the patriots; and they retired in chagrin, and without granting
absolution to either victim. The firing party made ready. Then it
was, for the first time, that the spirit of this noble maiden seemed
to shrink from the approach of death.

"Butcher!" she exclaimed, to the viceroy, who stood in his balcony,
overlooking the scene of execution. "Butcher! you have then the heart
to kill a woman!"

These were the only words of weakness. She recovered herself
instantly, and, preparing for her fate, without looking for any effect
from her words, she proceeded to cover her face with the _saya_, or
veil, which she wore. Drawing it aside for the purpose, the words
"_Vive la Patria!_" embroidered in letters of gold, were discovered on
the _basquina_. As the signal for execution was given, a distant hum,
as of the clamors of an approaching army, was heard fitfully to rise
upon the air.

"It is he! He comes! It is Bolivar! It is the Liberator!" was her cry,
in a tone of hope and triumph, which found its echo in the bosom of
hundreds who dared not give their hearts a voice. It was, indeed, the
Liberator. Bolivar was at hand, pressing onward with all speed to the
work of deliverance; but he came too late for the rescue of the
beautiful and gifted damsel to whom he owed so much. The fatal bullets
of the executioners penetrated her heart ere the cry of her exultation
had subsided from the ear. Thus perished a woman worthy to be
remembered with the purest and proudest who have done honor to nature
and the sex; one who, with all the feelings and sensibilities of the
woman, possessed all the pride and patriotism, the courage, the
sagacity and the daring of the man.

TO THE EAGLE.

BY MRS. E. C. KINNEY.

Imperial bird! that soarest to the sky--
Cleaving through clouds and storms thine upward way--
Or, fixing steadfastly that dauntless eye,
Dost face the great, effulgent god of day!
Proud monarch of the feathery tribes of air!
My soul exulting marks thy bold career,
Up, through the azure fields, to regions fair,
Where, bathed in light, thy pinions disappear.

Thou, with the gods, upon Olympus dwelt,
The emblem, and the favorite bird of Jove--
And godlike power in thy broad wings hast felt
Since first they spread o'er land and sea to rove:
From Ida's top the Thunderer's piercing sight
Flashed on the hosts which Ilium did defy;
So from thy eyrie on th