le I have an arm to strike a
blow, I will fight for the ladies."

"I hope that while they are in my house they will run no risk, removed
as it is from the city," said Uncle Richard; "and if you will entrust
them to my keeping, I will take care of them, along with my wife and
daughter. Duncan and Mr Laffan may be of use here."

Uncle Richard then began to tell my father the plans which had been
formed for preventing the Spaniards from entering the city.

My father stopped him. "I desire not to be acquainted with anything
that is going forward. It is my duty to endeavour to heal the sick and
wounded, in the character of a physician and a non-combatant. I may
remain unmolested, and be able to serve the cause of humanity. As for
Duncan and Mr Laffan, I will reconsider my intentions. I will,
however, accept your offer as regards my wife and Flora, and place them
under your care."

It was finally arranged that my mother and sister, with their female
attendants, and Hugh, should set off the next morning, escorted by Uncle
Richard; and that Mr Laffan and I should remain until, in the course of
events, it might be decided what was best to be done.

CHAPTER FOUR.

MY MOTHER AND SISTER LEAVE POPAYAN WITH UNCLE RICHARD--MR. LAFFAN AND I
ACCOMPANY THEM--LION GIVEN TO ME--MEET JUAN AND HIS TROOP--HEAR AN
INSPIRITING ADDRESS FROM DONA DOLORES--A POLITICAL BALL AT DON CARLOS
MOSQUERA'S--DONA DOLORES WARNS ME AGAINST CAPTAIN LOPEZ--SHE ENLISTS
NUMEROUS RECRUITS--THE DOMINIE SHOWS THAT HE HAS HAD MILITARY
EXPERIENCE--DRILLING THE LEVIES--THE CITIZENS EMPLOYED IN ERECTING
FORTIFICATIONS--THE ENEMY APPROACH--PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEFENCE--THE
SUMMONS TO ARMS--THE CITY ATTACKED--MR. LAFFAN AND I JOIN DON JUAN--THE
ENEMY DRIVEN BACK--A SORTIE--THE ENEMY ATTACKED--GUNS CAPTURED--RETURN
IN TRIUMPH TO THE CITY.

During the night information was received that the Spaniards, two days
before, had entered Bouga, on the Cauca, leaving us in no doubt that
they were advancing up the valley, and might be expected in our
neighbourhood in the course of three or four days--perhaps even their
cavalry might appear sooner, as they probably, thinking there was no
force to oppose them, would push on ahead of the main body. My father
therefore kept to his resolution of sending off my mother and sister;
and the next morning at daylight, after a hurried breakfast, the horses
and mules were brought round to the courtyard, ready to start. My
mot