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Updated: May 9, 2025
The river being in the hands of the patriots, who commanded it with strong flotillas of flecheras or gun-boats, we sailed on without molestation from the Spaniards, and at last, after a voyage of ten days or more, reached Angostura. Hearing that General Bolivar had already left the place with his forces, and was marching towards the plains of Apure, my friends and I determined to follow him.
About midway across the stream there was also a fleet of sixty flecheras, or gun-boats, well-armed and manned, belonging to the enemy. Bolivar stood on the shore gazing disconsolately at the enemy's fleet, when Paez rode up to him and inquired the cause of his disquietude.
In a few minutes he returned at the head of a body of three hundred lancers, selected for their proved bravery and strength from his llaneros, and leading them to the bank, he thus addressed them, "We must have those flecheras or die. Saying this, he dashed into the river and swam towards the flotilla.
Thus they proceeded till they reached the flotilla; then mounting their horses, headed by their leader, they sprang from their backs on board the boats. A desperate struggle ensued; but the llaneros were victorious, and driving the unfortunate crews overboard, they carried the flecheras to the bank of the river, where the patriot forces were drawn up.
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