fc 
 
FRANCIA, 
 
 A TALE OF THE 
 
 REVOLUTION OF PARAGUAY, 
 
 FROM AUTHENTIC SOURCES. 
 
 BT 
 
 E. CLARENCE SHEPARD, 
 
 LONDON : 
 RICHARD BENTLEY, 
 
 PUBLISHER IN ORDINARY TO HER MAJESTY, 
 NEW BURLINGTON STREET. 
 
 185L 
 
PRESERVATION 
 COPY ADDED 
 ORIGINAL TO BE. 
 RETAINED 
 
 FEB 2 1993 
 
 
 GENERAL ^ 
 
 J. & W. R0BTN8, PRINTERS, SOUTHWARK. 
 
THE FOLLOWING TALE 
 
 IS DEDICATED, BY PEEMISSION, 
 
 THE EIGHT HONORABLE 
 VISCOUNT PALMERSTON, G.C;B. 
 
 HER majesty's SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN 
 AFFAIRS, ETC. ETC. ETC. 
 
 BY HIS lordship's 
 MOST OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, 
 
 E. C. SHEPARD. 
 
 175110 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2007 with funding from 
 
 IVIicrosoft Corporation 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/franciataleofrevOOsheprich 
 
FRANCIA. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 In the Calle Mayor of Cordova del Tucuman 
 stands the ancient and hoary buildings of the Uni- 
 versity founded by the Jesuits. It was eleven 
 o'clock in the forenoon, and the morning lectures 
 seemed to be just concluded, when the students in 
 their scholastic antiquated costume, with short black 
 cloaks, stood in respectful silence as the Professors 
 passed one after the other before them. It was 
 then their youthful spirits burst forth in unrestricted 
 glee ; the dry classics were thrust into the breast 
 pockets, and numerous parties were rapidly formed 
 for rides and excursions in the neighbouring Cor- 
 dilleras. The merry troop quickly disappeared, 
 leaving only two young men standing beneath the 
 
 B 
 
I WHOS HIS FATHER r 
 
 porch of that part of the College which was allotted 
 to the law students ; but whether in expectation of 
 some one to join them it would not have been easy 
 to guess. The elder of the two stood gazing fixedly 
 before him with a thoughtful and gloomy aspect. 
 The younger looked up into the beautiful blue sky 
 above him, so joyously and confidingly that it 
 seemed as if he awaited thence consolation and 
 cheering for his companion. 
 
 " WiU you then never shake off your heavy 
 thoughts?" exclaimed he, after a long pause. 
 " Cuerpo de Christo, I would not be cast down for 
 the space of one half hour by the loss of a couple 
 of hundred miserable coins, and it is now eight 
 days since one has been able to get even a word 
 from you." 
 
 A flash of half suppressed bitterness played over 
 the countenance of him to whom these words were 
 addressed. 
 
 " Would that you ! " burst painfully from 
 
 his lips. " But no, I will not swear my Rodrigo ; 
 swearing is a vile sin; especially when often in- 
 dulged in. Men of your sort are incapable of 
 
who's his father? 3 
 
 forming a true conception of the value of money, 
 or of what the loss of money is. Oh!" thrusting his 
 hands into his hair and gnashing his teeth, " of that 
 you have not the slightest idea. Four hundred 
 and fifty dueros at one stroke !" 
 
 The younger of the fiiends laughed immoderately. 
 *' Now truly am I happier than you poor Jago," 
 said he, gaily. " Many a time have I thought 
 that it would be right pleasant could I command a 
 few doubloons. I should be at no loss how to 
 employ them ! But me hercle, I would far rather 
 be poor then thus tear my hair for the loss of a 
 little money!" 
 
 " The jew, the negro, may he bum in hell for a 
 thousand years!" muttered the other to himself. 
 " Had I at least not trusted him with the whole 
 sum!" 
 
 " You are rightly served," retorted his fiiend 
 
 quickly. " ' To trust your money to a jew is to 
 
 throw it into the river,' says an old proverb. You 
 
 are justly punished for your avarice ; I do not pity 
 
 you one jot." 
 
 Jago was silent, but he raged within. " Be it 
 b2 
 
4 who's his father? 
 
 so, my young friend," said he at length, with a sar- 
 castic smile, as he tapped Rodrigo on the shoulder. 
 " I will do without your compassion, but the time 
 will come when sennor Rodrigo will be ready 
 enough to pay a visit to the poor miserly Jago. 
 Probably when the Chiquita at the Gate del 
 Carmen, or the charming Carazon in the Calle 
 Mayor, wants a new mantilla, or a fashionable 
 french bonnet ! But then perhaps Jago may not 
 be at home." 
 
 " Be not a fool," replied Rodrigo, flinging his 
 arms round his friend's neck. " Such httle jests 
 only cement friendship. See now, I want your 
 advice even this very day," resumed he, with some 
 embarrassment, and after a pause, " What is the 
 best way of escaping the admonitions of a creditor 
 by whom one is incessantly persecuted ? It is in 
 itself a mere trifle, thirty pesados, but if one does 
 not happen to have them, what then?" 
 
 An ironical smile played over the countenance 
 of Jago, which however quickly resumed its pre- 
 viously cold expression. 
 
 ** Make yourself easy jfriend," said he, " I will 
 
who's his father? 5 
 
 provide the remedy ; I have done it many a time 
 already." 
 
 The other was about to utter some words of 
 acknowledgment, but Jago instantly interrupted 
 him. 
 
 " Think not," continued he, with apparent ve- 
 hemence, " think not that I omit to keep an accoimt 
 against you. I reserve my claims, whether sooner 
 or later. By the Holy Virgin do you imagine that 
 all those sums are so many free gifts to you?" 
 
 His youthful friend looked up surprised. " I 
 have never wished that," said he in a tone not 
 unmingled with reproach. " Mark you, Jago, I 
 am a wild fellow but not an unprincipled one, and 
 amidst all my foolish pranks I have never neglected 
 my studies. The Professors give me the best of 
 characters, and so I hope by God's help to become 
 an able lawyer. Wlien that time arrives I will 
 pay my debts." 
 
 " Speak not to me of restoring the money," re- 
 joined the other, looking fixedly before him. " I 
 deal rigorously, but not with you. Ask, require of 
 mc as much as you will, so long as you do not 
 
6 who's his father? 
 
 become unworthy I will ever be your banker. 
 But there is another kind of requital which I prize 
 beyond gold, or the worth of gold. We live in a 
 storm shaken epoch; revolutions are organised 
 only to clear the way for the most desolating anar- 
 chies. Buenos Ayres has liberated itself from the 
 yoke of Spain, but what is its freedom ! No where 
 peace nor union; it is a period of the most 
 terrible — ." 
 
 He paused for a moment and drew a deep 
 breath. 
 
 " But what is the drift of all this?" asked Rod- 
 rigo, carelessly, " am I to blame for it?" 
 
 " By no means," resumed the elder friend, again 
 smiling somewhat sarcastically ; " but I considered 
 this preamble necessary, in order to impart to you 
 a plan which I have long been revolving. Let us 
 forsake a land where license and ruthless despotism 
 prevail. How can we feel secure that the wild 
 populace, once excited, shall not break loose on us, 
 and rob us of our property, perhaps even of our 
 lives. Look you, in such hours have I often 
 turned with admiration towards a land where one 
 
WHOS HIS FATHER r 
 
 bold great man holds with a strong hand the reins 
 of government Often have I wished myself mider 
 the protection of such a power, and then I ever 
 thought of you, of your bold enterprising spirit, 
 which will not easily find a suitable field of action 
 in Buenos Ayres." 
 
 '' I comprehend," repHed Rodrigo, with a smile ; 
 " this Eldrado is Paraguay, your great man is 
 Doctor Francia; but I must beg to decline the 
 honour of allowing myself to be put into prison 
 there for no offence, as it is the Doctor's custom to 
 do with strangers. When matters come to an 
 extremity, I prefer a bullet through my head in 
 Buenos Ayres, to languishing in a dungeon at 
 Assumption or Javego." 
 
 " Foolish chatter," exclaimed Jago indignantly ; 
 *' the unthinking mass, to which you also belong, is 
 incapable of rightly measuring the actions of that 
 truly great man." 
 
 The elder of the fidends seemed disposed to 
 enter into further details, but Rodrigo was in no 
 mood for poHtical discussion. He hastily drew his 
 watch fi-om his breast, exclaiming significantly; 
 
8 who's his father? 
 
 " a quarter to twelve, the hour of love is about to 
 strike ; I must away to my little nymph at the end 
 of the Calle Mayor. Go you to my mother and 
 excuse me to her for my long absence." He then 
 darted off with such speed that his companion 
 could only send after him a hasty farewell. 
 
who's his father? 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 
 Three days after the above related dialogue we 
 again find our two acquaintances in a Posada, or 
 Tavern, in the Piazza del Tucuman. During this 
 short period a striking change had come over Rod- 
 rigo. His cheerful careless demeanour had for- 
 saken him, and he was now quite downcast, whilst 
 Jago passed the bottle to him in vain. As for the 
 latter, he did not appear to participate in the 
 sadness of his friend ; one jest followed quick upon 
 the other, until at length Rodrigo angrily broke 
 forth in the following words : 
 
 " Hard hearted man, have you then no spark of 
 human feeling in you ? Did no tender mother ever 
 watch over you, no affectionate father ever cradle 
 you in his arms ? Can you form no idea of what 
 
10 who's his father? 
 
 a son must feel whose mother is lying on her 
 death-bed?" 
 
 Jago rocked himself with an air of indifference 
 in his chair. " Wherefore not," said he, smiling ; 
 " but you must not take it amiss that your tender 
 heartedness surprises me. You, the wildest of the 
 wild, the niaddest in every daring trick, — such 
 sublime principles to emanate from you, ha, ha!" 
 
 Rodrigo threw back his head proudly. " With- 
 out desiring to extenuate my thoughtless mode of 
 life," rephed he, coldly, " permit me to remind 
 you that I have never quitted the path of rectitude; 
 that in all my mad pranks I have never been 
 criminal, and that I," and here he cast a sharp and 
 searching glance on Jago, " have to thank your 
 interference alone for my offences in a moral point 
 of view." 
 
 " My interference?" drawled out the other, who 
 was already somewhat inebriated, as he rose with a 
 menacing aspect from his chair. 
 
 " Softly, soflly, my worthy friend," said Rodrigo, 
 gently pressing him down again on his chair. 
 " This is not a moment for discussing that subject 
 
who's his father? 11 
 
 with you ; but you will not deny that your pecu- 
 niary advances alone have tempted me to a dis- 
 sipated course of Hfe. What may have induced 
 you, who on every occasion show yourself such a 
 desperate miser, to have acted so lavishly by me, 
 explain who can !" 
 
 "Henceforth there shall be an end of it," an- 
 swered Jago drily. " You, however," added he 
 smiling, " are the first and only one to reproach me 
 for furnishing him with too much money. But at 
 any rate it shows originalty, and it is this very 
 originalty that so attaches me to you." 
 
 Rodrigo made no reply, but sank back into his 
 previous melancholy meditation. 
 
 Jago took up the ' Sol,' the only political paper 
 published in Buenos- Ayres. He read it for a time 
 to himself, but evidently became more observant 
 and excited as he went on, till, as if mastered by 
 some sudden thought, he hastily concealed the 
 paper in his bosom. This first drew the attention 
 of the younger of the fiiends, who carelessly said : 
 
 " What news ? I have not once looked into the 
 « Sol' for the last week." 
 
12 who's his father? 
 
 '' Important and unimportant, as you will," re- 
 plied Jago, endeavouring to disguise his embarras- 
 ment by a tone of indifference. 
 
 " And so interesting to you that you retain the 
 'Sol' as a memento?" asked Rodrigo, laughingly; 
 " or perhaps it contains the notice of a rendezvous 
 from your charmer ?" * 
 
 " Scoffer!" said Jago, carrying on the jest. 
 " Know you not my principles regarding such 
 matters ?" 
 
 " Sal^o porfrador ! I know you full well," cried 
 the other, gradually becoming more cheerful. " Out 
 with the paper, or no syllable shall you ever hear 
 again of my secrets," and before Jago could prevent 
 him, he had snatched the paper from his pocket. 
 
 " Political news, — Mexico, — Buenos- Ayres, — 
 Banda Oriental, I care for none of it," said the young 
 man, rapidly glancing over the sheet. " Paraguay, 
 this I must read for your sake : his Excellency Dr. 
 Francia," piu-sued he, " on Sunday last required all 
 the Spanish inhabitants of Assumption to present 
 
 * It is a custom in Brasil, and in South America gene- 
 rally, to make use of the newspapers for such appointments. 
 
who's his father? 13 
 
 themselves in the market-place, on pain of forfeiting 
 their lives and fortunes. When the unfortunate 
 victims had assembled they were surrounded by his 
 cavalry guard and thrown into the various prisons in 
 Paraguay, on the charge of being engaged in trea- 
 sonable practices. Three of the highest rank and 
 consideration amongst them were shot the same 
 day without being brought to trial. This deed of 
 violence has caused general indignation." 
 
 " Calumny, shameful calumny," exclaimed Jago 
 with vehemence, as he endeavoured to recover the 
 paper from his friend. 
 
 " I am well accustomed to hear all this Doctor's 
 vile actions treated as calumnies by you," remarked 
 his friend with a smile, " whilst you place uncon- 
 ditional faith in the very little good that can be said 
 of him. But let us see what there is further. 
 Hold! here is a requisiton signed by his Excel- 
 lency," continued Rodrigo, as he read on. " The 
 Sennor Jago de Avila, of Assumption, who is now 
 absent, is required to make his appearance here 
 within the next three months." " I fancy the gentle- 
 man is congratulating himself not a little on having 
 
 r ^' OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
14 who's his father? 
 
 escaped from the clutches of this devil," added 
 Rodrigo, laughing. " I for mj part should have 
 small inclination under any circumstances, to make 
 acquaintance vs^ith Francia's hussars." 
 
 Rodrigo had read this notice, which certainly 
 was one of little importance, in a tone of the most 
 utter indifference, but upon Jago it made a most 
 unaccountable and almost alarming impression. He 
 snatched the paper with a degree of impetuosity 
 quite unusual with him, read the lines with quiver- 
 ing lips, then stamped indignantly and flung the 
 paper imder the table. His young friend was 
 naturally surprised at this impetuous burst of 
 passion. 
 
 " Is it a sudden fit of remorse for your sins that 
 makes you act so hke a desperado," said he, casting 
 a sharp and enquiring glance on his companion ; 
 ^^ What is this requisition to you ?" 
 
 Jago paced the chamber in still higher excite- 
 ment. After pausing for some time to collect 
 himself, he said : 
 
 " There is a curious circustance connected with 
 this. A countryman of mine, from Grosso Matto, 
 
who's his father? 15 
 
 my native place is named Avila, and I happen to 
 know that some years ago he went to Paraguay." 
 
 Although these words were spoken in the most 
 unembarrassed tone it would have required no 
 Lavater to read in his physiognomy that he was 
 uttering a falsehood. Our unsuspecting Rodrigo, 
 however, paid no attention to his fiiend's expression 
 of countenance. By the time they had resumed 
 their places at the table the matter was no more 
 thought of 
 
 The young man soon brought back the conver- 
 sation to his own affairs. He spoke of the future, 
 and of his determination to labour heart and hand 
 in the service of his country. Jago listened with his 
 accustomed sarcastic smile. Rodrigo then alluded to 
 his domestic circumstances. He expressed himself 
 with tenderness respecting his mother, reproached 
 himself for leaving her sick bed even for a moment, 
 and accused Jago for having seduced him to do 
 so. To the latter this topic did not seem to be 
 particularly interesting, for he yawned repeatedly, 
 and when Rodrigo pursued the theme longer than 
 was his wont, he at length exclaimed with a sneer : 
 
16 who's his father? 
 
 " It must be confessed, to hear you speak in 
 this strain, one would imagine your mother was a 
 compendium of every perfection; although she 
 has never even informed you of the circumstances 
 of your birth, which, were I in your place, I should 
 however take the first opportunity to enquire 
 about. I have now been acquainted both with you 
 and her a full twelvemonth, and yet during this 
 period I do not remember that you have once 
 named your father to me." 
 
 The young man rose from his seat violently 
 agitated. These few words seemed like burning 
 coals within him. Jago's satisfaction at the excited 
 state of his friend was apparent ; it was manifest 
 that to create disunion between the mother and son 
 was essential to his project, and he believed at this 
 moment to have given the first impulse. 
 
 " To any other," at length said Rodrigo, stand- 
 ing still before his friend, and with difficulty re- 
 straining his wrath, " to any other I would have 
 repUed with a good Toledan sword ; but you have 
 a claim upon my friendship, and I do not resent 
 your anxiety concerning my descent For this 
 
who's his father? 17 
 
 reason, therefore, I candidly acknowledge to you 
 that I have never known my father, and, although 
 I have often pressed my mother to reveal to me 
 the secret of my origin, she has never yielded to 
 my entreaties." 
 
 " What !" cried Jago, starting up. " Cuerpo de 
 Christo, she has never conversed with you on so 
 important a question — a question you have the 
 most sacred right to be informed upon! Mad 
 youth, is it for me to open your eyes to all 
 the fatal consequences which must attend your 
 ignorance on such a point? What is to become 
 of your future plans, your grand aspirations? 
 Will not the finger of the world point to the 
 illegitimate !" 
 
 Rodrigo seemed annihilated. " Jago," said he 
 with quivering lips, and after a long pause, 
 " You are my evil genius — you are leading me 
 either to weal or perdition ! — you have planted a 
 thorn in a heart ; which was formerly tranquil and 
 happy. It is not enough that by your gold you 
 have seduced me into licentious habits, have in- 
 volved me in countless adventures, but you now 
 c 
 
18 who's his father? 
 
 seek to rob me of the last consolation of my soul, 
 of love for my mother." 
 
 These reproaches produced not the smallest effect 
 upon the other. Without uttering a word in reply, 
 he rose carelessly, pulled down his broad-brimmed 
 Sombrero over his dark hair, and left the Posada. 
 Rodrigo httle expecting this movement, sprang up 
 and hastened after his friend. 
 
who's his father? 1^ 
 
 CHAPTER m. 
 
 Cordova, although its external splendour has 
 
 been considerably defaced by the dreadful civil 
 
 wars that have raged within it, is still a pretty 
 
 and agreeable city. The truth of this will be 
 
 especially felt by any beholder who stands at the 
 
 Gate del Tucuman, and gazes on the majestic 
 
 Cordillera de los Andes rising up before him. 
 
 From this gate, only two days after the above 
 
 related conversation, a company of young men was 
 
 seen to issue. Tlie weather was deHghtful, the 
 
 spirits of our students were more than usually 
 
 buoyant, and the air resounded with their songs 
 
 and hurrahs. Close behind them, mounted on two 
 
 spirited young horses, rode Rodrigo and Jago. 
 c2 
 
20 who's his father? 
 
 When they had left the city at some little dis- 
 tance, the somewhat riotous party halted, and Jago 
 with his friend rode on through the noisy circle. 
 
 " Cuerpo de Christo !" cried a young braggart, 
 pointing to the two horsemen ; " so these two arch 
 pedants are to be seen once more in good society? 
 Atelante, friends, atelante, the old Jago is gone by, 
 but the rich, stingy Jago de Leon, must on this 
 occasion pay the costs !" 
 
 Laughing and shouting, the party now sur- 
 rounded the two companions. 
 
 " Dear friends," said Jago, drawing himself up 
 on his saddle, " allow us to go quietly on our way ; 
 we should suit but ill with a merry party. The 
 heart of our friend Rodrigo Medrano is oppressed, 
 and mine is also heavy". 
 
 '' Of whom does the yellow beaked vulture 
 speak?" asked a young man of gigantic stature, 
 who stood near Rodrigo. . " I also have some 
 business with a certain Medrano. Dismount sir, 
 and let us settle the question on the spot" 
 
 '* What mean you?" enquired Rodrigo, care- 
 lessly ; " I am not aware of having offended you." 
 
who's his father? 21 
 
 " You have a bad memory, my friend," cried the 
 other, *^ yom- bosom friend, Jago, has made your 
 porridge for you ; come you dried up miser, you 
 must answer for him." 
 
 " Have a care," said Jago, in a warning tone ; 
 " do not draw on each other; duels are strictly 
 prohibited." 
 
 A general burst of laughter was the reply ; Rod- 
 rigo had already dismounted, and was engaged in 
 unbuckling from his saddle the long rapier, which 
 forms part of the ordinary accoutrements of a 
 Spaniard. 
 
 A sufficient space was soon cleared, and the 
 combatants stood face to face. Jago looked on 
 with great coolness, though the challenger seemed 
 a giant compared with his friend; but Rodrigo's 
 deficiency in stature was compensated by his skill, 
 and of this Jago seemed fully aware. Whilst the 
 antagonists were taking their ground, he related to 
 the spectators the cause of the quarrel Rodrigo 
 had some short time since formed an acquaintance 
 with a pretty french girl, although he knew that 
 his antagonist was her acknowledged cavalier. 
 
22 who's his father? 
 
 Jago either intentionally or through want of cau- 
 tion had revealed this to the other, who, in con- 
 sequence, burned with jealousy and desire of 
 vengeance. 
 
 During this short narration the combatants had 
 already made their first charge. Neither was 
 wounded, but on the commencement of the second 
 charge, Jago threw himself on his friend's side, and 
 dexterously parried his antagonist's thrust. Rodrigo 
 nevertheless received a slight wound in the arm, 
 when his elder and considerate friend first became 
 alarmed. He endeavoured to put a stop to 
 the duel, but their spirits were heated, and he 
 preached to deaf ears. The third charge began. 
 Rodrigo adroitly parried, but the physical supe- 
 riority of the other was manifest, and cold drops 
 stood on Jago's forehead as he vainly strove by 
 cheering cries to encourage his friend, whose 
 strength was visibly faihng. Jago then suddenly 
 drew out his handkerchief, and feigning to be 
 wounded, twisted it round his right hand, leaving 
 one end hanging down. With redoubled zeal he 
 now again interfered in the fight, and quickly at- 
 
who's his father? 23 
 
 tained his object of confusing the adversary's sight 
 by the fluttering handkerchief. Rodrigo dexter- 
 ously availed himself of his opponents divided 
 attention, and changed his defensive attitude 
 into that of an attack. The duel was soon 
 ended by a powerful thrust which stretched the 
 colossal student on the earth. His fiiends gathered 
 round him, and a medical student examined the 
 wound. 
 
 " By the Holy Virgin of Guadalaxara," cried he, 
 " there is nothing to be done here. Medrano 
 mount your horse, and return no more to Cordova. 
 This was the nephew of the Minister Rivadavia ; 
 you are irretrievably ruined." 
 
 Rodrigo stood motionless, sunk in utter apathy, 
 but Jago acted upon this advice with so much the 
 greater alacrity. Without speaking a word he 
 draped his friend to the horses, and in a few 
 seconds both were galloping in the direction of the 
 mountains. 
 
 They had ridden for half an hour in unbroken 
 silence when Rodrigo suddenly awoke from his 
 torpor. He looked around him with surprise when 
 
24 who's his father? 
 
 he beheld himself in an unknown district, and 
 checking his horse paused. 
 
 " Whither are we going," asked he, with un- 
 wonted abruptness. " What has happened ! " 
 
 Jago only replied by seizing the bridle of his 
 friend's horse, and plunging the spurs deeply into 
 his own. 
 
 " We stir not from this spot," said the young 
 man resolutely, as he again pulled up the plunging 
 steed. " What would you be doing with me ; I 
 must return to Cordova, to console and tranquilize 
 my dying mother." 
 
 " Cursed sentimentality," exclaimed the other 
 vehemently ; " it frustrates all my plans, and an- 
 nihilates your fortunes." 
 
 " Be it so, let us back to Cordova ; but I wash 
 my hands in innocency, when the Alcalde causes 
 you to be arrested." 
 
 With redoubled speed the two young men de- 
 scended the steep mountain path, and stopped not 
 to let their steeds take breath until they reached 
 the gates of Cordova. Here it was decided that 
 they should leave the horses in a neighbouring 
 
who's his father? 25 
 
 farm-house, and enter the city on foot, in order to 
 avoid attention. The friends then separated, after 
 Jago had again repeatedly besought Rodrigo not 
 to remain more than two hours in Cordova. Each 
 went his way, the younger to his mother, and the 
 elder to his own residence in the Calle Pereira. 
 
26 who's his father? 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 During their journey Jago's step was more 
 hurried, and his whole aspect more disturbed, than 
 was consistent with the ordinarily icy calmness of 
 his demeanour. He pulled sharply at the bell of 
 the old house which he had hitherto inhabited, and 
 rushed up the steps. 
 
 " Make haste," cried he to the elderly female 
 who attended on him, " pack up my things, I am 
 going off without delay !" 
 
 Whilst the. servant busied herself in performing 
 his behest, he paced his chamber in violent agita- 
 tion. The broken sentences, and half suppressed 
 ejaculations which burst from his lips, gave evidence 
 of his mental emotion. Suddenly the door opened. 
 
who's his father? 27 
 
 and the tall form of a man wrapped in a dark 
 mantle, with his face shaded by his broad-rimmed 
 Sombrero, entered the apartment Jago involmi- 
 tarily started ; he seemed to recognise the stranger 
 in spite of the apparel which disguised him, and, 
 motioning to his attendant to withdraw, he ad- 
 vanced with respectful deportment and uncovered 
 head to meet his guest. The latter, throwing off 
 his cloak and hat, took a seat, with a certain air of 
 pride such as might befit a superior towards his 
 subordinate. 
 
 " Your Excellency sees me somewhat surprised," 
 said Jago after a short pause. 
 
 The other immediately interrupting him said, 
 contemptuously : 
 
 " I believe it The honourable Secretary is no 
 doubt enjoying himself in a foreign land, and he 
 may perhaps not find it very agreeable to be thus 
 unexpectedly startled from his indolent repose.** 
 
 " Consul," replied Jago, not without an admix- 
 ture of haughtiness in his tone, "no reproaches 
 before you have heard me. The task which our 
 illustrious master imposed on me was no light one. 
 
28 who's his father? 
 
 and only now, after two years endeavour, have I 
 been able to execute it." 
 
 " It is then executed ?" exclaimed the stranger, 
 surprised, and rising from his seat. " Speak, speak ; 
 tell me how and by what means you have suc- 
 ceeded. His Excellency will wish to have the 
 most accurate account" 
 
 " I will endeavour to impart to you the general 
 state of the case as quickly as possible," replied 
 Jago, " but you will not learn the details till after 
 my arrival in Assumption. The hours we have still 
 to spend here are numbered. The young man in 
 question is known in Cordova by the name of 
 Rodrigo Medrano, and is a student at the University 
 of Jura. He is ardent and enterprising in character, 
 a wild youth, but never degenerating into profligacy. 
 I found no difficulty in entangling him in various 
 scrapes, with a view to rendering a prolonged residence 
 in Cordova distasteful to him ; but I had not taken 
 into consideration that this city contains a magnet 
 which rivets him here with irresistible force." 
 
 " Ha, ha, I comprehend," said the guest with an 
 ironical laugh ; " love, oh, this vile love." 
 
who's his father? 29 
 
 ** Your Excellency is in error," returned Jago. 
 ** From that snare I have preserved my protege. I 
 knew full well that a connection of that nature 
 would materially disturb my plans. No, this love 
 is of another kind; no other than filial love; the 
 magnet that detains him is his mother." 
 
 *' His mother," interrupted the Consul, greatly 
 surprised, " does she still live ? His Excellency has 
 never informed me of that circumstance. Ah, now 
 I fully comprehend the difficulties you must have 
 encountered. No doubt you have found it impos- 
 sible to persuade the mother to accompany you ?" 
 
 " That," replied Jago, " would however have 
 been effected some short time since, if the matron 
 had not fallen sick. I have acquainted his Excel- 
 lency with this circimistance," 
 
 " What, you have acquainted his Excellency ?" 
 inquired the other in a tone that savoured more of 
 indignation than surprise. " It is eight months 
 since we have heard of you, and I came hither 
 expressly to discover if you were still in Cordova." 
 
 " Ah ! now then I understand the citation to 
 return, reprinted by the * Sol' from the Official 
 
30 who's his father? 
 
 Gazette of Paraguay," cried Jago in the greatest 
 agitation. " I have most innocently drawn upon 
 myself the wrath and distrust of his Excellency." 
 
 " You are acquitted, Avila," said the Consul in 
 a tone calculated to re-assure him, " leave the care 
 of that to me ; but proceed in your narration." 
 
 " His mother then was the principal impediment 
 in my way," pursued Jago. " Time passed on, and 
 all my efforts had successively failed, when the 
 Sennora was taken ill and the doctor pronounced 
 that there was little hope of her recovery ; this in- 
 fused new life into my projects. I painted the future 
 in the most glowing colours and almost won him 
 over to my wishes, when a duel, in which I managed 
 to involve him, made him all my own, and now a 
 few hours are all he has to remain in Cordova." 
 
 "Let me clasp you in my arms!" exclaimed 
 the stranger, quite transported. " Truly, Avila, 
 your pei'severance is no less to be admired than 
 your penetration. But let us briefly turn to another 
 subject. Has it never occurred to you to enquire 
 the cause why his Excellency takes such un- 
 common interest in Medrano?" 
 
who's his father? 31 
 
 " Speak not of that, Consul," interrupted Jago ; 
 '* I have always considered the affair solely as a 
 diplomatic one, and in such matters you know the 
 agents must be mere machines. One prying look 
 into the wheels of the machinery and the indiscreet 
 workman may be scattered piecemeal in the air." 
 
 The Consul was about to speak, but he checked 
 himself. " Your calmness is enviable," said he at 
 length, ajfter a pause of some duration, " but so 
 much the better for you. We shall meet again in 
 Assumption." He then hastily left the apartment. 
 
 During this imexpected interview, Rodrigo had 
 hastened as fast as his legs could carry him, to a 
 little dwelling in the Calla della Santa Virgen. He 
 was struck by having to pull the bell twice before 
 the door was opened. The aged attendant of his 
 mother at last came, with her eyes fuU of tears. 
 
 " How fortunate that you . are come," said she, 
 in a low tone. " The Sennora has enquired for 
 you incessandy. O, why have you staid away 
 so long?" 
 
 The young man started in the greatest alarm. 
 " By the Holy Virgin of Guadalaxara, tell me the 
 
32 who's HI8 FATHER? 
 
 exact truth, woman," said he, with a suppressed 
 voice; " how is it with my mother?" 
 
 " Compose yourself, Sennor," replied the old 
 woman. " The worst has not yet happened, but 
 do not, I beseech you, excite your mother too 
 greatly ; her state is too alarming." 
 
 Rodrigo heard not the last words; he had already 
 rushed up the stairs, and entered the sick chamber 
 cautiously. The sufferer lay on a sofa, covered 
 with blankets. On the entrance of her son she 
 raised herself with difficulty, and a gentle smile 
 kindled her soft features. An indescribable look 
 of grief marked her pallid countenance, which, in 
 spite of age and illness, still bore traces of great 
 beauty. 
 
 " Mother, my dear mother," cried Rodrigo, 
 almost overpowered by emotion, as he knelt 
 down by the sick couch, " you have been expecting 
 me; oh could I have suspected that you were 
 suffering, the flight of the bird would have been 
 too slow for me." 
 
 " My kind Rodrigo," said the invalid in a feeble 
 voice, " what a comfort is your tenderness to me. 
 
who's his father? 33 
 
 and how doubly painful will it render my separa- 
 tion from you. O, remain virtuous my beloved 
 son, and thus efface the reproach which the name 
 of Medrano has drawn upon itself. Put to shame 
 your secret enemies, and become one day a useftd 
 member of the state." 
 
 " I do not understand you mother," replied the 
 youth, with composure. " What guilt weighs on 
 the house of Medrano, and who and where are my 
 secret opponents?" The mother seemed deeply 
 affected ; the strength she had with difficulty sum- 
 moned again forsook her, and she sank back un- 
 conscious on the cushion. Rodrigo started up 
 terrified, but the invalid motioned him with her 
 hand to calm himsellj and resumed. 
 
 " Will you forgive your mother, my Rodrigo," 
 said she, softly ; " will you be able to forgive her, 
 for having committed a crime against you, which 
 has weighed upon my soul as an unceasing re- 
 proach. Oh, my son, I am a guilt laden woman, 
 who fears to present herself before the throne of 
 the Most High, and trembles at the thought of 
 what she has to answer for !" 
 
34 who's his father? 
 
 " You a guilty laden woman, mother ; you, than 
 whom the light of heaven is scarce purer!" ex- 
 claimed the astonished Rodrigo. " You deceive 
 yourself, you cannot be a guilty woman." 
 
 " Hear me, my son," resumed the dying woman, 
 " and pronounce on the magnitude of my offence. 
 What you have hitherto heard of your birth and 
 descent is false. Unhappy child! your father never 
 beheld you; he faithlessly abandoned me and you in 
 the direst need. In a few months four and twenty 
 years will have elapsed since you first saw the light; 
 about a year before which your father first became 
 acquainted with me. I then lived with my parents 
 in the little city of Tormenta, only a few miles dis- 
 tant fi-om this place. On the festival of the Holy 
 Virgin of Cordova, a party of young men fi-om the 
 University came to our residence. Your father 
 was one of them. He was then eight and twenty 
 years of age, and had already completed his studies. 
 The high reputation he enjoyed as an advocate, his 
 serious, but at the same time flattering and fi:iendly, 
 deportment soon won my favor. He obtained per- 
 mission to visit at our house, and I, unhappily, 
 
WHOS HIS FATHER? 35 
 
 perceived only too soon that I was not indifferent 
 to him " 
 
 An alarming fit of coughing here interrupted 
 the invalid in her narration, and a considerable 
 time elapsed before she could recover herself. 
 Rodrigo in great anxiety was about to hasten for 
 the doctor, but his mother made signs that she 
 wished otherwise. Unspeakable dread seized the 
 youth; so near the moment when a secret was 
 about to be discovered, which had hitherto been 
 concealed ifrom him by an impenetrable veiL Could 
 it be that inexorable death would impede the so 
 earnestly desired revelation ? Happily it was other- 
 wise decreed; for after some minutes the sick 
 woman revived. 
 
 " I frequently saw the ill-fated man," continued 
 
 she, whilst a fleeting blush tinged her wan cheeks, 
 
 " and it was not long ere he confessed his love 
 
 He flattered my parents, who perhaps were never 
 
 entirely favourable to him, he promised me his hand, 
 
 and in an hour of weakness, when I had no 
 
 longer command over myself, I became the 
 
 victim of the wily seducer." 
 d2 
 
36 who's his father? 
 
 She sighed deeply; Rodrigo stood as if annihi- 
 lated. The words spoken by Jago were but too 
 true — he was an illegitimate. The thought struck 
 like a flash of lightning on his young life, and he 
 sank on his knees by his mother's bed. 
 
 " Mother," said he in a voice choked by agita- 
 tion, as he took her ice cold hand, " I reproach you 
 not; but tell me the name of the wretch who 
 poisoned your days, and entailed a curse on me — 
 tell me his name. I will avenge you and myself 
 even if he be the mightiest man on earth."" 
 
 " Peace, my son, and forget not yourself even in 
 your suffering," said his mother in a warning voice, 
 which rapidly grew weaker; " think you I have 
 brought you up to be my avenger? Think you 
 that for four and twenty long years I have hidden 
 this secret in my heart, that on my death-bed I 
 might stir you up to vengence ? No, my son, let 
 the secret be buried in my grave." 
 
 " Mother, mother !" cried the yoimg man, in 
 the deepest distress, and as though he dreaded that 
 each breath his mother drew would be her last, 
 "do not leave me in this boundless misery. Oh, 
 
who's his father? 37 
 
 speak yet once again ! Does my father live, and 
 where shall I find him ?" 
 
 " He is dead to you, my son ; he would never 
 aknowledge you," gasped the mother, already 
 struggling with death. 
 
 Rodrigo seemed not to remark her situation; 
 his agony increased with each successive moment ; 
 it appeared as if his mother had already lost the 
 power of seeing, for her hands wandered with 
 uncertainty over the covering of the bed. Sud- 
 denly, as if impelled by some internal force, she 
 raised herself once again. 
 
 " Go to Paraguay," cried she with a loud voice, 
 and pointing with her right hand towards the 
 north, she sank back and expired. 
 
 With a loud cry the young man flung himself upon 
 the corpse, but his grief had no tears — no words. 
 In a state of almost unconscious lethargy he lay 
 there for nearly a quarter of an hour. The door was 
 then cautiously opened, and the attendant entered. 
 
 " They are in pursuit of you, Sennor," said she, 
 " a detachment of dragoons just turned the comer 
 as I came into you." 
 
38 who's his father? 
 
 But Rodrigo heard nothing. All Cordova might 
 at that moment have been overturned by an earth- 
 quake, and he would not have perceived the shock. 
 But the carbines of the dragoons already chattered 
 in the passage, and the doors were thrown open. 
 An Alcalde followed by a sergeant and two dra- 
 goons entered the chamber. 
 
 The noise roused Rodrigo from his stupor; he 
 turned with haggard looks on the intruders, but 
 they left him no time to coUect his thoughts. The 
 Alcalde quickly advanced a few paces towards 
 him and drew a paper from his breast. 
 
 " You are Don Rodrigo Medrano," said he 
 sternly, and looking fixedly on our young fi-iend; 
 " I arrest you in the name of the Cabildo of Cor- 
 dova and of his Excellency the Minister, for the 
 murder of Sennor Casparo Rivadavia. You must 
 follow me without delay." 
 
 The word "murder" first roused the fury of 
 the young man. 
 
 " Murder !" cried he, indignantly, " Sir Alcalde, 
 mend your expressions. In honourable single 
 combat I slew my antagonist, a vile arrogant 
 
WHOS HIS FATHER? 39 
 
 braggart, in defence of my own life; that is all 
 my offence. Have a care gentlemen, I have 
 but small inclination to allow myself to be made 
 prisoner." 
 
 Swift as lightning the young man drew his rapier, 
 and whirling it in a circle around him rushed 
 towards the door. The Alcalde shrunk aside, but 
 the dragoons assailed him boldly, and a blow with 
 the but end of a carbine quickly struck his weapon 
 from the hand of the rash young man. The 
 soldiers closed round him in a moment, and soon 
 bound their struggling captive. They were about 
 to bear him away when the scene changed in 
 Rodrigo's favour. 
 
 Two men hastily ascended the stairs, and ere 
 they reached the scene, one of them, who was no 
 other than Jago, exclaimed : — 
 
 " Stay, gentlemen, the warrant is withdrawn; 
 the accused is under the especial protection of the 
 Dictator of Paraguay. Here is the order." 
 
 The Alcalde looked hastily over the paper, and 
 signe^ to the dragoons to unloose their prisoner. 
 Whilst they were so employed, Jago, casting an 
 
40 who's his father? 
 
 inquiring glance round the apartment, soon per- 
 ceived what had occurred, and, when the soldiers 
 had withdrawn, exclaimed with emotion : — 
 
 " Can it be possible— has death approached so 
 quickly?" Then turning to his companion, in 
 whom we again find the stranger who had in- 
 truded some hours previously on Jago, he said, 
 ^* Sennor, convince yourself." 
 
 The stranger stood for a moment greatly agitated, 
 and then retired without speaking. 
 
 Rodrigo left to himself was again overpowered 
 by grief, and sank down exhausted by the corpse ; 
 whilst Jago, who did not seem disposed to wait 
 until he recovered, left the room. He soon how- 
 ever returned, accompanied by a couple of stout 
 Guarani Indians, who silently carried the uncon- 
 scious Rodrigo to a litter which stood before the 
 door, and in which he was quickly transported to 
 Jago's dwelling. 
 
 Half an hour afterwards an elegant travelling 
 carriage drawn by four spirited mules, passed out 
 of the city by the Gate de Consolation. 
 
who's his father? 41 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 It was on a bright and lovely morning in Paraguay 
 that a vessel, which was usually employed in the 
 service of the government, sailed up the majestic 
 Rio that bears its name. A merry company had 
 assembled on deck, which was shaded from the 
 burning rays of the sun by an ample awning. 
 It was the lovehest season of the year, when all 
 vegetation was in full blossom, inspiring the be- 
 holder with wonder and admiration. On the left 
 bank of the river at some distance from the shore, 
 lay outstretched the desert of Chaco, with its 
 ancient woods and steppes; the right bank, how- 
 ever, presented a more smiling prospect, being 
 alternated with carcftiUy cultivated fertile farms, 
 
42 who's his father? 
 
 intermingled with cabins and small enclosures of 
 the Indians. 
 
 The vessel and its crew had sailed from Buenos 
 Ayres, to a land over which ruled one whose will 
 was iron, and whose despotism was insupportable. 
 This was no other than Doctor Francia, Dictator for 
 life, of Paraguay. It must have occurred to several 
 of the travellers how harshly that tyrant was wont 
 to use foreigners, and with what a suspicious feel- 
 ing new comers were usually received. Soon were 
 they to make trial of this tyranny. They were 
 winding round one of the fertile islands which lie 
 in the centre of the stream, when a gun-boat fuUy 
 manned rowed up to the vessel and summoned 
 her to lay to. 
 
 A young man, who had hitherto stood silent by 
 the main-mast, now advanced to the Balustrade, 
 and shook his head as he beheld the manoeuvre ; 
 he then turned to another young man, who had 
 followed him with an air of curiosity. 
 
 " Probably a new regulation," said he, with some 
 disquietude, "it would be especially fatal to me should 
 we be examined before reaching Assumption." 
 
who's his father? 43 
 
 " It is to be hoped that we shall not be too 
 rigorously proceeded against/' remarked the other 
 ironically, " especially as far as you and I are 
 concerned, who have placed ourselves under the 
 protection of his Excellency the Dictator." 
 
 "Sennors!" resounded the captain's voice at 
 this moment from larboard. " Get your papers in 
 readiness, they will now be subjected to preHminary 
 inspection." 
 
 '^ Is it so ! " exclaimed the first mentioned of the 
 young men, who in some agitation hastened to the 
 cabin. He was no other than our friend Jago, and 
 the other, who followed him, was Rodrigo. 
 
 Just then three Paraguay Gens d'arme ascended 
 the deck, preceded by an Alcalde. The captain 
 met him with a respectful air, and uncovered his 
 head as he read aloud to the passengers the decree 
 of the government of Paraguay, by which every 
 foreigner about to enter the limits of that state 
 was to make known the cause and object of his 
 doing so. The countenances of many of the pas- 
 sengers lengthened considerably as they listened to 
 this strict ordonnance. Most of them were wholly 
 
44 who's his father? 
 
 unprepared for this sudden visitation, they had 
 fully expected to be examined when on terra-firma, 
 but not one had anticipated this investigation on 
 board. They arranged themselves in a line, in 
 order to be called over according to the list of 
 their names handed to the Alcalde. 
 
 '^ A tolerably dishonorable proceeding," muttered 
 a tall and handsome man with large whiskers, 
 wearing the uniform of a colonel in the Buenos 
 Ayres grenadiers. " We stand here all of a row 
 hke a troop of criminals to hear our sentence." 
 
 In the name of the Holy Virgin, repress your 
 anger, anxiously whispered another, who appeared 
 to be a merchant. I come from Tevego, and know 
 the severity of our governor. Those very words of 
 yours alone would suffice to have you accused of 
 high treason. 
 
 The names of both speakers being just then 
 called, stopped the conversation. The officer with 
 the whiskers was named Valta Vargas, and came 
 from Buenos Ayres, where he had been in the 
 service of the republic. The other called himself 
 Don Garcia Montecavallo, and was the owner of a 
 
who's his father? 45 
 
 cotton manufactory in Tevego, whom the Alcalde 
 took but little notice of. He looked slightly over 
 his passport, gave a nod of approbation and allowed 
 him to withdraw. 
 
 " You are called Valta Vargas," said the Alcalde, 
 addressing the officer unceremoniously; what is the 
 cause of your leaving Buenos Ayres?" 
 
 " Because I no longer wished to be in the service 
 of the Republic," answered the other drily in the 
 same tone. 
 
 " And what do you want here?" pursued the 
 Alcalde. 
 
 The colonel was silent and eyed the official from 
 head to foot with contempt 
 
 " Why do you not answer!" angrily demanded 
 the officer, who perceived the scorn with which he 
 was regarded. " Cuerpo de Christo, do you know 
 whom I represent here?" 
 
 " O perfectly, Sennor," interrupted Valta Vargas, 
 " but his Excellency has not authorised you to 
 address strangers in such a tone." 
 
 The Alcalde bit his hp ; the colonel was right 
 " To the purpose!" said he in a moderated tone. 
 
 .f 
 
46 who's his father? 
 
 *^ Do you seek service in our army?" 
 
 « Yes." 
 
 " Is there any other motive that induces you to 
 settle in Paraguay?" 
 
 " The adjustment of an inheritance and other 
 family concerns." 
 
 " With whom do you propose to reside?" 
 
 The colonel considered for a moment, and replied 
 in a firm tone : " With Don Fulgencio Yezros !" 
 
 " What," cried the Alcalde, surprised, " with 
 him?" 
 
 He turned abruptly round to one of his com- 
 panions and whispered in his ear, the man departed 
 in great haste. The official then casting a con- 
 temptuous glance on the colonel directed his atten- 
 tion to another passenger. The merchant of 
 Tevego looked anxiously at the bold soldier, who 
 remained quite unconcerned and walked slowly to 
 the other side. 
 
 " Sennor Jago de Leon from Cordova, read the 
 Alcalde from the list ; " where is this passenger, 
 captain?" 
 
 At that moment Jago came again on deck 
 
who's his father? 47 
 
 accompanied by his friend Rodrigo. He held some 
 papers in his hand and hastened with them to the 
 Alcalde. 
 
 ^^ This is not a vahd passport, my good friend/' 
 remarked the Alcalde good hmnouredly, after he 
 had read it. You have given me a written testi- 
 monial that you have hitherto resided in Cordova. 
 But what signifies that to our government. The 
 regulation is, that unless you bring a testimonial 
 from one of our own agents, you must bring a 
 passport from your own government!" 
 
 " Do me the favor to look at the other side of 
 the paper," interrupted Jago with a sneer. " I 
 presume the signature of the Consul Don Ful- 
 gencio Yezros will satisfy you." 
 
 These words drew the attention of Valta Vargas, 
 who hstened attentively and drew nearer. 
 
 " From Don Fulgencio, so, so, Sennor," said the 
 officer, " did the Consul not inform you then, 
 that he is not authorised to give passports. I much 
 regret that under these circumstances I must pro- 
 hibit your further progress." 
 
 Jago had been for some time inwardly chafing, 
 
48 who's his father? 
 
 and these last words brought the matter to a crisis. 
 With much vehemence, though without uttering a 
 word he seized the Alcalde roughly by the arm and 
 drew him in no gentle manner a little aside. He 
 harangued him in an under tone for some minutes 
 and at every word the countenance of the officer 
 became more disturbed and humble. At length the 
 conference came to an end, Jago turned haughtily 
 aside, whilst the other, evidently disconcerted, 
 continued his interrogation of the other passengers. 
 Rodrigo was detained no longer than the hasty 
 reading of his passport rendered necessary. But 
 the remainder of the ship's company were all the 
 more sharply questioned. Even the sailors were 
 submitted to a close investigation, and thus the 
 . greater part of the forenoon was consumed. At 
 last the Alcalde had finished his examination, and 
 the signal was already given for weighing anchor, 
 when he again stepped forward, and announced 
 diat his especial duty was then only about to begin. 
 All looked at each other in astonishment; when 
 he advanced to the centre of the deck and read 
 in a loud voice : — 
 
who's his father? 49 
 
 " In the name of his Excellency the perpetual 
 Dictator, I, the Alcalde Jose Chiclano, declare to 
 the undermentioned Sennors, that, in default of 
 sufficient legal quaUfications, they cannot be per- 
 mitted to enter the states of Paraguay. Namely: 
 Sennor Valta Vargas, Colonel in the service of 
 the Repubhc of Buenos Ayres; William Hughes, 
 Englishman, of Manchester; Sennor Faber, of 
 Hamburg in Germany, and Davis Evans, of Phil- 
 adelphi in North America. The passengers not 
 named are at hberty to pursue their journey, but 
 the above-named will remain on this island until 
 satisfactory guarantee is given for them." 
 
 A general exclamation of indignation was the 
 reply to this unexpected announcement The 
 Englishman paced the deck like a madman. "It 
 cannot be, it is contrary to law !" repeated he in- 
 cessantly, whilst one oath after the other burst 
 successively from his Hps. Valta Vargas clenched 
 his hands in fury, but did not speak. The German 
 looked up submissively to heaven, and the North 
 American exclaimed repeatedly ; " I protest against 
 it, I protest I will appeal !" 
 
50 who's his father? 
 
 After a time the Alcalde seemed to grow weary 
 of these outcries and pointed to the boat. Six 
 soldiers stepped forward and seized the persons of 
 the refractory, in spite of aU their protestations. 
 
 Half an horn* afterwards the vessel was again in 
 the middle of the stream pursuing its way in 
 Ml saiL 
 
who's his father? 51 
 
 ^ or THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY ] 
 
 OF 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 Nothing further occurred to break the uniformity 
 and tediousness of the course. The travellers had 
 become distrustful of each other, and brooded in 
 silence within themselves. All seemed especially 
 to shun Jago and his young companion. It was a 
 mystery to all why they alone should have been 
 subjected to so sHght an examination, and perhaps 
 the greater number of the passengers suspected, not 
 without some cause, that they might be spies in the 
 employment of the government of Paraguay. 
 
 Hitherto Rodrigo had, without inquiry, allowed 
 himself to be guided by his friend. He had never 
 tried to discover whence arose the powerful in- 
 fluence that Jago possessed, but this last occurrence 
 
 was too remarkable to be passed unnoticed. 
 E 2 
 
52 who's his father? 
 
 " You appear to be on a very good understanding 
 with the ruhng powers," remarked he to his friend ; 
 "but up to the present moment I have been too 
 much engaged with my own thoughts to think 
 whence you derive so much power. What could 
 have enabled you to rescue me from the suspicions 
 of the pohce at Cordova, simply by a few words, 
 and the exhibition of a written paper ? how has it 
 been possible for you to evade the rigorous exa- 
 mination of the Alcalde, and to account for your 
 want of a sufficient passport? I confess that on 
 several points you appear to me in a very enigma- 
 tical light." 
 
 Jago concealed his embarrassment by a forced 
 Jaugh. 
 
 " Now, my friend," said Jago with a pecuhar 
 solemnity of tone, " since I have at length induced 
 you to leave that ill-fated Cordova, I can explain 
 much to you of which you have hitherto been 
 ignorant. First, I must tell you that my real name 
 is not Jago de Leon, but Avila ; and that I am not 
 of Matto Grosso in Brazil, but was bom in As- 
 sumption. Owing to some ill-advised expressions 
 
who's his father? 53 
 
 I made use of, in speaking of the government there, 
 I was banished, and spent the period of my exile 
 in Cordova. You will now no longer wonder 
 whence I derived my knowledge of the affairs of 
 Paraguay. At the time of your mishap with that 
 young bully, the former Consul, Don Fulgencio 
 Yezros, was still in office there. Through his media- 
 tion I rescued you from the claws of the poUce^ 
 and therefore what occurred on board with that 
 young puppy of an Alcalde will no longer seem so 
 marvellous to you." 
 
 Rodrigo was speechless from surprise. " And 
 whilst you profess yourself my friend," said he 
 somewhat reproachfully, " you repose so little con- 
 fidence in me?" 
 
 Jago suddenly interrupted him : " I love not 
 long apologies between friends," said he, "respect 
 my motives ; you may rely on my words, they are 
 weighty enough since they demand so much 
 reserve. During your residence in Assumption 
 much will be revealed to you which is now hidden 
 by an impenetrable veil." 
 
 " I place myself wholly under your guidance," 
 
54 who's his father? 
 
 said Rodrigo. " Since I have been forced to quit 
 mj home, and have no relation left, I care not 
 whether I live here or elsewhere, 'tis now all the 
 same to me." 
 
 " You shall have reason to be satisfied with me," 
 repHed Jago. " Let it be mj care alone to obtain . 
 for you such a position as I desire to see you in. 
 But before everything let me persuade you to put 
 some restraint on your words. In this country the 
 opinion of every individual is closely marked, and 
 every means taken to prevent mischief being done 
 by presumptuous and self constituted censurers of 
 the government; nor can I condemn this in a 
 state which is still involved in disputes with its 
 own subjects. Another may perhaps blame the 
 Dictator for his rigorous dealing with foreigners, 
 but I consider it perfectly lawful. We have been 
 rendered mistrustful by the equivocal conduct of 
 the European powers, at the period when the con- 
 struction of a monarchy out of the former vice- 
 royalty of Rio de la Plata in favour of the Duke of 
 Lucca was the theme of discussion. The Dictator 
 sees in all foreigners, who cannot satisfactorily ac- 
 
who's his father? 55 
 
 count for their presence here, only political mis- 
 sionaries and informers. If Paraguay is to enjoy 
 peace it must be a country exclusively confined 
 within itself; all the neighbouring states look with 
 envy and disfavour on our good fortune and tran- 
 quihty. Pressed on one side by the new free 
 states of Spanish America, and on the other by the 
 colossal empire of Brazil, we should otherwise not 
 long be able to maintain our national indepen- 
 dence. Eight years ago our country was but Uttle 
 advanced in mechanical and agricultural science ; 
 all our neighbours were our superiors in this 
 respect, but traffic with them could bring to our 
 un-enlightened Paraguay only elements of dissen- 
 tion and disorder. Would it have been wise to 
 lavish the resources of the soil on strangers, to the 
 prejudice of the natives, in order that the latter 
 might be driven to abandon the land in disgust? 
 The country must therefore necessarily remain 
 isolated, entrenched behind its rivers and forests, 
 repelling aUke the friendly advances of foreign 
 speculatists, and the hostile inroads of the Spaniards. 
 Now that we may compete in every point of view 
 
56 who's his father? 
 
 with civilized states, we must guard ourselves from 
 the deteriorating influence of foreign adventurers. 
 Let us suppose the case of Buenos Ayres, or Brazil, 
 meditating a descent upon us ; might we not appre- 
 hend that these interlopers may serve as their 
 guides ?" 
 
 " A despotic government never lacks plausible 
 grounds," remarked Rodrigo coldly, and with a 
 scrutinizing gaze. " For my own part I can never 
 reconcile myself to the behef that there is no other 
 mode of cultivating the Paraguay's than by impos- 
 ing despotism on them. Say, rather, it is the fear of 
 the despot to see himself driven from his usurped 
 dominion, which induces him to forge these fetters 
 for the country. You have driven out the Spaniards 
 — you deposed with ignominy the mild Bernardo de 
 Velasco, your viceroy — and are you now the happier 
 for it? You are now scourged with scorpions, 
 where before you had only to endure the milder 
 stripes of the rod. Are you better off than you 
 were?" 
 
 ** You are so entirely possessed by your errone- 
 ous opinion that the evidence of facts alone, not 
 
who's his father? 57 
 
 words, will convince jou," said the other moodily. 
 " But look at the other states, what see you there ? 
 Dissention, strife, internal broils, party rage. No 
 citizen is secure of his life and property, for every 
 day brings some new ruler, some new struggles. 
 Now behold our state, what peace, what repose! 
 When we look on Paraguay, how it is rising from 
 its former apathy, how, surrounded by nations 
 upset by war and anarchy, it preserves its own 
 internal tranquility, how it is surmounting over 
 the dark spirit of Jesuitism that still hngers 
 amongst us, ought we not to bow the knee before 
 the man whose persevering spirit called up all these 
 reforms, as if by a magic stroke ? Francia would 
 be a distinguished man for any state, but for ours 
 he is a demi-God." 
 
 The speaker did not perceive in his enthusiasm 
 that he was attentively listened to by a man who 
 stood behind him. Turning round by accident he 
 came face to face with the stranger. 
 
 " You will pardon me, Sennor," apologised the 
 latter in broken Spanish, but with the politeness 
 and tone of a man of the world, "for having 
 
58 who's his father? 
 
 unintentionally been a listener to your discourse. 
 But I am grateful for the accident which has 
 brought me in contact with a man who seems to 
 be so accurately acquainted with the affairs and 
 position of a state which I have some idea of 
 selecting as my second home." 
 
 Jago bowed courteously. " What part do you 
 think of choosing for your residence," said he 
 manifestly flattered by the stranger's address. 
 " Perhaps, Sennor, it may be in my power to be 
 of some service to you." 
 
 " For the present I propose to remain in As- 
 sumption," returned he. " The Flora of the dis- 
 trict will afford my love of science a rich harvest 
 In order that we may mutally know whom we are 
 addressing; I am Doctor Rengger of Geneva in 
 Switzerland ; my profession is that of a physician 
 and naturaUst I have already been wandering 
 for a considerable time in the surrounding states, 
 but have ever considered Paraguay as the prin- 
 cipal object of my attention." 
 
 Jago looked at the stranger with some surprise, 
 
who's his father? 59 
 
 but, before he could resume his conversation, Rod- 
 rigo suddenly addressed the doctor. 
 
 " Your confidence in the ruler of this land is 
 very creditable to you," said he inconsiderately; 
 '' but believe me, Sennor, that despot will not 
 appreciate it; he will see in you nothing else 
 than the agent of some neighbouring government. 
 Take the counsel of a young man and retrace 
 your steps." 
 
 The doctor stepped back a few' paces in aston- 
 ishment " You speak very boldly young man," 
 rephed he with an air of rebuke in his tone. 
 
 " Consider," said Rodrigo, " that in such a land 
 men are not wanting who make it their business to 
 construe unfavorably the words of their neighbours." 
 
 *^ Are you mad ! " exclaimed Jago angrily ; " one 
 more such ill advised speech, and nothing can 
 protect you from the rigour of the law." 
 
 " You appear to have very little to lose," re- 
 sumed the doctor, again turning to Rodrigo. 
 " Have you such strong grounds for your aversion 
 to the Dictator?" 
 
 " I detest every despot," said the youth coldly. 
 
60 who's his father? 
 
 "and you, Sennor, will approve my judgment so 
 soon as you shall have heard a little more of this 
 Francia." 
 
 Unreservedly as the young man had given his 
 opinion, the doctor nevertheless seemed to become 
 suspicious of him, and, alledging some business, he 
 withdrew to the cabin without prosecuting the 
 conversation. 
 
 The two were scarcely left alone before Jago 
 again urged on his friend, with unwonted vehe- 
 mence, the necessity of being more careful in his 
 language. 
 
 " You, who are so little versed in affairs of 
 government," said he in a tone of displeasure, 
 " are incapable of judging how much stress is laid 
 upon the opinion, of each individual by a govern- 
 ment which has to contend against antiquated 
 prejudices. In no place more than this is the spark 
 so easily kindled into a flame. To damp these 
 embers, ere they blaze out again, the government 
 requires intelligent and tried men, who undertake 
 the task of discovering the sentiments of indi- 
 viduals. Were you to utter such rash words in 
 
who's his father? 61 
 
 the presence of such a man you would be at once 
 lost, and must inevitably drag me with you into 
 the abyss. If your life and freedom are of no 
 importance to you, rash man, at least have a care 
 that mine be not endangered. I swear to you by 
 the Holy Virgin of Guadalaxara, I will leave you 
 to your fate if you are not a little more cir- 
 cumspect ! " 
 
 To appease his angry friend, Rodrigo promised 
 to comply with what he desired. 
 
 Thus wore away two days of the long and tedi- 
 ous passage. They cast anchor in front of a small 
 town on the banks of the river, and the captain 
 informed his passengers that they would stop there 
 during the forenoon. Most of them landed; a 
 few only, amongst whom was Rodrigo, remained 
 on board. The German doctor took leave of the 
 company, observing, that in all probability, they 
 would all meet again a fortnight hence in 
 Assumption. 
 
 Our young friend sat on the deck looking 
 pensively upon the water. All the past seemed to 
 him as a dream ; the duel — the death of his mother — • 
 
62 who's his father? 
 
 his flight from Cordova ; were all like a deception 
 of his senses, and the new objects that surrounded 
 him could alone convince him of the reality. 
 What a futurity lay before him. He, an ardent 
 worshipper of freedom, was forced by fate into a 
 land where the sun of liberty had already almost 
 set. The sound of oars, and the cries of the 
 sailors, awakened him from his reverie ; he looked 
 up, and perceived that a long flat boat with one 
 mast and sail, which he had seen approaching, had 
 arrived, and lay to close by the vessel. He was 
 surprised to recognise amongst the persons coming 
 on board Colonel Valta Vargas, and could not 
 refrain from haihng him. The new comer nodded 
 familiarly to him, and hastily climbed up the 
 ship's side. 
 
 " I have contrived to save my neck," said he 
 laughing, " and no devil shall now prevent me from 
 hunting out the old lavry^er in his ovm residence." 
 
 '' And how did you contrive to set aside all 
 impediments?" enquired Rodrigo surprised. 
 
 " Easier than you think my young friend," 
 replied the other smiling. " The Ex-Consul Don 
 
who's his father? 63 
 
 Fulgencio Yezros, fortunately, just at the right 
 moment, sent papers which fully authorised me." 
 
 '' So you are called Rodrigo Medrano," continued 
 he, looking keenly at the young man, " I heard it 
 by mere accident," added he apologetically, when he 
 observed that the other looked at him with some 
 surprise. " You also are bound to Assumption ; be- 
 ware young man lest you fall into the tiger's claws. 
 But let us hope that Heaven will soon rid the world 
 of such a monster ; and if it does not, the poor op- 
 pressed people of Paraguay may still find an avenger." 
 
 Rodrigo rose with an air of coldness. " Doctor 
 Francia," said he, " may probably be a terrible 
 man, to judge at least by what is said of him, 
 but revolution is also a terrible thing ; may heaven 
 avert it from every country." 
 
 " Nevertheless revolutions alone indicate the 
 real greatness and strength of a nation," remarked 
 Yalta Vargas with a sneer. " What would you 
 recommend, supposing the atrocities of the Dictator 
 should become no longer endurable." 
 
 Rodrigo was silent, and felt embarrassed ; he had 
 had but little practice in such conversations. 
 
64 who's his father? 
 
 *' What can be your views, since with such 
 principles you enter a country whose ruler you 
 abhor ?" asked he with some hesitation. 
 
 " That touches you as much as me, my good 
 friend," repUed the Colonel with a sarcastic laugh, 
 and parrying the question. " Do you suppose 
 Valta Vargas is so foolish and inconsiderate as to 
 expose his opinions to a man whose own were 
 unknown to him ? Between ourselves, if I am not 
 greatly deceived, we are both travelling the same 
 road. You interested me at first sight, your fate 
 drew me towards you, and I endeavoured to dis- 
 cover your views; they harmonize strangely and 
 wonderfully with mine, let us therefore be friends. 
 Detach yourself from that Jago de Avila, whose 
 design towards you is neither honest nor open, and 
 entrust the care of your ftiturity to me." 
 
 Rodrigo was infinitely surprised to find in Valta 
 Vargas a man who seemed to feel so much interest 
 for him. Although he had during the voyage 
 been constantly in company with the Colonel, 
 he had never imagined that he had observed 
 him so narrowly. Valta Vargas seemed an earnest 
 
who's his father? 65 
 
 and worthy man, whose poHtical views and opinions 
 coincided closely with those of our young friend. 
 With respect to Jago however, the Colonel was 
 certainly not in the wrong; he* therefore, without 
 hesitation, accepted the Colonel's offered right 
 hand. 
 
 At that moment Jago came on deck. He threw 
 an enquiring look on both, but Valta Vargas had 
 sufficient command over his own feelings to pre- 
 vent their betraying him. He appeared to be 
 desirous that Jago should not learn any thing of 
 what had just passed; giving therefore a significant 
 wink to his young fi-iend, and bowing ceremoni- 
 ously, he retired. 
 
 Jago paced the deck for a considerable time. 
 He seemed waiting for his protegee to address 
 him first, but Rodrigo gazed silently on the water. 
 " The Colonel has contrived to escape quickly fi-om 
 his arrest," said he at length, in a sharp tone. 
 
 " It seems," said Jago, " that he fears my pre- 
 sence more than yours." 
 
 " He has business to do probably," said Rodrigo 
 carelessly. 4 
 
66 who's his father? 
 
 " Nevertheless I saw you from the shore con- 
 versing tolerably earnest together," interrupted the 
 other abruptly; " Rodrigo, the society of that 
 Valta Vargas may bring mischief upon you, he at 
 least makes too much parade of his liberal 
 opinions." 
 
 " His views are very philanthropic, and con- 
 sonant to my own," remarked Rodrigo. " Why 
 should I conceal it from you ? the man pleases me, 
 I vdshed to become better acquainted with him, 
 and he met me frankly; is there any great 
 pohtical danger in this?" 
 
 " Carago!" cried Jago, swearing wrathfully, ^'^ I 
 am only your friend ; not your guardian. Were I 
 the last I would soon separate you from that 
 adventurer. Act as you please, rash man, the 
 consequences will show whether my advice is to 
 be despised. If my friendship no longer satisfies 
 you, seek others, but have a care that they deal as 
 sincerely with you as I." 
 
 " It is gratifying to me," rejoined Rodrigo, " that 
 you should at length dwell upon a theme which 
 I have long wished to discuss with you. It is now, 
 
who's his father? 67 
 
 mj Jago, two years since you unexpectedly arrived 
 in Cordova, and attached yourself so closely to me 
 that I soon forgot my other friends. You aided 
 rne faithfully in word and deed, and opened your 
 purse to me in my confined circumstances, so that 
 out of gratitude I was compelled to seek your 
 finendship. Do not consider me an ingrate; I 
 fully acknowledge all you have done for me, but it 
 is no fault of mine that our mutual relation has 
 never been so affectionate as it ought properly to 
 have been. You were never frank with me, nay 
 you often even seemed as if you were constrained 
 in my society. You are nearly ten years my 
 senior. It is not only in politics that our views 
 differ, and for that reason we have often had dis- 
 putes. What motive had you to be so little open 
 towards me ? Wherefore this mysterious, and oftei? 
 contradictory conduct towards me, which has always 
 made it difficult for me to feel implicit confidence 
 in your words ?" 
 
 As the young man spoke, Jago's countenance 
 became more and more cloudy. A long pause 
 
 followed, and at length he said in a determined 
 F 2 
 
68 who's his father? 
 
 tone : " Come what may, I have done my duty ; 
 but mark if you do not repent having thrown off 
 your more experienced friend ! " 
 
 Jago withdrew hastily, and Rodrigo shook his 
 head as he gazed after him. 
 
who's his father? 69 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The arrival of a government vessel attracted a 
 multitude of curious spectators on the quay at 
 Assumption. On the landing place, in front of a 
 small wooden house, stood an Alcalde, surrounded 
 by a few Gens d'arme, looking at the passengers as 
 they ascended the steps. The first who set his foot 
 on land was a tall handsome man, he beckoned to 
 a Negro, who stood near, to fetch his luggage from 
 the ship, and then hastily bent his steps towards 
 the city. The Alcalde remarked with some 
 surprise the unusual proceeding of the stranger, in 
 w^hom we recognise our Valta Vargas, and then 
 gave a signal to one of the Gens d'arme, who 
 quickly overtook him as he hurried off. The 
 
70 who's his father? 
 
 Colonel looked up in astonishment when the soldier 
 roughly desired him to follow, but expostulation 
 was of no avail, and he was conducted to the officer. 
 
 " Are you ignorant, Sennor," said the latter 
 harshly, " that every one on quitting the vessel 
 must deHver his papers for examination ?" 
 
 " No doubt, the captain told me so," replied the 
 Colonel very unceremoniously ; " but pray how 
 often is it the custom in this country to make this 
 examination? I have already submitted to this 
 investigation at the frontier." 
 
 The Alcalde looked sternly. " Your language 
 is somewhat bold Sennor," he observed, scrutinizing 
 the Colonel from head to foot, and then making 
 notes in a book he held : " Reverence the laws of 
 every land, Sennor! Step immediately into this 
 house, which you will not again leave without 
 permission." 
 
 A sharp answer seemed rising to the Colonel's 
 lips, but he controled his anger, and obeyed the 
 injunction. The other passengers by this time had 
 successively landed. First came some inhabitants 
 of Paraguay, from Neembucer and Ytapua, who 
 
who's his father? 71 
 
 wished to settle in Assumption. To these the 
 Alcalde gave a friendly recognition as he bade 
 them enter the house. Then followed some other 
 individuals, but no one was permitted to go forth- 
 with into the city, but all were obhged to go into 
 the Httle wooden house. 
 
 Last of all appeared Jago with his protegee. 
 The Alcalde looked hard at the former for a few 
 moments, as if he were endeavouring to recall 
 something to memory. Jago seemed to be aware 
 of what must be passing in the officer's mind, for 
 he advanced a few hasty steps and cautiously 
 whispered in his ear : 
 
 " You do not deceive yourself, Sennor Caceres, 
 I am Avila, but there is no necessity that the 
 bystanders should be made aware that we have met 
 before ; I am acting by the authority of a superior." 
 
 " I understand," said the other in a similar 
 tone. 
 
 " HaUoa Jose," cried he to a negro, " carry the 
 luggage of these two gentlemen after them. Take 
 apartments," said he again, in an undertone, to Jago, 
 " in the tavern in the Calle del Pilar." 
 
72 who's his father? 
 
 Our two friends proceeded to the city followed 
 by the stout negro. 
 
 The city of Assumption is built like an amphi- 
 theatre; but the streets are nevertheless narrow and 
 crooked, and the houses unsightly. The Dictator 
 had just at that period conceived the unlucky desire 
 of embellishing the city, and had consequently re- 
 solved to have whatever buildings interfered with 
 his plans demoHshed. Whole streets were therefore 
 uninhabited ; most of the edifices lay in ruins and 
 rubbish, and it looked almost like a place that had 
 recently been pillaged. Hence its first aspect was 
 not prepossessing, and Rodrigo did not in any 
 degree conceal this impression from Jago. The 
 latter seemed no less surprised, and led his friend, 
 who as usual indulged freely in bitter remarks, 
 hastily on. After wandering for a considerable 
 time in the deserted streets, they at length found 
 the tavern of the Calle del Pilar. Being much 
 fatigued both the young men flung themselves 
 upon their beds almost as soon as they entered 
 the house. 
 
 Evening had already closed in, yet still the other 
 
who's his father? 73 
 
 passengers awaited in the wooden-house the arrival 
 of an order from the city. The natives, who were 
 accustomed to the strange conduct of the Dictator, 
 looked on with a smile at their impatient com- 
 panions; but no one ventured to give a sign of 
 approbation, for the Dictator's soldiers paraded 
 incessantly up and down. 
 
 At last the Alcalde returned with the order, and 
 read aloud, uncovered, the laconic commands of the 
 Dictator with regard to the travellers. The last on 
 the list was the Colonel. " As for Don Valta Vargas, 
 late colonel in the Buenos- Ayres army, let him 
 present himself before me early to-morrow morning, 
 and before he has had intercourse with any other 
 person. In order to the strict enforcement of my 
 command, let a double guard be placed before his 
 door." 
 
 The Alcalde then withdrew, com-teously wishing 
 the passengers good night. 
 
 The Colonel, trembling with internal rage, stiU 
 stood within the little dwellmg when all the others 
 had already disappeared. At length his ftiry burst 
 forth in words. Fortunately the soldiers stood 
 
74 who's his father? 
 
 outside the door, and could not hear what he 
 said. 
 
 " How does this Doctor presume," — cried he, as 
 he paced the room ; " but patience ! patience ! few 
 despots hitherto have enjoyed the fruit of their 
 tyranny, and an avenger shall yet arise here also. 
 Don Fulgencio Yezros is powerful and respected; 
 he must be the main prop of the Revolution, and 
 that young man, that Medrano, of whom he thinks 
 so much, is already as good as won. I do not 
 comprehend the Consul, yet there certainly prevails 
 some mystery here. Wherefore is a fugitive per- 
 mitted to cross the frontier of this country unques- 
 tioned ? wherefore is he met everywhere half-way ? 
 he must be some person of consequence. . . ." 
 
 The entrance of the two sentinels put an end to 
 his soliloquy. 
 
who's his father? 75 
 
 CHAPTER Vni. 
 
 The next morning found the friends, Jago and 
 Roderigo, at an early hour in the principal street of 
 the city. The elder harangued the younger long 
 and vehemently, whilst the latter on this occasion 
 listened more attentively than it was his wont to do. 
 " My plan is briefly as follows," said Jago, — " As 
 a teacher, or in any similar position, you would 
 play here a very subordinate part, and I am con- 
 vinced that your enterprising, restless spirit would 
 not long be able to submit to this mechanical 
 labour. No, I have devised something better for 
 you, I will endeavour to get you placed near the 
 person of the Dictator. You will then soon be able 
 to convince yourself," continued he, with increased 
 violence, as he perceived by Rodrigo's countenance 
 
76 who's his father? 
 
 that he was about to protest against this project, 
 "You will then.be able to convince yourself that 
 Francia is a man who deserves the admiration of 
 the present as well as of future generations. In him 
 you will certainly find no exalted republican, but a 
 citizen who prizes beyond all else the welfare of the 
 State which has been entrusted to him. 
 
 ** Granted ! " said Rodrigo, smiling ironically, 
 " but have you taken into consideration, that within 
 the last three quarters of a year, since you left 
 Assumption, much has become altered in the affairs 
 of Paraguay. It would be sad for you, should you 
 find yourself deceived in your calculations. At that 
 time, this Francia might well appear to you in the 
 hght of aHero ; but now he has thrown off the mask, 
 and the disinterested citizen has now become an 
 egotistical, dreaded tyrant. But be it as you please ; 
 if you can succeed in obtaining for me the post of 
 Secretary to the Dictator, rest assured you will 
 have my thanks, and I promise you to repress to 
 the utmost of my power all republican sentiments." 
 
 Jago joyfully and gratefully pressed Rodrigo's 
 hand. "You shall not have cause to repent it," 
 
who's his father? 77 
 
 said he. " This very afternoon I shall request an 
 audience of his Highness." » 
 
 He would have said more, but Rodrigo in 
 astonishment pointed to the other end of the street. 
 Colonel Valta Vargas, followed by two of the 
 Dictator's hussars, just then turned the comer. 
 He soon came up to them, and Jago, much 
 startled, enquired the cause of his being so strictly 
 guarded. The Colonel laid his finger on his lips, 
 and said cautiously, but in some degree ironically, 
 " I am going to wait upon his Highness ; another 
 time we will speak of the cause of my quasi 
 arrest." 
 
 " Arrest ! " exclaimed Rodrigo. " Why, you have 
 but just arrived in Assumption ! " 
 
 The Colonel shrugged his shoulders and passed 
 on. 
 
 "Be not misled by appearances," whispered 
 Jago to his friend ; " it is not without cause that 
 Francia is so strict This Valta Vargas, a furious 
 republican, has distinctly made a parade of his sen- 
 timents. He comes from Buenos Ayres, from the city 
 whence Paraguay has most to dread. No doubt the 
 
78 who's his father? 
 
 Colonel is acting in behalf of his government. He 
 is, as I have ascertained, on the most confidential 
 terms with the late Consul Yezros, who is now 
 travelling in the neighbouring states. Beware there- 
 fore of any connexion with these men ; especially 
 with Valta Vargas who has already endeavoured to 
 gain your favour. If your position in Assumption, 
 nay, your very personal fi-eedom, is of value to you, 
 do not, in your expected audience of the Dictator, 
 allow one word to transpire which may betray that 
 you are on a friendly footing with the Colonel ! " 
 
 Rodrigo promised circumspection. Jago was in 
 his best humour ; he was gratified by his fi'iend's 
 unusual acquiesence, and their reconcihation was 
 complete. Arm in arm they traversed the streets, 
 and as all Jago's former recollections awakened in 
 his mind, he directed his Mends attention to the 
 various objects worthy of notice. So many alter- 
 ations had taken place that it required all Jago's 
 acquaintance with the locality to enable him to 
 find his way. It must have been about eight 
 o'clock when they arrived at the gate of Great 
 Chaco. Rodrigo was anxious to become acquainted 
 
who's his father? 79 
 
 with the vicinity of Assumption, and his friend 
 was quite willing to undertake the office of 
 Cicerone. He was in good understanding with 
 the sentinels at the gate, and the two young men 
 passed through it towards the magnificent plain 
 which commences a few miles behind the city on 
 that side. Though not mountainous Paraguay 
 is rich in the beauties of nature, and even Rodrigo, 
 accustomed as he was to the grand spectacle of his 
 native Cordilleras, was obhged to confess that it 
 was so. From a slightly elevated ground, imme- 
 diately fronting the forest, they could overlook the 
 city, with the majestic stream which wound like a 
 silver cord between its green and fertile banks. 
 On the opposite side the antique forests of Gross 
 Chaco spread themselves in boundless extent 
 The Dictator with immense labour and expence 
 had caused a road to be hewn out through this 
 impenetrable forest, and several habitations already 
 bordered this Chaussee. Curuguay was the most 
 considerable of these, and the whole road was in 
 consequence called the road of Curuguay. 
 
 Rodrigo was still gazing with admiration on this 
 
80 who's his father? 
 
 giant performance, when he was interrupted by 
 the slow rolling of carriage wheels, and he called 
 his friends attention to the circumstance. It was 
 a clumsy four-wheeled open car, drawn by six 
 horses, as is still the custom in those countries. 
 Four heavy armed soldier were seated on a narrow 
 seat in front, almost immediately above the pole. 
 Two others occupied the seat behind. On a 
 bundle of rice straw, in the centre, lay a man ad- 
 vanced in years; his features were fine, but the 
 expression of his countenance indicated deep 
 sorrow. By his side was a young girl of such 
 surpassing beauty that, although her countenance 
 was pale and her eyes red with weeping, our two 
 friends were struck as by enchantment. Rodrigo, 
 especially, could not withhold his eyes from 
 the wonderful apparition. It was clear that the 
 old man was the maiden's father; but what 
 offence could the father of such an angel have 
 committed? The youth at once determined to 
 befriend the unfortunate man, to defend his sup- 
 posed just cause, and he urged his friend to return 
 instantly to Assumption. 
 
who's his father? 81 
 
 Jago shook his head as he followed the hot- 
 headed young man, and in vain endeavoured to 
 awaken him to reflection. When Rodrigo however 
 informed him that he intended at once to intercede 
 with the Dictator in favor of the unknown prisoner, 
 he exclaimed with amazement : 
 
 " You speak in favor of him?" cried he, with a 
 laugh of bitter derision, " do you already know 
 what reception you yourself are likely to have 
 from the Dictator? Observe, my friend, that here 
 the position of a man is very tickhsh ; one incon- 
 siderate word against the person of our Ruler, 
 one indiscreet expression, will infallibly convert the 
 expected protector into an enemy. What impres- 
 sion must it make on him, if you, without having 
 even seen or spoken to him previously, should at 
 once begin to intercede for a state prisoner, and for 
 one who is an entire stranger to you?" 
 
 Rodrigo could not but perceive the truth of these 
 words; but the image of the maiden, of that heavenly 
 being, in tears and in despair, had already sank 
 deeply in his heart ! He already fancied he could 
 not support the thought. At length they reached 
 
 G 
 
82 who's his father? 
 
 the gate almost as soon as the vehicle. The 
 prisoner was at once Hfted out, and his daughter 
 followed him in spite of all opposition into the 
 prison. The young men were unable to learn 
 anything concerning the prisoner's oifence, and they 
 were roughly driven back by the guards on duty. 
 
 It was noon when the friends reached their 
 Posada, and two long hours had still to elapse ere 
 they could obtain an audience. The busy hostess 
 had just removed their last dish when the door 
 opened, and a little meagre looking man entered 
 the apartment. He bowed haughtily, and with the 
 air of a personage of importance. 
 
 " Excuse me Sennors," said he in a husky and 
 disagreeable voice, " excuse me if I disturb you at 
 dinner. A commission from his Excellency, our 
 illustrious Dictator, brings me here." 
 
 " Cuerpo de Christo!" interrupted Jago,' laugh- 
 ing; "do I see rightly, Sennor Pedro Pinto who 
 three years ago so often and so greatly to my 
 satisfaction removed my beard from me? How 
 came you to be in the service of his Excellency?" 
 
 The barber stepped back surprised. "Ha, ha, 
 
who's his father? 83 
 
 Sennor," said he, evidently offended, " you know but 
 little of the history of our country ; unquestionably I 
 once did remove the beards of the public in general, 
 but now," added he with an air of stupid pride, 
 " I only take off that of his Excellency, and assist 
 him in mending the dislocated limbs of the state." 
 
 "So! a second Louis XL," remarked Rodrigo 
 sarcastically; whilst Jago gradually assumed a 
 serious air. 
 
 "Who was Louis XL? If he ever sat on the 
 Spanish throne I would pray that, for this com- 
 parison, the Holy Virgin might henceforth turn 
 away her face from you ! " replied the barber. 
 
 Rodrigo laughed aloud. " No, my highly 
 esteemed Don, think me not so worthless as to 
 compare his Highness with one of that brood of 
 Belial. No one reveres the deliverer of Paraguay 
 more than I do ; I who have forsaken the land of 
 my birth solely to bask in the greatness of that 
 subUme man." 
 
 Having uttered these words he cast an enquiring 
 
 look on his friend, who gave him an approving 
 
 nod. The little barber looked disconcerted. 
 g2 
 
84 who's his father? 
 
 " We have, however," said he after a time, and with 
 a pleased countenance, " quite departed from the 
 subject of my visit. Therefore I have to inform you, 
 Sennor Jago de Avila, that within an hour and a 
 half from this time you may appear yourself in the 
 audience chamber of his Excellency; whilst you, 
 Sennor Medrano Cordova, need not present your- 
 self till afterwards." 
 
 He bowed profoundly, and moved with true 
 Spanish pomposity towards the door. Rodrigo 
 hastened towards him. 
 
 " One word more, respected Sir," cried he ; 
 " this morning we were taking a little walk by the 
 road of Carnguaty, when a carriage, or rather car, 
 overtook us. An old man, guarded by six or eight 
 soldiers, lay in chains on this vehicle ; his appear- 
 ance interested me although I had never before 
 seen him. Can you perchance tell me what 
 offence he has committed." 
 
 The barber assuming a knowing but dignified 
 look, said, "He interests you! well, by Pero Petero ! 
 this kind of commiseration is somewhat dangerous 
 in a politic^ view," and smiUng, he added. " But 
 
who's his father? 85 
 
 do not alarm yourself, I will not have heard 
 your words. Be candid however I beseech you. 
 Is it not true, Sennor, that the young maiden, who 
 accompanied the prisoner, interests you far more 
 than the old man. Cuerpo de Christo, I have 
 guessed it, and I think too," continued he good 
 humouredly, " the maiden is as lovely as an 
 angeL But with our nonsense we are forgetting 
 the question. Yes, the father has offended seriously, 
 and I do not think there is much hope for him. 
 He is a restless old man, who will never be quiet 
 till he has been made a state victim. He was long 
 ago denounced to the government, but nothing 
 could be proved against him, for the old fox was 
 extremely cautious. At length how^ever they got 
 on the right track. It had long been perceived 
 that he hated the Dictator, and looked upon him 
 as the oppressor of freedom. Such dangerous 
 subjects are no favourites in any state, least of all 
 in ours, he has been sent therefore to Assumption 
 in order to be well looked after. This is the 
 whole story ; but I must take my leave, duty calls 
 me, and I hope we shall very soon meet agiiin." 
 He withdrew with a smiling countenance, bow- 
 
86 who's his father? 
 
 ing respectfully. Jago watched him attentively as 
 he departed, and it was some time before he 
 renewed the conversation. 
 
 At length he said drily : " I have already heard 
 this man spoken of in Cordova; but I did not 
 believe the reports. The superior genius that has 
 hitherto guided Francia's steps seems in this case 
 to have forsaken him. When a potentate begins 
 to grow dependent on his creatures his star begins 
 to wane, and a dim presentiment comes over me 
 that Francia will share the fate of other despots." 
 
 Rodrigo looked surprised. " Your conversion 
 advances at a rapid pace," said he smiling, " wiU 
 you at last acknowledge my views to be the true 
 ones? will you at last confess that this Francia is 
 animated by nought else than boundless ambition ? 
 that this is the source whence spring all his despotic 
 actions ? and that the good of his country is only a 
 pretext to enable him to act his despotic part more 
 freely? It is yet time, let us retreat from the den 
 of the tiger before his greedy eye has marked us, 
 before his talons are unsheathed." 
 
 Jago was silent, and looked gloomily before him. 
 
who's his father? 87 
 
 " It is too late," said he, in a monotonous voice. 
 " You err, if you imagine the tiger has not aheady 
 perceived us ; all we have now to think of is how 
 we may best escape his claws. Farewell my friend, 
 I am going now to look this tiger in the face; 
 heaven grant that I may do it with impunity." 
 
 He threw his dark mantle over him, pulled the 
 broad brimmed sombrero over his brows, and 
 hastened away. How various were the feelings 
 which passed through him as he traversed each 
 well known street Here he had been bom and 
 bred, there had his father instructed him, his 
 mother had cared for him ; a sister also had em- 
 braced him in affection; but they were now all 
 passed away, and he was left alone. A Spaniard 
 had seduced his sister, the father had fallen by the 
 same hand, and the mother had died of grief. 
 Since that period he hated the Spaniards; and 
 when the insurrection broke out he became a 
 zealous combatant in the cause of freedom. 
 
 Francia, who was then advising-secretary to the 
 Junta, was struck by Jago's appearance, and re- 
 ceiving him into his own house perfected liis 
 
88 who's his father? 
 
 education. Thus Jago became chained to his 
 benefactor, and when subsequently Francia's autho- 
 rity increased so that he became almost sole 
 director of the affairs of the state, he made his 
 protegee his private secretary, until, in the summer 
 of the year 1817, he commissioned him to go to 
 Cordova in order to persuade a young man of that 
 city to migrate to Paraguay. What Francia's 
 object in this was, or how Rodrigo had become 
 known to him, appeared to be a secret which Jago 
 had never ventured or endeavoured to discover. 
 Absorbed in his reflections he reached the palace 
 which had formerly been the seat of the Spanish 
 government, and where now dwelt the dreaded 
 Dictator of Paraguay. It was from here he issued 
 his annihilating thunder-bolts, and whence also 
 were derived the blessings and tranquilUty enjoyed 
 by the state. Although the siesta, which banishes 
 aU classes into their houses, was now over, a 
 deathly stillness reigned around the vast edifice, 
 and it was seldom even that an Indian from the 
 plains of Gross Chaco, or a broad-shouldered 
 Guarani, was seen to cross the threshold. Jago 
 
who's his father? 89 
 
 stood hesitating in the wide and deserted square, 
 when some one tapped him familiarly on the 
 shoulder. He looked round and saw beside him a 
 young man in the imiform of a Ueutenant of the 
 Paraguay dragoons. 
 
 " Manuel," " Jago !" exclaimed both at the same 
 moment, and rushed into each others arms. 
 
 " Dear friend !" cried the officer, " have I at 
 length found you? Since yesterday morning, 
 when I saw your name in the list of arrivals, I 
 have been seeking for you in all directions. You 
 are heartily welcomed back to Assumption. But 
 wherefore stand we here ? come to my residence in 
 the Calle de Curu-Guato." 
 
 " I thank you heartily," replied Jago, " but I am 
 now on my way to the Dictator, to render him an 
 account of my journey." 
 
 " To the Dictator, to-day?" asked the other 
 alarmed. " Alas, you have fallen on an evil hour, 
 he is at present in his most intolerable temper. I 
 am forbidden to enter his presence for eight days, 
 because last evening my spurs rattled a little in the 
 anti-chamber. Have you been long standing here 
 
90 who's his father? 
 
 in the court, and gazing at the palace? I ask 
 simply because it is strictly prohibited to do so. 
 Last week an order was issued to shoot any one 
 who should direct his eyes for too long a time 
 towards the building." 
 
 " Can it be possible !" cried Jago, greatly 
 shocked. " It is then true what we were told every 
 where as we came hither? Unhappy Paraguay, 
 what a tyrant hast thou imposed upon thyself!" 
 
 " For the love of Heaven be silent !" interrupted 
 his friend. " In this dreadful land the very 
 breezes that float around us become traitors. 
 I leave for the present, though I have endless 
 questions to put to you; may Heaven grant that 
 you may still be as much in Francia's favour as 
 formerly!" He pressed his friend's hand, and 
 hastened away. 
 
who's his father? 91 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 With a beating heart Jago entered the colonnade 
 which encircles the whole building hke a porch. 
 It was the Dictator's general custom to take exer- 
 cise there both in the morning and after the siesta, 
 but that day he remained shut up in his chamber, 
 not allowing any one access to him. Even Valta 
 Vargas, whom he had expressly commanded to 
 appear before him, had already sat ten hours in the 
 anti-chamber, and stiU waited for an audience. As 
 Jago passed him he bit his lips with anger, and 
 appeared as if he was about to utter, according to 
 his usual custom, some sarcasm. Fortunately Jago 
 anticipated, and calmed him with the promise that 
 he would say a favourable word for him to his 
 Excellency. 
 
92 who's his father? 
 
 Jago found that considerable alterations had 
 taken place in the palace during his absence. 
 Francia had formerly occupied a cheerful apart- 
 ment looking out on the court, but he had now 
 retired to one in the interior of the building, which 
 was only accessible through numerous other rooms 
 and passages. The officer in attendance informed 
 him that this new arrangement had been introduced 
 in consequence of the discovery of a conspiracy, 
 and that no one was now allowed to enter the 
 palace imtil he had been strictly searched to 
 ascertain that he carried no concealed weapon. 
 Jago felt himself much agrieved by this offensive 
 distrust of him. His faith in the great man faded 
 more and more, whilst bitter hatred began to take 
 the place of his former almost boundless venera- 
 tion. He no longer trembled lest the tyrant should 
 exercise his arbitrary power on him ; a vindictive 
 feeling took entire possession of his soul. Whilst 
 this was passing in his mind, the officer on guard 
 approached, and informed him that his Highness 
 was ready to receive him. 
 
 The doors were thrown open and he entered 
 
who's his father? 93 
 
 into a small chamber. The furniture and the 
 whole arrangement was in excellent taste, but not 
 the least showy. At the farther end in a handsome 
 bookcase was a well selected library of English, 
 Spanish, French, and even German works. The 
 Dictator leaned against a window habited in a 
 very ample dressing gown of common cotton. He 
 was already in his sixty-third year, but so ruddy 
 and vigorous was his aspect that a stranger might 
 have taken him for about fifty. There was some- 
 thing commanding in his deportment, although his 
 features did not indicate a man of superior intellect. 
 An unusual paleness at that time overspread his 
 cheeks, and the comer of his mouth occasionally 
 betrayed the repressed indication of suffering. 
 
 "Is it you Avila!" said he in a somewhat husky 
 voice, interrupted by frequent coughing. "I 
 rejoice that you also have not turned traitor to 
 me. The young man has then accompanied you. 
 (^ome nearer, and tell me what kind of man he is, 
 and what are his sentiments concerning me and 
 my institutions; can I intrust him with the oflSce 
 
94 who's his father? 
 
 of private secretary? Speak freely and openly 
 as you have ever done." 
 
 "Most illustrious Sir," began Jago, agreeably 
 surprised by the potentate's friendly address, " my 
 first business is to clear myself from calumny, and 
 remove the suspicions which appear to have taken 
 possession of your Excellency's mind concerning me." 
 
 " 'Tis well," interrupted Francia. " Your not 
 replying to my two letters awakened in me an 
 apprehension that you might have forgotten your 
 promises ; in a moment of irritation I caused that 
 requisition to be inserted in the 'Indicador' of 
 Assumption. Let the matter rest." 
 
 " Your Excellency miist nevertheless pardon 
 me," rejoined Jago, abruptly, "for returning to the 
 subject. I have never permitted myself to leave 
 a single letter of yours unanswered ; but it appears 
 that I did not err in my surmise that the Govern- 
 ment of Buenos Ayres probably kept an eye on the 
 soi-disant emigrant from Paraguay, and that my 
 letters were thus intercepted." 
 
 " Wretched boobies!" cried the Dictator, scorn- 
 fully. " Did I not despise these wretches too 
 
who's his father? 95 
 
 much, I would make them repent it. What is said 
 of me pray in Tucuman, and the neighbouring 
 states?" 
 
 " The populace and the wealthy citizens sigh for 
 a government hke yours," said Jago ; " the army 
 and the nobles fear your influence, and therefore 
 they endeavour to excite suspicion of you." 
 
 Francia made no reply, but walked up and down 
 the room laughing contemptuously. " And Me- 
 drano?" asked he, after a long pause. 
 
 " Your Excellency seems to attach great import- 
 ance to the opinion of this young man," remarked 
 Avila. " Rodrigo is, so far as I am as yet ac- 
 quainted with his sentiments, a zealous republican; 
 his youth, however, does not yet admit of his being 
 able to form a competent judgment; and, more- 
 over, he sees everything through the medium of 
 his republicanism." 
 
 " It is then your opinion," said Francia, gloomily, 
 " that my rule is not likely to find favour in his 
 sight. To speak plainly, however," pursued he, as 
 he observed that Jago shrugged his shoulders in 
 some embarrassment, " I have determined, at all 
 
96 who's HIS FATHER? 
 
 risk and hazard, on making this young man my 
 private secretary. I hope in time he will discover 
 that I also am a republican. Concerning yourself, 
 you are at liberty to consider how you will best like 
 to be provided for. A place in the financial depart- 
 ment is at your service, which will most likely suit 
 you better than any other, as I know you have no 
 objection to dealings in money. In addition also, 
 here is an order on my private account for three 
 thousand piastres towards your travelling expences 
 and new establishment. Send young Medrano 
 to me." 
 
 He waved his hand amicably, and Jago withdrew 
 in silence, after bowing profoundly. 
 
 Much struck by the unusual condescension of 
 the Dictator, and almost entirely reconciled to him, 
 Jago passed into the antechamber, where he found 
 the barber, and dreaded favourite of the potentate, 
 already known to us as Pedro Pinto. 
 
 " You have had a long audience of his Excel- 
 lency !" said he, smiHng maliciously ; "if I mistake 
 not, much has been said during it of the young 
 Cordovan, Medrano. Do you not know, my friend. 
 
97 
 
 why our illustrious master feels so much interest 
 for this young man?" 
 
 Jago was incensed against the intrusive ques- 
 tioner, and vouchsafed him no reply. The barber 
 looked angrily at him, and then slipped cautiously 
 into the Dictator's room. 
 
 Valta Vargas still waited in the ante-room, and 
 Jago's heart reproached him when he remembered, 
 that in his audience with the Dictator, he had not 
 alluded to the expectant Colonel. 
 
 " My poor friend," cried he to the Colonel, " it 
 was entirely out of my power to name you to the 
 Dictator. But have a little patience still ; half an 
 hour hence I shall be here again, and then you 
 shall infallibly be admitted." 
 
 " O it is of no importance," said Valta Vargas, 
 with a bitter laugh ; " I have been sitting here 
 since early this morning, and can wait patiently if 
 need be till it is night Meantime I am revolv- 
 ing certain plans, which perhaps may in time be 
 reahsed." 
 
 Jago gave a sudden start, and passed on as 
 quickly as he could from the incautious man. On 
 
 H 
 
98 who's his father? 
 
 reaching his posada he was surprized to hear voices 
 speaking. He threw open the door hastily, and 
 encountered the young officer, whom we have 
 akeady seen in the court before the Government 
 House, in conversation with Rodrigo. 
 
 Manuel hastened towards him. "You will 
 forgive me for having intruded into your dwelling," 
 said he, shaking his friend's hand. "It was a 
 curious accident that led me hither, but I do not 
 regret it, since it has given me the opportunity of 
 becoming acquainted with your feUow traveller. 
 But how did you find the great Dictator?" 
 
 Jago related the result of his audience, and 
 Manuel was greatly astonished. "Some remark- 
 able influence must pravail here," said he, shaking 
 his head. " The moist and warm north-east wind 
 has blown for some days, and at such times the 
 temperature acts powerfully on Francia's constitu- 
 tion. His "attacks of hypochondria are then more 
 frequent, therefore lose no time my dear friend," 
 turning to Rodrigo, "and avail yourself of this 
 probably only fleeting moment of the Dictator's 
 good-humour." 
 
who's his father? 99 
 
 "What!" cried Rodrigo, greatly surprised; "you 
 would have me go at once to the Dictator. You 
 seriously advise me to do so! Have you already 
 forgotten what you only just now imparted to me ? 
 What if I should allow myself to be carried away 
 by my youthful imprudence, and make intercession 
 for the Spanish state prisoner and his beautiful 
 daughter, who has so strangely attracted me !" 
 
 " In truth," repHed Manuel seriously, " if there 
 is any hope for the unhappy persons whom I was 
 obHged early this morning to conduct to their 
 prison, it can only be effected through you. Oh ! 
 if his Excellency could but see this lovely girl, he 
 must have a heart of stone not to be softened, and 
 it is well known that Francia has never been averse 
 either to wine or women." 
 
 "Well then, be it so; Atalante, friend Jago!" 
 
 cried Rodrigo gaily, "but I go not without you. 
 
 In truth I no longer fear the old gentleman. 
 
 Farewell Manuel; deal gently with your prisoners; 
 
 let me but once become chief secretary in Francia's 
 
 Cabinet, and there is then no fear for the future." 
 
 The friends then separated. 
 h2 
 
100 who's his father? 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 On Jago's leaving the Dictator's room the barber 
 had entered it. He laid out his apparatus in 
 silence, and commenced sharpening the razor. In 
 general, whilst making his preparations, he was 
 wont to carry on either a merry or serious dis- 
 course, as the case might require, concerning the 
 news of the day; but he knew his master well; 
 the wind was from the north-east, and although 
 Francia had never made him feel the effects of his 
 temper, yet he did not trust him. 
 
 The Dictator still leaned in the recess of the 
 window, sunk in the deepest abstraction, and did 
 not appear to notice the entrance of the barber. 
 Pinto stood for some time with the napkin dis- 
 
who's his father? 101 
 
 played, only occasionally venturing to make known 
 his presence by a gentle cough. To his great 
 surprise he read in the countenance of the potentate, 
 instead of the apprehended ill temper, only a 
 tranquil, passionless gravity. 
 
 "Is it your Highness's pleasure?" said he, en- 
 couraged by his unexpected aspect 
 
 "Ah, Pedro are you there?" said the Dictator 
 good humouredly, as he seated himself. "Well, 
 what news in the town and neighbourhood?" 
 
 "The Spanish Don from Curuguaty with his 
 guard arrived early this morning," whispered the 
 barber, whilst he lathered the potentate's chin. " I 
 saw him ; he is already established in prison with 
 his daughter." 
 
 "With his daughter?" said Francia astonished. 
 "Why was that done? Does not the Cabildo 
 know that I hate such family scenes ? that they may 
 be extremely injiuious to me personally? I fear a 
 daughter whom I am obliged to rob of a father, 
 possibly a beloved father, much more than a 
 powerful man. Let the maiden be sent back" 
 
 "Excellency!" said Pinto, not without some 
 
102 who's his father? 
 
 emotion : " I have beheld the love and the despair 
 of the young lady; should she be separated from 
 the old man she would not survive it; and if you 
 think as I do, that the ruler of the state would be 
 in less peril for it ; leave them together. For believe 
 me, filial love is a mighty spur." 
 
 The Dictator grew thoughtful. " I trust," said 
 he suspiciously, after a considerable pause, "that 
 no secret object lies at the bottom of your 
 proposition. I am not accustomed to hear recom- 
 mendations of leniency from you," added he, in a 
 somewhat softened tone, as he perceived Pedro 
 seemed to be going to justify himself. *' But 
 proceed. Who is in the antechamber?" 
 
 " When I passed through," replied the barber, 
 " the foreign Colonel from Buenos Ayres had 
 already been waiting for an audience from an early 
 hour this morning." 
 
 " Valta Vargas!" cried the potentate vehe- 
 mently. " Ha ! right to have reminded me of it. 
 Well, how fares the proud Sennor? Doubly do 
 I value my power, since it enables me to humble 
 such presumptuous adventurers as he. Let him 
 
who's his father? 103 
 
 wait till the evening, and then he shall have a 
 reception he little hopes for." 
 
 As he uttered these sentences the Doctor worked 
 himself into a violent passion. His small black 
 eyes shot forth like Ughtning, the muscles of his 
 face worked convulsively, and he thrust the barber 
 roughly aside, measuring the room with ample 
 strides. An occasional oath burst from his Ups, and 
 disconnected words fell from his mouth. 
 
 " Carajo!" exclaimed he at last, stopping in the 
 middle of the room, and extending his clenched 
 hands. " I'll have a word or two with all these 
 gentlemen. There is the Ex-Consul, Fulgencio 
 Yezros, who is one of the restless spirits with whom 
 a few years ago I shared the government of Para- 
 guay. There is also the noble-minded Don Cabal- 
 lero, who sacrificed his country to gratify his 
 personal hatred of me. Oh, I know a few more of 
 them; they are all inscribed in letters of fire in 
 my memory; but a few bullets shall soon efface 
 them. What say you, Pedro, to my cutting off this 
 Hydra head at one blow ? I know you also hate 
 them, and I cannot understand how I allowed my- 
 
104 who's his father? 
 
 self to be persuaded into sanctioning the Consul's 
 journey into a foreign state. But I have been too 
 mild, too indulgent towards these men, and have 
 persecuted others, when I ought to have let them 
 only feel the edge of the sword. Here I swear, by 
 all that is sacred, that Paraguay shall see yet an- 
 other day of blood, and then we may have peace. 
 This one day, however, shall be more bloody than 
 a whole year of my ordinary rule. 
 
 The barber, well used to such outbreaks, and 
 seizing the favourable moment to annihilate his 
 opponent, fanned the fire tiU the flame burst forth 
 in full force. 
 
 " WiU your Excellency hear the counsel of your 
 faithful servant," said he, humbly. " I have studied 
 this Valta Vargas, and find in him a bold and 
 enterprising spirit. But, as usual with such daring 
 men, he wears his heart too much upon his hps, 
 and can conceal nothing firom a cunning wary man. 
 This Colonel possesses unmeasured pride, and I am 
 convinced will hate you far less for arresting him, 
 than for having made him wait in your antecham- 
 ber. K your Excellency will but take no notice, 
 
who's his father? 105 
 
 for the present, of all the traitorous expressions you 
 will hear of him, his chastisement will yet fall 
 heavily upon him. It would, however, be highly 
 imprudent to place him again under arrest after his 
 audience. No ! a bad leader at the head of his 
 troops is far more serviceable to the enemy, than 
 in a dungeon. Leave him therefore at Hberty to 
 lay his plans ; when ripe, we will soon catch him 
 again, and perhaps the others with him !" 
 
 Francia nodded his head with an, air of satis- 
 faction. Just then the officer on guard entered the 
 room, and announced the arrival of the two friends. 
 The dialogue was therefore abruptly terminated; for 
 Francia, with violent internal excitement, hastened 
 towards the door, though which Jago and Rodrigo 
 were entering. The sight of the two young men, 
 who bowed respectfully, seemed to have a powerfiil 
 effect on the Dictator. His , eyes, which had just 
 before flashed in wrath, assumed a soft expression, 
 such as no one had before witnessed in him. He 
 stretched his hand in welcome, and seemed unable 
 to speak ; in a moment, however, he regained his 
 self-command. 
 
106 who's his father? 
 
 The barber witnessed the scene with much dis- 
 satisfaction, and, quietly packing up his apparatus, 
 withdrew, after casting a malignant look on the 
 two friends. 
 
 Francia had thrown himself into an arm-chair, 
 his eye resting with satisfaction on the elegant 
 and manly form of Rodrigo, who gazed round the 
 room with unusual self-possession. 
 
 " Well, my young friend," said the Dictator, 
 turning to Rodrigo, after a long pause : " how do 
 you like Assumption, and what do you propose 
 doing here?" 
 
 " What I propose doing here," said Rodrigo, with 
 a careless gaiety of demeanour, " depends on what 
 your Excellency thinks proper to do with me. I 
 have been persuaded by my friend Jago, to migrate 
 into Paraguay, and my course will be easily settled 
 if your Excellency favors me?" 
 
 ** If all the young men in Cordova have as much 
 confidence in me," rejoined the Dictator, smiling, 
 whilst Jago stood shifting his posture in extreme 
 embarassment, " I should soon not be able to find 
 situations for them in the whole country. Mean- 
 
who's his father? 107 
 
 while I am heartily obliged to you for your reliance 
 on me, and only wish that an equally good opinion 
 were entertained by all foreigners." 
 
 Rodrigo's countenance grew more serious. 
 " Painful as it is to me, illustrious Sir," said he — 
 " I must not leave you in any mistake. People 
 abroad do not speak very favorably of you. I will 
 not aUude to the clergy, they hate you, for 
 having broken their power ; but the people greatly 
 censure your inexorable severity, and think you 
 deprive the RepubUc of its freedom, instead of 
 maintaining it" 
 
 Francia looked surprised, though not angrily, on 
 the speaker. Jago himself was so little prepared 
 for such rashness on the part of his friend, that he 
 was quite unable to say a deprecating word. 
 
 " Were I a tyrant," at length resumed the Dic- 
 tator, in the same tone as before, " this bold speech 
 might easily cost you your life, young man ! espe- 
 cially since you know that I possess the power 
 thereto. However, I like bold men such as you 
 appear to be, and am ready to hear counsel from 
 every one, on which accoimt I wished to have you 
 
108 who's his father? 
 
 near me. My private secretary died some weeks 
 ago, that is to say, I had him shot because he 
 harbom-ed treasonable views " 
 
 " Now, truly ! " cried Rodrigo, with a loud 
 laugh — "your Excellency opens to me an inviting 
 prospect; however, you shall not be deceived in 
 me. I accept the post, and only request to be 
 instructed in my functions." 
 
 Francia beckoned with his hand to Jago, who 
 retired slowly. 
 
 The Doctor was scarcely alone with the young 
 man, before he rose and approached close to him. 
 He grasped him by both hands, and gazed long on 
 his handsome, open countenance. He seemed 
 desirous to speak, yet constantly repressed the 
 question he evidently wished to ask. When a con- 
 siderable time had thus elapsed, Francia resumed 
 speaking. " You were bom in Cordova?" asked 
 he, carelessly. 
 
 Rodrigo answered in the affirmative. 
 
 " Are your parents still ahve ? What rank does 
 your father hold?" continued he, in a somewhat 
 faltering voice. 
 
who's his father? 109 
 
 " My mother died on the day I fled from Cor- 
 dova," said the youth, in a suppressed voice ; " my 
 father I have never known." 
 
 Francia turned quickly round, and covered his 
 face with his hands. This excited Rodrigo's atten- 
 tion for the first time ; but he ascribed this singular 
 conduct to some passing caprice, and resolved not 
 to speak of it" 
 
 " You have studied the law, have you not?" 
 resumed Francia, at length. " I also once attended 
 lectures in Cordova, to which city I was much 
 attached. I was often a guest in a family bearing 
 the name of Medrano, and greatly enjoyed myself 
 there. Are you by chance related to that family?" 
 
 " Not in the least," answered the young man, 
 with indifference. " Beside my mother, I had not 
 a single relation in Cordova." 
 
 "Your mother never married again!" cried the 
 Doctor earnestly; "but what matters that to me?" 
 added he, directly assuming a calmer tone, on 
 perceiving that the new secretary looked at him 
 enquiringly. "It is in fact my habit to enquire 
 into the family connexions of the persons imme- 
 
110 who's his father? 
 
 diatelj under me; we will break off now from 
 that, and proceed to business. You will probably 
 not comprehend at first the importance of your 
 new office. My private secretary, if he knows how 
 to conduct himself^ is the second person in the 
 state. No secret however important is withheld 
 from him ; as the person nearest to me I take his 
 advice on every resolution. I am not so harsh as 
 I am represented to be, but Paraguay requires a 
 tyrant, if its prosperity and tranquillity are to be 
 ensured. Every reformer has enemies; I also 
 have them; but it is only against the enemies of 
 the state that I deal with gibbet and sword. It 
 would give me pleasure, could you convince 
 yourself that 1 have ever desired alone the good 
 of my country; or," added he hesitatingly, "if 
 you could conceive an impUcit confidence, amount- 
 ing even to affection, for me. I am held in hatred, 
 or fear, by aU the world ; your attachment would 
 be a consolation to me." 
 
 Rodrigo for a few moments stood speechless 
 with astonishment. He had entered the Dictator's 
 presence armed against tyranny and harshness; 
 
who's his father? Ill 
 
 affection and mildness he had not expected from 
 the oppressor of Paraguay. 
 
 " Excellency," said he, deeply moved, and after 
 a long pause, " coming fresh from the ' University 
 as I do, my manners are somewhat rough, but I 
 bow with reverence before your greatness of soul. 
 Receive my vow of fideHty, obedience and silence. 
 And now forgive me if, on first entering upon my 
 new office, I venture to prefer a petition, the 
 fulfilment of which I am most anxious to obtain. 
 Forgive the Spaniard from Curuguaty, who, if I 
 mistake not, is accused of high treason." 
 
 Francia looked at the young man with an air 
 of astonishment " Cuerpo de Christo," cried he, 
 "you are desperately audacious, or know not 
 the magnitude of your request I would not 
 extend grace to a Spaniard were his crime only 
 half as great as that of a native. What is the 
 ultimate object pf your request," added he, looking 
 fixedly at the new secretary. " I am told that the 
 traitor has a charming daughter with him ; can she 
 have made an impression on your heart?" 
 
 Rodrigo cast his eyes embarrassed on the ground. 
 
112 who's his father? 
 
 whilst Francia walked up and down the room in 
 meditation. 
 
 "What means your request, Rodrigo?" said he 
 at length mildly. "What wouldst thou with the 
 maiden. Make her your own you never can, so 
 long as you remain in Paraguay, for by the law 
 of the land the son or daughter of a state criminal 
 is civilly dead and cannot marry a white. As to 
 a passing fancy, look scrupulously to that, in con- 
 nexion with your future success." 
 
 "Your Excellency," said Rodrigo with an 
 offended air, and stepping back a few paces, " I am 
 incapable of harbouring such a design respecting 
 an angeUc being like the one in question. But 
 grant to the father at least a commodious prison 
 and mild judges; it will then be ascertained 
 whether he reaUy is a state criminal." 
 
 The Dictator's countence darkened as the young 
 man spoke ; at length he interrupted him sharply : 
 
 " Enough of this, and for heaven's sake teU no 
 one that you have addressed me on this affair. 
 From regard for you I wiU assign a convenient 
 prison to the wretch, but think not that an iota in the 
 
who's his father? 113 
 
 course of the trial wiU be altered on your inter- 
 cession. Now be seated^ and take notes of what 
 passes." He then rang a bell for the officer in 
 waiting, who entered. 
 
 " Colonel Valta Vargas," said the Dictator, in a 
 hurried manner. 
 
 The order was scarcely given when the Colonel 
 entered the room with a haughty bearing. The 
 Dictator looked complacently for a moment at the 
 handsome features of the officer, who returned 
 his gaze stedfastly. 
 
 "You name is Valta Vargas, and you were a 
 Colonel in the army of the Republic of Buenos 
 Ayres ?" asked Francia harshly. 
 
 The Colonel bowed in acquiescence. 
 
 "What seek you here? a commission in the 
 army I suppose? You know I love not persons 
 who are in the custom of changing their pohtical 
 views. If that is your object I will have a return 
 passport made out for you, for your presence in 
 Paraguay is quite superfluous." 
 
 " Your Excellency is in error," said the Colonel, 
 
 apparently calm, though his change of colour 
 
 I 
 
114 who's his father? 
 
 indicated an internal storm, "I seek no service 
 here. I was no longer satisfied with my position 
 in Buenos Ayres, and therefore I propose to spend 
 my time and money in Assumption." 
 
 "And have you any occupation?" asked the 
 other abruptly. " You know that idlers are as little 
 endured in Paraguay as elsewhere." 
 
 For a moment the Colonel stood speechless with 
 indignation at this unheard of insult. His hand 
 involuntarily sought his left side, as if in search of 
 his weapon to wash out the affront in blood. The 
 threatening movement was not unmarked by the 
 Dictator, who, putting his hand into the folds of 
 his wrapper, drew from it a double-barrelled pistol, 
 which he always carried about him, and presented 
 it towards the Colonel, which made him in- 
 voluntarily retreat a few paces. 
 
 " Do you carry concealed weapons about you ! " 
 cried the Dictator, turning pale. " Guards here ! 
 I will have you imprisoned for high treason." 
 
 " Your Excellency has nothing to fear," inter- 
 posed Valta Vargas, in a cutting tone. " I have 
 been already searched twice, and must candidly 
 
who's his father? 115 
 
 confess that I do not feel at all disposed to become 
 an assassin on your Excellency's account." 
 
 " Bridle your tongue, Sennor," cried Francia, 
 angrily. " Remember in whose presence you are." 
 
 " I shall not forget it," remarked the Colonel, 
 boldly ; " but I am not conscious of having done 
 anything to draw upon me your Excellency's dis- 
 pleasure. My residence in Assumption will be 
 prolonged only until my business concerning an 
 inheritance, which has fallen to me by the death of a 
 near relation of mine, is settled. For your additional 
 information I am hving at the residence of one of 
 the most estimable citizens of Paraguay, Don Ful- 
 gencio Yezros." 
 
 " Ha ! name him not again to me," cried Francia, 
 gnashing his teeth with rage ; but, quickly recover- 
 ing himself, he added in a moderated tone ; " I 
 would fain believe that no secret design against the 
 government brings you to Paraguay; but beware! 
 your actions will be closely watched." 
 
 He waved his hand, and the Colonel left the 
 room with a resolute air. 
 
 Rodrigo sat speechless. Was that the man, who 
 i2 
 
116 who's his father? 
 
 but a few minutes before had spoken to him, not 
 like a maniac, but as a father : his confidence abated 
 considerably, for what could he hope from so 
 capricious a temper. He sat waiting till he should 
 be addressed, whilst the Dictator paced the room 
 in great excitement, apparently having entirely 
 forgotten his presence ; at length Francia's attention 
 being awakened by a slight noise, he turned to 
 Rodrigo and said : 
 
 " Do not allow yourself to be deceived by my 
 behaviour towards an unworthy man. I have good 
 grounds to induce me to be so severe with him. 
 For this day your service is excused. It will give 
 me pleasure if you reside in my house, and when 
 you want money apply to my steward, he will 
 always supply you with what you require, 
 without referring to me." 
 
 Rodrigo withdrew, making a respectful obeisance, 
 bewildered by the events of the last few hours. 
 Having rejoined his friends, Jago rushed to meet 
 him, and overwhelmed him with inquiries. When 
 Rodrigo had related to him the events of the 
 morning he seemed transfixed, without being able 
 
who's his father? 117 
 
 to find words whereby to express his astonishment. 
 Jago then sunk into a reverie, firom which he did 
 not rouse the whole evening. The new private 
 secretary took Httle notice of his fidend's strange 
 behaviour, but employed himself with Manuel 
 in laying plans for the future, nor did they 
 separate till a late hour. 
 
 or THE 
 
 ; UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF 
 
118 who's his father? 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 In a gloomy mood, and revolving projects of ven- 
 geance, Valta Vargas, after the audience, paced 
 through the empty streets of Assumption. His 
 thoughts boiled within him ; and in truth he was a 
 man well adapted to inflict a severe blow on the 
 tyrant of Paraguay. Prancia's keen-sightedness 
 had not deceived him, when he fancied he recog- 
 nized in the Colonel an envoy from the govern- 
 ment of Buenos Ayres. He was aware that all 
 the surrounding states viewed with increasing iU- 
 will the tranquillity of his own ; but he knew also 
 that they feared him, and he endeavoured to keep 
 ahve their anxiety. So long as he remained merely 
 Consul he wisely feigned mildness, and strove to 
 
who's his father? 119 
 
 win popularity; it was not until he was chosen 
 Dictator for life that he threw off the mask, and 
 trod unhesitatingly the path of reform^ supported by 
 violence, proscription, torture, and the scaffold. 
 His first step was to form an army on which he 
 could securely rely, and by its aid he repressed in- 
 ternal commotions. He intimidated Brazil, Buenos 
 Ayres, and the Banda Oriental. He was careful 
 above all things to guard the frontiers, and was 
 ever willing to wrap all his actions in mystery. 
 Still, however, he could not always prevent the 
 entrance of persons under false pretences, espe- 
 cially from Buenos Ayres, sent by their govern- 
 ments to ascertain the state of affairs in Paraguay. 
 One of these was Valta Vargas. Brave even to 
 rashness, and of a determined spirit, he was in 
 truth too noble for such a pm-pose ; but in his un- 
 measured ambition he forgot how degrading was 
 the office. His personal hatred of Francia often 
 led him to overstep the bounds of moderation, and 
 had not the Dictator meditated the project which 
 we have already become acquainted with, in his 
 conversation with Pinto, instantaneous imprison- 
 
120 who's his father? 
 
 ment, or banishment, would most probably have 
 been the Colonel's lot. 
 
 Since the fatal fourteenth of May, in the year 
 1818, when Franeia was called to his high post by 
 the Assembly of the States, a conspiracy against 
 the potentate had been set on foot; the object of 
 which was nothing less than the overthrow of the 
 government, and the death of Franeia. At the 
 head of the malcontents stood the ex- Consul, Don 
 Fulgencio Yezros, a much esteemed, brave and 
 resolute man. Another of the conspirators was 
 Don Juan Cabaltero, formerly Colonel of the 
 Paraguay Cavalry, who had already on a former 
 occasion sacrificed his individual hatred of Franeia 
 to the welfare of his country. The other con- 
 spirators were not many in number, and most of 
 them were animated by their own personal dislike 
 of the Dictator. They had brooded over the plot 
 in secret for two years, and waited only for an 
 opportunity of executing it. Still they dare not, 
 unassisted, to attempt such an overthrow of existing 
 establishments. They secretly sought to ensure the 
 support of neighbouring states, especially that of the 
 
WHO*S HIS FATHER? 121 
 
 Buenos Ayres Confederation. These applications 
 were responded to, and Yezros was despatched to 
 discuss the details at the same time that Valta 
 Vargas arrived in Paraguay. He held the secret 
 commission to ingratiate himself with the discon- 
 tented, to mingle poison in the wounds that had 
 been inflicted on individual self-love, to excite the 
 hatred arising from private interest, and, as was 
 natural, to effect a revolution such as should be 
 favorable to the interest of Buenos Ayres. 
 
 But whilst the allies of revolt were in activity, 
 the Dictator's party was no less constantly recruited 
 by new creatures of his power. The aU powerful 
 favourite, Pedro Pinto, soon confirmed Francia's 
 suspicion that some great project was in hand. 
 Francia was wily, as aU tyrants are. Yezros 
 could not but hate him; and of that he was 
 conscious since he had expelled the Ex-Consul 
 from the government; but he dared not interfere 
 too strictly, with a man so universally beloved, 
 before he could establish . heavy charges against 
 him. When the moment seemed to be arrived 
 the Dictator allowed the Ex-Consul to depart 
 
122 who's his father? 
 
 unnoticed to Buenos Ayres, causing spies at the 
 same time to accompany him, who watched every 
 step. 
 
 So friendly had been his demeanour when they 
 parted that Francia had even requested Yezros to 
 seek out Jago in Cordova, and urge him to return. 
 He was no more to be trusted than the tiger who 
 never forgets the instincts of nature, nor the talons 
 with which nature has provided him. He kept a 
 sharp eye on the conspirators, of whom, however, 
 he knew but few. The arrival of the Colonel 
 struck Hke a flash of lightning on the distrustful 
 mind of the Dictator. But little was wanting 
 ere the storm would have been ready to burst 
 forth. Unfortunately for the conspirators however, 
 Pinto softened the momentary wrath; reserving 
 all, as he said, for one blow, but that blow was to 
 be an annihilating one. 
 
 Such was the state of things at that period. 
 The Dictator by his insulting treatmeat had 
 awakened the fiercest desire of revenge in the 
 Colonel, and the hot republican secretly vowed 
 his death. The early vespers were ringing from 
 
who's his father? 123 
 
 the Cathedral, which was the signal for all 
 persons dispersed about the neighbonrhood to 
 retire to their dwellings ; and woe to him who 
 after the second ringing, an hour later, should be 
 found in the streets; for the patroles, who per- 
 ambulated in every direction, inexorably carried 
 oiF all whom they met. Valta Vargas, knowing 
 the law, was hastening home to Don Fulgencio's 
 residence, when he perceived, too late, that he had 
 mistaken his road- 
 
 The streets became more and more deserted, and 
 Vargas had not met any one who could direct him, 
 when the second bell began to sound. A few curses 
 on the despotic law murmured on his lips, and he 
 quickened his pace in order to overtake two men 
 wrapped in ample brown cloaks, who were walking 
 before him. What was his astonishment when in 
 one of them he recognised his companion in the 
 vessel, the German Doctor Renger. 
 
 " But my worthy Sennor," said he after the first 
 salutation, " how can you venture to be wandering 
 at this hour in the streets of Assumption ? Have 
 you not heard the second beU — know you not the 
 law?" 
 
124 who's his father ? 
 
 " I am a stranger in Assumption," he replied 
 cooly ; " an exception will be made in my 
 favour." 
 
 " Hope it not," said the Colonel, throwing a 
 glance of surprise on the other stranger. " Come 
 let us colceal ourselves in that corridor, for if I 
 mistake not a patrole is just turning the comer." 
 
 The party hastened to put the proposition in 
 practice. The Doctor's companion was Don 
 Ramon Ribera, the owner of a farm, a serious 
 resolute man, who, as was inferred from the few 
 words he spoke concerning himself, rarely left his 
 Quinta, or country seat, to visit Assumption. The 
 German had been spending a few days with him, 
 and spoke highly of his hospitality. The Colonel 
 placed Httle confidence in his friendly feeling, for 
 Ribera seemed a rough, strange man, and it was 
 not until the Doctor had introduced the Colonel 
 to him, his fellow passenger, that he gave free 
 license to the use of his tongue. 
 
 " But what are we to do here ?" exclaimed he 
 gaily. " Who knows whether this old building does 
 not belong to some zealous adherent of the Dicta- 
 
125 
 
 tor's; who may, at the first opportunity, hand Us 
 over to the watch ?" 
 
 " I propose to try our luck and ring at this little 
 door," said Renger. " No one surely would be so 
 merciless as to send us away." 
 
 " Who would be so incautious as to harbour 
 three strangers?" said Ribera, " Think you not 
 that we shall all fall imder the tyrant's suspicion ?" 
 
 The Colonel's attention was excited by these 
 words. Could the landowner also be one of the 
 conspirators ? It now struck him for the first time 
 that Don Fulgencio Yezros had written of a 
 Spaniard called Ribera. He would gladly have 
 assured himself of this at once, but he knew the 
 moderate sentiments of the German and restrained 
 his tongue. Meanwhile the Doctor had knocked 
 several times, till at length steps were heard in the 
 passage, and a husky male voice enquired the 
 business of the late visitors. Valta Vargas started ; 
 the voice was known to him — he did not deceive 
 himself, it was that of Francia's barber, the dreaded 
 Pedro Pinto. In what a situation did the Colonel 
 find himself; he must be still further exposed to 
 
126 who's his father? 
 
 the vengeance of the Dictator, should he be made 
 acquainted with this nocturnal wandering." 
 
 " Sennors," said he, therefore, to the two others 
 in a low voice, whilst Pinto put the key into the 
 lock, " Methinks we have fallen into bad hands ; 
 our host is the tyrant's confidant. This man must 
 not find me here, therefore farewell to you; I will 
 seek some other shelter." 
 
 He shook hands with both his friends and 
 hastened away. At that moment Pinto opened 
 the door, and the light of his lamp still threw its 
 ray on the departing Colonel. With a distrustful 
 look he eyed his two visitors. 
 
 " I am exposing myself to great danger by 
 admitting you into my residence, Sennors," said he 
 with apparent anxiety. " How easily may his 
 Excellency be informed of your nocturnal adven- 
 ture, and in that case the whole penalty would be 
 mine." 
 
 " On you?" cried Ribera, laughing ironically. 
 " There is no doubt that we are safest in your 
 house, and we need not be uneasy about the 
 penalty! It is true that I seldom come into 
 
who's his father? 127 
 
 Assumption, but the name of the all-dreaded 
 barber of his Excellency has penetrated even 
 to me." 
 
 Pinto was silent and embarrassed. " What have 
 I done," said he, as he led the guests into the 
 room, '' to open the door at this forbidden hour ? 
 " Your companion there, who speaks such imperfect 
 Spanish, said just now that three persons requested 
 entrance — is the third still in the corridor?" 
 
 The two friends felt confused and embarrassed. 
 Renger was the first to recover himself. "You 
 must have misunderstood me, Sennor," said he 
 calmly, " there are but two of us ; but let us pass 
 to other matters. Could you by your influence 
 procure for me an early audience of his Excellency? 
 I am by profession a physician, but also a zealous 
 botanist, and wish to study the botany of the 
 country." 
 
 " The audience is easily procured," repHed Pinto, 
 thoughtfully ; " but your request is not likely to 
 meet with a favourable reception. The Dictator is 
 unquestionably a great promoter of science ; but 
 you know, Sennor, he is now, as ever, very intole- 
 
128 who's his father? 
 
 rant of foreigners. And you, my worthy Cabal- 
 tero," — turning to the owner of the farm — " what 
 do you desire of his Excellency?" 
 
 The tone of interrogation oiFended the Spaniard. 
 " My name is Ribera, and I am a CastiUian," said 
 he, with the innate pride of his nation. " I want 
 nothing of Doctor Francia, and have merely ac- 
 companied this gentleman, my friend, to Assump- 
 tion. To-morrow I intend to quit the city 
 again." 
 
 " Ribera!" cried the barber, his Httle grey eyes 
 sparkling, but the next moment falling again into 
 his previous indifference. " You reaUy think of 
 returning so soon as to-morrow, do do Sennor? 
 Content yourself in my poor dwelling, for I 
 have much to say to you." 
 
 The Spaniard looked enquiringly into the little 
 man's face; but the latter laid his finger on his 
 lips and whispered : 
 
 '* This must be unknown to your companion ; 
 have patience till the morning. But now, Sen- 
 nors," pursued he, in a louder tone, " I should 
 think it is time for repose." 
 
who's his father? 129 
 
 Neither seemed disposed to enter into any 
 lengthened conversation, when Pinto opened the 
 door of a side-chamber, and showing the strangers 
 two old-fashioned lofty beds, he wished them 
 '' good night," and left the apartment 
 
130 who's his father? 
 
 CHAPTER Xn. 
 
 The following morning Rodrigo left his bed at 
 sunrise, his heart being too full to allow of sleep- 
 ing. He left his room quietly, in order not to 
 disturb Jago, and hastened out into the deserted 
 streets. The image of the beautiful Spanish girl 
 had floated before him all night; he longed to 
 convince himself, by his own eyes, that a com- 
 modious place of confinement had been ensured 
 to the unfortunate prisoner and his daughter. 
 After long search he found the dismal edifice 
 which contained the prison for state criminals. 
 The turnkey had Httle inclination to admit any 
 one at so early an hour ; but on being shown the 
 
who's his father? 131 
 
 order in the Dictator's own hand-writing he soon 
 obeyed. The youth's first inquiry concerned the 
 Spaniard and his fair daughter. The jailor turned 
 pale. " Sennor!" cried he, trembling, "have pity 
 on me. Yesterday evening I received orders to 
 remove him to a better prison, but I thought it 
 would be time enough this morning." 
 
 " Monster ! dost thou not deserve to be this 
 moment cast into the water-caverns* of Para- 
 guay?" indignantly exclaimed Rodrigo. "Conduct 
 me to them; and woe to thee if the unhappy 
 prisoners are not immediately, and in my 
 presence, installed in the best apartment of the 
 building!" 
 
 The old man hastily took the keys from the 
 
 wall, and hastened on followed by Rodrigo. After 
 
 traversing several dark and damp passages they 
 
 arrived at a back building, which, according to 
 
 appearances, was seldom visited. The grass in the 
 
 court, and even before the door, was high and 
 
 rank; on one of the doors being opened, they 
 
 entered a dark vaulted chamber. Rodrigo shivered 
 
 * The celebrated subaqueous prisons at Assumption. 
 k2 
 
132 who's his father? 
 
 with cold. Was it in such a wretched dungeon 
 that a man, who had probably never known 
 poverty, and a dehcate maiden accustomed to 
 luxury from her earliest childhood, had now to 
 contemplate an undeserved punishment? The 
 door of a damp vault, in which burnt a feeble 
 light, was then opened, and the old Spaniard was 
 seen lying on a small heap of dirty straw, with his 
 daughter beside him weeping bitterly. 
 
 " Sennor," said Rodrigo, deeply moved, '^ al- 
 though it is not granted me to bring you freedom, 
 I have at least obtained for you a prison with 
 greater comforts." 
 
 The old man raised himself, with an expression 
 of joy, from his wretched bed. 
 
 " Did you not bear a human form," said he, with 
 a feeble voice, " I should take you for a messenger 
 of God bringing me consolation and relief in my 
 undeserved sufferings. O God, not for myself — for 
 my decaying body must soon, without this, obey 
 the summons of nature, — but for this unhappy 
 maiden, who shares my deprivation and captivity, 
 receive my heart's thanks." 
 
who's his father? 133 
 
 The maiden threw herself sobbing on her 
 father, and covered him with caresses. Rodrigo 
 was moved to the soul. 
 
 "Whatever I may be able to do to hghten 
 your destiny shall assm-edly not be neglected," 
 said he, in a tone of deep sympathy. "I am 
 the Dictator's newly appointed Secretary, and 
 flatter myself that I enjoy his favor." 
 
 "But how came you to be informed of our 
 fate, and still more, why do you take such warm 
 interest in me?" enquired the old man, rising 
 from his straw bed. 
 
 Rodrigo blushed. "I saw you brought in 
 fetters to Assumption," stammered he, "and it 
 wounded me deeply to think that the father of 
 such a noble daughter should be in distress; I 
 should wear no human heart did I not desire to 
 assist you." 
 
 " Generous being !" cried the maiden, hastening 
 towards him and offering her hand. " O be it 
 permitted me to say how infinitely great, in your 
 disinterestedness, you appear in my eyes. It is 
 not usual to see humane actions performed by 
 
134 who's his father? 
 
 the employes of the tyrant, forgive therefore our 
 distrust." 
 
 At that moment Rodrigo could have forgiven 
 his worst enemy; for where was the heart that 
 could have remained unmoved at the sight of 
 that beautiful being, in her simple travelling dress 
 of white, with an air of suffering, and yet with 
 all the dignity of her sex. 
 
 As they passed on to their new prison, the 
 Spaniard told Rodrigo that he was Don Fernandez 
 Calatrava, and that he had formerly held the office 
 of Guardian of Minors, an institution for the 
 protection of persons not of age, and which existed 
 under the Spanish government. His daughter's 
 name was Dolores. 
 
 The new abode was clean and roomy, which 
 dissipated much the gloom of a prison. This 
 feeling was much increased by the consolatory 
 expressions of Rodrigo. The old man saw him 
 depart with regret, and the maiden with deeper 
 pain. 
 
 "Come again soon," she ejaculated as he left, and 
 the tone of her soft voice long resounded in his heart 
 
who's his father? 135 
 
 Though it was still early Rodrigo hastened to 
 the palace. As a usual death stiUness prevailed in 
 the spacious court, and for the first time Rodrigo 
 surveyed with attention the wide extended building. 
 He heard the challenge of the sentinel more than 
 once repeated; but it did not occur to him that 
 it was meant for himself, and, moreover, he under- 
 stood but little of the language spoken at Paraguay 
 by the lower classes. Suddenly he heard the 
 report of three gun shots; and a couple of bullets 
 whistled over his head. He instantly hastened 
 into the building to enquire the cause of so 
 extraordinary a proceeding. The shots had 
 alarmed all the household, and he heard the sharp 
 voice of Francia in the colonnade. 
 
 "Are you mad!" cried he to the officer on guard, 
 ^'who gave you orders to fire on the curious who 
 examine the exterior of my residence?'* 
 
 "Your Excellency's own self, three days ago;" 
 replied the officer greatly alarmed, "it was on 
 the occasion when the peasant woman from 
 Paraguay presented the petition." 
 
 The Dictator considered for a moment ; he was 
 
136 who's his father? 
 
 evidently vexed at the order he had given in a 
 moment of excitement. 
 
 "The order is withdrawn," said he. "But 
 whom did they fire upon? I trust that no 
 accident . . . ." 
 
 At that moment Rodrigo entered the colonnade, 
 and enquired, in his usually bold manner, the cause 
 of so uninviting a salutation. The Dictator seemed 
 much alarmed. 
 
 "Was it then you on whom they fired?" cried 
 he greatly excited. "Wretch!" turning to the 
 officer, "what would have been your fate if 
 the bullet had singed a single hair of this young 
 man's head? Heaven manifestly favors you my 
 secretary. It would have grieved me had that fool 
 of a grenadier wounded you." 
 
 " I am glad that I have been the cause of such 
 a barbarous order being withdrawn," remarked 
 Rodrigo. " Yom- Excellency can make me amends 
 for the risk I have run, by granting me a favor. 
 I have visited Sennor Calatrava of Curuguaty in 
 his prison, and, having conversed with him, am 
 convinced of his innocence. His utmost oifence 
 
who's his father? 137 
 
 is to have uttered a few rash speeches against 
 your person, and in my opinion the Dictator of 
 Paraguay should be superior to such considerations. 
 Think of the great hero of Europe, of Napoleon, 
 to whose modes of thought and action your own 
 bear so much resemblance, he magnanimously 
 forgave those who sinned only against himself." 
 
 Francia manifestly felt flattered. Rodrigo had 
 unwittingly touched the chord of one of his 
 greatest weaknesses. In the eyes of the Dictator 
 Napoleon was the greatest of men. He was his 
 model, he appealed to his example on every 
 occasion, he affected even to dress like him. 
 Unfortunately, either the means afforded by the 
 country were so limited, or the information he 
 obtained respecting the Emperor's personal appear- 
 ance was so incorrect, that he assumed one of the 
 most grotesque costumes imaginable, but which he 
 seriously believed to be the dress of the Conqueror 
 of Austerlitz. This was a blue coat adorned with 
 gold lace and the epaulettes of a Spanish general, 
 a white waistcoat, small clothes, silk stockings, 
 shoes with large gold buckles, and an enormous 
 
138 
 
 slouched hat; to which may be added, a sword and 
 a pair of double barrelled pistols, without which 
 he never stirred. In this dress he received not 
 only the visits of the Cabildo, and other function- 
 aries of the state, but those of the most distinguished 
 foreigners. 
 
 " You have a bold tongue young man," said 
 Francia gravely, but not without some benignity of 
 tone, " fortune however favours the bold. So far 
 as concerns your request, I tell you once for all, it 
 will never be granted. L'ttat dest nioi^^ added he 
 smiling ; " whosoever offends me offends the republic 
 also, and in times like ours I cannot, under any 
 circumstances, allow a crime of that nature to 
 remain unpunished." 
 
 Rodrigo bowed silently; he saw that nothing 
 could be done in opposition to the iron will of the 
 Dictator. Yet the objects of his interest must be 
 saved, although how to find the means was as yet 
 a mystery to him ; but he consoled himself with 
 what the future might bring forth. 
 
 Francia seemed that day to be in the best of 
 humours. On his return to his cabinet he seated 
 
who's his father? 139 
 
 himself immediately opposite Rodrigo, and gazed 
 at him for a few moments with an expression of 
 evident satisfaction. 
 
 " In looking at you thus," said he smiling, " I 
 cannot conceive the possibility of your ever acting 
 treacherous towards me. Rodrigo," continued he 
 with increasing warmth, " I beseech you, as your 
 superior, not to let yourself be drawn into the 
 snares which will be laid on all sides to entrap 
 you. My enemies, or, to speak more correctly, 
 those who envy me, are named legion; the deeds 
 which they assign to me are by their mouths 
 rendered the most inhuman acts of tyranny. If 
 you heed them, you will begin by fearing and end 
 by hating me. Avoid this, for it would be horrible 
 should I have to punish you for high treason !" 
 
 He spoke these last words with a degree of 
 excitement painful to witness. The youth started 
 up alarmed. 
 
 "Excellency!" cried he with emotion, "where- 
 fore these sad anticipations. My heart is as pure as 
 ray countenance is sincere. I have sworn fidelity 
 to you and wUl keep my faith." 
 
140 who's his father? 
 
 Francia nodded in token of satisfaction, when 
 the door opened, and Pinto entered softly. 
 On seeing Rodrigo abeady in full occupation 
 behind the writing-table, he looked displeased and 
 envenomed glances shot from his small eyes. The 
 Dictator on this occasion was unusually cold and 
 distant towards the favourite. Instead of seating 
 himself as usual, with a friendly air, and inquiring 
 the news of the city, his countenance was cloudy, 
 and his whole manner rough. Pinto knew his 
 master too well not immediately to perceive how 
 much he was out of humour; and therefore, as 
 soon as he had finished his operation, he packed 
 up his razor and turned in silence towards the 
 door. He expected that Francia would recall 
 him, to ask his usual questions, but finding he 
 was mistaken he thought it best no longer to 
 remain. 
 
 " Your Excellency will pardon me," said he, 
 turning at the door, " but I have something to 
 impart to you, respecting the circumstance about 
 which we spoke yesterday. 
 
 " Another time," said Francia, abruptly. " Have 
 you anything else to announce?" 
 
who's his father? 141 
 
 *^ Nothing, except that I have degraded the 
 director of the upper prisons," remarked Pinto. 
 " Your Excellency gave orders that Sennor Cala- 
 trava, of Cumguaty should be removed yesterday 
 evening into better apartments, and the command 
 was not executed tiU this morning." 
 
 " You are alert in administering justice," said 
 the Dictator, with a sneer. " The director will be 
 reinstated, as I consider his offence a trifling one." 
 
 Pinto started, as if stung by a serpent. " I will 
 give directions for its being done," said he, bow- 
 ing lowly. " Your Excellency will, however, 
 consider that the authority you were pleased to 
 invest me with will hereby be greatly diminished, 
 inasmuch . . . ." 
 
 " Valga me diosl^ exclaimed the Dictator, 
 furiously. " Authority I have clothed you with ! 
 Carajo ! say rather, the power that you have usurped. 
 I never confided to you anything beyond the care 
 of my beard ! " 
 
 The barber seemed annihilated. Such an un- 
 heard of insult, and in the presence of a third 
 person, aroused all his pride. 
 
142 who's his father? 
 
 " I am not conscious of having done anything 
 deserving your Excellency's displeasure," said he 
 with difficulty, whilst his frightful countenance 
 glowed with resentment. " Only yesterday you 
 honored me with a proof of your confidence." 
 
 "Be silent!" thundered the Dictator. "lam 
 weary of being longer in your leading strings. It 
 is your counsels that I may thank for the hatred 
 of the Paraguays. You were the bloodhound 
 that tracked out for me conspiracies and plots, on 
 account of which, for the most part, the guiltless 
 were executed. Beware ! lest the executioner's 
 axe, as soon as it is at leisure, fall on him who has 
 hitherto directed it. You scattered the seeds of 
 distrust in my mind, estranged from me the hearts 
 of my subjects, and may their curse recoil on 
 you. Out of my sight, wretch ! shut yourself in 
 the house you got by robbery, and let me no more 
 behold you." 
 
 He turned his back upon him contemptuously, 
 and the astonished Pinto left the apartment with 
 tottering steps. 
 
 " Be not surprised, Rodrigo," resumed Francia, 
 
who's his father? 143 
 
 after a long pause ; " be not surprized at my 
 vehemence towards this wretch. I have long 
 hated him; but as my life was in his hands, and 
 I might any day have met my death by a stroke 
 of his razor, I was obliged to have some regard 
 for him. Your arrival has changed everything. 
 You would do me a favour if you would undertake 
 the service for me, with which he has been en- 
 trusted. Do not consider it derogatory," continued 
 he, becoming rather embarrassed ; " but overcome 
 a prejudice. I will so place you, that no jest shall 
 ever reach you." 
 
 The young man stood irresolute. Could he, 
 however, resist the soft words of such a man ? His 
 brain turned, when he looked back on all that had 
 occurred to him since his arrival in Assumption. 
 In a single day he had won the love and con- 
 fidence of a imiversally detested tyrant. A single 
 day had alarmingly shaken his political views. A 
 . single day had enabled him to overthrow the 
 most powerfiil favourite of this tyrant And what 
 had become of his own hatred of Francia? he, 
 the most zealous of republicans, must take an oath 
 
144 who's his father? 
 
 of fidelity to the oppressor of freedom ! He 
 reproached himself, bitterly reproached himself, 
 but he felt that he was but a man, and had not 
 sufficient strength to oppose to the inborn weakness 
 of all the sons of earth. 
 
 The report of Pinto's disgrace soon circulated 
 throughout the city. All exulted at it ; even his for- 
 mer dependents and lowest subordinates turned con- 
 temptuously from him. The unhappy and oppressed 
 country breathed more freely, and really, for the 
 moment, a spirit of mildness seemed to have come 
 over the Dictator. A number of persons under 
 accusation, whose offences had not been wholly 
 rendered public, were dismissed from their prisons, 
 and every one paid court to the new secretary, 
 who was looked upon as the originator and dis- 
 penser of these acts of grace, whilst Rodrigo 
 found himself suddenly at the summit of a power 
 to which, in his wildest dreams, he had never 
 contemplated attaining. 
 
 Francia beheld with satisfaction the attentions 
 paid to his protegee ; for the first time he was able 
 to rejoice in a feeling of affection; for the first 
 
who's his father? 145 
 
 time he was blessed with the consciousness of 
 deserving the love of his subjects. 
 
 Jago began to look with envy on the success 
 of his young friend. Blindly submissive to the 
 Dictator, he had, without hesitation or enquiry, 
 laboured to bring Rodrigo to Paraguay. Now, 
 however, a multitude of doubts and considerations 
 arose in his mind. What could be the grounds of 
 Francia's unexampled attachment to the stranger, 
 which had impelled him to make Rodrigo's fortune 
 with such strange haste? He reflected on it in 
 all ways, but could find no clue to lead him out of 
 the labyrinth. Much had occurred before his 
 return; a multitude of new regulations were esta- 
 bUshed, which, alas! bore only too clearly the 
 stamp of despotism. His patriotism was deeply 
 wounded thereby, and the gratitude which he 
 owed to his protector he thought himself no longer 
 authorized to pay to the oppressor of freedom. 
 Francia had held out to him the most smiling 
 prospect of favor and fortune in the event of his 
 satisfactorily executing his commission ; but Jago's 
 expectations had not been half fulfilled. Moody 
 
 L 
 
146 who's his father? 
 
 dissatisfaction took the place of his previous 
 veneration, he turned towards the discontented party 
 and thus again came in contact with Valta Vargas. 
 Three days had elapsed since the disgraced 
 Pinto had remained shut up in his own residence. 
 What passed in his mind during that period we 
 shall hereafter see carried into action. He brooded 
 over plans of vengeance; knowing but too well 
 who had been the cause of his faU. Upon 
 Rodrigo therefore should his whole wrath be 
 discharged ; and, unfortunately, he had still at his 
 command numerous means whereby to realise the 
 threats he had poured forth in secret On the 
 evening of the third day he stiU sat in the back 
 room of his dwelling, the only one he had inhabited 
 since his banishment. Frequently did he rise from 
 his seat, and listen at the open door, but all was quiet. 
 He then again measured the smaUchamber in violent 
 excitement, or tossed about with distracted haste a 
 heap of papers which lay in an old unsightly desk. 
 Suddenly a knocking was distinctly heard at the 
 outer door; Pinto sprang up, gathered together 
 the scattered papers, and hastened out, when a male 
 
who's his father? 147 
 
 voice requested admittance. On the door being 
 opened, Valta Vargas, accompanied by a tall man 
 enveloped in a mantle, entered. Pinto led the 
 new comers into a room in the back part of the 
 building, without a syllable being interchanged by 
 the whole party. The stranger did not lay aside 
 either his mantle or sombrero; and it was not tiU 
 they were all seated that Pinto broke the silence. 
 
 " I made," said he in a hesitating voice, and with 
 a distrustful glance at the stranger, " an appoint- 
 ment with you. Colonel Valta Vargas; but the 
 affair on which I wish to converse is one of 
 the highest importance, and in truth I know not 
 whether I ought to speak of it in the presence of a 
 third person .... 
 
 '^ Speak out boldly Pinto," interposed the un- 
 known, throwing off the sombrero which concealed 
 his whole face ; " what you have to say the Consul 
 Yezros ought unquestionably to hear." 
 
 " Don Fulgencio!" exclaimed the ci-devant 
 
 favourite, agreeably surprised; " Don Fulgencio 
 
 already returned ! ah, now I prophesy the tyrant's 
 
 certain downfall 
 
 2l 
 
 m 
 
148 who's his father? 
 
 This vehement outburst made a great impres- 
 sion on both his hearers. The ex-Consul looked 
 searchingly into the barber's face, whilst Valta Vargas 
 threw a triumphant glance on his companion. 
 
 " Our expectation is realised," said he ; " the 
 fallen could not but turn against his tyrant. You 
 shall be welcome to us; but allow one question, 
 how is it that you surmise the object of our 
 union?" 
 
 Pinto laughed derisively. " No doubt, Sen- 
 nors, you believe yourselves very secure, and yet 
 the threatening sword has for more than a twelve- 
 month been suspended over your heads." 
 
 Both started up in terror, but the barber pressed 
 them down again on their chairs. 
 
 " Do you think, my noble Sirs," continued he, 
 in a mocking tone, " that anything escaped my 
 keen scent so long as I remained at the rudder ? 
 I have long known your practices, and your heads, 
 months ago, would have fallen by the executioner 
 if I had not constantly retarded the stroke. Cuerpo 
 de Christo ! the despot was lying in wait for you 
 Colonel; your arrival was the signal for decisive 
 
who's HIS" FATHER? 149 
 
 proceedings. Look here — a secret order to the 
 p^fect of the pohce — a lettre de cachet. Can 
 you doubt that you are betrayed?" 
 
 The Colonel's face grew pale as death at these 
 words. The Consul remained unmoved. 
 
 " It is true," said Don Fulgencio, coolly casting 
 another glance over the paper, and then returning 
 it " We certainly should have been lost but for 
 you. But it is probably your object merely to 
 alarm, without helping us." 
 
 Pinto's eye flashed with fire. "No, truly," said 
 he with animation, "that it is not. From this 
 moment my blood, my life, is consecrated to your 
 holy union. The tyrant took me to his false bosom, 
 raised me, trained me, for his own purposes; and 
 then threw me off with insult in the presence of 
 a stripling. He shall repent his rashness; and it 
 remains for me but to avenge myself, or die." 
 
 The Consul rose suddenly, and clasping the 
 angry barber in his arms, said : " I have hated you 
 more bitterly than death ; receive now my forgive- 
 ness, and my whole confidence. You also see. 
 Colonel Valta Vargas, that where I place con- 
 
1^0 who's his father? 
 
 fidence our whole band may be secure. But to 
 business, what do you propose?" 
 
 " Francia, as I have said, is informed of all," 
 ssid Pinto. " That he has not already struck the 
 blow is the result of prudence ; he merely gave 
 time that he might be enabled to extirpate the 
 whole nest at once, as he expressed himself. The 
 situation is critical. I know the tyrant ; his sus- 
 picions once aroused, he will not be satisfied 
 without one victim at least. We must be on the 
 alert, and select a sagacious, bold, and cautious 
 leader. With such a man we shall then be 
 safe. Francia resembles the captive jaguar ; throw 
 him a morsel of food from time to time and he 
 becomes pacified, till gradually he forgets that he 
 is a captive cheated of his liberty." 
 
 The two strangers grew very thoughtftil; the 
 Colonel especially, who seemed greatly impressed 
 by Pinto's words. 
 
 " I know a serious, reserved character, well 
 suited for our purpose," said the ex-Consul. " You 
 know him also ; I mean Sennor Ribera, a Spaniard 
 who is inspired by personal hatred against the 
 
who's his father? 151 
 
 Dictator. He is a warm republican, and will 
 unquestionably be an admirable instrument for our 
 purpose." 
 
 " O take my word, Consul," interrupted 
 Pinto, abruptly ; " I well know the noble Don ; 
 he passed a night under my roo^ but he is 
 not sufficiently reserved, and his hatred of the 
 Dictator might lead him to commit some extrava- 
 gance which would ruin our cause. The man 
 whom I require I have already found, and he is 
 one of us three. You, Colonel Valta Vargas, are 
 by your sagacity best suited to deceive the tyrant," 
 
 Valta Vargas looked up astonished, but still he 
 felt flattered. 
 
 " Be it so," said he, after a short pause ; " trust 
 to me, for no torture shall force me to disclose 
 your names; and please God I think the old 
 tyrant will soon set even me at liberty again." 
 
 Don Fulgencio shook the Colonel's hand warmly. 
 
 " But where is your meeting place, Sennors?" 
 resumed Pinto. " Trust me this also may ere 
 long be betrayed. Abandon the former one, and 
 prefer the safe to the unsafe. This old house, 
 
152 who's his father? 
 
 which Francia years ago gave to me, contains an 
 invaluable treasure for our purposes. Unsightly as 
 it appears, when viewed from the street, it would 
 not be dear to me at any price. Deep under 
 ground it contains vaults, passages, chambers, and 
 hiding places of the most inaccessible kind. No 
 one is aware of their existence; my diligent 
 search alone discovered them to me. Thither let 
 us betake ourselves, and my head be the forfeit 
 if the spies ever discover that the death of the 
 tyrant has been resolved upon in Pinto's house." 
 
 The two conspirators accepted the proposal, and 
 after a little more conversation they separated. 
 
who's his father? 153 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Six days had Sennor Calatrava lingered in prison, 
 without having been able to obtain an order that 
 his examination should be commenced. Not a day 
 elapsed without Rodrigo visiting the prison, to 
 console and to advise, and cordial intimacy had 
 consequently arisen between them After closely 
 interrogating his own sentiments, Rodrigo found 
 that the amiable Dolores, the daughter of the 
 prisoner, had made a deep impression on his 
 heart. He was attracted as by a magnet to the 
 dismal buildings of the upper prisons; but the 
 sun which shone therein was known only to 
 a few. 
 
 Had Rodrigo himself been less amiable, still 
 
154 who's his father? 
 
 gratitude would not have allowed Dolores to have 
 shown coldness to their generous friend. It seemed, 
 however, as though they were not indifferent to- 
 wards each other. When Rodrigo entered the 
 small chamber, which served the father and daugh- 
 ter for their common sitting room, a transient smile 
 flitted over her pale, sorrow-laden features; and 
 frequently the young man almost fancied, that the 
 eyes of the Sennora rested upon him with a 
 peculiar expression. Unfortunately no oppor- 
 tunity occurred for their nearer approach to each 
 other. With respect to morals, Calatrava seemed 
 a second Cato ; yet his knowledge of mankind was 
 not long in making the discovery, that the prison 
 was not so often visited from compassion alone 
 to himself; he therefore watched the young people 
 still closer than before. 
 
 The idea that the father of his deeply beloved 
 must die on the scaffold seemed too dreadful for 
 Rodrigo to imagine as possible to be realised. So 
 much power had already been given to him — the 
 lives of so many rested in his hands, — and yet he 
 was not able to save the one so dear to him. Escape 
 
who's his father? 155 
 
 appeared to him the only means; but whither could 
 they fly in a wide desert land where the eyes of 
 a thousand spies watched every suspected person? 
 Tprtured most deeply by the thought he wandered 
 one evening through the streets, when he was 
 accosted suddenly by an officer and roused jfrom 
 his meditation by a friendly salutation. Rodrigo 
 looked round surprised and recognized Jago's 
 friend, the lively Manuel Gonzalo. 
 
 ** Do I see you at length once more ?" cried the 
 latter, warmly shaking Rodrigo by the hand ; " truly 
 I could not blame you much, even if you were to 
 grow proud, for you made your fortune in an ex- 
 traordinary wonderful manner, and in the brief space 
 of a couple of days. 
 
 " Speak not of it my dear Manuel I" inter- 
 rupted Rodrigo ; " I do not really feel myself so 
 fortunate as you and others think. My fortune shot 
 up like a mushroom; who knows whether it will 
 not in like manner disappear ? 
 
 "Think it not," remarked the other; "the Dic- 
 tator knows that it is not every one who will con- 
 sent to be his favourite." 
 
156 who's his father? 
 
 "If a reproach lurks beneath your words," rephed 
 Rodrigo, " I forgive you for the unworthy suspicion. 
 It may be that my present position does not 
 harmonize with my previous pohtical views, but 
 think not that they have changed. Can I not 
 however better serve the poor oppressed people of 
 Paraguay if I seek, by my influence, to moderate 
 the severity and harshness of their tormentor, and 
 all the burthens they are obliged to bear?" 
 
 "An excellent undertaking!" said Manuel sar- 
 castically. " No, Sennor, the time is past ; if your 
 intentions towards Paraguay are sincere, there is 
 another mode of promoting freedom." 
 
 " No more of that," said the private Secretary 
 coolly; the Dictator has my oath — let each go his 
 own way. The confidant of Francia has not heard 
 the words spoken by his friend, of this be assured." 
 
 " Rodrigo," continued the officer with increasing 
 warmth, "Ksten to the warnings of a true fi:*iend. 
 Verily you are not born to be the despicable tool 
 of a vile tyrant; having imbibed the love of 
 fi-eedom with your birth. Shake off these unwor- 
 
who's his father? 157 
 
 thy bonds, and be not dazzled by a deceitful tran- 
 sitory fortune. To-day the monster elevates you — 
 to-morrow you may fee cast down. Think of the 
 fate of your predecessors, on that of Jago, and of 
 Pinto ! No better awaits you ;" 
 
 "How goes it with my friend?" said Rodrigo, 
 anxious to turn the conversation to some other 
 subject. 
 
 " What a question !" said Manuel, gloomily ; " at 
 a time Uke this, when every honest man thinks 
 only on the cause of freedom ; and when your 
 friend Jago thinks the same. 
 
 " What ! he too T said Rodrigo, manifestly asto- 
 nished. "Do I understand you rightly? Jago I 
 Francia's most ardent worshipper — he who brought 
 me, the Republican, to Paraguay ? 
 
 "If you have a mean opinion of Jago," said 
 Manuel, contemptuously, " know that he was 
 ever a friend to the benefactor of his country ; its 
 oppressor he cannot but despise." 
 
 Rodrigo became thoughtful. Manuel soon per- 
 ceived the conflict within the young man's mind. 
 
 " Have you not the surest demonstration," conti- 
 
158 who's his father? 
 
 nued he in a tone of persuasion, " that Francia is 
 only playing his usual game with you, if you con- 
 sider the affair of Calatrava ? It would be a light 
 matter for the Dictator to give the worthy Don his 
 freedom, but he knows you love that unhappy man's 
 daughter. You wish to obtain her hand, that 
 done your interest about his concerns would then 
 diminish; and therefore he breaks the thread at once. 
 
 Rodrigo burst out indignantly. " You are a mer- 
 ciless tormentor," said he bitterly ; " in truth you 
 have hit my vulnerable point. O, my dear friend, 
 speak, advise, help, how can I save the father of the 
 amiable Dolores?" 
 
 " Calm yourself," remonstrated Manuel ; " it de- 
 pends solely on yourself to win the freedom, not 
 only of the Spaniard, but of a whole nation. 
 Pinto the late dreaded favourite of the potentate 
 cannot be unknown to you. You were even the 
 witness and the cause of his fall. It was absolute 
 madness in the Dictator to let such a man go free 
 after so fearfully outraging him. However, his im- 
 prudence will produce the most important benefit 
 to us." 
 
who's his father? 159 
 
 " Just heaven!" exclaimed Rodrigo; " and can 
 you espouse the cause of a madman? one whose name 
 I will not know ! Can you trust this man ? Kjiow 
 you Francia so Httle ? Think you not that it was 
 by the finest calculation that he allowed his 
 former favourite to go fi-ee ? Beheve you not that 
 every step of this wretch is watched, every word 
 hearkened to? He wishes to annihilate this man; 
 I know it ; therefore he gives him time to imagine 
 offences, and, before he can put them in execu- 
 tion, his head will fall beneath the axe of the 
 executioner." 
 
 Manuel smiled derisively, " Gently, gently, my 
 friend," said he. " I give you my assurance that 
 yoin* calculations will prove erroneous. There is 
 but this alternative, either God will send one of 
 his ministering spirits to warn the Dictator; or 
 the traitor is one of ourselves. But let us not 
 deviate fi:om our subject Nothing is easier than 
 to effect the escape of the father of your Dolores. 
 It depends solely on yourself whether you have 
 courage sufficient to undertake a daring enterprise. 
 Endeavour, by your influence and your gold, to 
 
160 who's his father? 
 
 win over to your interests the head jailer of the 
 upper prison, wherein Don Calatrava is confined. 
 Then signify to the captive that he must endea- 
 vour unobserved to reach his former dungeon. 
 Under his litter, in one of the paving stones of the 
 floor is artfully inserted a door leading to a subter- 
 raneous passage, which communicates with Pinto's 
 house situated only in the adjoining street. The 
 time and hour must be previously determined 
 when he will venture to attempt the passage, so 
 that we may be prepared to meet him. He will 
 be rescued in safety; for in the house of the 
 former favorite not even Francia's falcon eye wiU 
 discover him." 
 
 Rodrigo stood irresolute whilst Manuel used 
 every argument he could advance to aid his pro- 
 posal ; and ere long the young man, almost uncon- 
 scious of what he was doing, acquiesced in the 
 project. The die from that moment was cast ! 
 
 Manuel hastened to Pinto's house, where he 
 found Jago. " Success!" cried he, flinging his 
 sombrero and gloves into a comer. "The prin- 
 cipal secretary is a member of our association." 
 
who's his father? 161 
 
 His hearers started up in astonishment. Pinto 
 hastened, towards him and shook his hand joyfully, 
 his hideous countenance glowing with malignity. 
 
 " Paraguay will he grateful," said he, pathetically; 
 " we shall acknowledge your services. But now, 
 my friends, one important word to you in 
 confidence. You are the two amongst all the 
 conspirators whom I most esteem. The ambitious 
 Don Fulgencio I cannot approve; Valta Vargas 
 is acting under the orders of his repubHc; Ribera, 
 although he appears to be all ice, is too mad 
 a republican; and Sennor Cabaltero has no 
 strength of character. Not one of these men 
 could comprehend wherefore I was so anxious 
 to draw this Cordovan into our plot; and I consider 
 it unnecessary to inform them of it. Has it not yet 
 occurred to the keen-sighted, to consider whence 
 arose Francia's caprice of forcibly bringing the 
 young man to Paraguay ? Has it not struck him 
 as remarkable that the Dictator should confide the 
 most important office of the state to a man whom 
 he had but barely seen ? Oh, by the Holy Virgin 
 of Curuguaty, it needs no great intellect to per- 
 
162 who's his father? 
 
 ceive that some very peculiar causes must be at 
 work. Hear, Sennors, what Francia said to me 
 one day, whilst I was still in favour : "Pinto, I am 
 troubled at the want of confidence, at the silent, 
 hidden hatred, by which I am surrounded. For 
 several years have I seen attempts made against 
 my life ; and I could wish to have a man near me, 
 whom I might make responsible to me for the 
 power which has been confided to me, who should 
 carry on the work which I have begun. In Para- 
 guay, in Assumption, I cannot find such a one; 
 but I do know, and could name one !" And then, 
 Sennor Avila, he sent you to Cordova. Francia 
 in former years lived in Cordova, and studied there ; 
 now as it is well known that he was not averse to 
 women, what if that Rodrigo Medrano . . . ." 
 
 The door opened, and Don Fulgencio Yezros 
 entered, accompanied by Ribera. Pinto's horangue 
 was thus interrupted, nor was it resumed, A 
 desultory conversation ensued as to the best mode 
 of effecting the object of their plot, afler which 
 the party separated, exchanging vows of fidelity 
 in the cause in which they had embarked. 
 
who's his father? 163 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 A portentous silence prevailed in the Dictator's 
 palace. The guards had fastened their spurs, de- 
 tached their clanging sabres, and scarcely a whisper 
 was heard in the antechamber; for all noise had 
 been forbidden on pain of death. Rodrigo entered 
 his cabinet whilst the Dictator was still in his 
 sleeping apartment; and the young man, on in- 
 quiring of the officer in waiting respecting the 
 petitioners, received a long list Shaking his head 
 he went out to them, casting a glance at the motley 
 assembly. Persons of all classes were there. Close 
 to the savage Peon, or Spanish herdsman, from the 
 steppes on the confines of Paraguay, stood an officer 
 
 of State in fiiU dress; and a respectable citizen of 
 M 2 
 
164 WHO*S HIS FATHER? 
 
 Assumption stood by the side of the Guarani 
 Indian. 
 
 ^^ Gentlemen," said Rodrigo in a courteous tone 
 to the crowd, " may I venture to advise that you 
 should defer your visit to another day. His Ex- 
 cellency is indisposed, and is never then in a mood 
 to listen to your suits. You would not now be 
 favourably received. 
 
 A general lamentation ran through the assembly 
 at this address, but the greater part soon withdrew. 
 A man, who had the appearance of a foreigner, also 
 turned towards the door, Rodrigo seemed to know 
 him, as he dispatched an officer after him. 
 
 " I thought it must be so," said he to the stranger ; 
 " Welcome, my German friend, to Assumption." 
 
 "Do I see rightly ?" replied Renger amazed; 
 "You, my young friend, in his Excellency's Ca- 
 binet-?" 
 
 *'Even so," said Rodrigo, smiling, "but for 
 Heaven's sake let not my former enthusiasm trans- 
 pire. You have already been several days in the 
 city, without having presented yourself, or even 
 giving any definite information respecting the 
 place of your residence. Truly, Sennor, you run 
 
who's his father? 165 
 
 great risks ; but fear not," added he encouragingly, 
 " I have become responsible for you. You have, 
 however, changed your former sentiments ?" 
 
 " Not an iota," rephed the German frankly ; " I 
 trouble myself very Uttle about pohtics, as you 
 know. You could, however, perhaps procure me a 
 short conversation with his Excellency ?" 
 
 " Not to-day," remarked Rodrigo ; " you would 
 bring much evil on yourself 'thereby." 
 
 This caution came too late, for at that moment 
 Francia entered, and it became necessary, whether 
 for good or evil, that the doctor should be pre- 
 sented to him. The Dictator contracted his brow, 
 and bent on the speaker the suspicious look which 
 he was in the habit of fixing on every stranger. 
 
 " I have heard your name mentioned aheady," 
 said he roughly; "you are travelling over South 
 America under the pretext of studying the Botany 
 and other peculiarities of the country. It gives me 
 no satisfaction to see you in Paraguay. People of 
 your profession are very apt to interfere in matters 
 which do not concern them. Since you are already 
 here, and are known to my secretary, you can 
 
166 who's his father? 
 
 remain. Do not fancy, however, that you can get 
 out so easily as you came in; you are under strict 
 surveillance." 
 
 The doctor seemed surprised. " Your Excellency," 
 said he, "will, I hope, consider that I must be at 
 perfect liberty to make excursions. I am a harm- 
 less savan, and do not concern myself in the least 
 about the affairs of the State in which I so- 
 journ. Every one wTio knows me will be my 
 witness ; your Excellency may inquire of my fellow- 
 travellers." 
 
 "Especially of Colonel Valta Vargas," said 
 the Dictator sarcastically. '^ Be silent," cried he, 
 angrily, as the German was beginning to justify 
 himself; " you frequent bad company. You lodge 
 with one of the worst of the seditious— with the 
 Spaniard Ribera. You associate with the spy from 
 Buenos Ayres. You owe it to the intercession of 
 this young man that you are not more severely 
 chastised. 
 
 The Dictator then left the room quickly. 
 
 "Alas!" said the Secretary, shaking his head, 
 ** you have acted imprudently ; do you not know 
 
167 
 
 in what bad repute those two man stand here? 
 What do you propose to do now ? The Dictator 
 ever keeps his word, and even I shall not be able 
 to persuade him to milder measures. 
 
 The German was so much disturbed by this 
 unexpected reception that it was some time before 
 he could speak. 
 
 " What oflPence have I then committed to be 
 thus held captive like a rebel?" cried he, in a tone 
 of despair. " Have I encountered the inconve- 
 niences of such a wearisome voyage only to be 
 bereft of liberty in this country ? And who knows 
 what yet awaits me? O you were in the right, 
 young man, when you dissuaded me from the 
 interview; had I followed your advice, I should 
 not now have to dread the worst" 
 
 " Compose yourself, Sennor," interposed Rodrigo, 
 moved with compassion for him. " I will do what 
 lies in my power for you, only promise to avoid 
 the society of Valta Vargas and Ribera." 
 
 Renger willingly promised, and went away 
 partly consoled; but Rodrigo returned into the 
 cabinet to complete some work aheady begun. 
 
168 who's his father? 
 
 Involuntarily his thoughts recurred to Francia's 
 well-known character. The late conversation 
 with Manuel had fanned the spark into a flame. 
 The weakest point in most men is offended pride 
 and mortified vanity ; and these had been attacked. 
 The epithets — sateUite, and tool of a tyrant — 
 which had been applied to him by Manuel had 
 deeply wounded the freedom-loving youth. What 
 if Manuel should be in the right ? If the favours, 
 heaped upon him by the Dictator, had only been 
 lavished with the object of binding to his will, 
 with firmer chains, the inexperienced youth. 
 
 Even if Rodrigo had no absolute abhorrence of 
 the cruel and often capricious actions of the Dic- 
 tator, yet he could not love the cold and heartless 
 man who showed mildness to him alone. The 
 momentary impulse that attracted him was only 
 the consequence of that unHmited manifestation 
 of favour. But what should he do ? Should he 
 enter the presence of the dreaded tyrant, and 
 say: "I abhor thee and thy actions; let me 
 retire from your service?" This would be to 
 make a useless sacrifice, which would only stir up 
 
who's his father? 169 
 
 the Dictator to new barbarities. He still vacillated; 
 gratitude and republican principles fought in fierce 
 conflict, when the image of the fair Dolores flashed 
 across his soul; she, — his own, — but only when 
 Francia should be overthrown! He felt himself 
 too weak to resist any longer, and the fall of the 
 Dictator from that moment was resolved on. 
 
 After the absence of half an hour Francia re- 
 turned. His expression was sharp, his whole 
 deportment repulsive; he scarcely deigned to 
 honour Rodrigo with a look. Throwing himself 
 in an arm chair he continued for some time 
 murmuring to himself unintelligible words. 
 
 " Has there been no officer of dragoons here ? " 
 he inquired at length, and broke out into curses 
 when Rodrigo answered in the negative. 
 
 " Are you acquainted with the former Consul, 
 Fulgencio Yezros?" continued he, after a pause. 
 ** You must endeavour to draw closer to this man ; 
 he is my enemy, and I wish to be informed of 
 every step he takes." 
 
 Rodrigo's eye flashed with noble indignation at 
 the debasing command. " Your Excellency," said 
 
170 who's his father? 
 
 he resolutely, " however desirous I may be to serve 
 you and the Republic, I will never commit any 
 action contrary to my honour. It is impossible 
 you can seriously wish to make a spy of me." 
 
 "The Republic!" said the Dictator, with an 
 air of mockery. " Foolish boy, the Paraguays 
 deserve not freedom; what would this feeble, 
 ignorant nation be without Francia? I leave to 
 them the name of republicans, but at my nod the 
 crown would be at once placed upon my head. 
 Your maxims smell strongly of theory ; be a few 
 years with me and they will take a very different 
 form. I take not amiss your opposition to me; 
 you understand not yet the reservatis mentalis with 
 regard to an apparently immoral action." 
 
 " Your Excellency beholds me in infinite aston- 
 ishment," resumed Rodrigo, desirous of a quarrel. 
 " It has been said hitherto that you hate the 
 Jesuits as much as you do the Spaniards; but 
 yet it appears to me that you do not hold the 
 principles of the latter as particularly reprehensible." 
 
 Francia's eye flashed; he measured the bold 
 speaker with a tremendous look. " Thank the 
 
who's his father? 171 
 
 favour you have contrived to win from me/' said 
 he, panting with rage, " that I do not have you 
 arrested on the spot as a traitor. Another similar 
 allusion, however, and your audacity shall not go 
 unpunished. You imagine, perhaps, that I wish to 
 be a second Cromwell ? it is absurd to dissimulate 
 where it is unnecessary." 
 
 The Dragoon on guard now announced an officer 
 of the second Chasseurs. 
 
 " Admit him," cried the Dictator hastily. 
 
 In a few moments a young man, with a peculiar 
 cunning expression of countenance, was shown 
 into the apartment. 
 
 "May I speak freely to your Excellency?" he 
 began, after the first salutation, casting a side look 
 at Rodrigo. 
 
 " My Secretary may hear all," said Francia im- 
 patiently. " To the pomt ! " 
 
 The officer drew a paper from his breast and, 
 read : " The Zelador announces that the Spaniard 
 Ribera has already been absent from his facienda, 
 or home, eight days, and that he left it for As- 
 sumption in company with a German savan. As 
 
172 who's his father? 
 
 Sennor Ribera has hitherto always Hved in the 
 country, and has generally been in bad repute with 
 the Government, it has been considered desirable 
 to give his Excellency information thereof." 
 
 " Who is this booby of a Zelador ?" inquired the 
 Dictator angrily. " As if the arrival of strangers 
 were not at once announced to me !" 
 
 "Not, however, with the fact that the Sennor 
 left his facienda secretly, and without a permit ! " 
 remarked the officer timidly. 
 
 Francia grew thoughtfuL For some time he 
 strode up and down the room. At last he inquired, 
 " Have you nothing more to say ?" 
 
 " What I have said was only the preface to what 
 I have to impart," replied the officer. " Your Ex- 
 cellency knows that Ribera is my enemy, and I, as 
 is natural, would gladly pay him in the same coin. 
 A week ago I met him towards evening in one of 
 the streets of the city. The appearance of this 
 man, who is, as I know, hostile to your Government, 
 gracious Sir, struck me, and I followed him unob- 
 served. It was evening, yet it did not escape me 
 that at the end of the street he joined a man 
 
who's his father? 173 
 
 whom, in spite of his cloak and sombrero, I seemed 
 to recognize. Mj resolution was quickly taken, and 
 I ran against the disguised stranger, as if by accident. 
 His sombrero fell, and beneath it was "Colonel 
 Valta Vargas, from Buenos Ayres." 
 
 " Valta Vargas !" cried the Dictator in a voice of 
 thunder; Carajo, then I was right. Rodrigo, draw 
 up instantly a form of arrest But proceed, 
 proceed " 
 
 " I now know, at least, that Sennor Ribera has 
 not come to Assumption without a secret object," 
 continued the officer. "My trouble was not unre- 
 warded, for I saw the Spaniard, in company with 
 very suspicious persons, several times enter the 
 house of the ex-consul, Don Fulgencio Yezros. 
 
 Rodrigo breathed freely again ; the real meeting 
 place of the conspirators was not discovered, and 
 the hope of saving Dolores and her father conse- 
 quently not rendered hopeless. For a long time 
 Francia sat with a fixed gaze, occasionally looking 
 towards Rodrigo, as though he would read in his 
 eyes whether he was not able to relate what was still 
 unknown to the officer ; but the young man pre- 
 
174 who's his father? 
 
 served his presence of mind. At length he dis- 
 missed them both ; at the door the officer turned 
 suddenly towards Rodrigo, and in as low a whisper 
 as possible said : 
 
 "I mean it sincerely, Sennor, as respects yourself 
 and your fortunes. Avoid the society of Manuel 
 Gonzalo and Sabataria Street, lest others watch 
 your proceedings." 
 
 Before Rodrigo could reply the strange counsellor 
 had disappeared ; and the youth shortly afterwards 
 hurried to the upper prisons, to visit Don Calatrava 
 and his daughter. 
 
 He found the old man in a strange, and in some 
 degree an exalted, state of mind. The mildness 
 and despondency which usually sat on his brow had 
 given place to a haughty seriousness. When the 
 young man entered, he drew him into the recess of 
 the window, and said in a low tone ; 
 
 " Rodrigo, I am deeply and infinitely indebted 
 to you. Who knows whether, without you, my 
 grey head would not have already fallen beneath 
 the axe of the executioner ? Now then crown 
 your deeds by becoming a pillar of the great work 
 
who's his father? 175 
 
 we are raising, and stretch forth your powerful hand 
 to the league which has been formed against the 
 tyrant of Paraguay. 
 
 The young man looked astounded; the con- 
 sciousness of his black ingratitude fell Hke a dead 
 weight upon his heart. 
 
 " Sennor," said he, after a pause, steadily, " I 
 have for some time struggled and combated with 
 myself. This very day I had determined within me 
 to overthrow the Dictator ; but when I afterwards 
 remembered his goodness and mildness towards 
 myself — a stranger, I could not curse the man who 
 had never injured me." 
 
 The Spaniard laughed contemptuously. " Go," 
 said he then, with an expression of the deepest 
 indignation, " go, I considered you an extra- 
 ordinary young man, but I find you are blinded 
 by false ambition and egotism. O my son," 
 continued he with emotion, as Rodrigo stood 
 confused before him ; " I dreamed a fair dream 
 when you first appeared, but it has vanished like 
 many others. Would that I had never seen you ; 
 I should not now have to moiu-n over your moral 
 fall." 
 
176 
 
 WHOS HIS FATHER.'' 
 
 " Can it then really be possible," asked the 
 youth doubtingly, and after a short pause, "that 
 Francia is so complete a hypocrite? Wherefore 
 does he heap favours and benefits on me, a stranger? " 
 
 " Precisely because you are a stranger," inter- 
 rupted Calatrava, with vehemence. " Oh, I see 
 through this Francia ; he is cunning, as all tyrants 
 are. The native knows the snake as it glides 
 towards him, whilst the foreigner is fascinated by 
 its brilliant colours; and truly the monster's plans 
 succeed right well !" 
 
 " But what designs can the Dictator have on 
 me?" enquired Rodrigo further. 
 
 '* A despot is never guiltless — therefore never 
 fearless," replied the old man. " He always requires 
 about his person some one in whom he may en- 
 tirely confide. He must have another hand to 
 execute his will, and Francia has selected you. 
 You will soon learn your secret business. He will 
 make you a spy, to insinuate yourself into families, 
 in order to discover their political sentiments; and 
 a pubHc accuser, whom all Paraguay will load with 
 curses. You will no longer have a friend on 
 
who's his father? 177 
 
 earth ; people will shun you as the pestilence ; and 
 when repentance comes at last with its bitter 
 pangs, conscience will awake in its terrors, and the 
 ghosts of the murdered through your intervention 
 will poison your miserable hfe, till you sink without 
 consolation into the grave." 
 
 " Stop, I implore you," cried Rodrigo, in bitter 
 distress. " You unveil to me an image that has 
 already once risen up in my soul ; and yet there 
 are but two ways left to me, the one leads me on 
 to Francia's overthrow, and either to death or to 
 the highest and purest earthly bUss; the other 
 conducts me irrevocably to disgrace. My choice 
 is finally made ; God knows my heart bleeds, but 
 I can do no otherwise. Sennor, I am a member 
 of your conspiracy. May the blessing of the Holy 
 Virgin prosper our enterprise." 
 
 " It will," cried the old man, joyfully, and in a 
 tone of conviction. " Yesterday evening I received 
 information of the existence of the secret con- 
 federacy. My flight is resolved on; the jailer is 
 already won ; and this very night I venture into the 
 subterranean passage which Gonzalo has informed 
 
 N 
 
1Y8 who's his father? 
 
 you of. Be present when I and Dolores appear in 
 Pinto's house." 
 
 " Can you doubt it?" said the youth, whose 
 heart throbbed with emotion at the cherished 
 name ; " henceforth reckon assuredly upon me. 
 But, Sennor, yet one entreaty. I honour and love 
 you as a father ; give me your blessing." 
 
 The old man willingly complied; but Rodrigo 
 still remained kneeling, and wept, overpowered by 
 sadness. 
 
 " Father," said he, in a low voice, " raise me 
 with a word of kindness; do not overthrow my 
 whole earthly happiness by rejecting my suppU- 
 cation. I love your daughter, I say it openly and 
 freely, and would that the earth might swallow 
 me if my love finds no return." 
 
 " Rise," replied Calatrava, mildly, " at such a 
 stormy and agitated time we must not think of 
 twining nuptial wreaths. Do you ask if Dolores 
 loves you. There she stands ; I assume no right 
 over her heart" 
 
 The maiden blushed in deepest confusion, and 
 laying her hand on her beating heart, she leant 
 
who's his father? 179 
 
 for support against one of the stone pillars of the 
 prison. Not an utterance escaped her lips as 
 Rodrigo approached her, but the glance of her 
 beautiful eyes, with which she received him, spoke 
 but too plainly, and the happy lovers sank in each 
 others arms. 
 
 n2 
 
180 who's his father? 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 It was evening when Rodrigo, closely enveloped 
 in his mantle, hurried through the Calle Zabateria. 
 He stopped before a mean looking house and 
 thrice pulled the bell. It was long before he was 
 responded to; at length steps were heard along 
 the corridor, and the owner of the house, Pinto, 
 enquired what the impatient visitor wanted. On 
 Rodrigo naming himself there was a moment of 
 perfect stillness, after which the host apologized 
 for not being able to open the door at once, owing 
 to his having mislaid the key. 
 
 " For heavens sake open the door Pinto," urged 
 the young man in despair, "the patrole may pass by 
 the very next moment, and then all of you as well 
 as myself are lost" 
 
who's his father? 181 . 
 
 "Here is the key," exclaimed a voice within, 
 which was Manuel's, " open quick." 
 
 At the very moment the youth entered the 
 corridor, and the door was closed upon him, the 
 footsteps of the patrole were heard at the end of 
 the street 
 
 " That was the last moment," cried he exhausted, 
 " madman that I am, and it is through this same 
 door that all the conspirators have to enter the 
 house!" 
 
 Pinto approached with the light, and gazed for a 
 few seconds in the face of the agitated young man. 
 
 " Did I not see it with my own eyes," said he 
 with a peculiar expression and tone of voice, " I 
 could not have beheved that the favourite of 
 Francia would visit me in my own house." 
 
 " The visit is not to you," rephed Rodrigo 
 haughtily. " Manuel, where are the conspirators? 
 I have important information to give them." 
 W " Come on, come on," said Pinto, " the way is 
 not so very long." 
 
 They crossed the corridor to the back part of the 
 building. Pinto led the two men through a small 
 
182 who's his father? 
 
 apartment into a kind of sleeping chamber, where 
 some unsightly old bedsteads stood against the 
 wall; the host approached one of them, pushed 
 back a board in the wall, and a trap door presented 
 itself to view. 
 
 Manuel, who seemed acquainted with the place, 
 sprang through it, and quickly returned with a 
 torch of fir wood to light Rodrigo, who followed 
 his guiae in evident astonishment. From the 
 trap-door they descended by several stone steps 
 into a spacious vaulted cellar, where numerous 
 iron doors were seen inserted in the wall. 
 Passing these unnoticed, Pinto stepped into an 
 almost undistinguishable niche in the side wall, 
 and, pulling up a stone, drew forth a long iron 
 chain. With violent efforts he and Manuel -pulled 
 at this chain, and great was Rodrigo's astonishment 
 when one of the great stones, with which the floor 
 was paved, sank with a loud creaking into the 
 depth below. By the aid of s6me broken step% 
 they all descended into the vault beneath, from 
 whence issued a bright light and the voices of 
 men. 
 
who's his father? 183 
 
 Our friend now found himself" at once amongst 
 well known persons. The first who advanced to 
 meet him was the ex-Consul Fulgencio Yezros, 
 followed by Colonel Valta Vargas; at a httle 
 distance stood the Spaniard Ribera, wrapped in 
 deep meditation, leaning against a pillar ; and Jago, 
 in solemn silence, who extended his hand in 
 friendly salutation. He beheld also numerous 
 other faces which he had seen before, and a slight 
 suspicion crossed him that the German doctor 
 might also be of the assembly; but Manuel 
 assured him in a tone of derision that " the phleg- 
 matic gentleman had too Httle courage for so 
 serious an undertaking." 
 
 The entrance of Rodrigo, Manuel and Pinto 
 caused some excitement amongst the conspirators, 
 and by degrees they all gathered round the new 
 comers, when Pinto requested to be allowed to say 
 a few words. 
 
 " The young man who to-day for the first time 
 appears in our assembly is known to you all;" 
 said he with a certain degree of pathos ; " although 
 possessing the favour of the tyrant, freedom is 
 
184 who's his father? 
 
 more dear to him, and he has joined our league. 
 Bid him welcome, Sennors, he brings weighty 
 news." 
 
 " But, unfortunately, not favourable," added 
 Rodrigo. " You, Don Valta Vargas, I am com- 
 missioned to imprison this very night in your own 
 residence ; and to set a seal, in the name of his 
 Excellency, on your papers, and on those of the 
 ex-Consul, Don Fulgencio Yezros." 
 
 Rodrigo expected that this information would 
 have filled all present with alarm. Great there- 
 fore was his astonishment when no one seemed to 
 be dismayed, and the Colonel himself requested 
 him to proceed. 
 
 " I observe, to my great surprise, that the 
 gentlemen seem already prepared for this arrest," 
 pursued he, a little perplexed. " Perhaps then 
 you are also aware of the Dictator's resolution, that 
 three days after the arrest of the Colonel, this 
 house, in which we are now assembled, shall be 
 invested by a company of chasseurs." 
 
 This last piece of information made a much 
 greater impression. Pinto turned pale as a corpse; 
 
who's his father? 185 
 
 even Yezros changed colour. For a moment there 
 was deep silence ; then several voices at the same 
 time exclaimed, that there must be a traitor amongst 
 the conspirators. Some proposed to change the 
 place of meeting; but all united in the cry of 
 'death to the Dictator.' 
 
 '^ Valta Vargas at length stepped forward with 
 a resolute aspect, and requested, with dignity, to 
 be heard. 
 
 " Let us not be intimidated," said he, gravely ; 
 " what harm can it do us, if Francia fills the house 
 to the very roof with his soldiers? That which 
 passes underground is unknown to any mortal, 
 except ourselves, as no one is aware of the exist- 
 ence of these subterranean passages, Tliat the 
 Dictator should keep a sharp eye on his former 
 favourite is natural enough, as no tyrant can be 
 otherwise than suspicious. Has any H\dng soul 
 ever seen us enter this building? Have we not 
 always approached it by paths which no other eyes 
 but our own have beheld ? I do not think there is 
 a traitor among us ; we have mutually proved one 
 another. But let us be beforehand with our 
 
186 who's his father? 
 
 oppressor. To-day is the 11th of April; two days 
 hence is Good Friday. Up then! be that our 
 day of freedom. On that day let us annihilate 
 the tyrant and his slaves; let us overturn the 
 Governmeut of Paraguay, and restore the 
 Republic." 
 
 Vivat, Vivat, resounded from every voice, and 
 was the only response to this address ; whilst the 
 company formed into separate groups, to discuss 
 the necessary arrangements of their premeditated 
 plans. Rodrigo was amazed and thunderstruck at 
 the resources of a confederacy which, up to this 
 time, had been a perfect secret. The Consul, a 
 keen and fearless sportsman, who had formerly 
 lived for months together in the wilderness of 
 Gross-Chaco, could rely upon more than a thou- 
 sand Indians and emancipated Negroes, whom he 
 had from time to time befriended. Sudden, and 
 unlooked for as lightning, would the revolution 
 burst forth and spread. 
 
 During the night between Thursday and Friday 
 Fulgencio Yezros, with five hundred men upon 
 whom he could most rely, were to pass through 
 
who's his father? 187 
 
 from Pinto's house, by means of one of the sub- 
 terranean passages, into the upper prisons; there to 
 liberate all the captives, arm them, and hasten to 
 attack Francia's palace. As soon as the tyrant was 
 secured the Republic was to be proclaimed. The 
 undertaking was a daring one, but it must succeed, 
 if there was no traitor amongst themselves. 
 
 Rodrigo, as he became initiated into the terrible 
 secret, felt in all its crushing weight the responsi- 
 bihty that was throvm upon him, by the course he 
 had entered upon. An inexpressible anguish fell 
 upon him; he seemed to hear a warning voice 
 unceasingly crying : withdraw — withdraw ; and yet 
 he could not He was at times irresolute, but his 
 evil genius prevailed; the die was cast — the Rubicon 
 was entered — and on the opposite side stood the 
 dim imaginative figure of Dolores. 
 
 Jago approached him as he stood absorbed in 
 meditation. 
 
 " Destiny sports strangely with us," said Jago, 
 with a bitter smile. " I, who revered Francia as a 
 demi-god, stand now before you as his bitterest 
 enemy ; and you, who hated him, stand mourning 
 
188 who's his father? 
 
 over his approaching fall. Infirm of purpose, where 
 are your burning thoughts of emancipation and 
 liberty ? Go, I blush to call myself your firiend ; 
 the bubble called glory has fooled you, but the 
 irresolution of the moment has fettered you," 
 
 " A tyrant has no friends," replied Rodrigo reso- 
 lutely ; " it was an inexphcable reserve which 
 prevented me from sooner throwing myself into 
 your arms. Francia has never offended me, but 
 loaded me with benefits. If I fight against him, I 
 make the greatest possible personal sacrifice for the 
 fi-eedom of a foreign land." 
 
 " A foreign land !" exclaimed Jago vehemently ; 
 " belongs not Cordova to Spanish America just 
 as much as Paraguay? Yes, it is this narrow 
 egotism which undermines our fireedom ; long ere 
 this would South America have extricated herself 
 firom the yoke of Spain, if peace and union had 
 prevailed amongst us." 
 
 "I, as an individual, have no influence there- 
 upon," returned Rodrigo; "hear me, Jago, and 
 then condemn me if you can. You know I live at 
 the Government House, and the Dictator's sleeping 
 
who's his father? 189 
 
 apartment is separated from mine only by a corridor. 
 I had inhabited my new residence for eight days 
 without anything remarkable occurring. One night, 
 as I lay sleepless on my couch, a gentle rustling, 
 and the creaking of a door, roused my attention. I 
 remained motionless, feigning sleep, in order to ob- 
 serve what would happen. The door of my room 
 was gently opened by a man wrapped in a cloak, 
 who entered cautiously. He placed a small lamp 
 on a table at the head of my bed, and carefully 
 drew the curtains asunder. It was Francia. My 
 astonishment became extreme when he, the cold 
 and heartless man, knelt down by my bed, gazed 
 fixedly at me for a considerable time, and then, 
 with the utmost precaution, bared my breast You 
 know that from my birth I have had there a very 
 remarkable mole. After having assured himself 
 repeatedly, by the aid of the lamp, of the existance 
 of this mole, he retired with vacillating steps." 
 
 Jago seemed much struck by this information, 
 but it suited not with his plan, nor with that of 
 the conspiracy, to give way to a suspicion which 
 might probably be discovered, he therefore 
 
190 who's his father? 
 
 treated the narration lightly, and changed the 
 conversation. 
 
 The assembly just then was in motion, and all 
 were pressing towards a small door which Pinto 
 had just opened. The venerable form of Calatrava, 
 with his lovely daughter on his arm, entered 
 through it, who were both received with loud 
 acclamations. Rodrigo rushed joyfully to meet 
 them, and all his anxieties were forgotten. With 
 gentle words he encouraged his trembling betrothed, 
 and confided them to the joint protection of Pinto 
 and Jago, who were almost constantly in the bar- 
 ber's house. The escape though the subterranean 
 passage had been effected without accident, and 
 the jailer, who had been drawn into the plot, was 
 to follow. Midnight had already long past, 
 when the owner of the house urged them to pro- 
 ceed rapidly, since, as he justly remarked, the 
 flight of the Spaniard would excite a great sen- 
 sation, and the conspirators might be caught by 
 means of their houses being searched, as it was 
 highly probable they would. At length they all 
 separated, and Pinto closed the subterranean 
 
who's his father? 191 
 
 passage, after conducting the Spaniard and his 
 daughter to one of the side cellars, as a temporary 
 asylum. 
 
 Then the Httle haggard Pinto stood alone in the 
 immense vault, where every step sounded por- 
 tentously. With folded arms he paced up and 
 down for a considerable time, wrapped in deep 
 meditation, whilst every now and then vehement 
 exclamations burst from his lips. 
 
 "Are you so secure, Sennors?" at last cried 
 he, in a tone of mockery, stretching his arm 
 towards the spot whence the conspirators had 
 passed out. " Valta Vargas was right. You 
 dream not of traitors ; and your imprudence shall 
 cost the lives of many, perhaps all, of you. 
 The enemies of Francia must perish, that Francia 
 may again rule as the Dictator of Paraguay ! " 
 
192 who's his father? 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The next morning the palace of the Dictator was 
 in confusion. An officer had brought thither, in 
 the middle of the night, information of the inex- 
 plicable escape of the Spaniard. Francia stormed ; 
 detachments of mounted soldiers were despatched 
 in all directions; the commandants of the forts 
 along the River Paraguay were informed of it by 
 couriers ; and a general search of all the houses in 
 Assumption ordered. 
 
 Colonel Valta Vargas was one of the first ar- 
 rested; he was found unsuspectingly walking in 
 Don Fulgencio Yezros' garden. The officer would 
 willingly have taken possession of the latter also ; 
 but he dared not touch the person of a man still 
 
who's his father? 198 
 
 highly esteemed by the nation; he however 
 ventured to put a seal upon his papers. 
 
 Rodrigo had now an opportunity, for the first 
 time, of beholding the Dictator in the madness of 
 his fury ; and he well comprehended the terror of 
 his attendants during such scenes. Happily, towards 
 noon, the tyrant shut himself up in his apartment 
 to revolve undisturbed the measures he should 
 pursue. 
 
 Meantime Rodrigo hastened to Pinto's dweUing, 
 there to forget his anxiety in the sight of Dolores. 
 He had scarcely proceeded half-way when he 
 recollected that the command had been issued, the 
 day before, to surround Pinto's house with a com- 
 pany of Chasseurs. He therefore turned quickly 
 to the banks of the Paraguay, where the subter- 
 ranean passage opened into a little rocky inlet 
 Ailer a long search he found the key under a 
 stone, with which he opened the door and has- 
 tened down the passage. He stood in the spacious 
 vault, not knowing which way to turn; and 
 his repeated cry, "Dolores, Dolores," resounded, 
 unanswered, amid the dark walls. 
 
194 who's his father? 
 
 A dim light attracted him towards the left side 
 of the vault, whither he at once made his way and 
 listened with suspended breath. The light shone 
 through a crevice in the roofj and Rodrigo remem- 
 bered that he was standing in the secret entrance 
 to the meeting place of the conspirators. He 
 recollected that he had descended into it by a 
 narrow flight of steps, which he immediately began 
 to search for, and which he soon found by the aid 
 of the light. A few steps only now remained to 
 ascend, for his head already touched the ceihng. 
 The crevice permitted him to look through into 
 the vault above, and not far from the steps he saw 
 Pinto in earnest conversation with a Franciscan 
 friar. He Hstened with almost breathless attention, 
 but only a few words reached his ear. 
 
 He however heard the friar say in a distinct 
 voice: "Now then, my son, depart, and receive 
 my blessing on your design. Forget not to recom- 
 mend to the Dictator the interests of my distressed 
 order, and I will do everything according to your 
 wishes." 
 
 Pinto bowed low before the pious man, and 
 
WHO 8 HIS FATHER? 195 
 
 accompanied him reverently into the house. Long 
 did Rodrigo reflect on the import of those words ; 
 he could not comprehend in what relation Pinto 
 could yet stand with the Dictator, for the suspicion 
 of treachery never entered his mind. 
 
 Pinto at length returned, and Rodrigo, urged by 
 a maddened desire to rejoin his beloved, loudly 
 demanded entrance. When Pinto admitted him 
 he was evidently embarrassed, but his visitor paid 
 little attention to the circumstance, and his first 
 inquiry was, whether the house was surrounded. 
 On the host answering cheerfully in the negative, 
 he desired to be conducted to Calatrava. Pinto 
 had appropriated to him a pretty little retired 
 chamber; and Rodrigo was only the more surprised 
 to find the old man in a very serious mood. 
 
 " Why so cast down, my father?" asked he, 
 sympathetically, when Pinto had withdrawn; 
 " does not all go well ? Will not our work be 
 infaUibly crowned with success?" 
 
 ^' Softly, Rodrigo, judge not so hastily," said 
 
 Calatrava, solemnly. " The Dictator's star is not 
 
 yet in its wane; and though over his head the 
 2o 
 
196 who's his father? 
 
 sword of Damocles is suspended by a thread, a 
 turn may cause it to descend on those of his 
 enemies. Have you forgotten that such a thing as 
 treachery exists?" 
 
 " For the Virgin's sake," cried the youth, 
 changing colour, " whence arises this surmise?" 
 
 " Do you trust the malignant hypocrite, the 
 blood-thirsty favourite of the tyrant, that Pinto?" 
 asked the Spaniard, in a low voice. " His words 
 sound sweet, but his heart is false ; and I suspect 
 he wiU betray us all, to raise himself again to that 
 point in the scale of fortune whence he has so 
 lately been cast down?" 
 
 " Have you any cause ? " enquired Rodrigo. 
 
 Calatrava interrupted him hastily: "Believe 
 my words," cried he vehemently, " I know that 
 Pinto, but we wiU jfrustrate his plans, if" added 
 he despondingly, "it be not already too late. If 
 you can contrive to remain in this house till 
 evening we shall be in some degree secure; we 
 will not lose sight of that wretch for a single 
 moment" 
 
 After a httle consideration the young man 
 
who's his father? 197 
 
 promised to remain, and they made themselves 
 as comfortable as they could in their concealment 
 The old man then related that Pinto must have 
 received secret visits, and also that all his speeches 
 had appeared mysterious and ambiguous. Although 
 Rodrigo did not think this sufficient cause for 
 suspicion, he could not but be struck by his 
 conversation with the Franciscan Friar in so 
 concealed a situation, and he anxiously waited 
 an opportunity to speak to him on the subject 
 
 Meanwhile Pinto sat in his little room on the 
 ground floor upon a low stool, looking placidly 
 around him. He held a letter in his hand, which 
 he tossed about impatiently, till at length a low 
 tap was heard at the window and he hastened to 
 open the door. 
 
 " Is it you, Fra Bias ? " he asked in a whisper : 
 •*my letter is ready, but step in first and drink 
 a glass of genuine Val tie pennas with me." 
 
 In a moment the bearded form of the Franciscan 
 Mar entered the room. 
 
 " I have only a few minutes to spare," said he 
 somewhat agitated; "but I can assure you that 
 
198 who's his father? 
 
 the affair is going on admirably. Here, read 
 Francia's proclamation in which he solemnly 
 promises his especial favom- to whomsoever shall 
 bring back unharmed the fugitive Spaniard and 
 his daughter." 
 
 " The Dictator is keen sighted," said the former 
 favourite smiling to himself: "for the Spaniard 
 he cares but little, but he suspects the connexion 
 of the whole affair. This evening then, Fra Bias, 
 the conspiracy is to break out, as I informed you 
 an hour ago. The place of meeting is in my 
 house, in the subterranean passage which opens 
 on the bank of the Paraguay. 1 have set all 
 down in this letter with the names of all the 
 conspirators, — except one. With you, father, how- 
 ever, I wish not to have any secret; listen therefore 
 to my reason for conceahng that one. That 
 Medrano, whose name is omitted because as you 
 see he has most unlimited influence over Francia, 
 who has given to this young adventurer the most 
 unusual marks of his favour, and it is to him only 
 I owe my fall. Can I then do otherwise than 
 hate him ? Shall I not avenge myself upon him ? 
 
who's his father? 199 
 
 By the Holy Virgin of Assumption, no blood of 
 Estramadura would run in my veins were I not 
 to do so. Francia will inevitably restore to me 
 my former power when he becomes acquainted 
 with my zeal to serve the state. Have I not for 
 that purpose risked my life ? have I not for that end 
 become the head of the conspiracy ? That Fulgencio 
 Yezros, the blustering Valta Vargas, the haughty 
 Ribera, and all the rest of them I hate and detest; 
 but their ruin is my stepping stone to fortune. 
 Look you, father, all of them, even the late 
 worshipper of Francia, the wary Jago cfe Avila, 
 have all been my instruments to draw my rival 
 into the conspiracy. The fool has fallen into the 
 snare and is irretrievably ruined. But the snake 
 we would capture we must seize by the head that 
 it may not turn and spit forth its venom. 1 know 
 the Dictator's weak point ; and out of consideration 
 for the much loved favourite he would let mildness 
 prevail, and I should come off empty handed. 
 You therefore, father, must obtain the unHmited 
 order for me to get possession of the conspirators, 
 living or dead. I require but twenty well armed 
 
200 WBO'S HIS FATHER? 
 
 grenadiers, and the threatening blow is turned 
 from the head of the Dictator." 
 
 " For the Virgin's sake," interrupted the friar 
 much startled, "what is your design ? would you 
 then murder, before judgment has been pro- 
 nounced?" 
 
 "Murder!" repeated the barber, wildly, "oh 
 no, I wish not to murder them ; his Excellency is 
 a better executioner, but I wish to get that one 
 in my power first, and I think I may be able some 
 day even to answer for that murder." 
 
 " You are an awful being," said the old man 
 much shocked; " but I must not place myself in 
 opposition to you; receive therefore absolution as 
 well as my acquiescence in your project." 
 
 After a few more words they separated. 
 
who's his father? 201 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 At five o'clock in the afternoon Fra Bias requested 
 an audience of the Dictator, which Francia very 
 unwillingly granted, as he loved not to have 
 dealings with the clergy. 
 
 When the reverend old man entered, Francia 
 advanced roughly towards him, but the monk met 
 him with imposing calmness. In few and clear 
 words he explained the object of his visit, and 
 delivered to him Pinto's letter. 
 
 The lonely wanderer in the desert, who, choked 
 by thirst, at length reaches the long desired stream, 
 but only to find it guarded by a fierce tiger, could not 
 be more struck with greater desperation than Francia 
 was as he beheld the writing. The firiar involun- 
 
202 who's his father? 
 
 tarily trembled when he saw the countenance of 
 the enraged despot. A long and terrible pause 
 ensued; Francia struggled for words in which to 
 pour out his fury, but only inarticulate sounds 
 escaped his lips. 
 
 " Man!" at length he exclaimed, in a terror- 
 striking] voice ; " wilt thou destroy me with thy 
 revelations ? Is this hydra of discord never to be 
 annihilated ? Can this viper brood never be extir- 
 pated? Have all the hundred heads which have 
 fallen in sacrifice to the tranquility of Paraguay, 
 caused no terror? But, by Heaven, I am yet too 
 mild for these creatures ; a reign of terror shall be 
 introduced; the guillotine shall be announced to 
 be in permanent action, and I will drive the 
 revolutionists in hecatombs to the scaffold." 
 
 He stopped suddenly ; a startling idea seemed to 
 have flashed across his mind ; he threw a searching 
 glance on the friar, and then tore open the paper. 
 In long columns stood inscribed the names of the 
 conspirators ; his eye ran rapidly over them. At 
 length he came to the last, when he sunk utterly 
 exhausted in the arm-chair. 
 
who's his father? 203 
 
 " He then is not of them," murmured he, in a 
 low tone ; "they have all betrayed me ; they whom 
 I elevated — even Jago." 
 
 Quickly and resolutely he started up, and, with 
 a few strokes of his pen, the arrest, and Pinto's 
 demanded authority, was completed. 
 
 The friar hurried as fast as he could to the chief 
 barrack of the FusiUro, and dehvered to the officer 
 on guard his Excellency's order. Thirty men and 
 half a battalion were immediately put in readiness, 
 to act on the first signal. The watches of the city 
 were doubled, and armed scouts were distributed 
 in the vicinity, as well as along the banks of the 
 Paraguay. All was done in a few hours, and no 
 one suspected the cause. 
 
 The unsuspicious conspirators bent their way 
 by separate paths to the subterranean passage, little 
 dreaming the ruin which spread its dreadful net 
 over their heads. 
 
 Rodrigo sat by the side of his beloved Dolores, 
 making the brightest plans for the future; Cala- 
 trava alone remained silent, and wrapped in 
 thought; a dark presentiment took possession of 
 
204 who's his father? 
 
 him, and the mutual caresses of the lovers filled 
 him with horror. 
 
 Pinto entered the apartment with an air of 
 unconcern, and announced that the conspirators 
 having been assembled already half an hour 
 awaited their arrival. Rodrigo threw himself into 
 the arms of the Spaniard, and once more begged 
 his blessing. 
 
 " Yet," said he, " I feel as if I were going to my 
 own destruction. Oh, Francia ! it costs me half my 
 life to see you overthrown. My father, strengthen 
 me by your blessing; and you, Dolores, let me 
 gaze once more in those loving eyes, in which I 
 have found an earthly heaven. Farewell, and God 
 be with you." After an ardent embrace, they all 
 left their place of concealment. 
 
 The vaults were more brightly lighted, and the 
 assembly more numerous than usual. The con- 
 sciousness of certain success had called up a degree 
 of cheerfulness on the varied countenances of the 
 conspirators, although many of their hearts beat 
 anxiously. If, however, a doubt arose, no one 
 ventured to express it. 
 
who's his father? 205 
 
 When Calatrava, Dolores, and Rodrigo entered, 
 almost all the company had gathered round the 
 Ex-Consul, who was reading from a paper the plan 
 of action which had been agreed upon at previous 
 meetings. A solemn silence prevailed in the 
 gloomy hall, and the words sounded hoUow and 
 awfully against the blackened walls. 
 
 " And thus is the fall of the tyrant decided," 
 concluded Yezros, raising his voice. " No quarter 
 to the adherents of Francia — none to Francia him- 
 self. Let the first who discovers him plunge the 
 dagger in his blood-thirsty heart At his death the 
 reign of terror ceases ! But what was that ? " said 
 he, breaking off suddenly ; " do you not hear a 
 noise in the upper vault? Is any one concealed 
 there? Canyon explain this?" said he, turning 
 to Pinto?" 
 
 The barber affected to Usten. " I hear nothing," 
 said he carelessly ; " but I will go and look 
 out." 
 
 " And I will accompany you," cried Ribera, in 
 a rough voice. 
 
 " Your pardon for a moment," interposed the 
 
206 who's his father? 
 
 Ex-Consul; "I wish first to finish reading this 
 paper ; it concerns you also, Sennor Pinto." 
 
 " With respect to the individual members of the 
 conspiracy," continued he, " it is to be observed, 
 that the interests of each shall be carefuUy pro- 
 vided for. To the former favourite of the tyrant, 
 however, to Pedro Pinto, who, owing to his former 
 position, has too many enemies, it would be neither 
 practicable nor right to entrust any Government 
 office; he shall, however, be at liberty to make 
 choice of one of the confiscated estates of Francia's 
 adherents." 
 
 Pinto smiled contemptuously, but Hstened with 
 increased attention for the concerted signal, which 
 should announce to him the arrival of the soldiers. 
 
 Suddenly the trap door was opened hastily, and 
 a female form rushed down the steps. " Treachery, 
 treachery, Sennors," cried she ; " the house is full 
 of the Dictator's soldiers. Fly save yourselves if 
 possible." 
 
 Rodrigo uttered a loud cry as he recognised 
 Dolores, and the conspirators stood thunderstruck. 
 
 " The traitor is amongst us," cried several 
 
who's his father? 207 
 
 voices at once. " It is Pinto," exclaimed others, 
 unsheathing their daggers. 
 
 " Hold," cried Rodrigo, in a voice of thunder ; 
 *^ I know the wretch ; it can only be Pinto ; but 
 the scoundrel shall not reap the reward of his foul 
 deed. Up, friends, and save yourselves by flight : 
 I will avenge you;" and Uke a tiger he sprang 
 towards the barber. The dastard, however, in the 
 meantime fled towards the steps of the vault, and, 
 before Rodrigo could reach him, twelve shots were 
 fired at once through the trap-door, when the ill- 
 fated youth sank down in a pool of his own blood. 
 Pinto's revenge was not miscalculated — his rival 
 was dead. 
 
 The scene quickly changed; soldiers soon filled 
 the vault, and, after a short resistance, the whole of 
 the conspirators were captured, excepting three. 
 These were Jago, his fiiend Manuel, and the 
 gloomy Ribera, who, after a desperate struggle, 
 were shot 
 
 Just as the prisoners were being led away, a 
 man entered the vault, to whom the soldiers 
 respectfiilly gave way. It was Francia ! 
 
208 who's his father? 
 
 Without casting a look on the scene around 
 him, he at once perceived his former favourite, 
 when he Uterally shrieked : " What hast thou done 
 with Rodrigo Medrano? Wherefore did you not 
 name him in your hst?" 
 
 Pinto, with the smile of a fiend, made way for 
 some soldiers, who at that moment were bearing 
 away the bleeding corpse of the unfortunate 
 Rodrigo. The Dictator, on perceiving the dead 
 body, fell speechless beside it, and pressed the 
 cold hand to his lips. There was a dreadful 
 pause— a solemn stillness — all awaiting in anxiety 
 the issue of this tragic scene. At length Francia, 
 with a painful effort, recalled his fortitude and 
 energy. 
 
 " Woe unto you," said he, panting with wild 
 fury, " who seduced this youth. Woe to you, 
 Pinto, whose plans I now penetrate. Awfully will 
 I solemnize this youth's obsequies." 
 
 He then again sank down by the dead. " Oh, 
 wherefore did I not confide in thee?" said he, in 
 a tone of lamentation ; " thou, who would'st not 
 have betrayed thy father! Yes, I here acknowledge 
 
 ( 
 
 I 
 
who's his father? 209 
 
 it; he was my son, my child, my only and beloved 
 child?" 
 
 With a loud shriek Dolores sank on the earth ; 
 all present stood deeply moved, and few eyes were 
 without tears. 
 
 " Happy are the dead," cried the Dictator, when 
 he beheld the three other victims ; " happy are 
 the dead, who cannot behold my sorrow!" And 
 the awful man spoke but too truly, for none of the 
 conspirators, save two, were spared; and their heads 
 were long exposed at the comers of the streets of 
 Assumption. 
 
 Pinto's trial took place the same night, and he 
 suffered with the rest. 
 
 Calatrava and his daughter were the only ones 
 to whom Francia showed leniency; the Dictator 
 knew the love his son had evinced for Dolores, 
 and he could not harm them ; they were however 
 banished. 
 
 So ended the conspiracy; which, but for the 
 treachery of Pinto, would in all probability have 
 overthrown Francia and his government. Since 
 that time no one ventured to interfere with the 
 
210 who's his father? 
 
 Despot of Paraguay. Seventeen years afterwards 
 he was summoned by a higher power ; and on the 
 last day of November, in the year 1837, Caspar 
 RoDRiGO DE Francia, Dictator of Paraguay, 
 died a natural death, in the eighty-sixth year of 
 his age. 
 
 finis. 
 
 ■). & W. Robins, Printers, Soutbwark. 
 
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