In New Granada Part 5

CHAPTER FOUR.

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.

During the night information was received that the Spaniards, two days before, had entered Bouga, on the Cauca, leaving us in no doubt that they were advancing up the valley, and might be expected in our neighbourhood in the course of three or four days--perhaps even their cavalry might appear sooner, as they probably, thinking there was no force to oppose them, would push on ahead of the main body. My father therefore kept to his resolution of sending off my mother and sister; and the next morning at daylight, after a hurried breakfast, the horses and mules were brought round to the courtyard, ready to start. My mother and sister, and the female attendants, rode the mules; the rest of the party were mounted on horseback. It was settled that Mr Laffan and I should accompany them to Egido, as we could without difficulty be back before nightfall.

Our uncle, Dr Cazalla, came to see our mother off.

"I wish that you would accompany us, my dear brother," she said. "If the Spaniards take the place, you are certain to be annoyed and persecuted, even should no worse consequences follow."

"No, no; I must stay at my post, as your husband intends doing. We must set a good example. If the princ.i.p.al people run away, what may be expected of others?"

My mother's entreaties were of no avail, so Uncle Richard, finding that all was ready, gave the word to move on.

We proceeded as fast as the mules could travel, and by noon arrived at Uncle Richard's hacienda, where Aunt Maria and Rosa gave my mother a warm reception.

"We shall here, I trust, be safe from the Spaniards; but if we hear of their coming, we must take to the mountains, where even they will be unable to find us," said Dona Maria.

"But what will become of the house and estate?" asked my mother.

"We must leave that matter in G.o.d's hands," answered Dona Maria. "If the fruit trees are cut down, and the corn destroyed, he can restore them. The G.o.dos cannot prevent that."

As soon as our horses had baited, the dominie and I prepared to start on our return. I embraced my mother and sister affectionately, and bade farewell to dear little Rosa and Aunt Maria. We knew not what might occur before we should meet again. I had, while staying at the house, admired a fine dog called Lion, which had grown from a puppy into a n.o.ble animal since I first saw him. The creature had taken a great fancy to me, too, and this had been observed by Uncle Richard.

"I make you a present of him, Duncan," said Uncle Richard; "he will prove faithful, I am sure, and may possibly be of service."

Lion was a species of hound, with a thick tawny coat and large paws, possessing prodigious strength. He was good-tempered and obedient, but at the same time it was very evident that he could fight desperately with those powerful jaws of his. Patting his head, I told him that he was to accompany us, and he seemed fully to understand me. The dominie was already mounted. Lion looked at Uncle Richard when he saw me getting on horseback, as if to ask if he was to go. Uncle Richard nodded, and pointed to me. So Lion set off, keeping close to my heels all the way, clearly understanding that I was in future to be his master.

Mr Laffan was as eager to get back to the town as I was, in order to hear the news. We were still about half a league from Popayan, when we saw, in an open s.p.a.ce near a wood, a considerable body of men, some on horseback, others on foot, with flags fluttering above their heads. As we approached, one of them rode out to meet us, in whom I recognised Don Juan, though much changed in appearance. Instead of his civil garb he was dressed in military fashion, with a long lance in his hand, a carbine at his back, and pistols in his holsters.

"I have not been idle, you see, Duncan," he observed, after we had greeted each other. "I have raised fifty fine fellows, and hope to have a hundred more mounted and armed in a day or two. If every gentleman will do the same, we shall soon collect a Patriot force sufficient to drive back the Spaniards."

We rode forward with him to see his troop. The larger number were mounted, but there were some infantry armed with long guns--tall, sinewy fellows, dressed in broad-brimmed hats, loose trousers, and coats fastened by pouch belts round their waists. The hors.e.m.e.n also wore large sombreros, leggings and huge spurs, and tight-fitting jackets; and they were armed with spears and swords of various lengths. Some had pistols, others carbines, but the lance was the princ.i.p.al weapon.

We rode together into the town,--the infantry, who wore only sandals on their feet, keeping up with the horses. We were pa.s.sing down one of the streets on our way to a convent which the authorities had turned into barracks, when a lady appeared at a balcony. Juan reined in his steed, and ordered his men to halt. I recognised Dona Dolores. My friend bowed low, with a look of pride on his countenance. Dona Dolores smiled, and addressed a few encouraging words to the men, reminding them of the cruelties which had often been inflicted by the hated G.o.dos, urging them to fight bravely, and not to sheathe their swords until they had driven their foes into the sea. The men cheered, and Dona Dolores saying she would no longer delay them, we rode on.

The dominie and I parted from Juan at the next turning, and soon reached home. Finding that my father was just setting out to attend a large party given at the house of Don Carlos Mosquera, one of the princ.i.p.al inhabitants of the place, Mr Laffan and I hurriedly dressed and accompanied him. Though ostensibly a ball, the real object was to bring persons of Liberal principles together, of both s.e.xes. As many of the upper cla.s.ses took a warm interest in the cause of freedom, nearly all the ladies of the influential families were there, with their husbands and fathers. I was surprised, also, to see several parish priests, who were as warm in the cause as any other person. Indeed, one of these padres had donned a semi-military costume, and announced his intention of aiding his countrymen with his sword. Those who knew him best said that he could fight as well as he could preach.

I soon met Dona Dolores and her father. She smiled, and beckoned me to her.

"I was glad to see you just now with Don Juan, and I hope that you will obtain your father's leave to join his corps," she said.

I replied that I would gladly do so, but that at present my father wished me to remain with him at Popayan.

While we were speaking Don Juan joined us, when Dona Dolores complimented him on his zeal and activity in so soon getting together a body of men.

"We have got the men, the arms, and the horses, but we all require what cannot so readily be obtained--the necessary discipline," he answered.

"I myself require to learn the duties of an officer, for, except that I can use a sword and lance, I know little of military affairs."

"You will soon learn, Juan," said Dona Dolores in encouraging tones; "you must obtain an expert instructor, and your own natural talents will point out to you how to act on most occasions."

Just then a military officer approached and bowed to Dona Dolores. I saw an expression of scorn pa.s.s over her countenance, un.o.bserved by Juan, who, saluting the officer, addressed him as Captain Lopez.

"The very man I want," observed my friend. "I have just raised a body of men, who require to be disciplined. You have had experience; you must join me, if you do not already belong to a regiment."

I did not hear the answer given by Captain Lopez, but Dona Dolores, turning to me, said, "He is not to be trusted; a mean-spirited fellow, though a great boaster. You must tell Juan not to accept his services."

This Captain Lopez was, I afterwards found, a rejected suitor for the hand of Dona Dolores. With her clear perception, she had discovered that he did not possess the qualities she could admire.

Juan and Captain Lopez had gone to some distance, and were engaged in eager conversation. During this time several persons had come up and asked Dona Dolores to dance; but she declined, saying that she was in no mood for such an amus.e.m.e.nt. She contrived, however, to keep most of them by her side for some time, while she urged on them the duty of joining the Patriot cause. I left her surrounded by a number of gentlemen, and went to look after Juan, to whom I wished to repeat the remarks I had heard from Dona Dolores. I found him at length in an alcove, still talking with Captain Lopez. The captain's countenance, as I watched him at a little distance, impressed me very unfavourably.

There was a scowl on his brow, and a peculiar wrinkle about his lips, which made me feel that I for one would not trust him; and I hoped that my friend would not be induced to do so either.

I waited until the captain quitted Juan, to whom I then went up, and told him what Dona Dolores had said.

"She is too probably right, for she has wonderful perception of character; but, unfortunately, I have engaged Captain Lopez to come and drill my men, and I cannot now well put him off without his considering himself insulted. However, I will remember the warning I have received, and not trust him too much. I intend to bear the whole expense of the corps myself, and am anxious to get some smart young officers. I wish that you would join us, Duncan. You would soon learn your duties; they come almost by instinct to some people."

"If I can get my father's leave, depend upon it I will," I answered; "and as Mr Laffan has seen some service, I have no doubt that he will a.s.sist you. Perhaps he himself will join. I suspect that he would be as well able to drill your corps as Captain Lopez."

Several gentlemen present had been engaged in raising men; and, I was told, there were already upwards of two thousand troops in town, though few of them were sufficiently disciplined to meet the enemy. Other Patriot leaders were scouring the country round to obtain recruits, and these, in small parties, were coming in during the night.

In spite of the serious aspect of affairs, the people at this ball danced as much as ever. The card-tables were also filled, but the players stopped very frequently, forgetting the game to discuss matters of importance. I understood that there were men on the watch at the doors, to give notice should any foes to the Liberal party make their appearance.

"I found, on our return home, that my father was pretty well satisfied with the enthusiasm exhibited by the people generally.

"Bloodshed I fear there must be, for the Spaniards fancy that they can overthrow liberty with a few blows, and are determined to stamp it out; but they are mistaken," he observed.

From dawn the next morning, till nightfall, the new levies were undergoing drill in the great square. I saw Juan at the head of his men, and Captain Lopez drilling them.

"Don't you think you can give my friend Juan a helping hand?" I said to Mr Laffan, who had accompanied me.

"Faith, it's not impossible!" he exclaimed, his eye brightening. "If he asks me, I'll try to brush up my knowledge of such matters."

I told Juan what the dominie had said, when he at once came forward and begged that he would take charge of a part of his men.

"Is it the cavalry or the infantry?" asked Mr Laffan.

"The cavalry are the most important," answered Juan. "Here is a spare horse at your service."

Mr Laffan at once leapt into the saddle, and going to the head of the men, formed them into line. To my surprise, he gave the proper orders in Spanish without hesitation, and soon showed that he had had no little experience as a cavalry officer. He kept the men at work for three hours without cessation, after which they were dismissed for breakfast.

Captain Lopez cast a scowl at us as he pa.s.sed on his way to his quarters, without deigning to compliment Mr Laffan on his proficiency.

Juan accompanied us home to breakfast, and afterwards we returned to the square, when, to my surprise, the dominie took the infantry in hand, and drilled them for four hours in a still more thorough way even than he had done the cavalry.

"If we had but a few British sergeants and corporals, we should make something of these fellows in a few weeks," he observed. "I would be mightily obliged to the enemy if they would but wait till then; we should by that time be able to give a good account of them."

Don Juan, as might have been expected, begged Mr Laffan to join his corps, offering him the command of either of the companies.

"I am engaged to the doctor, and cannot quit his service unless he dismisses me," he answered; "but, while I have the opportunity, I will gladly drill your men for as many hours as they can stand on their legs.

Some years have pa.s.sed since I have done any soldiering, and it makes me feel young again to be so engaged."

While the levies were drilling, the townspeople--including old men, women, and children--were employed, under the few officers who had any knowledge of engineering, in throwing up batteries and forming entrenchments round the town. In some cases the walls were strengthened by the aid of a machine, consisting of a large square bottomless box, into which the mud was thrown, and then beaten down hard. A number of these boxes were used at a time, and it was extraordinary with what rapidity a strong wall could thus be erected. The mud was brought in carts, in baskets, and in various other ways, and thrown into the box.