ob the young English milord, I could not make out.

Mr Laffan and Domingo having secured our hammocks, we turned in, with
our pistols by our sides, while Lion took up his usual post under where
we lay.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

OUR JOURNEY CONTINUED--A SNAKE KILLED--ABUNDANCE OF ANIMAL LIFE--PAUCITY
OF INHABITANTS--BLACK HERDSMEN--VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS OF THE CAUCA
VALLEY--BEAUTIFUL SCENE NEAR CARTAGO--WE ENTER CARTAGO--A WRETCHED
POSADA--MR. LAFFAN SEARCHES FOR CARRIERS--A SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER--THE
SILLEROS--ARRANGEMENTS FOR CROSSING THE MOUNTAINS--THE OFFICER TELLS US
OF THE ESCAPE OF DONA DOLORES--A MIDNIGHT ROBBER--LION KEEPS GUARD--WE
HAVE CAUSE TO BE UNEASY--THE SPANISH OFFICER STARTS BEFORE US--OUR
JOURNEY OVER THE QUINDIO MOUNTAINS COMMENCED--A RUINED VILLAGE.

We left Calli at daybreak, before the rest of the guests were astir. I
was not altogether satisfied that we had escaped detection; and from the
appearance of some of the characters at the supper-table, I thought it
possible that an attempt might be made to rob us. How Domingo might
act, I could not tell; but I was very sure that, in the event of being
attacked by banditti, Mr Laffan would prove to them that they had
caught a Tartar. The road we traversed was as bad as could be.
Sometimes our horses descended the hills almost on their haunches; at
others we were compelled to dismount and lead them up the steep
inclines. 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. "Either our friends or our enemies will take possession of it
one of these days, and it will prove a hard matter to drive them out."

I noted the spot, as well as his remark.

At the next stream we came to, which was a more tranquil one than the
former, we had an adventure. As we were crossing it, we observed a
large snake swimming towards us. On it came, with its head and part of
its body raised out of the water. On nearing us it stopped, apparently
watching our motions. I then knew, by the black cross which I observed
on its neck, that it was of the species called aquis, one of the boldest
and most venomous of the serpents of that region. Mr Laffan, not
liking the creature's appeara