the bravery he
displayed, that he would not allow him to be attacked in his retreat.

I was returning from our last charge, when I saw a wounded officer whom
I recognised even at a distance as one of our party. On dismounting to
ascertain what assistance I could give him, I found, to my sorrow, that
it was my cousin, whom I had so long known as Colonel Acosta. He
recognised me; and pressing my hand, in a faint voice he asked me to
take a locket from his neck. I did as he desired; and holding it in his
hand, he gazed steadfastly at it with eyes rapidly becoming dim as the
chill of death stole over him.

"Paola!--Paola! I would have died to save you," he murmured. "Let this
be buried with me," he whispered. "Take care of it, lest any
sacrilegious hands should tear it from me."

I lifted him up, meanwhile shouting to some of my men to try and find a
surgeon, in case it might not be too late to save his life. But even
then his spirit was departing; and ere another minute had passed I found
that I held his lifeless form in my arms.

Ordering a party of men to carry the body to the camp, I next went in
search of Carlos, to give him the sad information; and that night we
buried the betrothed of the unfortunate Donna Paola Salabriata beneath a
lofty palm-tree, with her miniature, as he had desired, placed on his
breast.

That battle decided the fate of the Spanish power in Venezuela; and
though in some places along the sea-coast isolated bands held out in the
hope of receiving succour from Spain, ere long every Spanish soldier was
driven from the land, and the cause of Liberty triumphed.

We had no difficulty in obtaining from General Bermudez a strong troop
of horsemen, with which to proceed, under the guidance of the Indian, in
search of the band who held Norah in captivity.

The padre and the doctor, too, on hearing of our expedition, insisted on
accompanying us.

"But I fear that you, senor padre, will not be able to endure the
fatigues we may have to undergo," I observed.

"In such a cause I shall be insensible to fatigue," answered the padre
in a spirited tone. "Perhaps, too, I can be of use in influencing some
of the rascals who know me, and may be willing to listen to what I say.
Go I must, Barry, so say no more about it."

The doctor was equally determined. "There are plenty of surgeons
belonging to the British legion in the camp to attend to the wounded;
and your fair sister may be ill, and requi