.

"There is a lesson for you, Jack, worth heeding," remarked my father.
"If only these people knew the truth!"

"They wouldn't understand it!" said I hotly. "The idea of a man making
such a sacrifice is beyond them. You know I have sometimes thought the
general made a big mistake in the conduct of the war, but he atoned for
everything last night. He looked simply splendid when he talked about
giving up everything for duty."

"Ah!" exclaimed my father thoughtfully, "with all his battles to look
back upon, he never won a greater victory than he did last evening. It
must almost have broken his heart, Jack, but he did not whimper."

Few spoke in this strain, and I was disappointed that even Jose took
sides with the majority. Sentiment, beyond his love for us, did not
appeal to him; he looked only on the practical side of things.

"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 chi