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Updated: May 3, 2025
Most of the houses in it had been turned into barracks, the owners having fled, some because they were Royalists, and others in order to avoid the risk they would incur should the place be captured by either party. I was now nearly quite well, as was also Mr Laffan, and he had determined to set off next day to rejoin Juan's corps.
As it was certain that our house would be searched, I advised Mr Laffan to try and gain some place of concealment where he and Lion might remain, assuring him that Paul Lobo would find the means of supplying them with food. "No, no; I'll stop and defend the house to the last. The plundering rascals will hesitate before they attempt to break-in," he answered.
Mr Laffan, not liking the creature's appearance, and naturally thinking it intended to attack us, drew his pistol. "You had better not, senor," cried Domingo; "you are very likely to miss, and the brute will come after us. Let me take it in hand. Please hold my horse." Domingo dismounting, ran a short distance, to a place where we saw a number of bamboos growing.
He was clever enough in his way, but more useful in watching the hut than in hunting; indeed, when I went out by myself for the purpose of observing the habits of the denizens of the forest, I never took him, knowing that he would only interfere with their sports. On one occasion I had been over to see my Uncle Stephen, and as I was returning home Mike Laffan met me.
In the meadows were cattle and sheep with beautiful white fleeces and long tails, while numbers of horses were seen galloping about at liberty. "I sincerely hope the Spaniards will not pay a visit to this place," observed Mr Laffan to me, as Uncle Richard and Juan were walking on ahead; "they would soon make a clean sweep of these cattle and the corn-fields."
"Who are you, and what do you want?" he asked abruptly in Spanish. I turned to Mr Laffan and begged him to interpret what the general said. "Tell him that I am English, and how, hearing that a countryman of mine has been imprisoned unjustly, I have come to demand his release, and permission for him to accompany me back to England." "Of what profession is he?" asked the general of Mr Laffan.
We had our money in our pockets, with a brace of pistols apiece; and I had my gun, which I had brought in case I should see anything to shoot. "But what shall we do for provisions?" asked Mr Laffan. "We shall find game enough on the road to supply all our wants," answered Manoel. We agreed, therefore, to move forward as fast as we could.
We also saw numerous birds perched on the trees, or flitting among their branches many of the most brilliant plumage, such as I had never before seen in the neighbourhood of Popayan. I generally kept ahead with my sillero, who led the way. One of the peons following carried the chief load; then came Mr Laffan; Domingo and the rest of the people with the animals bringing up the rear.
We had several streams to cross; some we were able to ford, others were spanned by wooden bridges. One of these was thrown over a rapid river which flowed at the foot of some steep and huge rocks, above which was a level space with inaccessible-hills on either side. "That would form a good military post," observed Mr Laffan, pointing to the spot.
Stepping softly, so that we might not be discovered until we at once burst into song, we approached the house. Juan led the way; I kept close under the wall, having no guitar; while Mr Laffan stood at a little distance. Juan gave the signal, and we commenced the song.
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