In New Granada

Chapter I

Introductory— My Father's History— Enters the Navy as a Surgeon—Learns Spanish— Appointed to the Zebra, in the Pacific— Takes Dicky Duff under his Charge— A Shooting Expedition on Shore— Captured by Spaniards on Coast of Guatemala with Dkky and Paul Lobo — Carried to Panama — Meets an old Friend, who takes him to Guayaquil— Visit Loja to inspect Peruvian Bark— Meets Dr. Cazalla— Accompanies him to Popayan — He marries Miss Cazalla, who becomes my Mother; and Richard Duffield marries her Niece, an Heiress— They both settle at Popayan 13-23

Chapter II

Our Studies interrupted— Don Juan de Leon— A Ride to visit Don Ricardo, accompanied by Hugh and our Tutor, Mr, Laffan— Description of Popayan —Tyrannical Treatment of New Granada and Venezuela by the Spaniards — Previous Struggles of the Colonists for Liberty— Fearful Cruelties inflicted on them by the Spaniards — My Uncle, Dr. Cazalla, a known Liberal — His dangerous Position— How Mr. Laffan became our Tutor— Juan expatiates on the Perfections of Dona Dolores, and invites me to accompany him on a Visit— Pass a Party of Indians— Don Eicardo's Hacienda— Fruits of !S T ew Granada— Invited to stay— Juan, our Tutor, and I serenade Dona Dolores —The Interview— Dona Dolores endeavours to arouse Juan's Patriotism — Music Victorious— A Heroine— Juan devotes himself to the Cause of Freedom 24-60

Chapter III

A.shooting Expedition— Snaring Parroquets— The Dominie and the Tiger-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— A fearful Thunder-storm— The stricken Tree— Reach Home— A Discussion on Liberty— Set out on a second Expedition— Reach a hot Spring— Visit to an old Cacique— The Last of his Pace— Promises to aid the Patriot Cause- Vinegar River -The Dominie tastes the "Water— Uncle Richard's Farm- Return Homewards— Paul Lobo meets us with had News— Our Night-Eido to Popayan — Dona Dolores enlists the Dominie — "We reach Popayan — Arrangements made for the Safety of our Family— The Dominie and I remain with my Father 61-90

Vlll CONTENTS-

Chapter IV

My Mother and Sister leave Popayan with Uncle Richard— Mr. Laffan and I accompany them— Lion given to me— Meet Juan and his Troop— Hear an inspiriting Address from Dona Dolores— A political Ball at Don Carlos Mosquera's — Dona Dolores warns me against Captain Lopez — She enlists numerous Recruits — The Dominie shows that he has had military Experience — Drilling the Levies — The Citizens employed in erecting Fortifications —The Enemy approach— Preparations for the Defence— The Summons to Arms— The City attacked— Mr. Laffan and I join Don Juan— The Enemy driven back— A Sortie — The Enemy attacked— Guns captured — Return in Triumph to the City 97-115

Chapter V

Aroused by Alarm-Bells— Country-Houses seen on Fire— Anxiety about Uncle Richard's — Retreat of the Spaniards— Mr. Laffan and I ride out to Egido — Find the Monteverdes' House burned to the Ground— Egido destroyed— "What has become of the Inmates? — Proceed in Search of them— No Tidings — Inquire of some Peasantry— Obtain Recruits— Pursued by Spanish Cavalry— Almost overtaken— We reach the Town— Juan chases the Spaniards—Fresh Troops arrive — Anxiety about our Family and Uncle Richards — Paul Lobo sets out to find them — We hear that the Pastucians, headed by the Bishop of Popayan, are advancing to attack us — Our Army marches 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 leap from the Window and mount my Horse— A Hide for Life 116-132

Chapter VI

We pass through the Lines— Bullets whistle past our Ears— Dangers on every Side— We approach a Pastucian Outpost, and turn to the right to avoid it- Rough Ground— A River to cross— Pursued by the Pastucians— A fearful Passage— Fired at, and -wounded— We get out of range— Antonio binds up my Wound— Reach the Camp— Meet Mr. Laffan— Make my Report— Carried to Captain Brown's Tent— An Attack expected— I crawl to a Height and witness the Fight— The Pastucians, led by the Bishop, fight bravely, but are driven back— Our Army pursues — The Wounded brought in— Captain Laffan among them— We are sent back in Litters to Popayan— Unsatisfactory Intelligence from the Army, which marches southward— The City threatened by the Spaniards from the North— We again prepare for the defence of the City— The Dominie seized with Fever— My Father and I are visiting at Don Cassiodoro's when the Spaniards enter the Town — Antonio escapes with the Horse of a Spanish Colonel 133-155

Chapter VII

Don Cassiodoro conceals my Father and me— Fearful Treatment of the Inhabitants 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 Monteverdes are made Prisoners and sent to Bogota— Plans for rescuing them— I return to Don

CONTEXTS. IX

Cassiodoro's— My Father determines to send Mr, Laffan and me to Bogota —The Spaniards search for my Father — Our Host conceals him and me — I return to our House and prepare with Mr. Laffan for our Expedition — I go back to Don Cassiodoro's, and assume the Character of a young English Milord — The Dominie and I, attended by Domingo and Lion, start from the Hotel— Journey along the Valley of the Cauca— Stop at Calli 156*180.

CHAPTER VIIL

Our Journey continued— A Snake killed— Abundance of Animal Life— Paucity of Inhabitants— Black Herdsmen — Vegetable Productions of the Cauca Valley— Beautiful Scene near Car tag o — "We enter Cartago— A wretched Posada — Mr. Laffan searches for Carriers— A suspicious Character — The Silleros— Arrangements for crossing the Mountains— The Officer tells us of the Escape of Dona Dolores— A midnight Robber — Lion keeps Guard — We have cause to be uneasy — The Spanish Officer starts before us — Our Journey over the Quindio Mountains commenced— A ruined Village 181-205

Chapter IX

Cur Journey over the Mountains— Wild Scenery— A Ride on a Sillero's Back- Fears for the Safety of our Servants and Horses— Making Progress— My Sillero and I get ahead— The cruel Conduct of the Spaniard, and its fearful Punishment— Our Camp on the Mountains— An Adventure with a Jaguar— I kill a Turkey for Supper— Our Attendants rejoin us— Sounds afc Night— We begin to descend— Dangers of the Journey— We part from our Silleros, and proceed on Horseback— A Visit to the Falls of Tequendama — Their Magnificence 206-225

Chapter X

We overtake an Escort with Prisoners on the Road to Bogota— Dr. Cazalla among them— He makes no Sign of Recognition — We next see Uncle Richard — How Lion nearly betrayed us — We speak to Uncle Richard in English- Antonio among the Guard— Has he turned Traitor?— Hurrying on before the Escort, we fall in with a Body of Volunteers for the Spanish Army — At a Posada— Cock-fighting— The Sergeant and his Recruits arrive— Entering Bogota— Description of the City— The great Square — At the House of Don Jose— The Children's Remarks— We are kindly treated— The Death of Dona Paula Salabariata — Don Jose's Sympathy — Some other Patriots shot 226-247

Chapter XI

An Interview with Murillo — We gain nothing for our Pa-ins — I still endeavour to rescue the Prisoners— Meet Antonio, who belongs to the Guard at the Prison — My Conversation with him— He promises Assistance, but gives me bad News — Our Plan arranged— Don Jose suspects us, and requests us to leave his House — AVe remain till the following Day— Dr. Cazalla and Senor Monteverde, with many others, shot — Domingo brings me a Disguise, and advises me to escape without delay— Don Jose requests me not to see him again— Mr. Laffan and I separate— He starts for Honda; I go towards the Prison, followed by Lion— Outside the Prison AValls — Joined by Uncle

Contents

Richard— Our Escape from the City — We reach the Mountains— Our Arrival at a River— No Means of crossing— Spanish Soldiers in Pursuit— A Tarabita or Rope-bridge— Dangerous Crossing— The Bridge cut — Our Escape— Sounds of Firing— "We find Shelter in the Hut of an Indian, whose Hon undertakes to guide us 248 -206

Chapter XII *

Our Journey continued — Beautiful Scenery— Preparing to cross the Paramo- Description of a Paramo — Commence the Passage— Skeletons of Men and Mules— Intensity of the Cold— Antonio suffers greatly— He recovers by drinking a Draught of cold Water — Darkness — Our Sufferings on the Increase— A strong Inclination to sleep — I sink to the Ground— Lion arouse* me— "We reach the Tambo— A Night in the Hut— Intense Cold— Daylight at last— Our Passage across the Paramo — Sad Sights— The Descent of the Mountains — Reaching a Forest — Padillo goes off to obtain Intelligence— We build a Hut, and go to sleep— Our Hut on fire— A narrow Escape . . .269*284

Chapter XIII

A hard Struggle to get out of the Forest — Antonio finds some Cherimoias— Our Escape from the Wood — Dancing at a Marriage-feast — Hospitable Entertainment— Guides — Down the River in a Canoe — The Spaniards ahead — We camp, and wait to pass them at Night — Again embarked — The Spanish Camp— A narrow Escape — We reach the Cauca — We cross to the left Bank, and see Juan with a Party of Cavalry on the right Bank— Pacheco swims across the River, and returns with a Note — Juan comes for me on a Raft- Uncle Richard and Antonio proceed to Popayan— We reach a Farm on the Llanos, and catch and train wild Horses for Juan's Troop — Mode of catching wild Horses— Joined by Mr. Laffan 285-311

Chapter XIV

The Campaign commenced — We join the Patriot Army— Orders to hold the Fort of Guamoco against all Assailants — A Thunderstorm— Survey of the Fort from a Height — The Enemy in the Distance — We take Possession of the Fort, and repair it — Spanish Officers appear — Two of them shot by our Men — The Spaniards attack us fiercely, but are driven back — They return, to meet with another Repulse — The Enemy at length retire — We expect another Attack 312-325

Chapter XV

Captain Laffan and I go out to reconnoitre— A Prisoner— Gaining Information —The Spaniards twice assault the Fort, and are repulsed with Slaughter— We lose a Number of Men— A Council of War— Scarcity of Ammunition and Provisions— Don Juan invites two of us to obtain Assistance— Laffan and I undertake the Duty— We set out — Narrowly escape the Spaniards— Enter a Town lately sacked by them — Obtain Refreshment — Directed on our Course —A Bivouac for the Night— We proceed next Morning— Laffan's Horse bitten by a Snake— My Companion trudges forward on Foot— We reach a Farm — Obtain Shelter and Food, A Horse and a Guide, and continue our Journey 32G-344

CONTEXTS- XI

Chapter XVI

Our Guide complains of our rapid Pace — He leaves us — We meet Captain Lopez —Our Doubts as to his Object— In a deserted Hut — We meet Uncle Richard and a Body of Infantry — We turn back with him— A rapid Stream — Finding a Bridge — The Spaniards advancing — A Rush to gain the Bridge — We reach it first— A Fight— The Spaniards defeated— No Prisoners taken— We approach the Fort— Captain Laffan and I ride on to reconnoitre— Signs of Disaster— Our men fire — A Flock of Galenachas rises from the Fort, which appears in Ruins — Dead Bodies scattered about — Discovery of that of Juan —We raise a Tomb over his Grave— The Army of Bolivar— Description of the General — Treachery of Colonel Lopez — Attempt to assassinate Bolivar — Numerous Engagements — Praise from the General — My return Home — An Interview with Dona Dolores — She joins the Army — War the greatest Curse that can afflict a Country— Conclusion 345-368 of r\Wf-*

Ilustration*.

Don Juan's Volunteers .... Frontispiece Fort and Roadstead of Buenaventura 19

View of Popayan 29

Fruits of New Granada 41

Don Ricardo's House 45

The Serenade 51

Dona Dolores 57

An Indian Sportsman 6'5

Household Duties 75

An Aged Indian 81

The AVaterf all 85

A Rural Scene 89

A Wall-making Machine 107

Fugitives 121

The Patriot Camp 139

A Bamboo Bridge 147

Paul Lobo 163

The Town of Calli 177

The "Wax-Palm 1S5

By the Side of the Cauca 1S9

A Group of Natives 193

ASillero 203

The Ascent of the Mountain 209

The"Salto" 221

A Party of Recruits 231

The Calle Real 237

The Market in the Great Square .. 241

A Tarabita 263

Through the Forest 281

A Dance of Indians 289

Our Halting-Place 293

Our Guide swims across the

Cauca 299

Catching "Wild Horses 307

On the Look-Out 317

A Deserted Town 337

An Ingenious Structure 353

IN NEW GRANADA.

Chapter I

INTRODUCTORY — .MY FATHER'S HISTORY — ENTERS THE NAVY AS A SURGEON — •

LEARNS SPANISH APPOINTED TO THE " ZEBRA," IN THE PACIFIC — TAKES

DICKY DUFF UNDER HIS CHARGE, — A SHOOTING EXPEDITION ON SHORE — CAT*TURED BY SPANIARDS ON COAST OF GUATEMALA ^WITH DICKY AND PAUL LORO — CARRIED TO PANAMA — MEETS AN OLD FRIEND, WHO TAKES HIM TO GUAYAQUIL — VISIT LOJA TO INSPECT PERUVIAN BARK — MEETS

DR. CAZALLA ACCOMPANIES HIM TO POPAYAN HE MARRIES MISS

CAZALLA, TVnO BECOMES MY MOTHER; AND RICHARD DUFFIELD MARRIES HER NIECE, AN HEIRESS— THEY BOTH SETTLE AT POPAYAN.

HE circumstances which led my father, Dr. Andrew Sinclair, to settle in New Granada — the land of mv birth — are of so romantic a character, that I cannot better preface an account of my own adventures in that country than by narrating them.

My grandfather, Duncan Sinclair, after whom I was named, was a member of an old Covenanter family in Dumfriesshire, and was the parent of six sons, — all of whom, with the exception of the eldest, who inherited the estate, had to seek their fortune in the world. My father was his fourth son. Having

14 DICKY DUFF.

gone through a medical course at the University of Edinburgh, where he gained not only a knowledge of his profession, but of science generally, he entered the Royal Navy as an assistant^surgeon, and was ultimately promoted to the rank of surgeon. Among his many other talents, he possessed that of acquiring foreign languages, and he spoke French and Spanish remarkably well; though at the time he learned the latter — from a wounded Spanish prisoner,

whose life was saved by his skill — he little thought how useful it would prove to him. After visiting many parts of the world, adding greatly to his store of information, he was appointed to the Zebra sloopof-war of eighteen guns, which soon after sailed for the Pacific.

Among the youngsters on board was a midshipman named Richard Duffield, — generally known, however, as Dicky Duff. He was the orphan son of an old messmate, who had been killed in action. The brave lieutenant's last thoughts, as he lay mortally wounded in the cockpit, the guns still thundering overhead, were about his son.

" The boy's mother is dead, and when I am gone he'll not have a friend in the world. Doctor, will you look after him ? I know you will ! "

"Don't let any doubt about that trouble you. I'll act a father's part towards your boy as well as I am able," was the answer.

My father faithfully fulfilled his promise; and when the boy was old enough, he got him placed on the quarter-deck, and generally managed to take him to

EARLY ADVENTURES OF MY FATHER. 15

sea with himself. Richard Duffield was grateful for the kindness shown him, and became much attached to his protector, with whom he had many tastes in common.

My father, whenever he had an opportunity, was in the habit of going on shore with his gun, to obtain specimens of the birds and beasts of the country; while he also frequently brought off a bag of game for the benefit of the commander and his own messmates. On such occasions he was generally accompanied by Dicky Duff, who had become as good a sportsman as himself.

On one occasion, when the Zebra was off the coast of Guatemala in Central America, my father, having obtained a boat from the commander, left the ship, taking with him Dicky Duff, and their constant attendant, Paul Lobo, an African seaman, and a crew of six men. No inhabitants appearing, the boat was hauled up on the beach, and the crew amused themselves at leap-frog and other games, while my father and his two attendants proceeded some way inland. Having had very good sport, and filled their bags, my father sent back the midshipman and Paul to the boat with the game, while he continued shooting, hoping to obtain some more birds.

He had been thus employed for some time, and was thinking of returning, when the sound of several shots reached his ears. These were followed by a regular volley, and he had too much reason to fear that the inhabitants had attacked the boat. Instead, therefore, of returning to her, he made his way

16 MADE PRISONERS.

'directly towards the shore. Emerging from the forest, -which reached almost to the water's edge, he saw the boat at some distance off, with a party of men on the beach firing at her. His hope was that Dicky and Paul had already got on board before the boat shoved off. The distance was considerable, but still he hoped to be able to swim to her; so, leaving his gun and ammunition, with the game he had shot, under a tree, he plunged into

the water. He had got some distance from the shore when he found that he was discovered, by seeing a shot strike the water not far from him. On looking round, what was his dismay to perceive Dicky and Paul in the hands of the Spaniards ! He could not desert them, and consequently he at once turned and swam back, hoping that by explaining their object in visiting the shore he might obtain their release. But no sooner did he land than the Spaniards rushed down and seized him. In vain lie expostulated. "He and his companions belonged to a ship of war, and they wished to be able to boast that they had made three prisoners." They told him, however, that if he would make signals to the boat to return, they would give him and his younger companions their liberty. On his refusing to act so treacherously, they became very angry, and bound his hands behind him, as well as those of Dicky and Paul. The seamen at once pulled back to the ship, when the captain sent a flag of truce on shore to try and recover his surgeon and midshipman ; but the Spaniards refused to give them up.

AN OLD FRIEND. 17

After being kept prisoners for some time, they were sent down to Panama. Here, though strictly guarded, they were not ill-treated; and when it became known that my father was a surgeon, many persons, of all ranks, applied to him for advice. He was thus the means of effecting several cures, by which he obtained numerous friends. Indeed, he might here have established a good practice, and have comfortably supported himself and his companions; but he was anxious, for Dicky's sake especially, to return with him to the ship. There was no place, however, nearer than Cartagena, at which it "was customary to exchange prisoners ; and how to get to it, was the difficulty.

He had been kept a prisoner for some months, when, passing through the streets, he met his old acquaintance, Don Tomaso Serrano, from whom, while Don Tomaso was a prisoner on board his ship, he had learned Spanish. They immediately recognized each other, and expressed their pleasure at meeting. Don Tomaso, on hearing what had befallen my father, told him that he was in command of a man-of-war schooner, and was about to proceed in her to the southward. "Although I cannot obtain your liberty," he said, "I have sufficient influence to get leave for you and your companions to come on board my vessel and proceed with me as far as Guayaquil. I have friends there, whom I hope to interest in your favour ; and by their influence you will, I hope, be able to obtain permission to land and travel across the country to Honda, from whence you can make

your way down the river to Cartagena. It is a (mo) 2

18 A VOYAGE TO THE SOUTH.

round-about route, but it may prove the shortest in the end. You will have an opportunity, too, of seeing a beautiful region ; and you cannot fail, I am sure, to be hospitably treated wherever you go."

My father at once closed with Don Tomaso's offer, and was allowed to go on board the schooner, accompanied by Dicky and Paul. Having obtained a considerable sum of money, he was able to dress both of them, as well as himself, in Spanish costume, so that they did not attract attention; and as both he and Paul spoke Spanish perfectly, they were generally taken for natives. Though still prisoners, the party

were treated with the greatest kindness, and enjoyed as much liberty as they could desire.

Heavy weather coming on, the schooner ran into the port of Buenaventura. Beyond the bay, opening into it, is a lagoon of considerable extent. On one side is the town, a great part of which is built on piles at the water's edge. The place has but little to recommend it; indeed, there are scarcely a dozen houses of any size, while the rest of the buildings have a miserable appearance both without and within. Above the town stands the church, — a building of no architectural pretensions, and greatly resembling a barn. Buenaventura is the port of a considerable district, embracing the valley of the Cauca. The climate, however, owing to the constant damp and heat, which produce intermittent fevers, prevents foreigners from residing here ; indeed, it rains nearly every day in the year.

Most of my father's time on shore was occupied in

D I- Z UJ > <

z

UJ

D

m

LL

o

a

LU c

< o

Q Z <

H tt O

a

DOCTOR CAZALLA. 21

visiting persons suffering from ague, and in prescribing for them. What a blessing, indeed, can a clever medical man prove in such regions ! He is like a heaven-sent messenger carrying relief to the sick and suffering.

The weather moderating, the schooner continued her voyage, and at length reached Guayaquil, the port of Quito, to the south of which it is situated, at the head of the Gulf of Guayaquil. Here Don Tomaso proved as good as his word, and obtained leave from the governor for my father to travel with his attendants through the country.

While on shore at Guayaquil, he heard that in the region of the little town of Loja, three days' journey off, grew in the greatest profusion the cinchona, or Peruvian bark tree, at that time but comparatively little known in Europe. Although my father was well acquainted with the beneficial effect produced by the bark in cases of intermittent fever, he was anxious to ascertain, by personal examination, the other peculiarities of the tree. He obtained leave, therefore, from the governor, to proceed in the first instance to Loja. That place he reached without difficulty. On his arrival in the town, he found that a Spanish doctor was residing there for the same object, but that he was now laid up by a severe attack of illness, unable to continue his researches. My father immediately called on him, and found that he was no other than Doctor Cazalla, a physician widely

celebrated for his scientific knowledge and talents. Introducing himself as a medical man, my father

MARRIED AND SETTLED.

offered to prescribe for his brother physician, and in

a short time had the satisfaction of restoring him to health. The two doctors then set out together on an expedition of botanical research, in which both Dicky and Paul accompanied them.

The time thus spent together having resulted in the establishment of a warm friendship between my father and the Spanish doctor, the latter prevailed upon him to visit Popayan, his native place, on the way to Cartagena, Their journey over that mountainregion amid which Chimborazo towers to the sky, was interesting in the extreme. I have often heard my father speak of it. Popayan was at length safely reached, with the botanical treasures they had collected ; and here my father was induced to remain for some time, in order to assist his friend in their arrangement. Before their labours came to an end, my father and Dicky were taken seriously ill It now became the turn of the Spanish doctor to attend to them. He, however, was aided in his task by two ladies, — his sister and a young niece ; the latter taking Dicky under her special charge. The result was that my father married the doctor's sister, and Dicky fell desperately in love with his niece. The war with Spain was by this time over, and the Zebra had returned to England, so my father and his young charge, believing that they had little prospect of getting on in the navy, determined to remain where they were. As Doctor Cazalla was engrossed in scientific pursuits, he gladly yielded up his practice to my father, his brother-in-law, whose

ANOTHER WEDDING. 23

r

fame as a physician was soon established in the town and throughout the surrounding district.

Richard Duffield, for I ought now to give him his proper name, in the course of a few years married Dona Maria, the girl who had so affectionately tended him, and who proved to be the heiress to a nice estate in the neighbourhood, to the improvement of which, when he became the proprietor, Richard devoted his time and attention; while Paul Lobo remained with my father as his personal attendant and general factotum.

Chapter II

ODR STUDIES INTERRUPTED — DON JUAN Dfl LEON — A RTDE TO VISIT DOS KICARDO, ACCOMPANIED BY HUGH AND OUR TUTOR, MR LAPFAN — DESCRIPTION OF POPAYAN — TYRANNICAL TREATMENT OF NEW GRANADA AND VENEZUELA BY THE SPANIARDS — PREVIOUS STRUGGLES OF THE COLONISTS FOR LIBERTY — FEARFUL CRUELTIES INFLICTED ON THEM BY THE SPANIARDS — MY UNCLE, DR. CAZALLA, A KNOWN LIBERAL — HIS DANGEROUS POSITION — HOW MR, LAFFAN BECAME OUR TUTOR— JUAN EXPATIATES ON THE PERFECTIONS OF DONA DOLORES, AND INVITES ME TO ACCOMPANY HIM ON A VISIT — PASS A PARTY OF INDIANS — DON KICARDO'S HACIENDA — FRUITS OF NEW GRANADA — INVITED TO STAY — JTJAN, OUR TUTOR, AND I SERENADE DONA DOLORES — THE INTERVIEW — DONA DOLORES ENDEAVOURS TO AROUSE JUAN'S PATRIOTISM — MUSIC VICTORIOUS — A HEROINE — JUAN DEVOTES HIMSELF TO THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM,

OLLOA ! mio amigo Senor Duncan, come

down ! I want to have a talk with you.

You can spare a few minutes from your

books."

Leaving the table at which I was seated

with my brother Hugh and our tutor, Mr. Michael Laffan, I went to the window, which looked out into the court of our house at Popayan, when I saw that the person who had hailed me was our friend Don Juan de Leon. He had just ridden in, mounted on a fine black horse, his special pride; and as he gracefully sat his steed, he looked a remarkably handsome young fellow. His costume, too, — a broad-brimmed

BON JUAN DE LEON. 25

sombrero, a feather secured to it by a jewelled buckle, a richly-trimmed poncho or capote over his shoulders, broad leggings, ornamented with braiding and tags, and large silver spurs, — became him well.

" Come down, Duncan, I want to speak to you," he said, beckoning to me.

Having obtained permission, I descended to the courtyard with a hop, skip, and jump. After shaking hands, I begged him to come in ; as I was sure the ladies of my family would be glad to see him.

" I have no time now," he answered; " I hope to pay my respects to-morrow."

" What have you to say to me?" I asked.

" I want you to come with me to visit your friends Don Ricardo and Dona Maria at Egido. You can

easily obtain a holiday from Senor Miguel. As the ride is a long one, I shall be glad of your companionship. You will have no objection either, I am sure, to enjo}'ing the bright smiles of your sweet little cousin, Dona Rosa, their daughter."

Don Ricardo, I should explain, was our old friend Richard Duffield; and Senor Miguel was Mr. Michael Laffan, our tutor.

" She is not my cousin, though we are both half British, and our fathers are old friends. But confess, Juan, that you have another object in going to Egido. You will have no objection either to pay a visit on your way to Dona Dolores Montaverde, and to bask in her sweet smiles," I rejoined, repeating his words. " However, as Mr. Laffan would say, ' Amicus certus in re incerta, cerniter ' (A true friend is discovered in

26 MR. LAFFAN.

a doubtful matter), I shall be very glad to accompany you ; and be of any service in my power, if I can obtain leave."