iscouraged by the state of the republic, as well he might
be. By turning out the Spaniards the former colonies had merely exchanged
despotism for anarchy; instead of being beaten with whips they were beaten
with scorpions. But though discouraged Carmen was not dismayed. He
belonged to the Blues, who being in power, regarded their opponents, the
Yellows, as rebels; and he was confident that the triumph of his party
would insure the tranquillity of the country. As he was careful to explain
to me, he was a Blue because he was a patriot, and he pressed me so warmly
to return with him to La Victoria, accept a command in his army, and aid
in the suppression of the insurrection, that I ended by consenting.

At Carmen's instance, the president gave me the command of a brigade, and
would have raised me to the rank of general. But when I found that there
were about three generals for every colonel I chose the nominally inferior
but actually more distinguished grade.

I remained in Venezuela two years, campaigning nearly all the time. But it
was an ignoble warfare, cruel and ruthless, and had I not given my word to
Carmen, to stand by him until the country was pacified, I should have
resigned my commission much sooner than I did. Ramon, who acted as one of
my orderlies, bore himself bravely and was several times wounded.

In the meanwhile I received several communications from Van Voorst, and
made two visits to Curacoa. The cutting and disposal of my diamonds being
naturally rather a long business, it was nearly two years after I had
shipped them to Holland before I learned the result of my venture.

After all expenses were paid they brought me nearly three hundred thousand
pounds, which account Goldberg, Van Voorst & Company "held at my
disposal."

It was to arrange and advise with the Amsterdam people, as to the
investment of this great fortune, that I went to Europe. But I did not
depart until my promise was fulfilled. I left Venezuela pacified--from
exhaustion--and Carmen in somewhat better spirits than I had found him.

His last words were a warning, which I have had frequent occasion to
remember: "Beware of the Griscellis."

I sailed from Curacoa (Ramon, of course, accompanying me), in a Dutch
ship, bound for Rotterdam, whither I arrived in due course, and proceeding
thence to Amsterdam, introduced myself to Goldberg, Van Voorst & Company.
They were a weighty and respectable firm in every sense of the term, and
receive