"So then, count," the general replied, "you are head of the garrison?"
"And is this garrison numerous?" he resumed.
"Some thirty men, perhaps?" said the general, with an insinuating smile.
"Thereabouts," the count replied, without hesitation.
"What, count," he exclaimed, with feigned anger, "do you pretend, with thirty men, to resist the five hundred Araucano warriors who surround you?"
"Any why not?" the young man replied coolly.
"Why, it is madness!" the general replied.
The general knitted his brow, for the interview was taking a direction not at all agreeable to him: he resumed, "these are my conditions; you, count, and all the Frenchmen that accompany you, shall free to retire; but Chilians and Aucas, whoever may be found among your troop, shall be immediately given up."
The count's brow became clouded; he, however, bowed to all present with great courtesy, but then walked resolutely straight out of the hut.
"Where are you going, señor?" the general said, "and why do you leave us thus suddenly?"
"Señor," the count remarked, "after such a proposal reply is useless."
Whilst speaking thus the count kept walking on, and the five persons had left the camp, in some sort without perceiving it, and found themselves at a very short distance from the improvised citadel.
"Stay, señor," the general observed; "before refusing, you ought, at least, to warn your companions."
"You are right, general," said the count.
He took out his pocketbook, wrote a few words on one of the leaves, tore it out, and folded it.
"You shall be satisfied on the spot," he added. "Throw down a lasso!" he cried, with a loud voice.
Almost immediately a long leathern cord passed through one of the crevices, and came floating to within a foot of the ground. The count took a stone, enveloped it in the sheet of paper, and tied the whole to the end of the lasso, which was quickly drawn up.
All at once the moveable fortifications heaped upon the rock disappeared at if by enchantment, and the platform appeared covered with Chilian soldiers armed with muskets; a little in advance of them stood Valentine and his dog Cæsar.
"Count!" Valentine cried, in a voice that sounded like a trumpet, "in the name of your companions, you have very properly rejected the shameful proposals made to you; we are here a hundred and fifty resolute men, resolved to perish rather than accept them."