CHAPTER THREE.
A SHOOTING EXPEDITION--SNARING PARROQUETS--THE DOMINIE AND THETIGER-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--AFEARFUL THUNDERSTORM--THE STRICKEN TREE--REACH HOME--A DISCUSSION ONLIBERTY--SET OUT ON A SECOND EXPEDITION--REACH A HOT SPRING--VISIT TO ANOLD 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 TOPOPAYAN--DONA DOLORES ENLISTS THE DOMINIE--WE REACH POPAYAN--ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY--THE DOMINIE AND I REMAINWITH MY FATHER.
I was in doubt whether Juan would accompany us. When I asked him, hereplied that he wished to have some conversation with Don Ricardo, andthat he should have an opportunity of speaking to him as we rode along.Leaving our own horses in the stable, we were supplied instead withactive little mules, better calculated for climbing up and sliding downthe steep declivities. We had a dozen couples of dogs, not quite aslarge as greyhounds, but of the same species.
"They will run down any of the wild animals found in these forests, aswell 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 anopportunity, before the hunter comes up," observed Uncle Richard, as wewere 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 nearthe road, engaged in snaring the red-headed, green parroquets, which arehere very numerous, and do much mischief to the crops of corn. Thesnares are very simple, being composed of a line of horse-hair, aslip-knot, and a loop, in the centre of which a little maize issprinkled as a bait. As soon as the bird pitches on the grain, theIndian draws the line with a sudden jerk, and catches the bird by thelegs. Just as we arrived he had caught one, which Hugh cried out heshould like to have. On this the man brought it to him; but the birdfought so vigorously to obtain its liberty, and gave Hugh so severe abite on the finger, that he was glad to let it go.
We had dismounted in order to enjoy a draught of water from a fountainwhich bubbled out of the hill-side, and to pluck some oranges from agrove irrigated by it. Mr Laffan had gone to a little distance, and wesaw him stretching up to reach some fruit from a bough overhead, when heuttered a cry, or rather a howl to which an Irishman alone can givevent; 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 lielong on the ground; and springing up, off he scampered. At the sameinstant 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 ajaguar, or a beast of some sort, close at our heels; he'll be afterseizing some of us, if we are not on our guard."
As he spoke we saw the tiger-cat, quite as much frightened as MrLaffan, scampering off in the opposite direction; and a hearty laugh, inwhich we all indulged, assured our friend that no danger was to beapprehended. Before we could get our guns ready, both partridges andtiger-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 theside of the hill, we all gave chase. Over fallen logs, gullies, andstreams we galloped, finding it no easy matter to keep up with ournimble 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 leapedseveral feet in the air and fell over dead. We soon had it flayed andcut up, when it was placed on the back of one of the mules brought forthe purpose.
Several other deer were started, and I had the satisfaction of killingone with my own rifle; but Juan was the most successful.
The dominie, although he did not at first quite recover his nerve, hadbefore long an opportunity of displaying his skill and courage. Thedogs, which were ahead, were heard barking loudly.
"That's not deer," observed Uncle Richard; "it must be some savageanimal at bay."
We were hurrying forward--having, I should have said, dismounted fromour mules--the dominie on this occasion leading, when, with a loud roar,a huge jaguar leaped from its covert, scattering the dogs on eitherside, and making directly toward us. Mr Laffan, dropping on his knee,and holding his rifle like an infantry soldier about to receive a chargeof cavalry, waited until the jaguar was within twelve yards of him, whenhe fired. The creature bounded on, and I trembled for our friend'ssafety; but in an instant, rising, he sprang on one side, and drawinghis hunting-knife he struck it into the shoulder of the savage animal,right up to the hilt, when the jaguar rolled over with one convulsivestruggle 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 nowthinking 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 havemet a jaguar with the same coolness as you have exhibited," observedUncle Richard.
We arrived at length at a neatly-thatched cottage near a hacienda,belonging to a farmer who employed Indians chiefly in the cultivation ofhis fields. He was absent, but an old Indian who had charge of thehouse begged us to enter and consider it as our own. As the sun washigh and the heat increasing, we were glad to find shelter beneath itsroof. Here we spread the viands which had been brought in a pannier onthe back of one of the mules.
Several of the Indians possessed blow-pipes, from which they projectedarrows not more than eight inches in length; and with these we saw thembring down a number of parroquets and other birds in rapid succession.Scarcely had a bird been touched than, after fluttering for a fewmoments, it fell dead. The arrows, we found, were poisoned; and theIndians told us that the poison was produced from the moisture whichexudes from the back of a small green frog. They declared that, toobtain it, the frog was put near a fire, and in the moisture whichquickly appeared on its back they dipped the tips of their arrows. Sospeedy is the poison, that even a jaguar or puma which has received theslightest wound soon becomes convulsed and dies. Instead of feathers, alittle cotton is wrapped neatly round the lower end of the arrow, tomake it go steadily through the air: and at about an inch from the pointit 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, andsometimes even mules, although horses and the larger animals weregenerally too wary for them. He took us to a remote spot, to show us atrap which had been set for catching the jaguars. It was in a smallcircular plot of ground, enclosed with strong stakes of considerableheight, to prevent the entrapped jaguar from breaking through or leapingover. A doorway is left for the jaguar to enter. Above this issuspended a large plank of wood communicating with one on the ground,over which the jaguar on entering must tread, and it is so contrivedthat as he does so the portcullis falls and shuts him in. A live pig isfastened by a rope in the centre of the enclosure as a bait. An Indianis always on the watch at night in a tree near the spot, and the momentthe jaguar is caught he gives the alarm, and his companions assemble anddespatch it with firearms and lances. Previous to our visit, a male andfemale jaguar had been caught together, but before the labourers couldassemble they had almost eaten up the poor pig.
As we had already as much venison as we could carry, we agreed that weshould like to go out with the old Indian factor, Quamodo, and huntjaguars under his guidance, with as many of his people as he couldcollect. By the time luncheon was over, therefore, he had provided aparty of Indians, armed with long lanc
es, and a number of sturdy-lookingdogs very unlike our own high-bred animals--which, being unfit for thepurpose, were left behind under the charge of their keepers.
We proceeded some distance through the forest, the dogs advancing inregular order like riflemen skirmishing, so that there was no chance ofa jaguar being passed without their discovering him. After keeping onfor 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 foraction, while the lance-men moved forward. The dogs, encouraged bytheir masters' voices, continued to advance; and we soon caught sight ofa jaguar thirty yards in front of us, seated on his haunches, preparedfor fight. Several of the more daring dogs now sprang forward, but twopaid dearly for their boldness; for the jaguar striking them with hishuge paw, they soon lay dead at his feet. The Indians now allowed thedogs to attack the jaguar. Taught wisdom by the fate of theircompanions, however, they assaulted him in the rear, rushing in on hishaunches, biting him, and then retiring. This continued for some time.Although the jaguar saw the men, he had first to settle with his canineenemies; and the efforts he made to keep them at a distance apparentlyconsiderably exhausted him. The Indians then shouted and threw stickstowards him, in order to irritate him and make him spring upon them; andhaving got up to within twenty yards of him, they next presented theirlances in such a position that, when he might spring, they would receivehim on the points. Suddenly he began to move; then he sprang, moving ina semicircular line, like a cat and uttering a tremendous roar. Thelance-men kept their bodies bent, grasping their lances with both hands,while one end rested on the ground. I thought that the jaguar wouldhave killed the man at whom he sprung, but the Indian was strong ofnerve as well as of limb, and the point of his lance entered thejaguar's chest, when the others immediately rushed forward anddespatched the savage brute with their weapons.
Old Quamodo told us how it sometimes happens that a hunter unfortunatelyfails to receive the jaguar on his lance; and in many instances he istorn to pieces before he can be assisted. His only resource on such anoccasion is his manchette, or long knife,--by means of which, if he canstab 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 presenceof mind, however, he drew his long knife with one hand, while he seizedthe throat of the jaguar with the other. A desperate struggle ensued,and he received several severe wounds from the claws and teeth of thecreature. As he rolled over and over he made good use of his knife,stabbing his antagonist until the jaguar sank down dead from loss ofblood. He managed to crawl home, and recovered. He declared that assoon as he was well again he went out hunting, and killed a couple ofjaguars, 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 onthe side of the head. His natural impulse was to start up and shoutlustily, when he saw a huge jaguar standing close to him, about torepeat the salute. His cries were heard by his companions, who were ata short distance, and they hastened to his assistance. The jaguar,however, was probably not very hungry, for before he could use hismanchette, or his friends come up, the creature bounded off, leaving thehunter with the top of his ear torn away, and an ugly scratch on hishead. Still the old Indian was of opinion that the jaguar seldomattacks human beings unless first molested by them.
We encountered and killed another animal, much in the same way as thefirst; and having secured their skins, we returned to the farm, andafterwards set off on our way home. As we emerged from the forest wesaw that clouds of inky blackness were collecting rapidly overhead, andspreading across the whole valley.
"We must push forward, for we are about to have a storm, and no slightone," observed Uncle Richard. "Fast as we may go, however, we shall notescape the whole of it."
Scarcely had he spoken when a flash of the most vivid lightning dartedfrom 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 beovertaken by one of those flashes--though Heaven grant that they maypass us by," said Uncle Richard.
The flashes were succeeded by the most tremendous roars of thunder, asif the whole artillery of heaven were being discharged at once. Theanimals we rode stopped and trembled, and when urged by the spur dashedforward as if running a race for their lives; indeed, it was no easymatter 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 thedominie declared, "as big as a hen's egg." As a natural consequence, ina few seconds we were wet to the skin, though that mattered but little.
While we were passing a lofty and magnificent tree, about fifty yardsoff, a flash darted from the sky, and a fearful crash was heard. Thenext instant the tree was gone, shivered to the very roots, while thefragments of its branches and trunk strewed the ground around. Noshelter was at hand; indeed, unless to escape the rain, it would havebeen useless, for the strongest building would not have secured us fromthe effects of such a flash. Our great object was to keep away from anytrees which might attract the lightning.
The storm was still raging when we arrived at home, where we found DonaMaria and Rosa in no small alarm about us,--thinking more of our safetythan their own. They had closed all the windows and doors--as theysaid, to keep the lightning out; although in reality it only preventedthem from seeing the bright flashes. The trembling mules were sentround to the stables; while Uncle Richard produced various articles fromhis wardrobe with which to clothe us.
The ladies laughed heartily as we made our appearance at thesupper-table. Hugh was dressed with one of Rosa's petticoats over hisshoulders, which she declared gave him a very Oriental look. Thedominie had on a flowered dressing-gown of Uncle Richard's, with a pairof loose drawers, and a sash round his waist. Juan wore a red shirt, asky-blue dress coat, and a pair of shooting breeches; while I was riggedout in an entire suit belonging to our host, a world too wide, and muchtoo short.
The storm had by this time ceased, though the thunder, as it rolled awaydown the valley, was occasionally heard.
The ladies were amused by the account of our adventures, especially onhearing of the alarm of Mr Laffan at the unexpected appearance of thetiger-cat Uncle Richard having proposed music, Dona Maria and Rosa gottheir guitars and sang very sweetly.
"Now let us have a dance," cried our host, jumping up; "old Pepe playsthe 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-bloodedIndian. The merry strains they struck up inspired us all; even thedominie rose and began to snap his fingers and kick his heels. DonRicardo setting the example, we were soon all engaged in an uproariouscountry dance; while every now and then we burst into laughter, as welooked at each other, and criticised our costumes.
Pretty well tired out, we soon turned into our hammocks, Uncle Richardhaving proposed another excursion on the following day.
On getting up in the morning, we found all the females of the familyalready on foot, busily engaged in various household duties. DonaMaria, habited in a somewhat _degage_ costume, was superintending thebaking of Indian corn bread, which was done in the most primitivefashion. Some of the girls were pounding the grain in huge mortars withpestles, which it required a strong pair of arms to use; others werekneading large masses of the flour in pans, which were then formed intoflat cakes, and placed on a copper "girdle" with a charcoal firebeneath, where they were quickly baked. They gave us some of the cakesto stay our appetites, just hot from the "girdle," and most deliciousthey were.
Having taken a turn round the fields, where the labourers wereassembling to commence work, we returned to an early breakfast. As MrLaffan had seen but little of the c
ountry, Uncle Richard proposed thatwe should visit some interesting places in the neighbourhood. Juanexcused himself; he very naturally wished to pay his respects to DonaDolores, and soon afterwards rode off.
"He is desperately in love, there's no doubt about that," remarked DonaMaria. "Dolores will make much of him, for she is equally attached tohim, though she will not acknowledge it. She is a fine spirited girl--adevoted Patriot. She converted her father, who was rather disposed toside 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 thename of Britons," I answered; "and I hope we shall all be ready, whenthe 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, whojust 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," answeredUncle Richard. "While the Spaniards have the upper hand, throughkeeping the people in subjection by their soldiers, and their minds indarkness and superstition through the teaching of the priests, ourcountry can never flourish. All progress is stopped. Our agricultureis 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 amresolved to aid the Patriot cause; and you, my dear wife, willacknowledge that I am acting rightly. You cannot wish to see ourchildren slaves; and what else can they be, if, for fear of theconsequences, we tamely submit to the yoke of Spain?"
I remembered this conversation in after-days, when Uncle Richard showedhow fully he kept up to the principles he professed, and Dona Mariaproved herself to be a true and faithful wife.
After Uncle Richard had transacted some business, we set off on ourexpedition, mounted on mules, for the road we had to traverse was roughand 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 themountains. In these torrents swimming is of no avail, as the waterrushes 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 scientificfashion.
At length, sliding down a steep descent, we arrived at the hot spring,which issues from an aperture about three feet in diameter, at thebottom of the valley--the water bubbling up very much like that in aboiling pot. Around the brink of the aperture is an incrustation ofbrimstone, of a light colour, from which we broke off several pieces andcarried them away. The dominie put in his finger to test the heat ofthe water, but drew it out again pretty quickly.
"You will not find me doing that a second time!" he exclaimed, as he puthis scalded finger into his mouth to cool it.
We had brought some eggs, which were boiled hard in little more thanthree minutes.
Mr Laffan having carried away some of the water, afterwards analysedit, and found it to be composed of sulphur and salt. On being exposedto the sun, the sulphur evaporated, and left pure white salt fit foruse.
After leaving the spring, we continued some way further towards the RioVinaigre, or Vinegar River. On our road we passed several Indian hutsperched on the summits of precipices which appeared perfectlyinaccessible; but, of course, there were narrow paths by which theinhabitants could climb up to their abodes. They naturally delight inthese gloomy and solitary situations, and had sufficient reasons forselecting them: for they were here free from the attacks of wild beastsor serpents, and also from their cruel masters the Spaniards, who wereaccustomed to drag them away to work in the mines, to buildfortifications, or to serve in the ranks of their armies.
Dismounting, we climbed up a zig-zag path, to pay a visit to one ofthese 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 theabode of an old Indian, the descendant of the chief of a once powerfultribe. We found him leaning against the sunny side of his house, andholding on to a long staff with which he supported himself. He wasdressed in a large broad-brimmed hat, a poncho over his shoulders, andsandals on his feet. His projecting, dropping lower jaw exhibited thefew decayed teeth he had in his head, which, with his lustreless eyes,made him look the very picture of decrepitude. He brightened up androse, however, as he saw Uncle Richard,--with whom he was acquainted,and who had frequently shown him kindness,--and welcomed us to hisabode.
The thatched hut was diminutive, and full of smoke, as there was but onesmall hole in the roof by which it could escape. Some distance behindit, and separated by a wide chasm, over which a bamboo bridge had beenthrown, was a wide level space, with mountains rising above it, on whichsheep and goats were feeding--the fields fenced round by a shrub calledel lechero, or milk-tree, which derives its name from a white liquidoozing out of it when a branch is broken off. This liquid, however, issharp and caustic. The sticks, about six feet in height, throw outyoung shoots like the osier, and when pruned become very thick, and forman excellent fence. Within the enclosure were growing patches of wheat,potatoes, and Indian corn, as also the yuca root, from the flour ofwhich palatable cakes are formed. This mountain plantation wascultivated, 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 hadconsiderable influence over the inhabitants of the surrounding hills,and he wished to stir them up, when the time should come, to join thePatriot 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 itbelonged to my ancestors, that by the cruelty and oppression of theGodos my people are now reduced to a handful, and that the sufferingsand death of thousands of my people rest on the heads of our oppressors,my heart swells with indignation. Si, Senor Ricardo, si. You maydepend on me that I will use all the influence I possess to arouse mypeople, but I fear that we shall be able to send scarce fifty warriorsinto the field--many of them mere youths, although they have the heartsof men."
After some further conversation, Uncle Richard left a present with theold cacique, and we bade him farewell.
On reaching the foot of the cliff we met several Indians, who, havingobserved us from neighbouring heights, had come down to ascertain theobject of our visit. Uncle Richard spoke to them, although not soopenly as he had done to the chief. The men had a peculiarly seriouscast of countenance; not one of them smiled while with us, but theyappeared good-tempered, and were perfectly civil. Their eyes werelarge, fine, and full of expression; and two or three girls who were ofthe party were decidedly good-looking, which is more than can be said ofIndian maidens in general. Each man was accompanied by a dog, of whichhe seemed very fond. Round their huts we saw abundance of fruit, andseveral fat pigs, so that they were evidently well off for provisions.
It is wonderful how long these Indians will go without food by chewingcoca leaf, which is far more sustaining and refreshing than tobacco.
"Those men would make sturdy soldiers, and fight bravely," observedUncle Richard, as we rode away.
Our destination was a small valley, through which the Rio Vinaigre makesits 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 beenimpossible 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 characterof the river-water. He had brought a cup, formed from a gourd, whichanswered the purpose of a "quaich," as it is called in Scotland; and wemade our way down to the edge of the stream, where he could dip out acupful. The water appeared bright and sparkling, and the dominie, whowas 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 themountain, and you were not far from the truth in your description, aswhen analysed it is found to be acidulated, nitrous, and ferruginous.So completely does it retain these qualities, that in the Cauca, severalleagues 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 thepurpose 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 acouple of hundred feet. We then bent our steps homewards, stopping bythe way to dine and rest our animals at a farm belonging to UncleRichard, and which it was one of the objects of our excursion to visit.The building was entirely of wood, with wide projecting eaves, supportedby posts united by a railing, which gave it a very picturesqueappearance. Around the house was an enclosure for the poultry, of whichthere was a great profusion. Indeed, it would have been difficult for ahen-wife to know her hens. Outside this was another enclosure forcattle and horses. In a smaller paddock were several llamas, which arenot indigenous to this part of the country. They had been brought fromUpper Peru, where they are used as beasts of burden, and were hereoccasionally 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 theIndian corn, and those llama beasts," exclaimed Mr Laffan. Thenlooking at the Indian women who were tending the poultry, he added, "Andthose olive damsels. Ah, young gentlemen, you should see my own faircountrywomen, and you would acknowledge that through the world youcouldn'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 asmodest as they are good."
Mr Laffan continued to expatiate on the perfections of green Erin'sIsle, its mountains, lakes, and rivers, a theme in which he delighted,until his eyes glistened, and his voice choked with emotion, as hethought of the country he might never again see.
Uncle Richard having inspected the farm, and examined some of thehorses, we mounted our animals and proceeded homewards. We wereapproaching the house, when we caught sight of Paul Lobo gallopingtowards us from the direction of Popayan.
"What is the matter?" exclaimed Uncle Richard, observing his excitedmanner.
"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 mymother 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 oball de men 'cept what ride or run away, and de women as bad, and deycome 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 returnhome 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 ofsuccess," exclaimed Uncle Richard, who had just then come up. "I willaccompany you, Duncan, and ascertain what your father advises. We willlet Senor Monteverde and Dona Dolores know, in case they may not havereceived the information."
We immediately entered the house, and Uncle Richard sent off a messengerto the Monteverdes, where he supposed Juan would be found.
While we had dinner, and prepared for our ride, Paul took some food, andwas again ready to start when the horses were brought round.
Dona Maria was much agitated on hearing the news. "Do nothing rash, mydear Richard," she said to her husband. "It is impossible to withstandthe Godos."
"Nothing is impossible to brave men fighting in a just cause," answeredUncle Richard.
Embracing his wife and Rosa, to whom we had already bidden farewell, hejoined us in the courtyard, where we sat our horses ready to start. Wehad 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 comingalong a road which led from the Monteverdes' house, and Dona Dolores,with her father and four domestics, all armed, came up. She sat hersteed, as far as I could judge in the fast gathering gloom, like aperson who had thorough command over it. She rode up to me, as ifdesirous of speaking; and I took the opportunity to inquire for myfriend Juan, observing that he had not returned to Don Ricardo's.
"He has gone home to commence the career which, I trust, he will fromhenceforth follow," she replied. "He will endeavour to raise and armthe men on his property, as well as others from the surroundingvillages. We were already aware that the Spaniards were advancing upthe valley, and had been engaged in sending information in alldirections to arouse the Patriots, and to counsel them to take up armsin defence of their homes and families. We may count on you, SenorDuncan? Young as you are, you may render essential service to ourglorious cause, though your arm may not yet be strong enough to wield asword."
"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 myown, 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 shallbe ready to yield up my life, and everything I possess, could I be surethat 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 tohold this conversation. What the patriotic young lady said to thedominie I did not at the time know, but, whatever his previoussentiments were, her enthusiastic eloquence soon won him to the causeshe had espoused.
On reaching the level ground, we galloped forward as hard as our horsescould go, led by Uncle Richard. Our worthy tutor kept by the side ofHugh, about whom he seemed to have no little anxiety; but my youngbrother sat his horse as well as any of us, and assured Mr Laffan thathe need not be troubled about him. Dona Dolores, with her father,followed close behind Uncle Richard, and whenever we were obliged topull up she spoke with her usual earnestness to one or other of theparty, as if eager to make the best use of the time in impressing herideas 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 streetswere even more quiet than usual. We scarcely met a single person a
s werode up to our house. It was perhaps as well that we did not, for theappearance of so large a party might have roused the suspicions of someof 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 fromus, and gone to the house of a friend. My father seemed somewhatsurprised at seeing Uncle Richard with us, but said he was very gladthat he had come. We found supper on the table waiting us; and as soonas the servants had withdrawn, my father addressed me, and told us theparticulars of the news he had received.
"This city will not be a safe place for women and children, or any oneelse, in a short time," he observed. "Those who have duties to performmust remain at their posts. I have numerous patients whom I ought notto and will not desert. I therefore sent for you, Duncan, to takecharge of your mother and sister, and to escort them to your UncleRichard's, where you can watch over their safety. I know that I canrely on Mr Laffan to assist you."
"Indeed, sir, you may," he replied; "while I have an arm to strike ablow, I will fight for the ladies."
"I hope that while they are in my house they will run no risk, removedas it is from the city," said Uncle Richard; "and if you will entrustthem to my keeping, I will take care of them, along with my wife anddaughter. Duncan and Mr Laffan may be of use here."
Uncle Richard then began to tell my father the plans which had beenformed for preventing the Spaniards from entering the city.
My father stopped him. "I desire not to be acquainted with anythingthat is going forward. It is my duty to endeavour to heal the sick andwounded, in the character of a physician and a non-combatant. I mayremain unmolested, and be able to serve the cause of humanity. As forDuncan and Mr Laffan, I will reconsider my intentions. I will,however, accept your offer as regards my wife and Flora, and place themunder your care."
It was finally arranged that my mother and sister, with their femaleattendants, and Hugh, should set off the next morning, escorted by UncleRichard; and that Mr Laffan and I should remain until, in the course ofevents, it might be decided what was best to be done.