WE PASS THROUGH THE LINES--BULLETS WHISTLE PAST OUR EARS--DANGERS ON
EVERY SIDE--WE APPROACH A PASTUCIAN OUTPOST, AND TURN TO THE RIGHT TO
AVOID IT--ROUGH GROUND--A RIVER TO CROSS--PURSUED BY THE PASTUCIANS--A
TEARFUL PASSAGE--FIRED AT, AND WOUNDED--WE GET OUT OF RANGE--ANTONIO
BINDS 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 HEIGHT
AND WITNESS THE FIGHT--THE PASTUCIANS, LED BY THE BISHOP, FIGHT BRAVELY,
BUT ARE DRIVEN BACK--OUR ARMY PURSUES--THE WOUNDED BROUGHT IN--CAPTAIN
LAFFAN AMONG THEM--WE ARE SENT BACK IN LITTERS TO POPAYAN--
UNSATISFACTORY INTELLIGENCE FROM THE ARMY, WHICH MARCHES SOUTHWARD--THE
CITY THREATENED BY THE SPANIARDS FROM THE NORTH--WE AGAIN PREPARE FOR
THE DEFENCE OF THE CITY--THE DOMINIE SEIZED WITH FEVER--MY FATHER AND I
ARE 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 to
pass through another shower of bullets. The house at which I had dined
was not far from the lines, and the troops stationed there would
endeavour to stop us. The gate, however, was open, to allow the passage
of some mules bringing in provisions. The shots fired at us had scared
the guards, who could not make out what was happening; but before they
had time to close the entrance, we had dashed through. In little more
than a minute the whistling of bullets passing our ears told us that the
sentries had discovered their mistake in allowing us to pass. The rim
of my hat was shot away, and two of the leaden messengers passed through
my servant's jacket; but as neither ourselves nor our steeds were hit,
we were soon beyond range of the Pastucian lines. We had, however, two
leagues to ride before we could reach the Patriot encampment.
The horrible treachery of the Pastucian officers showed that, even
though I had come under a flag of truce, it was very probable that other
parties of the enemy whom we might encounter would not scruple to shoot
us down. I saw, therefore, that I must endeavour to avoid any of their
posts; not an easy matter, as all the roads would be guarded. At
present, however, all we could do was to gallop on to the northward. I
had fortunately noted the outlines of the mountains on either side as I
came along, and was thus able to direct my course. From the unevenness
of the ground, we ran, at the rate we were going, a great risk of
falling; but it was not a time to stop at trifles. Not only our own
lives, but the safety of the army, might depend upon our getting back.
There was no doubt that the Pastucians intended to attempt surprising
our forces; but this, if I should make good my escape, would be
prevented.
Reaching the summit of rising ground, we now saw before us a Pastucian
outpost. I could scarcely hope to pass through it without being
questioned, as the firing from the lines would have been heard, and its
cause suspected. Our best chance of escape, therefore, was to leave the
road by turning to the right, and to make our way across the country. I
looked behind, feeling sure that we should be pursued; but as yet no
enemy was in sight in that direction, nor were we perceived by those
ahead. At first the ground was sufficiently even to allow us to
continue at full speed; but in a short time it became so rough that we
had to make our way with more caution, and finally we were compelled to
dismount and lead our horses over the rocks amid thick underwood. We
had next to pass through a forest, which covered the side of a rising
ground, but here we gained the advantage of being concealed from our
enemies. 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 be
in comparative safety. My intention, therefore, was to gallop down the
bill, and at once to ford or swim the stream, in the hope that we might
reach the other side before being discovered by the enemy.
We had just remounted, when I saw to the left a considerable body of the
Pastucians, watching, I concluded, a ford in that direction. To the
right the river went foaming and roaring over a rocky bed, but there
were one or two smooth-looking places, across which I thought it
possible we might pass. The question, however, was whether we should be
able to reach a practicable spot before the Pastucians could come near
enough to fire at us. To escape their observation was almost
impossible, so not a moment was to be lost.
"Now, Antonio," I said, "we must push on for our lives, and pray Heaven
that 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 you
swim?"
"Si, senor, like a fish."
"Then, the instant our horses lose their footing, we must slip from
their backs and guide them across."
A momentary glance showed me that the Pastucians had seen us, and were
hurrying along the bank of the river to cut us off. Keeping to the
right, therefore, we dashed forward, our horses frequently descending
several feet at a time, but alighting always on their legs. It was
almost by a miracle that we reached the bottom of the steep hill. We
then had to gallop along over rough ground until we came to a place
which afforded some prospect of crossing. There was no time to survey
it narrowly, and leading the way, sure that Antonio would follow, I
plunged in--my horse stumbling forward some distance, so that I was
afraid he would lose his footing and be carried down the stream. At
length he made a plunge, and his whole body sank under the water. I
instantly threw myself off and turned his head up the current, holding
on by one hand to the saddle, while I swam with the other. Antonio, in
the same fashion, followed close at my heels. Below us, to the right,
was a roaring waterfall, threatening instant death to us should we go
over; but the sagacious animals seemed to understand their danger, and
did their utmost to keep away from it.
I could now see the enemy coming along the bank; they were holding their
muskets ready to fire directly they got within range of us. The bank
for which we were making was steep, but still our brave steeds might
climb it, if not too much fatigued by their swim. I shouted to Antonio
that 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 easy
matter to get along; while there was the risk that my horse, in his
struggles, 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 heard
the rattle of musketry, and several bullets struck the ground around us.
At some little distance, however, was a wood. If we could gain it, we
should be in safety; for should the enemy attempt to swim across the
stream their muskets and powder would be damaged, while we should get
well ahead before they had time to construct rafts in order to ferry
them over.
We threw ourselves upon our horses; but scarcely had I got into my
saddle, when I heard a peculiar thud, and felt that a bullet had struck
me--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 never
mind--on, on!"
We dashed forward; and I was in hopes that I might retain my strength
until 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 of
trees, among which we made our way as fast as we could, frequently
having 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 side
we had gained; but still it was possible, and it was necessary to keep
our eyes about us.
I had been too much excited to feel any pain, but at length I began to
experience an uncomfortable sensation, though I would not consent to
stop 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 faint
from loss of blood; then it will be difficult to get you back," said
Antonio.
At length I yielded to his persuasions. We both dismounted; and having
tethered 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 a
pad, which he bound on my side. This increased the pain, but at the
same time it stopped the flow of blood, which was running down my
trousers into my boots. I then again mounted, though not without
difficulty, and rode on, doing my best to keep my saddle; but I had to
confess that I felt very weak. Most thankful was I, therefore, when we
came in sight of our camp. Some of the tents were pitched on a long
ridge, protected by mountains in their rear, while a steep bank sloped
down to the valley. Other tents appeared to the right, also on elevated
ground. Altogether, the position was one of considerable strength, and
well chosen. Large numbers of troops were exercising in the valley
below.
After passing the videttes, as we rode along the southern ridge,
overlooking this valley, we saw a horseman approaching us. It proved to
be my _ci-devant_ tutor, Mr Laffan,--now holding the rank of captain.
"What has happened, my dear Duncan?" he exclaimed as he saw me. "You
look 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, of
course, horrified.
"We must get the doctor to you, in the first place; then you can make
your report to the general."
But just then we saw the general approaching, so we rode forward to meet
him. He would at first scarcely credit the fearful account I had to
give; but it was confirmed by Antonio, who described how he had seen me
leap from the window, and how the Pastucians had fired at us.
"Have any of the officers escaped?" he asked.