ry likely lose our
way, or take a much longer route than was necessary. With this object
in view, therefore, seeing a small town on our right we rode towards it,
to procure the assistance we required, and obtain refreshments for
ourselves and steeds. Being uncertain who had possession of the place,
I rode into the town, as I could pass there for an Englishman or a
Spaniard, as the case might necessitate. I could thus obtain the
information, while Mr Laffan remained on watch at some distance.

The place at first appeared deserted; but at length I saw three persons.
One was lying in front of a door-step, another was apparently watching
him,--both being badly wounded,--while a third, leaning against the
wall, watched me as I approached.

"Friends," I asked, "what has happened lately in this town?"

"The Godos have passed through it, and as we were Patriots they burned
down a large part, and killed most of us. Look at yonder woman; she
alone survives of all her family. You see almost all the remaining
inhabitants," and the speaker uttered a bitter laugh.

"I can feel for you, for I am a Patriot," I answered; "and I want to
find my way to the army of General Bolivar."

"I would act as your guide, but I have no horse," answered the man; "and
I could not sit one if I had; look here, senor,"--and he showed me a
severe wound on his side. "Nor can we help you," he continued, "for
there is no young man left in the place who would be able to go; but I
can direct you on your road. And you will rejoice to hear, senor, that
the last news which reached us is that the general has beaten the
accursed Godos; though whether it is true I know not. Good news never
travels so fast as ill news."

I tried to cheer my new friend, and he undertook to obtain some
refreshments for us.

"You may enter any of the houses you please, for most of them are empty;
but to mine you are welcome."

While he went to find some food and fodder for our horses, I rode back
to where I had left Mr Laffan.

On our return we found plenty of fodder for our horses, but the fare
with which we were supplied was very scanty, almost everything having
been carried off by the plunderers.

"If, however, we would wait," our host said, "he would find some fruit,
and procure some fowls which had escaped."

As we were anxious to proceed, we begged that he would point out the
road we were to take. This he did, and we bade him farewell.

We had still some hou