e
citizens were being dragged forth from their dwellings, including old
men, women, and even little children, to be slaughtered by the savage
soldiery; while here and there great sheets of flame shot up, showing
that a number of houses had been set on fire. Such were the terrible
scenes which took place, not only at Popayan, but in nearly all the
principal towns of the province, when they fell into the hands of the
Spaniards.

A guard had been placed at the door of Don Cassiodoro's house by General
Calzada, under the plea that a Spanish officer lay wounded within. The
house was thus, indeed, safe from attack, but we were effectually
prevented from going out to obtain intelligence.

Towards morning the trumpet sounding recalled the soldiers to their
quarters, and we could distinctly see them crossing the square laden
with plunder. The Spanish general, having frightened the inhabitants
into something like submission, was now endeavouring to restore order
among the troops. Had the Patriot army been near enough to enter the
city during the night, they might have retaken it, and captured or
destroyed every one of their enemies.

The next day the Spanish colonel, feeling himself very well--indeed, his
wound was of the most trivial nature--desired to go forth, that he might
visit the general and report his proceedings. Don Cassiodoro, who was
anxious to get rid of him, did not object, and the colonel took his
departure. As soon as he was gone, I begged that my father would allow
me to go and learn what had become of Mr Laffan, Dr Cazalla, and other
friends.

"But you will run a risk of being captured, if not of being injured or
killed," said my father.

I told Don Cassiodoro what I wished to do, and one of the young ladies
suggested that I should put on the livery of a stable-boy who happened
to have been sent away into the country sick some time before. I gladly
accepted the proposal, and Jose's dress being procured, I found that it
fitted me exactly. Don Cassiodoro charged me to refrain from answering
questions; but if pressed, I was to say I was one of his servants. It
was proposed that I should wait until the evening, as there would be
less risk of being recognised; but dressed as I was, I thought that no
one could possibly know me: besides, poor Mr Laffan might in the
meantime be starving. Before leaving, I filled my pockets with
eatables, supposing it likely that all the provisions in the house had
been