The others were there merely to register his decrees.
After leading me to the table and saluting the tribunal, the officer of police, whose sword was still drawn, placed himself in a convenient position for running me through, in the event of my behaving disrespectfully to the tribunal or attempting to escape.
The president, who had before him the letter to Senor Ulloa, my passport, and a document that looked like a brief, demanded my name and quality.
I told him.
"What was your purpose in coming to Caracas ?" he asked.
"Simply to see the country." He laughed scornfully.
"To see the country! What nonsense is this?
How can anybody see a country which is ravaged by brigands and convulsed with civil war?
And where is your authority ?" "My passport." "A passport such as this is only available in a time of peace.

No stranger unprovided with a safe conduct from the _capitan-general_ is allowed to travel in the province of Caracas.

It is useless trying to deceive us, senor.

Your purpose is to carry information to the rebels, probably to join them, as is proved by your possession of a letter to so base a traitor as Senor Ulloa." On this I explained how I had obtained the letter, and pointed out that the very fact of my asking the _posadero_ to direct me to Ulloa's house, and going thither openly, was proof positive of my innocence.

Had my purpose been that which he imputed to me, I should have shown more caution.
"That does not at all follow," rejoined the president.