CHAPTER XXIII.
PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
Don Tadeo's entrance into Valdivia was truly a triumphant one.Notwithstanding the rain, which fell in torrents, the whole populationwas drawn up in the streets as he passed through, holding in theirhands torches, whose flames, agitated by the wind, shed a pale, brokenlight, which was mingled with that of the constant electric flashes.The cries of joy of the inhabitants, the rolling of drums, were mingledwith the peals of thunder and the furious hissing of the tempest.
Don Tadeo was much moved by this proof of love which the populationoffered him. He felt that, however great private interests may be, theyare small in comparison with those of a people; that it is great andnoble to sacrifice them to it, and that he who knows how to die bravelyfor the welfare of his fellow citizens fulfils a holy and a grandmission. His determination was formed at once. He drew his head proudlyup, and saluted with a smile the joyous groups which pressed around himon his passage, clapping their hands and shouting "Viva Chile!" Hearrived at the cabildo thus escorted.
He dismounted, ascended the steps of the palace, and turned towardsthe crowd. The immense square was paved with heads. The windows ofthe houses were thronged with people; and all the crowd were utteringdeafening cries of joy. Don Tadeo saw that a few words were expectedfrom him. He made a gesture, and a profound silence immediatelyprevailed.
"Dear fellow citizens!" said the King of Darkness, "my heart is touchedmore than I can express with the extraordinary mark of sympathy youhave given me. You shall always see me in the front rank of those whofight for liberty. Be always united for the public welfare, and tyrannywill never succeed in conquering you."
This little warm address was hailed with reiterated "Bravos!" andprolonged cries of "Viva Chile!"
Don Tadeo entered the palace. He there found assembled the superiorofficers, the alcaldes, and the principal leader of the Dark Hearts.All rose at his entrance. Since the King of Darkness had regained hispopular enthusiasm he had recovered all his faculties.
"Caballeros," he said, "I am happy to find you assembled at thecabildo. Moments are precious. General Bustamente has allied himselfwith Antinahuel, the Grand Toqui of the Araucanos, in order themore easily to regain his power. This is the reason why he made hispronunciamiento in this remote province. Delivered by the Araucanos, hehas taken refuge among them. We shall soon see him at the head of thoseferocious warriors, invading our frontiers and desolating our richestprovinces. I repeat to you our moments are precious! A bold initiativealone can save us. But, to take the initiative, I must have on my part,I whom you have made your leader, regular powers granted by the senate."
These words, whose justice every one acknowledged, created a profoundsensation. To the serious objection raised by Don Tadeo, it wasdifficult to make a reply. Don Gregorio approached him, holding afolded paper in his hand.
"Take this," he said, presenting the open paper to Don Tadeo: "this isthe reply of the senate of Santiago to the manifesto you addressed tothem after the fall of the tyrant; it is an order which invests youwith supreme power. As, after the victory, you resigned the power intomy hands, I had kept this order secret. The moment is come to render itpublic. Don Tadeo de Leon! you are our leader."
At this intelligence all present arose with delight, crying withenthusiasm, "Viva Don Tadeo de Leon!"
He took the paper and ran his eyes over the contents.
"That is well," he said, returning it to Don Gregorio, with a smile,"now I am free to act."
The members of the assembly resumed their seats.
"Caballeros," Don Tadeo continued, "as I told you, a bold initiativealone can save us. We must defeat our adversary by promptness. You knowthe man, you know he possesses all the necessary qualities for a goodgeneral; he will not therefore fall asleep in a false security; whilehis ally, Antinahuel, is an intrepid chief, endowed with boundlessambition. These two men, united by the same interests, may, if we donot take care, give us a great deal to do; we must therefore attackthem both at once. This is what I propose: if the plan I am about tosubmit to you appears vicious, as we are assembled in council, you willdiscuss it."
He continued--
"We will divide our forces into two parts; the first shall go byforced marches, and attack Arauca. This expedition, the sole objectof which is to divide the forces of our adversaries, ought to be madein a manner which will oblige them to send important reinforcements.A second division, composed of all the men in the province capable ofbearing arms, will march upon the Bio Bio, in order to lend a hand tothe troops of the province of Concepcion.
"But," a superior officer objected, "permit me, Don Tadeo, to say thatin your plan you forget one thing."
"What is that, senor?"
"Is not this province more exposed than any other?"
"You connect the events which are about to take place there with thosethat have preceded them."
"Doubtless I do."
"And that is where your error lies. When Don Pancho Bustamente causedhimself to be proclaimed in Valdivia, he had good reasons. Thisprovince is remote--isolated; the general hoped to make a war depotof it, and to establish himself solidly there, thanks to his allies.That plan was well conceived, it offered great chances of success. Butat the present moment the question is completely changed: the generalhas no longer anything to rely on in this province. In my opinion wemust bar his road to the capital, and force him to accept battle. As tothe province of Valdivia, it is not threatened in any way; only, as insuch circumstances we cannot employ too much prudence, a civil militiamust be instituted in order to defend its hearths. Don Gregorio, youwill take the command of the troops destined to act against Arauca.I reserve for myself the command of the army of the Bio Bio. Thismorning, at daybreak, Senor the Alcalde Mayor, you will cause abando to be published in all the provinces announcing that voluntaryenrolments, at a demi-piastre per day, are opened. You, ColonelGutierrez, I name governor of the province; your first care must be toorganise the civic guard."
"Your Excellency may depend upon me," the colonel replied.
"I have known you for a length of time, colonel, and I know I can leaveyou to act with full confidence," said Tadeo, with a smile.
The members of the assembly retired, after having again proclaimedtheir devotion to the good cause. Don Tadeo and Don Gregorio were leftalone. Don Tadeo was quite another man. Don Gregorio looked at him withastonishment.
"Brother," said Don Tadeo, "this time we must conquer or die. You willbe near me in the hour of battle; you will leave your command when at afew leagues from the city, for it is at my side you must fight."
"Thanks!" said Don Gregorio, "thanks."
"This tyrant, against whom we are going once more to measure ourselvesmust die."
"He shall die."
"From among the Dark Hearts select ten men, who must be employedspecially in pursuit of Bustamente."
"Depend upon me."
"Send directly Don Ramon Sandias to the governor of Concepcion, to warnhim to be upon his guard."
Don Gregorio bowed, and retired laughing.