The place at first appeared deserted; but at length I saw three persons. One was lying in front of a door-step, another was apparently watching him,—both being badly wounded,—while a third, leaning against the wall, watched me as I approached.
“Friends,” I asked, “what has happened lately in this town?”
“The Godos have passed through it, and as we were Patriots they burned down a large part, and killed most of us. Look at yonder woman; she alone survives of all her family. You see almost all the remaining inhabitants,” and the speaker uttered a bitter laugh.
“I can feel for you, for I am a Patriot,” I answered; “and I want to find my way to the army of General Bolivar.”
“I would act as your guide, but I have no horse,” answered the man; “and I could not sit one if I had; look here, señor,”—and he showed me a severe wound on his side. “Nor can we help you,” he continued, “for there is no young man left in the place who would be able to go; but I can direct you on your road. And you will rejoice to hear, señor, that the last news which reached us is that the general has beaten the accursed Godos; though whether it is true I know not. Good news never travels so fast as ill news.”
I tried to cheer my new friend, and he undertook to obtain some refreshments for us.
“You may enter any of the houses you please, for most of them are empty; but to mine you are welcome.”
While he went to find some food and fodder for our horses, I rode back to where I had left Mr Laffan.
On our return we found plenty of fodder for our horses, but the fare with which we were supplied was very scanty, almost everything having been carried off by the plunderers.
“If, however, we would wait,” our host said, “he