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Updated: May 31, 2025
On the llanos, or great plains, that extend northward from the Amazon and Orinoco that is, in the provinces of Venezuela other droves of wild horses exist; and these, along with half-wild oxen, form the sole property and pursuit of a class of men called Llaneros, who in many respects resemble the Gauchos.
Our llaneros are indifferent swordsmen; but once turn your back and you are doomed. Hurrah! There is Mejia, leading his fellows on. Don't you see him? The tall man on the big horse. Forward, señors! We may be in time for the encounter even yet."
After spending a few days with my friends, I was compelled to conduct my llaneros back to rejoin the army. I need not mention the other events of the campaign.
The llaneros having picketed their horses in a meadow close to the bank of the river, had begun to cook their provisions in the rough fashion they usually adopt. On my telling the general where my family were, he desired me to offer them an escort for the rest of their journey, to make amends for my absence, as he wished me to continue with him.
During the time we sat at table, I heard anecdotes of most of the chief leaders of the patriot as also of the Royalist forces. Of the former the two principal men were, Don Simon Bolivar, a man of good birth and education; and Jose Paez, who, belonging to the humblest rank of life, had been brought up among the hardy llaneros of the Apure.
In an effort to take advantage of his favorable position by swift movements, Boves advanced to a city called La Victoria, on the road from Valencia to Caracas, where Ribas was ready to do his utmost to prevent the triumph of the bloodthirsty llaneros.
Animal life, too, wakes up. The savage alligator and the huge anaconda crawl forth from the bed of clay in which they have passed their summer sleep, in search of prey; ibises, cranes, flamingoes, and numberless water-fowl, swarm on the newly-formed pools; the cattle of the Llaneros luxuriate in the abundant grasses which everywhere appear; while multitudes of insects crawl forth, seeking refuge from the flood in the higher grounds.
Eventually, however, most of the patriot leaders became convinced that, if they were to entertain a hope of success, they must entrust their fortunes to Bolivar as supreme commander. Their chances of success were increased furthermore by the support of the llaneros who had been won over to the cause of independence.
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.
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