After that meeting, Bolivar with his Army entered Peru. He combined his forces with those of the Liberating Army of Peru, and with the aid of the valiant Sucre, completed what San Martin had so well begun, and swept away the last vestiges of Spanish power from South America.
So the great struggle for Independence, which had lasted over twenty years, was finished.
But Bolivar was not allowed to enjoy long the fruits of his victories.
We shall see why.
THE BREAK
Exiled from Venezuela, consumptive, wellnigh penniless, insulted by his own people, was Bolivar only a few years later.
The creation of his genius, the Great Colombia, was rent with revolutions. His own General Paez had abandoned him. His friend Antonio Sucre had been assassinated.
Bitterness filled Bolivar’s soul, his pride was broken, but he still loved Colombia.
His dying words to her people, were:—
Colombians! My last wishes are for the happiness of my native Land. If my death helps to check the growth of factions and to consolidate the Union, I shall rest tranquilly in the tomb.