ed Bolivar.
Whether he really knew the true state of the case, I could not tell.

Captain Laffan was as reticent as at first. "Now, Captain Lopez, we
must not delay; we possess all the information you wish to gain, and I
would advise you to turn back with us, or you may chance to fall into
the hands of the enemy."

In answer to this remark Captain Lopez made several excuses, and at last
said, "I'll ride on for a short distance, and then follow you back.
Farewell, senors, for a short time;" and he continued his course in the
direction he was before going.

"The scoundrel!" exclaimed Captain Laffan as we galloped on; "I am very
sure that he is on no good errand. We should have served the cause by
shooting him."

We had very little time to make remarks, as we had generally to ride one
before the other, but our suspicions of the object Captain Lopez had in
view made it more important than ever that we should reach the Patriots
without delay, and hurry them on to the succour of Don Juan and his hard
pressed garrison.

Another night arrived, and we were still unable to ascertain how far off
the Patriots were encamped. Had our horses been able to move, we
should, in spite of the dangers of the road, have pushed on in the dark.
There was just light enough for us to discover a deserted hut. At the
back was a garden overgrown with grass, into which we turned our horses.
A well in one corner supplied them with water, and we were sure that
they would not wish to stray; while the thick hedge and trees which
surrounded the garden concealed them from the view of any one passing.
We ourselves were not likely to be discovered unless by a person
entering the hut. The food with which our good hostess Margarida had
supplied us afforded a tolerable supper, with something over for
breakfast. We could not doubt but that early the next day we should
fall in with the Patriots.

Scarcely yet persuaded that Captain Lopez was acting treacherously, as
Captain Laffan supposed, I half expected to see him return.

"If he does, it will be with a party of the enemy," said my companion,
"and we shall be made prisoners, unless we get due notice and can gallop
off."

This idea made us more wakeful than we should otherwise have been, for
Lion doing duty as sentry was sufficient protection. The morning,
however, came, and no enemy appeared. I shared my portion of the
remaining stock of food with Lion, who had been for some time on short
co