Conclusion of Spanish rule--Situation of the victors-- Rival claims--Alvear defeats a Uruguayan force-- Montevideo remains in possession of Buenos Aires--Rural Uruguay supports Artigas--Alliance of the Argentine littoral provinces with the Orientales--Some intrigues and battles--Success of the Uruguayans--Departure from Montevideo of the Buenos Aires garrison--The Uruguayans enter into possession of their capital--Some crude methods of government--Trials of the inhabitants--Growth of Artigas's power--The Buenos Aires directors undertake a propitiatory measure--A grim human offering--Attitude of the Uruguayan Protector--Negotiations and their failure--The civil progress of Uruguay--Formation of departments--The Portuguese invade the country once again--Condition of the inhabitants--Fierce resistance to the invaders--A campaign against heavy odds--The Portuguese army enters Montevideo--War continued by the provinces--Invasion of Brazil by the Oriental forces-- Crushing defeats suffered by the army of invasion--Final struggles--The flight of Artigas--Uruguay passes under Portuguese rule. CHAPTER VI ARTIGAS 78 The human product of a turbulent era--Historical verdicts disagree--Opinions of Uruguayan and foreign historians-- High-flown tribute--The cleansing of Artigas's fame-- Prejudices of some local accounts--Uruguay at the time of Artigas's birth--Surroundings of his youth--Smuggling as a profession--Growth of his influence--His name becomes a household word--Artigas enters the Spanish service--The corps of Blandengues--Efficiency and promotion--Quarrel with the Spanish General--Artigas throws in his lot with the patriot forces--His success as a leader of men--Rank accorded him--Jealousy between Artigas and the Buenos Aires generals--Conflicting ambitions--The Portuguese invasion--Artigas leads the Oriental nation to the Argentine shore--The encampment at Ayui--Scarcity of arms and provisions--Battles with the Portuguese--The subalterns of Artigas--Otorgues and Andresito--Crude governmental procedure--Arbitrary decrees--The sentiments of Artigas--His love of honesty--Progress of the war-- Complications of the campaign--Artigas as Protector--The encampment of Hervidero--Revolting tales--The exaggeration of history--Artigas refuses honours--His proclamation-- Simple life of the Commander--Some contemporary accounts--The national treasury--Final desperate struggles against the Portuguese--Rebellion of Ramirez-- Fierce battles--Extraordinary recuperative power of the Protector--Final defeat of Artigas--Flight to Paraguay-- The Protector in retirement. CHAPTER VII HISTORY (_continued_) 97