But as he heard what his neighbours said, and even their lightest movements, the latter probably would have heard him if he had endeavoured to leave the place. Force compelled him, then, though he grumbled at it, to maintain his hiding place, and to continue to hear the conversation of the two men--a conversation by no means calculated to reassure him, and which from time to time assumed a very disquieting character for a third party, called to be, spite of himself, a confidant. We have mentioned what horror the painter had for politics: the reader will easily understand what was his anxiety on hearing such things as those we are about to relate. "This news is certain!" said one of the interlocutors. "I have it from an eyewitness," answered the other. "¡Caramba!" said the first, slightly raising his voice, "So we may soon hope to see the general in these parts!" The painter trembled. He seemed to recognise that voice, without being able to recall where he had previously heard it. "So the insurgents have been defeated?" continued the same speaker. "Utterly defeated, Captain. I repeat it, at the battle of Villuma, General Pezuela pursued them more than six leagues, hard pressing them with the sword." "Bravo! And what is he doing now?" "Carsi! He is marching, doubling the rations, in order to arrive the quicker; unhappily, as far as we can see, he will not be able to be here for two months." "That is very late." "Yes; but that allows you to prepare your batteries." "That is true; nevertheless, the mission with which the general charges me is full of difficulties. The insurgents are numerous round the town, and they keep a good guard; if it were a question of carrying away two or three, or even ten deputies, perhaps I could answer for success; but consider, my dear count, that it is nothing less than causing the disappearance of sixty or eighty persons." "I do not understand you." "That is natural," continued the captain; "only arrived today in the town, and not having yet gone out, except with me, you are unacquainted with what is passing." "Entirely so," pursued the other, to whom had been given the title of count. "Here are the circumstances in a few words. The insurgents wish to strike a decided blow. With this design they have convoked here at Tucumán a congress composed of deputies from each revolted district. This congress has for its object the proclaiming of the independence of Buenos Aires, and of all the Banda Oriental." "¡Sangre de Dios! Are you sure of that?" cried the Count astounded. "So sure that I know it by one of my cousins, who is himself one of these deputies, and who has no secret from us." "¡Cuerpo de Cristo! This is dreadful! The general will be furious when I inform him of it." "I am convinced of it; but what is to be done?" "To prevent it by all means."