In New Granada, Heroes and Patriots, by W. H. G. Kingston. 

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A story about some English people who were caught up in the wars ofindependence from Spain of a small South American country. We are shownlife on the side of the Patriots fighting against the cruel rule of theSpaniards. Our friends have for various reasons to travel from one endof the country to the other, with various fights with the Spanish on theway. 

There are numerous illustrations, but we are at first at least putting aversion without these onto the website. We very much hope that we willfind the opportunity of adding the pictures. 

Well written, as always from this author, you will find this book veryinteresting. 

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IN NEW GRANADA, HEROES AND PATRIOTS, BY W. H. G. KINGSTON. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

INTRODUCTORY--MY FATHER'S HISTORY--ENTERS THE NAVY AS A SURGEON--LEARNSSPANISH--APPOINTED TO THE "ZEBRA, " IN THE PACIFIC--TAKES DICKY DUFFUNDER HIS CHARGE--A SHOOTING EXPEDITION ON SHORE--CAPTURED BY SPANIARDSON COAST OF GUATEMALA WITH DICKY AND PAUL LORO--CARRIED TO PANAMA--MEETSAN OLD FRIEND, WHO TAKES HIM TO GUAYAQUIL--VISIT LOJA TO INSPECTPERUVIAN BARK--MEETS DR. CAZALLA--ACCOMPANIES HIM TO POPAYAN--HE MARRIESMISS CAZALLA, WHO BECOMES MY MOTHER; AND RICHARD DUFFIELD MARRIES HERNIECE, AN HEIRESS--THEY BOTH SETTLE AT POPAYAN. 

The circumstances which led my father, Dr Andrew Sinclair, to settle inNew Granada--the land of my birth--are of so romantic a character, thatI cannot better preface an account of my own adventures in that countrythan by narrating them. 

My grandfather, Duncan Sinclair, after whom I was named, was a member ofan old Covenanter family in Dumfriesshire, and was the parent of sixsons, --all of whom, with the exception of the eldest, who inherited theestate, had to seek their fortune in the world. My father was hisfourth son. Having gone through a medical course at the University ofEdinburgh, where he gained not only a knowledge of his profession, butof science generally, he entered the Royal Navy as an assistant-surgeon, and was ultimately promoted to the rank of surgeon. Among his manyother talents, he possessed that of acquiring foreign languages, and hespoke French and Spanish remarkably well; though at the time he learnedthe latter--from a wounded Spanish prisoner, whose life was saved by hisskill--he little thought how useful it would prove to him. Aftervisiting many parts of the world, adding greatly to his store ofinformation, he was appointed to the _Zebra_ sloop-of-war of eighteenguns, which soon after sailed for the Pacific. 

Among the youngsters on board was a midshipman named Richard Duffield, --generally known, however, as Dicky Duff. He was the orphan son of anold messmate, who had been killed in action. The brave lieutenant'slast thoughts, as he lay mortally wounded in the cockpit, the guns stillthundering overhead, were about his son. 

"The boy's mother is dead, and when I am gone he'll not have a friend inthe world. Doctor, will you look after him? I know you will!"

"Don't let any doubt about that trouble you. I'll act a father's parttowards your boy as well as I am able, " was the answer. 

My father faithfully fulfilled his promise; and when the boy was oldenough, he got him placed on the quarter-deck, and generally managed totake him to sea with himself. Richard Duffield was grateful for thekindness shown him, and became much attached to his protector, with whomhe had many tastes in common. 

My father, whenever he had an opportunity, was in the habit of going onshore with his gun, to obtain specimens of the birds and beasts of thecountry; while he also frequently brought off a bag of game for thebenefit of the commander and his own messmates. On such occasions hewas generally accompanied by Dicky Duff, who had become as good asportsman as himself. 

On one occasion, when the _Zebra_ was off the coast of Guatemala inCentral America, my father, having obtained a boat from the commander, left the ship, taking with him Dicky Duff, and their constant attendant, Paul Lobo, an African seaman, and a crew of six men. No inhabitantsappearing, the boat was hauled up on the beach, and the crew amusedthemselves at leap-frog and other games, while my father and his twoattendants proceeded some way inland. Having had very good sport, andfilled their bags, my father sent back the midshipman and Paul to theboat with the game, while he continued shooting, hoping to obtain somemore birds. 

He had been thus employed for some time, and was thinking of returning, when the sound of several shots reached his ears. These were followedby a regular volley, and he had too much reason to fear that theinhabitants had attacked the boat. Instead, therefore, of returning toher, he made his way directly towards the shore. Emerging from theforest, which reached almost to the water's edge, he saw the boat atsome distance off, with a party of men on the beach firing at her. Hishope was that Dicky and Paul had already got on board before the boatshoved off. The distance was considerable, but still he hoped to beable to swim to her; so, leaving his gun and ammunition, with the gamehe had shot, under a tree, he plunged into the water. He had got somedistance from the shore when he found that he was discovered, by seeinga shot strike the water not far from him. On looking round, what washis dismay to perceive Dicky and Paul in the hands of the Spaniards! Hecould not desert them, and consequently he at once turned and swam back, hoping that by explaining their object in visiting the shore he mightobtain their release. But no sooner did he land than the Spaniardsrushed down and seized him. In vain he expostulated. "He and hiscompanions belonged to a ship of war, and they wished to be able toboast that they had made three prisoners. " They told him, however, thatif he would make signals to the boat to return, they would give him andhis younger companions their liberty. On his refusing to act sotreacherously, they became very angry, and bound his hands behind him, as well as those of Dicky and Paul. The seamen at once pulled back tothe ship, when the captain sent a flag of truce on shore to try andrecover his surgeon and midshipman; but the Spaniards refused to givethem up. 

After being kept prisoners for some time, they were sent down to Panama. Here, though strictly guarded, they were not ill-treated; and when itbecame known that my father was a surgeon, many persons, of all ranks, applied to him for advice. He was thus the means of effecting severalcures, by which he obtained numerous friends. Indeed, he might herehave established a good practice, and have comfortably supported himselfand his companions; but he was anxious, for Dicky's sake especially, toreturn with him to the ship. There was no place, however, nearer thanCartagena, at which it was customary to exchange prisoners; and how toget to it, was the difficulty. 

He had been kept a prisoner for some months, when, passing through thestreets, he met his old acquaintance, Don Tomaso Serrano, from whom, while Don Tomaso was a prisoner on board his ship, he had learnedSpanish. They immediately recognised each other, and expressed theirpleasure at meeting. Don Tomaso, on hearing what had befallen myfather, told him that he was in command of a man-of-war schooner, andwas about to proceed in her to the southward. "Although I cannot obtainyour liberty, " he said, "I have sufficient influence to get leave foryou and your companions to come on board my vessel and proceed with meas far as Guayaquil. I have friends there, whom I hope to interest inyour favour; and by their influence you will, I hope, be able to obtainpermission to land and travel across the country to Honda, from whenceyou can make your way down the river to Cartagena. It is a round-aboutroute, but it may prove the shortest in the end. You will have anopportunity, too, of seeing a beautiful region; and you cannot fail, Iam sure, to be hospitably treated wherever you go. "

My father at once closed with Don Tomaso's offer, and was allowed to goon board the schooner, accompanied by Dicky and Paul. Having obtained aconsiderable sum of money, he was able to dress both of them, as well ashimself, in Spanish costume, so that they did not attract attention; andas both he and Paul spoke Spanish perfectly, they were generally takenfor natives. Though still prisoners, the party were treated with thegreatest kindness, and enjoyed as much liberty as they could desire. 

Heavy weather coming on, the schooner ran into the port of Buenaventura. Beyond the bay, opening into it, is a lagoon of considerable extent. On one side is the town, a great part of which is built on piles at thewater's edge. The place has but little to recommend it; indeed, thereare scarcely a dozen houses of any size, while the rest of the buildingshave a miserable appearance both without and within. Above the townstands the church, --a building of no architectural pretensions, andgreatly resembling a barn. Buenaventura is the port of a considerabledistrict, embracing the valley of the Cauca. The climate, however, owing to the constant damp and heat, which produce intermittent fevers, prevents foreigners from residing here; indeed, it rains nearly everyday in the year. 

Most of my father's time on shore was occupied in visiting personssuffering from ague, and in prescribing for them. What a blessing, indeed, can a clever medical man prove in such regions! He is like aheaven-sent messenger carrying relief to the sick and suffering. 

The weather moderating, the schooner continued her voyage, and at lengthreached Guayaquil, the port of Quito, to the south of which it issituated, at the head of the Gulf of Guayaquil. Here Don Tomaso provedas good as his word, and obtained leave from the governor for my fatherto travel with his attendants through the country. 

While on shore at Guayaquil, he heard that in the region of the littletown of Loja, three days' journey off, grew in the greatest profusionthe cinchona, or Peruvian bark tree, at that time but comparativelylittle known in Europe. Although my father was well acquainted with thebeneficial effect produced by the bark in cases of intermittent fever, he was anxious to ascertain, by personal examination, the otherpeculiarities of the tree. He obtained leave, therefore, from thegovernor, to proceed in the first instance to Loja. That place hereached without difficulty. On his arrival in the town, he found that aSpanish doctor was residing there for the same object, but that he wasnow laid up by a severe attack of illness, unable to continue hisresearches. My father immediately called on him, and found that he wasno other than Doctor Cazalla, a physician widely celebrated for hisscientific knowledge and talents. Introducing himself as a medical man, my father offered to prescribe for his brother physician, and in a shorttime had the satisfaction of restoring him to health. The two doctorsthen set out together on an expedition of botanical research, in whichboth Dicky and Paul accompanied them. 

The time thus spent together having resulted in the establishment of awarm friendship between my father and the Spanish doctor, the latterprevailed upon him to visit Popayan, his native place, on the way toCartagena. Their journey over that mountain region amid whichChimborazo towers to the sky, was interesting in the extreme. I haveoften heard my father speak of it. Popayan was at length safelyreached, with the botanical treasures they had collected; and here myfather was induced to remain for some time, in order to assist hisfriend in their arrangement. Before their labours came to an end, myfather and Dicky were taken seriously ill. It now became the turn ofthe Spanish doctor to attend to them. He, however, was aided in histask by two ladies, --his sister and a young niece; the latter takingDicky under her special charge. The result was that my father marriedthe doctor's sister, and Dicky fell desperately in love with his niece. The war with Spain was by this time over, and the _Zebra_ had returnedto England, so my father and his young charge, believing that they hadlittle prospect of getting on in the navy, determined to remain wherethey were. As Doctor Cazalla was engrossed in scientific pursuits, hegladly yielded up his practice to my father, his brother-in-law, whosefame as a physician was soon established in the town and throughout thesurrounding district. 

Richard Duffield, for I ought now to give him his proper name, in thecourse of a few years married Dona Maria, the girl who had soaffectionately tended him, and who proved to be the heiress to a niceestate in the neighbourhood, to the improvement of which, when he becamethe proprietor, Richard devoted his time and attention; while Paul Loboremained with my father as his personal attendant and general factotum. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

OUR STUDIES INTERRUPTED--DON JUAN DE LEON--A RIDE TO VISIT DON RICARDO, ACCOMPANIED BY HUGH AND OUR TUTOR, MR. LAFFAN--DESCRIPTION OF POPAYAN--TYRANNICAL TREATMENT OF NEW GRANADA AND VENEZUELA BY THE SPANIARDS--PREVIOUS STRUGGLES OF THE COLONISTS FOR LIBERTY--FEARFUL CRUELTIESINFLICTED ON THEM BY THE SPANIARDS--MY UNCLE, DR. CAZALLA, A KNOWNLIBERAL--HIS DANGEROUS POSITION--HOW MR. LAFFAN BECAME OUR TUTOR--JUANEXPATIATES ON THE PERFECTIONS OF DONA DOLORES, AND INVITES ME TOACCOMPANY HIM ON A VISIT--PASS A PARTY OF INDIANS--DON RICARDO'SHACIENDA--FRUITS OF NEW GRANADA--INVITED TO STAY--JUAN, OUR TUTOR, AND ISERENADE DONA DOLORES--THE INTERVIEW--DONA DOLORES ENDEAVOURS TO AROUSEJUAN'S PATRIOTISM--MUSIC VICTORIOUS--A HEROINE--JUAN DEVOTES HIMSELF TOTHE CAUSE OF FREEDOM. 

"Holloa! mio amigo Senor Duncan, come down! I want to have a talk withyou. You can spare a few minutes from your books. "

Leaving the table at which I was seated with my brother Hugh and ourtutor, Mr Michael Laffan, I went to the window, which looked out intothe court of our house at Popayan, when I saw that the person who hadhailed me was our friend Don Juan de Leon. He had just ridden in, mounted on a fine black horse, his special pride; and as he gracefullysat his steed, he looked a remarkably handsome young fellow. Hiscostume, too, --a broad-brimmed sombrero, a feather secured to it by ajewelled buckle, a richly-trimmed poncho or capote over his shoulders, broad leggings, ornamented with braiding and tags, and large silverspurs, --became him well. 

"Come down, Duncan, I want to speak to you, " he said, beckoning to me. 

Having obtained permission, I descended to the courtyard with a hop, skip, and jump. After shaking hands, I begged him to come in, as I wassure the ladies of my family would be glad to see him. 

"I have no time now, " he answered; "I hope to pay my respectsto-morrow. "

"What have you to say to me?" I asked. 

"I want you to come with me to visit your friends Don Ricardo and DonaMaria at Egido. You can easily obtain a holiday from Senor Miguel. Asthe ride is a long one, I shall be glad of your companionship. You willhave no objection either, I am sure, to enjoying the bright smiles ofyour sweet little cousin, Dona Rosa, their daughter. "

Don Ricardo, I should explain, was our old friend Richard Duffield; andSenor Miguel was Mr Michael Laffan, our tutor. 

"She is not my cousin, though we are both half British, and our fathersare old friends. But confess, Juan, that you have another object ingoing to Egido. You will have no objection either to pay a visit onyour way to Dona Dolores Monteverde, and to bask in her sweet smiles, " Irejoined, repeating his words. "However, as Mr Laffan would say, `Amicus certus in re incerta, cerniter' (A true friend is discovered ina doubtful matter), I shall be very glad to accompany you, and be of anyservice in my power, if I can obtain leave. "

"Thank you, Duncan. Go then and obtain leave, although I thought youwere old enough to act as you might think fit in a matter of this sort, "said Juan. "I have a little commission to perform at the other end ofthe town, and will shortly return for you. You are sure to obtainleave, so I can depend upon having your company. "

Lighting a cigarillo, he rode off down the street. My father was out, so I went to my mother in order to have her sanction, in case Mr Laffanshould prove obdurate. Juan was a favourite of hers, as well as ofeverybody who knew him, so when I told her of his request she made noobjection. 

"Then I'll tell Mr Laffan that I have your leave, " I observed. 

"And that you have mine too, " exclaimed my young sister Flora; "for Iwant you to carry a packet to Rosa, and a note with my love, and tellher she must come here soon and stay with us. "

While I ordered my horse, and put on my riding costume, Flora wrote andsealed her note, which I promised faithfully to deliver with the packetshe entrusted to my care. On going to Mr Laffan to beg that he wouldexcuse me from my studies for a few hours, he exclaimed, looking out ofthe window--

"It's a mighty fine day. Hugh and I will be ready to take a ride withyou. I can instruct him in orthography, geography, botany, and thenatural sciences, as we go along. "

Hugh was delighted to go, and undertook duly to receive all theinstruction our worthy tutor could impart to him on the way. Though mybrother was still very young, he was a capital horseman, and would makenothing of riding a dozen leagues or more in a day. I was in doubt, however, whether Juan would be particularly pleased to have Mr Laffan'scompany; but such an idea never occurred to our good tutor, who was notinconveniently troubled with bashfulness. I knew, however, that hewould be welcomed at the house of Don Ricardo, who esteemed him for hismany sterling qualities. 

Hugh and Mr Laffan were ready almost as soon as I was, and when Juanreturned we were all three mounted in the courtyard, prepared toaccompany him. 

"I did not know that you were coming, Mr Laffan, " he said, lifting hishat and bowing politely; "but it will afford me great pleasure to haveyour society. "

Our tutor replied in wonderfully curious Spanish, into which he couldnot help occasionally introducing a few Irishisms, for the purpose, ashe used to say, of adding pepper to his remarks. 

Without delay we set off, Juan and I riding together, Mr Laffan andHugh following; and I saw by our tutor's gestures, after we got clear ofthe town, that, faithful to his promise, he was imparting information inhis usual impressive manner, which Hugh was endeavouring with all hismight to take in. 

While we ride along, I will describe the region and the city in which Iwas born, and some of the principal events which had occurred since myfather settled there, up to the present time. 

In the western half of New Granada are three ranges of lofty mountains, into which the main branch of the Andes is divided, extending from Quitonorthwards to the Caribbean Sea; a fourth branch, running close to theshores of the Pacific, extends towards the Isthmus of Panama. Thesefour ranges form three valleys, elevated, however, a considerabledistance above the sea. Throughout that to the east runs themagnificent river Magdalena; the next is watered by the Cauca, of equallength; and the third valley by the Atrato, of less extent, which runsinto the Gulf of Darien. At the head of the centre valley--that of theCauca--is situated Popayan, the capital of the province of the samename, in the midst of a beautiful plain, almost surrounded by twostreams, which finish their course about a league below it, when theyfall into the fine river Cauca. This river then runs to the northwardthrough the rich and charming valley of the Cauca. Nothing can be moredelicious than the climate of this region, the inhabitants being neveroppressed by excessive heat, or annoyed by extreme cold. Rain, however, falls during the last three months of the year, and also in April andMay; but even at that period the mornings are fine, as the showersseldom come on until two or three o'clock in the afternoon, and continueduring the night. The plain, or I may call it the wide valley ofPopayan, lies between two ranges of lofty mountains. On one side arethe Cordilleras, with Purace, eternally covered with snow, rising abovethem; and on the west side is another range, which separates the valleyfrom the province of Buenaventura. In the midst, surrounded by trees, appears Popayan, with its numerous churches and large convents, distinguished at a considerable distance by their whiteness. It is oneof the most ancient towns in that part of the continent. Its founders, companions of Sebastian Belalcazar, made it the capital of the province, establishing a bishopric, a college, and numerous religiousinstitutions. Although its buildings might not be greatly admired inEurope, the inhabitants are proud of them; and justly so, when thedifficulties under which they were erected are remembered. Everyarticle used in their construction had to be brought either on the backsof men or mules; and there were few native craftsmen capable ofperforming the necessary work. Many families proud of their ancientdescent were settled in the town, and its society was therefore superiorto that of any of the surrounding places. In Popayan is a large square, of which I shall have to speak by-and-by, with the cathedral on oneside, and the residences of some of the principal people in the townoccupying the other sides. There were, besides, several churches, fourconvents, and two nunneries. To the north of the city, towards theCauca, is the handsomest bridge in that part of the country. From thetown, in the early part of the morning, when the sun shines on them, canbe seen the Cordilleras of Chicquio, and at a less distance rises theParamos of Puxana and Soltana, presenting a magnificent appearance. 

This description may give a faint idea of the beautiful scenery amidwhich I was born. Although I was accustomed to it from my earliestdays, I nevertheless admired it more and more as I grew older. Thoughmy father and Richard Duffield had not intended to settle in Americawhen they married, their wives, who were attached to the country, exerted all their influence to induce them to stay, so they finally madeup their minds to abandon their native land. The doctor, having been solong a prisoner, was supposed to be dead, and he had no difficulty inretiring from the service; while the midshipman very easily dischargedhimself. 

At the time I speak of, Liberal principles had been making rapidprogress in the country among persons of all ranks. For years thecolony had groaned under the tyranny and narrow-minded policy of themother country. As she produced wine, oil, and silk, the inhabitants ofNew Granada and Venezuela were not allowed to cultivate either the vine, the olive, or the mulberry, under the idea that they would thus becompelled to consume the produce of Spain. Attempts were made from timeto time to establish manufactories, which were invariably destroyed bythe orders of the Spanish Government. At length, when Spain herselfbecame enslaved by the French, the colonists took the opportunity ofthrowing off the galling yoke, and New Granada and Venezuela declaredtheir independence. The Spanish standard was cut down and destroyed, while the tricoloured flag was hoisted in numerous towns and fortresses. The inhabitants of the two vice-royalties flew to arms, and, under theleadership of General Miranda, the Royalists were defeated in Venezuela. No sooner, however, had Spain been liberated by the success of theBritish arms over Napoleon's generals in the Peninsula, than she madeuse of her recovered liberty again to enthral the hapless colonists. Simon Bolivar, who had hitherto taken no active part in the revolution, was at length won over to espouse the cause of Freedom; and a congresshaving been assembled at Caracas to organise a new Government for thestate of Venezuela, he proceeded to England for the purpose ofendeavouring to induce the British Cabinet to aid the cause of Liberty. Finding, however, that the English had resolved on maintaining a strictneutrality, though they had ample excuses for interfering in the causeof humanity, he returned in disgust to Caracas. 

Sometimes success attended the Patriot arms, sometimes the Royalistswere victorious. At length a dreadful earthquake occurred. I rememberit well. Fear was inspired by the terrible destruction it caused tolife and property. In the three cities of Caracas, La Guayra, andMerida, twenty thousand persons perished. The priests, monks, andfriars, who in general were the main supporters of Spanish tyranny, knowing that with the advancement of Liberal principles their powerwould be decreased, if not overthrown, declared this catastrophe to be ajudgment on the revolutionists. About twelve hundred of the Royalistprisoners who were confined in the fortress of Puerto Cabello, of whichBolivar was then commandant, having broken loose, murdered some of thegarrison, and by the treachery of the officer on guard took possessionof the citadel. Bolivar, with a band of followers, narrowly escapeddestruction; and General Miranda, who was at Vittoria, on hearing thatthis important place, with all its stores, arms, and ammunition, wasdeserted, capitulated in despair to Monteverde, the Royalist general;and being sent in irons to Spain, he there died--shortly afterwards--ina dungeon. 

The whole country was now once more entirely in the hands of theRoyalists, who inflicted the most fearful cruelties on the haplessinhabitants. On pretexts the most trivial, old men, women, and childrenwere arrested, their houses plundered, and they themselves maimed in themost horrible way, or massacred as rebels. 

I have been speaking chiefly of Venezuela. The Liberals in New Granadasuffered similar reverses; but, in consequence of the inaccessiblenature of many parts of the country, the Patriots, although defeated, were able to take refuge in positions from which they could not bedriven by the Spaniards; and many, under various leaders, remained inarms, prepared for the moment when they might again attack the Royalistswith a prospect of success, and drive them, as they had vowed to do, from the country. 

The bloodthirsty monster, General Murillo, had at this time hisheadquarters at Santa Fe de Bogota, the capital of New Granada. Our owncity of Popayan had not altogether escaped, but it was at presentcomparatively tranquil, though people lived in dread of what a day mightbring forth. Murillo was attempting to stamp out Liberal principles bythe destruction of every man of science and education in the country, being well aware that ignorance and superstition were the strongestsupporters of Spanish tyranny. My father, as a medical man and anEnglish subject, hoped to escape annoyance; though our uncle, DrCazalla, owing to his known Liberal principles and scientificattainments, was well aware that his position was critical in theextreme. Though on his guard, he was too bold to fly. My father oftenurged him to leave the country, but his reply was, "I will remain, toforward, by every means in my power, the cause of liberty, and endeavourto advance the true liberties of the people among whom I live. " Myfather steadily pursued his professional duties, attending equally onthe Royalists and Liberals, by both of whom he was highly esteemed, --though those who knew him best were well aware that his sympathies wereall on the side of Freedom. 

However, my object is not so much to describe the political events whichoccurred in the country, as to narrate my own adventures, and those ofmy relatives and friends. My father had often intended to send mybrother and me to England for our education; but my mother was unwillingto part with us, and suggested, instead, that an English tutor should beprocured, who would give us the instruction we required. My fatherremarked that it was not only the knowledge we should obtain by going toEngland which would prove of value, but the training and generaleducation we should receive at an English school. He had made up hismind to act as he thought best, notwithstanding our mother's objections, when he was called in to visit an English traveller who had latelyarrived at Popayan, accompanied by a secretary--Mr Laffan--for whom heseemed to entertain a warm regard. His malady increased, and my fathersoon saw that his hours were numbered, and told him so. The dying manacknowledged that his funds were nearly exhausted; that he was waitingremittances from England, but that it might be long before they arrived, if they ever came at all; and he was greatly concerned as to what wouldbecome of his attendant, who would thus be left in a foreign countrywithout the means of leaving it, or of obtaining support. My father hadnot been favourably impressed by the appearance of Mr Laffan, who wastall and gaunt, with awkward manners and ungainly figure; but after someconversation he found him to be a man of considerable attainments andintelligence, and apparently thoroughly honest and trustworthy. 

On the death of the unfortunate gentleman, my father found his companionplunged in the deepest grief. 

"He was my best friend, sir, the truest I ever had in the world; and nowhe's gone and left me all alone among savages, or little better, by theway they murder each other; and we may call them heathens, too, when wesee them bow down to stocks and stones. "

My father, feeling for the poor man, inquired whether he would bewilling to act as tutor to two boys. On receiving this proposal, MrLaffan started up and pressed my father's hand, and while the tears randown his cheeks, assured him that he would gladly devote his life andenergies to the task, hoping that my father would have no cause toregret having entrusted us to his charge. 

Having seen his former patron placed in the grave, Mr Laffan took uphis abode in our house, and well and faithfully fulfilled the duties hehad undertaken--although, it must be confessed, in a somewhat curiousfashion--and we soon became as much attached to him, I believe, as hewas to us. He gave us not only mental, but physical training; for, inspite of his gaunt figure, he was a first-rate horseman, and thoroughlyunderstood the sword-exercise, a practical knowledge of which heimparted to us. He was a good shot and a keen sportsman; and althoughhe seldom spoke of himself, he had, I discovered, seen a good deal ofservice, and had honourable wounds to show. He was a devoted Liberal, and detested tyranny in every shape and form. As may be supposed, weadmired his principles, which, indeed, were those of our father anduncle, and all the members of our mother's family. 

As I have said, Juan and I rode on, while Mr Laffan and Hugh followedclose behind us. Our road lay between lanes bordered by hedges of theprickly pear, and gardens filled with fruit trees of every description;while before us rose the Cordilleras, adding much to the beauty of thescenery. Before we had ridden far, Don Juan confessed to me that, besides paying a promised visit to my friends, his object was to seeDona Dolores. 

"She is beautiful and good, and full of sense and spirit, so unlike thegreater number of my countrywomen, " he exclaimed; "I believe there isnothing that she would not dare and do. "

"I quite believe all you say of her, Juan, " I answered; though I confessI did not admire the young lady quite as much as my friend did. According to my taste, her manner was somewhat too determined andforward--shall I call it?--although I could not exactly say that she wasmasculine in her appearance, or wanting in feminine attractions; and Ihad no doubt that she could be soft and tender on occasion. 

"But does Dona Dolores return your love?" I asked. 

"I hope so; I have no reason to believe that she dislikes me, " heanswered, "though I own that she treats me sometimes as if I were a mereboy. But perseverance conquers all difficulties. My great desire is toconvince her of the sincerity of my affection, and that I am worthy ofher love. "

"I should think that she would soon be convinced of that, " I observed, looking up at Juan, of whom I thought a great deal; he was a man, Ifancied, to whom any girl would willingly give her heart. 

"I have determined to visit her to-day, after paying my respects to DonRicardo and Dona Maria, and to learn my fate. Will you accompany me, Duncan? I dare say that, if I give you a sign, you will find an excusefor leaving us together while I plead my cause. "

I, of course, said that I was perfectly ready to do as Juan wished, although I did not think my presence would be necessary. 

We had got more than half-way to Egido, when we overtook a large partyof Indians returning from Popayan to their own village. At their headmarched one of their number playing the tabor and pipes, to which theykept admirable time. The men were a remarkably fine-looking set offellows; and the women were handsome, with good figures. The former, who carried long lances, wore kilts, and on their heads blue cloth capstrimmed with scarlet, ornamented with gold lace somewhat the worse forwear. Their bearing, also, was bold and independent. They saluted DonJuan in a familiar way, and he laughed and joked with them as we passedby. 

"These men would make good soldiers, if they could be got to join theLiberal cause, " observed Mr Laffan. 

"But you'll not get them while they live under the influence of theirpriests, " answered Juan. "The friars try to persuade the people thatthe Liberals are in league with Satan, and that if they join them theywill do so at the peril of their souls. They eyed you three verysuspiciously, " he continued; "for the friars tell them that allEnglishmen have tails, like monkeys, and horns on their heads, and thatthey are addicted to eating babies when they can get a supply. "

"You should try and disabuse them of such notions, Don Juan, " said MrLaffan. 

"I!--it is no business of mine. I let the people think as they like--itdoes no harm. "

"It always does harm to allow people to believe a falsehood, and weshould oppose it with truth, " observed Mr Laffan. 

Don Juan laughed, and commenced trolling forth a jovial song as we rodealong, as if he did not like to be lectured by our tutor. 

On arriving at the hacienda, we found that Don Ricardo was out; but DonaMaria received us very kindly, and servants immediately came forward totake charge of our horses. My little cousin Rosa, as we always calledher, received me with smiles as I delivered Flora's package, and gaveher the message she had sent. She was a beautiful blue-eyed girl, witha rich colour, inheriting the naturally fair complexion of her father, with her mother's beauty; for Dona Maria was one of the prettiest of theyoung people in that part of the country--still looking almost like agirl. Without inquiring whether we would have them, she immediatelyordered the usual refreshments, wine, cake, and fruit, with some cups ofcoffee, to be placed on the table; to which, after our ride, we didample justice. Mr Laffan complimented Dona Maria on the fruitsproduced on the estate. Indeed, when I afterwards left my nativevalley, I learned to appreciate them, by comparison with the productionsof other regions. Nothing, indeed, can surpass the flavour of thechirimoya, a fruit sometimes double the size of a cocoa-nut, tastinglike a mixture of strawberries, cream, and sugar, with a fragrance farsuperior to any mixture. Then the caymato (in shape like a lemon, butfar sweeter, with scarcely a touch of the acidity of the lemon), aspecies of lime, and the pomegranates, oranges, and strawberries, one ofwhich was a mouthful, and figs unsurpassed in any other country. Thenthere was the mamei, a fruit as large as a water-melon, very nice, fresh, and not to be despised when preserved. Then there were severalsorts of pine apples, and a variety of melons. Indeed, the climate ofthis region is especially favourable to the production of fruit, as thethermometer seldom falls below 68 degrees, and never rises much above 76degrees. Then the wine and the lemonade were delightfully cooled byice; an ample supply of snow being constantly brought down from themountain of Purace, distant little more than a day's journey. 

In a short time Don Ricardo came in, and welcomed us in a hearty, sailor-like fashion. He still retained his nautical manners andappearance, as well as his seamanlike habits. He was broad-shouldered, of moderate height, with a fine brow and an open countenance, and thelight blue eye of the Anglo-Saxon. We always called him Uncle Richard, and he treated us as his nephews. 

"You'll stop, now you have come, " he said, shaking us all by the hand;"I've been looking for you for many a day. We must have some huntingand shooting. I will send over and let your father know that I havelaid an embargo on you, so that he must not expect you until you appear. You can study as hard as you like in the evening, or whenever we are inthe house, and Mr Laffan will give you lectures on natural historywhile we are on our excursions. Juan, mio amigo, you must remain also;we have plenty of room, and can hang up a dozen hammocks, or fifty forthat matter; I have hooks provided on purpose in the hall. "

Juan did not even make a show of refusing, for fear that the invitationmight not be pressed. I suspect that Uncle Richard was well aware ofhis admiration for Dona Dolores, who was a distant cousin of DonaMaria's. She was an only daughter, and heiress of a fair estate closeto Egido. 

Mr Laffan making no objection, Don Ricardo despatched a messenger, ashe had promised, to our father, and we remained with clear consciences. 

The house itself, I may here say, was a long low building, of twostories only in one portion, round which ran a broad verandah. Itpossessed no pretensions to architectural beauty, but was very neat andcomfortable inside, and even elegant on the garden front. 

Before dinner Don Ricardo took us out to see the gardens and farm. Inthe former, the fruits I have already described were growing inprofusion, besides vegetables of all sorts. In one direction spread outfields of Indian corn of luxuriant growth. In the meadows were cattleand sheep with beautiful white fleeces and long tails, while numbers ofhorses were seen galloping about at liberty. 

"I sincerely hope the Spaniards will not pay a visit to this place, "observed Mr Laffan to me, as Uncle Richard and Juan were walking onahead; "they would soon make a clean sweep of these cattle and thecorn-fields. "

This estate was only one of many others of a similar character scatteredover the country, but probably Egido benefited by the energy andperseverance of its owner. My father used to remark, that Dona Mariawas twice as rich as she would have been had she married a countrymanwith an estate double the size of her own. The people also were welllooked after, having nice cottages, well thatched, and kept clean andtidy. Uncle Richard's plan was to go about giving prizes to those whohad the best-kept huts. He had a school for the children, too, wherethey were taught to read the Bible, notwithstanding the objection atfirst raised by the parish priest--who was, however, at length inducedto read it himself. He one day came to Uncle Richard and acknowledgedit to be the best book for all who could read. Although the honestpadre at first sided with the oppressors of his country, he now becamean earnest Liberal, but avoided taking any open part in politics, andconfined himself to instructing the people. Uncle Richard was notheologian, and had never had an argument in his life with PadreVincente. His custom was simply to open the Bible and point to certainparts, and say, "Read that; if this book was written by God's command--and I am sure it was--that's what he says, not I. " Padre Vincente mightnot have called himself a Protestant, but he certainly preached thegospel, and the people under his charge were the best conducted andhappiest in the neighbourhood. 

On our return to the house, we found dinner ready. Dona Maria, duringour absence, had been busy superintending its preparation; and if thetable did not groan with delicacies, the feast was as good a one as wecould have desired to eat. Mr Laffan, Hugh, and I showed, at allevents, that we enjoyed it, though Juan was unusually silent, and atebut little. There was something on his mind, which came out afterdinner. 

"Duncan, " he said, "I want you and Senor Laffan to assist me in givingDona Dolores a serenade, as soon as the shades of evening come on. Yousing, and he plays the guitar. I understand that Dona Dolores is fondof music, although she tells me that I trifle away my time by practisingit. "

Uncle Richard laughed when Juan told him what he was going to do. "If Iwere a bachelor I would accompany you, although such kind of singing asyours is somewhat out of my way. I don't think, however, that the younglady would be charmed by `Cease, rude Boreas, ' `One night it blew ahurricane, ' `On board of the Arethusa, ' or such other songs as I used tosing afloat. "

We had no difficulty in procuring a couple of guitars. Juan took one, Mr Laffan the other, and as soon as it began to grow dark we set out. We soon approached the front of Dona Dolores' residence. It was atwo-storied building, with a balcony on one side overhanging the roadsome little way from the entrance-gate. 

Juan and I were walking together, Mr Laffan bringing up the rear, whensuddenly the former stopped and grasped my arm. "I see some one on thebalcony, " he whispered. "It must be she--how fortunate! She wouldconsider it rude to go away when once we begin; let us lose no time. "

We cautiously approached. 

"Suppose it is only her old duenna, Senora Ortes!"

"Nonsense!" answered Juan. "I can discern the outline of her figure; noother form can possess such grace. "

I thought that Juan's imagination assisted him in this respect, as Icould only just distinguish that a female was seated on the balcony. Aswe drew near, however, I began to suspect that it was Dona Doloresherself, but her head at the time was turned away, as if addressing someone. 

Stepping softly, so that we might not be discovered until we at onceburst into song, we approached the house. Juan led the way; I keptclose under the wall, having no guitar; while Mr Laffan stood at alittle distance. Juan gave the signal, and we commenced the song. Itwas in praise of a lady resembling Dona Dolores in all particulars, andthe love and devotion of one whose affection she had won, but appearedto regard with disdain. 

Dona Dolores--for it was she--leaned her head on her hand as shelistened to the music, which was such as to attract any female ear. Iwill not speak of my own powers; but Juan's voice was full and rich--indeed, he was one of the best singers I ever heard; and Mr Laffan didhis part on the guitar. 

We had continued for some time, when Dona Dolores leaned forward andsaid, "I will not pretend to be ignorant as to who you are. You desireto speak with me; and I am willing to see you. You are welcome to comein, with your young friend, whose voice I recognise. "

Don Juan poured out his thanks, and expressed his readiness to takeadvantage of the permission given him. 

Dona Dolores had said nothing of Mr Laffan; perhaps she had notperceived him, or in the dark had mistaken him for me, as I had beenconcealed under the wall--although our figures were very different. Atall events, it was very evident that he would be one too many. Of thishe was perfectly well aware himself, and as we went round to the frontentrance he whispered, --"I'll go back and tell Don Ricardo that you havethe honour of an interview, and will soon return;" and without anotherword he hastened along the road. 

We made our way to the front gate, which was opened as we arrived bySenora Ortes, who had been directed by her mistress to let us in. 

"Dona Dolores awaits you in her sitting-room, " she said; "you arewelcome. "

She led the way into the house. We found Dona Dolores with a femalefriend, somewhat older, seated in a well-furnished room, with a coupleof guitars on a sofa beside them. Some books were on a table, veryseldom to be seen in a lady's apartment in that country; while one ofthe walls was ornamented with swords and daggers, guns and pistols--giving a somewhat odd appearance to a lady's boudoir. 

Dona Dolores looked handsomer than ever, and I could not be surprisedthat she had won my friend's heart. She smiled as we approached andsaluted her. Don Juan having told her where we were staying, and alittle ordinary conversation having taken place, they both looked, Ithought, as if they wished that the other lady and I were at a distance. We, at all events, supposing such to be the case, retired to the otherend of the room, to examine some artificial flowers, which the younglady told me she had learned to make at the nunnery of the Encarnacionat Popayan. She then confided to me that she had once intended to be anun, but, after a little experience of a conventual existence before shehad taken the vows, thought better of it, and had returned to herfriends; adding, "And perhaps some day I may accept a husband, should asuitable one be presented to me. "

While we were speaking, she saw my eye directed towards the arms on thewalls. 

"They are all in good order, and intended to be used, " she observed. "My friend thinks it a good place to keep them in, as no one wouldimagine that they were placed there otherwise than for ornament. Thetime may come, however, and that before long, when they may do goodservice to our country. "

Although my companion continued to speak, as if to engage my attention, I could not help hearing the conversation that was going on between DonJuan and Dona Dolores. In ardent tones he declared his love anddevotion, and vowed that his happiness in life depended on her becominghis wife. 

"I will not deny, Don Juan, that I return the love you bestow on me; butthis arises from the weakness of my woman's nature. Notwithstandingthis, I tell you that nothing shall induce me to marry a man who is notready to sacrifice his life and property to obtain the enfranchisementof our beloved country from the tyrannical yoke of her oppressors. Youhave hitherto led an indolent life, regardless of the sufferings of ourpeople. Not until I see you boldly come forward and nobly devoteyourself to the cause of freedom, will I promise to become your wife. When that freedom has been won, and the Spaniards, the hated Godos, havebeen driven into the sea--"

"But that may not be for many years, my beloved Dolores!" exclaimed DonJuan; "am I to wait so long before I enjoy the unspeakable happiness ofcalling you mine?"

"If you and other young men of wealth and position in the country, whoought to set the example to other classes, hang back, that gloriousobject may never be accomplished, and I shall die a maiden; for I swearto you I will never wed while our country remains enslaved, " exclaimedDona Dolores in a firm tone. 

My companion's tongue here went rattling on at such a rate, that I didnot hear what more was said for some time; but it was evident that DonaDolores was expatiating on the duty of all patriots to struggle on, inspite of every difficulty, until the power of the Spaniards wasoverthrown. 

At length Don Juan exclaimed, --"Your arguments have prevailed, DonaDolores: from henceforth I will emerge from the useless life I havehitherto led, and will devote my life to the cause of Freedom. Youshall have no reason to complain of your pupil. I trust that you willhear of such deeds as you would have me do; and you may be sure that Ishall ever be found in the van of the battle, when the foe are to beencountered. Your approval, and the reward I look for, will spur me onto acts of valour. "

As he spoke I looked round. Dona Dolores had given him her hand, whichhe was pressing to his lips; and I heard her say, --"I will trust you, Juan; and you may rest assured that I will not depart from my promise. "

As my companion had no longer any excuse for remaining where we were, she returned to the side of her friend. Dona Dolores had taken up herguitar, and running her fingers over the strings, sang a few verses of apatriotic song, which greatly affected Juan, and at the same time rousedin my heart a desire to take a part in the struggle for freedom in whichall classes throughout the country were eager to engage. It waswell-known that, when once it began, it would be to the knife, as theSpanish generals showed no mercy to those who fell into their power--neither sex, rank, nor age were spared. As we spoke of the atrocitieswhich had been committed, the eyes of Dona Dolores flashed fire. Shepressed her lips together, and looked towards the wall on which theweapons hung. 

"Every man and youth--ay, every woman who has a spark of patriotism--must take a part in the glorious work!" she exclaimed. Rising from herseat, she took a sword from the wall. "Here, my Juan, let me gird youwith this weapon; and when once you draw it, swear that it shall neveragain be sheathed until the standard of Liberty waves throughout thelength and breadth of the land, and every Spaniard is hurled into theocean which bore him to our shores. "

Don Juan, kissing the jewelled hilt of the weapon, swore as Doloreswished, and with a triumphant smile she buckled it to his waist. 

My enthusiasm being aroused, I dare say I too looked as if I wished tobe presented with a sword. 

"You must wait a while, " observed Dona Dolores, divining my thoughts;"you are not yet your own master, and I would not compromise yourexcellent father. "

The remark showed that the speaker possessed good sense and judgment aswell as patriotism. 

At last I reminded Juan that Don Ricardo would be expecting us, and wetook our leave of the two ladies--my admiration for Dona Dolores greatlyincreased by the visit we had paid her. 

I expected that Juan would break out enthusiastically in her praise, buthe did not utter a word during our walk home; his thoughts wereevidently occupied by the new duties he had undertaken. He had hithertopassed his time in superintending his mother's estate, or enjoying suchamusements as offered. He would now have to lead a life full of dangersand hardships. 

"I congratulate you on finding Dona Dolores at home, " observed UncleRichard when we arrived. 

"Yes, we had that honour, " said Juan, endeavouring to hide the swordwhich he had received--he had given me his to carry. I observed that heplaced it carefully against the wall, and covered it with his cloak. 

Supper was now announced, but Juan spoke very little during the meal. Mr Laffan, however, conversed for all the party; rattling away, as hecould do when he had had a glass or two of good wine to raise hisspirits, and listening, apparently with rapt attention, to UncleRichard's sea stories and jokes, though he had heard them fifty timesbefore. Dona Maria, too, spoke English very fairly, having learned itfrom her husband; and Juan could understand what was said, though he wasbashful about speaking. 

We retired at an early hour to our hammocks, as we were to start betimesthe next morning, on our expedition. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

A SHOOTING EXPEDITION--SNARING PARROQUETS--THE DOMINIE AND THETIGER-CAT--A DEER SHOT--THE DOMINIE PROVES THAT HE IS A MAN OF COURAGE--BLOW-PIPES AND POISONED ARROWS--A JAGUAR HUNT--STORIES ABOUT JAGUARS--AFEARFUL THUNDERSTORM--THE STRICKEN TREE--REACH HOME--A DISCUSSION ONLIBERTY--SET OUT ON A SECOND EXPEDITION--REACH A HOT SPRING--VISIT TO ANOLD CACIQUE--THE LAST OF HIS RACE--PROMISES TO AID THE PATRIOT CAUSE--VINEGAR RIVER--THE DOMINIE TASTES THE WATER--UNCLE RICHARD'S FARM--RETURN HOMEWARDS--PAUL LOBO MEETS US WITH BAD NEWS--OUR NIGHT-RIDE TOPOPAYAN--DONA DOLORES ENLISTS THE DOMINIE--WE REACH POPAYAN--ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY--THE DOMINIE AND I REMAINWITH MY FATHER. 

I was in doubt whether Juan would accompany us. When I asked him, hereplied that he wished to have some conversation with Don Ricardo, andthat he should have an opportunity of speaking to him as we rode along. Leaving our own horses in the stable, we were supplied instead withactive little mules, better calculated for climbing up and sliding downthe steep declivities. We had a dozen couples of dogs, not quite aslarge as greyhounds, but of the same species. 

"They will run down any of the wild animals found in these forests, aswell as the danta, or wild ass--the black bear, red leopard, tiger-cat, the deer, and fox; though it is necessary to follow them closely, since, not being well broken-in, they will devour their prey, if they have anopportunity, before the hunter comes up, " observed Uncle Richard, as wewere about to start, our canine companions barking and yelping round us. 

We had not gone far when we saw an Indian in a large field of maize nearthe road, engaged in snaring the red-headed, green parroquets, which arehere very numerous, and do much mischief to the crops of corn. Thesnares are very simple, being composed of a line of horse-hair, aslip-knot, and a loop, in the centre of which a little maize issprinkled as a bait. As soon as the bird pitches on the grain, theIndian draws the line with a sudden jerk, and catches the bird by thelegs. Just as we arrived he had caught one, which Hugh cried out heshould like to have. On this the man brought it to him; but the birdfought so vigorously to obtain its liberty, and gave Hugh so severe abite on the finger, that he was glad to let it go. 

We had dismounted in order to enjoy a draught of water from a fountainwhich bubbled out of the hill-side, and to pluck some oranges from agrove irrigated by it. Mr Laffan had gone to a little distance, and wesaw him stretching up to reach some fruit from a bough overhead, when heuttered a cry, or rather a howl to which an Irishman alone can givevent; and his foot slipping on a root which projected above the soil, down he came stretched at full length. But he was not inclined to lielong on the ground; and springing up, off he scampered. At the sameinstant a tiger-cat leaped out of the tree; while a covey of partridges, which had been nestling in the grass close by, rose with a loud "wurr, "still further alarming the dominie. 

"Get your guns! get your guns!" he shouted. "There's a huge tiger, or ajaguar, or a beast of some sort, close at our heels; he'll be afterseizing some of us, if we are not on our guard. "

As he spoke we saw the tiger-cat, quite as much frightened as MrLaffan, scampering off in the opposite direction; and a hearty laugh, inwhich we all indulged, assured our friend that no danger was to beapprehended. Before we could get our guns ready, both partridges andtiger-cat had disappeared. 

The air was pure and invigorating, and the scenery, made up of forests, mountains, and streams, was magnificent. 

At length the dogs found a deer, to which, as it started off along theside of the hill, we all gave chase. Over fallen logs, gullies, andstreams we galloped, finding it no easy matter to keep up with ournimble four-footed companions. Juan was the most active among us;holding his rifle in his hand ready for a shot, he at length got ahead. I saw him lift his weapon and fire, and as he did so the deer leapedseveral feet in the air and fell over dead. We soon had it flayed andcut up, when it was placed on the back of one of the mules brought forthe purpose. 

Several other deer were started, and I had the satisfaction of killingone with my own rifle; but Juan was the most successful. 

The dominie, although he did not at first quite recover his nerve, hadbefore long an opportunity of displaying his skill and courage. Thedogs, which were ahead, were heard barking loudly. 

"That's not deer, " observed Uncle Richard; "it must be some savageanimal at bay. "

We were hurrying forward--having, I should have said, dismounted fromour mules--the dominie on this occasion leading, when, with a loud roar, a huge jaguar leaped from its covert, scattering the dogs on eitherside, and making directly toward us. Mr Laffan, dropping on his knee, and holding his rifle like an infantry soldier about to receive a chargeof cavalry, waited until the jaguar was within twelve yards of him, whenhe fired. The creature bounded on, and I trembled for our friend'ssafety; but in an instant, rising, he sprang on one side, and drawinghis hunting-knife he struck it into the shoulder of the savage animal, right up to the hilt, when the jaguar rolled over with one convulsivestruggle and was dead. 

We all congratulated the dominie on his skill and coolness. 

"I'm not in the habit of howling when I see a beast, but I was just nowthinking to pick an orange, when the tiger-cat sprang at my throat. Faith! it was a little more than I bargained for, " he answered, laughing. 

"It is certainly what any of us would have done; though few would havemet a jaguar with the same coolness as you have exhibited, " observedUncle Richard. 

We arrived at length at a neatly-thatched cottage near a hacienda, belonging to a farmer who employed Indians chiefly in the cultivation ofhis fields. He was absent, but an old Indian who had charge of thehouse begged us to enter and consider it as our own. As the sun washigh and the heat increasing, we were glad to find shelter beneath itsroof. Here we spread the viands which had been brought in a pannier onthe back of one of the mules. 

Several of the Indians possessed blow-pipes, from which they projectedarrows not more than eight inches in length; and with these we saw thembring down a number of parroquets and other birds in rapid succession. Scarcely had a bird been touched than, after fluttering for a fewmoments, it fell dead. The arrows, we found, were poisoned; and theIndians told us that the poison was produced from the moisture whichexudes from the back of a small green frog. They declared that, toobtain it, the frog was put near a fire, and in the moisture whichquickly appeared on its back they dipped the tips of their arrows. Sospeedy is the poison, that even a jaguar or puma which has received theslightest wound soon becomes convulsed and dies. Instead of feathers, alittle cotton is wrapped neatly round the lower end of the arrow, tomake it go steadily through the air: and at about an inch from the pointit is spiral. 

The major-domo told us that the farm, being at a distance from others, was frequently attacked by jaguars, which carried off pigs, calves, andsometimes even mules, although horses and the larger animals weregenerally too wary for them. He took us to a remote spot, to show us atrap which had been set for catching the jaguars. It was in a smallcircular plot of ground, enclosed with strong stakes of considerableheight, to prevent the entrapped jaguar from breaking through or leapingover. A doorway is left for the jaguar to enter. Above this issuspended a large plank of wood communicating with one on the ground, over which the jaguar on entering must tread, and it is so contrivedthat as he does so the portcullis falls and shuts him in. A live pig isfastened by a rope in the centre of the enclosure as a bait. An Indianis always on the watch at night in a tree near the spot, and the momentthe jaguar is caught he gives the alarm, and his companions assemble anddespatch it with firearms and lances. Previous to our visit, a male andfemale jaguar had been caught together, but before the labourers couldassemble they had almost eaten up the poor pig. 

As we had already as much venison as we could carry, we agreed that weshould like to go out with the old Indian factor, Quamodo, and huntjaguars under his guidance, with as many of his people as he couldcollect. By the time luncheon was over, therefore, he had provided aparty of Indians, armed with long lances, and a number of sturdy-lookingdogs very unlike our own high-bred animals--which, being unfit for thepurpose, were left behind under the charge of their keepers. 

We proceeded some distance through the forest, the dogs advancing inregular order like riflemen skirmishing, so that there was no chance ofa jaguar being passed without their discovering him. After keeping onfor about a couple of miles, the dogs stopped and began to bay loudly;whereupon the old Indian told us to halt, with our arms ready foraction, while the lance-men moved forward. The dogs, encouraged bytheir masters' voices, continued to advance; and we soon caught sight ofa jaguar thirty yards in front of us, seated on his haunches, preparedfor fight. Several of the more daring dogs now sprang forward, but twopaid dearly for their boldness; for the jaguar striking them with hishuge paw, they soon lay dead at his feet. The Indians now allowed thedogs to attack the jaguar. Taught wisdom by the fate of theircompanions, however, they assaulted him in the rear, rushing in on hishaunches, biting him, and then retiring. This continued for some time. Although the jaguar saw the men, he had first to settle with his canineenemies; and the efforts he made to keep them at a distance apparentlyconsiderably exhausted him. The Indians then shouted and threw stickstowards him, in order to irritate him and make him spring upon them; andhaving got up to within twenty yards of him, they next presented theirlances in such a position that, when he might spring, they would receivehim on the points. Suddenly he began to move; then he sprang, moving ina semicircular line, like a cat and uttering a tremendous roar. Thelance-men kept their bodies bent, grasping their lances with both hands, while one end rested on the ground. I thought that the jaguar wouldhave killed the man at whom he sprung, but the Indian was strong ofnerve as well as of limb, and the point of his lance entered thejaguar's chest, when the others immediately rushed forward anddespatched the savage brute with their weapons. 

Old Quamodo told us how it sometimes happens that a hunter unfortunatelyfails to receive the jaguar on his lance; and in many instances he istorn to pieces before he can be assisted. His only resource on such anoccasion is his manchette, or long knife, --by means of which, if he canstab the jaguar, he may possibly escape. Quamodo also narrated how, upon one occasion in his youth, when he was very fond of jaguar hunting, he only slightly wounded an animal with his lance, and the jaguar, closing with him, knocked him down with his paw. Keeping his presenceof mind, however, he drew his long knife with one hand, while he seizedthe throat of the jaguar with the other. A desperate struggle ensued, and he received several severe wounds from the claws and teeth of thecreature. As he rolled over and over he made good use of his knife, stabbing his antagonist until the jaguar sank down dead from loss ofblood. He managed to crawl home, and recovered. He declared that assoon as he was well again he went out hunting, and killed a couple ofjaguars, in revenge for the injuries he had received. 

On another occasion, while out hunting, he fell asleep on a bank, exhausted by fatigue. Suddenly he was awakened by a tremendous blow onthe side of the head. His natural impulse was to start up and shoutlustily, when he saw a huge jaguar standing close to him, about torepeat the salute. His cries were heard by his companions, who were ata short distance, and they hastened to his assistance. The jaguar, however, was probably not very hungry, for before he could use hismanchette, or his friends come up, the creature bounded off, leaving thehunter with the top of his ear torn away, and an ugly scratch on hishead. Still the old Indian was of opinion that the jaguar seldomattacks human beings unless first molested by them. 

We encountered and killed another animal, much in the same way as thefirst; and having secured their skins, we returned to the farm, andafterwards set off on our way home. As we emerged from the forest wesaw that clouds of inky blackness were collecting rapidly overhead, andspreading across the whole valley. 

"We must push forward, for we are about to have a storm, and no slightone, " observed Uncle Richard. "Fast as we may go, however, we shall notescape the whole of it. "

Scarcely had he spoken when a flash of the most vivid lightning dartedfrom the sky, wriggling along the ground like a huge snake. 

"It's well that we are in the open country; but even here we may beovertaken by one of those flashes--though Heaven grant that they maypass us by, " said Uncle Richard. 

The flashes were succeeded by the most tremendous roars of thunder, asif the whole artillery of heaven were being discharged at once. Theanimals we rode stopped and trembled, and when urged by the spur dashedforward as if running a race for their lives; indeed, it was no easymatter to sit them, as they sprang now on one side, now on the other. In a short time the rain came down in torrents, every drop, as thedominie declared, "as big as a hen's egg. " As a natural consequence, ina few seconds we were wet to the skin, though that mattered but little. 

While we were passing a lofty and magnificent tree, about fifty yardsoff, a flash darted from the sky, and a fearful crash was heard. Thenext instant the tree was gone, shivered to the very roots, while thefragments of its branches and trunk strewed the ground around. Noshelter was at hand; indeed, unless to escape the rain, it would havebeen useless, for the strongest building would not have secured us fromthe effects of such a flash. Our great object was to keep away from anytrees which might attract the lightning. 

The storm was still raging when we arrived at home, where we found DonaMaria and Rosa in no small alarm about us, --thinking more of our safetythan their own. They had closed all the windows and doors--as theysaid, to keep the lightning out; although in reality it only preventedthem from seeing the bright flashes. The trembling mules were sentround to the stables; while Uncle Richard produced various articles fromhis wardrobe with which to clothe us. 

The ladies laughed heartily as we made our appearance at thesupper-table. Hugh was dressed with one of Rosa's petticoats over hisshoulders, which she declared gave him a very Oriental look. Thedominie had on a flowered dressing-gown of Uncle Richard's, with a pairof loose drawers, and a sash round his waist. Juan wore a red shirt, asky-blue dress coat, and a pair of shooting breeches; while I was riggedout in an entire suit belonging to our host, a world too wide, and muchtoo short. 

The storm had by this time ceased, though the thunder, as it rolled awaydown the valley, was occasionally heard. 

The ladies were amused by the account of our adventures, especially onhearing of the alarm of Mr Laffan at the unexpected appearance of thetiger-cat Uncle Richard having proposed music, Dona Maria and Rosa gottheir guitars and sang very sweetly. 

"Now let us have a dance, " cried our host, jumping up; "old Pepe playsthe fiddle, and we have another fellow who is an adept with the pipes. "

The persons named were sent for. The first was a grey-headed old man, half Spaniard, half Indian; the latter a young man, a pure-bloodedIndian. The merry strains they struck up inspired us all; even thedominie rose and began to snap his fingers and kick his heels. DonRicardo setting the example, we were soon all engaged in an uproariouscountry dance; while every now and then we burst into laughter, as welooked at each other, and criticised our costumes. 

Pretty well tired out, we soon turned into our hammocks, Uncle Richardhaving proposed another excursion on the following day. 

On getting up in the morning, we found all the females of the familyalready on foot, busily engaged in various household duties. DonaMaria, habited in a somewhat _degage_ costume, was superintending thebaking of Indian corn bread, which was done in the most primitivefashion. Some of the girls were pounding the grain in huge mortars withpestles, which it required a strong pair of arms to use; others werekneading large masses of the flour in pans, which were then formed intoflat cakes, and placed on a copper "girdle" with a charcoal firebeneath, where they were quickly baked. They gave us some of the cakesto stay our appetites, just hot from the "girdle, " and most deliciousthey were. 

Having taken a turn round the fields, where the labourers wereassembling to commence work, we returned to an early breakfast. As MrLaffan had seen but little of the country, Uncle Richard proposed thatwe should visit some interesting places in the neighbourhood. Juanexcused himself; he very naturally wished to pay his respects to DonaDolores, and soon afterwards rode off. 

"He is desperately in love, there's no doubt about that, " remarked DonaMaria. "Dolores will make much of him, for she is equally attached tohim, though she will not acknowledge it. She is a fine spirited girl--adevoted Patriot. She converted her father, who was rather disposed toside with the Godos for the sake of a quiet life; but she roused him up, and he is now as warm in the cause of liberty as she is. "

"Are you not a Patriot, Aunt Maria?" I asked. 

"I side with my husband, and he is an Englishman. "

"But Englishmen love liberty and hate tyranny, if they are worthy of thename of Britons, " I answered; "and I hope we shall all be ready, whenthe time comes, to fight for freedom. "

"But we may lose our property and our lives, if the Spaniards prevail, "she remarked. 

"They must not prevail; we must conquer!" exclaimed Uncle Richard, whojust then came in. 

"Has Dona Dolores won you over?" asked Dona Maria of her husband. 

"She is a noble creature, and sees things in their true light, " answeredUncle Richard. "While the Spaniards have the upper hand, throughkeeping the people in subjection by their soldiers, and their minds indarkness and superstition through the teaching of the priests, ourcountry can never flourish. All progress is stopped. Our agricultureis stunted, our commerce crippled, and no manufactures can exist. "

"That's just what Dona Dolores says, " observed Aunt Maria. 

"And she says the truth, " answered Uncle Richard. "I for one amresolved to aid the Patriot cause; and you, my dear wife, willacknowledge that I am acting rightly. You cannot wish to see ourchildren slaves; and what else can they be, if, for fear of theconsequences, we tamely submit to the yoke of Spain?"

I remembered this conversation in after-days, when Uncle Richard showedhow fully he kept up to the principles he professed, and Dona Mariaproved herself to be a true and faithful wife. 

After Uncle Richard had transacted some business, we set off on ourexpedition, mounted on mules, for the road we had to traverse was roughand uneven in the extreme. We had several small rivers to cross, which, in consequence of the storm of the preceding day, had become torrents, and almost carried our mules off their legs. The beds of the streams, too, were full of large stones, which had fallen down from themountains. In these torrents swimming is of no avail, as the waterrushes on with irresistible force, carrying everything before it. Sometimes in the descent of the hills the mules sat on their haunches, gliding down with their fore-feet stretched out in the most scientificfashion. 

At length, sliding down a steep descent, we arrived at the hot spring, which issues from an aperture about three feet in diameter, at thebottom of the valley--the water bubbling up very much like that in aboiling pot. Around the brink of the aperture is an incrustation ofbrimstone, of a light colour, from which we broke off several pieces andcarried them away. The dominie put in his finger to test the heat ofthe water, but drew it out again pretty quickly. 

"You will not find me doing that a second time!" he exclaimed, as he puthis scalded finger into his mouth to cool it. 

We had brought some eggs, which were boiled hard in little more thanthree minutes. 

Mr Laffan having carried away some of the water, afterwards analysedit, and found it to be composed of sulphur and salt. On being exposedto the sun, the sulphur evaporated, and left pure white salt fit foruse. 

After leaving the spring, we continued some way further towards the RioVinaigre, or Vinegar River. On our road we passed several Indian hutsperched on the summits of precipices which appeared perfectlyinaccessible; but, of course, there were narrow paths by which theinhabitants could climb up to their abodes. They naturally delight inthese gloomy and solitary situations, and had sufficient reasons forselecting them: for they were here free from the attacks of wild beastsor serpents, and also from their cruel masters the Spaniards, who wereaccustomed to drag them away to work in the mines, to buildfortifications, or to serve in the ranks of their armies. 

Dismounting, we climbed up a zig-zag path, to pay a visit to one ofthese Indian abodes which was less difficult to reach than the rest, although a couple of well-armed men, supplied with a store of rocks, could from the summit have kept a whole army at bay. The hut was theabode of an old Indian, the descendant of the chief of a once powerfultribe. We found him leaning against the sunny side of his house, andholding on to a long staff with which he supported himself. He wasdressed in a large broad-brimmed hat, a poncho over his shoulders, andsandals on his feet. His projecting, dropping lower jaw exhibited thefew decayed teeth he had in his head, which, with his lustreless eyes, made him look the very picture of decrepitude. He brightened up androse, however, as he saw Uncle Richard, --with whom he was acquainted, and who had frequently shown him kindness, --and welcomed us to hisabode. 

The thatched hut was diminutive, and full of smoke, as there was but onesmall hole in the roof by which it could escape. Some distance behindit, and separated by a wide chasm, over which a bamboo bridge had beenthrown, was a wide level space, with mountains rising above it, on whichsheep and goats were feeding--the fields fenced round by a shrub calledel lechero, or milk-tree, which derives its name from a white liquidoozing out of it when a branch is broken off. This liquid, however, issharp and caustic. The sticks, about six feet in height, throw outyoung shoots like the osier, and when pruned become very thick, and forman excellent fence. Within the enclosure were growing patches of wheat, potatoes, and Indian corn, as also the yuca root, from the flour ofwhich palatable cakes are formed. This mountain plantation wascultivated, the old man told us, by the faithful followers of his tribe. He had no children; he was the last of his race. 

Uncle Richard had an object in paying the visit. The old Indian hadconsiderable influence over the inhabitants of the surrounding hills, and he wished to stir them up, when the time should come, to join thePatriot ranks. 

"I am too old myself to strike a blow for liberty, " said the old man;"but often, as I gaze over yonder wide valley, and remember that once itbelonged to my ancestors, that by the cruelty and oppression of theGodos my people are now reduced to a handful, and that the sufferingsand death of thousands of my people rest on the heads of our oppressors, my heart swells with indignation. Si, Senor Ricardo, si. You maydepend on me that I will use all the influence I possess to arouse mypeople, but I fear that we shall be able to send scarce fifty warriorsinto the field--many of them mere youths, although they have the heartsof men. "

After some further conversation, Uncle Richard left a present with theold cacique, and we bade him farewell. 

On reaching the foot of the cliff we met several Indians, who, havingobserved us from neighbouring heights, had come down to ascertain theobject of our visit. Uncle Richard spoke to them, although not soopenly as he had done to the chief. The men had a peculiarly seriouscast of countenance; not one of them smiled while with us, but theyappeared good-tempered, and were perfectly civil. Their eyes werelarge, fine, and full of expression; and two or three girls who were ofthe party were decidedly good-looking, which is more than can be said ofIndian maidens in general. Each man was accompanied by a dog, of whichhe seemed very fond. Round their huts we saw abundance of fruit, andseveral fat pigs, so that they were evidently well off for provisions. 

It is wonderful how long these Indians will go without food by chewingcoca leaf, which is far more sustaining and refreshing than tobacco. 

"Those men would make sturdy soldiers, and fight bravely, " observedUncle Richard, as we rode away. 

Our destination was a small valley, through which the Rio Vinaigre makesits way towards the Cauca. We left our animals at the top of the hill, as the descent was so steep and slippery that it would have beenimpossible to ride down it. As it was, we could scarcely keep our legs, and the dominie more than once nearly fell head over heels. 

Uncle Richard, by-the-by, had not told our worthy friend the characterof the river-water. He had brought a cup, formed from a gourd, whichanswered the purpose of a "quaich, " as it is called in Scotland; and wemade our way down to the edge of the stream, where he could dip out acupful. The water appeared bright and sparkling, and the dominie, whowas thirsty after his walk, put it to his lips and took a huge gulp. Directly afterwards he spat it out, with a ridiculous grimace, exclaiming--

"Rotten lemons, iron filings, and saltpetre, by all that is abominable!Ah, faith! there must have been poison in the cup. "

"Wash it out and try again, " said Uncle Richard; "although, I tell you, I believe the cup is perfectly clean. "

The dominie made a second attempt, with the same result. 

"You find it taste somewhat like vinegar?" asked Uncle Richard. 

"Indeed I do, " answered Mr Laffan. "Is it always like this?"

"Yes, " said Uncle Richard; "it comes in its present state out of themountain, and you were not far from the truth in your description, aswhen analysed it is found to be acidulated, nitrous, and ferruginous. So completely does it retain these qualities, that in the Cauca, severalleagues below where it falls into that river, not a fish is to be found, as the finny tribe appear to have as great a dislike to it as yourself. "

The dominie, to satisfy himself, carried away half a bottle, for thepurpose of analysing it on his return home. 

Proceeding up the valley, we visited, in succession, three waterfalls, one of which came down over a perpendicular cliff, with a descent of acouple of hundred feet. We then bent our steps homewards, stopping bythe way to dine and rest our animals at a farm belonging to UncleRichard, and which it was one of the objects of our excursion to visit. The building was entirely of wood, with wide projecting eaves, supportedby posts united by a railing, which gave it a very picturesqueappearance. Around the house was an enclosure for the poultry, of whichthere was a great profusion. Indeed, it would have been difficult for ahen-wife to know her hens. Outside this was another enclosure forcattle and horses. In a smaller paddock were several llamas, which arenot indigenous to this part of the country. They had been brought fromUpper Peru, where they are used as beasts of burden, and were hereoccasionally so employed. It was a pretty rural scene. 

"It's lovely, it's lovely! In truth, it reminds me of Old Ireland, barring the palm-trees, and the cacti, and the chirramoyas, and theIndian corn, and those llama beasts, " exclaimed Mr Laffan. Thenlooking at the Indian women who were tending the poultry, he added, "Andthose olive damsels. Ah, young gentlemen, you should see my own faircountrywomen, and you would acknowledge that through the world youcouldn't meet any beings so lovely under the blue vault of heaven--whatever there may be above it in the form of angels; and they are asmodest as they are good. "

Mr Laffan continued to expatiate on the perfections of green Erin'sIsle, its mountains, lakes, and rivers, a theme in which he delighted, until his eyes glistened, and his voice choked with emotion, as hethought of the country he might never again see. 

Uncle Richard having inspected the farm, and examined some of thehorses, we mounted our animals and proceeded homewards. We wereapproaching the house, when we caught sight of Paul Lobo gallopingtowards us from the direction of Popayan. 

"What is the matter?" exclaimed Uncle Richard, observing his excitedmanner. 

"El senor doctor want to see you, Massa Duncan, in quarter less no time. Says he, You Paul Lobo, get on horseback and bring him here. "

The horse stood panting for breath, its nostrils covered with foam, showing at what a rate he must have ridden. 

"Why does he want to see me?" I asked anxiously. "Is he ill, or mymother or Flora?"

"No, no! dey all berry well; but el senor doctor got news from Cauca, and berry bad news too. De Spaniards enter dere, and cut de t'roats oball de men 'cept what ride or run away, and de women as bad, and deycome on quick march to Popayan; do de same t'ing dere, no doubt. "

"That is indeed bad news, " I said. "We will get our horses and returnhome to-night; they are fortunately fresh. You must change horses, Paul, and go with us, after you have had some food. "

"We must endeavour to oppose them, if it can be done with any chance ofsuccess, " exclaimed Uncle Richard, who had just then come up. "I willaccompany you, Duncan, and ascertain what your father advises. We willlet Senor Monteverde and Dona Dolores know, in case they may not havereceived the information. "

We immediately entered the house, and Uncle Richard sent off a messengerto the Monteverdes, where he supposed Juan would be found. 

While we had dinner, and prepared for our ride, Paul took some food, andwas again ready to start when the horses were brought round. 

Dona Maria was much agitated on hearing the news. "Do nothing rash, mydear Richard, " she said to her husband. "It is impossible to withstandthe Godos. "

"Nothing is impossible to brave men fighting in a just cause, " answeredUncle Richard. 

Embracing his wife and Rosa, to whom we had already bidden farewell, hejoined us in the courtyard, where we sat our horses ready to start. Wehad a long ride before us in the dark, the road being none of the best, but our steeds were sure-footed, and we were well accustomed to them. 

We had got to some distance, when we heard the tramp of horses comingalong a road which led from the Monteverdes' house, and Dona Dolores, with her father and four domestics, all armed, came up. She sat hersteed, as far as I could judge in the fast gathering gloom, like aperson who had thorough command over it. She rode up to me, as ifdesirous of speaking; and I took the opportunity to inquire for myfriend Juan, observing that he had not returned to Don Ricardo's. 

"He has gone home to commence the career which, I trust, he will fromhenceforth follow, " she replied. "He will endeavour to raise and armthe men on his property, as well as others from the surroundingvillages. We were already aware that the Spaniards were advancing upthe valley, and had been engaged in sending information in alldirections to arouse the Patriots, and to counsel them to take up armsin defence of their homes and families. We may count on you, SenorDuncan? Young as you are, you may render essential service to ourglorious cause, though your arm may not yet be strong enough to wield asword. "

"I believe I could make very good use of one, if necessary, " I answered, somewhat piqued by her remark. "Juan would tell you that I can hold myown, even against him. "

"I am glad to hear it, " she observed. 

"We must not count the cost, dear as that may be, " I said; "but I shallbe ready to yield up my life, and everything I possess, could I be surethat victory would be gained by the sacrifice. "

"We may count on you, then, as a Patriot?"

"Yes, most certainly, as you can on Don Ricardo. "

"And upon your tall tutor? I don't know his name. "

I told her his name, and she immediately rode up alongside Mr Laffan. We were ascending a hill too steep to gallop up, which enabled us tohold this conversation. What the patriotic young lady said to thedominie I did not at the time know, but, whatever his previoussentiments were, her enthusiastic eloquence soon won him to the causeshe had espoused. 

On reaching the level ground, we galloped forward as hard as our horsescould go, led by Uncle Richard. Our worthy tutor kept by the side ofHugh, about whom he seemed to have no little anxiety; but my youngbrother sat his horse as well as any of us, and assured Mr Laffan thathe need not be troubled about him. Dona Dolores, with her father, followed close behind Uncle Richard, and whenever we were obliged topull up she spoke with her usual earnestness to one or other of theparty, as if eager to make the best use of the time in impressing herideas on others. She did not disdain to speak even to Paul Lobo. 

"I do what massa el senor doctor does, " was the reply. 

She found, at last, that she could make nothing of Paul--who was, however, as great a lover of liberty as any of us. 

Crossing the bridge, we at length entered the city, where the streetswere even more quiet than usual. We scarcely met a single person as werode up to our house. It was perhaps as well that we did not, for theappearance of so large a party might have roused the suspicions of someof the Spanish authorities. 

My father came in from visiting a patient at the moment we arrived. Dona Dolores and Senor Monteverde had, I should have said, parted fromus, and gone to the house of a friend. My father seemed somewhatsurprised at seeing Uncle Richard with us, but said he was very gladthat he had come. We found supper on the table waiting us; and as soonas the servants had withdrawn, my father addressed me, and told us theparticulars of the news he had received. 

"This city will not be a safe place for women and children, or any oneelse, in a short time, " he observed. "Those who have duties to performmust remain at their posts. I have numerous patients whom I ought notto and will not desert. I therefore sent for you, Duncan, to takecharge of your mother and sister, and to escort them to your UncleRichard's, where you can watch over their safety. I know that I canrely on Mr Laffan to assist you. "

"Indeed, sir, you may, " he replied; "while I have an arm to strike ablow, I will fight for the ladies. "

"I hope that while they are in my house they will run no risk, removedas it is from the city, " said Uncle Richard; "and if you will entrustthem to my keeping, I will take care of them, along with my wife anddaughter. Duncan and Mr Laffan may be of use here. "

Uncle Richard then began to tell my father the plans which had beenformed for preventing the Spaniards from entering the city. 

My father stopped him. "I desire not to be acquainted with anythingthat is going forward. It is my duty to endeavour to heal the sick andwounded, in the character of a physician and a non-combatant. I mayremain unmolested, and be able to serve the cause of humanity. As forDuncan and Mr Laffan, I will reconsider my intentions. I will, however, accept your offer as regards my wife and Flora, and place themunder your care. "

It was finally arranged that my mother and sister, with their femaleattendants, and Hugh, should set off the next morning, escorted by UncleRichard; and that Mr Laffan and I should remain until, in the course ofevents, it might be decided what was best to be done. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

MY MOTHER AND SISTER LEAVE POPAYAN WITH UNCLE RICHARD--MR. LAFFAN AND IACCOMPANY THEM--LION GIVEN TO ME--MEET JUAN AND HIS TROOP--HEAR ANINSPIRITING ADDRESS FROM DONA DOLORES--A POLITICAL BALL AT DON CARLOSMOSQUERA'S--DONA DOLORES WARNS ME AGAINST CAPTAIN LOPEZ--SHE ENLISTSNUMEROUS RECRUITS--THE DOMINIE SHOWS THAT HE HAS HAD MILITARYEXPERIENCE--DRILLING THE LEVIES--THE CITIZENS EMPLOYED IN ERECTINGFORTIFICATIONS--THE ENEMY APPROACH--PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEFENCE--THESUMMONS TO ARMS--THE CITY ATTACKED--MR. LAFFAN AND I JOIN DON JUAN--THEENEMY DRIVEN BACK--A SORTIE--THE ENEMY ATTACKED--GUNS CAPTURED--RETURNIN TRIUMPH TO THE CITY. 

During the night information was received that the Spaniards, two daysbefore, had entered Bouga, on the Cauca, leaving us in no doubt thatthey were advancing up the valley, and might be expected in ourneighbourhood in the course of three or four days--perhaps even theircavalry might appear sooner, as they probably, thinking there was noforce to oppose them, would push on ahead of the main body. My fathertherefore kept to his resolution of sending off my mother and sister;and the next morning at daylight, after a hurried breakfast, the horsesand mules were brought round to the courtyard, ready to start. Mymother and sister, and the female attendants, rode the mules; the restof the party were mounted on horseback. It was settled that Mr Laffanand I should accompany them to Egido, as we could without difficulty beback before nightfall. 

Our uncle, Dr Cazalla, came to see our mother off. 

"I wish that you would accompany us, my dear brother, " she said. "Ifthe Spaniards take the place, you are certain to be annoyed andpersecuted, even should no worse consequences follow. "

"No, no; I must stay at my post, as your husband intends doing. We mustset a good example. If the principal people run away, what may beexpected of others?"

My mother's entreaties were of no avail, so Uncle Richard, finding thatall was ready, gave the word to move on. 

We proceeded as fast as the mules could travel, and by noon arrived atUncle Richard's hacienda, where Aunt Maria and Rosa gave my mother awarm reception. 

"We shall here, I trust, be safe from the Spaniards; but if we hear oftheir coming, we must take to the mountains, where even they will beunable to find us, " said Dona Maria. 

"But what will become of the house and estate?" asked my mother. 

"We must leave that matter in God's hands, " answered Dona Maria. "Ifthe fruit trees are cut down, and the corn destroyed, he can restorethem. The Godos cannot prevent that. "

As soon as our horses had baited, the dominie and I prepared to start onour return. I embraced my mother and sister affectionately, and badefarewell to dear little Rosa and Aunt Maria. We knew not what mightoccur before we should meet again. I had, while staying at the house, admired a fine dog called Lion, which had grown from a puppy into anoble animal since I first saw him. The creature had taken a greatfancy to me, too, and this had been observed by Uncle Richard. 

"I make you a present of him, Duncan, " said Uncle Richard; "he willprove faithful, I am sure, and may possibly be of service. "

Lion was a species of hound, with a thick tawny coat and large paws, possessing prodigious strength. He was good-tempered and obedient, butat the same time it was very evident that he could fight desperatelywith those powerful jaws of his. Patting his head, I told him that hewas to accompany us, and he seemed fully to understand me. The dominiewas already mounted. Lion looked at Uncle Richard when he saw megetting on horseback, as if to ask if he was to go. Uncle Richardnodded, and pointed to me. So Lion set off, keeping close to my heelsall the way, clearly understanding that I was in future to be hismaster. 

Mr Laffan was as eager to get back to the town as I was, in order tohear the news. We were still about half a league from Popayan, when wesaw, in an open space near a wood, a considerable body of men, some onhorseback, others on foot, with flags fluttering above their heads. Aswe approached, one of them rode out to meet us, in whom I recognised DonJuan, though much changed in appearance. Instead of his civil garb hewas dressed in military fashion, with a long lance in his hand, acarbine at his back, and pistols in his holsters. 

"I have not been idle, you see, Duncan, " he observed, after we hadgreeted each other. "I have raised fifty fine fellows, and hope to havea hundred more mounted and armed in a day or two. If every gentlemanwill do the same, we shall soon collect a Patriot force sufficient todrive back the Spaniards. "

We rode forward with him to see his troop. The larger number weremounted, but there were some infantry armed with long guns--tall, sinewyfellows, dressed in broad-brimmed hats, loose trousers, and coatsfastened by pouch belts round their waists. The horsemen also worelarge sombreros, leggings and huge spurs, and tight-fitting jackets; andthey were armed with spears and swords of various lengths. Some hadpistols, others carbines, but the lance was the principal weapon. 

We rode together into the town, --the infantry, who wore only sandals ontheir feet, keeping up with the horses. We were passing down one of thestreets on our way to a convent which the authorities had turned intobarracks, when a lady appeared at a balcony. Juan reined in his steed, and ordered his men to halt. I recognised Dona Dolores. My friendbowed low, with a look of pride on his countenance. Dona Doloressmiled, and addressed a few encouraging words to the men, reminding themof the cruelties which had often been inflicted by the hated Godos, urging them to fight bravely, and not to sheathe their swords until theyhad driven their foes into the sea. The men cheered, and Dona Doloressaying she would no longer delay them, we rode on. 

The dominie and I parted from Juan at the next turning, and soon reachedhome. Finding that my father was just setting out to attend a largeparty given at the house of Don Carlos Mosquera, one of the principalinhabitants of the place, Mr Laffan and I hurriedly dressed andaccompanied him. Though ostensibly a ball, the real object was to bringpersons of Liberal principles together, of both sexes. As many of theupper classes took a warm interest in the cause of freedom, nearly allthe ladies of the influential families were there, with their husbandsand fathers. I was surprised, also, to see several parish priests, whowere as warm in the cause as any other person. Indeed, one of thesepadres had donned a semi-military costume, and announced his intentionof aiding his countrymen with his sword. Those who knew him best saidthat he could fight as well as he could preach. 

I soon met Dona Dolores and her father. She smiled, and beckoned me toher. 

"I was glad to see you just now with Don Juan, and I hope that you willobtain your father's leave to join his corps, " she said. 

I replied that I would gladly do so, but that at present my fatherwished me to remain with him at Popayan. 

While we were speaking Don Juan joined us, when Dona Dolorescomplimented him on his zeal and activity in so soon getting together abody of men. 

"We have got the men, the arms, and the horses, but we all require whatcannot so readily be obtained--the necessary discipline, " he answered. "I myself require to learn the duties of an officer, for, except that Ican use a sword and lance, I know little of military affairs. "

"You will soon learn, Juan, " said Dona Dolores in encouraging tones;"you must obtain an expert instructor, and your own natural talents willpoint out to you how to act on most occasions. "

Just then a military officer approached and bowed to Dona Dolores. Isaw an expression of scorn pass over her countenance, unobserved byJuan, who, saluting the officer, addressed him as Captain Lopez. 

"The very man I want, " observed my friend. "I have just raised a bodyof men, who require to be disciplined. You have had experience; youmust join me, if you do not already belong to a regiment. "

I did not hear the answer given by Captain Lopez, but Dona Dolores, turning to me, said, "He is not to be trusted; a mean-spirited fellow, though a great boaster. You must tell Juan not to accept his services. "

This Captain Lopez was, I afterwards found, a rejected suitor for thehand of Dona Dolores. With her clear perception, she had discoveredthat he did not possess the qualities she could admire. 

Juan and Captain Lopez had gone to some distance, and were engaged ineager conversation. During this time several persons had come up andasked Dona Dolores to dance; but she declined, saying that she was in nomood for such an amusement. She contrived, however, to keep most ofthem by her side for some time, while she urged on them the duty ofjoining the Patriot cause. I left her surrounded by a number ofgentlemen, and went to look after Juan, to whom I wished to repeat theremarks I had heard from Dona Dolores. I found him at length in analcove, still talking with Captain Lopez. The captain's countenance, asI watched him at a little distance, impressed me very unfavourably. There was a scowl on his brow, and a peculiar wrinkle about his lips, which made me feel that I for one would not trust him; and I hoped thatmy friend would not be induced to do so either. 

I waited until the captain quitted Juan, to whom I then went up, andtold him what Dona Dolores had said. 

"She is too probably right, for she has wonderful perception ofcharacter; but, unfortunately, I have engaged Captain Lopez to come anddrill my men, and I cannot now well put him off without his consideringhimself insulted. However, I will remember the warning I have received, and not trust him too much. I intend to bear the whole expense of thecorps myself, and am anxious to get some smart young officers. I wishthat you would join us, Duncan. You would soon learn your duties; theycome almost by instinct to some people. "

"If I can get my father's leave, depend upon it I will, " I answered;"and as Mr Laffan has seen some service, I have no doubt that he willassist you. Perhaps he himself will join. I suspect that he would beas well able to drill your corps as Captain Lopez. "

Several gentlemen present had been engaged in raising men; and, I wastold, there were already upwards of two thousand troops in town, thoughfew of them were sufficiently disciplined to meet the enemy. OtherPatriot leaders were scouring the country round to obtain recruits, andthese, in small parties, were coming in during the night. 

In spite of the serious aspect of affairs, the people at this balldanced as much as ever. The card-tables were also filled, but theplayers stopped very frequently, forgetting the game to discuss mattersof importance. I understood that there were men on the watch at thedoors, to give notice should any foes to the Liberal party make theirappearance. 

"I found, on our return home, that my father was pretty well satisfiedwith the enthusiasm exhibited by the people generally. 

"Bloodshed I fear there must be, for the Spaniards fancy that they canoverthrow liberty with a few blows, and are determined to stamp it out;but they are mistaken, " he observed. 

From dawn the next morning, till nightfall, the new levies wereundergoing drill in the great square. I saw Juan at the head of hismen, and Captain Lopez drilling them. 

"Don't you think you can give my friend Juan a helping hand?" I said toMr Laffan, who had accompanied me. 

"Faith, it's not impossible!" he exclaimed, his eye brightening. "If heasks me, I'll try to brush up my knowledge of such matters. "

I told Juan what the dominie had said, when he at once came forward andbegged that he would take charge of a part of his men. 

"Is it the cavalry or the infantry?" asked Mr Laffan. 

"The cavalry are the most important, " answered Juan. "Here is a sparehorse at your service. "

Mr Laffan at once leapt into the saddle, and going to the head of themen, formed them into line. To my surprise, he gave the proper ordersin Spanish without hesitation, and soon showed that he had had no littleexperience as a cavalry officer. He kept the men at work for threehours without cessation, after which they were dismissed for breakfast. Captain Lopez cast a scowl at us as he passed on his way to hisquarters, without deigning to compliment Mr Laffan on his proficiency. Juan accompanied us home to breakfast, and afterwards we returned to thesquare, when, to my surprise, the dominie took the infantry in hand, anddrilled them for four hours in a still more thorough way even than hehad done the cavalry. 

"If we had but a few British sergeants and corporals, we should makesomething of these fellows in a few weeks, " he observed. "I would bemightily obliged to the enemy if they would but wait till then; weshould by that time be able to give a good account of them. "

Don Juan, as might have been expected, begged Mr Laffan to join hiscorps, offering him the command of either of the companies. 

"I am engaged to the doctor, and cannot quit his service unless hedismisses me, " he answered; "but, while I have the opportunity, I willgladly drill your men for as many hours as they can stand on their legs. Some years have passed since I have done any soldiering, and it makesme feel young again to be so engaged. "

While the levies were drilling, the townspeople--including old men, women, and children--were employed, under the few officers who had anyknowledge of engineering, in throwing up batteries and formingentrenchments round the town. In some cases the walls were strengthenedby the aid of a machine, consisting of a large square bottomless box, into which the mud was thrown, and then beaten down hard. A number ofthese boxes were used at a time, and it was extraordinary with whatrapidity a strong wall could thus be erected. The mud was brought incarts, in baskets, and in various other ways, and thrown into the box. Additional strength was gained by forming a slope on the outer side. Anumber of guns buried on a former occasion by the Patriots, to concealthem from the Spaniards, were also dug up, and mounted. Night and daythe people worked, for every hour gained added to the strength of theplace, and increased the prospect of successfully resisting the enemy. 

There were several known Royalists in Popayan, who had hitherto remainedquiet; and many of them, on seeing the preparations made for thedefence, hurriedly left the town. Many Liberals also sent off theirfamilies, to avoid the risk to which they would be exposed. Among theRoyalists I met the Bishop of Popayan, Don Salvador Ximenes, mounted ona splendid horse, and attended by his secretary and severalecclesiastics--who, but for their hats, I should have taken for militaryofficers, for they were all armed to the teeth, and had a decidedlymartial aspect. My father knew the bishop well, while I had often seenhim. Though a somewhat small man, he was remarkably well-made, and hada good-natured, open countenance, with sparkling grey eyes. Hissecretary was a tall, good-looking fellow, with a broad pair ofshoulders, but bearded like a pard, and looking little like a priest;indeed, he had formerly been a captain of dragoons in Spain, until hefollowed the bishop out to South America. Don Salvador had been canonof the cathedral at Malaga when Buonaparte invaded Spain. On thatoccasion, throwing off his ecclesiastical garb, he had assumed the rankof a colonel, and by his preachings and exhortations he had aroused theSpanish peasantry to resist the French. On the restoration of Ferdinandthe Seventh to the crown of Spain, the _ci-devant_ colonel was createdBishop of Popayan, then in possession of the Spaniards, where he hadmade himself very popular among all ranks, notwithstanding his politicalopinions. 

On meeting the martial-looking bishop and his companions, I felt surethat his departure foreboded no good to the Patriot cause. I bowed tohim as I passed, and he gave me a nod of recognition, although he waswell aware that I was not a member of his flock. 

I at once rode on to Don Carlos Mosquera's house, to inform him of thedeparture of the bishop, should he not be acquainted with it. 

"Let him go, " he answered. "He will do more harm to liberty inside thetown than he will do without; and we cannot imprison him. If he comesas an enemy, a bullet may put a stop to his intrigues. "

I frequently met Dona Dolores on the parade-ground, riding a handsomehorse, and attended by her father, Juan, and others. She on severaloccasions addressed the men, especially the new recruits, and urged themto be faithful to the noble cause in which they were engaged. She alsooccupied herself in writing to Patriots in various parts of the country, or to persons whom she hoped to win over. 

While the citizens were working away in the town, scouts were sent out, that we might have early notice of the approach of the enemy. Severaldays elapsed, however, without any news of their approach, and thisafforded time for fortifying the city and increasing the number of itsdefenders. So confident did the Patriots at length become, that it wasproposed to march out and encounter the enemy in the open country; butwiser counsels prevailed. Our men were ill-disciplined, and we had nofield-artillery. 

Upwards of a week had passed, when the scouts brought in the informationthat the Spaniards were advancing. Still two or three days must elapsebefore they could reach Popayan. The interval was spent instrengthening the fortifications, and otherwise preparing for thedefence of the city. Provisions were brought in, and gunpowder and shotmanufactured, while the drilling of the men went on as energetically asat first. White men, Indians, and blacks, all seemed to take a realpleasure in their duties. The army was certainly a motley one, both incostume and colour, composed as it was of men of every shade from whiteto black--the dark, however, predominating; several of the officers wereblack, and others had Indian blood in their veins, if they were not pureIndians. Where all fight for liberty, however, the only qualificationsrequired for command are talent and courage. Not a few even of thehighest rank could neither read nor write. 

My father, I may here say, had half consented that I should join DonJuan's troop, and had given leave to Mr Laffan to act as he feltinclined. 

The enemy had now got within three leagues of the city. Some deserterswho came in--or rather, I should say, some Liberals who had made theirescape from the Royalist ranks--informed us that they were not at allprepared for the resistance they would meet with, as they were not awarethat the city was so strongly fortified and garrisoned. 

Each night we went to bed expecting that the next day might be that ofbattle; but I was one morning awakened by hearing all the bells in thecity ringing. I jumped up, and going to Mr Laffan's room, found himdressed, and in the act of buckling on his sword--afterwards sticking abrace of pistols in his belt. 

"I intend to join Don Juan, " he said; "if I fall, Duncan, you will notforget the instruction I have given you. Good-bye, my boy; do you stayquietly at home. "

"Not if I can help it, " I answered. "Wait but five minutes. My fatherwill not refuse me permission to assist in defending the walls. "

I was quickly ready, and came downstairs to find my father. 

"You cannot let me play a girl's part and stay at home!" I exclaimed. "Do let me go. "

"I am afraid I should not be right in hindering you. May Heaven protectyou!" answered my father. 

"Thank you, thank you, " I replied, as if the greatest possible favourhad been granted me; and I set off with Mr Laffan. 

Mounting our horses, we rode to the lines, near which we found Juan'stroops. 

"I hope we shall have an opportunity of making a sortie, " exclaimed thedominie; "we will put the Spaniards to the right-about if we get thechance of taking them in flank. "

While our servants held the horses, we went into the nearest battery, from whence we could see the Spaniards advancing to the attack. By theway in which they came on, it was clear that they expected to enter anunwalled town; and our batteries were so concealed that the enemy didnot discover their existence until close up to them, when we opened uponthem with every gun at once. Their artillery replied, but their shotstruck our embankments; while ours flew into the midst of their ranks, creating confusion and dismay. Their infantry, however, advanced, firing rapidly, and several of the defenders were hit; but this onlyincreased the ardour of the rest. The whole south side of the city wasa blaze of fire, both parties rapidly exchanging shots. The enemy, however, soon saw that this general style of assault would not succeed, and concentrated their efforts on the batteries defending the chiefentrance; but again and again were they driven back. 

I had gone with Mr Laffan towards the eastern side, when, by means ofour glasses, we saw a large body of men, accompanied by artillery andcavalry, making their way round, intending apparently to attack the cityon the other side. On my conveying the information to our general, DonJuan offered to lead out his men, and proceed by some by-paths through awood, so as to fall suddenly on the flank of the force--hoping tocapture the guns and put the enemy to flight. This offer was accepted. 

"You will accompany me?" said Juan to the dominie and me. 

"With all the pleasure in the world, " was the answer; and in anothermoment we were riding out to the southward of the city--the part Juanhad selected for the ambush. We were followed by a body of infantry, who were to support us, for without them we could not secure the fruitsof our hoped-for victory. 

The dominie was in the highest spirits, and could scarcely restrainhimself from shouting out in his glee. Every now and then he gave aflourish with his sword, as if well acquainted with its use. 

On we dashed, over all impediments--our light-footed infantry not farbehind. We had just time to reach the wood where we were to remainconcealed, and to give our horses breathing time, when we heard theapproach of the Spaniards. We waited in perfect silence until theircavalry had passed, when, Juan giving the signal, we dashed out from ourcover, taking them completely by surprise. The gunners were cut down, almost before they had time to draw their swords; after which weimmediately charged upon the infantry, who, though they received us withan ill-directed fire, were at once thrown into confusion. Meantime theenemy's cavalry had wheeled about as fast as the narrowness of the roadwould permit them, and came charging down upon us to attempt torecapture the guns; but our infantry, who had now come up, poured in ahot fire, by which a third of their saddles was emptied. Unable toascertain our numbers, they must have imagined that they were beingattacked by a large force, and a panic seizing them, the survivorsgalloped off to the south, leaving their guns in our hands, while theinfantry, whom we pursued, fled in disorder towards the main body. Wefollowed, sabring all we overtook; when Mr Laffan advised Juan toreturn, lest an attempt might be made to retake the guns, the mostimportant fruit of our victory. Our foot-soldiers, however, had in themeantime harnessed to them some of the slain troopers' horses, and whenwe got back we found they were already half-way to the city. In half anhour we were triumphantly entering it; and dragging the guns up to thebatteries, we made use of them against their late owners. 

In less than an hour after this the Spaniards were in full retreat. Patriotic shouts rose on all sides, and the bells rang forth joyouspeals, while every man congratulated his neighbour on the victorygained. 

Don Juan did not fail to receive a reward for his gallantry in theapproving smiles of Dona Dolores. It was his first battle, and he hadgiven proof that he was a brave and intelligent leader. Congratulationswere offered him on every side, and all predicted that he would ere longbecome one of the chiefs of the Republic. 

CHAPTER FIVE. 

AROUSED BY ALARM-BELLS--COUNTRY-HOUSES SEEN ON FIRE--ANXIETY ABOUT UNCLERICHARD'S--RETREAT OF THE SPANIARDS--MR. LAFFAN AND I RIDE OUT TOEGIDO--FIND THE MONTEVERDES' HOUSE BURNED TO THE GROUND--EGIDODESTROYED--WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE INMATES?--PROCEED IN SEARCH OF THEM--NO TIDINGS--INQUIRE OF SOME PEASANTRY--OBTAIN RECRUITS--PURSUED BYSPANISH CAVALRY--ALMOST OVERTAKEN--WE REACH THE TOWN--JUAN CHASES THESPANIARDS--FRESH TROOPS ARRIVE--ANXIETY ABOUT OUR FAMILY AND UNCLERICHARD'S--PAUL LOBO SETS OUT TO FIND THEM--WE HEAR THAT THE FASTUCIANS, HEADED BY THE BISHOP OF POPAYAN, ARE ADVANCING TO ATTACK US--OUR ARMYMARCHES TO MEET THEM--THE BISHOP SENDS A FLAG OF TRUCE PROPOSING TERMS--I AND OTHERS ACCEPT AN INVITATION TO DINE WITH THE PASTUCIAN OFFICERS--FEARFUL TREACHERY--CAPTAIN PINSON AND MY OTHER COMPANIONS KILLED--I LEAPFROM THE WINDOW AND MOUNT MY HORSE--A RIDE FOR LIFE. 

Rejoicings for the victory we had gained were taking place when Ireturned home, wearied by the fatigues I had gone through. My fatherwas out attending to the wounded, of whom there were large numbers, besides which many of the defenders had been killed. It was still darkwhen I was aroused by the ringing of the alarm-bells, and dressinghurriedly, I ran to Mr Laffan's room. He also had got up; and takingour horses from the stable, we rode out to ascertain the cause. Wefound people in every direction hastening to the ramparts. On reachingthe top of an embankment, we saw fires blazing up in several directionsto the north and east. 

"These must be country-houses and farms which the Spaniards have set onfire, " observed my companion. 

Several persons whom we found on the spot were of the same opinion. Probably the cavalry who had escaped to the southward had returned, and, in revenge, had set fire to all the residences they passed; ordetachments had been sent from the main body to lay waste the country. As the more distant fires were in the direction of Egido, and SenorMonteverde's hacienda, I felt very anxious about our family. 

Had they had time to escape? I knew too well that the Spaniards sparedneither sex nor age. My hope, however, was that Uncle Richard wouldhave been on the watch, and have left the house in time--though that, too probably, had fallen a sacrifice to the vengeance of the Spaniards. 

In a short time I encountered Juan, who was anxious to march out andattack the enemy; but the general, he said, had prohibited him fromdoing so, "as his men were as yet too ill-disciplined for such anundertaking, and would most certainly be defeated. "

The alarm that another assault was about to be made proved false, asscouts sent out reported that the enemy were still upwards of twoleagues from the city. When daylight returned no Spaniards were insight, nor could any signs of them be seen from the highest point in thecity. 

Just as Mr Laffan and I returned home my father came in, tired out bythe arduous labours in which he had all night been engaged. On mytelling him of the fears I entertained of what had happened at Egido, he, after some hesitation, gave me leave to ride out and ascertain ifthe inmates had escaped. 

"I will go with you, Duncan, " said Mr Laffan; "two heads are of morevalue than one, and so are two swords, and if we fall in with enemies weshall have a better chance of cutting; our way through them. "

Anxiety concerning the fate of my mother and sister overcame my father'sscruples, so, mounting our horses, Mr Laffan and I rode out through theeastern gate. Our steeds were accustomed to the road, and we put themto their best speed. 

We had gone about two-thirds of the way, when Mr Laffan reined in hishorse, observing, --"We may be riding right into the middle of adetachment of the Spaniards, if we go along at this rate. More haste, less speed! A good soldier should feel his way, when an enemy is likelyto be in the neighbourhood. "

We accordingly advanced more cautiously than we had done at first, except when we could see our way for some distance ahead. Our road rannot far from the residence of Senor Monteverde; and in regard to it ourworst apprehensions were fulfilled. The house had been burned to theground, the garden and the surrounding fields destroyed. I regrettedthat I should have such sad intelligence to convey to Dona Dolores. Aglance was sufficient to show us what had been done, and as we gallopedon our anxiety increased lest Egido should have shared the same fate. 

"We must be prepared for the worst, " said Mr Laffan, as he pointed to acolumn of smoke which ascended above the trees in the direction ofEgido. 

In a few minutes we reached the spot where the house once stood entire;its blackened walls alone remained, the interior filled with heaps ofstill smouldering embers. The enemy had indeed made short work of it. We found that the stables had escaped, but the horses had been carriedaway, and not an animal of any description remained; nor could we seeany person moving about from whom to obtain information. We searchedthe out-houses, which were not harmed, and the ruins, as far as the hotembers would allow, but we could discover no traces of bodies. 

"The inmates must have got away before the enemy arrived, " I exclaimed. 

"I truly hope so, " answered Mr Laffan, but he did not look veryconfident. 

"If they escaped, they would take the road to the mountains, " Isuggested. "Let us ride on in that direction; we may possibly meet withsome one who has seen them. I cannot bear to return to my fatherwithout some more hopeful information than we possess. "

The dominie not objecting, we rode on. However he very frequently stoodup in his stirrups to get a look round, fearing that we might be ridinginto the lion's mouth. 

We had gone some distance when we caught sight of a group of personscollected on a slight elevation, from whence they could obtain a viewover the plain. When they first discovered us, they showed somedisposition to conceal themselves, but on observing that we were but twopersons of fair complexion their fears apparently vanished, and theyremained waiting our approach. 

I immediately inquired whether they had seen any fugitives from theSpaniards making their way to the mountains. 

"Yes, senor; many and good cause they had to run, for the Godos put todeath all they caught. We ourselves got away just in time from ourcottage, which the cruel barbarians burned. They would have killed ushad we remained. "

I then asked if they had seen Don Ricardo--who was, I thought, probablyknown to them--with a party of ladies, either on foot or horseback. 

One of two men to whom I more particularly addressed myself answeredthat they had, about daybreak, seen a party who had got some way up themountains, but they were too far off to enable them to distinguish whothey were. More definite information they could not give us. 

They were fine tall fellows, dressed in the universal broad-brimmed hat, ponchos over their shoulders, and loose trousers--with, of course, barefeet; while they were smoking in the most unconcerned manner, as if theytook their misfortunes lightly. 

"Are you not disposed to punish those, who have destroyed your farm?" Iasked. 

I then told them of the corps which were being raised, and invited themto join. Their eyes brightened when I spoke of the possibility ofdriving the Spaniards for ever from the country. A woman who was withthem, and who had remained seated beside a basket of provisions, startedto her feet. 

"Yes, " she exclaimed; "we shall never enjoy peace or prosperity untilthat has been accomplished! Pepe! Mariano! you will fight--we will allfight--for so good a cause. "

They agreed to come into the town after they had gone back to their farmand endeavoured to recover any of the cattle, pigs, or poultry which hadescaped. 

"There is little chance of that; the thieves will have carried offeverything, " observed the woman. 

As we could gain no further information from these persons, we resolvedto try and make our way up the mountains, in the hope of either findingour friends, or hearing from other fugitives where they had takenshelter; but although we fell in with a few more people, our inquiriesproved unsuccessful. 

We had ridden some distance, when the dominie, who could see well ahead, exclaimed. "We shall either have to hide ourselves or ride for it!Those men are, I suspect, Spanish cavalry. "

To hide ourselves, owing to the nature of the ground, was scarcelypossible, and almost before we had turned our horses' heads, the enemy, for such undoubtedly they were, had discovered us. Our animals, too, from the rate at which we had come, were somewhat fatigued. We had onlystopped once, to allow them to drink at a fountain. 

"We must gallop for it, " said Mr Laffan, "or we shall chance to be shotor made prisoners by the Spaniards. Keep a firm hand on your rein, anddo not spare either whip or spur. On we go. " And digging spurs intoour horses' flanks, we galloped forward in the direction of the town, with the Spaniards in full pursuit. 

There were a dozen or more of them, but they were too far off to firewith any chance of hitting us. We had a fair start, too, but our horsesmight come down, or we might encounter another party in front; still, neither of us were inclined to yield until every hope of escape wasgone. 

"On, on!" cried the dominie, feeling for the pistols in his holsters, sothat they might be ready at any moment. "I intend to shoot one or twofellows if they come near us, --and you must do the same, Duncan; but itwill be better to keep well ahead of them. "

But the Spaniards' horses were fresh, and, led by a well-mountedofficer, they were gaining on us. At last they got near enough to fire, and several bullets whistled through the air; but we were still too farahead to run much risk of being hit. The sound had the effect ofreanimating our horses, however, and they redoubled their efforts, theirnostrils snorting, their mouths and bodies covered with foam. At lengththe towers and steeples of the city appeared in sight. If we could leadthe Spaniards up to the walls, they might, we hoped, be cut off. Weshouted, therefore, in order to attract the attention of the sentinels. Fortunately we had been observed, and so were the enemy, for as we gotin sight of the gate it opened, and out dashed a body of horse, led byJuan. It was now the turn of our pursuers to fly, and as we looked overour shoulders we saw them wheeling round. At length pulling rein, westood on one side, while Juan and his troop dashed by. I should haveliked to have accompanied him, but our steeds, having once stopped, could only just stagger on into the city. 

In a short time Juan returned, having cut down eight or ten of theSpaniards, when he had to gallop back on finding himself in the presenceof a vastly superior force. 

The troops in the city, flushed with their success, were eager to be ledout against the enemy; but as they were chiefly raw recruits, thegeneral firmly refused to comply with their wishes. The scouts broughtback word that the enemy were retiring rapidly, although in good order, to the northward. The object of this retrograde movement we could notat first ascertain, but concluded that it was in consequence of otherPatriot forces gathering in their rear, and they were afraid of beingcut off from the capital. 

Our numbers now daily increased. The two peasants, Pepe and Mariano, whom we had met, arrived with twenty companions, --tall, stalwart men, who, with others like them, made excellent infantry. Two regiments offairly disciplined troops also arrived, partly officered by Englishmenand other foreigners; and it was now said that we should be able to takethe field, if necessary, to attack the Spaniards. 

My father had, in the meantime, been fearfully anxious about UncleRichard's and our own family, but with the information the dominie and Ibrought him his mind grew more tranquil. As he had perfect confidencein Uncle Richard's judgment and forethought, he came to the belief thatthey had made their escape before the house was attacked. I wishedagain to set out in search of them, either by myself or with Mr Laffan, and to bring them back into the city. My father, however, not being soconfident as many other people that the place would not be againattacked, said that they were safer among the mountains than they wouldbe did they return to the city. "Uncle Richard, " he said, "wouldprobably make arrangements to obtain provisions from his small farm, which, being away from the highroad, the Spaniards would probably havepassed by without destroying. " He settled, however, to send Paul Lobowith a mule loaded with warm clothing for the ladies, wine, and otherarticles which they were likely to require. 

"Depend on me, massa. I find dem out, wherever dey are, and bring backword, " answered Paul, as he prepared to set out. 

I occasionally saw Dona Dolores. Juan, too, whenever disengaged fromhis military duties, spent most of his time in her society, and, imbibing the principles which animated her, became more and moreattached to the Patriot cause. 

We had generally great difficulty in obtaining intelligence of themovements of our friends in different parts of the country, as theSpaniards did their best to capture, and invariably shot, everymessenger or bearer of despatches. Indeed, they treated Patriots asbanditti beyond the pale of the law. It must be owned, however, thatour party often retaliated on them in a fearful manner. 

We were anxiously waiting for Paul's return, when information wasreceived that the Pastucians--the inhabitants of the province of Pasto, some way to the south of Popayan, who, being completely under theinfluence of the priests, had always opposed the Patriots--had risen inarms, and were marching northward in large numbers. They had beeninduced to rise by no less a person than Don Salvador Ximenes, theBishop of Popayan; and it was said that that illustrious prelate, armedcap-a-pie, and accompanied by his stalwart secretary, was at the head ofthe Pastucian army. At first the report was not believed, but our spiescorroborated it; so, as doubt no longer remained on the subject, it wassettled that the Patriot forces must immediately march to repel theenemy, in order to prevent the southern part of our province beingoverrun. Our troops, now pretty fairly drilled, were eager for theexpedition. We had a good body of infantry; our artillery wasrepresented by the three guns we had captured; and we had five hundredcavalry, including Don Juan's troop--to which both I and Mr Laffan werenow regularly attached. 

Early in the morning we marched out of Popayan, and as we surveyed ourforces, we, from the oldest to the youngest soldier, felt confident ofvictory. 

But I must rapidly pass over this time. A march of several days broughtus in sight of the enemy, who lay encamped about two leagues from wherewe halted. They were posted in an advantageous position close to asmall village, with inaccessible heights behind them, a rapid stream infront, and a defile on the south which could be held by a few men, through which they might retreat if defeated. We occupied a lessformidable position, but one which would enable the whole of our forceto act at once, should we be attacked. Our men were in high spirits, and as ready to attack the enemy's position as to defend their own, should the Pastucians, taking the initiative, assault us. Instead ofdoing so, however, a flag of truce was sent into our camp from thebishop, expressing his wish to prevent bloodshed by an amicablearrangement of matters. Our general replied that the surest way ofbringing this about was for his followers to return to their homes anddisarm. 

Several priests and others came with the flag of truce, under thepretence of visiting their friends in our camp; and wonderfully busythey were. It was thought that an amicable arrangement would be arrivedat, and that both parties would march back without coming to blows. Sofriendly, indeed, were we, to all appearance, that the Pastucianofficers sent an invitation to the officers of the flank company of theregiment of the Cauca to dine within their lines. An English officer, aCaptain Brown, to whom I was paying a visit, and who was unwell at thetime, begged that I would go instead of him, as I might be amused--thePastucians having the credit of being a set of rough diamonds. 

The next day about a dozen of us set out for the Pastucian lines, twoleagues off--Captain Pinson, the commander of the company, being ourleader. We were all in good spirits, laughing and joking, and expectingto be highly amused by our hosts. I promised to give Captain Brown anaccount of the party; but thinking it probable that there would be moredrinking after dinner than I should like, I had arranged to ride backalone, and ordered my servant Antonio, who followed us, to have my horsein readiness at about four o'clock. The dinner-hour was to be twoo'clock. 

The Pastucian officers, who were more than treble our number, receivedus with every mark of courtesy, though a less attractive set ofgentlemen I had never met. Indeed, they greatly resembled a party ofbanditti. Their complexions were swarthy, many of them having Indianblood in their veins. They all wore huge moustaches and beards, withtheir long black hair either falling over their shoulders or fastenedbehind in a queue, while their countenances were decidedlyunprepossessing. They were, however, bland in the extreme, and hadprovided abundant fare, although not cooked in the most refined style. There was no want of wine and spirits, too, with which our hosts pliedus. I remarked that there were two or three Pastucians between each ofthe Patriot officers. 

Dinner went on as usual, though it was somewhat prolonged. Thenspeeches were made, chiefly complimentary to each other, both partiesavoiding politics. Songs were then sung, and more speeches made. 

I, however, began to grow very tired of the affair. I was seated, Ishould have said, opposite to Captain Pinson, --placed in that position, near the head of the table, in compliment to my father being anEnglishman. While a song was being sung, I heard one of the Pastucianofficers near me say to a companion, looking meanwhile at CaptainPinson, who had on a uniform with a large amount of lace about it, "Ihave made up my mind to have that fellow's coat for my share. " As thePastucian officer appeared already to be half-seas over, I thought thathe had spoken in jest, or that I had misunderstood him. 

On looking at my watch, I found that it was time for me to go, as thehour at which I had ordered my horse to be brought had arrived; risingfrom my seat, and going towards the window, I saw my servant leading myhorse backwards and forwards. 

I was on the point of moving towards the door, hoping to leave the roomwithout being questioned, when I saw Captain Pinson start up; andturning to the other Patriot officers, he exclaimed, "Gentlemen, we arebetrayed--treachery is intended--fly for your lives!" As he said thishe drew his sword, when several of the Pastucian officers set upon him. By a natural impulse I sprang towards the window, while I drew my sword, intending to support my companions. Captain Pinson had moved in thesame direction, that he might have greater scope for his weapon. I wassoon convinced that he was not mistaken in his supposition thattreachery was intended, for three of the Patriot officers by this timelay stretched on the floor, stabbed to the heart! The rest hadendeavoured to rally near Captain Pinson, who called to them to make forthe door and cut their way out. The Pastucians, who were mostlypowerful men, set so fiercely on us, however, that I saw there was butlittle hope of this being accomplished, although Captain Pinson hadalready killed two of them. Pistols were drawn, and the bullets nowbegan to fly in all directions. It would be difficult to picture a morefearful scene. The room was full of smoke; shouts and horrible oathsarose; while the Pastucians rushed again and again at our little band, on each occasion unhappily bringing to the ground one or more of ournumber. 

I was fighting as well as I could by Captain Pinson's side, when he saidto me, "Save yourself if you can--quick!--through the window; all hopeis gone for us. " This, I feared, was too true; for just thenoverwhelming numbers of Pastucians rushed into the room, armed withspears and bayonets. Half our number had already fallen dead on thefloor; most of the others were desperately wounded, as was CaptainPinson. I saw him plunge his sword into the breast of a thirdPastucian, who was making a lunge at me with a spear. This decided me. Though unwilling to desert my companions, I was convinced that thedestruction of the whole of us was intended, and that I should fall avictim with the rest. With one bound I leapt from the window, andcalled to Antonio, who was on the point of galloping off. Heimmediately pulled up, and rode towards me. A shower of bullets, firedfrom the house, came rattling around; but in another instant I was onhorseback, and, with my faithful servant, galloping for my life. 

CHAPTER SIX. 

WE PASS THROUGH THE LINES--BULLETS WHISTLE PAST OUR EARS--DANGERS ONEVERY SIDE--WE APPROACH A PASTUCIAN OUTPOST, AND TURN TO THE RIGHT TOAVOID IT--ROUGH GROUND--A RIVER TO CROSS--PURSUED BY THE PASTUCIANS--ATEARFUL PASSAGE--FIRED AT, AND WOUNDED--WE GET OUT OF RANGE--ANTONIOBINDS UP MY WOUND--REACH THE CAMP--MEET MR. LAFFAN--MAKE MY REPORT--CARRIED TO CAPTAIN BROWN'S TENT--AN ATTACK EXPECTED--I CRAWL TO A HEIGHTAND WITNESS THE FIGHT--THE PASTUCIANS, LED BY THE BISHOP, FIGHT BRAVELY, BUT ARE DRIVEN BACK--OUR ARMY PURSUES--THE WOUNDED BROUGHT IN--CAPTAINLAFFAN AMONG THEM--WE ARE SENT BACK IN LITTERS TO POPAYAN--UNSATISFACTORY INTELLIGENCE FROM THE ARMY, WHICH MARCHES SOUTHWARD--THECITY THREATENED BY THE SPANIARDS FROM THE NORTH--WE AGAIN PREPARE FORTHE DEFENCE OF THE CITY--THE DOMINIE SEIZED WITH FEVER--MY FATHER AND IARE VISITING AT DON CASSIODORO'S WHEN THE SPANIARDS ENTER THE TOWN--ANTONIO ESCAPES WITH THE HORSE OF A SPANISH COLONEL. 

Antonio and I had escaped the volleys fired at us, but we had yet topass through another shower of bullets. The house at which I had dinedwas not far from the lines, and the troops stationed there wouldendeavour to stop us. The gate, however, was open, to allow the passageof some mules bringing in provisions. The shots fired at us had scaredthe guards, who could not make out what was happening; but before theyhad time to close the entrance, we had dashed through. In little morethan a minute the whistling of bullets passing our ears told us that thesentries had discovered their mistake in allowing us to pass. The rimof my hat was shot away, and two of the leaden messengers passed throughmy servant's jacket; but as neither ourselves nor our steeds were hit, we were soon beyond range of the Pastucian lines. We had, however, twoleagues to ride before we could reach the Patriot encampment. 

The horrible treachery of the Pastucian officers showed that, eventhough I had come under a flag of truce, it was very probable that otherparties of the enemy whom we might encounter would not scruple to shootus down. I saw, therefore, that I must endeavour to avoid any of theirposts; not an easy matter, as all the roads would be guarded. Atpresent, however, all we could do was to gallop on to the northward. Ihad fortunately noted the outlines of the mountains on either side as Icame along, and was thus able to direct my course. From the unevennessof the ground, we ran, at the rate we were going, a great risk offalling; but it was not a time to stop at trifles. Not only our ownlives, but the safety of the army, might depend upon our getting back. There was no doubt that the Pastucians intended to attempt surprisingour forces; but this, if I should make good my escape, would beprevented. 

Reaching the summit of rising ground, we now saw before us a Pastucianoutpost. I could scarcely hope to pass through it without beingquestioned, as the firing from the lines would have been heard, and itscause suspected. Our best chance of escape, therefore, was to leave theroad by turning to the right, and to make our way across the country. Ilooked behind, feeling sure that we should be pursued; but as yet noenemy was in sight in that direction, nor were we perceived by thoseahead. At first the ground was sufficiently even to allow us tocontinue at full speed; but in a short time it became so rough that wehad to make our way with more caution, and finally we were compelled todismount and lead our horses over the rocks amid thick underwood. Wehad next to pass through a forest, which covered the side of a risingground, but here we gained the advantage of being concealed from ourenemies. On emerging from the wood we saw below us a broad stream, which separated the two armies; and once on the other side, we should bein comparative safety. My intention, therefore, was to gallop down thebill, and at once to ford or swim the stream, in the hope that we mightreach the other side before being discovered by the enemy. 

We had just remounted, when I saw to the left a considerable body of thePastucians, watching, I concluded, a ford in that direction. To theright the river went foaming and roaring over a rocky bed, but therewere one or two smooth-looking places, across which I thought itpossible we might pass. The question, however, was whether we should beable to reach a practicable spot before the Pastucians could come nearenough to fire at us. To escape their observation was almostimpossible, so not a moment was to be lost. 

"Now, Antonio, " I said, "we must push on for our lives, and pray Heaventhat we may reach the bottom of the hill without breaking our necks;then, at the first likely spot, we must push across the river. Can youswim?"

"Si, senor, like a fish. "

"Then, the instant our horses lose their footing, we must slip fromtheir backs and guide them across. "

A momentary glance showed me that the Pastucians had seen us, and werehurrying along the bank of the river to cut us off. Keeping to theright, therefore, we dashed forward, our horses frequently descendingseveral feet at a time, but alighting always on their legs. It wasalmost by a miracle that we reached the bottom of the steep hill. Wethen had to gallop along over rough ground until we came to a placewhich afforded some prospect of crossing. There was no time to surveyit narrowly, and leading the way, sure that Antonio would follow, Iplunged in--my horse stumbling forward some distance, so that I wasafraid he would lose his footing and be carried down the stream. Atlength he made a plunge, and his whole body sank under the water. Iinstantly threw myself off and turned his head up the current, holdingon by one hand to the saddle, while I swam with the other. Antonio, inthe same fashion, followed close at my heels. Below us, to the right, was a roaring waterfall, threatening instant death to us should we goover; but the sagacious animals seemed to understand their danger, anddid their utmost to keep away from it. 

I could now see the enemy coming along the bank; they were holding theirmuskets ready to fire directly they got within range of us. The bankfor which we were making was steep, but still our brave steeds mightclimb it, if not too much fatigued by their swim. I shouted to Antoniothat we would lead them up, as we should gain in the end by it. 

Most thankful was I when at length I found my horse beginning to walk, and I soon set my own feet on the ground. Even then it was no easymatter to get along; while there was the risk that my horse, in hisstruggles, would strike me with his hoofs. 

We landed at last, and taking the reins, I dragged him up the bank. Antonio followed closely. Scarcely had we reached the top when we heardthe rattle of musketry, and several bullets struck the ground around us. At some little distance, however, was a wood. If we could gain it, weshould be in safety; for should the enemy attempt to swim across thestream their muskets and powder would be damaged, while we should getwell ahead before they had time to construct rafts in order to ferrythem over. 

We threw ourselves upon our horses; but scarcely had I got into mysaddle, when I heard a peculiar thud, and felt that a bullet had struckme--whereabouts I could not for the moment tell. 

"On, on!" I shouted to Antonio. 

"O senor, you are bleeding!" he exclaimed. 

"I suppose so, " I answered, "for I felt something strike me; but nevermind--on, on!"

We dashed forward; and I was in hopes that I might retain my strengthuntil we could reach the camp. Another volley came rattling after us, but we escaped being hit, and in a few seconds were in the midst oftrees, among which we made our way as fast as we could, frequentlyhaving to leap or scramble over fallen trunks. But nothing stopped us. It was not likely that we should encounter any of the enemy on the sidewe had gained; but still it was possible, and it was necessary to keepour eyes about us. 

I had been too much excited to feel any pain, but at length I began toexperience an uncomfortable sensation, though I would not consent tostop and allow Antonio to bind up my wound. I did not fancy, indeed, that it could be very severe. 

"Do, senor, allow me to bind your sash over the wound, or you will faintfrom loss of blood; then it will be difficult to get you back, " saidAntonio. 

At length I yielded to his persuasions. We both dismounted; and havingtethered our horses, he set scientifically to work to bandage my wound. 

"It was high time to do this, senor, " he observed; "a few more minutes, and you would have had no more blood in your veins. "

He tore off a piece of my shirt, and with a pocket handkerchief made apad, which he bound on my side. This increased the pain, but at thesame time it stopped the flow of blood, which was running down mytrousers into my boots. I then again mounted, though not withoutdifficulty, and rode on, doing my best to keep my saddle; but I had toconfess that I felt very weak. Most thankful was I, therefore, when wecame in sight of our camp. Some of the tents were pitched on a longridge, protected by mountains in their rear, while a steep bank slopeddown to the valley. Other tents appeared to the right, also on elevatedground. Altogether, the position was one of considerable strength, andwell chosen. Large numbers of troops were exercising in the valleybelow. 

After passing the videttes, as we rode along the southern ridge, overlooking this valley, we saw a horseman approaching us. It proved tobe my _ci-devant_ tutor, Mr Laffan, --now holding the rank of captain. 

"What has happened, my dear Duncan?" he exclaimed as he saw me. "Youlook as pale as death. Why, you must be wounded; no doubt about it. "

I gave him a brief account of what had happened; with which he was, ofcourse, horrified. 

"We must get the doctor to you, in the first place; then you can makeyour report to the general. "

But just then we saw the general approaching, so we rode forward to meethim. He would at first scarcely credit the fearful account I had togive; but it was confirmed by Antonio, who described how he had seen meleap from the window, and how the Pastucians had fired at us. 

"Have any of the officers escaped?" he asked. 

I told him I was afraid every one had been killed. 

"We must avenge them, " he said; "such treachery deserves the mostcomplete punishment. Now go, young senor, and get your wound lookedto, " he added. 

As I rode off, he summoned several of his staff, and issued orders toprepare for an attack. 

I was carried to Captain Brown's tent. 

"I must look after you, " said Captain Brown; "for had you not gone, Ishould most certainly have been murdered with the rest of the poorfellows. "

The news I brought naturally excited the greatest indignation, especially amongst the officers and men of the regiment of the Cauca. All hoped that the Pastucians would attack us that night. The troopswere got under arms, and every preparation was made for the battle, though the tents were allowed to stand, in order to deceive the enemy'sscouts. 

Juan, hearing that I was wounded, came to see me, and expressed hissorrow. 

"I thought I should have had you by my side in to-morrow's fight, " hesaid; "for, from what I can hear, if the Pastucians do not attack us weshall attack them, and I hope to punish them severely for theirtreachery. It is in keeping with their character, and our poor fellowsshould not have trusted them. "

Neither Juan nor Mr Laffan could stay with me long, as they had toattend to their men, and every officer was needed. Captain Brown andAntonio looked after me, however; and the doctor assured me that, if Iremained quiet, I might be able to sit my saddle again in a few weeks. 

"A few weeks!" I exclaimed; "I thought a few days would put me torights, doctor. "

"For the sake of getting another bullet through you, " he observed. "Well, I will patch you up as far as I can; you must do as you thinkfit. "

I lay awake, expecting every instant to hear the rattle of musketry andthe booming sound of our field-pieces, but the night seemed to bepassing away quietly. At last I dropped off to sleep. 

"If the enemy intended a night attack, they had thought better of itwhen they found that you had escaped and given us warning, " said CaptainBrown, when he awoke me in the morning and gave me the breakfast thatAntonio had brought. "When they do come, I must go out with myregiment, whether ill or well; but you, Sinclair, must remain in camp--you will be unable to sit a horse for many days. "

From the excessive weakness I felt, I feared that he was right, but Iwas much disappointed at the thought of being unable to take part in theexpected battle. 

I had been sleeping for some time, when I was awakened by the sound offiring. No one was in the tent, for, in spite of his illness, CaptainBrown had joined his regiment and gone to the front. Weak as I was, Ithought that I could manage to crawl up to some neighbouring height, from whence I might see what was going forward. The sound of therattling of musketry now came up the valley, with the louder boom of ourartillery, so I could resist the temptation no longer. Supportingmyself on a stick, therefore, with a spy-glass hanging by a strap overmy shoulders, I left the tent and made my way on, sometimes crawling onmy hands and knees, until I reached a rock overhanging the camp, where Icould lie down and rest the glass on a ledge just above me. 

Our troops crowned the heights of the opposite side of the valley. Itwas not of sufficient elevation, however, to prevent me seeing over iton to the plain beyond, where the Pastucians were moving, endeavouringto force their way to the northward--their main body attacking ourcentre, while other divisions were marching to the right and left, evidently with the hope of outflanking the Patriots. I could clearlydistinguish the different corps. The centre stood their ground. Juanwith his cavalry drove back the enemy on the right; while the Caucaregiment, charging, prevented the body threatening our left flank fromgaining the advantage they expected. 

Frequently the Pastucians were so near that their shot came flyingacross the valley; but, their powder not being of the best, the bulletshad by that time expended their force. Among their leaders I sawseveral friars; and, mounted on a fine horse, I recognised the bishop. He and his stalwart secretary had crucifixes in their left hands andbright swords in their right, which they kept vehemently flourishing. Now the bishop would hold up his crucifix, and now point with his swordat the Patriots. Then the enemy, with shrieks and shouts, would chargeright up to our men; but on each occasion they were driven back withdreadful slaughter. Two or three monks were knocked over; still thebishop and his lieutenant seemed to bear charmed lives. Perhapssuperstition had something to do with it, and our men were afraid tofire at a right reverend prelate. 

At times I feared that the Patriots would give way, and on one occasionthe bishop and his followers had nearly succeeded in breaking our line;but the regiment of the Cauca coming up, flushed with their previoussuccess, charged the enemy and drove them back headlong--the bishop andhis secretary, the ex-captain of dragoons, setting the example, andscampering off at a rate which made it difficult to overtake them. Iexpected to see Juan's troopers in pursuit, but he was meanwhile hotlyengaged with a body of the enemy's cavalry, which after a sharp contesthe defeated, --though they rallied again to cover the retreat of thebishop. 

Soon after this I lost sight of the main body of our army, which hadadvanced; but small parties were seen coming to the rear, bringing inthe wounded. I observed one party going towards the cavalry tents, which were directly below me. The men were carrying an officer on astretcher, and as I brought my glass to bear on them I saw, to my grief, that the wounded man was Captain Laffan. Anxious to low whether he wasmuch hurt, I immediately began my descent from the position, though indoing so, in my weak state, I nearly rolled to the bottom. FortunatelyI met one of the camp-followers, who assisted me along, and by his helpI got to Laffan's tent, and found my friend in the hands of the surgeon. 

"You are where you should not be, young man!" exclaimed the latter whenhe saw me. 

"But I want to know how my friend is, " I said. 

"What, Duncan, my boy!" exclaimed the captain, who recognised my voice. "I appreciate your kindness, but I wish you had remained in bed. I haveonly a bullet or two through me, and a sabre-cut on my arm dealt by oneof those six rascals whom I was attacking. If there had been one less, I should have cut them all down. As it was, three bit the ground. Don't fear! I shall be all right, with a little plastering andbandaging, --shall I not, doctor?"

"Yes, yes, captain, you'll do very well; but you must keep quiet for afew hours. --And you, Mr Sinclair, must get back to your tent. "

I endeavoured to obey the surgeon, but, overcome with exertions forwhich I was ill-fitted, I sank down in a dead faint. 

"Now this is too bad of the boy, when I want to be attending hisfriend, " I heard the doctor say, after he had poured some cordial downmy throat, which somewhat restored me. On this, two men whom hesummoned took me up and carried me back to Captain Brown's tent. 

Towards evening, a portion of our troops returned to guard the camp, butthe main body was advancing in pursuit of the Pastucians. 

The next day less satisfactory news arrived. The enemy had beenreinforced, and the Patriot army had had no little difficulty inmaintaining its position. 

The surgeons now advised that the wounded officers who could bear thejourney should be carried back to Popayan; and as neither Captain Laffannor I were likely to be fit for duty for some time to come, we gladlyavailed ourselves of the opportunity. We were put into litters hung onlong poles, supported on men's shoulders; and the journey occupiedseveral days, though I can give very little account of it. Some of thetime, indeed, I was in a semi-somnolent state, caused by weakness. 

The only striking scene I can recall was our passage on a bamboo bridgeover a river in our course. The army had crossed by a ford lower down, where the water was shallow and the current slight. Here it was ofgreat depth, and the banks of considerable height. As I looked at theslight structure, however, it appeared to me incapable of bearing morethan the weight of a single man, while a few cuts with a manchette wouldhave sent it into the torrent below. 

I heard Captain Laffan, who was in advance of me, cry out to hisbearers, "You don't mean to say that we are to go over that spider's-webaffair! Why! it looks as if it would give way with the weight of thatwoman going along it. "

"Have no fears about the matter, senor captain; cavalry have chargedover it before now, " was the answer. And, in spite of the captain'sprotestations, his bearers tramped on and crossed in safety. 

I followed, and though the bamboos creaked ominously they held fast, andno accident occurred to any of the party. It was along such a bridge asthis that the gallant Colonel Mackintosh rode at full gallop, whenleading on his brave Albions to the capture of La Plata, some timeafterwards. 

The path we took would only allow of one litter passing at a time, and Ihad no conversation with the rest of the party; so, when we stopped atnight, Laffan ordered his litter to be placed alongside mine. He was inexcellent spirits, and seemed to feel his several wounds scarcely somuch as I did the single one I had received. 

"You are not so well accustomed to it, my boy, as I am. I have no extraflesh to be annoyed, you see; and my parchment-like skin soon unites, "he observed, laughing. 

At last we arrived at Popayan. My father looked somewhat horrified whenhe saw me and heard of my narrow escape. 

"I am sorry I allowed Mr Laffan and you to go, " he said. "However, youare here now, and I hope you will soon be brought round. "

"Faith, doctor, but I'm mighty glad to have seen a little more service;and as soon as you can patch me up I'll be off again to fight for theright cause!" exclaimed our Irish friend. 

I inquired for my mother and the rest of our relations. 

"Paul Lobo, " said my father, "discovered them in a hut among themountains. They were all very well, and in tolerable spirits, onlysomewhat anxious about us. I have sent him back again with a load ofnecessary articles; and if we receive satisfactory accounts from thearmy, I trust that they will return as soon as they grow weary of theirrough life. Uncle Richard, however, takes very good care of them, andobtains abundance of provisions; but they intend, at all events, shortlyto return to the farm, from whence, should the Spaniards again overrunthe country, they can make good their retreat. "

Under my father's careful treatment Mr Laffan and I soon regained ourstrength, and we became eager to rejoin the army. My father, however, declared that I was not in a fit state to be exposed to the hardshipswhich I should have to endure; but that Mr Laffan might do as he liked. 

The news from the south was not altogether satisfactory. Although thePatriots had hitherto been successful, the Pastucians had doggedly stoodtheir ground, and had retreated slowly--probably with the intention ofdrawing them into some defiles, where they might be attacked from theheights. At this period intelligence was received that the Spaniardswere again advancing from the north. On hearing this, the commandant ofPopayan immediately sent a despatch entreating the general to return. Instead, however, of the whole army coming, only a few made theirappearance to assist in the defence of the town. At the same time, troops had been collected from all quarters, and every effort had beenmade to bring them into a state of efficiency. Our uncle, Dr Cazalla, was one of the most active in preparing for the defence of the place. He had established a manufactory for gunpowder, on a plan devised byhimself. It was one of the articles most required. He had also taughtall the blacksmiths who could be found how to repair muskets, and someof the most expert even how to manufacture them. 

"It is a sad way of employing our strength and talents, " he observed tomy father. "The same exertions rendered to the cause of peacefulindustry, might make this country rich and flourishing, instead of whichall our energies are being expended in killing one another. Still, weare fighting for the advantage of our children; but the ruin this warhas brought upon the country cannot be repaired during our lifetime. "

The officer now in command of the city had seen no service. He may havebeen a very worthy man, but he was a bad general. I have described thechief square of the town. Most of the houses in it had been turned intobarracks, the owners having fled, some because they were Royalists, andothers in order to avoid the risk they would incur should the place becaptured by either party. 

I was now nearly quite well, as was also Mr Laffan, and he haddetermined to set off next day to rejoin Juan's corps. He had, however, over-estimated his strength; for that very evening, on returning home, he was seized with a fever. My father insisted that he should at oncego to bed. "If you do not, " he said, "I will not answer for your life. "

The dominie obeyed, but very unwillingly. His illness however, as wasproved in the sequel, was the means of saving his life. I had gone oneafternoon with my father to visit some Royalist friends living in thegreat square, who had had the courage to remain in the town. My fatherhad attended the family, and not long before had been the means ofcuring Don Cassiodoro de Corran of a dangerous disease. Though aSpaniard, he was very liberal, and, being respected by all parties, heventured to remain, and the Patriots had not molested him. The youngladies of the family were playing on their guitars, and two or threeother people having come in, we were proposing a dance, when we werestartled by the sound of musketry. Presently we heard shouts and cries, and the trampling of horses coming down the principal street leadingfrom the northern gate. 

"The Godos! the Godos! the hated Spaniards! The enemy is upon us!"shouted the people, as they rushed across the square. 

Unfortunately, the principal officers of the troops were in differentparts of the town, paying visits or amusing themselves. The soldiers, without proper leaders, seized their arms and turned out, some comingwithout ammunition, others leaving their bayonets or swords behind them. They then attempted to form under their sergeants and such officers asremained, but, being ill-disciplined, all was done in a hurry andwithout order; and many, seized by a panic, made their escape. 

Antonio, who, I should have said, had accompanied me, rushed into thehouse and begged me to fly. My father, however, insisted that I shouldremain. 

"You can do nothing, and will certainly lose your life, " he said. 

Antonio, who was a brave fellow, hastened out again to join hiscomrades. I could not, however, resist going to the window to see whatwas taking place. Presently a large body of Spanish cavalry rode intothe square, putting to flight the soldiers they first encountered, who, scattering in every direction, attempted to seek safety in the houses. Among others I caught sight of Antonio, who was making towards the househe had so lately left, hotly pursued by a Spanish colonel. Idetermined, if possible, to save Antonio, and asked Don Cassiodoro tospeak to the colonel. He was about to do so, when Antonio stopped andcried out--

"I will surrender, senor colonel, if you will spare my life. "

"Well, well! trust to me, " was the answer. 

But as the Spaniard spoke he drew a pistol from his holster; on whichAntonio, expecting the next moment to be a dead man, made a lunge at himwith his long lance, the point wounding the colonel, who the next momentrolled from his horse. Our hero, as may be supposed, did not stop tohelp him up, but leaping on his steed, galloped off, master of a goodhorse and all the colonel's appointments. As he passed our windows hewaved his hand to me, and disappeared like lightning down the street. Ihad great hopes that he would make his escape before the main body ofthe Spaniards could enter. 

Don Cassiodoro, on seeing the colonel on the ground, went out with myfather and brought him into the house, that his wound might be attendedto. The spear had torn his coat, but, excepting a slight scratch on theside, had not otherwise harmed him. He begged, however, that his woundmight be dressed; when Don Cassiodoro advised that he should go to bed, which he appeared very willing to do. 

I waited, in hopes that the Patriot officers would rally the troops anddrive out the Spaniards before the arrival of the main body; for, afterall, those who had entered formed but a small party, and wereunaccompanied by infantry. So completely panic-stricken, however, hadour men become, that it was found impossible to make head against theSpaniards; indeed, a considerable number of them had fled from the town. Most of the officers, as well as the men, saw that their wisest coursewould be to retreat to the southward, where they could join the army. Thus Popayan once more fell into the hands of the Spaniards. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

DON CASSIODORO CONCEALS MY FATHER AND ME--FEARFUL TREATMENT OF THEINHABITANTS BY THE SPANISH SOLDIERY--I VISIT OUR HOUSE IN DISGUISE--MR. LAFFAN'S MODE OF PRESERVING THE HOUSE--I MEET PAUL LOBO IN DISGUISE--NEWS OF MY RELATIONS--HE GOES TOWARDS OUR HOME--I VISIT THE MARKET--NEARLY BETRAY MYSELF--PAUL TELLS US THAT DR. CAZALLA AND THE MONTEVERDESARE MADE PRISONERS AND SENT TO BOGOTA--PLANS FOR RESCUING THEM--I RETURNTO DON CASSIODOROS--MY FATHER DETERMINES TO SEND MR. LAFFAN AND ME TOBOGOTA--THE SPANIARDS SEARCH FOR MY FATHER--OUR HOST CONCEALS HIM ANDME--I RETURN TO OUR HOUSE AND PREPARE WITH MR. LAFFAN FOR OUREXPEDITION--I GO BACK TO DON CASSIODORO'S, AND ASSUME THE CHARACTER OF AYOUNG ENGLISH MILORD--THE DOMINIE AND I, ATTENDED BY DOMINGO AND LION, START FROM THE HOTEL--JOURNEY ALONG THE VALLEY OF THE CAUCA--STOP ATCALLI. 

A reign of terror now commenced in Popayan. The city was filled withSpanish troops, which took up their quarters in the houses latelyoccupied by the Patriots. A considerable number of the latter madetheir escape, but numbers were cut down in the streets, and others werecaptured and thrust into prison. The square was literally strewed withthe dead. 

My father proposed to return home, but Don Cassiodoro insisted that heshould remain. 

"You will be safe here, " he said; "for no one will suspect me of beingcapable of harbouring disaffected persons; and I owe you a debt ofgratitude, which I can only partially repay by concealing you from yourenemies. "

"But I am a non-combatant, and it is my duty to attend to the wounded, "said my father. 

"Can you say as much for your son?" remarked Don Cassiodoro. "Besides, you would have no opportunity of attending to your duties, as you wouldbe immediately seized and sent to prison. General Calzada has beendirected by Murillo to capture all suspected persons, and to forwardthem to Bogota for trial--and I may say, for execution. Be advised byme--remain in safety here. When you are not found at your house, itwill be supposed that you have fled from the city, and the search afteryou will be relaxed. "

My father at length consented to follow the advice of Don Cassiodoro, who promised to keep him informed of all that was taking place. Therewas, however, a risk that the Spanish colonel, whose wound he haddressed, would inform against him. The only hope was, that the colonel, who was a stranger, did not know who he was, as he spoke Spanish like anative, and Don Cassiodoro had introduced him as his family physician, without mentioning his name. 

I had, by my father's directions, resumed my civilian dress, as had alsoMr Laffan, who was, I should have said, at this time safe in our house. There was, however, much probability that the Spanish soldiers, onentering to plunder the house, might wantonly kill him, and burn itdown. 

That night, it may be supposed, was one of intense anxiety. We couldgain no tidings of any of our friends, for had we gone out the dangerwould have been great, as the Spanish soldiers were ranging through thetown, constantly firing at the windows of houses supposed to beinhabited by Patriots, and killing all the persons they met with in thestreets. We were especially anxious about our uncle, Dr Cazalla, andalso about Senor Monteverde and Dona Dolores. They had all been in thecity on the previous day, and, we feared, could not have been warned ofthe entry of the Spaniards in sufficient time to make their escape. 

All night long the sounds of shots were heard in different parts of thetown, and fearful shrieks and cries arose as some of the unfortunatecitizens were being dragged forth from their dwellings, including oldmen, women, and even little children, to be slaughtered by the savagesoldiery; while here and there great sheets of flame shot up, showingthat a number of houses had been set on fire. Such were the terriblescenes which took place, not only at Popayan, but in nearly all theprincipal towns of the province, when they fell into the hands of theSpaniards. 

A guard had been placed at the door of Don Cassiodoro's house by GeneralCalzada, under the plea that a Spanish officer lay wounded within. Thehouse was thus, indeed, safe from attack, but we were effectuallyprevented from going out to obtain intelligence. 

Towards morning the trumpet sounding recalled the soldiers to theirquarters, and we could distinctly see them crossing the square ladenwith plunder. The Spanish general, having frightened the inhabitantsinto something like submission, was now endeavouring to restore orderamong the troops. Had the Patriot army been near enough to enter thecity during the night, they might have retaken it, and captured ordestroyed every one of their enemies. 

The next day the Spanish colonel, feeling himself very well--indeed, hiswound was of the most trivial nature--desired to go forth, that he mightvisit the general and report his proceedings. Don Cassiodoro, who wasanxious to get rid of him, did not object, and the colonel took hisdeparture. As soon as he was gone, I begged that my father would allowme to go and learn what had become of Mr Laffan, Dr Cazalla, and otherfriends. 

"But you will run a risk of being captured, if not of being injured orkilled, " said my father. 

I told Don Cassiodoro what I wished to do, and one of the young ladiessuggested that I should put on the livery of a stable-boy who happenedto have been sent away into the country sick some time before. I gladlyaccepted the proposal, and Jose's dress being procured, I found that itfitted me exactly. Don Cassiodoro charged me to refrain from answeringquestions; but if pressed, I was to say I was one of his servants. Itwas proposed that I should wait until the evening, as there would beless risk of being recognised; but dressed as I was, I thought that noone could possibly know me: besides, poor Mr Laffan might in themeantime be starving. Before leaving, I filled my pockets witheatables, supposing it likely that all the provisions in the house hadbeen carried away. 

Taking a whip in my hand, I went out by a side door when no one wasnear, and then walked along with as jaunty an air as I could assume. Anumber of people of the lower orders were moving about, but none of thecitizens who had escaped were anywhere to be seen. There were alsosoldiers with parties of slaves or Indians, whom they were compelling tocarry off the dead bodies in order that they might be buried outside thetown. Foraging-parties had also been sent out, and were now returning, driving in the peasantry with provisions, for the general had givenorders to establish a market in the place. The crowd was an advantage, as I was able to make my way without being noticed. 

I hurried on, and soon reached our own house, which appeared not to havebeen entered. All the doors and windows were fast closed, though I sawthat they had been struck by several musket-balls. Going round to thecourtyard, I climbed over the gate, a feat I had performed often before. I knocked gently, when a bark from within assured me that Lion wasacting as guardian of the house. 

"Who's there?" asked a voice which I recognised as that of Mr Laffan. 

"Duncan, " I replied; and presently I heard the bolts withdrawn. MrLaffan started back, for he did not recognise me; but Lion, rushing pasthim, began to leap up and lick my face and hands. 

"For the moment I didn't know you, Duncan, " said Mr Laffan. "ThankfulI am that you have escaped; for I have been in a mighty fright about youand your father since the Spaniards entered the place. Come in, comein, and tell me all about it. " I then went in, and he again closed andbolted the door. 

"We have been equally anxious about you, " I replied; "how did youescape?"

"By bolting all the doors so that the villains could not break them openwithout a battering-ram, then hanging a British flag out of the windowand shouting, `Vive el Roy! If any one comes in here, he will bringdown the vengeance of England on his head. ' I don't know which had themost effect, the flag, the loyal shout, or the threat of vengeance, butone party after another of the rascals turned away; so, you see, if youand your father had been here you would have escaped. Poor Lion and I, however, have been somewhat on short commons. I shared what I couldfind in the house with the faithful brute, as was but fair. "

"I suspected that such might be the case, " I said, producing what I hadbrought in my pockets; of which Mr Laffan eagerly ate a portion, andbestowed the rest upon Lion, who gobbled it up in a few seconds, showinghow hungry he was. As what I had brought could do little more thanstimulate their appetites, I offered at once to go out and buy someprovisions, which I could do very well in my character of a stable-boy. Fortunately I had some money in my pocket. I started immediately, intending afterwards to visit Dr Cazalla, as also the house in whichSenor Monteverde and Dona Dolores had been residing, although I did notexpect to find any of them. 

As I was proceeding along the streets, I saw an old black man. His onlyclothing was a broad-brimmed hat, and a pair of loose drawers fastenedround his waist by a girdle, to which was hung his manchette. He camealong driving a mule laden with bamboo-canes, such as are constantlysold in the town for piping and other purposes. I was going to passhim, when I saw him look very hard at me, and heard him utter my name ina low tone of voice, which I thought I recognised. A smile passed overhis countenance, and on looking round and observing no one near, hesaid--

"I am better disguised dan you, Senor Duncan. "

By his voice I at once recognised Paul Lobo. 

"Are my mother, sister, Don Ricardo, and the rest well?" I asked. 

"Yes, yes, I hab a good account to give ob dem, " he replied; "but tellme, has el senor doctor escaped, and is de house safe?"

"Yes, " I replied. 

"Den come on with me, for I hab much to tell you, and we may bediscovered if seen speaking here. "

I said that I had to go to the market and obtain some food, and that Iwished to inquire about my uncle, Dr Cazalla, and the Monteverdes. 

"Buy de food, by all means, but do not venture to make furder inquiries;I can tell you all you want to know, " he said. 

Seeing some one approaching, he drove on his mule, singing out, "Whowants to buy canes--sound straight canes?" though he did not stop forany one to answer him. 

I hastened to the market-place. Provisions were but scant, the soldiershaving appropriated most of what was brought in. However, I got as muchas I wanted, although I nearly betrayed myself by the ignorance Idisplayed in making my purchases. With a basket on my shoulder, which Ihad bought, I returned homewards. Several persons cast inquiringglances at me; and a Spanish sergeant eyed me very narrowly, I thought. But I went whistling along, as if free from care, and he did not stop toput questions to me. I was thankful when I got back to the courtyard, where I found Paul Lobo standing by his mule. Both he and Mr Laffan, and Lion too, were very glad to get some of the provisions I hadbrought. 

"And now, Paul, " I said, "what information have you to give me?"

"Berry sorry to say, not good. I hear as I come 'long dat all de gatesare guarded, so dat no one can go out ob de city; dat de general giborders to take up eberybody in de place who can read and write, nomatter who dey are. They hab already got hold ob el senor DoctorCazalla, Senor Monteverde, and his daughter. General Calzada, himpretty good man and not like to shoot people, so dey send dem all toGeneral Murillo at Bogota; and he, dey say, kill for de pleasure obkilling. Depend 'pon it, dey come to look for senor doctor; so he mus'hide away, and not show his face till de Patriots come back--and dat deydo, I hope, 'fore long. "

"This is indeed bad news; I will go back to my father and tell him whatyou say, Paul, " I answered. "But do you think it would be possible torescue Doctor Cazalla and the Monteverdes?"

Paul replied that they had already, from what he could learn, been sentout of the city, and were on their way to Bogota. 

I proposed to hasten immediately to the army and let Juan know, in thehope that, by a forced march, he might be able to intercept the escortand rescue the prisoners. But both Paul and Mr Laffan declared that itwould be impossible: that I could not obtain a horse, as the Spaniardshad taken possession of all those found in the city; and that if I couldget one, I should not be able to pass through the gates of the city. 

We talked over the subject, but could think of no plan likely tosucceed. I was in despair. I felt, however, that I must immediatelyreturn to my father and give him the information Paul had brought; hewould, perhaps, be able to devise some plan more likely to succeed thanany I could form. As it was certain that our house would be searched, Iadvised Mr Laffan to try and gain some place of concealment where heand Lion might remain, assuring him that Paul Lobo would find the meansof supplying them with food. 

"No, no; I'll stop and defend the house to the last. The plunderingrascals will hesitate before they attempt to break-in, " he answered. "We have four muskets and three brace of pistols, and I shall be able togive a good account of a dozen or move of them if they make the attempt. If they come with authority to search for your father, I intend thatthey shall find me seated at table writing despatches to the EnglishGovernment; and I shall have the same flag I used before hung over myhead. If they inquire for the doctor, I'll tell them the fact, that heleft this house some hours before they came into the city; and that ifhe has a swift horse, he is probably leagues away to the north, south, east, or west, to join his family. If that does not satisfy them, I'llshrug my shoulders, send a puff of smoke in their faces from my cigar, and go on writing my despatches. "

I could not help laughing at the honest Irishman's coolness. His planseemed the best that could be adopted, and I hoped that it mightsucceed. Paul said he should remain with his mule in the courtyard, andshould the Spaniards come to the house, he would move away crying hiswares, hoping thus to escape being questioned. 

Fortunately I had told neither Mr Laffan nor Paul that my father was atDon Cassiodoro's; although, seeing me in the livery of that family, theymight have suspected where he was. As it was important to get back toDon Cassiodoro's without delay, and finding that no one was near, Islipped out at the gate, and passing along some back streets, made myway to his house. 

My father was greatly grieved when he heard that Doctor Cazalla and theMonteverdes had been arrested and sent off to Bogota. He was too wellacquainted with General Murillo's bloodthirsty nature not to feel thegreatest possible fear for their safety. 

"That Spanish tiger has sworn to stamp out every spark of liberty in theland, and to destroy all those who are capable of rekindling it, " heobserved; "we must, however, try what can be done. Let me consider. "

He was silent for a quarter of an hour or more. At last, looking up, hesaid, "Duncan, I can trust to your judgment and energy, and also tothose of Mr Laffan. I will send you and him to Bogota, with letters tovarious friends who are likely to interest themselves on behalf of theprisoners. They may be the means of preserving their lives for thepresent, and of ultimately obtaining their liberty. "

"I am ready to start this instant, " I replied; "so is Mr Laffan, I amsure, for the excitement he has gone through has cured his fever. Wemay push on ahead, and get there before them. "

"Neither are you nor Mr Laffan in a fit state to make a forced march, "he answered; "you must preserve your health, else you may be unable torender the service you desire. I intend that you should travel in thecharacter of a young English gentleman, with Mr Laffan as your tutor. You must speak no Spanish; and he knows quite enough to get on perfectlywell. "

We had just arranged the whole plan, and I had agreed to go back andexplain it to Mr Laffan, when Don Cassiodoro hurriedly entered theroom. 

"My dear doctor, " he exclaimed, "some Spanish officials are at the door, and from the information I have received I fear that they have come toarrest you. Follow me instantly. Take up these writing materials andeverything that belongs to you; there's not a moment to lose. Let yourson come too; were he to be seen, they would at once conclude that youwere here. "

Don Cassiodoro leading the way, my father and I followed him to an upperstory, and entered an unfurnished room. "If the don requires us to stayhere, we shall certainly be discovered, " I thought. But I was mistaken. Drawing aside a panel in the wall, he disclosed a recess; then pointingupwards, he showed us a broad shelf at the top. 

"How are we to get up there?" asked my father. 

Don Cassiodoro pulled down a small ladder. "Draw this up after you, " hesaid, "and place it along the side. You will find that there is a coverwhich may be let down, and which will completely conceal you. Shouldthose seeking you chance to discover the panel and enter the recess, they might search round it, and yet not suppose that you were within. "

My father wrung the don's hand and expressed his gratitude. Weimmediately climbed up, and drawing the ladder after us, then let downthe lid, --for so I may call it, --which made the surface look exactlylike a broad beam running from one side of the house to the other. Amore perfect hiding-place could scarcely have been devised, as nostranger, unless treachery had been at work, was likely to discover it. 

We heard Don Cassiodoro's footsteps as he descended the stairs. Soonafterwards voices from below reached us. The door of the room had beenostentatiously left open. Don Cassiodoro's voice rose above that of hisunwelcome visitors as he complained of the insult offered him, and atthe want of confidence placed in his loyalty. The officers must havebeen, by some means or other, informed that my father was in the house, as they persisted in searching every room. 

"He is nowhere below, but we shall probably unkennel him in the upperstory, " I heard one of them say as they mounted the stairs. 

They at last entered the room. 

"Where can that rascally English doctor be?" exclaimed one of them. "Hewas too wise to hide in his own house; but if he is not here, where ishe?"

"Never fear, we shall catch him somewhere, " observed another; "and weshall have the pleasure of seeing the Republican heretic shot, to repayus for our trouble. "

From these remarks I knew that our house must have been searcheddirectly after I left it, and that I had had a very narrow escape. Iwas in hopes that something would have been said to inform me of whathad happened to Mr Laffan; but no remark was made on the subject. Icould only hope that Mr Laffan's plan had succeeded, and that they hadbeen afraid to touch him. The long-coated, grave-looking dominie wouldnever have been suspected of having lately acted the part of a dashinglancer. 

We lay listening and perfectly still, for as we could hear everythingthat was said, we knew that the slightest noise might have betrayed us. 

"Are you convinced, gentlemen, that the English doctor is not here?" Iheard Don Cassiodoro ask. "Now, I desire you to apologise to me foryour intrusion. The general knows best whether it would be politic toshoot a skilful surgeon and an Englishman, who is willing and able toheal the wounds of the loyal subjects of King Ferdinand as well as ofrebels. My belief is, that although he may love liberty in theabstract, he is too much engaged in his professional duties to interferein any way in politics. "

At length we heard the front door close, and Don Cassiodoro returned tothe recess to tell us that we might come down, but that my father mustbe ready to return to his place of concealment at a moment's notice. "And you, young sir, " he said, turning to me, "it will be wise in you tokeep out of the way of General Calzada; for, should he find out whoseson you are, he might seize you as a hostage for the doctor. "

On this, my father told Don Cassiodoro that he was anxious to send meand my tutor to Bogota, and that under the circumstances it would besafer for us to travel under assumed names. 

Don Cassiodoro at once agreed to render all the assistance in his power;for he saw that the sooner I could set off the better. So, in the firstplace, as it was necessary to obtain a couple of horses, he immediatelyundertook to supply us from his own stud, and also to advance any moneywe might require. 

While my father was writing the letters, I hastened back to our ownhouse, being still dressed as a groom. I found Mr Laffan seated at thetable as he proposed, with a flag over his head. The house, as I hadfully expected, had been visited and searched, but had not beenplundered. Probably the officers had been forbidden to plunder it, inorder that my father might be the more easily enticed back. 

On hearing the proposed plan, Mr Laffan sprang to his feet, anddeclared that he was ready at once to proceed. The question was, Whatwas to be done with the house?

"Leave dat to me, " said Paul; "me find honest woman who fight like onepanther 'fore she let any one come into de house. "

As a precautionary measure, we concealed all the most valuable articleswe could find; leaving, however, a few silver forks and spoons tomislead plunderers, who might suppose that they were the only things inthe house worth taking. 

The dominie--for so I may again call him--having dressed in asappropriate a style as possible, as the tutor of a young English milord, and Lobo having warned us that the coast was clear, we left the house toproceed to a posada where Don Cassiodoro had arranged to send thehorses. I carried the valise containing Mr Laffan's wearing apparel. My own was in the provision-basket on my back. The load, I must say, was rather a heavy one. Lion rushed out with us. At first I thought ofleaving him as a guard to the house, but he seemed to have made up hismind to come, and Mr Laffan advised me to take him. "The noble brutemay render us good service on our journey, and I would sooner have himthan half a dozen guards, who would be very likely to rob us, or runaway if we were attacked. " Lion wagged his tail and showed every signof satisfaction when he understood that I intended to take him with me. 

On arriving at the posado, the dominie put a piece of money into myhand, as if to pay me for having carried his valise; and I heard himtell the landlord that he was waiting for a young English milord, whowas anxious to return home by way of Bogota. I then hurried back to DonCassiodoro's, where I resumed my proper costume. To prevent my beingrecognised, my father had provided a pair of huge whiskers andmoustaches, and by careful painting he made me look considerably olderthan I was. With the aid of a few additions to my costume, I certainlylooked as I had never done before. Even the young ladies, when I camedownstairs, did not at first recognise me. My father, having given meall needful instructions, supplied me with a purse and the letters hehad written; while Don Cassiodoro put into my hands a passport, which hehad obtained at considerable risk of implicating himself. He thenordered a servant to strap my valise on the saddle of my horse, whileanother mounted servant led the horse intended for the dominie. 

"That man is as true as steel, " observed Don Cassiodoro. "You cannotproceed without an attendant, and I have directed him to accompany you. You will find Domingo of the greatest use. He believes you to be whatyou profess to be. I have charged him not to let it be known that he isin my service, so as to prevent inconvenient questions. "

We reached the posada without being stopped. 

"I am so glad my dear young lord has come, " said the dominie, turning tothe host; "for though the Royalists have gained the day at present, wedo not know how soon those dreadful Republicans may have the upperhand. "

"Truly, truly, " answered the landlord, bowing to me. "Milord will beglad to return to England, where all, I am told, are true Royalists. "

"Milord does not understand much Spanish, " observed Mr Laffan; "we mustwish you farewell. "

As we might have risked discovery by further delay, we rode forward;Domingo, armed to the teeth, following us. Mr Laffan, I found, had twobrace of pistols in his holsters, and a sword, which he kept concealedunder his cloak. I, of course, carried one in my character of a younggentleman of fortune, and I also had a brace of pistols; so that we weretolerably well-armed. Mr Laffan, who had taken the passport, producedit with a flourish at the gates, and begged that milord might not betroubled with unnecessary delay. The officer on guard bowed politely, and we were allowed to pass. I had little expected to get on so well, but no one seemed to suspect our character. 

As soon as we were out of sight of the city, we pushed forward, anxiousto get as far as we could before nightfall. Our road was to be duenorth for a considerable distance, along the banks of the Cauca. Afterthis we were to turn to the right over the Quindio mountains to reachBogota. Our great object was to push on to such a distance fromPopayan, that I might not run the risk of being recognised by anypersons who knew me. The letters I carried were couched in suchlanguage, that had they fallen into the hands of the Spaniards I shouldstill have been safe. They spoke of me as a young Englishman of fortunewho had come over to see the beauties of the country, and who proposedto spend a short time at Bogota on his way down the Magdalena toCartagena, from whence he expected to embark for England. Theyrequested that the friends to whom they were addressed would render himevery assistance in carrying out the objects of his journey, especiallyin obtaining any information he might desire. They were mostlyaddressed to well-known Royalists, still better to conceal my realobject. 

I cannot stay to describe the numerous incidents of the journey. Thefirst night we stopped at the house of the padre of a village. I foundhim to be a man of liberal sentiments, from what he said to Mr Laffan;though, keeping up my character, I did not venture to speak. At first Ifelt surprised at this; but I afterwards discovered that he possessed aBible, which he constantly studied. 

"You Englishmen appreciate the book, " he observed to my tutor; "but Ihave, on several occasions, been compelled to hide it, lest I should beaccused of being an enemy to Spain. "

Continuing our journey, we travelled along the base of the Cordilleras, which towered to the skies on our right. The scenery was mostmagnificent. From a height we had reached we cast our eyes over thebeautiful valley, with one or two large villages near us, and the prettytown of Calli in the distance. We made our way towards it, though itwas somewhat out of our direct course. The inhabitants were generallysupporters of the Liberal cause, and had suffered greatly from theSpaniards. As we got close to the bridge we stopped to inquire whichwas the principal inn in the place. Crossing the bridge, we rodethrough the streets of the neat little town in search of a posada, atwhich we agreed that it would be more prudent to stop than with aresident, as I might thus be able to gain much more information from theconversation of the visitors than I could at the house of a privateperson. Everywhere the town exhibited traces of the visit of an enemy. Many of the houses were deserted, others had been burned to the ground. Several were in ruins, and the walls, in many places, were bespatteredwith bullet-marks. 

Domingo took our horses round to the shed which served as a stable, while we entered the public room, the centre of which was occupied by along table with rough benches on either side, at which several persons--merchants, small traders, and carriers--were seated. Mr Laffanrequested to be supplied with food, and asked if we could have a room inwhich our hammocks could be slung up. 

The landlord assured him that the whole house was at our command. 

"Yes, " said Mr Laffan, "but we would rather have a room to ourselves. This young English milord likes to be quiet. "

The landlord examined me with a curious look, and said he should behappy to clear out a room at present occupied by some of his family. 

I asked Mr Laffan to tell me what the landlord had said, and in replybegged to assure him that I would not on any account put his estimablefamily to so much inconvenience; that we would, therefore, sling ourhammocks at the further end of the hall. 

He was not long in placing a very fairly concocted olla-podrida beforeus. It consisted of beef, fowls, bacon, mutton, and a variety ofvegetables, all cooked together, and tolerably free from garlic. Thelandlord remarked, as he tasted it before us, "I am aware that theEnglish do not like much of that root, as I discovered by observing theexpressions of disgust exhibited by the countenances of some Britishofficers for whom I had prepared a dish with rather more, perhaps, thanthe usual allowance of seasoning. One of them declared that he waspoisoned, and compelled me, at the point of his sword, to eat the wholeof it; while another clapped the dish upside down on my head, andinsisted on my producing some other food of a less savoury character. Ihave remembered ever since that Englishmen do not like garlic. "

While the landlord was talking, I endeavoured to listen to theconversation going on at the other part of the table. I gathered fromit some satisfactory news. Bolivar was again in arms, and at the headof a considerable force, with which he had been successful in Venezuela, and was marching towards New Granada. I earnestly hoped that he mightcapture Bogota before the Spaniards had put our friends to death. Onceor twice I was tempted to ask questions, and only recollected just intime that I was supposed not to understand Spanish. Some of the men atthe supper-table eyed me, I fancied, narrowly; but whether theysuspected who I was, or were considering whether it would not beprofitable to rob the young English milord, I could not make out. 

Mr Laffan and Domingo having secured our hammocks, we turned in, withour pistols by our sides, while Lion took up his usual post under wherewe lay. 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

OUR JOURNEY CONTINUED--A SNAKE KILLED--ABUNDANCE OF ANIMAL LIFE--PAUCITYOF INHABITANTS--BLACK HERDSMEN--VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS OF THE CAUCAVALLEY--BEAUTIFUL SCENE NEAR CARTAGO--WE ENTER CARTAGO--A WRETCHEDPOSADA--MR. LAFFAN SEARCHES FOR CARRIERS--A SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER--THESILLEROS--ARRANGEMENTS FOR CROSSING THE MOUNTAINS--THE OFFICER TELLS USOF THE ESCAPE OF DONA DOLORES--A MIDNIGHT ROBBER--LION KEEPS GUARD--WEHAVE CAUSE TO BE UNEASY--THE SPANISH OFFICER STARTS BEFORE US--OURJOURNEY OVER THE QUINDIO MOUNTAINS COMMENCED--A RUINED VILLAGE. 

We left Calli at daybreak, before the rest of the guests were astir. Iwas not altogether satisfied that we had escaped detection; and from theappearance of some of the characters at the supper-table, I thought itpossible that an attempt might be made to rob us. How Domingo mightact, I could not tell; but I was very sure that, in the event of beingattacked by banditti, Mr Laffan would prove to them that they hadcaught a Tartar. The road we traversed was as bad as could be. Sometimes our horses descended the hills almost on their haunches; atothers we were compelled to dismount and lead them up the steepinclines. We had several streams to cross; some we were able to ford, others were spanned by wooden bridges. One of these was thrown over arapid river which flowed at the foot of some steep and huge rocks, abovewhich was a level space with inaccessible-hills on either side. 

"That would form a good military post, " observed Mr Laffan, pointing tothe spot. "Either our friends or our enemies will take possession of itone of these days, and it will prove a hard matter to drive them out. "

I noted the spot, as well as his remark. 

At the next stream we came to, which was a more tranquil one than theformer, we had an adventure. As we were crossing it, we observed alarge snake swimming towards us. On it came, with its head and part ofits body raised out of the water. On nearing us it stopped, apparentlywatching our motions. I then knew, by the black cross which I observedon its neck, that it was of the species called aquis, one of the boldestand most venomous of the serpents of that region. Mr Laffan, notliking the creature's appearance, and naturally thinking it intended toattack us, drew his pistol. 

"You had better not, senor, " cried Domingo; "you are very likely tomiss, and the brute will come after us. Let me take it in hand. Pleasehold my horse. "

Domingo dismounting, ran a short distance, to a place where we saw anumber of bamboos growing. He cut one with his sword, and then advancedto fulfil his promise. The aquis had all the time remained perfectlyquiet, with its eyes fixed on us. As Domingo approached, the creatureput out its forked tongue, and raised itself higher in the water, as ifpreparing to make a dart at its enemy. On this, Domingo retired to adistance; but he and the snake continued to watch each other for someminutes. Suddenly the aquis turned round, and began to swim to theother side of the river. The moment Domingo observed its head turnedfrom him he rushed to the bank, and before it got beyond his reach gaveit three or four tremendous blows with the bamboo, which made it turn onits back. Then following up the attack, he succeeded in killing thecreature. On measuring it, we found that it was upwards of six feet inlength. 

"It never does to run from these creatures, " observed Domingo, as heremounted; "they will follow even a horse for a league or more, and moveas rapidly, provided the ground is not too dry. "

In the meadows we observed large numbers of fine cattle. 

"Ah, senor, you might have seen twice as many before the Spaniardspassed by, " said Domingo; "but they slaughtered all they could get, sometimes merely for the sake of their tongues. It is a pity that thepeople should have rebelled against their lawful sovereign; and this isthe consequence. "

Mr Laffan made no reply. It was as well, for our purpose, that Domingoshould appear so loyal. 

In the woods, and often flying across the valley, we saw various kindsof birds, macaws and parrots; some of the latter had yellow plumage onthe breast, wings, and tail, and red feathers on the head. We also metwith wild turkeys, grouse, and partridges in large numbers; and wefrequently caught sight of deer scampering over the hills. Butsometimes, during a whole day, we did not pass a single house of anysize, while the cottages of the peasantry were scattered at longdistances from each other. 

As we proceeded down the valley, however, we saw a number of neatcountry-houses and cottages; while the soil appeared to be fruitful inthe extreme, and nothing could surpass the beauty of the scenery. Thenumbers of the cattle also increased. They were under the charge ofblack slaves, who were riding about looking after them. We saw neitherCreoles nor Indians: the latter had made their escape to the forests andmountains, and the former had been carried off to serve in either theone army or the other. The appearance of the blacks on horseback wassingular. On their heads they wore large straw hats, while their bodieswere covered by a cloak made of rushes, which served to keep out boththe heat and the rain. Their legs were bare, but their feet wereprotected by sandals, to which were fastened spurs of huge dimensions. Each man carried by his left side a long manchette, or sword-knife, secured to his girdle. They were all galloping as hard as they couldgo, wheeling their horses round and then halting in a moment. 

"Those fellows would make useful cavalry, if they could be got to facethe enemy; and I should like to find myself at the head of a thousand ofthem, " observed Mr Laffan. "We should give a good account of any ofthe Spanish lancers we might fall in with. "

Soon after this, on the shores of a small lake, we came upon a curioustree, which Mr Laffan pronounced to be the wax-palm, or the _Ceroxilonandicola_. From its appearance I should have supposed that it couldonly grow in the very warmest regions; but it is of so happy aconstitution that it flourishes equally well in temperate and in coldclimates. We afterwards found some on the mountains of Quindio. Theyare the most hardy of the Palm tribe: where others would perish, orassume a dwarfed or stunted form, the wax-palm raises its stem, in theform of an elegantly-wrought column, a hundred and fifty feet high, witha splendid leafy plume. From the leaves and trunk exudes a grey andacrid matter, which on drying assumes the nature of wax as pure as thatof bees, but rather more brittle. I have seen tallow-candles surroundedby a thin coating of this wax, which, not melting as rapidly as thetallow, prevents the candle from guttering. 

The valley of the Cauca abounds with bamboo-cane, which serves a varietyof purposes. With the bamboo the inhabitants build their houses, anderect a pretty kind of fence around their farms. The peasantry makewith it sweet-sounding flutes; it furnishes them also withdrinking-cups, water-buckets, and bird-cages, chairs and baskets, blow-pipes and arrows. With the canes also large rafts are built forcarrying cocoa and other produce down the rivers even as far as theports of embarkation, where the rafts themselves are disposed of toadvantage. As cattle abound, ox-hides are made use of for all sorts ofdomestic purposes. Tables are covered with them, and also sofas, chairs, bedsteads, doors, and trunks. Cut into strips, they formlassoes, greatly in use among the cattle-keepers of the plains. Theyare formed into bottles, too, for wine and chica; and with them also, stretched on poles, hand-barrows are constructed for carrying earth andrubbish. 

We met in this region a number of horses and mules without ears, andothers with their ears lying flat on their necks. On inquiring thereason, we found that this was occasioned by an insect like a wood-lousegetting inside them, and which is as prolific as the chigua in the toesof human beings. These insects gradually devour the nerves of the ear, which then falls off. To prevent this, the muleteers rub the inside ofthe animal's ears with hog's lard, to which the insect has a decidedaversion. 

Even this paradise was not perfect. We caught sight of severaltiger-cats, jaguars, and pumas, which come down and commit depredationson the flocks and herds; and occasionally a huge black bear will descendfrom his mountain lair and pay a visit to the hog-pen, though he runs arisk of being shot by the watchful owner. 

Having all my life lived in the high regions of New Granada, I was notprepared for the perfectly tropical scenery I now for the first timebeheld. I remember one spot by the side of the Cauca, just before wereached Cartago. The sepos, or rope-like vines, hung from the loftybranches of the trees, and beautifully-coloured parasitical plants weresuspended in the air. Gaily-tinted macaws flew across the blue sky, andother birds of the gayest plumage flitted here and there. There wereseveral plants of the cacti species on the borders of the stream, on theshores of which were seen the bamboo-dwellings of the inhabitants, withpalms and other graceful trees rising above them; while long-tailedmonkeys swung to and fro on the creepers, which seemed arrangedspecially for their amusement. 

Soon after this we reached the town of Cartago, from which we were tostrike upwards over the Quindio mountains. The town was of considerablesize, and at one time, I have no doubt, was as flourishing as others inthe province. The curse of war had fallen upon it. Many of the houseswere empty, --their owners having been killed on their own thresholds, orcarried off to be shot, or sent to work at the fortifications ofCartagena or other places on the coast. I saw here a larger number ofslaves--negroes and negresses--than at any other place we had passedthrough. The latter were dressed in blue petticoats, without any othergarments. They came in numbers from the river-side, carrying hugepitchers or leathern bottles of water on their heads, and walkinggracefully and perfectly upright. I remember a group we passed in theoutskirts of the town, who appeared to take life very easily: the women, in the most scanty raiment, with huge necklaces, were seated on theground chatting and laughing; the men, their only garment a shirt, werelazily smoking their cigars. Forgetting that I was to be ignorant ofSpanish, I spoke to them, when, turning round, I saw a person passing inthe uniform of an officer. He looked at me for a moment, but making noremark, passed on, and I thought no more about the matter. 

Only a very small remnant, I should say, of the ancient inhabitants nowremain, though the traces of their former existence are everywhere to beseen, showing that at one time they must have been very numerous. Theyhave been destroyed in vast numbers by the severity of their relentlessand avaricious taskmasters. Thousands and tens of thousands of poorIndians have perished from famine, the sword, and the pestilence, orhave died with hearts broken by the loss of liberty, or from beingcompelled to labour in the gold-mines with constitutions unequal to theperformance of their hard task-work. 

We were, of course, anxious not to stay an hour longer at Cartago thanwas necessary; and yet it might seem strange to the inhabitants that anEnglishman, travelling for the sake of amusement, should not wish toremain a sufficient time in the town even to form a correct opinion ofit. The posada was a wretched one, but there were few people in it. The old woman who kept it declared that the Spaniards had carried offall her property; indeed, except a few red earthenware plates, I couldsee nothing on which our supper could be served. I sat down in a cornerof the room, and pretended to be reading an English book; while MrLaffan went out to arrange for guides, silleros, and peons, to enable usto travel over the Quindio mountains. From what our old landlady said, I guessed that she was a Liberal; but, of course, I thought it best notto trust her. The silleros are chairmen, the peons carry the baggage. It was not necessary, we found, to leave our horses behind, though itmight be dangerous to ride them. At the same time, if it had not beenimportant to keep up our character as travellers, I should not havehesitated to push over the mountains with a single guide to show theway. 

While I was waiting for Mr Laffan's return, a Spanish officer enteredthe posada, and in a dictatorial tone ordered supper, although it was anearly hour for that meal. He then eyed me narrowly, and inquired of theold woman who I was. It struck me that he was the person I had seenwhile I was talking to the natives. 

"An English milord going over the Quindio mountains to Bogota, " was theanswer--being the information Domingo had given her. 

Turning towards me, he inquired if such were the case. I was verynearly replying, when I remembered that I did not speak Spanish, and Imade signs to let him know that my companion would soon return andinform him all about the matter. Finding that he could make nothing ofme, he paced up and down the room, his sword clanking on the hard mudfloor. Whenever he came near me, Lion gave a low growl, and appeared asif about to spring on him. There was something in the tone of hisvoice, or the appearance of the man, which evidently the sagaciousanimal did not like. Soon after an orderly appeared, conducting asillero and two peons--the sillero was a fine strong-built man in aloose dress. 

The captain told them that he meant to start next morning at daybreak togo across the mountains, and that they must reach Ibaque in five days. 

"Impossible, " was the answer. "Six is the least in which the journeycan be performed. Except with the greatest exertion, it requiresseven. "

"I must start at daybreak to-morrow morning, and my orders must beobeyed. Go! the sergeant will look after you. "

The soldier retired with the men, who, I found, were his prisoners; andin a short time Mr Laffan appeared, and said that he had arranged withtwo silleros and five peons, three of whom were to lead the horses, andthe other two to carry our baggage. 

"Domingo will have to walk, and so must we, if we wish to push on fast, "he observed. "They can go on ahead, and we can overtake them at thefoot of the mountains, " he added. 

This was satisfactory intelligence. I then told him what I had heardthe Spanish officer saying; that he seemed an ill-tempered fellow; andthat we must be on our guard towards him. 

The captain, after having discussed his supper, put the same questionsto Mr Laffan that he had put to me. 

My tutor told him the story agreed on. "Oh!" he said, "you will followme, for I must carry intelligence of the proceedings of the rascallyrebels to Bogota. "

"A pleasant journey to you then, colonel, " said Mr Laffan, giving him ahigher title than was his due. "We Englishmen, unaccustomed to yourwild mountains, cannot travel so fast. "

I begged Mr Laffan to inquire what news the officer could give us. 

"Very satisfactory, " he answered; "the rebels are everywhere defeated, and many of their leaders have been taken prisoners. The onlyunfortunate circumstance has been the escape of some of the prisonerswho were being sent to Bogota by the way of La Plata. Among othersrescued is that intriguing lady, Dona Dolores Monteverde. "

I tried to keep my countenance as this was said. 

"Never heard of her, " observed Mr Laffan with imperturbable coolness. "How did it happen?"

"Suddenly, as the guards who had her and others in charge were emergingfrom a defile, they were set upon by a small party of horsemen who hadremained concealed behind the rocks, and had allowed the larger force topass. Most of the escort were cut down, for their bodies were foundstrewed on the ground; and the prisoners, including Dona Dolores, werecarried off. Though hotly pursued by the cavalry, who, on hearing theshots, had returned, the rascals made good their escape. "

I was delighted to hear this, and I had no doubt but that Juan by somemeans or other had heard of the capture of Dona Dolores, and had formeda plan for her rescue. I hoped also that her father had escaped withher, as he probably would be in her company. It relieved my mind of agreat difficulty; for although I had resolved to attempt her liberation, I could devise no plan for its accomplishment. I advised Mr Laffan toask no further questions, lest the officer might suspect that he hadsome object in view. 

We slung up our hammocks as usual in the common room, and the dominieand I did our best to sleep soundly, knowing that Lion would awake us ifnecessary. 

The captain had stowed himself away on a pile of straw and cloaks in thecorner, and just before I closed my eyes I heard him snoring loudly. Asmall oil lamp on the table shed an uncertain light through the room, sothat objects could be only dimly distinguished. Our valises, I shouldhave said, had been left on the ground a short distance from the headsof our hammocks. 

How long I had been asleep I do not know, but I was awakened by a lowgrowl from Lion. He did not spring forward, however. Looking up, Ithought I distinguished a figure stealing along the wall. Lion stillgrowled. The person, if there was one, remained in dark shadow, or elsehad passed through some opening, which I did not remember to haveobserved. I lay awake for some moments watching, but could see no one. I tried to make out whether the Spanish captain was still asleep on hisbed, but, at the distance I was from the corner, I could not be certain. He was not, at all events, snoring, though he might be there. 

Supposing that I must have been mistaken, I once more fell asleep. Strange to say, the same circumstances again occurred; but this time, forgetting at the moment that it was supposed I could not speak Spanish, and suddenly aroused from slumber, I shouted out, "Who goes there? Takecare, whoever you are, else I'll send a bullet through your head. "There was no answer. Lion gave a suppressed bark, in addition to agrowl, and moved forward to where the valises lay, where he couched downwith his fore paws stretched out, and his head resting on them, watchingour property. From this I was convinced that some one had attempted tosteal them, or, at all events, to obtain some of their contents; for wehad carelessly left them both partly open. I was, however, now verysure that Lion would take care not to allow any one to touch themwithout giving us abundant warning. 

This time I remained awake for some minutes, and clearly distinguished aperson creeping round to the captain's bed, on which he threw himself. It must have been the captain himself. Possibly his object was toobtain some money, which, supposing me to be a rich Englishman, he hadconcluded he should find; or he may have wished to get hold of ourletters to ascertain who we were. He had, during the evening, frequently cast suspicious glances at my tutor and me, as if he were notquite certain that the account we gave of ourselves was the true one. 

Overcome by sleep, my eyes once more closed; but I dreamed that I sawthe captain reading our letters at the table, and making notes of theircontents; and that then Lion jumped up and seized him by the throat. The dominie and I sprang to his rescue, but could not find the letters. I thought that he addressed us both by name, however, and appeared toknow all about our affairs. 

The captain got up at daybreak, and awoke us by shouting for hisbreakfast. During the meal, which he hurried over, he asked Mr Laffana number of questions; then suddenly turning to me he said--

"How is it that you, who have been some months in the country, cannotspeak Spanish?"

I looked at Mr Laffan and signed to him to reply. 

"The young milord has no aptitude for learning languages, " he observed. "If you were to go to England, it might be some months before you couldmake yourself understood. "

The Spaniard, smiling grimly, said, "That's strange, for I was awakenedduring the night by hearing him cry out, in very good Spanish, threatening to shoot somebody. I recognised his voice, and could not bemistaken. "

I endeavoured to look perfectly unconcerned, as if I had not understoodwhat was said. 

"You must have been dreaming, senor captain, " observed Mr Laffan; "Iwas nearer to him than you, and did not hear his voice. "

He then, turning to me, asked what the Spaniard could mean. 

"Tell him that the young English lord is indignant at having suchremarks made; that he must apologise for venturing to say such things. It will be better to carry matters with a high hand. "

The captain again smiled grimly, and muttered, "We shall see, we shallsee. "

Having finished his meal, without even offering to pay the landlady heleft the house and joined his men, who were waiting for him at the doorwith the captive silleros and peons. I followed him out unobserved, andheard him remark "that they must push on as fast as they could go, andkeep ahead of the two English travellers. "

"They are not likely to start for a couple of hours, " answered thesergeant; "and if you wish it, we may find means to stop them. "

Some further conversation ensued, when the captain took out a paper, onwhich he wrote several sentences. 

"Give this to Major Alvez, and if he thinks fit he will despatch a partyto arrest them. You may accompany it, as you know them, and so therewill be no mistake. "

Not wishing to be discovered, I returned into the house before I couldhear more. The captain, mounting a strong mule, rode off, followed bythe soldiers and the prisoners. 

As soon as they were gone, the men whom Mr Laffan had hired made theirappearance. The two silleros were remarkably fine, intelligent--lookingIndians, dressed in loose trousers and shirt, the universal poncho ofsmall dimensions over their shoulders, and a large straw hat. They hadlong poles in their hands. The peons wore only hats and loose shorttrousers. The machine on which the latter carry the baggage is a sortof frame of bamboo about three feet long, with a cross-piece at thelower end, on which they rest the load. It is secured with straps, which first pass round the burden and then go over the shoulders andacross the breast; another strap passes over the forehead, and isfastened to the top of the bamboo at the back. The peons are careful toput a pad between the strap and the head and loins, to prevent chafing. The chair on which people are carried is much the same as the silla decargo, except that the chair has rests for the arms, and a step for thefeet. A peon will carry a load weighing a hundred pounds, but sometimesdouble that weight. Although neither Mr Laffan nor I intended to makeuse of our silleros unless in case of necessity, we thought it prudentto take them with us, that we might keep up our character as Englishtravellers. The sillero who had been engaged to carry me was awell-informed fellow, as I judged from his remarks to Domingo;--ofcourse, he did not address me. 

Some time elapsed before the mules were brought to the door. Our horseswere led by halters; and, that they might be as unencumbered aspossible, their saddles and bridles were carried on the backs of peons. Everything being ready, we started; the porters, with the loads on theirbacks, keeping up easily with the mules. The road for about a league ofthe way was tolerable, but it then became so bad that we had frequentlyto dismount and trudge on foot. So steep were the hills in some places, that there was no little danger of our animals rolling over. The mules, however, accustomed to the ground, inspected it narrowly, then, plantingtheir four legs together, slid down on their haunches. All we could dowas to sit well back in our saddles, and trust to the sure-footedness ofour animals. 

Our first stopping-place was in a ruinous village at the foot of themountains--the last we were to see until we reached Ibaque. We occupieda room in one of the houses, while our attendants formed sheds, andcovered them with large plantain-leaves, which they had brought fromCartago. From one or two of the very few people we met we learned thatthe Spanish captain had gone on ahead, the soldiers we had seen with himhaving returned to a fort in the neighbourhood. He must have trusted tothe terror which the Spaniards had inspired by their fearful cruelties. The Godos had indeed so cowed the natives that they would not have daredto molest him, else he would scarcely have ventured alone on such ajourney. He, of course, had no luggage or animals to impede hisprogress, and would be able to travel faster than we could. As, however, Mr Laffan and I agreed that he very likely suspected us, weresolved to push on as rapidly as we could, so that we might, ifpossible, reach Bogota before he would have time to warn the authoritiesagainst us. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

OUR JOURNEY OVER THE MOUNTAINS--WILD SCENERY--A RIDE ON A SILLERO'SBACK--FEARS FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR SERVANTS AND HORSES--MAKING PROGRESS--MY SILLERO AND I GET AHEAD--THE CRUEL CONDUCT OF THE SPANIARD, AND ITSFEARFUL PUNISHMENT--OUR CAMP ON THE MOUNTAINS--AN ADVENTURE WITH AJAGUAR--I KILL A TURKEY FOR SUPPER--OUR ATTENDANTS REJOIN US--SOUNDS ATNIGHT--WE BEGIN TO DESCEND--DANGERS OF THE JOURNEY--WE PART FROM OURSILLEROS, AND PROCEED ON HORSEBACK--A VISIT TO THE FALLS OF TEQUENDAMA--THEIR MAGNIFICENCE. 

The road was as bad as could be, --often so steep, that it was likeclimbing up steps; in some places, indeed, large trees had fallen acrossthe path. But our peons skipped over the trunks with as much firmnessas if they had been walking on level ground. Now on one side, now onthe other, were tremendous precipices, down which the traveller, by aslip of the foot, might be hurled, and dashed to pieces. We had cloaksand blankets, which we required during the night, for as we ascended theatmosphere became very cold. We also maintained good fires to keep offthe jaguars, which frequently, we were told, attacked the mules. Weheard them roar during the night; while a dismal howling was kept up bythe red monkeys which abound in these deserts. Added to this, our earswere saluted by the loud screeching of night-birds, which formed aserenade far from pleasing. 

The mountains were clothed with gloomy forests, which ascend almost tothe summit of this branch of the Cordilleras. In a few places, wherethere were openings, we enjoyed extensive views, on either side, ofsuperb scenery--the mountain-tops concealed in the clouds. We also sawnumerous birds perched on the trees, or flitting among their branches--many of the most brilliant plumage, such as I had never before seen inthe neighbourhood of Popayan. 

I generally kept ahead with my sillero, who led the way. One of thepeons following carried the chief load; then came Mr Laffan; Domingoand the rest of the people with the animals bringing up the rear. Mysillero, though an Indian, was called Manoel; being, as he said, abaptised Christian. As I was anxious to gain information, which heseemed willing to impart, I was tempted to break through the plan whichhad been agreed on, and to speak a few words of Spanish, so that I mightask questions. I began in a broken, hesitating sort of way, until atlength I forgot myself altogether, though Manoel did not appear at allastonished. 

"El senor speaks Spanish better than I should have supposed possiblefrom the short time he has been in the country, " he observed. 

"I can understand what you say, and that is all I want, " I answered. "Ihave heard other Indians speak as you do, and so I am more ready toconverse with you than I should be with a Spaniard. "

I felt sure that I could trust Manoel, as, from one or two remarks hehad let drop, I was convinced that he was a Liberal, and had no love forthe Spaniards. While we were encamped at night, sitting round our fire, we all talked away until it was time to go to sleep; but whiletravelling, as we were compelled to move in single file, it wasdifficult to carry on a conversation, except with the person immediatelyin front or behind. 

After we had proceeded some distance, we began to hope that I had beenmistaken in what I had heard the captain say to the sergeant, and thatwe should escape any risk of being captured and prevented fromcontinuing our journey. Still Mr Laffan continued anxious on thesubject. 

We had been travelling for some time, and I was beginning to feel moretired than I had hitherto done. I had not as yet, indeed, quiterecovered my full strength, and was scarcely fitted to walk as I wasdoing. 

Manoel at length persuaded me to get on the silla. "It makes nodifference to me, " he observed; "you are as light as a feather. YouEnglish are very different from the Spaniards. They get on our backs asif they were riding mules, and will often use a stick if we do not gofast enough to please them. "

I consented unwillingly, for I did not like the idea of any one carryingme. 

From the position I had now attained, I could look down the steep ascentwe had mounted, and I had an extensive view. I saw Mr Laffan standinggazing back along the path we had come; the rest of the party werenowhere, in sight. We shouted, but no reply came. Could the Spaniardshave acted as the captain had advised them, and captured our people?

"Stop, Duncan, " cried Mr Laffan; "I do not like the look of things. "He soon overtook me, and expressed the same fears I entertained. 

I asked Manoel what he thought. 

"Very likely, " he answered; "those ladrones would as willingly robEnglish travellers who honour our country by a visit, as they would theunfortunate Patriots or us poor Indians. The best thing we can do is topush on. "

The peons carried our valises, the most valuable part of our property. We had our money in our pockets, with a brace of pistols apiece; and Ihad my gun, which I had brought in case I should see anything to shoot. 

"But what shall we do for provisions?" asked Mr Laffan. 

"We shall find game enough on the road to supply all our wants, "answered Manoel. 

We agreed, therefore, to move forward as fast as we could. Domingo, with the peons and our animals, if not captured, could easily follow andovertake us at night. 

"We are coming to the steepest part of our journey, " said Manoel; "theSpanish soldiers will have a difficulty in climbing up the path ahead. "

Every now and then Mr Laffan looked back, and I kept lookingoccasionally down the valley, --but not a sign of our attendants could Idiscover. In a short time Manoel said that he observed the marks offootsteps ahead. "They are those of a sillero carrying some person. Weshall soon overtake them. "

Manoel, in his eagerness, soon distanced the other peon and Mr Laffan, whose anxiety made him stop to ascertain whether our attendants werecoming. We were at this time mounting an excessively steep and narrowpath, with a tremendous precipice on one side, down which it made megiddy to look: had I not had the most perfect confidence in my sillero, I should infinitely have preferred to walk. I begged him, indeed, tolet me get off; but he always answered, "You are no weight; it makes notthe slightest difference to me. I feel my footing more secure with youon my back. " Shortly afterwards I heard him exclaim, "There they are!--the savage brute!"

"Of whom do you speak?" I asked. 

"Of the Spanish officer. He is digging his spurs into the side of mypoor brother, to make him go faster. "

I glanced round, although it was somewhat difficult to do so; and there, sure enough, I saw the captain whom we had met at the posada, seated ina silla, and striking, now with one leg now with the other, at hiscarrier, occasionally hitting him over the head with the back of hishand. The Indian went on, as far as I could perceive, withoutcomplaining; but the captain shouted "Go on--go on faster, " and againdug his spurs into the poor Indian. 

Manoel groaned. I could hear him grind his teeth. 

"How can you bear it?" he muttered. "The Spaniard may repent hiscruelty, though. "

At the foot of the precipice, I should have said, rushed a fiercetorrent, roaring and foaming down the side of the mountain. Presently Isaw the sillero buttress himself, as it were, firmly with the iron-shodstick with which he supported his steps. Again the Spaniard dug hisspurs into his side, asking him what he was doing, and, with a fearfuloath, shouted to him to go on. The Indian answered by a vigorous jerkof his back, when I saw the Spaniard shot off, as from a catapult. Thenext moment he was falling headlong down into the gulf, several hundredfeet below us. One fearful shriek rent the air; it was the only soundthe wretched man had time to utter before the breath, by the rapidity ofhis fall, was taken from his body. It was the work of an instant. Ishut my eyes. It seemed like some terrible dream. The Spanish captainwas gone, though his voice still sounded in my ear. 

Manoel stopped. "He has met the fate he deserved, " he said. 

"But the sillero will see you, and suppose you will inform against him. "

Manoel answered with a low laugh. "He is my brother, and knows that thesecret is safe in my keeping. Can I trust you? No other creature sawwhat has occurred. "

"God saw him, and he is the avenger of blood, " I answered. 

"Would you have had my brother patiently submit to the crueltiesinflicted upon him?" asked Manoel. 

"We have no right to take the life of a fellow-creature, except inself-defence or open warfare, " I replied. "But the secret is safe in mykeeping. I did not even see the face of the man who committed the deed, and I know not who he was. I love the Spaniards as little as you do, and I promise you I will not reveal the dreadful crime I have justwitnessed. "

"I am grateful, " answered Manoel; "for, to tell you the truth, had Ithought you capable of informing against my brother, I might have beentempted, though much against my inclination, to serve you as he servedthe Spaniard; but had I done so, I never should have been happyafterwards. "

I scarcely thought that Manoel was in earnest, and yet I believe that hewas so. His fidelity to his brother sillero would have been paramountto every other consideration. Manoel was advancing as he spoke, butwhen I looked round the sillero had disappeared, though I afterwardscaught a glimpse of him bounding up the rocks on the left, having hurledhis chair over the cliff. 

It was some time before I could recover from the horrible scene I hadwitnessed; and I debated in my own mind whether or not I should havegiven the promise I had made to Manoel. One thing was certain, however--I was bound to keep it. 

When the path became less steep, I insisted on walking. Manoel, too, though he had boasted of his strength, was obliged to stop and rest; andat length the peons and Mr Laffan rejoined us. The latter was stillanxious about the rest of the party, and declared that it would beimpossible for the horses to mount the steep path by which we had come. He thought that even the mules could scarcely do it, supposing that theyhad not been overtaken by the Spaniards. 

I had not, of course, told him how our chief cause of anxiety wasremoved, and that we need no longer fear discovery on our arrival atBogota. 

"When the Spaniards are driven away, and a Liberal government isestablished, we must have a good road over these mountains, " exclaimedMr Laffan. "It is a disgrace to a civilised country, that no bettermeans of communication exists between the capital and her most fertiledistricts. "

At last, as evening approached, Manoel selected a spot for encamping, and we made the usual preparations. We enjoyed a magnificent scene. Asfar as the eye could range were mountains clothed with immense forests, into which man had never penetrated. About a couple of hundred feetbelow us ran a sparkling stream, towards which, while the peon wasemployed in collecting wood for the fire, Manoel made his way, to fill aleathern bottle with water. I accompanied him with my gun, followed byLion, hoping to shoot some birds for supper. 

We had gone a little way along the bank, when a wild turkey got up. Ifired, and brought it to the ground. Manoel ran forward to secure it, but just before he reached it he stopped and beckoned to me. As he didso I saw a huge jaguar, which had been drinking at the stream, not twohundred yards from us. I had, as a sportsman should, reloaded my gunbefore moving. The only weapon Manoel possessed, besides the manchetteat his girdle, was his sharp-pointed staff, --not calculated for anencounter with so powerful a beast. The jaguar, having seen the turkeyfall, crept on to seize it. I advanced as rapidly as I dared, keepingmy gun ready for instant use. Lion would have rushed forward to get thebird had I not ordered him to remain at my heels, for, powerful as hewas, a blow from the jaguar's paw would have been too much for him. 

The jaguar seemed determined not to be disappointed of the turkey, andwould probably, I thought, spring at Manoel. The difficulty was toavoid wounding him in shooting at the jaguar. Manoel stood ready foraction, with his staff in his hand. He dared not for a moment withdrawhis eye from the jaguar, which, had he done so, would immediately havesprung upon him. I called to him, telling him I was coming, in case hemight not have heard my footsteps. The jaguar was all the time creepingup, threatening at any moment to spring, and I was about twelve yardsbehind Manoel when the brute began to bound forward. Manoel leapt onone side. Now or never, I must gain the victory, or both my companionand I might lose our lives. I fired. The jaguar bounded into the air, then fell over on its side. 

Manoel dashed forward and plunged his stick into the creature's neck, pinning it to the ground; then drawing his manchette, he quicklyterminated its existence. We left it where it lay, for we could nothave carried its skin, even had we taken the trouble of flaying it. 

Near the top of the hill we met Mr Laffan, who had witnessed theencounter. 

"Bravo, Duncan! you behaved famously; and Manoel too--he is a finefellow. All the same, the turkey is welcome, for I am terribly hardset. "

We soon had the bird roasting before the fire. It was, however, but amoderate supper for four people and a dog, and I was sorry that I hadnot succeeded in killing another turkey. 

Mr Laffan kept constantly jumping up and looking down the path by whichwe had come, in the hope of seeing our attendants; and just as theshades of evening were creeping over the mountains, he exclaimed, "Therethey are!--I hope I am not mistaken. "

I could see several persons and animals winding round the side of thehill, so I called to Manoel, and asked him if he thought they were ourfriends. 

"If they are Spaniards, senor, we shall be wise to move forward, forthey will treat you with but little ceremony, I suspect. "

Manoel descended to a point from whence he could observe the approachingparty without being seen, and in a short time returned and relieved ouranxiety by assuring us that they were our friends. It was some time, however, before they reached our camp. 

They had been delayed by their efforts to rescue one of the mules whichhad slipped over a precipice and got pitched in a tree; from which, wonderful to relate, it was drawn up uninjured. The Spanish commandant, we therefore concluded, had not thought fit to send in chase of us. 

During the night we heard the roar of jaguars and other wild animals;but as we kept up a blazing fire, we were not molested. In the morning, just as we were about to start, I shot two wild turkeys; and had we hadtime to spare, I might have killed several more. As we proceeded we sawseveral tracks of bears and jaguars, perfectly fresh. 

The next day we reached the Paramo, on the summit of the Cordilleras, thirteen thousand feet above the level of the sea. We caught sight ofnumbers of wild asses, which inhabit this mountainous region. The hoofof the animal is divided like that of a pig. They are very shy, so thateven the Indians are seldom able to approach near enough to kill them;and they are also very swift of foot. 

We crossed the Paramo in safety, and continued our journey for severaldays without any further adventure. 

The views, as we descended the mountains, were magnificent. We couldsee the Cordilleras on the opposite side of the plain of Bogota, seventyor eighty miles off; while north and south rose prodigious heights, withapparently perpendicular sides, their bases covered with thick, gloomyforests, which appeared perfectly impenetrable. As we looked back, itseemed impossible that we should have crossed the range. Frequently wepassed through dark gorges piercing the forests, two miles in length, and not more than three or four feet wide, the vegetation on either sidebeing most luxuriant. 

We had to be on our guard against bruising our legs by pieces of rock;or getting our clothes torn by the long thorns of the bamboos; or beingknocked off our mules--for we had again mounted--by the branches oftrees. We met a party of peons conveying salt on the backs of oxen toCartage. The cargoes were small, and placed in such a manner as toenable the animals to pass through these narrow places. Fortunatelythere was an opening near the spot, or we should have been unable topass each other. 

At last we reached a tambo, or shed, built for the use of travellers--the first sign of civilisation we had met since we left the western sideof the Cordilleras. 

We were now once more in a warmer region. Butterflies of large size, covered with orange-coloured spots, fluttered about; and red monkeysleapt from tree to tree, frequently coming down to make grimaces at us. Another day's journey brought us to a cottage inhabited by peasants, whogave us a satisfactory welcome. 

At length we reached the place where we were to part from our sillerosand peons, and continue our journey on horseback. 

"I hope that we shall meet again, " I said to Manoel, who had won myregard. 

"We shall, senor, it may be, if you do not soon leave the country, "replied Manoel, looking earnestly at me. 

"I may stay longer than I at first intended, " I said. 

Manoel and the rest of our attendants were well satisfied with thepayment we had made them. 

Mr Laffan and I, with Domingo, now continued our journey on horseback, the roads being tolerable. But, eager as we were to reach Bogota, weagreed that it would be wise, the better to keep up our assumedcharacter, to visit the waterfall of Tequendama, which was not far outof our direct road. It is formed by the river Bogota, which ishereabouts sixty yards in breadth. 

As soon as we got within a mile or so of it, we obtained a guide to showus the way. At a height of six hundred feet above the plain of Bogota, we enjoyed a magnificent view, embracing the various windings of theriver, several large lakes, and enormous forests--the city in thedistance, backed by a range of bold mountains. Thence we began todescend towards the waterfall, the sides of the hill being abrupt andslippery. We passed through a grand, gloomy forest, the lofty boughs ofthe trees sheltering us from the rays of the hot sun. All was silent, except the deep, fine note of the tropiole, which was occasionallyheard; while through the openings we caught sight of other birds ofbrilliant plumage, which here live unmolested. 

Leaving our horses, the dominie and I descended a couple of hundred feetto a spot where the "Salto, " as it is called, burst on our view, rushingdown between two mountains until it attains the edge of a precipice, whence the vast body of water is precipitated into a mighty abyss below. The chasms through which such falls issue are known in the country asbarancas. The sides, consisting of reddish granite, rise almostperpendicularly. The height of the whole fall may be nearly onethousand feet, but the single fall in front of us was calculated to beabout six hundred feet. 

We stood on the bank of the precipice for some minutes, not daring tospeak: indeed, the sound of the falling water completely drowned ourvoices when we made the attempt; the sensation in our ears being as if athousand pieces of artillery were discharged close to us. The groundtrembled beneath our feet, our eyes were dazzled by the sparkling spray, and our senses felt confused, as the mighty volume of water rushed downbefore us, between the perpendicular rocks, into the chasm at theirbase. The overwhelming body of water, as it left its upper bed, formeda broad arch, smooth and glossy. A little lower down it assumed afleecy form; and then shot forth in millions of tubular shapes, whichchased each other more like sky-rockets than anything else to which Ican compare them. The changes were as singularly beautiful as they werevaried, in consequence of the difference in gravitation, and rapidevaporation, which was taking place before the waters reached thebottom. Dense clouds of vapour rose for a considerable height, minglingwith the atmosphere, and presenting in their descent the most brilliantrainbows. From the rocky sides of the immense basin hung shrubs andbushes, while numerous springs and tributary streams added their mite tothe grand effect. The water at the bottom then rushed impetuously alonga stony bed, over which hung various trees, and was lost beyond a darkturn in the rock. From the level of the river where we stood, thehills, completely covered with wood, rose to a great height; whilethrough the only opening amid them we observed the distant mountains inthe province of Antioquia, their summits clothed with perpetual snow. Hovering over the fearful chasm were various birds of the most beautifulplumage, peculiar to the spot, and differing from any I had seen before. Our guide told us that some philosophical gentlemen, in order toascertain the tremendous force of the torrent, had once compelled anunfortunate bullock to descend it; but that, excepting a few bones, nota vestige of the animal could afterwards be found at the bottom. 

"It is worth coming all the way from England to behold such a scene asthis, " observed Mr Laffan to our guide, as he put a piece of money intothe man's hand. "The young milord is highly pleased. "

The guide took care to inform some persons whom he found at the top ofthe hill, and who were going to Bogota, of the opinion I had formed; andthey of course entertained no suspicion that I was any other than ayoung English lord travelling with his tutor. This was a greatadvantage to us, as it prevented puzzling questions being asked. 

Mr Laffan, however, continued to express his fears that the Spanishcaptain might have preceded us, and given notice to the authorities ofour coming. 

I, of course, said nothing of having witnessed the man's terrible end, as I had resolved to keep the fearful secret locked in my own bosom. Probably, even had I mentioned it, very little trouble would have beentaken to search out the culprit and bring him to justice. 

CHAPTER TEN. 

WE OVERTAKE AN ESCORT WITH PRISONERS ON THE ROAD TO BOGOTA--DR. CAZALLAAMONG THEM--HE MAKES NO SIGN OF RECOGNITION--WE NEXT SEE UNCLE RICHARD--HOW LION NEARLY BETRAYED US--WE SPEAK TO UNCLE RICHARD IN ENGLISH--ANTONIO AMONG THE GUARD--HAS HE TURNED TRAITOR?--HURRYING ON BEFORE THEESCORT, WE FALL IN WITH A BODY OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THE SPANISH ARMY--AT APOSADA--COCK-FIGHTING--THE SERGEANT AND HIS RECRUITS ARRIVE--ENTERINGBOGOTA--DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY--THE GREAT SQUARE--AT THE HOUSE OF DONJOSE--THE CHILDREN'S REMARKS--WE ARE KINDLY TREATED--THE DEATH OF DONAPAULA SALABARIATA--DON JOSE'S SYMPATHY--SOME OTHER PATRIOTS SHOT. 

Having made a circuit to the southward, we reached the highroad whichruns between the capital and La Plata. As we did so, we saw before us aconsiderable body of men both on foot and horseback; and on inquiring ofsome peons who were coming in our direction, they told us that they weresoldiers escorting a number of Republican prisoners to Bogota. Couldany of our friends be among them?

Mr Laffan and I determined to ride up and ascertain; and by assuming abold front, we hoped to escape detection. 

We soon overtook the party, but found it impossible to pass them on theroad; and although we saw some prisoners in their midst, we could notfind out who they were. The escort, however, at length halted in theplaza of a village, which, being of considerable width, enabled us toride past them. Pretending not to be much concerned, yet eagerlyscanning the countenances of the prisoners, I saw several whom I knew, but among them my uncle, Doctor Cazalla, who, with the rest, had beencompelled to walk, his hands secured behind his back with a rope. Hewas now, with his companions in misfortune, seated on a log of wood. Ifelt sure that he knew me, though he made no sign of recognition, and Idared not make any to him; but my appearance showed him, I trusted, thatevery effort would be made for his liberation. Further on was anothergroup of prisoners, some lying on the ground, others seated on a stonebench. Fearing that the account the Spanish captain had given might notbe true, I half expected to see Dona Dolores and her father. TheSpaniards, of course, would not have treated her with more considerationthan they did their other prisoners; but I could see neither her norSenor Monteverde. 

At that instant Lion rushed forward towards one of the people seated onthe bench, and what was my dismay to discover Uncle Richard! Fearfullest the dog should betray us, I loudly called him back, pretending thatI thought he was about to fly at the prisoners. Though always obedient, on this occasion he did not seem to heed me, until Uncle Richard spoketo him in a stern voice, when the sagacious animal returned to my sideand remained there, as if he had never before seen Uncle Richard. He, Isaw, immediately recognised Mr Laffan and me, by the glance he cast atus; but retaining his presence of mind, he made no sign to show that hehad done so. 

I rode close to him, and turning round to Mr Laffan, I said aloud, --"Iwish he would address us as Englishmen, which he might easily do withoutcausing suspicion; we could then learn all we want to know, and form aplan for helping him. "

Directly I had said this, Uncle Richard shouted out, "I am sure thoseare Englishmen! Have pity on me, noble gentlemen; I am your countryman, made prisoner by the Spaniards, and shall very likely be shot if I amnot rescued. "

He turned to the soldiers standing by, and said in Spanish, "Those areEnglish travellers--my countrymen. Allow them to speak to me; they arealways generous, and will reward you. "

Without waiting for leave, we turned our horses towards the bench; andleaning over, I asked Uncle Richard after our families, and how he hadbeen made prisoner, --trying to assume as unconcerned a tone as possible. 

"They are all safe, " he answered. "Your father's black servant--I won'tmention his name--has charge of them, and they are still safe in themountains. I was unfortunately tempted to leave our retreat, in thehope of raising a body of Indians and others to be ready to aid aprojected attack by the Patriots on the Spaniards, when I was surprisedand taken prisoner. It will go hard with me, I fear, as, though I am anEnglishman, Murillo will not stand on ceremony on that account. "

"Do not be cast down. We will try to find out where you are imprisoned, and will do everything we can to rescue you, " I answered. 

"I am sure of that, " he said. "By what wonderful chance are you here?"

I then told him the object of our journey, and how I had letters to anumber of persons of influence in Bogota, so that I might hope to be ofeffectual service to him. 

"You will do your best, I am sure, " he said; "and, depend upon it, I donot intend to be killed like a rat in a hole, but shall try to gnaw myway out. You had better not stay much longer, or some of those fellowsmay possibly recognise you. Bestow a gold piece or two on me, if youhave any to spare; in truth, I am greatly in need of money, as everydollar I had in my pocket was taken from me when I was made prisoner. And do not forget to bestow your promised gift on our guards--it willincline them to favour me. Two or three of them seem very good fellows, and have been attentive to me on the journey. "

"Now, " I said, "if you have an opportunity, tell my mother's brother--Iwill not mention his name--why I have come to Bogota, and that everyeffort will be made for his liberation. "

After a few more words, I took out my purse and put a few gold piecesinto Uncle Richard's hand. I then turned to Mr Laffan, who had beenstanding by, occasionally joining in the conversation, and begged him todistribute some money among the men. As I glanced my eye over them, what was my surprise to see my servant Antonio in a corporal's uniform, and apparently in command of the party! I was sure it was he, althoughhe looked at me in the most unconcerned manner possible, returning onlya military salute as Mr Laffan handed him the money. Could he havedeserted to the enemy? I had considered him a faithful fellow, as hecertainly was a brave one. He must have had some object in joining theSpaniards; what it was, however, we could not now ascertain. 

Uttering our farewells, we mounted and rode on, followed by Domingo. Aswe did so, Lion turned and cast a lingering glance behind; but the sternlook Uncle Richard put on, told him that he must not take any notice ofhim. 

It now became more important than ever that we should reach the citywithout delay. We had not gone far, when we saw a party of recruitsmarching from a large village to the eastward. Mr Laffan, however, thought that they were prisoners, --which they certainly resembled morethan soldiers, except that each man carried a musket on his shoulder;for they were all secured together by a long rope, the end of which washeld by a ruffianly-looking fellow on horseback. They were dressed inbroad-brimmed hats, loose trousers, and ponchos over their shoulders;but the rest of their bodies, legs and feet, were bare. The sergeanthad on a very unmilitary-looking hat of large dimensions, with wideleggings, and huge spurs. 

"Faith, I wonder the fellows don't turn round and shoot him, " observedMr Laffan. 

"Probably, to save the risk of that, they are not supplied withammunition, " I rejoined. "This is the way in which the Spaniards obtaintheir recruits. The poor fellows are thus marched off to beslaughtered; unless they can contrive to run away, which they certainlywill do if they have the opportunity. "

Saluting the sergeant, who only scowled at us in return, we rode onahead of the party. We found, on inquiring the distance we should haveto go, that we could not reach Bogota that evening, and accordinglystopped at a posada three or four leagues from the city. It was a largestraggling building, at which small traders and merchants generally putup. People of more consequence were accustomed to proceed further, orstop at the country-houses of their friends. 

As we rode up, we found all the inhabitants and guests assembled in theyard witnessing a cock-fight, their eager countenances and excitedexclamations showing the interest they took in the brutal pastime. Thebirds, armed with steel spurs, flew at each other and foughtdesperately. When one was killed or hopelessly wounded, the owner torehis hair and swore fearfully at his misfortune--by which, probably, hehad lost no inconsiderable sum. 

We turned away disgusted and entered the inn--Domingo having taken ourhorses into the stable--but it was some time before we could get anybodyto attend to us. At last the landlord appeared; and Mr Laffan havingexplained who we were, or rather who we pretended to be, begged that wemight have a private apartment. On this the landlord laughed, and saidthat even for an English milord this was impossible, but that we mighthave a corner of the public room for ourselves. He then inquired whatwe would have for supper, assuring us that anything we might ask forwould be provided. As usual, when Mr Laffan mentioned one thing afteranother, it was not to be had. At length, however, a tough fowl, withsome salt beef and fried eggs, was placed before us, together with someplantains and various fruits, off which we contrived to make a verysatisfactory repast. The scene at night reminded me of that at theposada on the opposite side of the mountains, the arrangements beingvery similar. On this occasion, the greater part of the floor wascovered by recumbent figures. 

We had already turned into our hammocks, when a loud voice demandingadmittance was heard outside the house; and--by the light of the onlycandle left burning--on the door being opened I recognised the sergeantand his recruits. This individual in an authoritative tone orderedseveral of the sleeping people to get up, in order to make room for hisparty. He then called for supper, while his men lay down, with theirmuskets by their sides, to rest their weary limbs. Having quicklyfinished his meal, he took possession of a vacant space; placing, Iobserved, his pistols under the saddle which served him as a pillow, andunsheathing his sword, so as to have it ready for instant use. He hadprobably no great confidence in his recruits, and thought it notunlikely that one of them might get up during the night and plunge acuchillo in his heart. 

On awaking next morning, I proposed starting immediately. 

"Take my advice, and stow away breakfast first, " observed Mr Laffan. "It is a sound rule to follow when travelling, unless one knows that asubstantial meal is waiting one at the end of the stage. "

We got off at an early hour, however, and again passed the sergeant andhis so-called recruits on the road. We pushed on before them, wishingto get into Bogota as soon as possible. As we rode on, the towers andsteeples of the city appeared before us, glittering in the rays of therising sun. On one side was a range of lofty mountains, running in asemicircular form; the city itself covering an elevation slightly abovethe vast plain extending before it. Here and there we caught sight ofthe river Bogota, which runs through the plain in a serpentine form atabout three leagues from the city. The surrounding country wasgenerally uncultivated, except in the immediate neighbourhood ofvillages or quintas, though there were large enclosures for grazingcattle. On the summits of the mountains which rise immediately abovethe city were perched two white buildings, which we ascertained to beconvents. We could see the domes and towers of others, and were toldthat thirty-three of them occupied the best sites in the city. Theywere, indeed, the only fine-looking buildings to be seen. 

I was much struck with the appearance of the town as we entered it. Allthe streets appeared to be built at right angles, while a stream ofwater flowed through the centre. We passed, also, a number of handsomepublic fountains. The streets through which we rode were much crowded, making us suppose that something unusual was taking place. Thehandsomest street we saw was the Calle Real, or Royal Street. Theground-floors of the houses were occupied by shops; with a story above, and a large wooden balcony painted green. On either side of the street, which was well paved, was a foot-path; and as there were no vehicles ofany description, the traffic being carried on by mules, it was free fromruts, and remarkably clean. 

No one seemed especially to regard us, though we were occasionallyfavoured with a stare from persons who fancied they were looking atEnglishmen--some of them scowling ominously at us, and bestowing curseson our heads for being heretics. Beggars of all descriptions swarmed inthe streets, exhibiting their sores, and demanding rather thansoliciting alms. Many were afflicted with that dreadful complaint knownas elephantiasis--their legs being swollen to an enormous size. Stillmore numerous were the galenachas, or black vultures. As we reached thegreat square of the city, into which the Calle Real led us, we saw themhopping about, acting as scavengers, engaged in devouring the filth andoffal left on the ground; and so tame were they, that they wouldscarcely get out of our way. 

On riding forward, we found ourselves in the midst of a large marketbeing carried on in the great square. It was filled with people vendingtheir provisions--some sitting before pyramids of fruit piled up on theground; others at low stools, on which articles of all sorts wereexposed for sale. Among them were Creoles, Blacks, Sambos, Indians--indeed, every hue was represented--all jabbering in loud voices. On oneside of the square was the town-house, and on the other the cathedral, with two convents, and other public buildings. 

We inquired our way to the house of Don Jose Lagano, which we foundlooked into the great square. Though a noted Royalist, he was a friendof both my father and Don Cassiodoro, who were satisfied that he couldbe thoroughly trusted, even although he might suspect who we were. 

Don Jose was at home; and on hearing from the servant that a youngEnglish milord had arrived, he politely came out to receive us. As heread the letter I delivered him it struck me that his countenancechanged. 

"You are welcome, at all events, " he said; "and I will endeavour toforward the object you have in view. "

He introduced me to his wife in the character I had assumed, and MrLaffan as my tutor. Soon afterwards, several nice boys and girls ofvarious ages entered the room. While refreshments were preparing, Iendeavoured to amuse the children by playing with them. Though I spokea word or two of ill-pronounced Spanish--not being supposed tounderstand their language--they were very free in their remarks, and Icould scarcely refrain from laughing as I heard what they said. Thelady spoke French; and as I knew the language pretty well, we couldconverse without difficulty. She somewhat puzzled me by the questionsshe put about England; but, as I found she had not been there, I gaveher the best account I could of such places as I had heard my father andUncle Richard describe. 

Don Jose's countenance wore a puzzled expression as he heard me talking, but I believe he from the first suspected who I was. I found him anamiable, good-natured man, and really anxious to save the lives of suchprisoners as fell into the hands of the Spanish general. 

I had been directed to plead for Dr Cazalla on account of hisscientific attainments, and as it would be a disgrace, whatever hispolitical opinions were, to put such a man to death. 

Don Jose shook his head when he heard what I said. "That is the veryreason why Murillo will desire to destroy him, " he observed. "Hisintention is to rid the country of all men of superior intelligence andinfluence; and he has especially vowed to put to death every lawyer whofalls into his hands. "

As a last resource, I had letters from Don Cassiodoro to Murillohimself, which I was to deliver in person--bearding the lion in hisden--with my tutor to act as interpreter. It was considered that therewould be no danger in this--that the doing so would rather tend toconfirm him in the idea that I was a young English nobleman; and Ishould, on leaving the city, be able to proceed in any direction I mightthink fit. My only fear was lest Mr Laffan and I might encounter someperson who had known us at Popayan, in which case we should be placed ina very dangerous position. 

Next morning the sound of muffled drums was heard, and on going to thewindow with our host I saw a body of troops marching from the directionof the prison. In their midst walked several persons, each between twopriests. I was struck by the appearance of one of the unhappy persons--who were evidently prisoners--a young lady of graceful figure andfeatures, who appeared to me singularly beautiful. 

"Who are they, and where are they going?" I asked of Don Jose inFrench, for he spoke that language as well as his wife. 

"That lady is Dona Paula Salabariata; and she is going to her death. "

"To her death!" I exclaimed. 

"Yes; in a few minutes she and those with her are to be shot. She is adetermined Revolutionist, and has long been engaged in inciting thepeople to rebellion. Her correspondence with the Republicans has atlength been discovered; and at her trial, which took place yesterday, she acknowledged her principles, and confessed that she had written theletters. "

"So young, and so beautiful!" I exclaimed. 

"Yes, my friend; and she is gentle, and possesses a woman's heart, though with the spirit of a man. She was engaged to marry a youngRepublican officer; but neither her youth nor her beauty will avail herwith our stern viceroy. "

"The cruel tyrant!" I exclaimed. 

Not noticing what I said, he continued: "Do you think that anything willinduce him to spare the learned doctor?"--and here he fixed his eyes onme--"or any young man who falls into his power?"

I could make no reply; indeed, our attention was absorbed by themournful procession passing through the square. My eyes were fixed onDona Paula. 

"My heart will burst, if I do not go out and fight for her!" exclaimedmy tutor, who was standing close behind me; and he clapped his hand tohis sword. 

"My friend, " said Don Jose, "be calm. Although I do not hold herprinciples, I would join you if it would avail, but any attempt of thesort would only result in our certain death. "

My heart was swelling with indignation, and I felt as did my worthytutor, but I saw the folly of acting as our feelings prompted. 

The rest of the prisoners walked with firm step; but I confess that Iscarcely noticed any of them, nor, I believe, did my companions, ourwhole attention being absorbed by the lovely girl who formed theprominent figure. I remarked that she was dressed in black, and thatshe advanced with a firm step, her small head erect on her gracefulneck; the only ornament she wore in her glossy black hair being a sprayof orange-blossom, as if she were going to her bridal. She carried abook in her hand; and when the friar presented the crucifix to her, shegently but firmly put it aside. 

The party moved forward until they reached the centre of the vastsquare, when they halted in line, the other prisoners being made tostand on either side. The lady knelt down, and was allowed to remainfor a few minutes in prayer; she then rose, and handing the wreath andher shawl to some of her weeping female friends who had followed her, she stood alone, holding a handkerchief in her hand. Then exclaiming, "Success to the cause of my oppressed countrymen!" she let thehandkerchief drop. At that moment the firing-party, a few paces off, discharged the fatal volley; and as the smoke cleared off we saw herstretched on the ground, not a movement to indicate that she lived beingperceptible. An officer advanced and took her hand, to ascertain thatshe was dead, after which her attendants approached and bore her away;the only favour which the savage tyrant had been induced to grant beingthat her friends should be permitted to commit her body to the grave. 

Such would have been the fate of Dona Dolores, had she not escaped, Ithought. I was nearly expressing my opinion aloud, when I happilyremembered in whose company I was. The two ladies, I had no doubt, hadfrequently communicated with each other; and since such women, full ofintelligence and enthusiasm, were labouring in the cause, it must, Ifelt sure, in the end be successful. Would that all the men were likethem, so disinterested, so self-sacrificing, so devoted, --ready, likeDona Paula, to lay down their lives for their country's good! But, alas! too many even among the Patriots were self-opinionated--seekingtheir own aggrandisement, and how to fill their coffers, without regardto the public weal; yet among them were many true Patriots, such asBolivar, Paez, Arismendez, Santandar, and many others. 

The rest of the prisoners were now brought forward; but Don Jose andmyself, shuddering, retired from the window, unwilling to see ourfellow-creatures slaughtered, while we were without the power to helpthem. The dominie, however, kept his post; but I saw that he wasgrinding his teeth and clutching the hilt of his sword, while his bosomheaved, and expressions escaped his lips, which, although I could noteven catch the words, showed how deeply he was agitated. 

"Sad, very sad, that such things should be, " observed Don Jose; "but thegeneral believes that the only way of overthrowing the Republicanprinciples which have gained ground in the country, is to exterminateall who hold them. "

"Does he remember the tale of `the dragon's teeth'?" I asked. "Theblood of that young girl cries for vengeance, and I feel assured thatthousands will rise up to answer the call. "

"What! do you Englishmen side with the Liberals?" he asked. 

"My countrymen are ever ready to espouse the cause of the oppressed andsuffering; and such, Don Jose, you must acknowledge the inhabitants ofthis country have long been, " I answered boldly, for I was sure that myworthy host would not be offended. Indeed, I suspect that he himselfleaned towards the independent side, although a professed Royalist. 

"Time will show, " he remarked; "but I wish that all this bloodshed couldbe avoided. "

I remarked that every time a volley was fired he shuddered. 

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

AN INTERVIEW WITH MURILLO--WE GAIN NOTHING FOR OUR PAINS--I STILLENDEAVOUR TO RESCUE THE PRISONERS--MEET ANTONIO, WHO BELONGS TO THEGUARD AT THE PRISON--MY CONVERSATION WITH HIM--HE PROMISES ASSISTANCE, BUT GIVES ME BAD NEWS--OUR PLAN ARRANGED--DON JOSE SUSPECTS US, ANDREQUESTS US TO LEAVE HIS HOUSE--WE REMAIN TILL THE FOLLOWING DAY--DR. CAZALLA AND SENOR MONTEVERDE, WITH MANY OTHERS, SHOT--DOMINGO BRINGS MEA DISGUISE, AND ADVISES ME TO ESCAPE WITHOUT DELAY--DON JOSE REQUESTS MENOT TO SEE HIM AGAIN--MR. LAFFAN AND I SEPARATE--HE STARTS FOR HONDA; IGO TOWARDS THE PRISON, FOLLOWED BY LION--OUTSIDE THE PRISON WALLS--JOINED BY UNCLE RICHARD--OUR ESCAPE FROM THE CITY--WE REACH THEMOUNTAINS--OUR ARRIVAL AT A RIVER--NO MEANS OF CROSSING--SPANISHSOLDIERS IN PURSUIT--A TARABITA OR ROPE-BRIDGE--DANGEROUS CROSSING--THEBRIDGE CUT--OUR ESCAPE--SOUNDS OF FIRING--WE FIND SHELTER IN THE HUT OFAN INDIAN, WHOSE SON UNDERTAKES TO GUIDE US. 

By the aid of Don Jose and other friends to whom I had letters, Iascertained that Dr Cazalla and Mr Duffield had been brought intoBogota, and were confined, with several other persons whom I knew, inthe chief prison of the city--although they had not yet undergone themockery of a trial, which would precede their execution. Don Jose hadmade every exertion to obtain their liberation, but in vain. The savageMurillo, it was said, had resolved to shoot the whole of them. As therewas no English Consul at that time in Bogota, and no one who daredopenly to take Uncle Richard's part, I determined, according to theadvice I had received, to beard the lion in his den, and threaten himwith the vengeance of England should Mr Duffield be injured. I wasalso to point out to Murillo the disgrace of destroying a man of suchhigh scientific attainments as Dr Cazalla, and to plead that he mightbe banished to England, where he could render service to the human race. 

Mr Laffan was quite willing to accompany me as interpreter. "We maybamboozle the scoundrel, and succeed where others have failed, " observedthe dominie. "There is nothing like impudence, --or a bold bearing, assome would call it, --when one has to deal with a fellow of this sort. "

We set out, accordingly, for the viceroy's palace. On our arrival wefound numerous officers hurriedly coming and going, but most of themmerely glanced at us and passed on. In the ante-room there was a motleyassemblage of persons of all ranks. Some had come with petitions, others had been summoned to undergo examinations; and several--informers, I have no doubt--were hoping to obtain a reward for theirtreachery. I sent in my card by an aide-de-camp, requesting aninterview with his Excellency. To my surprise, we were almostimmediately admitted. The general was seated at a table covered withpapers--two or three officers standing near him. His countenance didnot belie his character. Although the expression of his mouth wasconcealed by his huge moustache, the dark eyes which gleamed forth fromunder his shaggy brows, and the frown which wrinkled his high forehead, betokened his savage disposition. 

"Who are you, and what do you want?" he asked abruptly in Spanish. 

I turned to Mr Laffan and begged him to interpret what the generalsaid. 

"Tell him that I am English, and how, hearing that a countryman of minehas been imprisoned unjustly, I have come to demand his release, andpermission for him to accompany me back to England. "

"Of what profession is he?" asked the general of Mr Laffan. "Is he alawyer?"

"No, " I replied; "he is a British naval officer who has resided for sometime in this country, but is still under the protection of the EnglishGovernment, to whom it would be my duty to give information should anyharm happen to him. "

"Had he been a lawyer, whether a British subject or not, he should beshot, " answered Murillo. "As it is, I will consider the matter. "

He turned to one of the officers, who handed him a paper. 

"Ah! I see he is married to a lady belonging to a rebel family; and hehimself was found inciting the peasantry to take up arms. I care notthough he is under British protection. He shall die. "

"My countrymen will avenge him, " I answered through Mr Laffan, whoassumed an authoritative tone and manner, which I thought would producesome effect. "You know not whether the accusation is true or false. "

Judging that it was best to leave what I had said to produce its effect, I stopped for a minute, and then continued, --"Well, your Excellency, Ineed not speak further about Senor Ricardo Duffield. I have now toplead for another person, who, although not an Englishman, belongs toall civilised countries in the world, and all will equally stigmatisethose who injure him; I allude to the learned Dr Cazalla. I beg thathe may be allowed to accompany me to my own country, where he canprosecute his scientific studies without molestation. "

The general's brow grew darker than ever. 

"He is one of the pests of this country. He taught the rebels how tomake gunpowder and arms, to be used against their rightful sovereign. He shall die, even although the whole British army, with your LordWellesley at their head, were to endeavour to rescue him. "

"That's an ungrateful remark, your Excellency, considering the servicehe has rendered Spain, " observed Mr Laffan; "but it's just what may beexpected. "

"Go out of my presence--this instant!" exclaimed the general, irritatedby this imprudent remark. "The prisoners shall die; and let me tell youthat your errand is bootless. "

I felt, indeed, that such was the case. In fact, I heard the general, turning to the officer who acted as his chief of police, direct him tokeep an eye upon us. His suspicions had, I saw, been aroused. 

We did not consider it necessary to pay any special mark of respect aswe took our leave. The general was talking to the officers at his side, scarcely deigning to notice us. With heads erect, and as calmcountenances as we could command, we passed through the crowd in theante-room, and made our way into the street. We then hurried back toDon Jose's, to tell him how fruitless had been our visit to the viceroy. 

"I was afraid so, " observed our host. "If Murillo has made up his mind, no power on earth can turn him from his purpose. "

I had not forgotten Antonio, and had formed a plan to try and rescue MrDuffield and Dr Cazalla, should other means fail. As Antonio had notalready betrayed me, I had great hopes that I could rely on hisassistance. Always accompanied by Mr Laffan, I went about endeavouringto discover him. I at length ascertained that he belonged to the guardstationed at the prison. In all probability, then, he would at timeshave charge of the prisoners inside; and if so, he might be able to aidin their escape. 

Before long we fell in with him off duty, and near the prison itself. It was late in the evening, but there was sufficient light for us torecognise each other. I made a sign, and he followed us to a dark spotunder the prison walls. 

"You know me, Antonio?" I asked. 

"Ah yes, senor, the moment I saw you, while we were on the march here. I joined the Godos as the only means of saving my life--having obtainedthe uniform of a corporal who had been killed. My intention, however, was to desert on the first opportunity. "

"Will you venture to assist the escape of Don Ricardo and Dr Cazalla?"I asked. 

"Don Ricardo has already spoken to me, and promised a reward. I will dowhat I can without the reward, although the money would be welcome. Hehas promised me three hundred dollars. "

"And I will give two hundred more when he is safe away from the city, and five hundred for Dr Cazalla. "

"Ah, senor, that is more difficult, for he is strictly guarded, and, itis said, is to die to-morrow. "

"To-morrow!" I exclaimed; "then he must escape to-night. "

"Impossible!" answered Antonio; "ten thousand dollars would not effecthis liberation. And besides, in endeavouring to free him I might besuspected, and thus be unable to help Don Ricardo. "

"I know that I can trust you, Antonio, " and I put some gold pieces intohis hand. "Perhaps you can bribe your comrades; and promise them anyfurther reward you think fit. "

"They would take the money, and betray me, " he answered. "I will employsome of it, however, but it will be in supplying them with abundance ofstrong wine; that will give me a better mastery over them than anybribe. Trust to my discretion. "

After some further conversation, I arranged with Antonio that he was totry and effect the escape of Uncle Richard, and, if possible, that ofDr Cazalla. The following night he was to be on guard inside theprison, and he would then have the keys in his possession. The mostlikely time was about ten o'clock; and I arranged to be in theneighbourhood to assist, if necessary, in the escape of my friend. 

Mr Laffan approved of the plan, but thought that it would be imprudentfor him and me to be seen again near the prison, although we mightafterwards join the fugitives. I proposed, therefore, having horses inreadiness, and making our way down to Honda, whence we might embark onthe river Magdalena; and the current being rapid, we should not occupymore than five days, and might at Carthagena get on board the firstvessel about to sail. If we could once reach any of the British WestIndia Islands, we should be safe. 

On our return Don Jose met us as we entered, with an expression ofanxiety on his countenance. 

"I fear, my friends, you are not exactly what you represent yourselvesto be, " he said. "You are honest, I doubt not, and well-conducted, andI wish to fulfil my engagement as far as I can to assist you; but I mustadvise you to leave this house and the city as soon as possible, or Ishall be compromised by your remaining. "

"I am deeply grateful for all your kindness, and will do as you advise, "I answered. "I shall be thankful if I have ever the opportunity ofproving my sincerity. "

We should at once have left Don Jose, but that it was too late to seek alodging; and as he did not express a wish that we should do so, weremained, promising to bid him farewell the next morning. I sincerelyhoped that he would not suffer in consequence of his kindness to us. 

We were about to start on the following day, after breakfast, to whichour kind host insisted we should remain, when, on looking from thewindow across the square, we saw, as we had on the morning of ourarrival, a body of troops marching from the prison. There was to beanother execution, then. My heart sank within me. Was Murillo about tocarry out his threat? As they approached I could scarcely supportmyself, for I saw my uncle, Dr Cazalla, with several other prisoners, nearing the spot where so many of the Patriots had already yielded uptheir lives for the liberty of their country. There were four otherpersons. It was certainly some relief not to see Uncle Richard amongthem; and my whole attention was now concentrated on Dr Cazalla. Ipointed out the doctor to Don Jose, in the vain hope that somethingmight even now be done to save him. 

"I know him. He is talented, learned, and noble-minded, " said Don Jose. 

"The world will suffer if he dies, " I said. 

"I know it, my friend, " answered Don Jose; "but his doom is sealed. " Hetook my arm as he spoke. "I would not have you seen, " he continued. "Be warned by me, and remain concealed until nightfall. Your horses arein my stable, and your servant is prepared for the journey. "

Even while he was speaking the rattle of musketry was heard, and MrLaffan, who had, notwithstanding Don Jose's advice, gone back to thewindow, exclaimed, "They have murdered our friend! I hope they will nottreat the other in the same way. "

"Do you speak of my uncle?" I asked in English. 

"Too truly--I do. There he lies, like a clod of earth; and there, too, will lie many more, in a few minutes. There is another! I did notnotice him at first. Poor Dona Dolores! what will become of her?"

"What! has Juan been captured?" I exclaimed, my thoughts running backto my friend, who might, I feared, have fallen into the hands of theenemy. 

"No, not Juan; but Senor Monteverde. --Yes, I am sure it must be he, though he is poorly dressed, and walks with a tottering gait. Yes; theyare leading him up to the place of execution. "

Forgetting Don Jose's caution, I sprang forward to the window and caughta glance--it was but a momentary one--of our poor friend. It wassufficient, however, to convince me that I was not mistaken. Don Joseagain took me by the arm and led me back; but a moment afterwards avolley was fired, and an exclamation uttered by Mr Laffan told me thatSenor Monteverde was among those slaughtered by the savages. 

"It will be sad news to carry to my mother and father, and to DonaDolores. What will become of her? Her father dead--her propertydestroyed; but, probably, she herself is by this time in the hands ofthe Spaniards, and may ere long share the fate of Dona Paula. Shall Iever meet them again?" I murmured. 

Other volleys of musketry, which sounded horrible in our ears, tooplainly told us what was continuing to take place. 

By Don Jose's advice, we kept close in our room during the remainder ofthe day; and it was growing dark when Domingo appeared, with a bundleunder his arm. 

"I have been provided with this for you to put on, senor, " he said, producing a serving-man's dress, similar to that which I had worn atPopayan. It was curious that the same disguise should have been chosen. "You are suspected of being a Liberal; and whether you are so or not, you are to be arrested to-night, and probably share the fate of thosewho were shot this morning. I am desired to tell you, therefore, thatyou must make your escape as soon as it is dark--you taking onedirection, while Senor Miguel and I take another. "

Before I had time to ask further questions, Domingo retired. 

I began to put on the dress he had brought me, and was quickly changedinto a serving-man. While I was thus engaged Mr Laffan came in, and Itold him what Domingo had said. 

"But I cannot desert you, Duncan!" he exclaimed. "I will stick by you, whatever happens. "

I soon convinced him that we should thus only increase the risk of beingarrested, and advised him at once to make his way to Honda, as we hadtold Murillo we intended doing. If not molested, he might thence, instead of embarking on the Magdalena, travel over the mountainswestward to one of the towns on the Cauca. As he had no proposal tooffer against this plan--indeed, there was no other to be pursued--heagreed to it. 

"But how will you be able to travel alone?" he asked. 

"I do not intend to travel alone, if I can help it, " I answered. "Ibelieve that Antonio will succeed in liberating Uncle Richard, and thatI shall be able to help him to make good his escape. "

I was unwilling to leave the house without wishing Don Jose and hisfamily farewell; and as I was thinking how I could best manage to do so, I discovered a slip of paper pinned on to the front of the jacket, onwhich was written in a feigned hand, --"I know your feelings, and whatyou would desire to say; but it is safer that we should not again meet. Farewell. Destroy this when you have read it. "

The paper was not signed, but I guessed it came from Don Jose. 

Domingo having now reappeared, and announced that the horses were ready, we descended to the courtyard. "It will be safer for me to slip outfirst, " I observed. 

To this Mr Laffan agreed. 

"You had better take Lion with you, " I said; and I ordered my faithfuldog to remain with Mr Laffan. But on this occasion the usuallyobedient animal was disobedient. When I had made my way out of the yardI found him following me, and I had not the heart to send him back. 

I resolved at all risks to join Uncle Richard, should he be able to makehis way out of prison; so towards that gloomy building I at oncedirected my steps. As the town was in total darkness, there being nolamps in the streets, I ran little chance of being detected, while Lioncould not be seen a few paces off. In a short time I reached the spotwhere I had had the conversation with Antonio; and there, crouchingdown, I awaited the hour he had named. There was but one clock in thecity which struck the hours. The time appeared to go very slowly by. Perfect silence reigned through the streets. Neither Royalist norRepublican were at that time inclined to move about in the dark, asassassins too frequently plied their deadly trade, and several personsof both parties had been murdered. 

At last ten o'clock struck. I sat with my hand on Lion's head, listening attentively. The prison door opened; the sentinel challenged, "Quien vive?" and the countersign was returned. Then the door closed, and I heard the sound of footsteps approaching, but they did not seemthose of persons attempting flight. My hopes sank. After all, someofficer might have visited the prison, and was now leaving it with aguard. I was afraid, consequently, to move; but in another instant Lionrose to his feet, and, though he uttered no sound, bounded forwardtowards one of the persons approaching. 

"That must be Uncle Richard, " I thought. "The dog knows him. "

I was not mistaken; and I was quickly by his side, when I found that hehad on the cap and cloak of an officer. The other person who followedclose behind him was, I guessed from his uniform, which I could butindistinctly see, Antonio. 

Uncle Richard divined who I was, and he put out his hand and graspedmine. I returned the pressure; but we did not venture to speak. 

Antonio led the way to the western side of the city. "We must make forthe mountains immediately; there will be less risk of the Godos lookingfor us there, " he said, when we had got between some high convent walls, where no one was likely to overhear us. 

One thing was certain, we must get to a distance from the city beforedaybreak. On that point we were all agreed. 

When there was no risk of being seen, we moved as fast as possible; butas we drew near the guard at the entrance of the city we had to walk ata dignified pace. Antonio had given the sign and countersign to UncleRichard and me, so we passed through without question; it beingsupposed, in all likelihood, that the officer was on his way to visitsome outpost attended by an orderly, while I concluded that I was takenfor a guide. 

Long before morning dawned we were well among the mountains. Antoniohad thoughtfully filled his knapsack with provisions, which, in additionto those I had brought from Don Jose's, would serve us for several days. The corporal had also furnished himself with a remarkably good rifle, and a quantity of ammunition. Our intention was to make our way to someplace occupied by a Patriot force, of which we hoped to gainintelligence from the peasantry, either Creoles or Indians, the greaterportion of whom were likely to prove friendly. It was most important, however, to put as great a distance as possible between the city andourselves, for as soon as our flight was discovered parties wouldcertainly be sent out to scour the country in search of us. 

We rested for a couple of hours under an overhanging rock--to take somefood and regain our strength--just before daybreak, and then once morepushed on. None of us, unfortunately, had any exact knowledge of thecountry. We had therefore to steer by the sun, and to follow the trackswhich appeared to lead in the direction we wished to go. Occasionally, when we reached a height from which a view eastward could be obtained, we looked back to ascertain if any one was following. A party onhorseback, by galloping over the more level ground, instead of climbingthe mountains on foot, might even now overtake us. 

The sun was still shining over the hills to the westward, but wouldshortly disappear behind them, when we saw before us a rapid riverrushing between lofty and precipitous cliffs. How to cross it, was thequestion. We could see no bridge or canoe, and it ran too furiously forus to breast its foaming billows; while it would be dangerous to crosson a raft, even if we could find materials for forming one. 

We made our way over the rough ground down the stream. 

"I should think we must be safe from pursuit here; but I will just takea look-out from yonder height, " observed Uncle Richard. 

He had scarcely got to the summit of the hill when he shouted out, "Herecome some suspicious-looking fellows; but they are a good way astern atpresent, so that we must somehow or other leave them on this side of theriver. " After taking another look, to assure himself that he was notmistaken, he rejoined us, and we hurried along the bank. 

We had not gone far when Antonio exclaimed, "I see a tarabita! It willserve our purpose; and we must take care that it does not help ourenemies across. "

He pointed, as he spoke, towards a long thin rope thrown across from onecliff to the other. On getting up to it we found the bridge--for so itmight be called--consisted of a long rope made of hides, the endssecured by stakes driven into the earth; to this a sort of basket wassuspended, with two smaller ropes fastened to it--the one reaching tothe side we were on, the other to the opposite bank, where a man--apparently the guardian of the so-called bridge--was seated on a logsmoking. Antonio shouted to attract his attention; and getting up, hemade a sign for one of us to enter. 

"You go first, Senor Ricardo, " said Antonio to Uncle Richard. 

But the latter insisted on going last, and made me and Lion get into thebasket. The bridge-keeper immediately began to haul away, and I soonfound myself dangling over a fearful chasm. I was, however, quicklyacross; and, by means of a rope passing through a block on the side Ihad left, the basket was immediately drawn back. 

Antonio was passed over in the same way, and joined me. 

Uncle Richard had, in the meantime, gone to the height overlooking thepath behind us, but he soon hurried back and took his seat in thebasket. 

"Tell the old Indian to be smart in hauling me across, " he shouted out. 

The man obeyed; but Uncle Richard was not more than half-way over whenwe saw a party of soldiers on the height above the river, and I clearlymade out that they were Spanish soldiers. Should they reach the end ofthe rope before Uncle Richard was safe, they might, by threatening tocut it, compel us all to come back; so we hastened to seize hold of thetackle, in order to assist the Indian in dragging the basket over morequickly. 

"Take care, senores; you will break it, if you pull too hard, " heobserved. 

We were not aware whether he had seen the Spaniards coming. 

"Haul away, " shouted Uncle Richard. 

We obeyed him, and he was soon able to spring on to the ground. Hisfirst action on doing so was to grasp Antonio's sword, and to hack awayat the rope, to the great astonishment of the old Indian, who loudlyexpostulated, and attempted to stop him. But Antonio and I seized thebridge-keeper and held him fast while Uncle Richard finished theoperation, and soon the rope swung across to the opposite cliff. 

"Now, " said Uncle Richard, "we shall have to make the best use of ourlegs, or we may chance to have some bullets whistling about our ears. "

We hurried on, hoping to get beyond the range of the firearms of ourenemies before they had reached the bank; and we had completely lostsight of them when we heard a volley fired. We only hoped that the poorold Indian had hidden himself in time, and that it was not aimed at him. Whether there was any ford, or other means of crossing the river, further down, we could not tell; it was therefore important to make asrapid progress as possible. A moon was in the sky, about half full, which, in that atmosphere, allowed us to see our way for some distance, so we took great care to profit by it. 

At length we saw a light ahead of us. It proceeded from an Indian'shut, in the centre of which a large fire was blazing. We made our waytowards it, hoping to obtain a guide; besides, we required rest, and itwas necessary to obtain it at all risks. 

The owner of the hut was seated before the fire boiling a pot of cocoa, and he did not appear to be surprised on seeing us. 

"Travellers are constantly coming this way, and I was getting some cocoaready lest any should come in, " he observed. 

Uncle Richard said that we should be glad to rest for a few hours, andinquired whether he would guide us over the mountains. 

"I cannot do so myself; but my son, who will be here shortly, willwillingly do so. He has guided many travellers across the Paramo, " wasthe answer. 

We took our seats around the fire, and the Indian cooked some plantains, which, with the cocoa, served us for supper. 

In a short time the son of whom our host had spoken made his appearance. He was a fine, strong youth, and seemed well fitted for acting in thecapacity of guide. 

He told us that as he was coming over the mountains from a village onthis side of the river, to which he had escorted some travellers, he hadheard firing, and concluded that there had been a fight between someLiberals and the Godos. "I hope the last were well beaten, " hemuttered, looking at Uncle Richard's military cap. 

"So do I, " I observed. "You do not take us for Godos?"

"I judge of people by their conduct, and as yet I have had noopportunity of learning how you behave, " answered the young Indian, witha laugh. 

"He is the right sort of fellow, " observed Uncle Richard; "we may trusthim. "

I asked him if he had any food for my dog; and going out, he at oncereturned with some pieces of flesh, off which, although somewhatodorous, Lion made a substantial supper. 

"It is the remains of a bear we killed some days ago, " observed theyoung Indian. 

We all lay down round the fire, --Lion sleeping between Uncle Richard andme, and both of us feeling assured that he would give us timely noticeshould any danger be at hand. 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

OUR JOURNEY CONTINUED--BEAUTIFUL SCENERY--PREPARING TO CROSS THEPARAMO--DESCRIPTION OF A PARAMO--COMMENCE THE PASSAGE--SKELETONS OF MENAND MULES--INTENSITY OF THE COLD--ANTONIO SUFFERS GREATLY--HE RECOVERSBY DRINKING A DRAUGHT OF COLD WATER--DARKNESS--OUR SUFFERINGS ON THEINCREASE--A STRONG INCLINATION TO SLEEP--I SINK TO THE GROUND--LIONAROUSES ME--WE REACH THE TAMBO--A NIGHT IN THE HUT--INTENSE COLD--DAYLIGHT AT LAST--OUR PASSAGE ACROSS THE PARAMO--SAD SIGHTS--THE DESCENTOF THE MOUNTAINS--REACHING A FOREST--PADILLO GOES OFF TO OBTAININTELLIGENCE--WE BUILD A HUT, AND GO TO SLEEP--OUR HUT ON FIRE--A NARROWESCAPE. 

For several days we had been travelling westward over the mountains. The young Indian, Padillo, as he called himself, had proved a faithfulguide. If we were pursued, we had evaded our enemies, and, we hoped, had done so effectually. The scenery through which we passed wasextremely wild and grand. Round us appeared mountains piled onmountains, rocks heaped on rocks; and when we fancied that we hadreached the summit of an elevation whence we could look down below, another mountain, more grand and terrific, appeared through the veil ofmist which before had shrouded it from our sight. It seemed as if weshould never escape from this chaos of rocky pinnacles and snow-coveredheights. The sky above us was of a clear, bright blue; in some placesbeautifully streaked, and varied with a silvery hue or pale strawcolour, but not a cloud dimming its lustre. Severe as was the cold, aswe were in constant exercise we scarcely felt it; while the rarity ofthe air imparted wonderful lightness and elasticity to our frames, sothat sometimes I could scarcely help leaping and bounding forward. Atnight we generally found shelter in a cave or under an overhangingrock--always keeping up a blazing fire, to scare wild beasts, as well asto afford us warmth. 

At last we reached the entrance of a gloomy valley, between lofty andsnow-topped mountains, their sides in some places almost perpendicular. 

"We must be prepared to push rapidly across the Paramo, " observedPadillo. "It is late in the year, and I do not altogether like the lookof the weather. We shall require two days at least to get to thefurther end. Frequently three days are occupied by persons onhorseback, but you march so quickly that we may do it in less time; andthere is a tambo about midway where we can obtain shelter. "

"Cross it we must, at all risks, " answered Uncle Richard, who wasespecially eager to get back to the neighbourhood of Popayan, toascertain how his family were faring. He intended also to try and raisea corps. 

It was not without reason that we dreaded passing across this bleakregion. The name of Paramo is given to those inhospitabledesert-regions high up among the mountains, of which there are so manyin the Andes. No human being can exist in them without keeping inincessant and violent motion. Artificial means are incapable ofsustaining life while a person is exposed to the inclement air. Ardentspirits are entirely void of any good effect, and generally increase theevil consequences. These Paramos are usually long deep valleys betweenlofty elevations, so shut in and obscured by the neighbouring hills asto possess all the severities of their extreme height, while not a rayof sunshine can enter to shed its gentle influence through them. Deathalmost invariably overtakes those who attempt to rest in themunsheltered at night. The extent of some of them is so great that itrequires two or three days to cross them; and in these small houses havebeen erected, in which cooking utensils and other articles ofconvenience are kept for the accommodation of travellers, as well asstabling for their mules. Here, by means of large fires, they maymanage to keep themselves warm, though even then people suffer greatly. 

In consequence of the highly rarefied air, the traveller at firstexperiences great difficulty in breathing, accompanied by a sharp, piercing pain at each inspiration. This increases until he becomes whatthe natives call "emparamento, "--when his extremities are benumbed, andhe can no longer continue in motion. Soon after this he is seized withviolent raving and delirium; froth issues from his mouth; he tears theflesh from his hands and arms with his teeth, pulls his hair, and beatshimself against the ground, meanwhile uttering the most piercing cries, until he is quite exhausted. The cold then deprives him of all motionand feeling, his body becomes much swollen, and fearful distortion ofthe features is produced by the dreadful convulsions he is suffering, while the surface of his skin becomes nearly black. The only remedy thenatives know of is to scourge each other, and to drink the cold waterfrom the springs, which are found here and there in most of the Paramos. 

We had all of us heard this account of the Paramos, and were fullyprepared for the danger we must encounter. Being on foot, we should thebetter be able to keep ourselves warm; at the same time, we should bethe longer exposed to the piercing wind. Already, as we mounted towardsthis fearful region, we began to experience unpleasant sensations whenbreathing. 

Having taken an ample breakfast, we determined to push on to the tambo, where we must rest until the following morning. It was most importantto reach it before dark, for should we be benighted our position wouldbecome critical in the extreme. Nerving ourselves for the undertaking, we marched forward. Providentially there was but little wind. As weadvanced we saw the skeletons and carcasses of numerous mules; someperfectly blanched by the wind, others still partly covered with flesh, on which numberless galenachas, or black vultures, were busily feasting. The stench proceeding from others not long dead, close to which we hadto pass, was most offensive. 

"At all events, no human beings appear to have died here, " I observed toour guide. 

"Don't say that, until you have got further, " he answered. 

In a few minutes we came in sight of a grinning skull placed on the topof a rock, the body lying below it. A few steps further on we came uponthe skeletons of several persons lying with their legs across theirmules; both the animal and its rider having evidently succumbed at thesame moment. 

"This does not look pleasant, " observed Uncle Richard; "but we must notallow it to depress our spirits. "

In spite, however, of the severe exertions we were making, we felt thecold every instant becoming greater. Antonio, though apparently asstrong as any of us, became so benumbed that he could scarcely walk. Hehad brought a small flask of aguardiente, which he confessed he haddrained to the bottom, but it had apparently had a bad effect on him. At length his sufferings became so great that we began to fear we mustleave him behind, as to carry him on to the tambo would be impossible;though, if left behind, he would certainly die in a few minutes. Whilehe was in this state, Padillo volunteered to go forward, recollectingthat there was a spring in the neighbourhood, and urging us to try andreach it. In a short time Padillo returned with the information thatthe spring was only a little way on; so, while Uncle Richard took one ofAntonio's arms, I took the other, and Padillo, with a stick, keptbeating him severely about the body. Whenever Antonio cried out, Padillo answered, "Never mind, friend, never mind; it's all for yourgood. " At length, what with pinching his arms, and Padillo'sflagellation, he was kept alive until we reached the spring. Here wecompelled him to drink a draught of water, though at first he showed agreat unwillingness to swallow it, like a person afflicted withhydrophobia. In a wonderfully short time, however, he perfectlyrecovered, and declared that he felt warm and comfortable. 

Uncle Richard and I then tried the experiment, as we were beginning tofeel the sensations Antonio had at first complained of. The attempt, however, was extremely painful; indeed, I felt as if I had swallowed ahandful of needles, the which were pricking and tearing the wholeinterior of my throat in their passage downwards. Directly I hadswallowed the water, however, I began to feel a comfortable glow, whichin a short time spread equally over me. 

The delay, however, might have been fatal to all of us, as darkness hadalready begun to spread over the deep valley, and we could see no tamboahead. From the experience we had had, we were sure we could not restanywhere for an instant, while the danger was great in proceeding in thedark. Still Padillo said he could find the way, and led us on at aswinging trot, we doing our utmost to keep up with him; often, however, I felt a strong inclination to sink down and enjoy a short sleep, ifonly for a minute or two. I thought that I should soon catch up mycompanions. The wind had increased, too, and a thick sleet drovethrough the air, which made us feel as if pins and needles were stickingin our faces. 

"This is very unpleasant, " cried Uncle Richard; "but it won't last forever, that's one comfort. "

The darkness increased, and the thought that we should have to go onthrough such weather as this during the whole night was terrible. 

Padillo was leading. Uncle Richard made Antonio walk before him; I, with Lion, who kept close to my heels, continued talking to UncleRichard for some time, until the desire to stop suddenly overpowered me. 

"I hope we shall soon reach the hut, " I said. 

"Cheer up--in a few minutes we shall be there, " I heard Uncle Richardsay, and at that instant I sank to the ground. I heard the footsteps ofmy companions as they moved on; but, seized with a kind of insanity, Iflattered myself that after a few minutes' rest I should be able to getup and follow them. For some time, as it appeared to me, though it mayhave been only for a moment or two, my senses completely left me; then Ibecame conscious that Lion had placed himself above me, and was lickingmy hands and face. Then I heard him utter a loud bark; after which hebegan to pull at my clothes, and bark louder and louder, until hesucceeded in arousing me. Mercifully, I had still strength sufficientto get up; and as I did so, Lion still pulling at my trousers, I heardUncle Richard's voice shouting out, "Duncan! Duncan! come along. "Presently he appeared through the gloom; when he took my hand, and Istumbled forward. 

Soon afterwards we heard Padillo shout out, "The tambo, the tambo!"

Though we could not see him, guided by his voice we made our way to thehut. Antonio had already got in and thrown himself on the ground, butUncle Richard roused him up, and compelled him to assist in lighting thefire. We soon had a genial blaze, at which we warmed our chilled limbs. I saw Lion looking up in my face, as much as to say, "Master, that wasa foolish thing you did just now; in another minute you would have beendead, had I not kept some warmth in you with my body. " I patted hishead, and he wagged his tail, and smiled as dogs can smile when pleased. In spite of the blazing fire we kept up all night, we felt the coldgreatly. Indeed, I had never felt so chilled in all my life; it seemedto pierce to the very marrow. Lion lay down close to the fire, andalmost singed his hair, showing that he too was suffering from the cold. 

Fearing that the fire might go out, Uncle Richard insisted that one ofus should remain awake; and he himself undertook to keep the firstwatch. We first took our supper, but I fell asleep with a piece of foodin my mouth. The training Uncle Richard had had at sea enabled him tokeep awake, although I dare say he was as sleepy as any of us. 

He at last aroused me, and charged me not to let the fire get low. "Ican trust you better than I can Antonio or the guide, " he observed. "However strong may be your impulse to sleep, do not yield to it, as ourlives may depend on the fire being kept up. "

I promised to keep a faithful watch, and, rising to my feet, began towalk about. In a moment more Uncle Richard was fast asleep. So strongwas the desire I felt to lie down and close my eyes, that I was afraidof stopping, and kept pacing up and down the hut, rubbing my handstogether, and every now and then putting on an additional stick, orscraping up the ashes. The time passed slowly by; the wind moaned amidthe bleak crags which overtopped the hut, and I fancied I heard thecries of wild beasts. The sleepers, overcome with fatigue, did not evenmove, and as I gazed at them they looked as if stretched out in death. Every now and then, however, Lion lifted up his head, as if to see thatall was right; and just as my watch was over, and I was about to callAntonio, he got up and stretched himself. "Now, Lion, if Antonio dropsasleep, remember to call me or Uncle Richard. I will trust you, gooddog. You understand?" Lion wagged his tail, and gave a low bark; and Ifelt confident that he would do as I had ordered him. 

I then called Antonio, and gave him the same instructions and warningwhich Uncle Richard had given me. 

"Do not fear, senor, " he answered--giving, however, an ominous yawn;"I'll keep my eyes open. "

Trusting more to Lion than Antonio, I lay down, and in a few seconds wasagain fast asleep. How long I had remained in that state I could nottell, when I heard Lion bark close to my ear, and felt him pulling at myclothes. On sitting up, I saw that the fire had burned much lower thanit was when I gave up my watch, and that Antonio was asleep. I quicklyroused him up. 

"It was but for a moment, senor; my eyelids are so very heavy. "

"Look at the fire!" I exclaimed. "It must have been a very long momentsince you put anything on. Now, help me to make it up. "

We soon had the fire blazing brightly again, and Antonio promised tokeep awake until daylight. Had it not been for Lion, I should not havetrusted him. He probably was not aware that the dog had aroused me. 

Again I heard Lion bark loudly. The fire, as before, had burned down, and Antonio was again asleep; but on looking out of the door I foundthat day had broken. I was convinced that Lion had been observing thefire rather than Antonio--considering it his duty to watch it--and thathe had called me simply because he saw that it ought to be made up. 

I now awakened the whole party, and by the time we had eaten a heartybreakfast the light had increased sufficiently to enable us to continueour journey. 

We encountered the same sad sights as on the previous day. There werefewer animals, but many more dead bodies, --some evidently, from theirdress, being those of women and children. 

"They are those of unfortunate people who were attempting to escape fromthe Godos, " observed Padillo. "The mountains hereabouts are full of theskeletons of those who have thus perished. But Heaven will punish ouroppressors. "

All we saw must have died on their first day's journey across theParamo. Those only who had strong mules, or who had found shelter inthe tambo, could have escaped. But it would not do to allow ourthoughts to dwell upon the subject. Our business was to push on as fastas our legs would carry us. Directly we felt any of the sensations wehad experienced on the previous day, we drank at the nearest stream wecould reach, but we did not stop to take food. 

At length the fearful Paramo was passed; and yet this was only half thesize of many which exist in the country. Before dark we reached a tambosituated at a lower level and exposed to the free air, but even there wefelt it very cold. In a few days we were rapidly descending, and atlast found ourselves almost on a level with the valley of the Cauca, enjoying a tropical temperature, and on the borders of a dense forest. By keeping more to our left we should have continued along the road toAntioquia, but we were uncertain which party then possessed that town. Padillo, however, volunteered to ascertain this while we remained in theforest. We had already paid him his well-deserved reward, with which heseemed highly satisfied. 

He had been absent some time, and we were anxiously waiting his return. 

"I am afraid he has been seized by the Spaniards, or compelled toconduct one of their parties over the mountains, " I observed. 

"He'll not come back, depend on that, " remarked Antonio. "He hasfulfilled his engagement, and will not trouble himself further aboutus. "

"I will trust the man; and if he can, he will return, " said UncleRichard. "Here he comes, too!"

Presently Padillo was seen hurrying towards us. "The Godos havepossession of all the towns and villages in this neighbourhood, " hesaid. "If you wish to avoid them, you must keep further down the valleybefore you cross the Cauca, and then continue up the other side. I wishthat I could remain with you, but I know nothing of those westernmountains, and should be of no use as a guide. "

He now finally took his leave, promising not to forget us. 

Following his advice, we commenced our journey through the forest, --often having to cut our way with our swords, and sometimes to wadeacross rapid streams which threatened to carry us off our legs. We rana risk, too, of being bitten by serpents; several of those we observedbeing of large size, and others of an especially venomous character. Tribes of monkeys were seen on either side of us, leaping from bough tobough, and swinging on the sipos--sometimes running forward jabberingand grinning, as if excited with anger at our daring to invade theirdomains. As our food had run short, we were compelled to shoot a coupleof the rogues for supper. 

Night approaching, we made preparations for camping. We had to guardnot only against human enemies, but against jaguars, pumas, prowlingbears, and snakes. But having cleared a space of sufficient size, weran some sticks into the ground, which were interwoven with smallerbranches, so close together that no jaguar could thrust in its paw, or abear its snout, nor could any but the smallest snake crawl in. We thenthatched it over with large leaves of sufficient thickness to keep outthe heaviest rain. As close to the entrance as we dared we piled upsticks, that we might keep a fire blazing all night. There wascertainly some little risk in having a fire, as it might attract theattention of any Spaniards in the neighbourhood; but we believed that wewere so far off a highroad that no enemies were likely to discover us. 

Uncle Richard and I discussed our plans for the future, leaving Antonioto go to sleep, that he might be the better able to watch when it cameto his turn. We alternately went to sleep for some hours, until wethought Antonio could be trusted to keep the regular watch. 

I was awakened by Lion's loud bark, and by feeling him pulling at myclothes. Seeing that I was aroused, he next attacked Uncle Richard inthe same way. On sitting up, what was my dismay to find that we were inthe midst of a bright blaze! The hut was on fire. Antonio, in order tosave himself trouble, had raked the embers close up to the entrance, andhad then fallen asleep. Uncle Richard, seizing him by the shoulders, dragged him out; while I caught up his gun and the rest of ourpossessions, and sprang after him through the flames, followed by Lion, who would not leave the hut until he saw us in safety. The whole, however, was the work of a few seconds. Had we remained much longer, the roof would have come down upon us, and, at all events, have burnedus severely. As it was, we got pretty well singed. 

As we looked back and saw the flames ascending, we had good cause tofear that the trees overhead would catch fire; and if so, a fearfulconflagration might ensue. It would be scarcely possible to cut our waythrough the forest so as to escape it. The danger, therefore, wasimminent. Uncle Richard setting the example, we attacked the thatch, and brought it to the ground; while with our swords we cut the grassaround wherever we saw the fire creeping along the ground. 

A few minutes more, and we should have been unable to subdue the fire. Already some of the shrubs were singed in two opposite directions, butfortunately we saw the snake-like flames creeping forward in time toextinguish them. 

As there was no appearance of rain, we scraped the ashes of the firetogether, and placing on them a few unburnt sticks, sat ourselves downclose to it to wait until daylight, without which it would be impossibleto travel through the forest. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

A HARD STRUGGLE TO GET OUT OF THE FOREST--ANTONIO FINDS SOMECHERIMOIAS--OUR ESCAPE FROM THE WOOD--DANCING AT A MARRIAGE-FEAST--HOSPITABLE ENTERTAINMENT--GUIDES--DOWN THE RIVER IN A CANOE--THESPANIARDS AHEAD--WE CAMP, AND WAIT TO PASS THEM AT NIGHT--AGAINEMBARKED--THE SPANISH CAMP--A NARROW ESCAPE--WE REACH THE CAUCA--WECROSS TO THE LEFT BANK, AND SEE JUAN WITH A PARTY OF CAVALRY ON THERIGHT BANK--PACHECO SWIMS ACROSS THE RIVER, AND RETURNS WITH A NOTE--JUAN COMES FOR ME ON A RAFT--UNCLE RICHARD AND ANTONIO PROCEED TOPOPAYAN--WE REACH A FARM ON THE LLANOS, AND CATCH AND TRAIN WILD HORSESFOR JUAN'S TROOP--MODE OF CATCHING WILD HORSES--JOINED BY MR. LAFFAN. 

The morning found us hacking our way through the forest. As we coulddiscover no path to follow, it was slow work, and the trees seemed tobecome thicker and thicker as we advanced. Under other circumstances, we might have stopped to admire the wonderful variety of shrubs andcreepers which formed the undergrowth; as it was, we had to keep oureyes constantly about us, for at any moment we might have to encounter ahuge boa or anaconda, or we might tread upon some venomous serpent, or atree-snake might dart down upon us from the boughs above. Monkeys, asbefore, chattered and grinned at us. Parrots, and occasionally largegaily-plumed macaws, flew off from amongst the topmost boughs, startledby our approach. 

Hunger and fatigue told us that we had been struggling on for somehours, so, coming to an open space, we determined to stop and dine. Uncle Richard, taking Antonio's gun, shot a monkey and a couple ofparrots; and Antonio and I lighted a fire at which to roast them. Butwe had no water, and the food made us feel very thirsty. I proposed, therefore, looking for some cocoa-nuts, which, in that part of thecountry, grow a long way from the sea. We searched around in all theopenings we could discover; at last Antonio shouted out that he hadfound something which would satisfy our wants, and he appeared with ahuge melon-looking fruit under each arm. They were the wild cherimoia, which grow to a larger size than the cultivated ones, although notpossessing their richness. The slight acidity of the fruit was, however, very refreshing; and, our strength restored, we were soon ableto push on as before. 

Another day of hard toil was about to close. To pass the night withouta fire would be dangerous in the extreme, but as yet we had found noopen space in which we could venture to make one. As long, therefore, as the light lasted we continued to press on, in the hope of discoveringsome suitable spot. Antonio climbed up a palm, by forming his sash intoa belt which embraced the trunk--hoping to obtain a good view of thesurrounding region from the top. He told us, on his descent, that hehad seen the glittering of a river at no great distance to thesouth-west, and that we should soon be out of the forest. Our continuedthirst, which even the fruit did not quench, made us wish to reach theriver as soon as possible; so we pushed on, and at length had thesatisfaction of getting out of the denser part of the forest, thoughtrees and shrubs extended down to the banks of the river. Darknessovertook us; but the moon rose, and we were able to move forward withoutmuch difficulty, expecting every instant to reach the stream. 

We were hurrying on, when strange sounds reached our ears. We advancedtowards the spot from whence they proceeded, and, on an open space nearthe bank of the river, we caught sight of what at a distance might havebeen mistaken for a dance of demons or hobgoblins. But as we drew nearwe saw, as we had surmised, that they were Indians. Some of them wereperforming a wild dance in couples, holding their arms above their headsand snapping their fingers; while others were seated on the groundlooking at their companions. 

"There has probably been a marriage, and they are now performing thedance which usually follows the ceremony by the light of the moon, "observed Antonio. "They are sure to be in good humour, and as they willhave plenty of food, they will be ready to treat us hospitably. "

On this assurance we approached the strange group, but the dancersappeared too much engaged in their amusement to notice us. The musicwas apparently produced by a sort of flageolet, accompanied by acalabash containing some hard seeds or stones, which was rattled in timeto the wind instrument. 

Some of those seated on the ground at last catching sight of us, advanced and inquired who we were and what we wanted. We told them thatwe were travellers--our object being to reach the western side of thevalley; that we should be glad if one of them, well acquainted with thecountry, would act as our guide, and that his services should beliberally rewarded. This at once made them friendly; and begging us tosit down, they brought us a calabash of chica, with which they wereregaling themselves, some venison, and a variety of cooked roots, andsome fruit. The feast was abundant, if not served in a very civilisedway, and we did ample justice to it. 

We found that our new friends were, as Antonio had supposed, celebratingthe marriage of one of their young men by a moonlight dance and feast. The happy bridegroom had just reached his eighteenth year, and hisfriends had helped him to build a hut and clear a spot in the forest forsowing maize. Being an expert hunter, he had bought mats and earthenpots with the produce of the chase, and had also made several utensilsin wood, besides a store of calabashes; these, with a few otherarticles, served amply to furnish the abode to which he was to take hisyoung wife. He had also, they told us, presented his father-in-law witha deer, part of which we were eating. The conjurer, who performs animportant part on such occasions, presented himself to us. Of course hehad been invited to the feast, since he acts as the officiating ministerand declares the couple united. Our friends, who had already indulgedsomewhat freely in chica, continued passing the calabash round untilthey grew very noisy; the old conjurer especially, who, with severalothers, at length rolled on the ground and dropped off to sleep. Themore sober of the party, however, assisted us in putting up a littlehut, in which we took shelter, --while they, in spite of their scantyclothing, lay down round the fire, more for the smoke which kept off themosquitoes than for warmth; indeed, we were now in a complete tropicalclimate, differing greatly from that of Popayan. 

The provisions collected for the feast were sufficient to afford us agood breakfast; and having rewarded our entertainers, we expressed awish to set out. Instead of one guide, three volunteered to come, saying that each of us would require one; indeed, none of them weredisposed to go alone. We found, on reaching the river, that theyproposed proceeding down it some distance in a canoe. This, too, wouldsave us from fatigue; and there would be less risk, we hoped, of ourfalling in with the Spaniards. 

We found, on conversing with the Indians, that they had anything butfriendly feelings for the Godos, who had carried off several of theirpeople, and on other occasions ill-treated them, compelling them to workwithout reward. We therefore felt ourselves perfectly safe in theircompany. Whenever we approached a spot--whether hamlet or farm--wherethey thought it likely the Spaniards might be quartered, one of themwould go on ahead, and, keeping under shelter, creep up and ascertain ifsuch was the case. On each occasion finding that the coast was clear, we continued down the stream. Throughout its course the country oneither side was wild and uncultivated, only small patches here and therebeing occupied by settlers, who owned some of the vast herds of horsesand cattle roaming over the broad savannas which extend from the Caucato the foot of the mountains. 

In this region we met with three or four Indian families of the sametribe as our companions, and we learned from the last we encounteredthat a party of Spaniards occupied a spot on the bank of the river someway lower down, but whether they were marching north or south we couldnot ascertain. One thing was certain--we must either land on theopposite side to that where they were posted, or pass by during thenight. Our Indian friends decided that the latter would be the safestplan to pursue, so we ran the canoe a short distance up a creek withreeds on either side and thickly wooded beyond; a place which affordedus ample concealment, while there was abundance of wild fowl to supplyus with food. 

The Indians had brought some network hammocks composed of fibre, whichthey hung up between the trees, and advised us to occupy while theyprepared supper. No sooner had we landed than Uncle Richard shot a wildturkey, which we left with the Indians, while we went along the banks ofthe stream in search of ducks. Our friends' eyes sparkled in theanticipation of an abundant feast, as they saw us return with four braceof fat birds. The Indians had a big pot, into which they put somevenison they had brought with them, and some of the birds cut up, withvegetables of various sorts. These they stirred over the fire, and madea very satisfactory mess, flavoured as it was with chili pepper andother condiments. We ate our turkey simply roasted, however, as itsuited Uncle Richard's palate and my own. 

We had still some hours to wait until the Spaniards were likely to beasleep, and the men on guard less watchful. At present, too, the moonwas so bright that we should certainly have been seen had we attemptedto pass their camp; but clouds were gathering in the sky, and we hopedthat before long the moon would be obscured, when we might slip by onthe opposite side unobserved. We therefore took advantage of the offerthe Indians had made us, and occupied their hammocks; while they satround the fire talking, and finishing the remains of the stew. Lion hadcome in for his share of the bones, and now lay down under my hammockwith his nose between his paws. The moment I looked out he lifted uphis head, showing that, if not wide awake, he was as vigilant as needbe, and ready to give notice should there be any cause of alarm. 

We were completely in the power of the Indians, no doubt, who might atany moment have deserted us, or delivered us up to the Spaniards, or putus to death for the sake of our clothes and whatever valuables wecarried. But we had entire confidence in them. It must be confessedthat foreigners have occasionally been killed by the Indians, but in allthe instances I have heard the former were the aggressors. We had fromthe first shown the simple-minded people that we trusted them, and theirwish was to prove that our confidence was not misplaced. 

The night was far spent when Pacheco, our chief guide, roused us up. 

"The moon has kindly veiled her face to enable us to pass the Godosunperceived, " he said. "Up, senors, up! we will start at once. "

Jumping out of our hammocks, the Indians quickly rolled them up andcarried them down to the canoe, on board which they had already placedthe rest of their property. By their advice we lay down in the bottom. I kept Lion by my side, so that in case he should be inclined to bark Imight at once silence him. Pacheco steered, while the other two Indiansrapidly plied their paddles, and we glided at a quick rate down thestream. We soon approached that part on the northern shore at which theSpaniards were supposed to be posted, and we therefore kept to theopposite side. Not a word was spoken, and we all lay close; so that, had the canoe been seen, the enemy would have supposed that only threeIndians were in her. We could hear the guard relieved, with thesentries exchanging the sign and countersign; and during the time thisceremony was going forward our canoe shot by the place withoutchallenge. 

In the hope that we were safe, we were about to get up out of ouruncomfortable position, when a voice hailed us and ordered the canoe tobe brought up to the bank. 

"Paddle on!" I heard Pacheco say to his men; and directly afterwards ashot came whistling over our heads. "Don't be afraid of that, " againwhispered Pacheco--"we shall soon be out of sight of the Godos; althoughthey may fire, they will not hit us. "

The Indians, without uttering a sound to show that they felt any alarm, continued paddling away. Shot after shot was heard; but the Spaniardsmust have at length discovered that their prey had escaped them. 

We continued our course until the morning, when we saw before us theCauca, on the opposite side of which we wished to land. The Indianscrossed the larger river, and pulling up for some short distance, weentered a creek thickly shaded by trees. Here there was no risk ofbeing seen by enemies on the other shore. Pacheco, who had engaged toact as our guide, landed with us, and gave directions to his people towait his return. 

The stream by which we had entered the Cauca had carried us much furtherdown the course of that river than we had intended to go; we had, therefore, now to make our way up it before we struck westward to Oro, the town at which I had arranged to meet Mr Laffan. Our guide advisedus to continue along the bank of the river, as we should thus make ourway more easily than by striking diagonally across the country. Havingcarefully husbanded our powder and shot, too, we were enabled to supplyourselves amply with food; and we were never in want of wild fruitswhich in most countries would be considered very delicious. 

It was towards the evening of the second day, and we were about toencamp, when Antonio, who had gone down to fill a calabash with water atthe river, came back saying that he had seen a small party of cavalry, who had come down to let their horses drink. 

"Are they Spaniards?" asked Uncle Richard. 

"No, senor; they appear to me, by their dress, to be Patriots. "

On this we all crept down to the bank, keeping under shelter, to observethe strangers; and on seeing them we were convinced that Antonio wasright. While I was looking I observed another horseman, who by hisdress appeared to be an officer, join the people, and on watching hismovements I felt almost certain that he was my friend Juan. Soconvinced was I of this, that I advanced to the water's edge and hailedhim; but the noise of the horses prevented him hearing my voice. "Whatwould I give to communicate with him!" I exclaimed. "Is no canoe to befound near, by which we can cross the stream?"

I explained my wishes to Pacheco. 

"If you are certain that they are friends, I will swim across, " answeredPacheco. 

I assured him of this, and hastily wrote a note to Juan, begging him towait for me, and I would try to get across the river to join him. 

Pacheco placed the note inside his hat, on the top of which he fastenedthe short trousers and girdle he wore. He then cut two thick pieces ofbamboo, with a still larger piece pointed at both ends, and taking themin his hand plunged into the water. 

"Are you not afraid of the alligators?" asked Uncle Richard, under theidea that those creatures frequented the stream. 

"There are few above the rapids, and those only of small size, " answeredPacheco; "if one comes near me, he will feel the point of this bamboo. "

Resting his chest on the stout pieces of cane, and striking out with hishands and feet, he made rapid progress towards the opposite shore. Atlength Juan saw him coming, and at the same time observed us waving, though he might not have known who we were. He probably guessed, however, that we were friends, and that the Indian was coming across tospeak to him, for he rode towards the spot where our guide was about toland. 

Pacheco gave Juan the note, and I saw him take a paper from his pocketand write an answer, which he delivered to the Indian, who, withoutstopping to rest, recrossed the river. Once I saw him give a dig withhis bamboo, but the object at which he aimed was not visible. It mighthave been an alligator, or a water-snake, or a big fish; but it seemedto concern him very little, for he again came towards us, and landed insafety. 

I eagerly took Juan's note. 

"I will wait for you, " it ran. "Come across, if you can find a canoe;if not, wave your handkerchief, and I will have a raft formed, and comefor you. No time for more. --Juan. "

As Pacheco assured us that we were not likely to find a canoe within aconsiderable distance, I at once made the sign agreed on, whereupon Isaw Juan's men immediately begin to cut down with their manchettes anumber of large canes which grew near. These they bound together withsipos, and in a very short time a raft sufficiently large to bearseveral persons was formed. The thick ends of some of the canes wereshaped into scoop-like paddles, and Juan with four of his men at onceembarked and commenced the passage of the river. As soon as the raftwas sufficiently near the shore he sprang to the land, and embracedUncle Richard and me. He looked paler and considerably older than whenwe last parted, and as if he had seen much hard work. 

Uncle Richard's first question was, very naturally, for his wife anddaughter; and I too asked after my family. 

"They are still residing among the mountains, among some faithfulIndians, with Paul Lobo as their guardian. Dr Sinclair thinks itprudent to keep in hiding while the Godos occupy Popayan, in case themonster Murillo should order his arrest. I lately heard that he waswell, in spite of the trying life he, in common with so many otherPatriots, is obliged to lead. "

"And Dona Dolores?" I asked. 

"She is safe with your mother and Dona Maria; I myself escorted her totheir cottage, after I had the happiness of rescuing her from theSpaniards. "

"Is she aware of her father's death?" I inquired. 

"What!" exclaimed Juan, "has the tyrant dared to murder the old man?"

"I grieve to say so; as well as my poor uncle, Dr Cazalla, and manyother of our country's noblest Patriots. "

Juan lifted his hands to heaven, and prayed that their deaths might beavenged. What a change a few months had produced in him! Instead ofthe gay, thoughtless youth, he was now the stern soldier, ready to dareand do any deed full of peril. I told him of the murder of Dona Paula;at hearing which his eyes flashed fire, while he uttered expressions Idare not repeat. 

I asked him what object he had in view in coming in this direction. 

"I am proceeding to Llano Grande, for the purpose of collecting horses, and training them for our cavalry, as a large number of those in mytroop have died from hard work and exposure on the Paramo of Purace, when we crossed the mountains to attack the Spanish convoy. I earnestlyhope that you, Duncan, will join me; you will be of the greatestassistance, and I am certain that you are not required to help yourfather or mother. They are less likely to be molested than if it wereknown that you had joined them. "

I felt a great desire to accept Juan's proposal, and put it to UncleRichard whether I might not do so. 

He considered a minute. "Yes; I see no objection, " he answered. "Iwill continue my journey with Antonio, and try to communicate with MrLaffan. Possibly he may join you, and be of service. "

Accordingly, without hesitation, I at once agreed to accompany Juan; andwishing my Uncle Richard and his two companions farewell, I embarkedwith my friend. 

"As soon as I have seen Senor Ricardo safe, I intend to make my way backto rejoin you, " said Antonio. "If you are going to tame wild horses, you will find it a long business, and are not likely to have left theneighbourhood before I can get back to you. "

Juan told me that he intended to ride some miles further before camping, as we were near a Spanish force; and should the enemy gain intelligenceof us, they might attempt to surprise us. 

When Lion saw me embark, he gave a look at his former master, as if toask which of us he should accompany; but Uncle Richard pointed to me, and he immediately leaped on the raft. 

By the time we landed, Juan's small troop were in readiness to move on. He had, fortunately, a spare horse, which I mounted; and I confess thatI felt my spirits rise wonderfully when I found myself in the saddle, after so many days' journeying on foot. 

We rode on until we reached the borders of a wood which would serve toshelter our camp-fires. There the horses were picketed, while patrolswere sent out to give due notice of danger. Though in our native land, we had to act as if in an enemy's country. However, we invariably foundthe country-people ready to give us all the information we required asto the whereabouts of the Spaniards, and were thus able to avoid them. Had it not been for this, the Patriots would have been crushed by thesuperior force the Spaniards were bringing against them. While we couldalways learn the movements of our enemies, and obtain an ample supply offood, the Spaniards were unable even to trust their own spies; and itwas only by means of strong foraging-parties that they could collectprovisions. 

We thus reached our destination, --a farmhouse situated on a slope at thefoot of the mountains, with the wide llanos stretching out before it. Having an extensive view over the plain from this point, we could seethe approach of an enemy from a great distance; and, according to thestrength of their force, we might either prepare for resistance, or makeour escape. An enclosure ran round it, formed by trunks of trees driveninto the ground close together. It had been formed years before, forthe purpose of resisting attacks by the Indians, and would still enablea body of men to hold their own against any small force of infantry orcavalry, though, for the present, we did not expect to be molested. 

The men Juan had brought with him were accustomed to the life of thellanos, and no time was lost in commencing the work for which they hadcome. The very next morning the whole party started off provided withlassoes, --Juan and I accompanying them. The herds of wild horses wereaccustomed to come close up to the farm, so that we had not to go farbefore we fell in with a herd. The men then separated into parties oftwo, forming a circle round the animals they wished to capture. Thewild horses, seeing strangers advancing from all sides, closed uptowards the centre, not knowing in which direction to make their escape;when the men galloped forward, lasso in hand, each singling out ananimal, round whose neck he seldom failed to throw the noose. The horsewould then dash forward, but was as speedily brought up by the rope; andthe well-trained steed of the Llanero, throwing itself back, andpressing its fore, feet against the ground, effectually checked it, andthrew it upon its haunches, or right over on its back. Another Llanerowould then dexterously cast his lasso round the animal's fore-feet, andby a jerk bring it round its legs. By slightly slackening the roperound its neck, the horse was enabled to get up, when its first impulsewas to dash forward; but it was brought to the ground by the lasso roundits legs, with a jerk sufficient, it would seem, to break every bone inits body. The horse would then lie motionless while its hind feet weresecured. 

The first horse I saw caught in this manner, I thought was dead; butafter a time it regained its consciousness, and, giving some convulsiveplunges, again got on its legs. Before it had even time to look about, it was led off by some of the Llaneros to a post near the farm, where, in spite of its desperate struggles, it was saddled and bridled. Itsstrength regained, it began to bite, plunge, and kick in all directions, the Llaneros nimbly getting out of the way. One of the more experiencedriders, watching his opportunity, then leaped into the saddle, andsigned to one of his companions to cast off the lasso from its legs. The animal, finding itself free, darted off, and then commenced to back, plunge, and whisk round and round, sometimes dashing on for a few pacesat a furious pace, and then recommencing its eccentric movements. Therider, however, stuck on; and another Llanero coming behind, administered a lash with his long cutting whip, which made the pooranimal start off with a snort like a scream. No one but a well-trainedhorseman could have kept his seat in the way our men did. As it dartedahead, two other Llaneros rode on either side to keep the wild animalstraight. Off it went across the level country for a league or more, occasionally stopping to back and kick; each time its efforts grewfainter, until at last we saw it come back, its eyes bloodshot, itswhole body covered with foam and blood, and perfectly bewildered. Itwas then unsaddled and tied to a post, there to remain until hunger madeit willing to accept the food and water offered to it. Thus, in thecourse of a day a number of horses were captured; but they were allyoung animals, and as yet scarcely fit for work. 

Next came the operation of breaking them in, which occupied a muchlonger time. In this, Juan and I took a part. Every man we had with uswas engaged from sunrise to sunset--or even later, when the moon shonebrightly--as it was of the greatest importance to have some well-trainedanimals ready for service as soon as possible. 

Fresh men continued to arrive, having made their way over the mountainsto avoid the Spaniards, bringing their saddles and bridles, arms andaccoutrements. Of course, they at once took part in catching andtraining the horses. The young animals were most easily broken-in, butthey were less capable of enduring fatigue than the older horses. 

We had been about a month thus engaged, when, as Juan and I were leavingthe farm for an afternoon's sport, as we called it, we caught sight of ahorseman--evidently, from his costume, not one of our own men--gallopingacross the plain towards us. As he drew nearer, I thought I recognisedhis bearing and figure. 

"Hurrah!" I exclaimed; "I believe that's Mr Laffan. "

"I hope so, indeed, " answered Juan. "He will be a host in himself; andI suspect he will be able to train a horse as well as the best of us. "

Mounting our steeds, we galloped forward to meet him; and with unfeignedpleasure I soon saw that it was no other than my former tutor. 

"I am thankful to fall in with you again, my dear fellows, " heexclaimed. "I thought at one time that I should never have got here. Mr Duffield told me where to find you, but those rascally Spaniardsnearly caught me. I escaped them, but I had to hide away for severaldays until the coast was clear. However, here I am, and shall be mightyglad of some food, for I'm desperately sharp-set. "

We returned to the farm with Mr Laffan, where we gave him our usualfare, --dried beef and plantains; for we were not living luxuriously. Except some chica, we had no beverage stronger than coffee or cocoa tooffer him; but he declared that such provender would serve him as wellas any other. 

As soon as the meal was over, Mr Laffan begged to have a fresh horse, and insisted on accompanying us. "I have had a little experience inthis sort of work, " he said, "and may be able to catch a horse or two. At all events, I can break-in a few. I have no wish to eat the bread ofidleness. "

Mr Laffan was as good as his word, and took good care to select afirst-rate animal for himself, which, by dint of constant practice, hegot well broken-in. Juan and I were equally fortunate, and were muchindebted to him for the training of our steeds. 

As few persons came near the farm, which was remote from allthoroughfare, the Spaniards did not get notice of our proceedings; andwe were thus, by dint of hard work, and the valuable assistance renderedby Mr Laffan, able to get together a very efficient body of cavalry. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

THE CAMPAIGN COMMENCED--WE JOIN THE PATRIOT ARMY--ORDERS TO HOLD THEFORT OF GUAMOCO AGAINST ALL ASSAILANTS--A THUNDERSTORM--SURVEY OF THEFORT FROM A HEIGHT--THE ENEMY IN THE DISTANCE--WE TAKE POSSESSION OF THEFORT, AND REPAIR IT--SPANISH OFFICERS APPEAR--TWO OF THEM SHOT BY OURMEN--THE SPANIARDS ATTACK US FIERCELY, BUT ARE DRIVEN BACK--THEY RETURN, TO MEET WITH ANOTHER REPULSE--THE ENEMY AT LENGTH RETIRE--WE EXPECTANOTHER ATTACK. 

Important events had meanwhile been taking place. Bolivar had assembleda considerable army, of which upwards of two thousand foreign troops--mostly disbanded British soldiers--formed the most serviceable part. Whenever they met the enemy, the English exhibited the hardihood andcourage which they had displayed on many hard-fought fields in thePeninsula, and lately at Waterloo. We heard, too, that they were led byseveral experienced officers who had taken part in those campaigns. 

The fearful atrocities which had been committed by Murillo, Boves, Morales, indeed by almost all the Spanish generals, had aroused thespirit of the people throughout the country, and we looked forward tothe time when we should free our beloved land from the presence of thehated tyrants. 

At length being considered in an efficient state, with wild delight wereceived orders to join the Patriot forces. Before long we had severalskirmishes with the enemy, and in a gallant charge--in which Mr Laffandistinguished himself--we put to flight a superior force of KingFerdinand's hussars. These hussars were the scorn of our wild horsemen, and the contrast between the two was great indeed. The arms andappointments of the hussar were a sad encumbrance in this climate. Hehad his lance, sword, carbine, and a brace of pistols; and his clothingand trappings were those of a Hungarian trooper. He was obliged to havehis horse's tail cut short, for on several occasions a Llanero was knownto have galloped up to the rear of a trooper, dismounted in an instant, and seizing the horse by its long tail, by a sudden jerk contrived tothrow it on the ground, and then despatched the rider. Our fellows, when charging, used to lay their heads and bodies on the necks of theirhorses, carrying their lances horizontally in the right hand about theheight of the knee, so that when the Spaniards fired they seldom managedto hit them. 

I was seated with Juan in the hut which formed our headquarters. We hadnot troubled ourselves with tents, for our men slept on the groundduring the dry season, except when we were quartered in a farmhouse or avillage. We had been talking over the prospects of the campaign, whenan orderly, riding up to the entrance of the hut, delivered a despatchto Juan. He read it eagerly. 

"We are ordered to ride on to the Pass of Guamoco, as no infantry canreach it in time to prevent the Spaniards--who are marching towards it--obtaining possession, " he said. "Order the assembly to be sounded, Duncan. "

While I hastened to carry out his order, he hurriedly wrote a few lineson a rough piece of paper, which had not a very official appearance, andgave it to the orderly, directing him to deliver it to the general. Ina wonderfully short time we were in the saddle, and moving towards ourdestination. 

Juan then told me that he had been directed to take possession of a fortof some strength, which guarded the entrance of a pass through whichBolivar intended to make his way, but which, if occupied by the enemy, would be impracticable. It was thus of the greatest importance that weshould take possession of it. "The general orders me to hold the fortuntil an infantry regiment arrives to garrison it, " added Juan. 

"I hope they will put the best foot foremost, then, for I have no wishto be cooped up in a fort when we should be doing service in the opencountry, " said Mr Laffan. 

We pressed forward at a rate which none but light horsemen such as ourscould have kept up. Nothing stopped us: up hills and across valleys wescampered; pushed through forests, or waded over marshes; forded or swamrivers when they crossed our way, without a moment's hesitation. Weran, indeed, a regular steeplechase. We were obliged to camp at night, however, to rest and feed our horses; but during the day we halted not amoment longer than was absolutely necessary. Hardy as were our steeds, they at length began to show signs of fatigue, but Juan encouraged themen to proceed. 

"They will have time enough to rest when they get to the fort, " hesaid, --"provided the enemy are not there before us. "

We had gone on all day, and were still about four leagues from ourdestination when night overtook us. The road ahead, our guide informedus, was worse than any we had yet passed over, and that had been badenough. It would be dangerous, he said, if not altogether impossible, to get our weary steeds over the ground in the dark. Still Juan, obedient to orders, would have continued the route, when a thunderstorm, which had been for some time gathering in the sky, burst over our heads. We were, fortunately, near a farm with a number of outbuildings andsheds about it, beneath which we took shelter. The rain fell literallyin sheets of water, which quickly flooded the road; the lightningflashed with a vividness I had seldom before seen; and the thunderrattled and crashed as if huge rocks, rather than impalpable clouds, were being hurled against each other. 

Juan now saw that it would be impracticable to advance until daylight;but he also knew that the enemy would not venture to march, so that, even if they were at an equal distance from the fort, we should getthere first. He accordingly announced that he should remain during thenight; so the men employed themselves in cooking their supper, rubbingdown their horses, and in other ways, until they lay down to sleep inthe driest spot they could find. The officers occupied one of the roomsof the house. 

It was somewhere about two or three o'clock in the morning when Juanroused me up. 

"I intend to ride on ahead of the party, in order to reach an elevatedspot by daybreak, from whence I can take a survey of the fort and thesurrounding country, and therefore learn the ground on which we maypossibly have to operate, " said he. "You will come with me, Duncan?"

I sprang to my feet. "I am ready to set out immediately, " I answered, giving myself a shake. 

Juan's servant brought us some cups of coffee, which we drank while ourhorses were being got ready, and in less than five minutes we hadmounted. The storm had passed away, and innumerable stars shone out inthe blue sky with wonderful brilliancy. We were obliged, however, towalk our horses, as it was with difficulty we could in many places seethe road. Our last day's journey had been over ground of a considerableelevation, and we were still ascending. 

Daylight broke while we were still on the road, and pushing on ourhorses, we reached the spot for which we were aiming. It was a loftybluff with precipitous cliffs below us, beneath which there were severallesser elevations, and beyond, a wide valley opening into a vast plain. We here found ourselves far above the clouds, which spread like a canopyover the scene at our feet--a few tree-tops, the tower of a villagechurch, and here and there, perched on heights, the roofs of somefarmhouses. Immediately below us was the fort we were to occupy. Itseemed as if we could almost leap down into it; though it was in realitytoo far off to be commanded from the height on which we stood, even hadthe enemy dragged up guns; but the path by which we had come wasaltogether impracticable for artillery, so we had no fear on that score. A short distance beyond the fort ran a rapid stream, which, descendingfrom the mountains on our left, passed through the valley, andcontributed materially to the strength of the position, as troopsmarching to the attack would have to ford it in face of the fire fromthe garrison. As far as we could see, the fort was still unoccupied;but the mist prevented us ascertaining positively if this was the case. 

"I would that the clouds were away, " said Juan, "to learn whether theyare now concealing our approaching foes!"

Here and there the mist appeared to be breaking or rising, and wewatched eagerly for the moment when the whole face of the country wouldbe exposed to view. 

"Our men ought by this time to have got nearly round to the fort, "observed Juan, looking at his watch; "and once inside, I hope that weshall be able to defend it against the Spaniards, though they may comeonly a few minutes after we have taken possession. "

The sun now rose over the mountain-tops, his beams gradually dispellingthe mists which had obscured the view. Still they hung over the valley, and we remained uncertain as to whether the enemy had had time to reachthe fort below us. While we were thus eagerly watching, we caught sightof the head of our column rounding the foot of the mountain; but thoughvisible to us, it could not as yet be seen by any one in the fort, andwe were thus still in doubt as to the important fact we wished toascertain. 

"I gave directions to Captain Laffan to send forward and find outwhether the fort was occupied, before exposing the troop to view, " saidJuan. 

As he spoke we saw two of the horsemen ride forward, and Juan resolvedto remain until the result was known. We now took a careful survey ofthe country before us. 

"I can nowhere see a body moving which has the appearance of troops, "observed Juan. "But there are so many woods and inequalities in theground by which they might be concealed, that we must not trust to that. If, however, they have not already got possession of the fort, we shallhave ample time to make such preparations as may be required for ourdefence. Duncan, take you the glass and see if you can discoveranything which may have escaped my eye. "

I did as he requested, and swept the surrounding country again andagain. At last I saw what I thought looked like a dark shadow creepingslowly along over the brow of a hill from the westward, and descendingtowards us. Here and there was a slight glitter, as if the sun's rayswere playing on polished steel. 

I handed the glass to Juan, who was soon satisfied that what we saw wasa body of troops. As, however, they were still some leagues away, andas they had a river to cross and some heights to climb, it would beseveral hours before they could reach the fort. We now felt sure thatit, at all events, was not yet occupied. Dismounting, therefore, we ledour horses down a steep path, by which we were at length able to rejoinour regiment. About the same time the scouts came back with theinformation that the fort was unoccupied. We accordingly rode forwardand took possession. 

It consisted of a strong stockade composed of whole logs of wood, with adeep trench in front of it. The huts were in a very dilapidatedcondition, but they would still afford some shelter to the garrison;while a stone tower in the centre, also surrounded by a trench, formed asort of citadel as well as a storehouse. It comprised a ground floor, with a vault beneath, which served as a magazine, and two stories abovewithout any divisions. In one of these were a few rough articles offurniture, which had been intended for the use of officers; and in theupper story, which had been used as an hospital, were a number ofbedsteads covered with hides; while above the roof was a loopholed wallrunning all round, for musketry. Behind the fort was a wide spacecompletely protected by impracticable heights and the fort in front, onwhich our horses could be turned out to graze. The Spaniards had mostunaccountably left behind three guns, which, though spiked, wereserviceable in other respects; and in the storeroom we found shot forthem. 

We had brought, I should have said, nearly two dozen horse-loads ofammunition--including powder for the guns which we had hoped to find--aswell as the same number of animals laden with provisions. But, ofcourse, as they had to travel as fast as our horses, they could carrybut a very limited load. 

Not a moment was lost in setting to work to repair the fort. Juan toldthe men how we had seen the enemy approaching, and consequently theylaboured away with might and main. Trees were cut down from thehill-side above the fort, and dragged in to repair the stockade. Thetrench was cleared out; and shelter erected for the horses, which itwould be absolutely necessary to retain inside in case of requiring themon an emergency. The men, accustomed from their earliest days to hardlabour, toiled away without cessation. By night we had repaired thefort, and were ready for our enemies should they appear; but as yet wehad not got a sight of them, and I began to fancy that Juan and I hadbeen mistaken. Under Mr Laffan's directions, our farriers hadcontrived to extract the nails with which the guns were spiked, and allthree were mounted and got into position during the night. A vigilantwatch was kept, for should the enemy really have been approaching, theywould very probably attack us before daylight. 

Morning, however, came, and no sign of the foe being in sight. Thoughwe had a flag with us, and a flagstaff stood in the fort, Juan would nothave it hoisted; while the men were directed to keep as much under coveras possible, so that the Spaniards might not discover we had possessionof the fort. 

All the work outside had been finished, but we continued strengtheningit, and making such, improvements as were necessary in the inside. 

It was about noon when one of the sentries gave notice that he saw somepeople on the opposite side of the river. We watched them. Evidentlythey were Spanish officers reconnoitring the fort, and from theirmovements they seemed to doubt whether it was already occupied. Atlast, apparently satisfied that they were in time to take possession, two of them began to ford the stream. Before they had got half-wayover, however, several of our men, without orders, fired, and they bothfell, being carried down by the current. Juan rebuked his followers forthis wanton act--at which the men seemed very much astonished. Severalothers who were following, and of whom we caught a glimpse, immediatelyretreated. 

We now expected every moment to see the main body approaching to theassault, as it was not likely they would allow us to retain peaceablepossession of so important a post, if they fancied they could captureit. Mr Laffan had charge of the guns, with the few men among us whohad ever had any practice with artillery. There were, however, no morethan two to each gun who had loaded and fired one before. Mr Laffanhad to keep running backwards and forwards, to see that they put in thepowder first and the shot afterwards, and rammed it home. In a shorttime the Spaniards advanced under cover, showed themselves on the bankof the stream, where they extended their line, and commenced a hot fireat the fort. We, keeping under shelter, did not reply to it until theycommenced crossing the stream, when we opened on them with our guns. They evidently had not supposed that we possessed artillery; for theywere at once thrown into confusion, and began to retreat, when numberswere brought down by our musketry, while our guns, being reloaded, againsent their shot among them. 

We now ran up the Republican flag and shouted "Victory;" but we weremistaken in supposing that the enemy were put to flight. In the courseof a short time a far larger body appeared, led by other officers, whobehaved with great courage. At once they dashed across the stream, --wereceiving them with a hot fire, our men loading and discharging theirpieces as fast as they could, while our guns, considering theinexperience of the gunners, were well served. I could scarcely helpsmiling as I saw my old dominie spring from gun to gun, and point it atthe thickest of the foe. One of the officers who appeared in commandmust have fallen, and although the others behaved with considerablegallantry, they failed to induce the men to come up to the stockades. Once more they retired across the stream, and many lost their lives. 

After this they contented themselves with getting behind such cover asthey could find, and firing at the fort. Had they possessed guns, thetables would, I suspect, soon have been turned, as our comparativelylight defence must quickly have been knocked to pieces. The thicknessof the stockades, however, prevented their bullets from entering, and afew only of our men who exposed themselves were hit, --two being killed, and three wounded. Out of our small garrison, however, that number wasof consequence. 

We continued firing away with the guns and musketry at the points wherethe Spaniards were concealed, but what damage we produced among them wecould not tell. This style of fighting lasted several hours, while weevery moment expected to be again attacked. Not a Spaniard who hadfallen wounded was allowed to live, for our bullets quickly put them outof their pain. 

At length the firing ceased, and we saw the enemy retiring--a round shotor two sent after them by Mr Laffan expediting their movements. Thevictory was decidedly on our side; but we knew full well that we mightagain be attacked by a superior force, and perhaps that very night. Therefore, as before, a vigilant watch was kept, so that, should theyattempt a surprise, we might be ready to receive them. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

CAPTAIN LAFFAN AND I GO OUT TO RECONNOITRE--A PRISONER--GAININGINFORMATION--THE SPANIARDS TWICE ASSAULT THE FORT, AND ARE REPULSED WITHSLAUGHTER--WE LOSE A NUMBER OF MEN--A COUNCIL OF WAR--SCARCITY OFAMMUNITION AND PROVISIONS--DON JUAN INVITES TWO OF US TO OBTAINASSISTANCE--LAFFAN AND I UNDERTAKE THE DUTY--WE SET OUT--NARROWLY ESCAPETHE SPANIARDS--ENTER A TOWN LATELY SACKED BY THEM--OBTAIN REFRESHMENT--DIRECTED ON OUR COURSE--A BIVOUAC FOR THE NIGHT--WE PROCEED NEXTMORNING--LAFFAN'S HORSE BITTEN BY A SNAKE--MY COMPANION TRUDGES FORWARDON FOOT--WE REACH A FARM--OBTAIN SHELTER AND FOOD, A HORSE AND A GUIDE, AND CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY. 

Juan and most of our little garrison exulted in the idea that, after thedefeat we had inflicted on the Spaniards, they would abandon the attemptto take the fort, and retire from the neighbourhood. 

"Do not be too sure of that, " said Captain Laffan; "they will watchtheir opportunity, and attempt to surprise us if we are off our guard. They know the value of the pass too well to leave us in quietpossession. They may be looking all this time for a path over themountains, to try and take us in the rear; though they would find that ahard matter, to be sure. "

Juan, however, still persisted in his belief that the Spaniards hadretired, and turned their attention to some other enterprise. Fearingthat this opinion would make him and his followers less vigilant, Ivolunteered to go out and reconnoitre. 

"You shall not go alone, " said Mr Laffan. 

"No, " I answered; "I intend to take Lion with me. "

"I intend to go also, " he replied. "I have done a little skirmishing inmy day, and three pairs of eyes will take in more than two. Indeed, Ido not think you should count much on the services Lion may render. "

"He will, at all events, give us timely notice should we get near asentinel, or should one of the enemy approach us, " I remarked. 

"You are right, " answered Mr Laffan. "We will go together; and I ampretty strongly of opinion that we shall bring Don Juan word that theenemy are not far off. "

"But shall we go by night or day?" I asked. 

"At night we should have the advantage of being able to get up to theenemy without being seen, " said Mr Laffan; "but we should be quite aslikely to find ourselves in their midst before we had discovered wherethey were. Whereas in daylight, though we may find more difficulty inapproaching them, we shall be able to see any of their men moving aboutat a distance. During the day, too, they will be less likely to be onthe watch for scouts. "

It was finally settled, after a discussion in which Juan and the otherofficers took part, that we should leave the fort just before dawn, andremain concealed until daylight, when we were to make our way in thedirection in which it was most probable that we should find theSpaniards, if they were still in the neighbourhood. This plan wasfinally agreed on; and Captain Laffan, Lion, and I, at the hour fixedon, left the fort, and made our way across the river to a grove of treeswhich afforded us sufficient concealment; while, should the Spaniardsthemselves have sent out any reconnoitring party to ascertain what wewere about, we should to a certainty discover them. 

As soon as it was daylight we continued our route, Lion going on justbefore me, and turning round frequently to see if I was following. Byhis conduct, I was very sure that he understood the object of ourexpedition. We kept as much as possible under cover; occasionally whenwe came to open ground we ran across it in a stooping posture, so that, should we be seen by those at a distance, we might be mistaken foranimals. We had gone nearly a league without observing a human being, when we caught sight of a small hamlet in the distance, with a wood onone side, and a stream partly encircling it. 

"That's a likely place for the enemy to have occupied, " observed MrLaffan; "and if they are in the neighbourhood, we shall find themthere. "

We now approached more cautiously than before, while Lion showed aconsiderable amount of excitement, as if he believed that an enemy wasnear. Presently he stopped short, then advanced slowly, like a tigerstealing on its prey, glancing back every now and then to ascertain ifwe were following. Again he stopped, and then came running towards us, when, placing himself directly before me, he pointed with his nose inthe direction he had before been taking. 

We at once guessed that some one was concealed behind the brushwood; butif a sentry, he had not discovered us, or he would have fired. Weaccordingly determined to seize him and gain what information we could. Making a sign to Lion to keep behind, we cautiously crept on, bendingalmost to the ground, and completely hidden by the bushes. I made amotion to Lion to seize the man, if there was one. He understood me;and as he sprang forward we heard a half-stifled cry. The next instantwe saw Lion struggling with a soldier, who had dropped his musket, andwas endeavouring to draw his knife to thrust into the dog's body. 

We grasped the fellow's arms, and quickly mastered him. It was at onceevident that he had been sitting down, while we were approaching, tolight his cigarrillo; or perhaps he might have dropped off to sleep. Releasing him from Lion, we threatened him with instant death if heopened his mouth or attempted to escape. Then, each of us taking anarm, we dragged him along towards the fort. 

"If we carry this fellow with us, he will to a certainty be put todeath, " I observed to Mr Laffan. 

"I don't like the idea of that, " said he. 

"Nor do I, " I answered. "The best thing we can do is to get whatinformation we can out of him, then bind him to a tree, and leave him. The Spaniards will discover him in time, and will yet be none thewiser. "

"A good idea, " said Mr Laffan. 

The captive Spanish soldier looked imploringly at us, fully expectingthat his minutes were numbered. 

"We do not intend to kill you, " I said, "if you will give us a faithfulaccount of the number of troops in this neighbourhood, and what it isintended they should do, --whether they are about to attack the fortagain, or to march away; and if so, where they are going. "

"Have I your word of honour?" asked the Spaniard, looking at me, verymuch puzzled to know who I could be, as he heard me speak in English, and then address him in genuine Spanish. 

"You have my word. We have no wish to murder our enemies, " said I. 

"That's more than I can say for my countrymen, " he answered. "I willtell you frankly, senor. There are a thousand men in yonder camp. Itwas intended to attack you again to-night. Our officers have resolvedto capture the fort at all risks, and they have told the men it must bedone. If you will undertake, senor, to protect my life, I will followyou, and serve you faithfully. I would rather do that than have againto assault yonder fort. "

"I believe what you say, " I answered; "but I cannot venture to take youwith me, for the Patriots would instantly put you to death, as they havevowed to do with every Spaniard who falls into their hands. "

"I must submit to my hard fate, then, " said the man. 

"You will regain your liberty in a few hours, " observed Captain Laffan. 

"Ah, senor, if I am caught I shall be shot for sleeping at my post. Ifyou will give me my liberty I will run away, and not again fight againstyou. "

"The very best thing such a fellow as you can do. I think we may trustyou, " said Captain Laffan. 

We led our prisoner on until within a short distance of the fort, when, instead of binding him, we let him go. He bolted away to thenorthward, --showing that he fully intended to carry out his promise. 

On our return to Juan, he thanked us warmly for the service we hadrendered. 

As may be supposed, we were all on the watch; and about two hours beforedawn we caught sight of the Spaniards advancing to the attack. As theycrossed the river, we opened a heavy fire upon them; to which theyreplied, and then rushed forward, attempting to storm the stockades. The fort, from one side to the other, was in a blaze of light. Each manwas fighting with desperation, and hurling back those who crossed theditch and endeavoured to climb the walls. After the Spaniards had madeseveral desperate attempts, they were driven back; and again gettingunder shelter, contented themselves with keeping up a hot fire at us. We, of course, replied in the same fashion; but, except that bothparties expended a large amount of powder and shot, no great loss wassuffered. In the attack a considerable number had been killed andwounded, and not a few of our own men had been hit. 

We waited, fully expecting that with the return of daylight the enemywould make another assault. And we were not mistaken; but the resultwas the same as before, though I cannot say that, had they persevered, they would not have got in. Greatly to our relief, however, we heardthe recall sounded. Once more they retired; and two of our men sallyingout, traced them back to their former quarters. 

We were for some time employed in repairing the damage done to the fort, and in attending to the wounded; and while we buried our own dead, wesent out a party to throw the Spaniards who had fallen in the river, asthe easiest way of disposing of them. Several poor fellows who werefound wounded were mercilessly bayoneted, in spite of all Juan, MrLaffan, and I could urge to the contrary. Our men were generallysufficiently obedient; but when told to spare their enemies, who couldno longer oppose them, they turned away with scowling countenances, noteven deigning to reply--evidently resolved to carry out the fearfulspirit of revenge which animated them. 

Our men were again rejoicing at having repulsed our foes, when Juansummoned us to a council of war. 

"Though we may rejoice at the victory we have gained, " he said, "yet ithas been dearly bought by the death of so many of the garrison, and bythe expenditure I find, of nearly all our ammunition. Should anotherattack be made, we have not a sufficient supply to repulse the enemy. Still I know that you and all my men will fight to the last, and that wemay offer an effectual resistance with our spears and swords. We areordered to hold this post, and I am resolved not to quit it alive, or wemight possibly cut our way through the enemy. After the losses theyhave received, they may not attack us for some time; so I propose tosend off any two of you who may be willing to go, to endeavour to reachthe general and obtain reinforcements, as well as a further supply ofammunition and provisions; though, in regard to the latter, we can liveon horse-flesh, if need be, until assistance reaches us. "

Juan looked at the other officers; but they made no reply. He thenturned to Captain Laffan and me. "Are you willing to go?" he asked. 

"With all my heart, " answered Captain Laffan; "and I am sure I may saythe same for Duncan. We gained some experience of the country in ourreconnaissance the other day, and I feel sure we shall get off withoutbeing discovered. "

"I am perfectly ready to go, " I added; "but I am very unwilling to leaveyou, Don Juan, in so critical a position. "

"Think not of me, " answered Juan. "I have a duty to perform, and I maywell rejoice if I am called upon to die for the sake of my country. "

We accordingly settled that we were to set out about three hours beforedawn, which would give us time to get beyond the enemy, and out of theirsight, when we should have the advantage of daylight for seeing our way. I confess I felt more out of spirits than usual when I bade my friendJuan farewell. A presentiment of evil oppressed me, as I thought of thedangers by which he was beset. 

It was shortly after two o'clock in the morning, when Mr Laffan and I, having our horses' hoofs muffled, and followed, of course, by Lion, ledthem down to the river; crossing which, we took the road we had beforefollowed for some distance. We then turned to the left, along the baseof the hills. Between these and the hamlet occupied by the enemy, itwas possible that patrols might be met with, and if so we had agreed tomount and cut our way through them. As we were on foot, we hoped thatwe should not be perceived until close upon the enemy; we should thenhave a good chance of escaping. We trudged on, therefore, holding ourhorses by the left rein, so that we might mount in a moment. 

We had got a good way to the westward, and, as we fancied, clear of theenemy, when, on doubling a high rock, round which the path led, we camesuddenly upon a picket. Owing to the precautions we had taken, however, they did not hear or see us until almost within a dozen paces. To leapon our horses and dig our spurs into their flanks, was the work of amoment; and before the Spanish soldiers could spring forward and seizeour reins, we had already got to a considerable distance beyond them. They immediately opened fire, but, owing to the darkness and theirsurprise, took very bad aim. Possibly, not hearing any sound, they tookus for phantom horsemen; but they continued to pepper away in thedirection we had taken, long after the darkness had hidden us from theirsight. 

Not supposing that we should meet with another picket, we now dashedforward at full speed, the increasing light enabling us to see our way. Our horses, being perfectly fresh, went on for several leagues withoutflagging, and we now felt confident that there was but little chance ofour being pursued. Not, however, being acquainted with the country, weknew that unless we could obtain a guide we should very likely lose ourway, or take a much longer route than was necessary. With this objectin view, therefore, seeing a small town on our right we rode towards it, to procure the assistance we required, and obtain refreshments forourselves and steeds. Being uncertain who had possession of the place, I rode into the town, as I could pass there for an Englishman or aSpaniard, as the case might necessitate. I could thus obtain theinformation, while Mr Laffan remained on watch at some distance. 

The place at first appeared deserted; but at length I saw three persons. One was lying in front of a door-step, another was apparently watchinghim, --both being badly wounded, --while a third, leaning against thewall, watched me as I approached. 

"Friends, " I asked, "what has happened lately in this town?"

"The Godos have passed through it, and as we were Patriots they burneddown a large part, and killed most of us. Look at yonder woman; shealone survives of all her family. You see almost all the remaininginhabitants, " and the speaker uttered a bitter laugh. 

"I can feel for you, for I am a Patriot, " I answered; "and I want tofind my way to the army of General Bolivar. "

"I would act as your guide, but I have no horse, " answered the man; "andI could not sit one if I had; look here, senor, "--and he showed me asevere wound on his side. "Nor can we help you, " he continued, "forthere is no young man left in the place who would be able to go; but Ican direct you on your road. And you will rejoice to hear, senor, thatthe last news which reached us is that the general has beaten theaccursed Godos; though whether it is true I know not. Good news nevertravels so fast as ill news. "

I tried to cheer my new friend, and he undertook to obtain somerefreshments for us. 

"You may enter any of the houses you please, for most of them are empty;but to mine you are welcome. "

While he went to find some food and fodder for our horses, I rode backto where I had left Mr Laffan. 

On our return we found plenty of fodder for our horses, but the farewith which we were supplied was very scanty, almost everything havingbeen carried off by the plunderers. 

"If, however, we would wait, " our host said, "he would find some fruit, and procure some fowls which had escaped. "

As we were anxious to proceed, we begged that he would point out theroad we were to take. This he did, and we bade him farewell. 

We had still some hours to ride before nightfall, when we must, ifpossible, find shelter. As far as we could judge, it might take usthree or four days to reach the Patriot camp, and some time must elapsebefore relief could be sent to Juan, --and what might not occur in themeantime?

Whenever we pulled rein, Mr Laffan stood up and took a survey of thecountry. 

"It is wise to ascertain what's moving when traversing a country, or inour course through life, " he observed. "We may thus know where to findour friends and avoid our foes. "

Frequently, however, the view on either side was bounded by woods, thetrees rising to a prodigious size. Many of them ran up to an amazingheight in a straight line before they began to branch out. From some ofthe fig species, various shoots descended perpendicularly, where theytook root, so that we had no little difficulty in making our way throughthese woody columns. Between the openings we caught sight of themountains rising to the skies; and occasionally a stream crossed ourpath, or ran foaming along on one side or the other. 

We had hoped to reach some friendly village or farmhouse, where we mightrest during the hours of darkness, and obtain better food for our horsesthan they could pick up in the forest; but though we pushed on until anhour after sunset, no glimmering window-light appeared to beckon ustowards it, and we had at last to look about for an open space where wemight bivouac. We accordingly dismounted, and tethering our animals, commenced searching for wood to light a fire. We ran no small risk, asmay be supposed, of rousing up a venomous serpent, or disturbing a boaduring its rest, while at any moment a jaguar or puma might pounce downupon us, or a bear make its appearance. We succeeded in obtaining fuelenough to make a pretty large fire, and by its bright flames we the moreeasily obtained a further supply of wood. We had, however, but scantymaterials for a meal, --some fruit, and a few pieces of Indian cornbread. I gave part of my share to poor Lion, who looked up wonderinglyat finding himself put on short commons in a land of plenty. There wassufficient grass, however, for our horses to obtain a feed, and as wehad watered them a short time before, they were not so badly off. 

Having collected fuel enough to last for the night, we cut a number ofsticks, which we ran into the ground to form a shelter against anysudden attack of wild animals during the night; and then, pretty welltired out, lay down to rest. Every now and then Captain Laffan or I gotup to change the position of our horses, but we dared not leave them farfrom the fire, lest some jaguar might spring out and kill one of them, although it might not be able to carry off its prey. Great as was ouranxiety, we by turns got some sleep; and at dawn, again mounting, werode forward. The sky, however, was cloudy, and we had greaterdifficulty than before in guiding our course. 

We rode on for some hours, until the pangs of hunger and the necessityof resting ourselves made us resolve to stop. I was fortunate enough tokill a good-sized monkey, which was grinning down at us from a boughclose above our heads; and we also found as much wild fruit as werequired. So, having reached the banks of a stream, where we and ourhorses could get water, and where there was abundance of grass, wehalted, and quickly had a fire lighted, and part of our monkey roastingbefore it. The other part I had given to Lion, who was quite ready toeat it uncooked. 

We again moved forward, but we both felt very doubtful whether we weregoing right. For my own part, I know but few sensations so disagreeableas the idea that one has lost one's way. We were passing along a lowsandy spot, with high bushes and trees on either side, when CaptainLaffan's horse gave a sudden start; and looking down, we saw a smallshiny snake gliding away. The horse had evidently been bitten, for wecould see the mark of the creature's fangs above the fetlock, and soonthe leg began to swell. The poor animal proceeded with the greatestdifficulty. What remedies to apply we neither of us knew, but we hadheard of the existence of a small snake called the aranas, the poisonfrom whose fangs is so subtle that animals bitten often die within anhour; and even when remedies are applied, few are ever saved. 

"The creature might have bitten either of ourselves, " I observed. 

"I do not think this species ever attacks man, --though I should not liketo put the matter to the test, " answered Captain Laffan. 

There was no use in our stopping, especially as there might be othersnakes of the same kind in the neighbourhood. We therefore, as long asthe poor horse could move, pushed forward; but its pace became more andmore sluggish, as the limb continued to swell. At length the animalstopped altogether, and my companion, feeling it tremble, leaped off. Scarcely had he done so when it came to the ground, and lay strugglingin violent convulsions. Mr Laffan contrived to take off the saddlebefore it was damaged. In a few minutes, foaming at the mouth, thehorse died, evidently in great pain. 

"No use groaning over what cannot be helped, " observed the captain. "You take the saddle, and put it before you; I'll carry the bridle; andI must try to get another horse as soon as possible. "

The delay was serious, but it could not be helped; so we moved along, Mr Laffan trudging by my side. I asked him to get up, but hepositively refused to do so. 

The belief that we had lost our road was still further depressing. Ithought especially of the serious consequences which might ensue to Juanshould we not soon obtain the assistance of which we were in search. Atlength my eye fell on a papaw-tree, and what appeared to be a hut justbelow it. Riding on, we saw a Creole peasant-woman walking along andspinning, evidently near her home. At first, on seeing us, she seemeddisposed to fly; but on our calling to her and assuring her that we werefriends, she stood still, waiting for us to come up. Our wants weresoon explained: we should be glad, of a horse, a guide, and especiallyof some food. Food she could give us. Her husband was out, she said, but he would soon return, and he would procure a horse, of which therewere several broken-in on the farm; and perhaps he himself would act asour guide. 

Eager to push on, our patience was greatly tried; though we waited andwaited, the woman's husband did not appear. At last Mr Laffan proposedgoing out and catching one of the horses. 

"But then you will not know in what direction to ride, " observed thewoman. "You have no right, either, to take the horse without myhusband's leave. "

"Might makes right, " answered Mr Laffan; "however, we will not act thepart of robbers, but will pay you handsomely for the horse. "

This promise satisfied the poor woman. 

Fortunately, just as we were setting out the husband returned, and wasevidently well-pleased at the thought of getting a good price for one ofhis animals. He also undertook to guide us, if we could wait until thenext morning at daybreak, and would promise him a reward. He took goodcare, indeed, that we should not start before then, as it was nearlydark before he returned with the horse. It was a tolerably good animal, though rather small, and we willingly promised him the price he asked. He described to us feelingly the terror he had been in lest the Godosshould visit his farm; though, excepting a few cattle and horses, therewas little they could have obtained. His wife had been in still greaterfear lest they might carry her husband off as a recruit; but he had keptin hiding, and she had conveyed food to him from day to day, until theSpaniards had left the neighbourhood. 

We managed to rest with tolerable comfort on heaps of Indian cornleaves, and slept securely, without the fear of being attacked byjaguars, bears, or other wild beasts, or being bitten by serpents. 

Faithful to his promise, our host appeared the next morning with thehorse for Mr Laffan, while he brought a smaller animal for himself. His wife insisted on putting up a supply of food for the day, and wasevidently unwilling to receive any reward. After a good breakfast westarted, thankful to find ourselves on the right road. 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

OUR GUIDE COMPLAINS OF OUR RAPID PACE--HE LEAVES US--WE MEET CAPTAINLOPEZ--OUR DOUBTS AS TO HIS OBJECT--IN A DESERTED HUT--WE MEET UNCLERICHARD AND A BODY OF INFANTRY--WE TURN BACK WITH HIM--A RAPID STREAM--FINDING A BRIDGE--THE SPANIARDS ADVANCING--A RUSH TO GAIN THE BRIDGE--WEREACH IT FIRST--A FIGHT--THE SPANIARDS DEFEATED--NO PRISONERS TAKEN--WEAPPROACH THE FORT--CAPTAIN LAFFAN AND I RIDE ON TO RECONNOITRE--SIGNS OFDISASTER--OUR MEN FIRE--A FLOCK OF GALENACHAS RISES FROM THE FORT, WHICHAPPEARS IN RUINS--DEAD BODIES SCATTERED ABOUT--DISCOVERY OF THAT OFJUAN--WE RAISE A TOMB OVER HIS GRAVE--THE ARMY OF BOLIVAR--DESCRIPTIONOF THE GENERAL--TREACHERY OF COLONEL LOPEZ--ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATEBOLIVAR--NUMEROUS ENGAGEMENTS--PRAISE FROM THE GENERAL--MY RETURN HOME--AN INTERVIEW WITH DONA DOLORES--SHE JOINS THE ARMY--WAR THE GREATESTCURSE THAT CAN AFFLICT A COUNTRY--CONCLUSION. 

We endeavoured to make up for lost time by galloping as fast as ourhorses would go, whenever the ground would admit of our doing so. Everymoment might be of consequence. Should the Spaniards again attack thefort, we knew too well that our friends would have a hard matter to holdit. Our guide frequently exclaimed that we should knock up our steeds, or bring them to the ground. 

"Never fear, my friend, " said Mr Laffan; "if we do, we must pickourselves up again. "

"But your bones, senors, your bones; you will break them or your necks, "murmured our guide. 

"Never mind--we must do the best we can; you don't know what weEnglishmen are made of, " said Mr Laffan. 

"But I may break my neck, and then what will become of my poorMargarida?" cried our guide. 

"We will do our best to console her, and find her another husband. On, on!" cried Mr Laffan. 

In vain were all the expostulations of our guide. The dominie lashedhis little steed, and up hill and down dale we kept on. Probably Tomasowould have left us to pursue our course alone and find our own way, hadnot my friend wisely kept back a portion of the price of the horse, lestsuch a trick might be played us. At last Tomaso pointed out what hecalled the highroad, and assured us that by keeping straight on weshould in time reach the Patriot camp. How far off it was, however, hedid not say. He now begged hard for the sum we owed him. 

"Here it is, my friend; you have well earned it, I own, " said MrLaffan, handing him the amount. 

He was profuse in his expressions of gratitude. "A fortunate journey toyou, caballeros; and may the Patriot cause prove triumphant, " he added, as, making a low bow, he turned his horse's head and rode back the waywe had come. 

We had not got far when we saw a horseman galloping in hot haste towardsus; by his dress and accoutrements we knew him to be an officer. As hegot nearer I recognised him to be Captain Lopez. He pulled up, andbegan to address us before he recognised either of us. 

"Can you tell me, caballeros, if a division of the Spanish forces isstationed anywhere in the neighbourhood? I am told that such is thecase. "

"And what object, Captain Lopez, have you for wishing to know where tofind the Spanish forces?" asked Captain Laffan, looking sternly at him. "Surely you are not going to desert to them!"

Captain Lopez now recognised us, and looked very much confused. Heanswered--

"No; desert to them, no! I am not a deserter, but I wish to ascertaintheir whereabouts, that the Patriots, who are advancing in thisdirection, may be prepared to encounter them. "

Captain Laffan looked incredulous, but simply asked--

"Whereabouts are we likely to find the Patriots, as we wish to join themwithout delay, and possibly can give them the information you are goingto obtain?"

I remarked that he said nothing about Juan, or that our object was tobring him assistance. Captain Lopez, however, inquired where Juan'stroop had gone, observing that it was supposed he had joined Bolivar. Whether he really knew the true state of the case, I could not tell. 

Captain Laffan was as reticent as at first. "Now, Captain Lopez, wemust not delay; we possess all the information you wish to gain, and Iwould advise you to turn back with us, or you may chance to fall intothe hands of the enemy. "

In answer to this remark Captain Lopez made several excuses, and at lastsaid, "I'll ride on for a short distance, and then follow you back. Farewell, senors, for a short time;" and he continued his course in thedirection he was before going. 

"The scoundrel!" exclaimed Captain Laffan as we galloped on; "I am verysure that he is on no good errand. We should have served the cause byshooting him. "

We had very little time to make remarks, as we had generally to ride onebefore the other, but our suspicions of the object Captain Lopez had inview made it more important than ever that we should reach the Patriotswithout delay, and hurry them on to the succour of Don Juan and his hardpressed garrison. 

Another night arrived, and we were still unable to ascertain how far offthe Patriots were encamped. Had our horses been able to move, weshould, in spite of the dangers of the road, have pushed on in the dark. There was just light enough for us to discover a deserted hut. At theback was a garden overgrown with grass, into which we turned our horses. A well in one corner supplied them with water, and we were sure thatthey would not wish to stray; while the thick hedge and trees whichsurrounded the garden concealed them from the view of any one passing. We ourselves were not likely to be discovered unless by a personentering the hut. The food with which our good hostess Margarida hadsupplied us afforded a tolerable supper, with something over forbreakfast. We could not doubt but that early the next day we shouldfall in with the Patriots. 

Scarcely yet persuaded that Captain Lopez was acting treacherously, asCaptain Laffan supposed, I half expected to see him return. 

"If he does, it will be with a party of the enemy, " said my companion, "and we shall be made prisoners, unless we get due notice and can gallopoff. "

This idea made us more wakeful than we should otherwise have been, forLion doing duty as sentry was sufficient protection. The morning, however, came, and no enemy appeared. I shared my portion of theremaining stock of food with Lion, who had been for some time on shortcommons, as vegetable diet did not suit his constitution. 

We had gone some distance when, as we were stopping to water our horsesat a stream, my ear caught the tramp of feet. 

"There is a large body of infantry coming along the road, " I exclaimed;"I trust that they may be friends, or we shall have to cut across thecountry to avoid them. "

Captain Laffan listened, and was satisfied that I was right. 

"We must approach cautiously, " he said, "and be prepared to turn to theright-about if they should prove to be enemies. "

We instantly mounted and rode on, and before long came in sight of thetroops. 

"They are Patriots, I am sure, from their dress, and the flags theycarry, " said Captain Laffan. 

He was right. As we got nearer a mounted officer rode forward. To myinfinite satisfaction I saw that he was Uncle Richard; while Antoniocame close behind him, dressed as an officer. 

"Hurrah! rejoiced to see you, Duncan; and you too, Captain Laffan, "exclaimed Uncle Richard as he recognised us. "Where do you come from?Tell me all about it as we ride along; you will accompany me, for weshall soon halt to let the men dine, and you can then get what food yourequire. "

We briefly told him the object of our journey. 

"I knew that Don Juan was ordered to hold the fort, but I littlesupposed that he was so hard pressed. However, I hope we shall be intime to relieve him. You see these fine fellows?" and he pointed to themen. "I have been busy for some months, while you were away, raisingand drilling them; and though I cannot say much for the uniformity oftheir appearance, I am pretty sure that, if well led--as I flattermyself they will be--they will do good service when we meet the enemy. I have had some difficulty in getting efficient officers, but I chosethe best men I could find, independent of all other considerations. Ihave a Black, and two pure-blooded Indians, while the rest are Creoles. I found your former servant Antonio so intelligent and brave a fellow, that I gave him a company. "

"I am delighted to hear it, " I answered. "In a noble cause like oursthere should be but one consideration, --to find the best men for everypost; and if they have once been slaves, they are more likely to fightfor freedom. "

Our great object now was to march forward and attack the Spaniardsbefore they could capture the fort. That we should come up with theenemy in time, I could not help thinking, was very uncertain. Our men, however, were well able to advance as rapidly as any troops could move. Except their muskets and powder, they were unencumbered with anyaccoutrements, or indeed with any superfluous clothing. They requiredbut little food, and that of the coarsest description. Accustomed tothe use of firearms from their boyhood, they had quickly been turnedinto efficient soldiers. We had intelligent guides, also, who knew thecountry, and were able to point out the best paths for our advance. 

A short time only was allowed for the men to take their dinner, afterwhich we marched on again until nightfall. At first it seemed somewhatstrange to find myself seated round our camp-fire with Antonio, and tohear him addressed as "Captain;" but I did not allude to our formerrelative positions. In a short time, however, as he bore his honourswell, and behaved in a thoroughly officer-like way, this feeling woreoff, and it seemed quite natural to speak to him as an equal. He wasonly one of many who at that period rose from the ranks. One of thebravest generals in the Patriot army had been a slave. Indeed, GeneralPaez had been a herd-boy, and Arismendez a fisherman. Bolivar was oneof the few Patriot leaders of high family, for the Spaniards had put todeath the larger number of the men of influence and Liberal principles, before the struggle for liberty began. 

The next morning we recommenced the march two hours before daylight, when the men appeared fresh and in good spirits. We had again advancedsome distance after our noonday halt when we came to a rapid river, running between high cliffs, over which, we had learned from our guides, a strong wooden bridge had been thrown. Had it not been for this bridgethe passage of the river would have cost us great delay, as we shouldhave had to descend by narrow pathways to the bottom of the cliffs, thento throw a pontoon across, and ascend on the other side. In the face ofan enemy this would have been impossible. 

I had ridden forward, curious to examine the structure of the bridge ofwhich our guides had spoken. I found that strong timbers had been fixedon the ledges in the cliffs projecting over the stream, serving tosupport a platform; from this platform others were pushed forward oneither side, the inner ends lashed to the first platform, while a centreone joined the two. Railings ran along on either side of this ingeniousstructure, which had a roof supported on poles--the object apparentlybeing to prevent the wood-work from rotting with the wet. 

I had got a short distance along the bridge, when I caught sight of abody of men coming over the ridge of a hill scarcely a mile off. Another look convinced me that they were Spanish troops; while theadvance-guard of our force was nearly as far off on the other side. Iwaited for a moment longer, to judge whether, by the movements of theSpaniards, the latter had been seen; but I judged that they wereconcealed by the trees and rocks which lay between thorn, while they ontheir part had not discovered the enemy. The possession of the bridgewas of the greatest importance, and I knew that the Spaniards, so soonas they should discover the Patriots, would make a rush down the hill togain it. Partly hid as I was by the roof and railings of the bridge, Ihoped that I had not been seen. To avoid the risk of being discovered, therefore, I slipped off my horse, and turning its head led it backuntil I got under shelter of some trees; when, mounting, I galloped ashard as I could until I met Uncle Richard, who instantly gave the wordto advance at the double. 

The Spaniards, who were already descending the hill, rushed down withheadlong speed on discovering us, hoping to gain the bridge before ourparty had secured it. We at once dashed across to hold it against theSpanish advance-guard, which had nearly reached it. As the enemy saw uscrossing they opened a hot fire, but, the distance being considerable, their bullets did no damage, and we were soon across without a casualty. Directly afterwards the head of our column appeared, and impetuouslycharged along the bridge. They came not a bit too soon, for already wewere engaged with those of the Spaniards who had advanced ahead of theircompanions, whose numbers were every moment increasing, and who pressedus fearfully hard. In the meantime the Spanish troops, as theydescended the hill, opened fire on our men, --those who were waiting tocross replying to it from the other side. 

As I looked up the hill I feared, from the numbers descending, that weshould be shot down before a sufficient number of the Patriots couldcross to hold their own until our main body had got over. Our men, however, pressed forward and formed rapidly. In another minute we hadsecured our ground, and driven back the enemy a dozen yards or more, affording sufficient space for the main body to form up as they crossed. Several had been shot, and had fallen over into the torrent, which wasalready dyed with blood. 

The order was now given to charge. The Spaniards, in their eagerness toreach the bridge, had been thrown into disorder as they descended thehill. Our left wheeled, turned their flank, and drove them down towardsthe river; while our right stood its ground. The contest was short, butsharp. In the course of a few minutes, it seemed, the larger number ofthe Spaniards were hurled over the cliffs; while the rest, in utterconfusion, attempted to retreat up the hill, but were followed by ournimble-footed men, and cut down or bayoneted. 

No victory could have been more complete. Not a Spaniard who was takenwas allowed to live. Of the whole force, numbering some five or sixhundred men, those only escaped who contrived to hide themselves inditches or behind bushes or rocks, or whose activity enabled them tokeep ahead of their pursuers. Our chief casualties had occurred whileour men were crossing the bridge, but, in all, we had lost comparativelyfew. 

The summit of the hill gained, we halted to reform our troops, and thenonce more advanced. Whether or not the Spaniards we had defeated werethose who had attacked the fort, we could not tell, as not a prisonerhad been saved. In vain did Uncle Richard call to his followers tospare the lives of those who yielded; his orders were not listened to. The men only followed the custom of that savage warfare, and the exampleof the Spaniards, upon whom they thus fearfully retaliated. 

Once more we advanced. Another day passed; and it was late on the nextbefore we reached the neighbourhood of the fort. I looked out eagerlyto ascertain whether the besiegers were still before it, but as yet nota sign could I discover of the enemy. The hamlet occupied by theSpaniards appeared to be deserted. I now felt convinced that the bodywe had defeated was part of the force which had been besieging the fort, while the remainder had probably marched in an opposite direction. Wehad seen nothing of Captain Lopez, however, and he certainly was notwith those Spaniards whom we had encountered. 

Now came the question, What was the fate of the garrison? Had they beenable to hold out until the Spaniards, growing weary of the attempt, hadgiven it up? or had the fort been successfully assaulted, and itsdefenders cut to pieces? If so, the Spaniards must now have possession, and it would be our turn to attack them, and to attempt its recapture. This would not be so difficult a task to us as it had proved to theSpaniards, as Captain Laffan and I knew every point about it, and everyspot from whence it was assailable. 

The first thing to be done, however, was to make a reconnaissance; andCaptain Laffan and I rode on for this purpose. With our glasses we sawfrom a distance that no flag was flying; and as we got nearer wediscovered that the flagstaff itself was broken short off, and that thetower was fearfully shattered, while parts of the stockades were throwndown, and the whole fort seemed in the most dilapidated condition. 

"A bad omen, that, " observed my companion; "but, at the same time, itmay have been shot through, and a puff of wind have blown it down. "

My heart began to sink, as, still further lessening our distance, wecould see no one moving in the fort. It appeared to be deserted. Asthis, however, might not be the case--for the garrison might possibly bekeeping concealed--we advanced cautiously, halting again just out ofmusket-shot. We waited for some time, but not a moving object could wediscern. By this time we had been joined by several men on foot. Captain Laffan ordered them to creep forward and fire, thinking that thesalute might elicit a reply should an enemy be holding the fort. As thereport went echoing among the rocks, a whole flight of galenachas wingedtheir flight to the summit of the neighbouring cliffs, whence they couldwatch an opportunity of again descending to finish their horriblebanquet. We knew now, to a certainty, that no living beings occupiedthe fort. What had been the fate of our friends?

Eager to ascertain the worst, we rode forward, and, fording the stream, made our way over a mass of ruins which filled the ditch, into theinterior. The scene which presented itself told a sad tale. There lay, round the tower, the bodies of friends and foes in equal numbers, withlimbs torn, clothing burnt, and countenances blackened. With asickening heart I searched for one form, if it could be distinguishedfrom the other disfigured remains of humanity. It was not long before Irecognised the uniform my brave friend had worn. He was lying directlyunder the wall, while one hand still grasped the jewelled sword I hadseen Dona Dolores gird to his side. Yes, it was he, my gallant friend!I knew him by his features, though scorched and blackened and fearfullychanged, and by a ring he had worn, as well as by the watch in hispocket. 

Captain Laffan found me kneeling by the side of my dead friend, unableto restrain my grief. 

"It is the fortune of war, Duncan. A more gallant fellow neverbreathed; and he died a noble death--in discharge of his duty, " said mylate dominie. "Don't give way, my boy; he did not die in vain. "

"But Dona Dolores!" I exclaimed; "her heart will break when she hearsof it. "

"It's of sterner stuff than that, I've a notion. But come, we must seeat once about giving him a soldier's grave while there is yet time, forwe may soon have other work to do. "

Taking my dead friend's sword, and his ring and watch, that I might givethem to Dona Dolores, I rose from the ground. 

In a short time Captain Antonio came up with the advance-guard. Oncounting the slain, we found that they numbered more than half thegarrison. The rest might possibly have cut their way out; if not, theymust have been taken prisoners, and, to a certainty, afterwards shot. Astill greater number of Spaniards had been destroyed. All that we couldsuppose was, that Juan, when he found that successful resistance wasimpossible, had blown up the tower, and perished with such of theassailants as had made good their entrance. 

A grave was dug for Juan beneath a wide-spreading tree, some little wayup the valley. We there laid him to rest; and a volley having beenfired over his remains, a heap of unhewn rocks was piled up above themto serve as the young Patriot's tomb. 

"When our cause is triumphant, and peace returns, I will erect a marblemonument to his memory, " I said. And I kept my word. 

Our men, in order to save themselves trouble, cast the remainder of thebodies into the river, --caring very little for thus horribly pollutingthe pure water. I had before thought war a terrible thing, but thescenes I had lately witnessed impressed me still more forcibly with ahorror of its fearful results. What hundreds--what thousands, I mightsay--of human beings had perished miserably within the last few months!How many more, too, were doomed to die! Then I thought of the towns andvillages committed to the flames; the corn-fields, the orchards, andgardens destroyed; and, more than all, of the widows and orphans who, while bewailing the loss of those they loved, their protectors andbread-winners, were doomed to struggle on in poverty; and the numberlessfamilies, formerly in affluence, now reduced to absolute beggary. Suchwas the state of my native land. And yet no one complained--all wereready to struggle on in the cause of Liberty; blaming, not those who hadrisen to fight for freedom, but the tyranny of their oppressors as thecause of all they endured. 

While we were encamped at a neighbouring hamlet, which affordedsufficient means for defence, and enabled us to watch the fort, adespatch arrived for Juan, ordering him to evacuate it. Alas! had itcome sooner, he and his companions might have preserved their lives, asI believe he would have succeeded, had he made the attempt, in cuttinghis way through the enemy; but, influenced by a stern sense of duty, hehad held it after all hope of successfully defending it had gone. Thisadded greatly to my grief at his loss. 

General Bolivar had heard of the corps Uncle Richard had raised, and nowsent forward requesting him to join his army without delay. By forcedmarches across the mountains, in which both officers and men sufferednot a little, we reached the general's camp, and I had the honour ofbeing introduced to him. I little expected to see so young a man. Inperson he was small, but well-made and muscular, and able to go throughastonishing exertion--frequently marching on foot over mountains andplains without exhibiting the slightest fatigue. His eyes were dark, large, and full of fire and penetration, denoting wonderful energy ofmind and greatness of soul. His nose was aquiline and well-formed, hisface rather long, and his complexion somewhat sallow. As Uncle Richardand I had the honour of being invited to his table, I had an opportunityof seeing him in his social moments. He was lively in his manner, fullof anecdote and conversation; and it was said that, like Buonaparte, hepossessed the power of reading at once a man's character, and placinghim in a position where his talents and abilities would prove useful tohis country. He was also thoroughly disinterested, and so little regarddid he pay to himself under the most severe privations, that he wasalways ready to share what he possessed with his companions-in-arms, tohis last cigar or his last shirt. He was always cool, and invariablydisplayed the most undaunted courage. He was, to be sure, hasty in histemper, and often made use of intemperate expressions, abusing in nomeasured manner those who had annoyed him; but, at the same time, he wasever ready to make atonement to the person whose feelings might havebeen undeservedly wounded. In his bosom revenge was never harboured, and it was owing entirely to the atrocities committed by the Spaniardson the Patriots that he was induced to carry on against them thatfearful war of extermination which so long raged throughout the country. Bolivar might not have been a hero to his own valet, but by those whotruly understand heroic qualities he should be deservedly placed on ahigh niche in the temple of Fame. I may add that he was temperate inhis diet, drank but a very moderate quantity of wine, never touchedspirits, and that he seldom smoked. Generally he was the last to retireto rest, and the first to rise. 

Soon after joining the army, to my surprise I met Lopez, now raised tothe rank of colonel. He appeared to be intimate with many of theofficers, but kept aloof from Captain Laffan and me, as well as fromUncle Richard, whom I should properly designate as Colonel Duffield. 

We had marched forward until we heard that Murillo, with a large force, was in the neighbourhood. 

One night Captain Laffan and I had been invited to dine with severalEnglish officers, and our host told us that he expected Colonel Lopez. However, when the dinner-hour arrived Colonel Lopez did not appear. Amessage was despatched to his quarters, but he was nowhere to be found. 

"It's my belief, " exclaimed Captain Laffan, "that the fellow hasdeserted! You will see that I am right; he was intending to do so whenwe met him. "

Dinner over, we again retired to our quarters, and all was stillness inthe camp. As I wished to take a few turns to enjoy the cool night air, I accompanied one of Bolivar's aides-de-camp who was about to visit theoutposts, when we met a small body of troops marching towardsheadquarters. The officer in command gave the countersign, and theywere allowed to proceed. Just then, who should we meet but ColonelLopez, who informed my companion that he had some news of importance tocommunicate to General Bolivar respecting an intended movement of theenemy which he had just obtained from a deserter, and requested that hemight be conducted to the general's tent. 

"If you will remain here, I will immediately acquaint the general withwhat you say, and beg that you may be admitted, " was the answer. 

I returned with the aide-de-camp, but left him near Bolivar's tent todeliver the message. I had not got many yards off, however, when Iheard a volley of musketry fired close to me, and directly, as itseemed, at the tent. An instant afterwards I saw a party of men, whomust have followed close upon us, disappearing in the darkness. 

"To arms!--to arms! the enemy are upon us!" was the cry, and soongeneral confusion ensued. The troops got under arms, and some fired inthe direction taken by the fugitives, but in the darkness it wasimpossible to see whether any were hit. The fear was that the generalmust have been killed, and every one was in dismay until he himself roderound, quieting the alarm of the men. He had fortunately quitted histent a few minutes previously, and was not many yards off when thefiring took place. On examining his cot, it was found that three orfour bullets had passed right through it, so that he must have beenkilled, or severely wounded, had he not providentially left his tent. 

Few in the camp slept that night. A treacherous attempt had evidentlybeen made to assassinate our general. When morning came we looked outin the direction of the enemy's camp. On the ground lay two bodies, anda party was sent out to bring them in. One of them was that of ColonelLopez; and on his person was discovered a paper proposing a plan toMurillo for penetrating the camp with a party of Spaniards disguised asPatriots, and putting Bolivar to death. It was countersigned asapproved of by the Spanish general. Such, then, was the fate of therejected suitor of Dona Dolores. 

I have not space to describe the several engagements which followed, butColonel Duffield and Captain Laffan, who soon became a major, gained thecredit they deserved for their gallantry on numerous occasions, and Ihad the satisfaction of being praised by Bolivar himself. However, thesevere life we led at length affected both Major Laffan and me, andColonel Duffield, in whose corps we served, insisted that we shouldreturn home to obtain the quiet and rest we required. The road was nowopen to Popayan, and we were able to travel with a small escort ofinvalids and wounded men, who, like ourselves, were unfit for service, and were anxious to return home. 

With feelings of considerable anxiety we rode up to my father's house, for what might not have happened during our absence we could not tell. Great, therefore, was my joy when we were greeted at the entrance by mymother, Dona Maria, Rosa, and jolly little Hugh, who all threw theirarms about my neck at once, and then bestowed a similar affectionategreeting on the major--who declared, as tears streamed down his cheeks, that it gave him as much joy to see them all well, as it had to beat theSpaniards in the last battle we had fought; while Lion, who had followedat my heels, was next saluted in nearly the same fashion, while hebarked, yelped, and leaped about, evidently delighted to get home. DonaMaria looked very pale, and was evidently anxious about Uncle Richard, but we were able to give a very favourable account of him. Like manyother wives, she had learned to endure her anxiety. 

My father was out, but he soon returned, and expressed his satisfactionat the high encomiums which had been bestowed upon me by ColonelDuffield, and even by Bolivar himself. 

"I have just come from visiting Dona Dolores, " he said. "She has heardthe report of Don Juan's death, but will not believe it; and I am afraidthat it must be your painful task, Duncan, to convince her. "

As soon as I could unpack the sword and the other articles which I hadcarefully preserved, I returned with my father to the house of thefriend with whom she was staying. On hearing that I had come, shedesired to see me alone. I felt more nervous than I had ever done in mylife before, supposing that she would give way to her sorrow, and thatit would be incumbent on me to endeavour to console her, impossible asthat might be. What to say, indeed, I knew not. 

I found her dressed in mourning for her father, and looking very pale. She was seated, but she rose when I entered, and advancing towards me, took my hand. Her eye fell on the sword, then on the ring on my finger. 

"I know what you have to tell me, Duncan, " she said in a deep-tonedvoice, but without a falter; "he died as I would have had him, --fightingbravely for the freedom of his country--for the same cause to which Idedicated my life. Give me that weapon: I would present it to you, butI must use it myself; not to avenge his death, but to take his place andwield it against the foes of Freedom. That ring--give it me; he sendsit as a farewell token. " She placed it on her finger. "Now, tell methe particulars. "

I endeavoured to describe the circumstances of Juan's death, and how hehad held the fort until all hope had gone. 

She had remained standing during the time of our interview. 

"Farewell, Duncan, " she said at last. "I must prepare for a sternerlife than I have hitherto led. As yet it has been one suited to adelicate creature like Dona Paula Salabariata--a mere scribe, endeavouring to incite others to do the task I should undertake myself. "

I took my leave of Dona Dolores; and the next morning we heard that, attended by two servants, she had set out, habited in half-militarycostume, for the army. Some time passed before we heard of her again. She had joined a regiment, and taken part in every action. She seemedto bear a charmed life, too, for, although always in the thickest of thefight, the bullets passed her harmlessly by. 

Years have rolled on since then, and the cause of Liberty has triumphed. When peace was obtained, I married my so-called cousin, the fair-hairedRosa; and my dear little sister became the wife of a gallant Englishofficer who settled in the country. 

I have described these scenes of warfare, not for the sake ofencouraging a love of fighting, but for a very contrary object; and fromthe horrors I witnessed during that period, I am convinced that War isthe greatest curse that can afflict a country, and I earnestly pray thatthe reign of Peace may soon commence on earth.