"I knew there was going to be something," replied Evaristo, "for Tata sent me out to the quinta yesterday and would not go himself. I found Uncle Gregorio there, and his dragoons came, Evaña had sent for them, and uncle said you would be set free to-day, so I came back. First thing this morning I went to the barracks of the Pardos y Morenos, there were some of your men there and they were glad enough to promise me. All day I waited but there was never a chance, there were the Catalanes and Gallegos right in front of the Cabildo. Suddenly the arch of the Recoba appeared a volcano vomiting dragoons with drawn sabres, the Spaniards were all in confusion, I saw that the moment had come. I called to the Morenos, they followed me like 'guapos' and here we are." "Yes, here we are, thank God, but why were the Spaniards there and the Patricios?" "It appears that the Señores the Spaniards took it into their heads to depose the Viceroy. That did not please Don Cornelio Saavedra, and the dragoons of Uncle Gregorio have trampled on them some little I warrant you." [9] "Junta! Junta! like that of Spain! Down with Liniers the Frenchman." [10] For this scene see "La Historia de Belgrano," by General Mitre. CHAPTER VIII EVAÑA'S DREAM It was long past nightfall ere the Viceroy, wearied with the day's anxieties, returned to his official residence at the fort. As he crossed the drawbridge he was joined by Don Roderigo Ponce de Leon. "I come to congratulate you, Don Santiago, on the happy result of the day," said Don Roderigo. "Ah! Don Roderigo, is it you?" said the Viceroy. "I have looked for you several times to-day. How is it that you never came with the other members of the Cabildo?" "I knew what they purposed doing and chose to take no part in it. I like not these popular demonstrations." "But the people were with me entirely." "By good fortune, and owing to the firmness of Don Cornelio. But after all we have only just escaped a great catastrophe." "A catastrophe! Well, yes, if the Spanish regiments had stood firm there would have been bloodshed, but the end would have been as it is." "If the artillery and the Andaluces had been against you to-day, you could only have crushed the conspiracy by great sacrifice of life, and the danger is merely postponed." "I shall disarm all the Spanish regiments." "Disarm the Spanish regiments! If you do that you are lost, you put yourself entirely in the power of these Creoles." "The militia or the troops, I must choose between them," said Liniers.