few additions to my costume, I certainly
looked as I had never done before. Even the young ladies, when I came
downstairs, did not at first recognise me. My father, having given me
all needful instructions, supplied me with a purse and the letters he
had written; while Don Cassiodoro put into my hands a passport, which he
had obtained at considerable risk of implicating himself. He then
ordered a servant to strap my valise on the saddle of my horse, while
another mounted servant led the horse intended for the dominie.

"That man is as true as steel," observed Don Cassiodoro. "You cannot
proceed without an attendant, and I have directed him to accompany you.
You will find Domingo of the greatest use. He believes you to be what
you profess to be. I have charged him not to let it be known that he is
in my service, so as to prevent inconvenient questions."

We reached the posada without being stopped.

"I am so glad my dear young lord has come," said the dominie, turning to
the host; "for though the Royalists have gained the day at present, we
do not know how soon those dreadful Republicans may have the upper
hand."

"Truly, truly," answered the landlord, bowing to me. "Milord will be
glad to return to England, where all, I am told, are true Royalists."

"Milord does not understand much Spanish," observed Mr Laffan; "we must
wish you farewell."

As we might have risked discovery by further delay, we rode forward;
Domingo, armed to the teeth, following us. Mr Laffan, I found, had two
brace of pistols in his holsters, and a sword, which he kept concealed
under his cloak. I, of course, carried one in my character of a young
gentleman of fortune, and I also had a brace of pistols; so that we were
tolerably well-armed. Mr Laffan, who had taken the passport, produced
it with a flourish at the gates, and begged that milord might not be
troubled with unnecessary delay. The officer on guard bowed politely,
and we were allowed to pass. I had little expected to get on so well,
but no one seemed to suspect our character.

As soon as we were out of sight of the city, we pushed forward, anxious
to get as far as we could before nightfall. Our road was to be due
north for a considerable distance, along the banks of the Cauca. After
this we were to turn to the right over the Quindio mountains to reach
Bogota. Our great object was to push on to such a distance from
Popayan, that I might not run the risk of being recogn