malady increased, and my father
soon saw that his hours were numbered, and told him so. The dying man
acknowledged that his funds were nearly exhausted; that he was waiting
remittances from England, but that it might be long before they arrived,
if they ever came at all; and he was greatly concerned as to what would
become of his attendant, who would thus be left in a foreign country
without the means of leaving it, or of obtaining support. My father had
not been favourably impressed by the appearance of Mr Laffan, who was
tall and gaunt, with awkward manners and ungainly figure; but after some
conversation he found him to be a man of considerable attainments and
intelligence, and apparently thoroughly honest and trustworthy.

On the death of the unfortunate gentleman, my father found his companion
plunged in the deepest grief.

"He was my best friend, sir, the truest I ever had in the world; and now
he's gone and left me all alone among savages, or little better, by the
way they murder each other; and we may call them heathens, too, when we
see them bow down to stocks and stones."

My father, feeling for the poor man, inquired whether he would be
willing to act as tutor to two boys. On receiving this proposal, Mr
Laffan started up and pressed my father's hand, and while the tears ran
down his cheeks, assured him that he would gladly devote his life and
energies to the task, hoping that my father would have no cause to
regret having entrusted us to his charge.

Having seen his former patron placed in the grave, Mr Laffan took up
his abode in our house, and well and faithfully fulfilled the duties he
had undertaken--although, it must be confessed, in a somewhat curious
fashion--and we soon became as much attached to him, I believe, as he
was to us. He gave us not only mental, but physical training; for, in
spite of his gaunt figure, he was a first-rate horseman, and thoroughly
understood the sword-exercise, a practical knowledge of which he
imparted to us. He was a good shot and a keen sportsman; and although
he seldom spoke of himself, he had, I discovered, seen a good deal of
service, and had honourable wounds to show. He was a devoted Liberal,
and detested tyranny in every shape and form. As may be supposed, we
admired his principles, which, indeed, were those of our father and
uncle, and all the members of our mother's family.

As I have said, Juan and I rode on, while Mr Laffan and Hugh followed
close be