"I shouldn't have thought San Martin would have thrown up the sponge," said he. "I gave him credit for more pluck than that. They do say in the town that he was keen on making himself king or emperor." "A pack of rubbish!" I cried. "Well," said Jose, "I would have seen the thing through, anyhow. It won't be pleasant for your father, either, when Bolivar gets the whip-hand. San Martin's friends will be in Bolivar's black books. I'll guarantee Montilla has written to him already." "You aren't in a very good temper this morning, Jose," said I, with a laugh. "No; because I am looking a long way ahead, and see things. Is your father going to keep in office?" "I expect so. He may be able to do the country a little good." "And himself a lot of harm! Shall you resign your commission?" "How can I? the Spaniards are still in the field." "And will take a lot of beating yet! 'Twould have answered better if the Peruvians had done the job by themselves." I might have mentioned that if they found it so difficult with the aid of others, they could hardly have done it alone; but dear old Jose was too angry for argument, so I let the subject drop. Among the officers opinion was divided, but no one had much to say on the matter. It almost seemed as if they feared to express their real opinion in case of future trouble. Colonel Miller, however, spoke his mind freely, and so did the other Englishmen with him. "I am sorry San Martin has gone," said he; "but my duty is plain. I am an officer in the army of Peru, and must obey orders from the government. If they give the chief command to Bolivar, why, I shall fight under him, just as I have done under San Martin. That's one good thing about soldiering--you always know where you are." "Humph!" said Jose, on hearing the remark, "I'm not so sure that the colonel's right. In my opinion there's more than one soldier just at present wondering if he hadn't better join the other party again. Another affair like the one at Ica would send them flying to Canterac in scores. The great thing with some of them is to be on the winning side." As soon as San Martin had left Peru, Bolivar sent a message, offering the aid of his troops; but the government declined all assistance. A new spirit seemed to enter into the nation: the people declared the country would fight its own battles, and preparations to meet the Spaniards were eagerly pushed on. What came of them we shall shortly see. CHAPTER XVIII. DARK DAYS. "I have decided to leave you in Lima, Crawford, to help Videla with the second battalion. I have good reasons for doing so," continued the colonel, observing my disappointed look; "and, anyhow, you are well out of this expedition. I don't expect much from it."