CHAPTER SEVEN.
DON CASSIODORO CONCEALS MY FATHER AND ME--FEARFUL TREATMENT OF THEINHABITANTS BY THE SPANISH SOLDIERY--I VISIT OUR HOUSE IN DISGUISE--MR.LAFFAN'S MODE OF PRESERVING THE HOUSE--I MEET PAUL LOBO IN DISGUISE--NEWS OF MY RELATIONS--HE GOES TOWARDS OUR HOME--I VISIT THE MARKET--NEARLY BETRAY MYSELF--PAUL TELLS US THAT DR. CAZALLA AND THE MONTEVERDESARE MADE PRISONERS AND SENT TO BOGOTA--PLANS FOR RESCUING THEM--I RETURNTO DON CASSIODOROS--MY FATHER DETERMINES TO SEND MR. LAFFAN AND ME TOBOGOTA--THE SPANIARDS SEARCH FOR MY FATHER--OUR HOST CONCEALS HIM ANDME--I RETURN TO OUR HOUSE AND PREPARE WITH MR. LAFFAN FOR OUREXPEDITION--I GO BACK TO DON CASSIODORO'S, AND ASSUME THE CHARACTER OF AYOUNG ENGLISH MILORD--THE DOMINIE AND I, ATTENDED BY DOMINGO AND LION,START FROM THE HOTEL--JOURNEY ALONG THE VALLEY OF THE CAUCA--STOP ATCALLI.
A reign of terror now commenced in Popayan. The city was filled withSpanish troops, which took up their quarters in the houses latelyoccupied by the Patriots. A considerable number of the latter madetheir escape, but numbers were cut down in the streets, and others werecaptured and thrust into prison. The square was literally strewed withthe dead.
My father proposed to return home, but Don Cassiodoro insisted that heshould remain.
"You will be safe here," he said; "for no one will suspect me of beingcapable of harbouring disaffected persons; and I owe you a debt ofgratitude, which I can only partially repay by concealing you from yourenemies."
"But I am a non-combatant, and it is my duty to attend to the wounded,"said my father.
"Can you say as much for your son?" remarked Don Cassiodoro. "Besides,you would have no opportunity of attending to your duties, as you wouldbe immediately seized and sent to prison. General Calzada has beendirected by Murillo to capture all suspected persons, and to forwardthem to Bogota for trial--and I may say, for execution. Be advised byme--remain in safety here. When you are not found at your house, itwill be supposed that you have fled from the city, and the search afteryou will be relaxed."
My father at length consented to follow the advice of Don Cassiodoro,who promised to keep him informed of all that was taking place. Therewas, however, a risk that the Spanish colonel, whose wound he haddressed, would inform against him. The only hope was, that the colonel,who was a stranger, did not know who he was, as he spoke Spanish like anative, and Don Cassiodoro had introduced him as his family physician,without mentioning his name.
I had, by my father's directions, resumed my civilian dress, as had alsoMr Laffan, who was, I should have said, at this time safe in our house.There was, however, much probability that the Spanish soldiers, onentering to plunder the house, might wantonly kill him, and burn itdown.
That night, it may be supposed, was one of intense anxiety. We couldgain no tidings of any of our friends, for had we gone out the dangerwould have been great, as the Spanish soldiers were ranging through thetown, constantly firing at the windows of houses supposed to beinhabited by Patriots, and killing all the persons they met with in thestreets. We were especially anxious about our uncle, Dr Cazalla, andalso about Senor Monteverde and Dona Dolores. They had all been in thecity on the previous day, and, we feared, could not have been warned ofthe entry of the Spaniards in sufficient time to make their escape.
All night long the sounds of shots were heard in different parts of thetown, and fearful shrieks and cries arose as some of the unfortunatecitizens were being dragged forth from their dwellings, including oldmen, women, and even little children, to be slaughtered by the savagesoldiery; while here and there great sheets of flame shot up, showingthat a number of houses had been set on fire. Such were the terriblescenes which took place, not only at Popayan, but in nearly all theprincipal towns of the province, when they fell into the hands of theSpaniards.
A guard had been placed at the door of Don Cassiodoro's house by GeneralCalzada, under the plea that a Spanish officer lay wounded within. Thehouse was thus, indeed, safe from attack, but we were effectuallyprevented from going out to obtain intelligence.
Towards morning the trumpet sounding recalled the soldiers to theirquarters, and we could distinctly see them crossing the square ladenwith plunder. The Spanish general, having frightened the inhabitantsinto something like submission, was now endeavouring to restore orderamong the troops. Had the Patriot army been near enough to enter thecity during the night, they might have retaken it, and captured ordestroyed every one of their enemies.
The next day the Spanish colonel, feeling himself very well--indeed, hiswound was of the most trivial nature--desired to go forth, that he mightvisit the general and report his proceedings. Don Cassiodoro, who wasanxious to get rid of him, did not object, and the colonel took hisdeparture. As soon as he was gone, I begged that my father would allowme to go and learn what had become of Mr Laffan, Dr Cazalla, and otherfriends.
"But you will run a risk of being captured, if not of being injured orkilled," said my father.
I told Don Cassiodoro what I wished to do, and one of the young ladiessuggested that I should put on the livery of a stable-boy who happenedto have been sent away into the country sick some time before. I gladlyaccepted the proposal, and Jose's dress being procured, I found that itfitted me exactly. Don Cassiodoro charged me to refrain from answeringquestions; but if pressed, I was to say I was one of his servants. Itwas proposed that I should wait until the evening, as there would beless risk of being recognised; but dressed as I was, I thought that noone could possibly know me: besides, poor Mr Laffan might in themeantime be starving. Before leaving, I filled my pockets witheatables, supposing it likely that all the provisions in the house hadbeen carried away.
Taking a whip in my hand, I went out by a side door when no one wasnear, and then walked along with as jaunty an air as I could assume. Anumber of people of the lower orders were moving about, but none of thecitizens who had escaped were anywhere to be seen. There were alsosoldiers with parties of slaves or Indians, whom they were compelling tocarry off the dead bodies in order that they might be buried outside thetown. Foraging-parties had also been sent out, and were now returning,driving in the peasantry with provisions, for the general had givenorders to establish a market in the place. The crowd was an advantage,as I was able to make my way without being noticed.
I hurried on, and soon reached our own house, which appeared not to havebeen entered. All the doors and windows were fast closed, though I sawthat they had been struck by several musket-balls. Going round to thecourtyard, I climbed over the gate, a feat I had performed often before.I knocked gently, when a bark from within assured me that Lion wasacting as guardian of the house.
"Who's there?" asked a voice which I recognised as that of Mr Laffan.
"Duncan," I replied; and presently I heard the bolts withdrawn. MrLaffan started back, for he did not recognise me; but Lion, rushing pasthim, began to leap up and lick my face and hands.
"For the moment I didn't know you, Duncan," said Mr Laffan. "ThankfulI am that you have escaped; for I have been in a mighty fright about youand your father since the Spaniards entered the place. Come in, comein, and tell me all about it." I then went in, and he again closed andbolted the door.
"We have been equally anxious about you," I replied; "how did youescape?"
"By bolting all the doors so that the villains could not break them openwithout a battering-ram, then hanging a British flag out of the windowand shouting, `Vive el Roy! If any one comes in here, he will bringdown the vengeance of England on his head.' I don't know which had themost effect, the flag, the loyal shout, or the threat of vengeance, butone party after another of the rascals turned away; so, you see, if youand your father had been here you would have escaped. Poor Lion and I,however, have been somewhat on short commons. I shared what I couldfind in the house with the faithful brute, as was but fair."
"I suspected that such might be the case," I said, producing what I hadbrought in my pockets; of which Mr Laffan eagerly ate a portion, andbestowed the rest upon Lion, who gobbled it up in a few seconds, s
howinghow hungry he was. As what I had brought could do little more thanstimulate their appetites, I offered at once to go out and buy someprovisions, which I could do very well in my character of a stable-boy.Fortunately I had some money in my pocket. I started immediately,intending afterwards to visit Dr Cazalla, as also the house in whichSenor Monteverde and Dona Dolores had been residing, although I did notexpect to find any of them.
As I was proceeding along the streets, I saw an old black man. His onlyclothing was a broad-brimmed hat, and a pair of loose drawers fastenedround his waist by a girdle, to which was hung his manchette. He camealong driving a mule laden with bamboo-canes, such as are constantlysold in the town for piping and other purposes. I was going to passhim, when I saw him look very hard at me, and heard him utter my name ina low tone of voice, which I thought I recognised. A smile passed overhis countenance, and on looking round and observing no one near, hesaid--
"I am better disguised dan you, Senor Duncan."
By his voice I at once recognised Paul Lobo.
"Are my mother, sister, Don Ricardo, and the rest well?" I asked.
"Yes, yes, I hab a good account to give ob dem," he replied; "but tellme, has el senor doctor escaped, and is de house safe?"
"Yes," I replied.
"Den come on with me, for I hab much to tell you, and we may bediscovered if seen speaking here."
I said that I had to go to the market and obtain some food, and that Iwished to inquire about my uncle, Dr Cazalla, and the Monteverdes.
"Buy de food, by all means, but do not venture to make furder inquiries;I can tell you all you want to know," he said.
Seeing some one approaching, he drove on his mule, singing out, "Whowants to buy canes--sound straight canes?" though he did not stop forany one to answer him.
I hastened to the market-place. Provisions were but scant, the soldiershaving appropriated most of what was brought in. However, I got as muchas I wanted, although I nearly betrayed myself by the ignorance Idisplayed in making my purchases. With a basket on my shoulder, which Ihad bought, I returned homewards. Several persons cast inquiringglances at me; and a Spanish sergeant eyed me very narrowly, I thought.But I went whistling along, as if free from care, and he did not stop toput questions to me. I was thankful when I got back to the courtyard,where I found Paul Lobo standing by his mule. Both he and Mr Laffan,and Lion too, were very glad to get some of the provisions I hadbrought.
"And now, Paul," I said, "what information have you to give me?"
"Berry sorry to say, not good. I hear as I come 'long dat all de gatesare guarded, so dat no one can go out ob de city; dat de general giborders to take up eberybody in de place who can read and write, nomatter who dey are. They hab already got hold ob el senor DoctorCazalla, Senor Monteverde, and his daughter. General Calzada, himpretty good man and not like to shoot people, so dey send dem all toGeneral Murillo at Bogota; and he, dey say, kill for de pleasure obkilling. Depend 'pon it, dey come to look for senor doctor; so he mus'hide away, and not show his face till de Patriots come back--and dat deydo, I hope, 'fore long."
"This is indeed bad news; I will go back to my father and tell him whatyou say, Paul," I answered. "But do you think it would be possible torescue Doctor Cazalla and the Monteverdes?"
Paul replied that they had already, from what he could learn, been sentout of the city, and were on their way to Bogota.
I proposed to hasten immediately to the army and let Juan know, in thehope that, by a forced march, he might be able to intercept the escortand rescue the prisoners. But both Paul and Mr Laffan declared that itwould be impossible: that I could not obtain a horse, as the Spaniardshad taken possession of all those found in the city; and that if I couldget one, I should not be able to pass through the gates of the city.
We talked over the subject, but could think of no plan likely tosucceed. I was in despair. I felt, however, that I must immediatelyreturn to my father and give him the information Paul had brought; hewould, perhaps, be able to devise some plan more likely to succeed thanany I could form. As it was certain that our house would be searched, Iadvised Mr Laffan to try and gain some place of concealment where heand Lion might remain, assuring him that Paul Lobo would find the meansof supplying them with food.
"No, no; I'll stop and defend the house to the last. The plunderingrascals will hesitate before they attempt to break-in," he answered."We have four muskets and three brace of pistols, and I shall be able togive a good account of a dozen or move of them if they make the attempt.If they come with authority to search for your father, I intend thatthey shall find me seated at table writing despatches to the EnglishGovernment; and I shall have the same flag I used before hung over myhead. If they inquire for the doctor, I'll tell them the fact, that heleft this house some hours before they came into the city; and that ifhe has a swift horse, he is probably leagues away to the north, south,east, or west, to join his family. If that does not satisfy them, I'llshrug my shoulders, send a puff of smoke in their faces from my cigar,and go on writing my despatches."
I could not help laughing at the honest Irishman's coolness. His planseemed the best that could be adopted, and I hoped that it mightsucceed. Paul said he should remain with his mule in the courtyard, andshould the Spaniards come to the house, he would move away crying hiswares, hoping thus to escape being questioned.
Fortunately I had told neither Mr Laffan nor Paul that my father was atDon Cassiodoro's; although, seeing me in the livery of that family, theymight have suspected where he was. As it was important to get back toDon Cassiodoro's without delay, and finding that no one was near, Islipped out at the gate, and passing along some back streets, made myway to his house.
My father was greatly grieved when he heard that Doctor Cazalla and theMonteverdes had been arrested and sent off to Bogota. He was too wellacquainted with General Murillo's bloodthirsty nature not to feel thegreatest possible fear for their safety.
"That Spanish tiger has sworn to stamp out every spark of liberty in theland, and to destroy all those who are capable of rekindling it," heobserved; "we must, however, try what can be done. Let me consider."
He was silent for a quarter of an hour or more. At last, looking up, hesaid, "Duncan, I can trust to your judgment and energy, and also tothose of Mr Laffan. I will send you and him to Bogota, with letters tovarious friends who are likely to interest themselves on behalf of theprisoners. They may be the means of preserving their lives for thepresent, and of ultimately obtaining their liberty."
"I am ready to start this instant," I replied; "so is Mr Laffan, I amsure, for the excitement he has gone through has cured his fever. Wemay push on ahead, and get there before them."
"Neither are you nor Mr Laffan in a fit state to make a forced march,"he answered; "you must preserve your health, else you may be unable torender the service you desire. I intend that you should travel in thecharacter of a young English gentleman, with Mr Laffan as your tutor.You must speak no Spanish; and he knows quite enough to get on perfectlywell."
We had just arranged the whole plan, and I had agreed to go back andexplain it to Mr Laffan, when Don Cassiodoro hurriedly entered theroom.
"My dear doctor," he exclaimed, "some Spanish officials are at the door,and from the information I have received I fear that they have come toarrest you. Follow me instantly. Take up these writing materials andeverything that belongs to you; there's not a moment to lose. Let yourson come too; were he to be seen, they would at once conclude that youwere here."
Don Cassiodoro leading the way, my father and I followed him to an upperstory, and entered an unfurnished room. "If the don requires us to stayhere, we shall certainly be discovered," I thought. But I was mistaken.Drawing aside a panel in the wall, he disclosed a recess; then pointingupwards, he showed us a broad shelf at the top.
"How are we to get up there?" asked my father.
Don Cassiodoro pulled down a small ladder. "Draw this up after you," hesaid, "and place it along the side.
You will find that there is a coverwhich may be let down, and which will completely conceal you. Shouldthose seeking you chance to discover the panel and enter the recess,they might search round it, and yet not suppose that you were within."
My father wrung the don's hand and expressed his gratitude. Weimmediately climbed up, and drawing the ladder after us, then let downthe lid,--for so I may call it,--which made the surface look exactlylike a broad beam running from one side of the house to the other. Amore perfect hiding-place could scarcely have been devised, as nostranger, unless treachery had been at work, was likely to discover it.
We heard Don Cassiodoro's footsteps as he descended the stairs. Soonafterwards voices from below reached us. The door of the room had beenostentatiously left open. Don Cassiodoro's voice rose above that of hisunwelcome visitors as he complained of the insult offered him, and atthe want of confidence placed in his loyalty. The officers must havebeen, by some means or other, informed that my father was in the house,as they persisted in searching every room.
"He is nowhere below, but we shall probably unkennel him in the upperstory," I heard one of them say as they mounted the stairs.
They at last entered the room.
"Where can that rascally English doctor be?" exclaimed one of them. "Hewas too wise to hide in his own house; but if he is not here, where ishe?"
"Never fear, we shall catch him somewhere," observed another; "and weshall have the pleasure of seeing the Republican heretic shot, to repayus for our trouble."
From these remarks I knew that our house must have been searcheddirectly after I left it, and that I had had a very narrow escape. Iwas in hopes that something would have been said to inform me of whathad happened to Mr Laffan; but no remark was made on the subject. Icould only hope that Mr Laffan's plan had succeeded, and that they hadbeen afraid to touch him. The long-coated, grave-looking dominie wouldnever have been suspected of having lately acted the part of a dashinglancer.
We lay listening and perfectly still, for as we could hear everythingthat was said, we knew that the slightest noise might have betrayed us.
"Are you convinced, gentlemen, that the English doctor is not here?" Iheard Don Cassiodoro ask. "Now, I desire you to apologise to me foryour intrusion. The general knows best whether it would be politic toshoot a skilful surgeon and an Englishman, who is willing and able toheal the wounds of the loyal subjects of King Ferdinand as well as ofrebels. My belief is, that although he may love liberty in theabstract, he is too much engaged in his professional duties to interferein any way in politics."
At length we heard the front door close, and Don Cassiodoro returned tothe recess to tell us that we might come down, but that my father mustbe ready to return to his place of concealment at a moment's notice."And you, young sir," he said, turning to me, "it will be wise in you tokeep out of the way of General Calzada; for, should he find out whoseson you are, he might seize you as a hostage for the doctor."
On this, my father told Don Cassiodoro that he was anxious to send meand my tutor to Bogota, and that under the circumstances it would besafer for us to travel under assumed names.
Don Cassiodoro at once agreed to render all the assistance in his power;for he saw that the sooner I could set off the better. So, in the firstplace, as it was necessary to obtain a couple of horses, he immediatelyundertook to supply us from his own stud, and also to advance any moneywe might require.
While my father was writing the letters, I hastened back to our ownhouse, being still dressed as a groom. I found Mr Laffan seated at thetable as he proposed, with a flag over his head. The house, as I hadfully expected, had been visited and searched, but had not beenplundered. Probably the officers had been forbidden to plunder it, inorder that my father might be the more easily enticed back.
On hearing the proposed plan, Mr Laffan sprang to his feet, anddeclared that he was ready at once to proceed. The question was, Whatwas to be done with the house?
"Leave dat to me," said Paul; "me find honest woman who fight like onepanther 'fore she let any one come into de house."
As a precautionary measure, we concealed all the most valuable articleswe could find; leaving, however, a few silver forks and spoons tomislead plunderers, who might suppose that they were the only things inthe house worth taking.
The dominie--for so I may again call him--having dressed in asappropriate a style as possible, as the tutor of a young English milord,and Lobo having warned us that the coast was clear, we left the house toproceed to a posada where Don Cassiodoro had arranged to send thehorses. I carried the valise containing Mr Laffan's wearing apparel.My own was in the provision-basket on my back. The load, I must say,was rather a heavy one. Lion rushed out with us. At first I thought ofleaving him as a guard to the house, but he seemed to have made up hismind to come, and Mr Laffan advised me to take him. "The noble brutemay render us good service on our journey, and I would sooner have himthan half a dozen guards, who would be very likely to rob us, or runaway if we were attacked." Lion wagged his tail and showed every signof satisfaction when he understood that I intended to take him with me.
On arriving at the posado, the dominie put a piece of money into myhand, as if to pay me for having carried his valise; and I heard himtell the landlord that he was waiting for a young English milord, whowas anxious to return home by way of Bogota. I then hurried back to DonCassiodoro's, where I resumed my proper costume. To prevent my beingrecognised, my father had provided a pair of huge whiskers andmoustaches, and by careful painting he made me look considerably olderthan I was. With the aid of a few additions to my costume, I certainlylooked as I had never done before. Even the young ladies, when I camedownstairs, did not at first recognise me. My father, having given meall needful instructions, supplied me with a purse and the letters hehad written; while Don Cassiodoro put into my hands a passport, which hehad obtained at considerable risk of implicating himself. He thenordered a servant to strap my valise on the saddle of my horse, whileanother mounted servant led the horse intended for the dominie.
"That man is as true as steel," observed Don Cassiodoro. "You cannotproceed without an attendant, and I have directed him to accompany you.You will find Domingo of the greatest use. He believes you to be whatyou profess to be. I have charged him not to let it be known that he isin my service, so as to prevent inconvenient questions."
We reached the posada without being stopped.
"I am so glad my dear young lord has come," said the dominie, turning tothe host; "for though the Royalists have gained the day at present, wedo not know how soon those dreadful Republicans may have the upperhand."
"Truly, truly," answered the landlord, bowing to me. "Milord will beglad to return to England, where all, I am told, are true Royalists."
"Milord does not understand much Spanish," observed Mr Laffan; "we mustwish you farewell."
As we might have risked discovery by further delay, we rode forward;Domingo, armed to the teeth, following us. Mr Laffan, I found, had twobrace of pistols in his holsters, and a sword, which he kept concealedunder his cloak. I, of course, carried one in my character of a younggentleman of fortune, and I also had a brace of pistols; so that we weretolerably well-armed. Mr Laffan, who had taken the passport, producedit with a flourish at the gates, and begged that milord might not betroubled with unnecessary delay. The officer on guard bowed politely,and we were allowed to pass. I had little expected to get on so well,but no one seemed to suspect our character.
As soon as we were out of sight of the city, we pushed forward, anxiousto get as far as we could before nightfall. Our road was to be duenorth for a considerable distance, along the banks of the Cauca. Afterthis we were to turn to the right over the Quindio mountains to reachBogota. Our great object was to push on to such a distance fromPopayan, that I might not run the risk of being recognised by anypersons who knew me. The letters I carried were couched in suchlanguage, that had they fallen into the hands of the Spaniards I shouldstill have been saf
e. They spoke of me as a young Englishman of fortunewho had come over to see the beauties of the country, and who proposedto spend a short time at Bogota on his way down the Magdalena toCartagena, from whence he expected to embark for England. Theyrequested that the friends to whom they were addressed would render himevery assistance in carrying out the objects of his journey, especiallyin obtaining any information he might desire. They were mostlyaddressed to well-known Royalists, still better to conceal my realobject.
I cannot stay to describe the numerous incidents of the journey. Thefirst night we stopped at the house of the padre of a village. I foundhim to be a man of liberal sentiments, from what he said to Mr Laffan;though, keeping up my character, I did not venture to speak. At first Ifelt surprised at this; but I afterwards discovered that he possessed aBible, which he constantly studied.
"You Englishmen appreciate the book," he observed to my tutor; "but Ihave, on several occasions, been compelled to hide it, lest I should beaccused of being an enemy to Spain."
Continuing our journey, we travelled along the base of the Cordilleras,which towered to the skies on our right. The scenery was mostmagnificent. From a height we had reached we cast our eyes over thebeautiful valley, with one or two large villages near us, and the prettytown of Calli in the distance. We made our way towards it, though itwas somewhat out of our direct course. The inhabitants were generallysupporters of the Liberal cause, and had suffered greatly from theSpaniards. As we got close to the bridge we stopped to inquire whichwas the principal inn in the place. Crossing the bridge, we rodethrough the streets of the neat little town in search of a posada, atwhich we agreed that it would be more prudent to stop than with aresident, as I might thus be able to gain much more information from theconversation of the visitors than I could at the house of a privateperson. Everywhere the town exhibited traces of the visit of an enemy.Many of the houses were deserted, others had been burned to the ground.Several were in ruins, and the walls, in many places, were bespatteredwith bullet-marks.
Domingo took our horses round to the shed which served as a stable,while we entered the public room, the centre of which was occupied by along table with rough benches on either side, at which several persons--merchants, small traders, and carriers--were seated. Mr Laffanrequested to be supplied with food, and asked if we could have a room inwhich our hammocks could be slung up.
The landlord assured him that the whole house was at our command.
"Yes," said Mr Laffan, "but we would rather have a room to ourselves.This young English milord likes to be quiet."
The landlord examined me with a curious look, and said he should behappy to clear out a room at present occupied by some of his family.
I asked Mr Laffan to tell me what the landlord had said, and in replybegged to assure him that I would not on any account put his estimablefamily to so much inconvenience; that we would, therefore, sling ourhammocks at the further end of the hall.
He was not long in placing a very fairly concocted olla-podrida beforeus. It consisted of beef, fowls, bacon, mutton, and a variety ofvegetables, all cooked together, and tolerably free from garlic. Thelandlord remarked, as he tasted it before us, "I am aware that theEnglish do not like much of that root, as I discovered by observing theexpressions of disgust exhibited by the countenances of some Britishofficers for whom I had prepared a dish with rather more, perhaps, thanthe usual allowance of seasoning. One of them declared that he waspoisoned, and compelled me, at the point of his sword, to eat the wholeof it; while another clapped the dish upside down on my head, andinsisted on my producing some other food of a less savoury character. Ihave remembered ever since that Englishmen do not like garlic."
While the landlord was talking, I endeavoured to listen to theconversation going on at the other part of the table. I gathered fromit some satisfactory news. Bolivar was again in arms, and at the headof a considerable force, with which he had been successful in Venezuela,and was marching towards New Granada. I earnestly hoped that he mightcapture Bogota before the Spaniards had put our friends to death. Onceor twice I was tempted to ask questions, and only recollected just intime that I was supposed not to understand Spanish. Some of the men atthe supper-table eyed me, I fancied, narrowly; but whether theysuspected who I was, or were considering whether it would not beprofitable to rob the young English milord, I could not make out.
Mr Laffan and Domingo having secured our hammocks, we turned in, withour pistols by our sides, while Lion took up his usual post under wherewe lay.