertulia a gala (soirée) to celebrate, in official style, the brilliant victory gained by the celebrated and valorous partisan chief, don Zeno Cabral, over the troops of the King of Spain.