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Updated: June 11, 2025
They do say in the town that he was keen on making himself king or emperor." "A pack of rubbish!" I cried. "Well," said José, "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."
Montilla had not once raised his head, and now his limbs quivered. As for me, I sat listening with fascinated interest. "Side by side with this friend of the Indians," the chief continued, "there lived a Spanish gentleman, who told the viceroy falsely that his neighbour was going to the mountains to raise the standard of rebellion. The viceroy, who was frightened, sent soldiers to seize him.
The magnificent salons were illuminated by thousands of lights; the guests were numerous, and represented most of the beauty and wealth of Lima. My father and mother had not come, neither did I see Montilla. Rosa, of course, would have scorned to attend a ball given to the Patriots. Despite the lights and the music and the striking gaiety of the scene, I could not banish my feeling of dread.
We had a violent quarrel, and I struck her. She turned pale and began to cry. It was the first time I had ever seen her cry, and it affected me in the most painful manner. I begged her to forgive me, but she sulked with me for a whole day, and when I started back to Montilla she wouldn't kiss me.
"The man has come from the mountains with a message for your mother," said José; "I met him at the entrance to the park. But if Rosa Montilla is here, the news is known already." His face was very pale, and he spoke haltingly, as if his words were burdensome, and there was a look in his eyes which I had never seen before. I motioned to Antonio, and the two passed through.
"I wish to warn you," I continued desperately "to put you on your guard. There is a rumour I heard it in camp, but I do not vouch for its truth " "Come, make an end of this," she said haughtily, "or allow me to proceed to the house. What is this rumour which seems to have tied your tongue so?" "I will tell you. It is said that the leader of the conspiracy is Don Felipe Montilla! Let me "
All the chief families opened their doors to them, and our neighbour, Montilla, who had so suddenly been converted to our side, gave a ball more brilliant than even the oldest inhabitant could remember. Thus the days passed into weeks; my ankle grew strong and well, I was able to resume my duties, and still there was no sign of moving.
As to Montilla, I could hardly suppress an exclamation of surprise at the change in his appearance. No longer boldly erect, he stood with drooping head, pale cheeks, and downcast eyes. In the first act he had behaved like a man of spirit; the second he began like a craven. "Listen!" exclaimed Sorillo sternly, and his first words told me what would follow.
Nothing had been gained by my visit to Montilla, and his story only went to confirm the truth of the reports of my father's death. As to my faith in his startling promises, it grew weaker with every step my horse took. I said nothing to my mother; but José, to whom I related all that had passed, laughed loudly. "The cunning old fox!" cried he; "he hasn't his equal for craft in Peru!
The only surviving Spaniards in the galley were Juan de Cuellar, the governor's secretary, and Father Montilla of the Franciscan order, who were sleeping in the cabin amidships, and who remained there without coming out; nor did the Chinese, thinking that there were more Spaniards, dare to go in until next day, when they took the two men out and later put them ashore on the coast of Ylocos, in the same island of Luzon, in order that the natives might allow them to take water on shore, which they badly needed.
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