A SHOOTING EXPEDITION--SNARING PARROQUETS--THE DOMINIE AND THE
TIGER-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--A
FEARFUL THUNDERSTORM--THE STRICKEN TREE--REACH HOME--A DISCUSSION ON
LIBERTY--SET OUT ON A SECOND EXPEDITION--REACH A HOT SPRING--VISIT TO AN
OLD 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 TO
POPAYAN--DONA DOLORES ENLISTS THE DOMINIE--WE REACH POPAYAN--
ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY--THE DOMINIE AND I REMAIN
WITH MY FATHER.
I was in doubt whether Juan would accompany us. When I asked him, he
replied that he wished to have some conversation with Don Ricardo, and
that he should have an opportunity of speaking to him as we rode along.
Leaving our own horses in the stable, we were supplied instead with
active little mules, better calculated for climbing up and sliding down
the steep declivities. We had a dozen couples of dogs, not quite as
large as greyhounds, but of the same species.
"They will run down any of the wild animals found in these forests, as
well 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 an
opportunity, before the hunter comes up," observed Uncle Richard, as we
were 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 near
the road, engaged in snaring the red-headed, green parroquets, which are
here very numerous, and do much mischief to the crops of corn. The
snares are very simple, being composed of a line of horse-hair, a
slip-knot, and a loop, in the centre of which a little maize is
sprinkled as a bait. As soon as the bird pitches on the grain, the
Indian draws the line with a sudden jerk, and catches the bird by the
legs. Just as we arrived he had caught one, which Hugh cried out he
should like to have. On this the man brought it to him; but the bird
fought so vigorously to obtain its liberty, and gave Hugh so severe a
bite on the finger, that he was glad to let it go.
We had dismounted in order to enjoy a draught of water from a fountain
which bubbled out of the hill-side, and to pluck some oranges from a
grove irrigated by it. Mr Laffan had gone to a little distance, and we
saw him stretching up to reach some fruit from a bough overhead, when he
uttered a cry, or rather a howl to which an Irishman alone can give
vent; 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 lie
long on the ground; and springing up, off he scampered. At the same
instant 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 a
jaguar, or a beast of some sort, close at our heels; he'll be after
seizing some of us, if we are not on our guard."
As he spoke we saw the tiger-cat, quite as much frightened as Mr
Laffan, scampering off in the opposite direction; and a hearty laugh, in
which we all indulged, assured our friend that no danger was to be
apprehended. Before we could get our guns ready, both partridges and
tiger-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 the
side of the hill, we all gave chase. Over fallen logs, gullies, and
streams we galloped, finding it no easy matter to keep up with our
nimble 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 leaped
several feet in the air and fell over dead. We soon had it flayed and
cut up, when it was placed on the back of one of the mules brought for
the purpose.
Several other deer were started, and I had the satisfaction of killing
one with my own rifle; but Juan was the most successful.
The dominie, although he did not at first quite recover his nerve, had
before long an opportunity of displaying his skill and courage. The
dogs, which were ahead, were heard barking loudly.
"That's not deer," observed Uncle Richard; "it must be some savage
animal at bay."
We were hurrying forward--having, I should have said, dismounted from
our mules--the dominie on this occasion leading, when, with a loud roar,
a huge jaguar leaped from its covert, scattering the dogs on either
side, and making directly toward us. Mr Laffan, dropping on his knee,
and holding his rifle like an infantry soldier about to receive a charge
of cavalry, waited until the jaguar was within twelve yards of him, when
he fired. The creature bounded on, and I trembled for our friend's
safety; but in an instant, rising, he sprang on one side, and drawing
his hunting-knife he struck it into the shoulder of the savage animal,
right up to the hilt, when the jaguar rolled over with one convulsive
struggle 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 now
thinking 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 have
met a jaguar with the same coolness as you have exhibited," observed
Uncle Richard.
We arrived at length at a neatly-thatched cottage near a hacienda,
belonging to a farmer who employed Indians chiefly in the cultivation of
his fields. He was absent, but an old Indian who had charge of the
house begged us to enter and consider it as our own. As the sun was
high and the heat increasing, we were glad to find shelter beneath its
roof. Here we spread the viands which had been brought in a pannier on
the back of one of the mules.
Several of the Indians possessed blow-pipes, from which they projected
arrows not more than eight inches in length; and with these we saw them
bring down a number of parroquets and other birds in rapid succession.
Scarcely had a bird been touched than, after fluttering for a few
moments, it fell dead. The arrows, we found, were poisoned; and the
Indians told us that the poison was produced from the moisture which
exudes from the back of a small green frog. They declared that, to
obtain it, the frog was put near a fire, and in the moisture which
quickly appeared on its back they dipped the tips of their arrows. So
speedy is the poison, that even a jaguar or puma which has received the
slightest wound soon becomes convulsed and dies. Instead of feathers, a
little cotton is wrapped neatly round the lower end of the arrow, to
make it go steadily through the air: and at about an inch from the point
it 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, and
sometimes even mules, although horses and the larger animals were
generally too wary for them. He took us to a remote spot, to show us a
trap which had been set for catching the jaguars. It was in a small
circular plot of ground, enclosed with strong stakes of considerable
height, to prevent the entrapped jaguar from breaking through or leaping
over. A doorway is left for the jaguar to enter. Above this is
suspended a large plank of wood communicating with one on the ground,
over which the jaguar on entering must tread, and it is so contrived
that as he does so the portcullis falls and shuts him in. A live pig is
fastened by a rope in the centre of the enclosure as a bait. An Indian
is always on the watch at night in a tree near the spot, and the moment
the jaguar is caught he gives the alarm, and his companions assemble and
despatch it with firearms and lances. Previous to our visit, a male and
female jaguar had been caught together, but before the labourers could
assemble they had almost eaten up the poor pig.
As we had already as much venison as we could carry, we agreed that we
should like to go out with the old Indian factor, Quamodo, and hunt
jaguars under his guidance, with as many of his people as he could
collect. By the time luncheon was over, therefore, he had provided a
party of Indians, armed with long lances, and a number of sturdy-looking
dogs very unlike our own high-bred animals--which, being unfit for the
purpose, were left behind under the charge of their keepers.
We proceeded some distance through the forest, the dogs advancing in
regular order like riflemen skirmishing, so that there was no chance of
a jaguar being passed without their discovering him. After keeping on
for 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 for
action, while the lance-men moved forward. The dogs, encouraged by
their masters' voices, continued to advance; and we soon caught sight of
a jaguar thirty yards in front of us, seated on his haunches, prepared
for fight. Several of the more daring dogs now sprang forward, but two
paid dearly for their boldness; for the jaguar striking them with his
huge paw, they soon lay dead at his feet. The Indians now allowed the
dogs to attack the jaguar. Taught wisdom by the fate of their
companions, however, they assaulted him in the rear, rushing in on his
haunches, biting him, and then retiring. This continued for some time.
Although the jaguar saw the men, he had first to settle with his canine
enemies; and the efforts he made to keep them at a distance apparently
considerably exhausted him. The Indians then shouted and threw sticks
towards him, in order to irritate him and make him spring upon them; and
having got up to within twenty yards of him, they next presented their
lances in such a position that, when he might spring, they would receive
him on the points. Suddenly he began to move; then he sprang, moving in
a semicircular line, like a cat and uttering a tremendous roar. The
lance-men kept their bodies bent, grasping their lances with both hands,
while one end rested on the ground. I thought that the jaguar would
have killed the man at whom he sprung, but the Indian was strong of
nerve as well as of limb, and the point of his lance entered the
jaguar's chest, when the others immediately rushed forward and
despatched the savage brute with their weapons.
Old Quamodo told us how it sometimes happens that a hunter unfortunately
fails to receive the jaguar on his lance; and in many instances he is
torn to pieces before he can be assisted. His only resource on such an
occasion is his manchette, or long knife,--by means of which, if he can
stab 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 presence
of mind, however, he drew his long knife with one hand, while he seized
the throat of the jaguar with the other. A desperate struggle ensued,
and he received several severe wounds from the claws and teeth of the
creature. As he rolled over and over he made good use of his knife,
stabbing his antagonist until the jaguar sank down dead from loss of
blood. He managed to crawl home, and recovered. He declared that as
soon as he was well again he went out hunting, and killed a couple of
jaguars, 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 on
the side of the head. His natural impulse was to start up and shout
lustily, when he saw a huge jaguar standing close to him, about to
repeat the salute. His cries were heard by his companions, who were at
a short distance, and they hastened to his assistance. The jaguar,
however, was probably not very hungry, for before he could use his
manchette, or his friends come up, the creature bounded off, leaving the
hunter with the top of his ear torn away, and an ugly scratch on his
head. Still the old Indian was of opinion that the jaguar seldom
attacks human beings unless first molested by them.
We encountered and killed another animal, much in the same way as the
first; and having secured their skins, we returned to the farm, and
afterwards set off on our way home. As we emerged from the forest we
saw that clouds of inky blackness were collecting rapidly overhead, and
spreading across the whole valley.
"We must push forward, for we are about to have a storm, and no slight
one," observed Uncle Richard. "Fast as we may go, however, we shall not
escape the whole of it."
Scarcely had he spoken when a flash of the most vivid lightning darted
from 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 be
overtaken by one of those flashes--though Heaven grant that they may
pass us by," said Uncle Richard.
The flashes were succeeded by the most tremendous roars of thunder, as
if the whole artillery of heaven were being discharged at once. The
animals we rode stopped and trembled, and when urged by the spur dashed
forward as if running a race for their lives; indeed, it was no easy
matter 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 the
dominie declared, "as big as a hen's egg." As a natural consequence, in
a few seconds we were wet to the skin, though that mattered but little.
While we were passing a lofty and magnificent tree, about fifty yards
off, a flash darted from the sky, and a fearful crash was heard. The
next instant the tree was gone, shivered to the very roots, while the
fragments of its branches and trunk strewed the ground around. No
shelter was at hand; indeed, unless to escape the rain, it would have
been useless, for the strongest building would not have secured us from
the effects of such a flash. Our great object was to keep away from any
trees which might attract the lightning.
The storm was still raging when we arrived at home, where we found Dona
Maria and Rosa in no small alarm about us,--thinking more of our safety
than their own. They had closed all the windows and doors--as they
said, to keep the lightning out; although in reality it only prevented
them from seeing the bright flashes. The trembling mules were sent
round to the stables; while Uncle Richard produced various articles from
his wardrobe with which to clothe us.
The ladies laughed heartily as we made our appearance at the
supper-table. Hugh was dressed with one of Rosa's petticoats over his
shoulders, which she declared gave him a very Oriental look. The
dominie had on a flowered dressing-gown of Uncle Richard's, with a pair
of loose drawers, and a sash round his waist. Juan wore a red shirt, a
sky-blue dress coat, and a pair of shooting breeches; while I was rigged
out in an entire suit belonging to our host, a world too wide, and much
too short.
The storm had by this time ceased, though the thunder, as it rolled away
down the valley, was occasionally heard.
The ladies were amused by the account of our adventures, especially on
hearing of the alarm of Mr Laffan at the unexpected appearance of the
tiger-cat Uncle Richard having proposed music, Dona Maria and Rosa got
their guitars and sang very sweetly.
"Now let us have a dance," cried our host, jumping up; "old Pepe plays
the 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-blooded
Indian. The merry strains they struck up inspired us all; even the
dominie rose and began to snap his fingers and kick his heels. Don
Ricardo setting the example, we were soon all engaged in an uproarious
country dance; while every now and then we burst into laughter, as we
looked at each other, and criticised our costumes.
Pretty well tired out, we soon turned into our hammocks, Uncle Richard
having proposed another excursion on the following day.
On getting up in the morning, we found all the females of the family
already on foot, busily engaged in various household duties. Dona
Maria, habited in a somewhat _degage_ costume, was superintending the
baking of Indian corn bread, which was done in the most primitive
fashion. Some of the girls were pounding the grain in huge mortars with
pestles, which it required a strong pair of arms to use; others were
kneading large masses of the flour in pans, which were then formed into
flat cakes, and placed on a copper "girdle" with a charcoal fire
beneath, where they were quickly baked. They gave us some of the cakes
to stay our appetites, just hot from the "girdle," and most delicious
they were.
Having taken a turn round the fields, where the labourers were
assembling to commence work, we returned to an early breakfast. As Mr
Laffan had seen but little of the country, Uncle Richard proposed that
we should visit some interesting places in the neighbourhood. Juan
excused himself; he very naturally wished to pay his respects to Dona
Dolores, and soon afterwards rode off.
"He is desperately in love, there's no doubt about that," remarked Dona
Maria. "Dolores will make much of him, for she is equally attached to
him, though she will not acknowledge it. She is a fine spirited girl--a
devoted Patriot. She converted her father, who was rather disposed to
side 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 the
name of Britons," I answered; "and I hope we shall all be ready, when
the 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, who
just 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," answered
Uncle Richard. "While the Spaniards have the upper hand, through
keeping the people in subjection by their soldiers, and their minds in
darkness and superstition through the teaching of the priests, our
country can never flourish. All progress is stopped. Our agriculture
is 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 am
resolved to aid the Patriot cause; and you, my dear wife, will
acknowledge that I am acting rightly. You cannot wish to see our
children slaves; and what else can they be, if, for fear of the
consequences, we tamely submit to the yoke of Spain?"
I remembered this conversation in after-days, when Uncle Richard showed
how fully he kept up to the principles he professed, and Dona Maria
proved herself to be a true and faithful wife.
After Uncle Richard had transacted some business, we set off on our
expedition, mounted on mules, for the road we had to traverse was rough
and 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 the
mountains. In these torrents swimming is of no avail, as the water
rushes 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 scientific
fashion.
At length, sliding down a steep descent, we arrived at the hot spring,
which issues from an aperture about three feet in diameter, at the
bottom of the valley--the water bubbling up very much like that in a
boiling pot. Around the brink of the aperture is an incrustation of
brimstone, of a light colour, from which we broke off several pieces and
carried them away. The dominie put in his finger to test the heat of
the water, but drew it out again pretty quickly.
"You will not find me doing that a second time!" he exclaimed, as he put
his scalded finger into his mouth to cool it.
We had brought some eggs, which were boiled hard in little more than
three minutes.
Mr Laffan having carried away some of the water, afterwards analysed
it, and found it to be composed of sulphur and salt. On being exposed
to the sun, the sulphur evaporated, and left pure white salt fit for
use.
After leaving the spring, we continued some way further towards the Rio
Vinaigre, or Vinegar River. On our road we passed several Indian huts
perched on the summits of precipices which appeared perfectly
inaccessible; but, of course, there were narrow paths by which the
inhabitants could climb up to their abodes. They naturally delight in
these gloomy and solitary situations, and had sufficient reasons for
selecting them: for they were here free from the attacks of wild beasts
or serpents, and also from their cruel masters the Spaniards, who were
accustomed to drag them away to work in the mines, to build
fortifications, or to serve in the ranks of their armies.
Dismounting, we climbed up a zig-zag path, to pay a visit to one of
these 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 the
abode of an old Indian, the descendant of the chief of a once powerful
tribe. We found him leaning against the sunny side of his house, and
holding on to a long staff with which he supported himself. He was
dressed in a large broad-brimmed hat, a poncho over his shoulders, and
sandals on his feet. His projecting, dropping lower jaw exhibited the
few decayed teeth he had in his head, which, with his lustreless eyes,
made him look the very picture of decrepitude. He brightened up and
rose, however, as he saw Uncle Richard,--with whom he was acquainted,
and who had frequently shown him kindness,--and welcomed us to his
abode.
The thatched hut was diminutive, and full of smoke, as there was but one
small hole in the roof by which it could escape. Some distance behind
it, and separated by a wide chasm, over which a bamboo bridge had been
thrown, was a wide level space, with mountains rising above it, on which
sheep and goats were feeding--the fields fenced round by a shrub called
el lechero, or milk-tree, which derives its name from a white liquid
oozing out of it when a branch is broken off. This liquid, however, is
sharp and caustic. The sticks, about six feet in height, throw out
young shoots like the osier, and when pruned become very thick, and form
an excellent fence. Within the enclosure were growing patches of wheat,
potatoes, and Indian corn, as also the yuca root, from the flour of
which palatable cakes are formed. This mountain plantation was
cultivated, 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 had
considerable influence over the inhabitants of the surrounding hills,
and he wished to stir them up, when the time should come, to join the
Patriot 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 it
belonged to my ancestors, that by the cruelty and oppression of the
Godos my people are now reduced to a handful, and that the sufferings
and death of thousands of my people rest on the heads of our oppressors,
my heart swells with indignation. Si, Senor Ricardo, si. You may
depend on me that I will use all the influence I possess to arouse my
people, but I fear that we shall be able to send scarce fifty warriors
into the field--many of them mere youths, although they have the hearts
of men."
After some further conversation, Uncle Richard left a present with the
old cacique, and we bade him farewell.
On reaching the foot of the cliff we met several Indians, who, having
observed us from neighbouring heights, had come down to ascertain the
object of our visit. Uncle Richard spoke to them, although not so
openly as he had done to the chief. The men had a peculiarly serious
cast of countenance; not one of them smiled while with us, but they
appeared good-tempered, and were perfectly civil. Their eyes were
large, fine, and full of expression; and two or three girls who were of
the party were decidedly good-looking, which is more than can be said of
Indian maidens in general. Each man was accompanied by a dog, of which
he seemed very fond. Round their huts we saw abundance of fruit, and
several fat pigs, so that they were evidently well off for provisions.
It is wonderful how long these Indians will go without food by chewing
coca leaf, which is far more sustaining and refreshing than tobacco.
"Those men would make sturdy soldiers, and fight bravely," observed
Uncle Richard, as we rode away.
Our destination was a small valley, through which the Rio Vinaigre makes
its 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 been
impossible 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 character
of the river-water. He had brought a cup, formed from a gourd, which
answered the purpose of a "quaich," as it is called in Scotland; and we
made our way down to the edge of the stream, where he could dip out a
cupful. The water appeared bright and sparkling, and the dominie, who
was 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 the
mountain, and you were not far from the truth in your description, as
when analysed it is found to be acidulated, nitrous, and ferruginous.
So completely does it retain these qualities, that in the Cauca, several
leagues 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 the
purpose 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 a
couple of hundred feet. We then bent our steps homewards, stopping by
the way to dine and rest our animals at a farm belonging to Uncle
Richard, and which it was one of the objects of our excursion to visit.
The building was entirely of wood, with wide projecting eaves, supported
by posts united by a railing, which gave it a very picturesque
appearance. Around the house was an enclosure for the poultry, of which
there was a great profusion. Indeed, it would have been difficult for a
hen-wife to know her hens. Outside this was another enclosure for
cattle and horses. In a smaller paddock were several llamas, which are
not indigenous to this part of the country. They had been brought from
Upper Peru, where they are used as beasts of burden, and were here
occasionally 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 the
Indian corn, and those llama beasts," exclaimed Mr Laffan. Then
looking at the Indian women who were tending the poultry, he added, "And
those olive damsels. Ah, young gentlemen, you should see my own fair
countrywomen, and you would acknowledge that through the world you
couldn'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 as
modest as they are good."
Mr Laffan continued to expatiate on the perfections of green Erin's
Isle, its mountains, lakes, and rivers, a theme in which he delighted,
until his eyes glistened, and his voice choked with emotion, as he
thought of the country he might never again see.
Uncle Richard having inspected the farm, and examined some of the
horses, we mounted our animals and proceeded homewards. We were
approaching the house, when we caught sight of Paul Lobo galloping
towards us from the direction of Popayan.
"What is the matter?" exclaimed Uncle Richard, observing his excited
manner.
"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 my
mother 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 ob
all de men 'cept what ride or run away, and de women as bad, and dey
come 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 return
home 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 of
success," exclaimed Uncle Richard, who had just then come up. "I will
accompany you, Duncan, and ascertain what your father advises. We will
let Senor Monteverde and Dona Dolores know, in case they may not have
received the information."
We immediately entered the house, and Uncle Richard sent off a messenger
to the Monteverdes, where he supposed Juan would be found.
While we had dinner, and prepared for our ride, Paul took some food, and
was again ready to start when the horses were brought round.
Dona Maria was much agitated on hearing the news. "Do nothing rash, my
dear Richard," she said to her husband. "It is impossible to withstand
the Godos."
"Nothing is impossible to brave men fighting in a just cause," answered
Uncle Richard.
Embracing his wife and Rosa, to whom we had already bidden farewell, he
joined us in the courtyard, where we sat our horses ready to start. We
had 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 coming
along a road which led from the Monteverdes' house, and Dona Dolores,
with her father and four domestics, all armed, came up. She sat her
steed, as far as I could judge in the fast gathering gloom, like a
person who had thorough command over it. She rode up to me, as if
desirous of speaking; and I took the opportunity to inquire for my
friend Juan, observing that he had not returned to Don Ricardo's.
"He has gone home to commence the career which, I trust, he will from
henceforth follow," she replied. "He will endeavour to raise and arm
the men on his property, as well as others from the surrounding
villages. We were already aware that the Spaniards were advancing up
the valley, and had been engaged in sending information in all
directions to arouse the Patriots, and to counsel them to take up arms
in defence of their homes and families. We may count on you, Senor
Duncan? Young as you are, you may render essential service to our
glorious cause, though your arm may not yet be strong enough to wield a
sword."
"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 my
own, 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 shall
be ready to yield up my life, and everything I possess, could I be sure
that 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 to
hold this conversation. What the patriotic young lady said to the
dominie I did not at the time know, but, whatever his previous
sentiments were, her enthusiastic eloquence soon won him to the cause
she had espoused.
On reaching the level ground, we galloped forward as hard as our horses
could go, led by Uncle Richard. Our worthy tutor kept by the side of
Hugh, about whom he seemed to have no little anxiety; but my young
brother sat his horse as well as any of us, and assured Mr Laffan that
he need not be troubled about him. Dona Dolores, with her father,
followed close behind Uncle Richard, and whenever we were obliged to
pull up she spoke with her usual earnestness to one or other of the
party, as if eager to make the best use of the time in impressing her
ideas 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 streets
were even more quiet than usual. We scarcely met a single person as we
rode up to our house. It was perhaps as well that we did not, for the
appearance of so large a party might have roused the suspicions of some
of 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 from
us, and gone to the house of a friend. My father seemed somewhat
surprised at seeing Uncle Richard with us, but said he was very glad
that he had come. We found supper on the table waiting us; and as soon
as the servants had withdrawn, my father addressed me, and told us the
particulars of the news he had received.
"This city will not be a safe place for women and children, or any one
else, in a short time," he observed. "Those who have duties to perform
must remain at their posts. I have numerous patients whom I ought not
to and will not desert. I therefore sent for you, Duncan, to take
charge of your mother and sister, and to escort them to your Uncle
Richard's, where you can watch over their safety. I know that I can
rely on Mr Laffan to assist you."
"Indeed, sir, you may," he replied; "while I have an arm to strike a
blow, I will fight for the ladies."
"I hope that while they are in my house they will run no risk, removed
as it is from the city," said Uncle Richard; "and if you will entrust
them to my keeping, I will take care of them, along with my wife and
daughter. Duncan and Mr Laffan may be of use here."
Uncle Richard then began to tell my father the plans which had been
formed for preventing the Spaniards from entering the city.
My father stopped him. "I desire not to be acquainted with anything
that is going forward. It is my duty to endeavour to heal the sick and
wounded, in the character of a physician and a non-combatant. I may
remain unmolested, and be able to serve the cause of humanity. As for
Duncan and Mr Laffan, I will reconsider my intentions. I will,
however, accept your offer as regards my wife and Flora, and place them
under your care."
It was finally arranged that my mother and sister, with their female
attendants, and Hugh, should set off the next morning, escorted by Uncle
Richard; and that Mr Laffan and I should remain until, in the course of
events, it might be decided what was best to be done.