"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." "And your worship, will you be the Señor Don Gregorio Lopez?" "I am he. And you, what is your name?" "I call myself Venceslao Viana, at your service, Señor Don Gregorio." At this Don Gregorio rose from his seat with a grave look on his face and walked away to a window, while Don Roderigo looked up from the letter which he had just finished, and examined attentively the face of the chasque, who appeared somewhat disconcerted at the abrupt termination of his conversation with Don Gregorio. Then folding up the letter and sealing it with the official seal of the Cabildo, Don Roderigo handed it to Venceslao Viana. "This to the Señor General Liniers," he said. "But first tell me, have you seen anything of the English to-day?" "Much, I came right through their lines. There is another army of them crossed the Riachuelo at the Zamorra Pass this morning." "Then vaya con Dios, and don't lose a minute;" so saying, Don Roderigo opened the door for him, and shaking him warmly by the hand dismissed him, as much surprised at his politeness as at the sudden coolness of Don Gregorio. "One must be the devil himself to understand the ways of these men who wear coats," said Venceslao to himself, as he mounted his horse. "That old man must be in some way a relation of mine; he will be one of those relations in the city of whom my father never speaks. He would speak to me no more when he knew who I was. And that other! Who knows if he is not a relation also. When one is a man of family one never knows where one may meet relations." Venceslao was not much given to thinking, and had soon something else to employ his wits on, having to make diligent use of his eyes to escape the scouting and foraging parties of the English. He reached General Liniers in safety and delivered his despatch, which restored the despondent soldier to his usual confident activity. Taking Venceslao as his guide he marched rapidly by cross-roads back to town, exchanging a few harmless shots with a party of English who were advancing towards the Miserere, and at once took charge of the preparations for defence. That evening, as Venceslao was lounging about under the colonnade in front of the Cabildo, he was accosted by Don Roderigo Ponce de Leon. "What are you doing, friend?" said Don Roderigo. "I am waiting for nightfall. There are so many English about that it will be dangerous to go out by daylight," replied Venceslao. "Go out! And where are you going?" "To present myself to my chief." "That cannot be. Here in the city is the place for all good patriots. You have seen fire, we need men like you." "And what can I do here? Of these manoeuvres on foot I know nothing, and my horse will die of hunger." "Of that have no fear, remain with me, I will find something for you to do."