puchin friar."

"He is no friar, but a regular soldier. Bring me no more Capuchin
friars," said the general.

On this occasion, too, he spared the prisoner's life, and the man
entering his service, became much attached to him.

Paez ever proved himself a most indefatigable enemy to the Spaniards.
For weeks and months he followed the steps of Morillo, unceasingly
clinging to him, and on every opportunity dashing into his camp at
night, frequently with not more than a hundred and fifty or two hundred
men, slaughtering all he encountered, and never failing to cut his way
back with trifling loss. He would also, when the Royalists were
fatigued by a harassing day's march, drive off all their cattle and
baggage-mules, leaving them frequently without provisions.

The most renowned of his exploits occurred when he had formed a junction
with Bolivar on the plains of Apure. Their troops were in an almost
starving condition, and unless they could cross the river they would
have to make a circuitous march of many leagues to obtain provisions;
while on the opposite bank were seen vast numbers of cattle, which could
not be reached for want of boats. About midway across the stream there
was also a fleet of sixty flecheras, or gun-boats, well-armed and
manned, belonging to the enemy. Bolivar stood on the shore gazing
disconsolately at the enemy's fleet, when Paez rode up to him and
inquired the cause of his disquietude.

"I would give the world to have possession of the Spanish flotilla, for
without it I can never cross the river," answered Bolivar.

"It shall be yours in an hour," replied Paez.

"It is impossible," said Bolivar.

"Leave that to me," rejoined Paez, and galloped off.

In a few minutes he returned at the head of a body of three hundred
lancers, selected for their proved bravery and strength from his
llaneros, and leading them to the bank, he thus addressed them,--"We
must have those flecheras or die. Let those who please follow Tio," (or
uncle, for so his favourite troopers were accustomed to call him).
Saying this, he dashed into the river and swam towards the flotilla.

His guard followed him with their lances in their mouths, now
encouraging their horses to bear up against the current, now swimming by
their sides and patting their necks, and shouting to scare away the
alligators, of which there were hundreds in the river. Thus they
proceeded till they reached the flotilla; then mounting their horses,