CHAPTER FIVE.
AROUSED BY ALARM-BELLS--COUNTRY-HOUSES SEEN ON FIRE--ANXIETY ABOUT UNCLERICHARD'S--RETREAT OF THE SPANIARDS--MR. LAFFAN AND I RIDE OUT TOEGIDO--FIND THE MONTEVERDES' HOUSE BURNED TO THE GROUND--EGIDODESTROYED--WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE INMATES?--PROCEED IN SEARCH OF THEM--NO TIDINGS--INQUIRE OF SOME PEASANTRY--OBTAIN RECRUITS--PURSUED BYSPANISH CAVALRY--ALMOST OVERTAKEN--WE REACH THE TOWN--JUAN CHASES THESPANIARDS--FRESH TROOPS ARRIVE--ANXIETY ABOUT OUR FAMILY AND UNCLERICHARD'S--PAUL LOBO SETS OUT TO FIND THEM--WE HEAR THAT THE FASTUCIANS,HEADED BY THE BISHOP OF POPAYAN, ARE ADVANCING TO ATTACK US--OUR ARMYMARCHES TO MEET THEM--THE BISHOP SENDS A FLAG OF TRUCE PROPOSING TERMS--I AND OTHERS ACCEPT AN INVITATION TO DINE WITH THE PASTUCIAN OFFICERS--FEARFUL TREACHERY--CAPTAIN PINSON AND MY OTHER COMPANIONS KILLED--I LEAPFROM THE WINDOW AND MOUNT MY HORSE--A RIDE FOR LIFE.
Rejoicings for the victory we had gained were taking place when Ireturned home, wearied by the fatigues I had gone through. My fatherwas out attending to the wounded, of whom there were large numbers,besides which many of the defenders had been killed. It was still darkwhen I was aroused by the ringing of the alarm-bells, and dressinghurriedly, I ran to Mr Laffan's room. He also had got up; and takingour horses from the stable, we rode out to ascertain the cause. Wefound people in every direction hastening to the ramparts. On reachingthe top of an embankment, we saw fires blazing up in several directionsto the north and east.
"These must be country-houses and farms which the Spaniards have set onfire," observed my companion.
Several persons whom we found on the spot were of the same opinion.Probably the cavalry who had escaped to the southward had returned, and,in revenge, had set fire to all the residences they passed; ordetachments had been sent from the main body to lay waste the country.As the more distant fires were in the direction of Egido, and SenorMonteverde's hacienda, I felt very anxious about our family.
Had they had time to escape? I knew too well that the Spaniards sparedneither sex nor age. My hope, however, was that Uncle Richard wouldhave been on the watch, and have left the house in time--though that,too probably, had fallen a sacrifice to the vengeance of the Spaniards.
In a short time I encountered Juan, who was anxious to march out andattack the enemy; but the general, he said, had prohibited him fromdoing so, "as his men were as yet too ill-disciplined for such anundertaking, and would most certainly be defeated."
The alarm that another assault was about to be made proved false, asscouts sent out reported that the enemy were still upwards of twoleagues from the city. When daylight returned no Spaniards were insight, nor could any signs of them be seen from the highest point in thecity.
Just as Mr Laffan and I returned home my father came in, tired out bythe arduous labours in which he had all night been engaged. On mytelling him of the fears I entertained of what had happened at Egido,he, after some hesitation, gave me leave to ride out and ascertain ifthe inmates had escaped.
"I will go with you, Duncan," said Mr Laffan; "two heads are of morevalue than one, and so are two swords, and if we fall in with enemies weshall have a better chance of cutting; our way through them."
Anxiety concerning the fate of my mother and sister overcame my father'sscruples, so, mounting our horses, Mr Laffan and I rode out through theeastern gate. Our steeds were accustomed to the road, and we put themto their best speed.
We had gone about two-thirds of the way, when Mr Laffan reined in hishorse, observing,--"We may be riding right into the middle of adetachment of the Spaniards, if we go along at this rate. More haste,less speed! A good soldier should feel his way, when an enemy is likelyto be in the neighbourhood."
We accordingly advanced more cautiously than we had done at first,except when we could see our way for some distance ahead. Our road rannot far from the residence of Senor Monteverde; and in regard to it ourworst apprehensions were fulfilled. The house had been burned to theground, the garden and the surrounding fields destroyed. I regrettedthat I should have such sad intelligence to convey to Dona Dolores. Aglance was sufficient to show us what had been done, and as we gallopedon our anxiety increased lest Egido should have shared the same fate.
"We must be prepared for the worst," said Mr Laffan, as he pointed to acolumn of smoke which ascended above the trees in the direction ofEgido.
In a few minutes we reached the spot where the house once stood entire;its blackened walls alone remained, the interior filled with heaps ofstill smouldering embers. The enemy had indeed made short work of it.We found that the stables had escaped, but the horses had been carriedaway, and not an animal of any description remained; nor could we seeany person moving about from whom to obtain information. We searchedthe out-houses, which were not harmed, and the ruins, as far as the hotembers would allow, but we could discover no traces of bodies.
"The inmates must have got away before the enemy arrived," I exclaimed.
"I truly hope so," answered Mr Laffan, but he did not look veryconfident.
"If they escaped, they would take the road to the mountains," Isuggested. "Let us ride on in that direction; we may possibly meet withsome one who has seen them. I cannot bear to return to my fatherwithout some more hopeful information than we possess."
The dominie not objecting, we rode on. However he very frequently stoodup in his stirrups to get a look round, fearing that we might be ridinginto the lion's mouth.
We had gone some distance when we caught sight of a group of personscollected on a slight elevation, from whence they could obtain a viewover the plain. When they first discovered us, they showed somedisposition to conceal themselves, but on observing that we were but twopersons of fair complexion their fears apparently vanished, and theyremained waiting our approach.
I immediately inquired whether they had seen any fugitives from theSpaniards making their way to the mountains.
"Yes, senor; many and good cause they had to run, for the Godos put todeath all they caught. We ourselves got away just in time from ourcottage, which the cruel barbarians burned. They would have killed ushad we remained."
I then asked if they had seen Don Ricardo--who was, I thought, probablyknown to them--with a party of ladies, either on foot or horseback.
One of two men to whom I more particularly addressed myself answeredthat they had, about daybreak, seen a party who had got some way up themountains, but they were too far off to enable them to distinguish whothey were. More definite information they could not give us.
They were fine tall fellows, dressed in the universal broad-brimmed hat,ponchos over their shoulders, and loose trousers--with, of course, barefeet; while they were smoking in the most unconcerned manner, as if theytook their misfortunes lightly.
"Are you not disposed to punish those, who have destroyed your farm?" Iasked.
I then told them of the corps which were being raised, and invited themto join. Their eyes brightened when I spoke of the possibility ofdriving the Spaniards for ever from the country. A woman who was withthem, and who had remained seated beside a basket of provisions, startedto her feet.
"Yes," she exclaimed; "we shall never enjoy peace or prosperity untilthat has been accomplished! Pepe! Mariano! you will fight--we will allfight--for so good a cause."
They agreed to come into the town after they had gone back to their farmand endeavoured to recover any of the cattle, pigs, or poultry which hadescaped.
"There is little chance of that; the thieves will have carried offeverything," observed the woman.
As we could gain no further information from these persons, we resolvedto try and make our way up the mountains, in the hope of either findingour friends, or hearing from other fugitives where they had takenshelter; but although we fell in with a few more people, our inquiriesproved unsuccessful.
We had ridden some distance, when the dominie, who could see well ahead,exclaimed. "We shall either have to hide ourselves or ride for it!Those men are, I suspect, Spanish cavalry."
To hide ourselves, owing to the
nature of the ground, was scarcelypossible, and almost before we had turned our horses' heads, the enemy,for such undoubtedly they were, had discovered us. Our animals, too,from the rate at which we had come, were somewhat fatigued. We had onlystopped once, to allow them to drink at a fountain.
"We must gallop for it," said Mr Laffan, "or we shall chance to be shotor made prisoners by the Spaniards. Keep a firm hand on your rein, anddo not spare either whip or spur. On we go." And digging spurs intoour horses' flanks, we galloped forward in the direction of the town,with the Spaniards in full pursuit.
There were a dozen or more of them, but they were too far off to firewith any chance of hitting us. We had a fair start, too, but our horsesmight come down, or we might encounter another party in front; still,neither of us were inclined to yield until every hope of escape wasgone.
"On, on!" cried the dominie, feeling for the pistols in his holsters, sothat they might be ready at any moment. "I intend to shoot one or twofellows if they come near us,--and you must do the same, Duncan; but itwill be better to keep well ahead of them."
But the Spaniards' horses were fresh, and, led by a well-mountedofficer, they were gaining on us. At last they got near enough to fire,and several bullets whistled through the air; but we were still too farahead to run much risk of being hit. The sound had the effect ofreanimating our horses, however, and they redoubled their efforts, theirnostrils snorting, their mouths and bodies covered with foam. At lengththe towers and steeples of the city appeared in sight. If we could leadthe Spaniards up to the walls, they might, we hoped, be cut off. Weshouted, therefore, in order to attract the attention of the sentinels.Fortunately we had been observed, and so were the enemy, for as we gotin sight of the gate it opened, and out dashed a body of horse, led byJuan. It was now the turn of our pursuers to fly, and as we looked overour shoulders we saw them wheeling round. At length pulling rein, westood on one side, while Juan and his troop dashed by. I should haveliked to have accompanied him, but our steeds, having once stopped,could only just stagger on into the city.
In a short time Juan returned, having cut down eight or ten of theSpaniards, when he had to gallop back on finding himself in the presenceof a vastly superior force.
The troops in the city, flushed with their success, were eager to be ledout against the enemy; but as they were chiefly raw recruits, thegeneral firmly refused to comply with their wishes. The scouts broughtback word that the enemy were retiring rapidly, although in good order,to the northward. The object of this retrograde movement we could notat first ascertain, but concluded that it was in consequence of otherPatriot forces gathering in their rear, and they were afraid of beingcut off from the capital.
Our numbers now daily increased. The two peasants, Pepe and Mariano,whom we had met, arrived with twenty companions,--tall, stalwart men,who, with others like them, made excellent infantry. Two regiments offairly disciplined troops also arrived, partly officered by Englishmenand other foreigners; and it was now said that we should be able to takethe field, if necessary, to attack the Spaniards.
My father had, in the meantime, been fearfully anxious about UncleRichard's and our own family, but with the information the dominie and Ibrought him his mind grew more tranquil. As he had perfect confidencein Uncle Richard's judgment and forethought, he came to the belief thatthey had made their escape before the house was attacked. I wishedagain to set out in search of them, either by myself or with Mr Laffan,and to bring them back into the city. My father, however, not being soconfident as many other people that the place would not be againattacked, said that they were safer among the mountains than they wouldbe did they return to the city. "Uncle Richard," he said, "wouldprobably make arrangements to obtain provisions from his small farm,which, being away from the highroad, the Spaniards would probably havepassed by without destroying." He settled, however, to send Paul Lobowith a mule loaded with warm clothing for the ladies, wine, and otherarticles which they were likely to require.
"Depend on me, massa. I find dem out, wherever dey are, and bring backword," answered Paul, as he prepared to set out.
I occasionally saw Dona Dolores. Juan, too, whenever disengaged fromhis military duties, spent most of his time in her society, and,imbibing the principles which animated her, became more and moreattached to the Patriot cause.
We had generally great difficulty in obtaining intelligence of themovements of our friends in different parts of the country, as theSpaniards did their best to capture, and invariably shot, everymessenger or bearer of despatches. Indeed, they treated Patriots asbanditti beyond the pale of the law. It must be owned, however, thatour party often retaliated on them in a fearful manner.
We were anxiously waiting for Paul's return, when information wasreceived that the Pastucians--the inhabitants of the province of Pasto,some way to the south of Popayan, who, being completely under theinfluence of the priests, had always opposed the Patriots--had risen inarms, and were marching northward in large numbers. They had beeninduced to rise by no less a person than Don Salvador Ximenes, theBishop of Popayan; and it was said that that illustrious prelate, armedcap-a-pie, and accompanied by his stalwart secretary, was at the head ofthe Pastucian army. At first the report was not believed, but our spiescorroborated it; so, as doubt no longer remained on the subject, it wassettled that the Patriot forces must immediately march to repel theenemy, in order to prevent the southern part of our province beingoverrun. Our troops, now pretty fairly drilled, were eager for theexpedition. We had a good body of infantry; our artillery wasrepresented by the three guns we had captured; and we had five hundredcavalry, including Don Juan's troop--to which both I and Mr Laffan werenow regularly attached.
Early in the morning we marched out of Popayan, and as we surveyed ourforces, we, from the oldest to the youngest soldier, felt confident ofvictory.
But I must rapidly pass over this time. A march of several days broughtus in sight of the enemy, who lay encamped about two leagues from wherewe halted. They were posted in an advantageous position close to asmall village, with inaccessible heights behind them, a rapid stream infront, and a defile on the south which could be held by a few men,through which they might retreat if defeated. We occupied a lessformidable position, but one which would enable the whole of our forceto act at once, should we be attacked. Our men were in high spirits,and as ready to attack the enemy's position as to defend their own,should the Pastucians, taking the initiative, assault us. Instead ofdoing so, however, a flag of truce was sent into our camp from thebishop, expressing his wish to prevent bloodshed by an amicablearrangement of matters. Our general replied that the surest way ofbringing this about was for his followers to return to their homes anddisarm.
Several priests and others came with the flag of truce, under thepretence of visiting their friends in our camp; and wonderfully busythey were. It was thought that an amicable arrangement would be arrivedat, and that both parties would march back without coming to blows. Sofriendly, indeed, were we, to all appearance, that the Pastucianofficers sent an invitation to the officers of the flank company of theregiment of the Cauca to dine within their lines. An English officer, aCaptain Brown, to whom I was paying a visit, and who was unwell at thetime, begged that I would go instead of him, as I might be amused--thePastucians having the credit of being a set of rough diamonds.
The next day about a dozen of us set out for the Pastucian lines, twoleagues off--Captain Pinson, the commander of the company, being ourleader. We were all in good spirits, laughing and joking, and expectingto be highly amused by our hosts. I promised to give Captain Brown anaccount of the party; but thinking it probable that there would be moredrinking after dinner than I should like, I had arranged to ride backalone, and ordered my servant Antonio, who followed us, to have my horsein readiness at about four o'clock. The dinner-hour was to be twoo'clock.
The Pastucian officers, who were more than treble our number, receivedus with every mark of courtesy, though a less attractive set of
gentlemen I had never met. Indeed, they greatly resembled a party ofbanditti. Their complexions were swarthy, many of them having Indianblood in their veins. They all wore huge moustaches and beards, withtheir long black hair either falling over their shoulders or fastenedbehind in a queue, while their countenances were decidedlyunprepossessing. They were, however, bland in the extreme, and hadprovided abundant fare, although not cooked in the most refined style.There was no want of wine and spirits, too, with which our hosts pliedus. I remarked that there were two or three Pastucians between each ofthe Patriot officers.
Dinner went on as usual, though it was somewhat prolonged. Thenspeeches were made, chiefly complimentary to each other, both partiesavoiding politics. Songs were then sung, and more speeches made.
I, however, began to grow very tired of the affair. I was seated, Ishould have said, opposite to Captain Pinson,--placed in that position,near the head of the table, in compliment to my father being anEnglishman. While a song was being sung, I heard one of the Pastucianofficers near me say to a companion, looking meanwhile at CaptainPinson, who had on a uniform with a large amount of lace about it, "Ihave made up my mind to have that fellow's coat for my share." As thePastucian officer appeared already to be half-seas over, I thought thathe had spoken in jest, or that I had misunderstood him.
On looking at my watch, I found that it was time for me to go, as thehour at which I had ordered my horse to be brought had arrived; risingfrom my seat, and going towards the window, I saw my servant leading myhorse backwards and forwards.
I was on the point of moving towards the door, hoping to leave the roomwithout being questioned, when I saw Captain Pinson start up; andturning to the other Patriot officers, he exclaimed, "Gentlemen, we arebetrayed--treachery is intended--fly for your lives!" As he said thishe drew his sword, when several of the Pastucian officers set upon him.By a natural impulse I sprang towards the window, while I drew my sword,intending to support my companions. Captain Pinson had moved in thesame direction, that he might have greater scope for his weapon. I wassoon convinced that he was not mistaken in his supposition thattreachery was intended, for three of the Patriot officers by this timelay stretched on the floor, stabbed to the heart! The rest hadendeavoured to rally near Captain Pinson, who called to them to make forthe door and cut their way out. The Pastucians, who were mostlypowerful men, set so fiercely on us, however, that I saw there was butlittle hope of this being accomplished, although Captain Pinson hadalready killed two of them. Pistols were drawn, and the bullets nowbegan to fly in all directions. It would be difficult to picture a morefearful scene. The room was full of smoke; shouts and horrible oathsarose; while the Pastucians rushed again and again at our little band,on each occasion unhappily bringing to the ground one or more of ournumber.
I was fighting as well as I could by Captain Pinson's side, when he saidto me, "Save yourself if you can--quick!--through the window; all hopeis gone for us." This, I feared, was too true; for just thenoverwhelming numbers of Pastucians rushed into the room, armed withspears and bayonets. Half our number had already fallen dead on thefloor; most of the others were desperately wounded, as was CaptainPinson. I saw him plunge his sword into the breast of a thirdPastucian, who was making a lunge at me with a spear. This decided me.Though unwilling to desert my companions, I was convinced that thedestruction of the whole of us was intended, and that I should fall avictim with the rest. With one bound I leapt from the window, andcalled to Antonio, who was on the point of galloping off. Heimmediately pulled up, and rode towards me. A shower of bullets, firedfrom the house, came rattling around; but in another instant I was onhorseback, and, with my faithful servant, galloping for my life.