"I will wait for you," it ran. "Come across, if you can find a canoe;
if not, wave your handkerchief, and I will have a raft formed, and come
for you. No time for more.--Juan."
As Pacheco assured us that we were not likely to find a canoe within a
considerable distance, I at once made the sign agreed on, whereupon I
saw Juan's men immediately begin to cut down with their manchettes a
number of large canes which grew near. These they bound together with
sipos, and in a very short time a raft sufficiently large to bear
several persons was formed. The thick ends of some of the canes were
shaped into scoop-like paddles, and Juan with four of his men at once
embarked and commenced the passage of the river. As soon as the raft
was sufficiently near the shore he sprang to the land, and embraced
Uncle Richard and me. He looked paler and considerably older than when
we last parted, and as if he had seen much hard work.
Uncle Richard's first question was, very naturally, for his wife and
daughter; and I too asked after my family.
"They are still residing among the mountains, among some faithful
Indians, with Paul Lobo as their guardian. Dr Sinclair thinks it
prudent to keep in hiding while the Godos occupy Popayan, in case the
monster Murillo should order his arrest. I lately heard that he was
well, in spite of the trying life he, in common with so many other
Patriots, is obliged to lead."
"And Dona Dolores?" I asked.
"She is safe with your mother and Dona Maria; I myself escorted her to
their cottage, after I had the happiness of rescuing her from the
Spaniards."
"Is she aware of her father's death?" I inquired.
"What!" exclaimed Juan, "has the tyrant dared to murder the old man?"
"I grieve to say so; as well as my poor uncle, Dr Cazalla, and many
other of our country's noblest Patriots."
Juan lifted his hands to heaven, and prayed that their deaths might be
avenged. What a change a few months had produced in him! Instead of
the gay, thoughtless youth, he was now the stern soldier, ready to dare
and do any deed full of peril. I told him of the murder of Dona Paula;
at hearing which his eyes flashed fire, while he uttered expressions I
dare not repeat.