The Province and city of Guayaquil lay on the northern border of Peru. They were still under Spanish rule. They were garrisoned by 1500 Spanish soldiers.
The Patriots decided to capture the garrison. So while San Martin was preparing to besiege Lima, they set out from Villamil’s house, led by a Venezuelan officer. Villamil accompanied them with a band of Englishmen and North Americans, who were eager to help in the attack.
They took the garrison in double-quick time, and with very little bloodshed at that, for scarcely eight men were killed.
“That was bravely and cleverly done!” said Villamil.
And that he himself had fought bravely and cleverly during the attack, was soon proven, for the Provisional Government of Guayaquil despatched him aboard a schooner to carry the good news to Lord Cochrane and San Martin.
Some time after, there took place at Guayaquil one of the most amazing meetings the world has ever seen.
THE AMAZING MEETING
This amazing meeting at Guayaquil, was like the dramatic climax of an exciting story.
There was a mystery in it.
It happened a few months after the freeing of Guayaquil. The people of the city, dressed in their gayest clothes, were crowding along the streets, and craning their necks to watch for a procession.