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Updated: May 26, 2025
For a few minutes the rear-guard drew up to collect the straggling baggage-mules, and then away they went with a wild shout, as if they were moved by the same glad feeling of freedom that affects the petrel when it swoops over the billows of the mighty ocean. The scene and the sensations were absolutely new to Lawrence and Quashy.
A basket of provisions, which the padre had secured to one of the baggage-mules, afforded us an ample supper; so that we had only to boil our chocolate, and to heat some water with which to mix the aguadiente the padre had sent, prescribing a cupful as a preventive against the ill effects of the damp night air or any noxious exhalations rising from the valleys though there was not much chance of our suffering from these in the lofty position we occupied.
"See there!" and I pointed to a mark on the grass, which my quick eye had detected as that made by a single wheel. The lieutenant, however, could not see it, and thought that my fancy was deceiving me. Had we not been detained by the baggage-mules, we should, I was sure, have quickly overtaken the runaways.
This ready discourse, and the soprano's evident distress, so worked on the canonesses that, having little money at their disposal, it was fixed, after some private consultation, that he should attend them to Donnaz, where Don Gervaso, in consideration of his edifying conduct in renouncing the stage, might be interested in helping him to a situation; and when the little party set forth from Oropa, the abate Cantapresto closed the procession on one of the baggage-mules, with Odo riding pillion at his back.
From the assurances Maysotta again gave us, we were convinced of the danger to which our friends were exposed. The lieutenant accordingly at once decided to leave the baggage-mules behind, and, as the Indians could supply us with a couple of horses, to mount our two men, and return at full speed to the farm.
Behind us followed the two baggage-mules with our tents, etc.: loaded as they were, Mohammed and Ali had climbed upon the tops of their great packs. A mule carries as much as he can get along under in Morocco: the man climbs up afterwards, and does not count. Two hundredweight, with a Moor on top, is a fair load for a long journey, marching seven hours every day.
And now I shall resume my narrative at the point at which I interrupted it to give the reader a bit of my family history. The lieutenant and I had arranged to start at daybreak, on horseback, with a couple of baggage-mules carrying provisions and camp utensils. Clarice was up to give us our breakfast, and I heard the lieutenant tell her how much he hoped to meet her again.
Then every man raced, rear-guard and all, urging horses and the very baggage-mules to the top of their speed, and when they came to the top, they fell on each other's necks, and the generals, and officers, too, with tears of delight. And in a moment, whoever it was that passed the word, the men were gathering stones, and there they reared a mighty column.
Without hesitation my uncle gladly accepted the kind padre's offer, and Candela was forthwith ordered to get ready. He did not require many minutes, his preparations consisting in bolting a mess of porridge, to enable him the better to undergo the fatigue of the journey. He was to proceed on foot with the natives who conducted our baggage-mules.
He would also, when the Royalists were fatigued by a harassing day's march, drive off all their cattle and baggage-mules, leaving them frequently without provisions. The most renowned of his exploits occurred when he had formed a junction with Bolivar on the plains of Apure.
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