In New Granada; Or, Heroes and Patriots

by William Henry Giles Kingston

  CHAPTER TEN.

  WE OVERTAKE AN ESCORT WITH PRISONERS ON THE ROAD TO BOGOTA--DR. CAZALLAAMONG 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 THEESCORT, WE FALL IN WITH A BODY OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THE SPANISH ARMY--AT APOSADA--COCK-FIGHTING--THE SERGEANT AND HIS RECRUITS ARRIVE--ENTERINGBOGOTA--DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY--THE GREAT SQUARE--AT THE HOUSE OF DONJOSE--THE CHILDREN'S REMARKS--WE ARE KINDLY TREATED--THE DEATH OF DONAPAULA SALABARIATA--DON JOSE'S SYMPATHY--SOME OTHER PATRIOTS SHOT.

  Having made a circuit to the southward, we reached the highroad whichruns between the capital and La Plata. As we did so, we saw before us aconsiderable body of men both on foot and horseback; and on inquiring ofsome peons who were coming in our direction, they told us that they weresoldiers escorting a number of Republican prisoners to Bogota. Couldany of our friends be among them?

  Mr Laffan and I determined to ride up and ascertain; and by assuming abold front, we hoped to escape detection.

  We soon overtook the party, but found it impossible to pass them on theroad; and although we saw some prisoners in their midst, we could notfind out who they were. The escort, however, at length halted in theplaza of a village, which, being of considerable width, enabled us toride past them. Pretending not to be much concerned, yet eagerlyscanning the countenances of the prisoners, I saw several whom I knew,but among them my uncle, Doctor Cazalla, who, with the rest, had beencompelled to walk, his hands secured behind his back with a rope. Hewas now, with his companions in misfortune, seated on a log of wood. Ifelt sure that he knew me, though he made no sign of recognition, and Idared not make any to him; but my appearance showed him, I trusted, thatevery effort would be made for his liberation. Further on was anothergroup of prisoners, some lying on the ground, others seated on a stonebench. Fearing that the account the Spanish captain had given might notbe true, I half expected to see Dona Dolores and her father. TheSpaniards, of course, would not have treated her with more considerationthan they did their other prisoners; but I could see neither her norSenor Monteverde.

  At that instant Lion rushed forward towards one of the people seated onthe bench, and what was my dismay to discover Uncle Richard! Fearfullest the dog should betray us, I loudly called him back, pretending thatI thought he was about to fly at the prisoners. Though always obedient,on this occasion he did not seem to heed me, until Uncle Richard spoketo him in a stern voice, when the sagacious animal returned to my sideand remained there, as if he had never before seen Uncle Richard. He, Isaw, immediately recognised Mr Laffan and me, by the glance he cast atus; but retaining his presence of mind, he made no sign to show that hehad done so.

  I rode close to him, and turning round to Mr Laffan, I said aloud,--"Iwish he would address us as Englishmen, which he might easily do withoutcausing suspicion; we could then learn all we want to know, and form aplan for helping him."

  Directly I had said this, Uncle Richard shouted out, "I am sure thoseare Englishmen! Have pity on me, noble gentlemen; I am your countryman,made prisoner by the Spaniards, and shall very likely be shot if I amnot rescued."

  He turned to the soldiers standing by, and said in Spanish, "Those areEnglish travellers--my countrymen. Allow them to speak to me; they arealways generous, and will reward you."

  Without waiting for leave, we turned our horses towards the bench; andleaning over, I asked Uncle Richard after our families, and how he hadbeen made prisoner,--trying to assume as unconcerned a tone as possible.

  "They are all safe," he answered. "Your father's black servant--I won'tmention his name--has charge of them, and they are still safe in themountains. I was unfortunately tempted to leave our retreat, in thehope of raising a body of Indians and others to be ready to aid aprojected attack by the Patriots on the Spaniards, when I was surprisedand taken prisoner. It will go hard with me, I fear, as, though I am anEnglishman, Murillo will not stand on ceremony on that account."

  "Do not be cast down. We will try to find out where you are imprisoned,and will do everything we can to rescue you," I answered.

  "I am sure of that," he said. "By what wonderful chance are you here?"

  I then told him the object of our journey, and how I had letters to anumber of persons of influence in Bogota, so that I might hope to be ofeffectual service to him.

  "You will do your best, I am sure," he said; "and, depend upon it, I donot intend to be killed like a rat in a hole, but shall try to gnaw myway out. You had better not stay much longer, or some of those fellowsmay possibly recognise you. Bestow a gold piece or two on me, if youhave any to spare; in truth, I am greatly in need of money, as everydollar I had in my pocket was taken from me when I was made prisoner.And do not forget to bestow your promised gift on our guards--it willincline them to favour me. Two or three of them seem very good fellows,and have been attentive to me on the journey."

  "Now," I said, "if you have an opportunity, tell my mother's brother--Iwill not mention his name--why I have come to Bogota, and that everyeffort will be made for his liberation."

  After a few more words, I took out my purse and put a few gold piecesinto Uncle Richard's hand. I then turned to Mr Laffan, who had beenstanding by, occasionally joining in the conversation, and begged him todistribute some money among the men. As I glanced my eye over them,what was my surprise to see my servant Antonio in a corporal's uniform,and apparently in command of the party! I was sure it was he, althoughhe looked at me in the most unconcerned manner possible, returning onlya military salute as Mr Laffan handed him the money. Could he havedeserted to the enemy? I had considered him a faithful fellow, as hecertainly was a brave one. He must have had some object in joining theSpaniards; what it was, however, we could not now ascertain.

  Uttering our farewells, we mounted and rode on, followed by Domingo. Aswe did so, Lion turned and cast a lingering glance behind; but the sternlook Uncle Richard put on, told him that he must not take any notice ofhim.

  It now became more important than ever that we should reach the citywithout delay. We had not gone far, when we saw a party of recruitsmarching from a large village to the eastward. Mr Laffan, however,thought that they were prisoners,--which they certainly resembled morethan soldiers, except that each man carried a musket on his shoulder;for they were all secured together by a long rope, the end of which washeld by a ruffianly-looking fellow on horseback. They were dressed inbroad-brimmed hats, loose trousers, and ponchos over their shoulders;but the rest of their bodies, legs and feet, were bare. The sergeanthad on a very unmilitary-looking hat of large dimensions, with wideleggings, and huge spurs.

  "Faith, I wonder the fellows don't turn round and shoot him," observedMr Laffan.

  "Probably, to save the risk of that, they are not supplied withammunition," I rejoined. "This is the way in which the Spaniards obtaintheir recruits. The poor fellows are thus marched off to beslaughtered; unless they can contrive to run away, which they certainlywill do if they have the opportunity."

  Saluting the sergeant, who only scowled at us in return, we rode onahead of the party. We found, on inquiring the distance we should haveto go, that we could not reach Bogota that evening, and accordinglystopped at a posada three or four leagues from the city. It was a largestraggling building, at which small traders and merchants generally putup. People of more consequence were accustomed to proceed further, orstop at the country-houses of their friends.

  As we rode up, we found all the inhabitants and guests assembled in theyard witnessing a cock-fight, their eager countenances and excitedexclamations showing the interest they took in the brutal pastime. Thebirds, armed with steel spurs, flew at each other and foughtdesperately. When one was killed or hopelessly wounded, the owner torehis hair and swore fearfully at his misfortune--by which, probably, hehad lost no inconsiderable sum.

  We turned away disgusted and entered the inn--Domingo having taken ourhorses into th
e stable--but it was some time before we could get anybodyto attend to us. At last the landlord appeared; and Mr Laffan havingexplained who we were, or rather who we pretended to be, begged that wemight have a private apartment. On this the landlord laughed, and saidthat even for an English milord this was impossible, but that we mighthave a corner of the public room for ourselves. He then inquired whatwe would have for supper, assuring us that anything we might ask forwould be provided. As usual, when Mr Laffan mentioned one thing afteranother, it was not to be had. At length, however, a tough fowl, withsome salt beef and fried eggs, was placed before us, together with someplantains and various fruits, off which we contrived to make a verysatisfactory repast. The scene at night reminded me of that at theposada on the opposite side of the mountains, the arrangements beingvery similar. On this occasion, the greater part of the floor wascovered by recumbent figures.

  We had already turned into our hammocks, when a loud voice demandingadmittance was heard outside the house; and--by the light of the onlycandle left burning--on the door being opened I recognised the sergeantand his recruits. This individual in an authoritative tone orderedseveral of the sleeping people to get up, in order to make room for hisparty. He then called for supper, while his men lay down, with theirmuskets by their sides, to rest their weary limbs. Having quicklyfinished his meal, he took possession of a vacant space; placing, Iobserved, his pistols under the saddle which served him as a pillow, andunsheathing his sword, so as to have it ready for instant use. He hadprobably no great confidence in his recruits, and thought it notunlikely that one of them might get up during the night and plunge acuchillo in his heart.

  On awaking next morning, I proposed starting immediately.

  "Take my advice, and stow away breakfast first," observed Mr Laffan."It is a sound rule to follow when travelling, unless one knows that asubstantial meal is waiting one at the end of the stage."

  We got off at an early hour, however, and again passed the sergeant andhis so-called recruits on the road. We pushed on before them, wishingto get into Bogota as soon as possible. As we rode on, the towers andsteeples of the city appeared before us, glittering in the rays of therising sun. On one side was a range of lofty mountains, running in asemicircular form; the city itself covering an elevation slightly abovethe vast plain extending before it. Here and there we caught sight ofthe river Bogota, which runs through the plain in a serpentine form atabout three leagues from the city. The surrounding country wasgenerally uncultivated, except in the immediate neighbourhood ofvillages or quintas, though there were large enclosures for grazingcattle. On the summits of the mountains which rise immediately abovethe city were perched two white buildings, which we ascertained to beconvents. We could see the domes and towers of others, and were toldthat thirty-three of them occupied the best sites in the city. Theywere, indeed, the only fine-looking buildings to be seen.

  I was much struck with the appearance of the town as we entered it. Allthe streets appeared to be built at right angles, while a stream ofwater flowed through the centre. We passed, also, a number of handsomepublic fountains. The streets through which we rode were much crowded,making us suppose that something unusual was taking place. Thehandsomest street we saw was the Calle Real, or Royal Street. Theground-floors of the houses were occupied by shops; with a story above,and a large wooden balcony painted green. On either side of the street,which was well paved, was a foot-path; and as there were no vehicles ofany description, the traffic being carried on by mules, it was free fromruts, and remarkably clean.

  No one seemed especially to regard us, though we were occasionallyfavoured with a stare from persons who fancied they were looking atEnglishmen--some of them scowling ominously at us, and bestowing curseson our heads for being heretics. Beggars of all descriptions swarmed inthe streets, exhibiting their sores, and demanding rather thansoliciting alms. Many were afflicted with that dreadful complaint knownas elephantiasis--their legs being swollen to an enormous size. Stillmore numerous were the galenachas, or black vultures. As we reached thegreat square of the city, into which the Calle Real led us, we saw themhopping about, acting as scavengers, engaged in devouring the filth andoffal left on the ground; and so tame were they, that they wouldscarcely get out of our way.

  On riding forward, we found ourselves in the midst of a large marketbeing carried on in the great square. It was filled with people vendingtheir provisions--some sitting before pyramids of fruit piled up on theground; others at low stools, on which articles of all sorts wereexposed for sale. Among them were Creoles, Blacks, Sambos, Indians--indeed, every hue was represented--all jabbering in loud voices. On oneside of the square was the town-house, and on the other the cathedral,with two convents, and other public buildings.

  We inquired our way to the house of Don Jose Lagano, which we foundlooked into the great square. Though a noted Royalist, he was a friendof both my father and Don Cassiodoro, who were satisfied that he couldbe thoroughly trusted, even although he might suspect who we were.

  Don Jose was at home; and on hearing from the servant that a youngEnglish milord had arrived, he politely came out to receive us. As heread the letter I delivered him it struck me that his countenancechanged.

  "You are welcome, at all events," he said; "and I will endeavour toforward the object you have in view."

  He introduced me to his wife in the character I had assumed, and MrLaffan as my tutor. Soon afterwards, several nice boys and girls ofvarious ages entered the room. While refreshments were preparing, Iendeavoured to amuse the children by playing with them. Though I spokea word or two of ill-pronounced Spanish--not being supposed tounderstand their language--they were very free in their remarks, and Icould scarcely refrain from laughing as I heard what they said. Thelady spoke French; and as I knew the language pretty well, we couldconverse without difficulty. She somewhat puzzled me by the questionsshe put about England; but, as I found she had not been there, I gaveher the best account I could of such places as I had heard my father andUncle Richard describe.

  Don Jose's countenance wore a puzzled expression as he heard me talking,but I believe he from the first suspected who I was. I found him anamiable, good-natured man, and really anxious to save the lives of suchprisoners as fell into the hands of the Spanish general.

  I had been directed to plead for Dr Cazalla on account of hisscientific attainments, and as it would be a disgrace, whatever hispolitical opinions were, to put such a man to death.

  Don Jose shook his head when he heard what I said. "That is the veryreason why Murillo will desire to destroy him," he observed. "Hisintention is to rid the country of all men of superior intelligence andinfluence; and he has especially vowed to put to death every lawyer whofalls into his hands."

  As a last resource, I had letters from Don Cassiodoro to Murillohimself, which I was to deliver in person--bearding the lion in hisden--with my tutor to act as interpreter. It was considered that therewould be no danger in this--that the doing so would rather tend toconfirm him in the idea that I was a young English nobleman; and Ishould, on leaving the city, be able to proceed in any direction I mightthink fit. My only fear was lest Mr Laffan and I might encounter someperson who had known us at Popayan, in which case we should be placed ina very dangerous position.

  Next morning the sound of muffled drums was heard, and on going to thewindow with our host I saw a body of troops marching from the directionof the prison. In their midst walked several persons, each between twopriests. I was struck by the appearance of one of the unhappy persons--who were evidently prisoners--a young lady of graceful figure andfeatures, who appeared to me singularly beautiful.

  "Who are they, and where are they going?" I asked of Don Jose inFrench, for he spoke that language as well as his wife.

  "That lady is Dona Paula Salabariata; and she is going to her death."

  "To her death!" I exclaimed.

  "Yes; in a few minutes she and those with her are to be shot. She is adetermined Revolutio
nist, and has long been engaged in inciting thepeople to rebellion. Her correspondence with the Republicans has atlength been discovered; and at her trial, which took place yesterday,she acknowledged her principles, and confessed that she had written theletters."

  "So young, and so beautiful!" I exclaimed.

  "Yes, my friend; and she is gentle, and possesses a woman's heart,though with the spirit of a man. She was engaged to marry a youngRepublican officer; but neither her youth nor her beauty will avail herwith our stern viceroy."

  "The cruel tyrant!" I exclaimed.

  Not noticing what I said, he continued: "Do you think that anything willinduce him to spare the learned doctor?"--and here he fixed his eyes onme--"or any young man who falls into his power?"

  I could make no reply; indeed, our attention was absorbed by themournful procession passing through the square. My eyes were fixed onDona Paula.

  "My heart will burst, if I do not go out and fight for her!" exclaimedmy tutor, who was standing close behind me; and he clapped his hand tohis sword.

  "My friend," said Don Jose, "be calm. Although I do not hold herprinciples, I would join you if it would avail, but any attempt of thesort would only result in our certain death."

  My heart was swelling with indignation, and I felt as did my worthytutor, but I saw the folly of acting as our feelings prompted.

  The rest of the prisoners walked with firm step; but I confess that Iscarcely noticed any of them, nor, I believe, did my companions, ourwhole attention being absorbed by the lovely girl who formed theprominent figure. I remarked that she was dressed in black, and thatshe advanced with a firm step, her small head erect on her gracefulneck; the only ornament she wore in her glossy black hair being a sprayof orange-blossom, as if she were going to her bridal. She carried abook in her hand; and when the friar presented the crucifix to her, shegently but firmly put it aside.

  The party moved forward until they reached the centre of the vastsquare, when they halted in line, the other prisoners being made tostand on either side. The lady knelt down, and was allowed to remainfor a few minutes in prayer; she then rose, and handing the wreath andher shawl to some of her weeping female friends who had followed her,she stood alone, holding a handkerchief in her hand. Then exclaiming,"Success to the cause of my oppressed countrymen!" she let thehandkerchief drop. At that moment the firing-party, a few paces off,discharged the fatal volley; and as the smoke cleared off we saw herstretched on the ground, not a movement to indicate that she lived beingperceptible. An officer advanced and took her hand, to ascertain thatshe was dead, after which her attendants approached and bore her away;the only favour which the savage tyrant had been induced to grant beingthat her friends should be permitted to commit her body to the grave.

  Such would have been the fate of Dona Dolores, had she not escaped, Ithought. I was nearly expressing my opinion aloud, when I happilyremembered in whose company I was. The two ladies, I had no doubt, hadfrequently communicated with each other; and since such women, full ofintelligence and enthusiasm, were labouring in the cause, it must, Ifelt sure, in the end be successful. Would that all the men were likethem, so disinterested, so self-sacrificing, so devoted,--ready, likeDona Paula, to lay down their lives for their country's good! But,alas! too many even among the Patriots were self-opinionated--seekingtheir own aggrandisement, and how to fill their coffers, without regardto the public weal; yet among them were many true Patriots, such asBolivar, Paez, Arismendez, Santandar, and many others.

  The rest of the prisoners were now brought forward; but Don Jose andmyself, shuddering, retired from the window, unwilling to see ourfellow-creatures slaughtered, while we were without the power to helpthem. The dominie, however, kept his post; but I saw that he wasgrinding his teeth and clutching the hilt of his sword, while his bosomheaved, and expressions escaped his lips, which, although I could noteven catch the words, showed how deeply he was agitated.

  "Sad, very sad, that such things should be," observed Don Jose; "but thegeneral believes that the only way of overthrowing the Republicanprinciples which have gained ground in the country, is to exterminateall who hold them."

  "Does he remember the tale of `the dragon's teeth'?" I asked. "Theblood of that young girl cries for vengeance, and I feel assured thatthousands will rise up to answer the call."

  "What! do you Englishmen side with the Liberals?" he asked.

  "My countrymen are ever ready to espouse the cause of the oppressed andsuffering; and such, Don Jose, you must acknowledge the inhabitants ofthis country have long been," I answered boldly, for I was sure that myworthy host would not be offended. Indeed, I suspect that he himselfleaned towards the independent side, although a professed Royalist.

  "Time will show," he remarked; "but I wish that all this bloodshed couldbe avoided."

  I remarked that every time a volley was fired he shuddered.