"I will not, if I can help it, quit the neighbourhood till we meet
again," he said as he wrung my hand.
"The banditti will probably not remain here long. When they have
retired, you may descend from your mountain stronghold; and your father
will, I hope, lose no time in rebuilding his house."
On consulting with Kanimapo as to the best route to take, we found that
he intended to proceed for some distance along the level ground, through
the forests, and by the shores of the lake; then, having made a circuit,
to strike up to the left among the mountains. We should thus avoid the
risk of falling into the hands of any scouts sent out by Aqualonga; and
though the route was longer, we might easily reach the region to which
he wished to conduct us. Game, he said, was abundant; and there was a
cavern of considerable dimensions, which would afford us ample
accommodation, surrounded by inaccessible rocks, the only pathway amid
which was little known and might be easily guarded.
It may seem strange that my father and Tim, who had resided so long in
the country, should not be well acquainted with every part far and wide
around; but the difficulties and dangers of traversing these mountain
districts are so great, that few white men are tempted to go out of the
beaten track, and they are consequently known only to more daring
hunters and a few of the Indian natives.
Before we started, we sent off the villagers with the wounded men and
all our own blacks, with the exception of one--a faithful fellow named
Chumbo, who had been chiefly instrumental in the capture of the traitor
Gab, and had frequently exhibited great affection for us. We did not
even let him know the route we had determined to take, and the rest of
the party believed that we should at once strike up into the mountains.
Indeed, we proceeded a short distance in that direction, and then halted
till the rest were out of hearing.
My father, Gerald, Tim, and I carried firearms; but our scanty supply of
powder would prevent us using them except in cases of emergency. Chumbo
had a long pike and the usual knife of the country; while Kanimapo was
armed with his bow and spear. We could thus defend ourselves against
any wild animals, though we might offer but a slight resistance to a
body of human foes.
Silently we moved on through the darkness, Kanimapo and Gerald leading
the way, and I bringing up the rear, while my father and our two
attendants walked by the side of our mother and Norah, with Josefa and
the children.
Morning dawned as we were travelling along the side of the lake, between
which was some forest which would conceal us from the view of any
persons on the higher ground. It is often the case that more important
events fade from recollection, while trifling incidents are remembered;
so, even at the present day, the scene on which my eye rested as the sun
rose above the horizon is impressed on my memory. We were passing by a
small arm or inlet of the lake, surrounded thickly by reeds, and in
parts overhung by the branches of trees, amid which birds of gorgeous
hue were fluttering; while near at hand one of the gaily-decked patos
reales, or royal ducks, with its young brood, floated on the calmer
water; and farther off a long-legged water-fowl, of the crane or bittern
species, stood gazing at us with a watchful eye as we approached its
domain. Had we possessed a larger supply of ammunition, I might have
shot the duck for breakfast; but I was unwilling to expend a charge of
powder--and besides, I was not sorry to allow the beautiful creature to
enjoy its existence.
Kanimapo came up to us. "We will quickly have some of these birds," he
observed. "Wait a few minutes, and you shall see how I will catch
them."
Saying this, he retired out of sight of the birds, and speedily
constructed a sort of basket from the reeds which grew on the bank, of
sufficient size to cover his head and shoulders. As soon as he had
manufactured it, he cautiously approached the bank and shoved it off.
Impelled by a light breeze which blew from the shore, it floated away
towards where the ducks were swimming about. They swam up to it, and,
after sufficient examination, perceiving that it could do them no harm,
took no further notice of it. The Indian, in the meantime, had formed
another basket of the same description, which he secured over his
shoulders, leaving a space sufficient to enable him to look through it.
He now slipped into the water, and, keeping his feet and arms low down,
slowly swam towards the ducks. They, already accustomed to the
appearance of the basket, seemed in no way alarmed; and thus he was able
to get close up to them, when one after the other disappeared beneath
the surface. Thus he secured half-a-dozen fine ducks, with which he
returned to the shore, when he fastened them together with a string and
suspended them at his back.
We proceeded on some distance farther, till we reached a sheltered spot
in the woods, where we could encamp and cook the provisions we had
brought for our morning meal. Kanimapo assured us that we need not be
afraid of starving, as the region to which he proposed to conduct us
abounded with game; and that should we run short of ammunition, his
unerring bow would always supply us with an ample amount.
As we rested on the ground near the fire, the smoke from which assisted
to keep away the mosquitoes, we talked of the events of the last few
days, and discussed our prospects for the future. My father was more
out of spirits than I had ever seen him; the loss of his house and so
much of his property was naturally very trying, and he had begun to
despair of the success of the patriot cause.
"Shure, your honour, the more harm the Spaniards do to people, the more
enemies they'll make; and for every man they kill, a dozen will rise up
to revenge his death," observed Tim. "We don't like them the better for
burning our house; and, if I have the chance, I'll show them that, some
day or other."
I felt, I must own, very much as Tim did. I had before been rather cold
in the cause, though I intended to join General Bermudez as soon as
summoned; but after the accounts I had heard of the atrocities committed
by the Spaniards, and the evidences I had witnessed of what they were
capable of doing, I felt eager to assist the patriots by every means in
my power, and regretted the delay which our flight into the mountains
must cause. I could not, of course, quit my mother and brothers and
sisters until I had seen them all placed in safety.
We feared much that my mother would be unable to stand the rough life we
were about to endure. She was, indeed, already fatigued with her
morning ride; and when Kanimapo proposed that we should proceed, my
father begged that she might be allowed a longer time to rest. The
Indian consenting to this, he and Gerald and I made a short excursion in
search of more game.
We had not gone far when we reached a stream which ran through the
forest, thickly bordered by magnificent trees. Here animal life
abounded; parrots flew amid the branches; and just above the water a
number of small rodents were busily employed in searching for food;
while a curious boat-bill heron, which had just scrambled up out of the
river, was hunting the numerous insects flying about.
Concealed by the trees, we were watching the bird, when I saw an opossum
rapidly descending the boughs; then, after hanging for a moment
suspended by its prehensile tail, it let itself drop directly down upon
one of the small rodents, which it seized in its claws, and was bearing
off in triumph, when Kanimapo shot an arrow, and the opossum and its
victim fell down a few yards before us. Though a carnivorous animal,
the Indian assured us that its flesh was very good eating.
On showing the opossum to Gerald, he said it was called the
"crab-eater." When living near water, it exists on crabs and other
Crustacea; but it also feeds on small rodents, birds, and other
creatures. Its body was scarcely a foot in length; but its tail, which
was prehensile, was fifteen inches long. Its fur was darkish; and it
had a somewhat pointed nose; as also a pouch in which to carry its
young. I had observed this little creature moving with the activity of
a monkey. Indeed, it was evidently formed for living among trees, its
powerful tail enabling it to get rapidly and securely from one branch to
another. Gerald told me that there are various species of opossums, one
of which lives in the water and has webbed feet, but they are mostly
found on trees.
We carried the opossum back to the camp, with three or four parrots
which Kanimapo had shot. By this time my mother was sufficiently rested
to enable us to continue our journey. We pushed forward, keeping as
much as possible under shelter of the trees, not only for the sake of
the shade, but in order to keep concealed from any parties of the enemy
who might be passing in the neighbourhood. We greatly felt the want of
people to send out as scouts, who might give us due notice should danger
be near; but we could ill spare any one from our small party. Tim and
Chumbo were required to lead the mules which carried the nurses and the
children: Josefa sat on one with the baby in her arms; and Kathleen rode
in a huge pannier, balancing the younger ones, who were placed in
another. My father and I guarded them, one walking on either side.
Gerald brought up the rear; and Kanimapo went ahead to lead the way.
At any moment a jaguar might spring out on us, so it was necessary to be
ever on the watch. We had also to keep a look-out for the aques, the
most savage and deadly snake of that region, which without any
provocation springs out from its ambush on passers-by; and will even
follow them, and, giving a tremendous leap, fix its fangs in a person's
body. The rattlesnake is not nearly so dangerous, as its rattle always
gives notice of its approach; while the boa and anaconda can, from their
size, generally be seen moving through the grass, and avoided. There
are, of course, many other venomous serpents in the country. They
seldom attack people, however, unless trodden on; but numerous as are
the serpents of South America, they generally keep away from the haunts
of men.
We had proceeded, as far as I could judge, about half-way between Padre
Pacheco's house and our own, when Kanimapo, pointing to a range of
mountains in the west, told us that we must now turn in that direction.
We accordingly followed him, hoping to get some way up the mountains
before nightfall.
We had gone some distance farther, when my father observed my mother
looking very ill; and she confessed that she was suffering greatly from
the heat, and feared that she should not be able much longer to sit her
horse. On this he called a halt, and we looked about for some place
where we might bivouac. We fixed on a small open space entirely
surrounded by shrubs thickly entwined with creepers, which would afford
us shelter and concealment. On one side ran a stream bordered by reeds,
and apparently not very deep.
We at once set to work to cut down boughs to form a hut for my mother
and sister. We bound the tops of the branches together with sepos, and
then thatched it with large palm-leaves, which would effectually keep
out the rain should any fall. Working with a will, the operation did
not take us as long as might be supposed; and a very complete hut was
constructed, with walls which no jaguar or puma could break through, or
any ordinary-sized snake or other animal penetrate. The only creatures
it could not keep out were the mosquitoes; but as my mother had
thoughtfully brought some mosquito-curtains, we were able to set those
tormenting creatures at defiance.
The hut was finished, and Chumbo was at a little distance cutting
firewood when we heard him shriek out, "A snake! a snake! I am bitten!"
Kanimapo instantly ran towards him. "Let me see the wound," he said.
Chumbo showed where the snake had bitten his leg; when Kanimapo produced
a small bottle from his waist-belt, and poured a few drops from it into
the wound. He then desired Chumbo to swallow a little of the decoction
which he gave him. "You will suffer no harm from the bite," he added;
"and if you see another snake, cut off its head and bring it to me."
Chumbo, on hearing this, soon recovered his calmness, and in a short
time returned to the camp with a large bundle of wood.
Not having much confidence in the antidote, we expected to hear him soon
begin to complain of the sensations which generally result from a
snake-bite. I asked Kanimapo what he had given Chumbo. He said it was
the juice of a red berry boiled into a syrup; and it was considered so
efficacious that all Indians carried a bottle of it about with them. He
told me that it had been discovered by an Indian, who was one day in the
forest and saw a desperate combat take place between a small bird called
the snake-hawk and a snake. During the conflict the snake frequently
bit the bird, which on each occasion flew off to a tree called the
guacco, and devoured some of its red berries; then, after a short
interval, it renewed the fight with its enemy,--and in the end succeeded
in killing the snake, which it ate. Thinking the matter over, the
Indian arrived at the belief that these berries would cure any human
being bitten by the snake. He accordingly made a decoction, and not
long after had an opportunity of trying it upon himself. It proved
effectual; so instead of keeping it secret, as some people might have
done, he generously made it known to all his acquaintance,--and thus the
use of this berry became universal.
In the case of Chumbo, however, I was not satisfied that the antidote
had been really required, for he confessed to me that he believed he had
been bitten by a coral snake--which he declared was most venomous,
whereas I have since learned that it is perfectly harmless. But I
believe that no specific has yet been discovered to prevent the fatal
effects of bites by the more venomous snakes.
The occurrence made us feel a little uncomfortable when we lay down at
night, for we could not help fancying that snakes might crawl into our
camp and attack us while sleeping.
At Kanimapo's suggestion, he and Gerald and I set off to explore the
country over which we should have to pass the next day, that we might
ascertain whether there were any foes lurking in the neighbourhood;
though, as no high-road--if I may so call the tracks which led from one
place to another--passed within some leagues of it, we were not likely
to meet with any Spaniards. Gerald and I took our guns; while, our
Indian friend carried his bow and arrows, that he might shoot any game
he came across.
I kept along the bank of the river, while my companions took a course
more to the left. Soon I had lost sight of Gerald and the Indian, and
was attempting to go on farther than I had intended, when the sun
disappeared behind the mountains, and suddenly left me in darkness. I
turned to retrace my steps with somewhat uncomfortable feelings, lest a
jaguar or puma might be following me. I do not mind mentioning these
creatures so often, for I defy any one to wander alone through the South
American forests without thinking of their possible vicinity, and the
numberless stories he may have heard from the natives of the way in
which people have been destroyed by these savage beasts. The puma, it
is true, is not so fierce as the jaguar; but, at the same time, it is
very dangerous, as it will, cat-like, follow a person, and spring upon
him if it can catch him unawares. It will not, in most instances,
attack him if he faces it boldly, but will then slink off; whereas the
jaguar will attack a man unless he has the nerve to fix his eye on the
brute, when it generally hesitates to spring forward; but it will do so
the instant he turns,--and should he attempt to fly, will bound after
him and bring him to the ground.
I had not gone many paces--intending to keep along the bank of the
stream, that I might the more easily find my way--when the moon rose
round and full, shedding her silvery light over the scene,--on the
quivering leaves, and the waters of the stream, rippled by a gentle
breeze. I kept my eyes round me on every side, with my lingers on the
trigger of my gun, occasionally giving a glance over my shoulder to
ascertain whether any animal was following me, when I caught sight of a
dark figure kneeling close to the edge of the water with a long rod in
his hand. I saw that he was fishing, though it did seem an odd time for
a person to be so employed. For a moment I thought it must be Chumbo;
but then I recollected the distance I was from the camp, and that my
father would not have allowed him to quit it for such a purpose, as we
had as much food as we required. I had no cause to be afraid of the
man, whoever he might be; but I advanced cautiously, so as not to alarm
him. As I got nearer the light of the moon fell on his face, and I
discovered to my great satisfaction that he was no other than Padre
Pacheco's black servant, Candela; so I immediately surmised that his
master could not be far off.
"Candela, my friend, what has brought you here?" I cried out, as I
advanced from amid the shrubs which concealed me.
"O Senor Barry, is that you? Praise Heaven!" he exclaimed, pulling out
a fish--which, with his rod, he threw on the bank, and then rushed
forward to greet me. His delight was very great on being assured that
he was not mistaken; and he at once told me that his master was hiding
in the neighbourhood, being afraid as yet to return to his home.
"We first took to the mountains," he said; "but the padre found
scrambling among the rocky heights did not suit him. Besides which, we
had no firearms to shoot game, and I am no great hand with the bow and
arrow, so that we were almost starving. It was very tantalising to see
plenty of deer and pacas and birds, and not be able to get them; and at
last the padre resolved to risk coming down here, where I knew that I
could support him and myself by fishing, having fortunately some
fish-hooks in my pocket when we took to flight. Poor man! you wouldn't
know him, he has grown so thin,--though he has retained his health."
"If you will lead me to him, I will try to persuade him to accompany
us," I said. "My father will, I am sure, be glad of his society;" and I
then gave Candela a brief account of what had happened, and where we
proposed going.
Candela hesitated a moment. "The Senor Padre told me on no account to
let his retreat be discovered," he said; "but he has confidence in you,
and you may follow me. Stop when I tell you, and I will go forward and
ask his leave to bring you to him."
Candela then secured his fish, and, hiding his rod in the bushes, led
the way into the thick forest, crawling on his hands and knees under the
mass of creepers and branches--while I did the same.
At length he stopped at a spot under some lofty trees, through which the
beams of the moon could scarcely penetrate.
"Stay here, Senor Barry," he whispered, "and I will go forward and
prepare the Senor Padre for your coming."
In less than a minute I heard the padre's voice exclaiming,--"Yes, yes;
I will see him gladly. I long to give him an abrazo!"
Though thus sure of a welcome, I did not attempt to advance, as I
literally could not see in what direction to move without the risk of
running against the trunk of a tree, or stumbling over the roots.
Presently I heard Candela speaking close beside me. "Take my hand,
Senor Barry," he said, "and we will soon reach our abode. Stoop down
again, and creep after me till I tell you to stand up."
In a little he spoke again. "Take hold of this ladder. My master and I
have imitated the birds, and formed a nest for ourselves up in a tree;
no jaguars, snakes, or peccaries can reach us there, and the Gothos are
not likely to search in such a spot."
As he spoke, I put my foot on the first round of a ladder, and commenced
the ascent; and soon I saw a light streaming through a sort of trap,
down which the padre's smiling countenance was beaming on me. A few
rounds more carried me into the interior of a small hut, built among the
branches on a substantial platform.
The padre gave me the promised embrace, and then bade me sit down on the
floor, as he had no other seat to offer. Candela immediately joined us,
and, drawing up the ladder (which was formed of the strong creeper I
have already described), closed the trap.
"You see, Senor Barry, thanks to the skill of my faithful attendant, I
am as snug here as I can desire, and may set my enemies at defiance,"
remarked the padre; "for even were they to come to the very foot of the
tree, they would scarcely discover my abode,--as you will be able to
judge when you see it by daylight,--for we have taken good care to
conceal the lower part of the platform with boughs, while the
surrounding foliage completely hides the nest itself."
Of course the padre wished to know how it was I had found Candela; so I
gave him a full account of all that had happened.
"Could you not remain with me?" he asked. "We might construct two or
three nests like this, in which you could all stow away; and we might
shout to each other from our respective abodes, like the howling
monkeys," and the padre chuckled at his joke.
I told him that I doubted whether my father would agree to his proposal,
for several reasons. The forest region was not considered healthy,
though he had not suffered from living in it; and we had horses and
mules, which, as we could not haul them, up into the branches, would
probably betray us. I added, that as I was sure my father would be glad
of his society, I hoped that he would rather accompany us up the
mountains; and as we were promised an abundance of game by our Indian
guide, he would thus no longer suffer from hunger as before,--while the
region was much more healthy, and nearly as inaccessible as his present
residence.
"I agree with you in regard to your first reasons, Senor Barry," he
answered; "but I very much doubt whether, unless I were betrayed, my
enemies can possibly find me where I am."
He acknowledged that the want of food was the greatest drawback to his
life in the forest, as he had only fish to depend on, and even to obtain
that Candela had to run the risk of discovery. He took the precaution,
however, when he went out, to wear scarcely any clothing, so that,
should he be seen, he might not be known as the padre's servant.
"I am glad to see you, as I shall be to see your good father," continued
the padre. "I confess, though, that I am somewhat surprised to find
that you are still with him. It is, however, very right and proper that
you should be so. I had expected that you would by this time have
joined the band of General Bermudez, who must, I should fancy, have
commenced operations against the foe; but you are undoubtedly where you
should be--with your father."
I replied that I had been waiting for a summons from the general, and
should have been prepared to join his standard had he sent for me.
Though I should have been glad to have remained with the padre, I told
him that I was afraid my father would become anxious did I not appear at
the camp with my brother and the Indian, and that I must now hasten back
by myself, unless he would accompany me. I thought he could do so
without danger, and my father and mother would be delighted to see him.
He thought a moment. "I will go with you," he said. "Candela, we will
visit the Senor Desmond, and you will easily find the way back; though,
by my faith, it is more, I suspect, than I could do myself."
Candela had no objection to offer. Indeed, there was no danger of the
padre being discovered, as our enemies were not likely to be wandering
in that part of the forest at night; and even if they were, unless they
found out our camp, we might easily conceal ourselves from them. This
being arranged, Candela, after listening at the trap to make sure that
no one by any chance was near, led the way down the ladder. I followed
as soon as he was at the bottom; and the padre came last, Candela and I
holding the lower end of the ladder to steady it. The padre, however,
exhibited far more activity than I had expected, and came down as fast
as I had done. He had laid aside, I should have said, his usual
clerical attire, and was habited in a half-military dress, with a
broad-brimmed straw hat on his head; and having allowed his beard and
moustache to grow, I should not, with his hat on, have recognised him.
He carried a long, stout stick, which, dexterously wielded, was
calculated to prove a formidable weapon.
"I should not venture to leave the ladder hanging down in the daytime,--
though there is little chance even then of any one reaching the spot,"
he observed.
Candela now led the way, crying out to us when to stoop down and when to
crawl, as we passed through the narrow passages by which he had before
conducted me. The padre followed, and I kept close after him. Thus we
progressed, till we reached the more open part of the forest, near the
edge of the river. Candela now pushed on at a rapid rate, till we saw
the light of our camp-fire a short distance off. I then proposed going
ahead to announce the padre's coming.
I found my father watching at the entrance of the opening; Gerald and
the Indian had arrived, and he was beginning to get anxious at my
non-appearance. He was very glad to hear that Padre Pacheco was alive
and well, and was coming to the camp; so I hastened back to meet him and
Candela.
While we were greeting the padre, his servant received an equally warm
welcome from Tim and Chumbo.
My father endeavoured to persuade the padre to accompany us up the
mountains.
"I would rather advise you to remain here," answered the padre. "You
would run no risk of being discovered while living, as I do, at the top
of a tree; and you may kill as much game as you require."
"We should kill no game while living at the top of a tree, that is very
certain," answered my father; "and the report of our guns, when shooting
in the forest, would be more than likely to reach the ears of our
enemies."
At last the padre, with a sigh, agreed that my father's plan was the
best. "As for accompanying you," he said, "I cannot make up my mind.
If I could discover where the brave Bermudez, or Paez, or Bolivar
himself, are, I would join their forces; and I might do good service by
preaching to the men, and encouraging them to perform their duty."
"You are more likely to hear of them by accompanying us to the
mountains, than by remaining where you are," said my father. "Our
Indian guide will be able to gain information; and should any of the
patriot bands come into the neighbourhood, you will have the opportunity
of joining them. I will introduce our friend Kanimapo to you, and you
can consult him."
The Indian, who was seated at a little distance, near another fire, with
Tim, Chumbo, and Candela, was accordingly summoned.
The padre examined his countenance attentively. "We have met before, my
friend," he said.
"I do not know you," answered the Indian; "you must be mistaken."
"Mistaken I am not," said the padre; "but you probably do not recognise
me in my present dress. Once you came to the house of Padre Pacheco,
and wished to be instructed in the Christian religion. You remember
that?"
"I do," said the Indian. "And I went away as wise as I came; or rather,
from what you told me I was convinced that it was a religion that would
not suit me."
The padre sighed. "I am afraid that I gave you a wrong notion of it,"
he answered, "and that it was my fault that you did not accept it. But
I have since read the Book God has given to man to make known His will,
and I should tell you very differently now."
"I shall be very glad to hear you," said the Indian, "for I much wish to
understand the white man's religion. I cannot believe that more than
one God exists; and He must be powerful and good, or He could not have
made this world as it appears to us, or given abundance of food to man
as He has done. How to ask Him for what we want, and how to merit His
favour, is what I desire to know."
"I cannot tell you all that now," said the padre; "but I will, as far as
I know it, by-and-by. In the meantime, Senor Desmond wishes to consult
you on a matter of importance."
My father then asked Kanimapo if he would assist the padre, should he
determine to join any of the patriot bands.
The Indian asked time to consider the subject; and while we talked on
among ourselves, he retired to a short distance. He soon returned, and
expressed his readiness to act as the padre might wish. The arrangement
was finally concluded, and our friend promised to join us in the
morning. At all events, in his present costume there was little danger
of his being recognised, and he would run no more risk than would any of
us. He preferred returning to his nest for the night, especially as he
had left a book and a few other articles there. That book, he told us,
was the Bible, which had of late become his constant study.
The evening's rest had greatly restored my mother, and we hoped to be
able to start early the next morning. A watch was set, as usual; and
two large fires were kept up, which would scare any wild beasts, though
they might not prove any impediment to the approach of snakes. Still,
the flames would enable the person on guard to see them; and we had
three or four long sticks cut, ready to attack them, should any be
discovered.
The night passed away quietly; and the moment day broke, all hands were
called up, and we breakfasted on the remains of the wild ducks and
opossum. As soon as breakfast was over the fires were extinguished, and
the embers scattered, so that no one coming that way might ascertain how
lately we had left the spot. My mother and sister having mounted their
horses, and the nurses and children being placed on their mules, we
moved forward, looking out as we went along for the padre and his
servant. We had not gone far when a voice hailed us from behind some
thick shrubs; and presently our friend appeared--so completely
disguised, that had I not examined his features I should not have
recognised him. His hat was stuck jauntily on one side, sufficiently
low down to conceal his shorn crown; and a gaily-coloured handkerchief,
which a West Indian negro would have envied, was tied in a bow round his
throat. His coat was braided and slashed; his breeches were ornamented
with tags and laces, and open at the knees, showing his stout calves
encased in leathern leggings; while in a sash round his waist was stuck
a long dagger and a brace of pistols. Candela followed, carrying a
biggish bundle hung to the end of a pole (which he balanced on his
shoulder), with a long stick in his hand, and a machete secured in his
waist-belt.
After greeting us, the padre whispered to me,--"I am not so warlike as I
look, for my pistols are unloaded,--since I have neither powder nor
shot,--and one of them is destitute of a lock. My dagger, however, is
sharp; and I can use my stick to some purpose."
I told him that we could supply him with a rifle, and spare him some
ammunition for his serviceable pistol, should there be any probability
of our being compelled to fight.
"Depend on me; I will not hang back if we have to defend ourselves," he
answered. "I have no love for lighting; but in this case it is lawful
and right--of that I am assured."
The padre walked along far more actively than I had expected; and we
were glad to have our party strengthened by such sturdy allies as he and
his man Candela.
The forest through which we were proceeding extended some way up the
side of the mountains, with only two or three paths running across it at
right angles to our course. As these were in some sense highways, and
people might be traversing them--perhaps enemies--we passed by them as
rapidly as possible, so that we might avoid the risk of encountering any
one. As Kanimapo knew when we were approaching one of these paths, he
went some way ahead and looked up and down, to ascertain whether any one
was travelling along it.
We had halted for this purpose, when he came back and said that he had
seen a person on a mule coming from the south, and urging his beast on
at a rapid rate. He advised us to remain concealed till the traveller
had passed; not that, being alone, he could do us any harm, but he might
betray us to our enemies.
Being near the path, I was tempted to creep forward to see who the
stranger was. I had moved a few paces, when I heard a bark; and
presently a dog came rushing towards me, barking furiously, and
apparently with the intention of flying at my throat. I might easily
have shot the animal; and I was lifting my weapon, in case it should be
necessary to fire, when I recognised my old acquaintance Jumbo.
"Jumbo! Jumbo!" I shouted out; "don't you remember your friends?"
Jumbo knew my voice instantly: he ceased barking, and came fawning up to
me. I was sure that his master could not be far off; and hurrying out
from my concealment, I saw before me Dr Stutterheim,--who, supposing
that his dog had discovered a jaguar, had unslung his gun, ready to do
battle with the wild beast.
Great was the pleasure he exhibited at seeing me.
"Why, Barry! my dear Barry!" he exclaimed, "what wonderful chance has
enabled us thus to meet? I thought that you were long ago safe among
the mountains; and despairing of finding you, I was on my way down to
any port I could reach on the coast, from whence I could escape from
this unhappy country, regretting that I should probably see you no more;
and almost as much grieved--I must confess the fact--to leave all my
treasures behind me, to rot, or be eaten by the ants, as I had no means
of transporting them."
"I thought, doctor, that you were determined to remain with your
patients till they recovered," I remarked.
"Alack, alack! my friend, they have gone where they require no surgeon's
aid," replied the doctor. "Those bloodthirsty Spaniards last night
burst into the village, and murdered every wounded man; together with
several other people--men, women, and children--whom they caught. I
myself narrowly escaped with my life by remaining concealed in the
garden of the house, under a bed of pumpkins, where it did not occur to
them to look for me. Finding that they had beaten a retreat (being
alarmed by a report that a large body of patriots was near at hand), I
crept out of my place of concealment, and fortunately stumbled upon this
mule, saddled and bridled, on which I rode away as fast as I could make
the brute move over the rough paths."
The Indian, who had witnessed my meeting with the doctor, and saw that
he was a friend, had gone off to report the same to my father; who now
appeared, with the rest of our party.
"The cruel monsters!" exclaimed the padre, when he heard the account
given by the doctor; "surely such barbarities must call down the
vengeance of Heaven on the heads of those bloodthirsty tyrants and their
supporters. Even had I not ample reason for siding with the patriots,
the account you have given us would make me desirous of exerting all my
energies to promote the overthrow of those monsters. They must be
driven from the land before we can hope for peace and prosperity; and I,
for one, will not don cassock again till I have aided in accomplishing
the work."
"Bravo, Senor Padre!--for padre I suppose you are," said the doctor. "I
highly approve of your patriotic principles and resolutions; and should
a sacrilegious bullet enter your body, I promise you that I will do my
best to extract it and set you on your legs again, should I happily be
near you."
The padre thanked the doctor, but quickly changed the subject; his
feelings had run away with him, and perhaps he did not quite like to
contemplate the contingency to which the doctor alluded.
The doctor did not require much persuasion to be induced to accompany
us. He might render us some service, he observed, and might find ample
objects of interest in the alpine region into which we were proceeding.
He had fortunately brought a rifle and a good supply of ammunition,
which was especially welcome.
As soon as the doctor had resolved to join us, we lost no time in moving
forward, lest some other traveller might come that way and discover us.
After a time we found that we were gradually ascending, though we had
mounted to a considerable distance before we perceived any change in the
size of the trees or alteration in their character; for palms and other
tropical plants still flourished, and the heat was as great as in the
plains below. At length, however, we reached the bare side of the
mountain; the vast precipitous rocks towering up above us, while the
vegetation was that of more temperate climes.
Looking back at the forest from which we had emerged, I was struck by
its magnificent appearance, illumined as it was by the almost
perpendicular rays of the sun, which caused the broad leaves of the
trees to shine with dazzling brilliancy. We could hear, when we
stopped, the roaring of the cascade, though concealed by rocks, and
groves of the Indian fig-tree.
Up and up we went, sometimes along narrow paths on the summit of
precipices, with barely sufficient room for a single animal to advance
without risk of slipping over. The mules were so sure-footed, that we
had but little anxiety about them; but the danger my mother and sister
ran on horseback was very great. No one could render them any help, and
they had to depend upon their nerve and the steadiness of their horses.
Frequently, I held my breath as I saw the places they had to pass.
At length, from the height over which we were crossing, we looked down
upon a broad valley.
"I told you that I would bring you to a region where there is an
abundance of game," observed Kanimapo; and he pointed to a herd of deer
directly below us, grazing quietly, unconscious of our vicinity.
"But see! there are already hunters before us," I remarked, as at that
instant I observed two large pumas stealing along the top of an
overhanging rock. So eager were they in pursuit of their object, they
did not discover us. Scarcely had I spoken when the first threw itself
off, and pounced directly down on the back of an unsuspecting deer; its
companion the next instant following its example. So sure was their
spring, both secured their victims, and began tearing off the still
quivering flesh with mouth and claws; while the rest of the herd, seeing
the fate of their companions, fled like the wind along the valley.
"They cannot go far," observed Kanimapo; "and we shall always find some
in this neighbourhood when we want them."
"We must not let these savage brutes enjoy their meal at leisure," said
the doctor, dismounting, and getting his rifle ready to fire. "You take
the one on the right, Barry, and I will shoot the other. We must have
their skins; and the venison will not be much the worse for the way it
has been killed."
We both fired, and the pumas rolled over, struggling in the agonies of
death.
"We must now secure the venison," cried the doctor, leading the way down
the precipitous side of the valley. Tim and I followed him, Candela
soon afterwards joining us; and we were quickly engaged in the not
over-pleasant operation of cutting up the deer and skinning the pumas.
As soon as we had secured the skins of the wild beasts, and the best
joints from the deer, we loaded the doctor's mule with them,--as he
volunteered to give it up for the purpose, and to proceed with us on
foot.
Though game was abundant, our guide did not consider it safe for us to
remain in the valley. We had still some hours of daylight; and before
we could hope to rest in safety, we had, he told us, many
mountain-heights and deep valleys to traverse.