there," he said, when we had got between some high convent walls,
where no one was likely to overhear us.

One thing was certain, we must get to a distance from the city before
daybreak. On that point we were all agreed.

When there was no risk of being seen, we moved as fast as possible; but
as we drew near the guard at the entrance of the city we had to walk at
a dignified pace. Antonio had given the sign and countersign to Uncle
Richard and me, so we passed through without question; it being
supposed, in all likelihood, that the officer was on his way to visit
some outpost attended by an orderly, while I concluded that I was taken
for a guide.

Long before morning dawned we were well among the mountains. Antonio
had thoughtfully filled his knapsack with provisions, which, in addition
to those I had brought from Don Jose's, would serve us for several days.
The corporal had also furnished himself with a remarkably good rifle,
and a quantity of ammunition. Our intention was to make our way to some
place occupied by a Patriot force, of which we hoped to gain
intelligence from the peasantry, either Creoles or Indians, the greater
portion of whom were likely to prove friendly. It was most important,
however, to put as great a distance as possible between the city and
ourselves, for as soon as our flight was discovered parties would
certainly be sent out to scour the country in search of us.

We rested for a couple of hours under an overhanging rock--to take some
food and regain our strength--just before daybreak, and then once more
pushed on. None of us, unfortunately, had any exact knowledge of the
country. We had therefore to steer by the sun, and to follow the tracks
which appeared to lead in the direction we wished to go. Occasionally,
when we reached a height from which a view eastward could be obtained,
we looked back to ascertain if any one was following. A party on
horseback, by galloping over the more level ground, instead of climbing
the mountains on foot, might even now overtake us.

The sun was still shining over the hills to the westward, but would
shortly disappear behind them, when we saw before us a rapid river
rushing between lofty and precipitous cliffs. How to cross it, was the
question. We could see no bridge or canoe, and it ran too furiously for
us to breast its foaming billows; while it would be dangerous to cross
on a raft, even if we could find materials for forming one.

We made