Vexed with my ill-luck, I turned my face up the valley, and arrived almost close to the spot where I knew my sisters were seated; but what was my horror to see a huge jaguar stealing through the brushwood, and on the point of springing towards where I had left them! I mechanically lifted my gun to my shoulder, but recollected that it was not loaded. I felt like a person in a dreadful dream, endeavouring to shriek out, but unable to utter a sound; when, just as the savage brute was about to make its spring, I caught a glimpse of the tall figure of an Indian on the opposite bank, and at the same moment an arrow, whizzing through the air, pierced the jaguar to the heart, and it fell over dead.

I rushed forward, and found Kathleen with her arms thrown round Margarita's neck, within ten paces of where the jaguar lay. They had seen the creature, when Margarita had fixed her gaze on its eyes; and by thus preventing it from making the fatal spring, had given time to the Indian to shoot it.

On looking out to see what had become of my young sisters' preserver, I observed him crossing the river; and in another minute he came up to us, and I recognised our missing friend Kanimapo.

"I warned you not to descend into this valley, my friend," he observed; "and thankful am I to have preserved you from the jaws of yonder savage brute. You may have been surprised at my long absence, but it could not be avoided. I was pursued by my enemies, and compelled to fly towards the south; when I received intelligence that my own people, supposing that I had been killed, were about to elect another chief, and that unless I returned at once I should find a rival, and lose my influence over them. Instigated by Spanish priests and others, their intention was to attack the house of Don Fernando, where they expected to find a rich booty. I arrived in time to prevent them from making the attack, or electing a chief in my stead. But I must speedily return, as I fear that, under evil influence, they may endeavour to injure your friends; and, as I have sworn to you, your friends shall ever be mine. I also bring you intelligence that the Spaniards have been driven out of this part of the country, and that General Bermudez, with a large body of hors.e.m.e.n, occupies the senor padre's village, so that you and he may return to your homes with safety."

He gave us this information while we were hastening back through the valley, Gerald having by this time rejoined us. As may be supposed, it was received with great satisfaction by our party--especially by the padre, who was anxious to get back among his people, and to be actively engaged in forwarding the cause to which he had devoted himself.

Fortunately, our animals had not suffered from the jaguars, though Chumbo had seen the very creature which was so nearly pouncing down on Kathleen, but had driven it off with firebrands. We at once, therefore, made preparations for our departure.

"I am indeed thankful that we have suffered so little hardship," said my mother; adding, as she looked up at the mountain above us, "and especially so that we have not had to cross that terrible rope-bridge to our citadel."

Though Kanimapo did not understand her remark, he observed her gesture.

"We may some day have to make use of yonder retreat," he said to me; "and before we go I will remove the bridge, that none of our enemies may discover it."

Calling to Candela, he at once descended the hill; and they returned soon after with the rope and cradle, which they hid away in the cavern.

We were busily employed for the remainder of the day in collecting fruit, killing game, and preparing for our journey.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

RETURN JOURNEY COMMENCED--NORAH'S CONFESSION--A BAMBOO-BRIDGE-- UNEXPECTEDLY PREVENTED FROM CROSSING--FOES AND FRIENDS APPEAR--THE BRIDGE GAINED--A FIERCE STRUGGLE--I TAKE PART IN IT--WE DEFEAT THE ENEMY--MY FAMILY RETURN HOMEWARDS UNDER AN ESCORT--I JOIN GENERAL BERMUDEZ--THE DOCTOR AND THE PADRE PROMISE TO FOLLOW US--I ACCOMPANY THE ARMY, AND WE ENCAMP ON THE PLAINS--THE DOCTOR APPEARS, AND REMAINS WITH THE ARMY--OUR NUMEROUS EXPLOITS--CAPTURE OF CARACAS--I AM SENT WITH DESPATCHES TO BOLIVAR--DISCOVERED BY THE ENEMY--A RACE FOR LIFE--I AM WOUNDED AND CAPTURED--CARRIED TO LA GUAYRA--THROWN INTO PRISON.

The description I have given of the mountain-scenery amid which we travelled on our flight from home, will in many respects serve for that through which we pa.s.sed on our return, by a different and somewhat more easy route. Though the sides of the mountains were steep and rugged, the valleys were fertile, with streams meandering through them, and in many places we saw herds of deer, among which were two or three beautiful milk-white animals; but having exhausted nearly all our powder, we were unable to shoot them, even had we wished to do so. We saw also a number of wild turkeys: and in the woods we heard micos--a small species of monkey--whistling to each other; but the moment the rogues caught sight of us, they disappeared among the branches. The roughness of the paths we followed prevented the horses from going beyond a slow walk; and even Norah, though a good horsewoman, was glad to have me at the head of her steed. I told her how much I wished to join General Bermudez.

"I shall be sorry to lose you, Barry," she rejoined; "still, I believe that it is your duty to go. I only wish that I could serve my country as you have the power of doing. Still more do I wish that the hateful Spaniards were driven from our sh.o.r.es, and the blessings of peace restored."

I then told her--for I had never before done so--how much I admired Don Fernando's young ward, Isabella Monterola. "Perhaps, if I return from the wars crowned with laurels, she'll have me," I said, laughing.

She sighed, and the colour, I observed, mounted to her brow.

"Don Carlos Serrano has other sons besides the one I met under the name of Colonel Acosta," I remarked.

"Yes," she answered; "his second son, Carlos, is as brave and devoted as his brother. Should you meet, Barry, make yourself known to him, and I am sure that he will be glad to give you his friendship. In appearance he is very like his elder brother, though perhaps handsomer, and you cannot fail to recognise him."

I began to suspect, from the way in which Norah spoke of the young Don Carlos, that she was deeply interested in him; and soon afterwards I had reason to know that I was not mistaken.

We stopped to rest and take our noonday meal near a small clump of trees on the borders of a wide stream, which we were afterwards to pa.s.s.

Across it was thrown a curious bamboo-bridge, the lower portion of which rested on the calm water beneath it. The bamboos of which it was composed were securely lashed together by sepos, making it very elastic.

The sides were so steep as to form rather a sharp angle with each other; while so great was the ascent and descent, that, to enable people and animals to pa.s.s along it without slipping, pieces of bamboo in which to fix the feet were placed at short intervals across the footway.

Slight as was the bridge in appearance, owing to its yielding nature there was no danger of its breaking; and we saw two or three persons crossing it with mules, so that we had no fear about going over it ourselves.

We were about to recommence our journey, when Candela and Chumbo, who had been attending to our animals at a little distance, came hurrying up, and said that they had seen a large body of men appearing above a ridge on our side of the river; and urged that we should lose no time in moving. I ran to a slight hillock near where we had been seated, and from thence I could distinguish the men they spoke of: they were evidently infantry, and in considerable force, as I caught the gleam of their bayonets forming a long line as they surmounted the ridge.

I was a.s.sisting Norah to mount, while the doctor was putting the children into the panniers, when he cried out,--"We are in a trap! See!

there are troops on the opposite side coming this way; and if we cross we may fall into their hands."

"But they may be friends," I said.

"Yes! they are friends," cried the padre; "they are cavalry, the llaneros of the plain--I can make out their lances against the sky.

They are dashing on at full speed; none but they could ride over that rough ground. Paez, or perchance Bermudez, is at their head."

"You are right, friend padre; they are pushing on to gain the bridge before yonder infantry can reach it," cried my father, his martial enthusiasm kindling. "The enemy's object is to gain the bank of the river first, and dispute their pa.s.sage before they can cross and form on this side. See! the Spaniards are advancing at the double, scrambling over all impediments; it is a question which will reach the river first.

There will be some warm work anon."

"If you will be advised by me, Mr Desmond, in that case you will retreat to a safe distance, and place the ladies and children under shelter," observed the doctor. "Bullets make no distinction of persons; and they will be flying pretty thickly about our ears, if we venture to remain here much longer."

"Thank you, doctor, for your advice," answered my father; and he forthwith placed my mother on horseback. The children had been meantime tumbled into their panniers, and the nurse mounted on her mule.

Leading the animals, we hurried along the bank of the river, hoping to reach some sheltering rock which would afford protection to the helpless ones under our care. Happily, before long we found what we were in search of.

As soon as I had seen my family in safety, I sprang out again and hurried back towards the spot we had left, eager to watch what was going forward, and to take a part in the strife if I had the opportunity. As I reached it, I saw that the front rank of the Spanish infantry had got to within two or three hundred yards of the bank; while the Republican cavalry came thundering down the hill, their leader, on a powerful charger, considerably in advance. As he came nearer I recognised my proposed chief, General Bermudez. He was making directly for the bridge, lance in hand, and couched, as if he were already within reach of the foe.

Onward he dashed--the bridge was nearly won. The commander of the infantry saw that the advantage he had hoped to gain was on the point of being lost, and waving his sword, sprang forward in front of his men.

But the brave Bermudez was not to be disappointed. Without pulling rein, he galloped his horse on to the fragile bridge,--which bent beneath the weight of the steed and its rider, and every instant I expected to see it give way. Soon he reached the sh.o.r.e on which I stood, and urged his horse up the steep bank; and one by one the llaneros came rattling after him, and formed rapidly by his side.

Already a score had crossed before the infantry had got within musket-shot of them, and the Spaniards saw that the advantage they had hoped to gain was almost lost; still, by a well-directed discharge they might annihilate the small band opposed to them. As they got within range of the hors.e.m.e.n, therefore, they opened fire along their whole line; the shot came whistling through the air like a hail-shower, and two of the llaneros fell from their horses, dead.

Seized by an impulse I could not withstand, I caught one of the animals, and, dashing forward to where the dead man's lance lay on the ground, I seized it and galloped up to the side of the general. As I did so, he gave me a glance of recognition; and at the same moment the order to charge burst in a loud ringing voice from his lips. Couching my lance, I gave my steed the rein, and our small but compact body advanced like an avalanche against the foe. In vain those who had fired attempted to reload; their bayonets were all they had to depend on. Had they been British troops, the case would have been different; but as they saw the bristling line of spears come down like lightning upon them, the front rank sprang up from their knees, and, seized with a panic, turned to fly. It would have been better to die like men, with their faces to the foe. Piercing them through and through, we drove them before us; and they, pressing on the rear-ranks, carried confusion into their midst.

Still, the officers did their utmost to induce them to stand, and I saw them cut down several of the fugitives; but it was in vain. Our party, too, was every instant increased by fresh bands of llaneros as they crossed the bridge; while the confusion among the enemy became rapidly greater. No lives were spared. Bermudez appeared to be everywhere; now in the centre of his men, now on one flank, now on the other. The unevenness of the ground did not stop us; on we went, our lances dealing death around.

I take no delight in describing horrors, or I might vividly paint this, my first battle-field. The lance of General Bermudez pierced the Spanish commander. Not an officer escaped. A few of the men managed to scramble up some almost inaccessible heights, but of the rest every man was killed; no quarter was asked, and none was given.

I had kept close to the side of the general, and on several occasions had used my pistols when he had been almost overmatched. Having seen the last of the fugitives disappear, he turned round to me, and putting out his hand, exclaimed in a hearty voice,--"You have done good service, my friend. I remember you well; you are welcome--very welcome. We have met at length, and, I hope, not to part for many a day."

He then, as I rode alongside of him, told me that he appointed me lieutenant in his band, and that I must accept the horse I had ridden, and the lance which I had wielded so well.

I, of course, felt highly flattered at the encomiums pa.s.sed on me, and told him how glad I should be to accompany him for the future, but that I could not leave my parents without their permission.

"Go and get it at once, then," said the general; "had I known where to find you, I should have sent for you before. You have shown that you are well able to take a part in our glorious struggle."

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.

I accordingly rode back to where I had left my party. They were much astonished to see me mounted on a strong horse, with a long lance in my hand, and to hear how I had been engaged; for they had feared that I might have been entangled among the combatants, and perhaps killed. My father did not hesitate for a moment to give me the permission I asked, and gladly accepted the general's offer of an escort. My mother and Norah were somewhat agitated, but still they had no objections.

"Go, Barry," said my mother; "and may Heaven protect you during the dangers to which you may be exposed; for I cannot hide them from my eyes."

Norah pressed her lips to my cheek. "You will come back, Barry, crowned with laurels, and with a colonel's commission, I feel sure," she said; "and, my brother, remember the message I gave you yesterday."

The padre and the doctor expressed their intention of following me back to the general, as they both wished to offer their services. "I have vowed to support the cause of true religion--and I am sure such will never exist while the Spaniards are in the land," exclaimed the padre.

"I therefore feel bound to do my best to drive them out; and having got rid of all extra flesh, I am as fit for a campaign as any of those fighting in the cause."

I replied that I would tell the general of their intentions.

Gerald kept alongside my horse for some little distance. "Do tell him that I wish he would take me too," he said; "I will ask our father's leave--and I think he will give it. If I can't handle a lance as well as a grown man, I can use a carbine and pistols, and might do duty as an ensign."

I told him that I would mention his wish to the general, but that I thought he ought to remain and a.s.sist our father in protecting the family; indeed, I had no wish, young as he was, that he should be exposed to the dangers he would inevitably have to go through. At last, wringing his hand, I told him to go back, while I galloped on.