as, which are
not indigenous to this part of the country. They had been brought from
Upper Peru, where they are used as beasts of burden, and were here
occasionally so employed. It was a pretty rural scene.

"It's lovely, it's lovely! In truth, it reminds me of Old Ireland,
barring the palm-trees, and the cacti, and the chirramoyas, and the
Indian corn, and those llama beasts," exclaimed Mr Laffan. Then
looking at the Indian women who were tending the poultry, he added, "And
those olive damsels. Ah, young gentlemen, you should see my own fair
countrywomen, and you would acknowledge that through the world you
couldn't meet any beings so lovely under the blue vault of heaven--
whatever there may be above it in the form of angels; and they are as
modest as they are good."

Mr Laffan continued to expatiate on the perfections of green Erin's
Isle, its mountains, lakes, and rivers, a theme in which he delighted,
until his eyes glistened, and his voice choked with emotion, as he
thought of the country he might never again see.

Uncle Richard having inspected the farm, and examined some of the
horses, we mounted our animals and proceeded homewards. We were
approaching the house, when we caught sight of Paul Lobo galloping
towards us from the direction of Popayan.

"What is the matter?" exclaimed Uncle Richard, observing his excited
manner.

"El senor doctor want to see you, Massa Duncan, in quarter less no time.
Says he, You Paul Lobo, get on horseback and bring him here."

The horse stood panting for breath, its nostrils covered with foam,
showing at what a rate he must have ridden.

"Why does he want to see me?" I asked anxiously. "Is he ill, or my
mother or Flora?"

"No, no! dey all berry well; but el senor doctor got news from Cauca,
and berry bad news too. De Spaniards enter dere, and cut de t'roats ob
all de men 'cept what ride or run away, and de women as bad, and dey
come on quick march to Popayan; do de same t'ing dere, no doubt."

"That is indeed bad news," I said. "We will get our horses and return
home to-night; they are fortunately fresh. You must change horses,
Paul, and go with us, after you have had some food."

"We must endeavour to oppose them, if it can be done with any chance of
success," exclaimed Uncle Richard, who had just then come up. "I will
accompany you, Duncan, and ascertain what your father advises. We will
let Senor Monteverde and Dona Dolores know, in case they may not ha