osition of Philip the Second.
The native inhabitants made their escape across the lake of Tacarigua,
taking with them all their boats, so that Aguirri could only exercise
his cruelties on his own people. He at once began to put to death those
who opposed him; and in a letter to the king he boasts of the number of
officers whom he had killed. Among them was Fernando de Guzman, who had
been chosen king; but De Aguirri not liking his rule, killed him and the
captain of his guard, his lieutenant-general, his chaplain, a woman, a
knight of the Order of Rhodes, two ensigns, and five or six of his
domestics. Afterwards, having got himself named king, he appointed
captains and sergeants; but these wishing to put him out of the way,
they were all afterwards hanged by his orders. He especially points out
to Philip the corruption of morals among the monks, whom he intends to
chastise severely; he remarks that there is not an ecclesiastic who does
not think himself higher than the governor of a province; that they are
given up to luxury, acquiring possessions, selling sacraments,--being at
once ambitious, violent, and gluttonous. Aguirri--or, as he is still
called by the common people, "the tyrant"--was at length abandoned by
his own men and put to death. When surrounded by foes, and conscious
that his fate was inevitable, he plunged a dagger into the bosom of his
only daughter, that she might not have to blush before the Spaniards at
the term, "the daughter of a traitor." The natives still believe that
the soul of the tyrant wanders in the savannahs like a flame, which
flies on the approach of men.

I wish that I could recollect more of the stories narrated on that
evening.

We were interrupted by a rushing sound, as if some animal were breaking
through the bushes. The doctor started up, exclaiming,--"An anaconda!--
a boa! Be prepared, my friends," and boldly advanced in the direction
of the sound. My father, Gerald, and I, seizing our rifles, followed
his example. The padre did not exhibit the same eagerness, but kept his
seat, and begged my mother and Norah not to be alarmed, as he very much
doubted that any large serpent could have made its way so far up the
mountains; and even if it should prove to be a puma or jaguar, we were
likely, he said, to give a good account of it. Having quieted their
fears, he got up, and taking Tim's rifle, joined us. Jumbo had been in
a state of excitement when he saw what we were abo