on some particular course.

When we had taken our seats, he rose and said, "Senors, I have called
you together to discuss an important proposal. Affairs, as you know,
are in a bad state; the country is in disorder, and the enemy are
triumphing everywhere. Under these circumstances, the chiefs of the
army have decided to force the hands of the government. To-morrow the
troops will march to Lima and demand that a president shall be
appointed with full powers. Now, I will have no part or lot in this
matter. I call it treason. If the government choose to resign, well
and good; if they resist, my sword, at least, is at their service."

A round of cheering greeted his remarks, and one after another the
officers sprang up, pledging themselves to support him.

"Thank you," said he quietly; "I knew you would not fail me. Nothing
will be done until the morning. Then, when the order to march is
issued, I shall command you to stand still."

"Suppose they use force, colonel?" I suggested.

His face grew paler, but he answered steadily, "I trust they will not
be so foolish. Should they be, the battalion, will know how to defend
itself."

"Caramba!" exclaimed Alzura, when the meeting broke up, "it seems to me
that the second battalion is likely to follow the first. What can we
do against an army?"

"There will be no fighting," I answered cheerfully. "They will simply
march without us, and the government will agree to their demands."

I spoke as if my opinion were conclusive, but nevertheless I did not
sleep comfortably that night. The troops were wakened early, breakfast
was hurried over, and then, to the sound of bugles, the various
regiments paraded. Presently they began to move, and a mounted officer
dashed over to know why our battalion remained still.

"By my orders they remain. I refuse to join in what my officers and I
regard as an act of treason," calmly replied Videla. "We will
willingly march against the enemy, but not against our own government."

Bending over, the officer whispered something in his ear.

"We have counted the cost," replied our chief, "and are not to be
frightened. Let the men who are unwilling to obey me fall out; no harm
will happen to them," said he, turning to the troop.

Not a man moved, the brave fellows stood in their ranks, firm as rocks.
Again the officer whispered to Videla, and then dashed off at full
speed. It was, as Alzura afterwards remarked, a bad quarter of an