CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
A HARD STRUGGLE TO GET OUT OF THE FOREST--ANTONIO FINDS SOMECHERIMOIAS--OUR ESCAPE FROM THE WOOD--DANCING AT A MARRIAGE-FEAST--HOSPITABLE ENTERTAINMENT--GUIDES--DOWN THE RIVER IN A CANOE--THESPANIARDS AHEAD--WE CAMP, AND WAIT TO PASS THEM AT NIGHT--AGAINEMBARKED--THE SPANISH CAMP--A NARROW ESCAPE--WE REACH THE CAUCA--WECROSS TO THE LEFT BANK, AND SEE JUAN WITH A PARTY OF CAVALRY ON THERIGHT BANK--PACHECO SWIMS ACROSS THE RIVER, AND RETURNS WITH A NOTE--JUAN COMES FOR ME ON A RAFT--UNCLE RICHARD AND ANTONIO PROCEED TOPOPAYAN--WE REACH A FARM ON THE LLANOS, AND CATCH AND TRAIN WILD HORSESFOR JUAN'S TROOP--MODE OF CATCHING WILD HORSES--JOINED BY MR. LAFFAN.
The morning found us hacking our way through the forest. As we coulddiscover no path to follow, it was slow work, and the trees seemed tobecome thicker and thicker as we advanced. Under other circumstances,we might have stopped to admire the wonderful variety of shrubs andcreepers which formed the undergrowth; as it was, we had to keep oureyes constantly about us, for at any moment we might have to encounter ahuge boa or anaconda, or we might tread upon some venomous serpent, or atree-snake might dart down upon us from the boughs above. Monkeys, asbefore, chattered and grinned at us. Parrots, and occasionally largegaily-plumed macaws, flew off from amongst the topmost boughs, startledby our approach.
Hunger and fatigue told us that we had been struggling on for somehours, so, coming to an open space, we determined to stop and dine.Uncle Richard, taking Antonio's gun, shot a monkey and a couple ofparrots; and Antonio and I lighted a fire at which to roast them. Butwe had no water, and the food made us feel very thirsty. I proposed,therefore, looking for some cocoa-nuts, which, in that part of thecountry, grow a long way from the sea. We searched around in all theopenings we could discover; at last Antonio shouted out that he hadfound something which would satisfy our wants, and he appeared with ahuge melon-looking fruit under each arm. They were the wild cherimoia,which grow to a larger size than the cultivated ones, although notpossessing their richness. The slight acidity of the fruit was,however, very refreshing; and, our strength restored, we were soon ableto push on as before.
Another day of hard toil was about to close. To pass the night withouta fire would be dangerous in the extreme, but as yet we had found noopen space in which we could venture to make one. As long, therefore,as the light lasted we continued to press on, in the hope of discoveringsome suitable spot. Antonio climbed up a palm, by forming his sash intoa belt which embraced the trunk--hoping to obtain a good view of thesurrounding region from the top. He told us, on his descent, that hehad seen the glittering of a river at no great distance to thesouth-west, and that we should soon be out of the forest. Our continuedthirst, which even the fruit did not quench, made us wish to reach theriver as soon as possible; so we pushed on, and at length had thesatisfaction of getting out of the denser part of the forest, thoughtrees and shrubs extended down to the banks of the river. Darknessovertook us; but the moon rose, and we were able to move forward withoutmuch difficulty, expecting every instant to reach the stream.
We were hurrying on, when strange sounds reached our ears. We advancedtowards the spot from whence they proceeded, and, on an open space nearthe bank of the river, we caught sight of what at a distance might havebeen mistaken for a dance of demons or hobgoblins. But as we drew nearwe saw, as we had surmised, that they were Indians. Some of them wereperforming a wild dance in couples, holding their arms above their headsand snapping their fingers; while others were seated on the groundlooking at their companions.
"There has probably been a marriage, and they are now performing thedance which usually follows the ceremony by the light of the moon,"observed Antonio. "They are sure to be in good humour, and as they willhave plenty of food, they will be ready to treat us hospitably."
On this assurance we approached the strange group, but the dancersappeared too much engaged in their amusement to notice us. The musicwas apparently produced by a sort of flageolet, accompanied by acalabash containing some hard seeds or stones, which was rattled in timeto the wind instrument.
Some of those seated on the ground at last catching sight of us,advanced and inquired who we were and what we wanted. We told them thatwe were travellers--our object being to reach the western side of thevalley; that we should be glad if one of them, well acquainted with thecountry, would act as our guide, and that his services should beliberally rewarded. This at once made them friendly; and begging us tosit down, they brought us a calabash of chica, with which they wereregaling themselves, some venison, and a variety of cooked roots, andsome fruit. The feast was abundant, if not served in a very civilisedway, and we did ample justice to it.
We found that our new friends were, as Antonio had supposed, celebratingthe marriage of one of their young men by a moonlight dance and feast.The happy bridegroom had just reached his eighteenth year, and hisfriends had helped him to build a hut and clear a spot in the forest forsowing maize. Being an expert hunter, he had bought mats and earthenpots with the produce of the chase, and had also made several utensilsin wood, besides a store of calabashes; these, with a few otherarticles, served amply to furnish the abode to which he was to take hisyoung wife. He had also, they told us, presented his father-in-law witha deer, part of which we were eating. The conjurer, who performs animportant part on such occasions, presented himself to us. Of course hehad been invited to the feast, since he acts as the officiating ministerand declares the couple united. Our friends, who had already indulgedsomewhat freely in chica, continued passing the calabash round untilthey grew very noisy; the old conjurer especially, who, with severalothers, at length rolled on the ground and dropped off to sleep. Themore sober of the party, however, assisted us in putting up a littlehut, in which we took shelter,--while they, in spite of their scantyclothing, lay down round the fire, more for the smoke which kept off themosquitoes than for warmth; indeed, we were now in a complete tropicalclimate, differing greatly from that of Popayan.
The provisions collected for the feast were sufficient to afford us agood breakfast; and having rewarded our entertainers, we expressed awish to set out. Instead of one guide, three volunteered to come,saying that each of us would require one; indeed, none of them weredisposed to go alone. We found, on reaching the river, that theyproposed proceeding down it some distance in a canoe. This, too, wouldsave us from fatigue; and there would be less risk, we hoped, of ourfalling in with the Spaniards.
We found, on conversing with the Indians, that they had anything butfriendly feelings for the Godos, who had carried off several of theirpeople, and on other occasions ill-treated them, compelling them to workwithout reward. We therefore felt ourselves perfectly safe in theircompany. Whenever we approached a spot--whether hamlet or farm--wherethey thought it likely the Spaniards might be quartered, one of themwould go on ahead, and, keeping under shelter, creep up and ascertain ifsuch was the case. On each occasion finding that the coast was clear,we continued down the stream. Throughout its course the country oneither side was wild and uncultivated, only small patches here and therebeing occupied by settlers, who owned some of the vast herds of horsesand cattle roaming over the broad savannas which extend from the Caucato the foot of the mountains.
In this region we met with three or four Indian families of the sametribe as our companions, and we learned from the last we encounteredthat a party of Spaniards occupied a spot on the bank of the river someway lower down, but whether they were marching north or south we couldnot ascertain. One thing was certain--we must either land on theopposite side to that where they were posted, or pass by during thenight. Our Indian friends decided that the latter would be the safestplan to pursue, so we ran the canoe a short distance up a creek withreeds on either side and thickly wooded beyond; a place which affordedus ample concealment, while there was abundance of wild fowl to supplyus with food.
The Indians had brought some network hammocks composed of fibre, whichthey hung up between the trees, and advised us to occupy while theyprepared supper.
No sooner had we landed than Uncle Richard shot a wildturkey, which we left with the Indians, while we went along the banks ofthe stream in search of ducks. Our friends' eyes sparkled in theanticipation of an abundant feast, as they saw us return with four braceof fat birds. The Indians had a big pot, into which they put somevenison they had brought with them, and some of the birds cut up, withvegetables of various sorts. These they stirred over the fire, and madea very satisfactory mess, flavoured as it was with chili pepper andother condiments. We ate our turkey simply roasted, however, as itsuited Uncle Richard's palate and my own.
We had still some hours to wait until the Spaniards were likely to beasleep, and the men on guard less watchful. At present, too, the moonwas so bright that we should certainly have been seen had we attemptedto pass their camp; but clouds were gathering in the sky, and we hopedthat before long the moon would be obscured, when we might slip by onthe opposite side unobserved. We therefore took advantage of the offerthe Indians had made us, and occupied their hammocks; while they satround the fire talking, and finishing the remains of the stew. Lion hadcome in for his share of the bones, and now lay down under my hammockwith his nose between his paws. The moment I looked out he lifted uphis head, showing that, if not wide awake, he was as vigilant as needbe, and ready to give notice should there be any cause of alarm.
We were completely in the power of the Indians, no doubt, who might atany moment have deserted us, or delivered us up to the Spaniards, or putus to death for the sake of our clothes and whatever valuables wecarried. But we had entire confidence in them. It must be confessedthat foreigners have occasionally been killed by the Indians, but in allthe instances I have heard the former were the aggressors. We had fromthe first shown the simple-minded people that we trusted them, and theirwish was to prove that our confidence was not misplaced.
The night was far spent when Pacheco, our chief guide, roused us up.
"The moon has kindly veiled her face to enable us to pass the Godosunperceived," he said. "Up, senors, up! we will start at once."
Jumping out of our hammocks, the Indians quickly rolled them up andcarried them down to the canoe, on board which they had already placedthe rest of their property. By their advice we lay down in the bottom.I kept Lion by my side, so that in case he should be inclined to bark Imight at once silence him. Pacheco steered, while the other two Indiansrapidly plied their paddles, and we glided at a quick rate down thestream. We soon approached that part on the northern shore at which theSpaniards were supposed to be posted, and we therefore kept to theopposite side. Not a word was spoken, and we all lay close; so that,had the canoe been seen, the enemy would have supposed that only threeIndians were in her. We could hear the guard relieved, with thesentries exchanging the sign and countersign; and during the time thisceremony was going forward our canoe shot by the place withoutchallenge.
In the hope that we were safe, we were about to get up out of ouruncomfortable position, when a voice hailed us and ordered the canoe tobe brought up to the bank.
"Paddle on!" I heard Pacheco say to his men; and directly afterwards ashot came whistling over our heads. "Don't be afraid of that," againwhispered Pacheco--"we shall soon be out of sight of the Godos; althoughthey may fire, they will not hit us."
The Indians, without uttering a sound to show that they felt any alarm,continued paddling away. Shot after shot was heard; but the Spaniardsmust have at length discovered that their prey had escaped them.
We continued our course until the morning, when we saw before us theCauca, on the opposite side of which we wished to land. The Indianscrossed the larger river, and pulling up for some short distance, weentered a creek thickly shaded by trees. Here there was no risk ofbeing seen by enemies on the other shore. Pacheco, who had engaged toact as our guide, landed with us, and gave directions to his people towait his return.
The stream by which we had entered the Cauca had carried us much furtherdown the course of that river than we had intended to go; we had,therefore, now to make our way up it before we struck westward to Oro,the town at which I had arranged to meet Mr Laffan. Our guide advisedus to continue along the bank of the river, as we should thus make ourway more easily than by striking diagonally across the country. Havingcarefully husbanded our powder and shot, too, we were enabled to supplyourselves amply with food; and we were never in want of wild fruitswhich in most countries would be considered very delicious.
It was towards the evening of the second day, and we were about toencamp, when Antonio, who had gone down to fill a calabash with water atthe river, came back saying that he had seen a small party of cavalry,who had come down to let their horses drink.
"Are they Spaniards?" asked Uncle Richard.
"No, senor; they appear to me, by their dress, to be Patriots."
On this we all crept down to the bank, keeping under shelter, to observethe strangers; and on seeing them we were convinced that Antonio wasright. While I was looking I observed another horseman, who by hisdress appeared to be an officer, join the people, and on watching hismovements I felt almost certain that he was my friend Juan. Soconvinced was I of this, that I advanced to the water's edge and hailedhim; but the noise of the horses prevented him hearing my voice. "Whatwould I give to communicate with him!" I exclaimed. "Is no canoe to befound near, by which we can cross the stream?"
I explained my wishes to Pacheco.
"If you are certain that they are friends, I will swim across," answeredPacheco.
I assured him of this, and hastily wrote a note to Juan, begging him towait for me, and I would try to get across the river to join him.
Pacheco placed the note inside his hat, on the top of which he fastenedthe short trousers and girdle he wore. He then cut two thick pieces ofbamboo, with a still larger piece pointed at both ends, and taking themin his hand plunged into the water.
"Are you not afraid of the alligators?" asked Uncle Richard, under theidea that those creatures frequented the stream.
"There are few above the rapids, and those only of small size," answeredPacheco; "if one comes near me, he will feel the point of this bamboo."
Resting his chest on the stout pieces of cane, and striking out with hishands and feet, he made rapid progress towards the opposite shore. Atlength Juan saw him coming, and at the same time observed us waving,though he might not have known who we were. He probably guessed,however, that we were friends, and that the Indian was coming across tospeak to him, for he rode towards the spot where our guide was about toland.
Pacheco gave Juan the note, and I saw him take a paper from his pocketand write an answer, which he delivered to the Indian, who, withoutstopping to rest, recrossed the river. Once I saw him give a dig withhis bamboo, but the object at which he aimed was not visible. It mighthave been an alligator, or a water-snake, or a big fish; but it seemedto concern him very little, for he again came towards us, and landed insafety.
I eagerly took Juan's note.
"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 comefor you. No time for more.--Juan."
As Pacheco assured us that we were not likely to find a canoe within aconsiderable distance, I at once made the sign agreed on, whereupon Isaw Juan's men immediately begin to cut down with their manchettes anumber of large canes which grew near. These they bound together withsipos, and in a very short time a raft sufficiently large to bearseveral persons was formed. The thick ends of some of the canes wereshaped into scoop-like paddles, and Juan with four of his men at onceembarked and commenced the passage of the river. As soon as the raftwas sufficiently near the shore he sprang to the land, and embracedUncle Richard and me. He looked paler and considerably older than whenwe last parted, and as if he had seen much hard work.
Uncle Richard's first question was, very naturally, for his wife anddaughter; and I too asked after my family.
"They are still residing among the mountains, among some faithf
ulIndians, with Paul Lobo as their guardian. Dr Sinclair thinks itprudent to keep in hiding while the Godos occupy Popayan, in case themonster Murillo should order his arrest. I lately heard that he waswell, in spite of the trying life he, in common with so many otherPatriots, is obliged to lead."
"And Dona Dolores?" I asked.
"She is safe with your mother and Dona Maria; I myself escorted her totheir cottage, after I had the happiness of rescuing her from theSpaniards."
"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 manyother of our country's noblest Patriots."
Juan lifted his hands to heaven, and prayed that their deaths might beavenged. What a change a few months had produced in him! Instead ofthe gay, thoughtless youth, he was now the stern soldier, ready to dareand 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 Idare not repeat.
I asked him what object he had in view in coming in this direction.
"I am proceeding to Llano Grande, for the purpose of collecting horses,and training them for our cavalry, as a large number of those in mytroop have died from hard work and exposure on the Paramo of Purace,when we crossed the mountains to attack the Spanish convoy. I earnestlyhope that you, Duncan, will join me; you will be of the greatestassistance, and I am certain that you are not required to help yourfather or mother. They are less likely to be molested than if it wereknown that you had joined them."
I felt a great desire to accept Juan's proposal, and put it to UncleRichard whether I might not do so.
He considered a minute. "Yes; I see no objection," he answered. "Iwill continue my journey with Antonio, and try to communicate with MrLaffan. Possibly he may join you, and be of service."
Accordingly, without hesitation, I at once agreed to accompany Juan; andwishing my Uncle Richard and his two companions farewell, I embarkedwith my friend.
"As soon as I have seen Senor Ricardo safe, I intend to make my way backto rejoin you," said Antonio. "If you are going to tame wild horses,you will find it a long business, and are not likely to have left theneighbourhood before I can get back to you."
Juan told me that he intended to ride some miles further before camping,as we were near a Spanish force; and should the enemy gain intelligenceof us, they might attempt to surprise us.
When Lion saw me embark, he gave a look at his former master, as if toask which of us he should accompany; but Uncle Richard pointed to me,and he immediately leaped on the raft.
By the time we landed, Juan's small troop were in readiness to move on.He had, fortunately, a spare horse, which I mounted; and I confess thatI felt my spirits rise wonderfully when I found myself in the saddle,after so many days' journeying on foot.
We rode on until we reached the borders of a wood which would serve toshelter our camp-fires. There the horses were picketed, while patrolswere sent out to give due notice of danger. Though in our native land,we had to act as if in an enemy's country. However, we invariably foundthe country-people ready to give us all the information we required asto the whereabouts of the Spaniards, and were thus able to avoid them.Had it not been for this, the Patriots would have been crushed by thesuperior force the Spaniards were bringing against them. While we couldalways learn the movements of our enemies, and obtain an ample supply offood, the Spaniards were unable even to trust their own spies; and itwas only by means of strong foraging-parties that they could collectprovisions.
We thus reached our destination,--a farmhouse situated on a slope at thefoot of the mountains, with the wide llanos stretching out before it.Having an extensive view over the plain from this point, we could seethe approach of an enemy from a great distance; and, according to thestrength of their force, we might either prepare for resistance, or makeour escape. An enclosure ran round it, formed by trunks of trees driveninto the ground close together. It had been formed years before, forthe purpose of resisting attacks by the Indians, and would still enablea body of men to hold their own against any small force of infantry orcavalry, though, for the present, we did not expect to be molested.
The men Juan had brought with him were accustomed to the life of thellanos, and no time was lost in commencing the work for which they hadcome. The very next morning the whole party started off provided withlassoes,--Juan and I accompanying them. The herds of wild horses wereaccustomed to come close up to the farm, so that we had not to go farbefore we fell in with a herd. The men then separated into parties oftwo, forming a circle round the animals they wished to capture. Thewild horses, seeing strangers advancing from all sides, closed uptowards the centre, not knowing in which direction to make their escape;when the men galloped forward, lasso in hand, each singling out ananimal, round whose neck he seldom failed to throw the noose. The horsewould then dash forward, but was as speedily brought up by the rope; andthe well-trained steed of the Llanero, throwing itself back, andpressing its fore, feet against the ground, effectually checked it, andthrew it upon its haunches, or right over on its back. Another Llanerowould then dexterously cast his lasso round the animal's fore-feet, andby a jerk bring it round its legs. By slightly slackening the roperound its neck, the horse was enabled to get up, when its first impulsewas to dash forward; but it was brought to the ground by the lasso roundits legs, with a jerk sufficient, it would seem, to break every bone inits body. The horse would then lie motionless while its hind feet weresecured.
The first horse I saw caught in this manner, I thought was dead; butafter a time it regained its consciousness, and, giving some convulsiveplunges, again got on its legs. Before it had even time to look about,it was led off by some of the Llaneros to a post near the farm, where,in spite of its desperate struggles, it was saddled and bridled. Itsstrength regained, it began to bite, plunge, and kick in all directions,the Llaneros nimbly getting out of the way. One of the more experiencedriders, watching his opportunity, then leaped into the saddle, andsigned to one of his companions to cast off the lasso from its legs.The animal, finding itself free, darted off, and then commenced to back,plunge, and whisk round and round, sometimes dashing on for a few pacesat a furious pace, and then recommencing its eccentric movements. Therider, however, stuck on; and another Llanero coming behind,administered a lash with his long cutting whip, which made the pooranimal start off with a snort like a scream. No one but a well-trainedhorseman could have kept his seat in the way our men did. As it dartedahead, two other Llaneros rode on either side to keep the wild animalstraight. Off it went across the level country for a league or more,occasionally stopping to back and kick; each time its efforts grewfainter, until at last we saw it come back, its eyes bloodshot, itswhole body covered with foam and blood, and perfectly bewildered. Itwas then unsaddled and tied to a post, there to remain until hunger madeit willing to accept the food and water offered to it. Thus, in thecourse of a day a number of horses were captured; but they were allyoung animals, and as yet scarcely fit for work.
Next came the operation of breaking them in, which occupied a muchlonger time. In this, Juan and I took a part. Every man we had with uswas engaged from sunrise to sunset--or even later, when the moon shonebrightly--as it was of the greatest importance to have some well-trainedanimals ready for service as soon as possible.
Fresh men continued to arrive, having made their way over the mountainsto avoid the Spaniards, bringing their saddles and bridles, arms andaccoutrements. Of course, they at once took part in catching andtraining the horses. The young animals were most easily broken-in, butthey were less capable of enduring fatigue than the older horses.
We had been about a month thus engaged, when, as Juan and I were leavingthe farm for an afternoon's sport, as we called it, we caught sight of ahorseman--evidently, from his costume, not one of our own men--gallopingacross the plain towards us. As he drew nearer, I thought I
recognisedhis bearing and figure.
"Hurrah!" I exclaimed; "I believe that's Mr Laffan."
"I hope so, indeed," answered Juan. "He will be a host in himself; andI suspect he will be able to train a horse as well as the best of us."
Mounting our steeds, we galloped forward to meet him; and with unfeignedpleasure I soon saw that it was no other than my former tutor.
"I am thankful to fall in with you again, my dear fellows," heexclaimed. "I thought at one time that I should never have got here.Mr Duffield told me where to find you, but those rascally Spaniardsnearly caught me. I escaped them, but I had to hide away for severaldays until the coast was clear. However, here I am, and shall be mightyglad of some food, for I'm desperately sharp-set."
We returned to the farm with Mr Laffan, where we gave him our usualfare,--dried beef and plantains; for we were not living luxuriously.Except some chica, we had no beverage stronger than coffee or cocoa tooffer him; but he declared that such provender would serve him as wellas any other.
As soon as the meal was over, Mr Laffan begged to have a fresh horse,and insisted on accompanying us. "I have had a little experience inthis sort of work," he said, "and may be able to catch a horse or two.At all events, I can break-in a few. I have no wish to eat the bread ofidleness."
Mr Laffan was as good as his word, and took good care to select afirst-rate animal for himself, which, by dint of constant practice, hegot well broken-in. Juan and I were equally fortunate, and were muchindebted to him for the training of our steeds.
As few persons came near the farm, which was remote from allthoroughfare, the Spaniards did not get notice of our proceedings; andwe were thus, by dint of hard work, and the valuable assistance renderedby Mr Laffan, able to get together a very efficient body of cavalry.