CHOSE DEATH RATHER THAN GIVE UP CAPTAIN
ALVARADO, AND WHAT BEFEL THEM ON THE ROAD OVER THE MOUNTAINS

They set forth early in the morning. There was a cool freshness in the
air from the storm of the day before and if they wished to avoid the
necessity of traveling in the heat of the day early departure was
necessary. Although the season was summer in a tropic land not far from
the equator, the altitude of Caracas lowered the ordinary temperature to
an agreeable degree, but after they crossed the pass of La Veta and
began the descent toward La Guayra they would be within the confines of
one of the hottest localities on the face of the globe.

[Illustration]

Early as it was, the Viceroy and his officers, including, of course, de
Tobar, were assembled in the patio to bid the travelers godspeed. While
de Lara gave a few parting directions to Alvarado, Don Felipe took
advantage of the opportunity and of his position as the publicly
affianced of Donna Mercedes to address her a few words in farewell,
which she received with listless indifference that did not bode well for
the future happiness of either of them. The final preparations were soon
over. Don Felipe lifted Donna Mercedes to the saddle of her Spanish
jennet; some of the other gentlemen assisted the Senora Agapida to the
back of the sure-footed mule which she had elected as her mount;
Alvarado saluted and sprang to the back of his mettlesome barb, and,
followed by a half-dozen troopers who constituted the escort, the rear
being brought up by servants with pack mules carrying the personal
baggage of the two ladies, the little cavalcade moved off, the gentlemen
in the Viceroy's suite standing bareheaded in the doorway as they
disappeared under the trees and began the ascent toward the pass.

With the whispered assurance of his friend, "I trust you," still ringing
in his ear, with the sound of the Viceroy's stern voice, "I know not
what danger could befall my child in this peaceful time, but I have a
premonition that something threatens, and I charge you to guard her
welfare and happiness with your life," still fresh in his mind,
Alvarado, whose white, haggard face showed that he had passed a
sleepless night, rode at the head of the column. Some distance in front
of him rode a trooper, for there were even then thieves, wandering bands
of masterless men who levied bloody toll on travelers from the capitol
whenever they got opportunity. Next to the captain came the s