In New Granada; Or, Heroes and Patriots

by William Henry Giles Kingston

  CHAPTER FOUR.

  MY MOTHER AND SISTER LEAVE POPAYAN WITH UNCLE RICHARD--MR. LAFFAN AND IACCOMPANY THEM--LION GIVEN TO ME--MEET JUAN AND HIS TROOP--HEAR ANINSPIRITING ADDRESS FROM DONA DOLORES--A POLITICAL BALL AT DON CARLOSMOSQUERA'S--DONA DOLORES WARNS ME AGAINST CAPTAIN LOPEZ--SHE ENLISTSNUMEROUS RECRUITS--THE DOMINIE SHOWS THAT HE HAS HAD MILITARYEXPERIENCE--DRILLING THE LEVIES--THE CITIZENS EMPLOYED IN ERECTINGFORTIFICATIONS--THE ENEMY APPROACH--PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEFENCE--THESUMMONS TO ARMS--THE CITY ATTACKED--MR. LAFFAN AND I JOIN DON JUAN--THEENEMY DRIVEN BACK--A SORTIE--THE ENEMY ATTACKED--GUNS CAPTURED--RETURNIN TRIUMPH TO THE CITY.

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

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

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

  "No, no; I must stay at my post, as your husband intends doing. We mustset a good example. If the principal people run away, what may beexpected of others?"

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

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

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

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

  "We must leave that matter in God's hands," answered Dona Maria. "Ifthe fruit trees are cut down, and the corn destroyed, he can restorethem. The Godos cannot prevent that."

  As soon as our horses had baited, the dominie and I prepared to start onour return. I embraced my mother and sister affectionately, and badefarewell to dear little Rosa and Aunt Maria. We knew not what mightoccur 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 anoble animal since I first saw him. The creature had taken a greatfancy to me, too, and this had been observed by Uncle Richard.

  "I make you a present of him, Duncan," said Uncle Richard; "he willprove 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, butat the same time it was very evident that he could fight desperatelywith those powerful jaws of his. Patting his head, I told him that hewas to accompany us, and he seemed fully to understand me. The dominiewas already mounted. Lion looked at Uncle Richard when he saw megetting on horseback, as if to ask if he was to go. Uncle Richardnodded, and pointed to me. So Lion set off, keeping close to my heelsall the way, clearly understanding that I was in future to be hismaster.

  Mr Laffan was as eager to get back to the town as I was, in order tohear the news. We were still about half a league from Popayan, when wesaw, in an open space near a wood, a considerable body of men, some onhorseback, others on foot, with flags fluttering above their heads. Aswe approached, one of them rode out to meet us, in whom I recognised DonJuan, though much changed in appearance. Instead of his civil garb hewas dressed in military fashion, with a long lance in his hand, acarbine at his back, and pistols in his holsters.

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

  We rode forward with him to see his troop. The larger number weremounted, but there were some infantry armed with long guns--tall, sinewyfellows, dressed in broad-brimmed hats, loose trousers, and coatsfastened by pouch belts round their waists. The horsemen also worelarge sombreros, leggings and huge spurs, and tight-fitting jackets; andthey were armed with spears and swords of various lengths. Some hadpistols, others carbines, but the lance was the principal weapon.

  We rode together into the town,--the infantry, who wore only sandals ontheir feet, keeping up with the horses. We were passing down one of thestreets on our way to a convent which the authorities had turned intobarracks, when a lady appeared at a balcony. Juan reined in his steed,and ordered his men to halt. I recognised Dona Dolores. My friendbowed low, with a look of pride on his countenance. Dona Doloressmiled, and addressed a few encouraging words to the men, reminding themof the cruelties which had often been inflicted by the hated Godos,urging them to fight bravely, and not to sheathe their swords until theyhad driven their foes into the sea. The men cheered, and Dona Doloressaying she would no longer delay them, we rode on.

  The dominie and I parted from Juan at the next turning, and soon reachedhome. Finding that my father was just setting out to attend a largeparty given at the house of Don Carlos Mosquera, one of the principalinhabitants of the place, Mr Laffan and I hurriedly dressed andaccompanied him. Though ostensibly a ball, the real object was to bringpersons of Liberal principles together, of both sexes. As many of theupper classes took a warm interest in the cause of freedom, nearly allthe ladies of the influential families were there, with their husbandsand fathers. I was surprised, also, to see several parish priests, whowere as warm in the cause as any other person. Indeed, one of thesepadres had donned a semi-military costume, and announced his intentionof aiding his countrymen with his sword. Those who knew him best saidthat he could fight as well as he could preach.

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

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

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

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

  "We have got the men, the arms, and the horses, but we all require whatcannot so readily be obtained--the necessary discipline," he answered."I myself require to learn the duties of an officer, for, except that Ican 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 willpoint out to you how to act on most occasions."

  Just then a military officer approached and bowed to Dona Dolores. Isaw an expression of scorn pass over her countenance, unobserved byJuan, who, saluting the officer, addressed him as Captain Lopez.

  "The very man I want," observed my friend. "I have just raised a bodyof men, who require to be disciplined. You have had experience; youmust 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 thehand of Dona Dolores. With her clear perception, she had discoveredthat he did not possess the qualities sh
e could admire.

  Juan and Captain Lopez had gone to some distance, and were engaged ineager conversation. During this time several persons had come up andasked Dona Dolores to dance; but she declined, saying that she was in nomood for such an amusement. She contrived, however, to keep most ofthem by her side for some time, while she urged on them the duty ofjoining the Patriot cause. I left her surrounded by a number ofgentlemen, and went to look after Juan, to whom I wished to repeat theremarks I had heard from Dona Dolores. I found him at length in analcove, still talking with Captain Lopez. The captain's countenance, asI 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 thatmy friend would not be induced to do so either.

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

  "She is too probably right, for she has wonderful perception ofcharacter; but, unfortunately, I have engaged Captain Lopez to come anddrill my men, and I cannot now well put him off without his consideringhimself insulted. However, I will remember the warning I have received,and not trust him too much. I intend to bear the whole expense of thecorps myself, and am anxious to get some smart young officers. I wishthat you would join us, Duncan. You would soon learn your duties; theycome 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 willassist you. Perhaps he himself will join. I suspect that he would beas well able to drill your corps as Captain Lopez."

  Several gentlemen present had been engaged in raising men; and, I wastold, there were already upwards of two thousand troops in town, thoughfew of them were sufficiently disciplined to meet the enemy. OtherPatriot leaders were scouring the country round to obtain recruits, andthese, in small parties, were coming in during the night.

  In spite of the serious aspect of affairs, the people at this balldanced as much as ever. The card-tables were also filled, but theplayers stopped very frequently, forgetting the game to discuss mattersof importance. I understood that there were men on the watch at thedoors, to give notice should any foes to the Liberal party make theirappearance.

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

  "Bloodshed I fear there must be, for the Spaniards fancy that they canoverthrow 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 wereundergoing drill in the great square. I saw Juan at the head of hismen, and Captain Lopez drilling them.

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

  "Faith, it's not impossible!" he exclaimed, his eye brightening. "If heasks 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 andbegged 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 sparehorse at your service."

  Mr Laffan at once leapt into the saddle, and going to the head of themen, formed them into line. To my surprise, he gave the proper ordersin Spanish without hesitation, and soon showed that he had had no littleexperience as a cavalry officer. He kept the men at work for threehours without cessation, after which they were dismissed for breakfast.Captain Lopez cast a scowl at us as he passed on his way to hisquarters, without deigning to compliment Mr Laffan on his proficiency.Juan accompanied us home to breakfast, and afterwards we returned to thesquare, when, to my surprise, the dominie took the infantry in hand, anddrilled them for four hours in a still more thorough way even than hehad done the cavalry.

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

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

  "I am engaged to the doctor, and cannot quit his service unless hedismisses me," he answered; "but, while I have the opportunity, I willgladly drill your men for as many hours as they can stand on their legs.Some years have passed since I have done any soldiering, and it makesme 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 anyknowledge of engineering, in throwing up batteries and formingentrenchments round the town. In some cases the walls were strengthenedby 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 ofthese boxes were used at a time, and it was extraordinary with whatrapidity a strong wall could thus be erected. The mud was brought incarts, in baskets, and in various other ways, and thrown into the box.Additional strength was gained by forming a slope on the outer side. Anumber of guns buried on a former occasion by the Patriots, to concealthem from the Spaniards, were also dug up, and mounted. Night and daythe people worked, for every hour gained added to the strength of theplace, and increased the prospect of successfully resisting the enemy.

  There were several known Royalists in Popayan, who had hitherto remainedquiet; and many of them, on seeing the preparations made for thedefence, hurriedly left the town. Many Liberals also sent off theirfamilies, to avoid the risk to which they would be exposed. Among theRoyalists I met the Bishop of Popayan, Don Salvador Ximenes, mounted ona splendid horse, and attended by his secretary and severalecclesiastics--who, but for their hats, I should have taken for militaryofficers, for they were all armed to the teeth, and had a decidedlymartial aspect. My father knew the bishop well, while I had often seenhim. Though a somewhat small man, he was remarkably well-made, and hada good-natured, open countenance, with sparkling grey eyes. Hissecretary was a tall, good-looking fellow, with a broad pair ofshoulders, but bearded like a pard, and looking little like a priest;indeed, he had formerly been a captain of dragoons in Spain, until hefollowed the bishop out to South America. Don Salvador had been canonof the cathedral at Malaga when Buonaparte invaded Spain. On thatoccasion, throwing off his ecclesiastical garb, he had assumed the rankof a colonel, and by his preachings and exhortations he had aroused theSpanish peasantry to resist the French. On the restoration of Ferdinandthe Seventh to the crown of Spain, the _ci-devant_ colonel was createdBishop of Popayan, then in possession of the Spaniards, where he hadmade himself very popular among all ranks, notwithstanding his politicalopinions.

  On meeting the martial-looking bishop and his companions, I felt surethat his departure foreboded no good to the Patriot cause. I bowed tohim as I passed, and he gave me a nod of recognition, although he waswell aware that I was not a member of his flock.

  I at once rode on to Don Carlos Mosquera's house, to inform him of thedeparture of the bishop, should he not be acquainted with it.

  "Let him go," he answered. "He will do more harm to liberty inside thetown than he will do without; and we cannot imprison him. If he comesas an enemy, a bullet may put a stop to his intrigues."

  I frequently met Dona Dolores on the parade-ground, riding a handsomehorse, and attended by her father, Juan, and others. She on severaloccasions addressed the men, especially the new recruits, and urged themto be faithful to the noble cause in which they were engaged. She alsooccupied herself in writing to Patriots in various parts of the country,or to persons whom she hoped to win over.

  While the citizens were working away in the town, scouts were sent out,that we might have early notice of the approach of the enemy. Severaldays elapsed, however, without any ne
ws of their approach, and thisafforded time for fortifying the city and increasing the number of itsdefenders. So confident did the Patriots at length become, that it wasproposed to march out and encounter the enemy in the open country; butwiser counsels prevailed. Our men were ill-disciplined, and we had nofield-artillery.

  Upwards of a week had passed, when the scouts brought in the informationthat the Spaniards were advancing. Still two or three days must elapsebefore they could reach Popayan. The interval was spent instrengthening the fortifications, and otherwise preparing for thedefence of the city. Provisions were brought in, and gunpowder and shotmanufactured, while the drilling of the men went on as energetically asat first. White men, Indians, and blacks, all seemed to take a realpleasure in their duties. The army was certainly a motley one, both incostume and colour, composed as it was of men of every shade from whiteto black--the dark, however, predominating; several of the officers wereblack, and others had Indian blood in their veins, if they were not pureIndians. Where all fight for liberty, however, the only qualificationsrequired for command are talent and courage. Not a few even of thehighest rank could neither read nor write.

  My father, I may here say, had half consented that I should join DonJuan's troop, and had given leave to Mr Laffan to act as he feltinclined.

  The enemy had now got within three leagues of the city. Some deserterswho came in--or rather, I should say, some Liberals who had made theirescape from the Royalist ranks--informed us that they were not at allprepared for the resistance they would meet with, as they were not awarethat the city was so strongly fortified and garrisoned.

  Each night we went to bed expecting that the next day might be that ofbattle; but I was one morning awakened by hearing all the bells in thecity ringing. I jumped up, and going to Mr Laffan's room, found himdressed, and in the act of buckling on his sword--afterwards sticking abrace of pistols in his belt.

  "I intend to join Don Juan," he said; "if I fall, Duncan, you will notforget the instruction I have given you. Good-bye, my boy; do you stayquietly at home."

  "Not if I can help it," I answered. "Wait but five minutes. My fatherwill not refuse me permission to assist in defending the walls."

  I was quickly ready, and came downstairs to find my father.

  "You cannot let me play a girl's part and stay at home!" I exclaimed."Do let me go."

  "I am afraid I should not be right in hindering you. May Heaven protectyou!" answered my father.

  "Thank you, thank you," I replied, as if the greatest possible favourhad been granted me; and I set off with Mr Laffan.

  Mounting our horses, we rode to the lines, near which we found Juan'stroops.

  "I hope we shall have an opportunity of making a sortie," exclaimed thedominie; "we will put the Spaniards to the right-about if we get thechance of taking them in flank."

  While our servants held the horses, we went into the nearest battery,from whence we could see the Spaniards advancing to the attack. By theway in which they came on, it was clear that they expected to enter anunwalled town; and our batteries were so concealed that the enemy didnot discover their existence until close up to them, when we opened uponthem with every gun at once. Their artillery replied, but their shotstruck our embankments; while ours flew into the midst of their ranks,creating confusion and dismay. Their infantry, however, advanced,firing rapidly, and several of the defenders were hit; but this onlyincreased the ardour of the rest. The whole south side of the city wasa blaze of fire, both parties rapidly exchanging shots. The enemy,however, soon saw that this general style of assault would not succeed,and concentrated their efforts on the batteries defending the chiefentrance; but again and again were they driven back.

  I had gone with Mr Laffan towards the eastern side, when, by means ofour glasses, we saw a large body of men, accompanied by artillery andcavalry, making their way round, intending apparently to attack the cityon the other side. On my conveying the information to our general, DonJuan offered to lead out his men, and proceed by some by-paths through awood, so as to fall suddenly on the flank of the force--hoping tocapture the guns and put the enemy to flight. This offer was accepted.

  "You will accompany me?" said Juan to the dominie and me.

  "With all the pleasure in the world," was the answer; and in anothermoment we were riding out to the southward of the city--the part Juanhad selected for the ambush. We were followed by a body of infantry,who were to support us, for without them we could not secure the fruitsof our hoped-for victory.

  The dominie was in the highest spirits, and could scarcely restrainhimself from shouting out in his glee. Every now and then he gave aflourish with his sword, as if well acquainted with its use.

  On we dashed, over all impediments--our light-footed infantry not farbehind. We had just time to reach the wood where we were to remainconcealed, and to give our horses breathing time, when we heard theapproach of the Spaniards. We waited in perfect silence until theircavalry had passed, when, Juan giving the signal, we dashed out from ourcover, taking them completely by surprise. The gunners were cut down,almost before they had time to draw their swords; after which weimmediately charged upon the infantry, who, though they received us withan ill-directed fire, were at once thrown into confusion. Meantime theenemy's cavalry had wheeled about as fast as the narrowness of the roadwould permit them, and came charging down upon us to attempt torecapture the guns; but our infantry, who had now come up, poured in ahot fire, by which a third of their saddles was emptied. Unable toascertain our numbers, they must have imagined that they were beingattacked by a large force, and a panic seizing them, the survivorsgalloped off to the south, leaving their guns in our hands, while theinfantry, whom we pursued, fled in disorder towards the main body. Wefollowed, sabring all we overtook; when Mr Laffan advised Juan toreturn, lest an attempt might be made to retake the guns, the mostimportant fruit of our victory. Our foot-soldiers, however, had in themeantime harnessed to them some of the slain troopers' horses, and whenwe got back we found they were already half-way to the city. In half anhour we were triumphantly entering it; and dragging the guns up to thebatteries, we made use of them against their late owners.

  In less than an hour after this the Spaniards were in full retreat.Patriotic shouts rose on all sides, and the bells rang forth joyouspeals, while every man congratulated his neighbour on the victorygained.

  Don Juan did not fail to receive a reward for his gallantry in theapproving smiles of Dona Dolores. It was his first battle, and he hadgiven proof that he was a brave and intelligent leader. Congratulationswere offered him on every side, and all predicted that he would ere longbecome one of the chiefs of the Republic.