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A revolutionary war raises many strange characters out of the obscurity which is thecommon lot of humble lives in an undisturbed state of society.Certain individualities grow into fame through their vices and their virtues, or simply bytheir actions, which may have a temporary importance; and then they become forgotten.The names of a few leaders alone survive the end of armed strife and are further preservedin history; so that, vanishing from men's active memories, they still exist in books.The name of General Santierra attained that cold paper-and-ink immortality. He was aSouth American of good family, and the books published in his lifetime numbered himamongst the liberators of that continent from the oppressive rule of Spain.That long contest, waged for independence on one side and for dominion on the other, developed in the course of years and the vicissitudes of changing fortune the fierceness andinhumanity of a struggle for life. All feelings of pity and compassion disappeared in thegrowth of political hatred. And, as is usual in war, the mass of the people, who had the leastto gain by the issue, suffered most in their obscure persons and their humble fortunes.General Santierra began his service as lieutenant in the patriot army raised andcommanded by the famous San Martin, afterwards conqueror of Lima and liberator of Peru.A great battle had just been fought on the banks of the river Bio-Bio. Amongst the prisonersmade upon the routed Royalist troops there was a soldier called Gaspar Ruiz. His powerfulbuild and his big head rendered him remarkable amongst his fellow-captives. Thepersonality of the man was unmistakable. Some months before he had been missed fromthe ranks of Republican troops after one of the many skirmishes which preceded the greatbattle. And now, having been captured arms in hand amongst Royalists, he could expect noother fate but to be shot as a deserter

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