San Martin the Conqueror
A Retreat
The people watched eagerly to see San Martin enter in state as a conquering general should. The day passed, and he did not come. When it began to grow dark, he rode in through the gate attended by a single aide-de-camp.
And he would not have come then, if he could have helped it. It was his plan to slip unobserved into the city early in the morning before people were up.
But the reason why he had to enter at evening, was this:—
He was tired, and he had just settled down for the night in the corner of a little cottage outside the walls. He was blessing his stars that he was well out of the reach of business, when in came two Friars, who had discovered his hiding place.
Each one made him a long tedious speech; one likened him to Cæsar and the other to Lucullus.
“Good heavens!” exclaimed San Martin, when the Friars had left. “What are we to do? This will never answer!”
“O sir,” replied the aide-de-camp, “there are two more of the same stamp close at hand.”
“Indeed! Then saddle the horses again, and let us be off!” exclaimed San Martin.
So it happened that the conquering General was forced to retreat, and enter Lima before people were asleep.
The Mother and Her Three Sons
When he entered the city, instead of going directly to the palace where he was to lodge, he stopped to call on the Governor.
In a moment, the news of his arrival sped through the city. People came thronging into the Governor’s house, and even filled the court and street.
San Martin was forced to stand in the audience-chamber and receive the crowds. Old people and young people pressed fast upon him. But though he was so modest and heartily disliked any show or pretension, he received their praises patiently and kindly.
A handsome middle-aged woman approached him, and as he leaned forward to greet her, she threw herself at his feet. There, clinging to his knees, she looked up into his face, and exclaimed that she had three sons at his service, who, she hoped, would become useful citizens.
San Martin listened to her with respect. As he gently raised her from the floor, she flung her arms around his neck and finished her speech. He replied to her with great earnestness; and the poor woman’s heart seemed bursting with gratitude for his attention and kindness.
The Little Girl Who Was Bashful
San Martin then seeing a little girl about ten or twelve years old, who was too bashful to come forward, lifted the astonished child and kissed her cheek. When he set her down again, the little thing was in such ecstasy that she scarcely knew what to do.
Another Little Girl
San Martin established his headquarters a little beyond the city-wall. There he was completely surrounded by business. But every man coming out of San Martin’s presence, seemed pleased whether he had succeeded in his petition or not.
Among others, an old man came into headquarters holding a little girl in his arms. He had just one request, would the great General please kiss his child? San Martin good-naturedly kissed her, and the father went away radiantly happy.
The Best Cigar
San Martin lived on the friendliest terms with his officers.
One day, at his own table, he opened his pouch and took out a cigar, rounder and firmer than the rest. He gave it a look of unconscious satisfaction. Just then a voice called:—
“My General!”
San Martin started from his revery, and raised his head.
“Who spoke?” he said.
“It was I,” said an officer who had been watching him. “I merely wished to beg the favour of one cigar from you.”
“Ah ha!” said San Martin smiling good-naturedly with an assumed look of reproach. And at once he tossed his chosen cigar to the officer.
Duty Before the General
At another time, San Martin was entertaining a visitor on board a schooner. While they were walking up and down, the sailors began to swab the deck.
“What a plague it is,” said San Martin, “that these fellows will insist on washing their decks at this rate.” Then turning to one of the men, he said, “I wish, my friend, you would not wet us here, but go to the other side.”
The sailor, who had his duty to perform and who was too well accustomed to the General’s gentle manner, went on with his work, and soundly splashed him and his guest.
“I am afraid,” cried San Martin, “we must go below, although our cabin is but a miserable hole! For really there is no persuading these fellows to go out of their usual way.”
Captain Basil Hall and Other Sources (Retold)