"Paul Lobo," said my father, "discovered them in a hut among the
mountains. They were all very well, and in tolerable spirits, only
somewhat anxious about us. I have sent him back again with a load of
necessary articles; and if we receive satisfactory accounts from the
army, I trust that they will return as soon as they grow weary of their
rough life. Uncle Richard, however, takes very good care of them, and
obtains abundance of provisions; but they intend, at all events, shortly
to return to the farm, from whence, should the Spaniards again overrun
the country, they can make good their retreat."
Under my father's careful treatment Mr Laffan and I soon regained our
strength, 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 hardships
which I should have to endure; but that Mr Laffan might do as he liked.
The news from the south was not altogether satisfactory. Although the
Patriots had hitherto been successful, the Pastucians had doggedly stood
their ground, and had retreated slowly--probably with the intention of
drawing them into some defiles, where they might be attacked from the
heights. At this period intelligence was received that the Spaniards
were again advancing from the north. On hearing this, the commandant of
Popayan immediately sent a despatch entreating the general to return.
Instead, however, of the whole army coming, only a few made their
appearance to assist in the defence of the town. At the same time,
troops had been collected from all quarters, and every effort had been
made 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 by
himself. It was one of the articles most required. He had also taught
all the blacksmiths who could be found how to repair muskets, and some
of the most expert even how to manufacture them.
"It is a sad way of employing our strength and talents," he observed to
my father. "The same exertions rendered to the cause of peaceful
industry, might make this country rich and flourishing, instead of which
all our energies are being expended in killing one another. Still, we
are fighting for the advantage of our children; but the ruin this war
has brought upon the country cannot be repaired during our lifetime."
The officer now in command of the city had seen no service. He may have
been a very worthy man, but he was a bad general. I have described the
chief square of the town. Most of the houses in it had been turned into
barracks, the owners having fled, some because they were Royalists, and
others in order to avoid the risk they would incur should the place be
captured by either party.
I was now nearly quite well, as was also Mr Laffan, and he had
determined 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 once
go 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 was
proved in the sequel, was the means of saving his life. I had gone one
afternoon with my father to visit some Royalist friends living in the
great square, who had had the courage to remain in the town. My father
had attended the family, and not long before had been the means of
curing Don Cassiodoro de Corran of a dangerous disease. Though a
Spaniard, he was very liberal, and, being respected by all parties, he
ventured to remain, and the Patriots had not molested him. The young
ladies of the family were playing on their guitars, and two or three
other people having come in, we were proposing a dance, when we were
startled by the sound of musketry. Presently we heard shouts and cries,
and the trampling of horses coming down the principal street leading
from 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 different
parts of the town, paying visits or amusing themselves. The soldiers,
without proper leaders, seized their arms and turned out, some coming
without ammunition, others leaving their bayonets or swords behind them.
They then attempted to form under their sergeants and such officers as
remained, but, being ill-disciplined, all was done in a hurry and
without order; and many, seized by a panic, made their escape.
Antonio, who, I should have said, had accompanied me, rushed into the
house and begged me to fly. My father, however, insisted that I should
remain.
"You can do nothing, and will certainly lose your life," he said.
Antonio, who was a brave fellow, hastened out again to join his
comrades. I could not, however, resist going to the window to see what
was taking place. Presently a large body of Spanish cavalry rode into
the 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 house
he had so lately left, hotly pursued by a Spanish colonel. I
determined, if possible, to save Antonio, and asked Don Cassiodoro to
speak to the colonel. He was about to do so, when Antonio stopped and
cried 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 which
Antonio, expecting the next moment to be a dead man, made a lunge at him
with his long lance, the point wounding the colonel, who the next moment
rolled from his horse. Our hero, as may be supposed, did not stop to
help him up, but leaping on his steed, galloped off, master of a good
horse and all the colonel's appointments. As he passed our windows he
waved his hand to me, and disappeared like lightning down the street. I
had great hopes that he would make his escape before the main body of
the Spaniards could enter.
Don Cassiodoro, on seeing the colonel on the ground, went out with my
father and brought him into the house, that his wound might be attended
to. The spear had torn his coat, but, excepting a slight scratch on the
side, had not otherwise harmed him. He begged, however, that his wound
might 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 and
drive out the Spaniards before the arrival of the main body; for, after
all, those who had entered formed but a small party, and were
unaccompanied by infantry. So completely panic-stricken, however, had
our men become, that it was found impossible to make head against the
Spaniards; indeed, a considerable number of them had fled from the town.
Most of the officers, as well as the men, saw that their wisest course
would be to retreat to the southward, where they could join the army.
Thus Popayan once more fell into the hands of the Spaniards.