rto
passed his time in superintending his mother's estate, or enjoying such
amusements as offered. He would now have to lead a life full of dangers
and hardships.

"I congratulate you on finding Dona Dolores at home," observed Uncle
Richard when we arrived.

"Yes, we had that honour," said Juan, endeavouring to hide the sword
which he had received--he had given me his to carry. I observed that he
placed it carefully against the wall, and covered it with his cloak.

Supper was now announced, but Juan spoke very little during the meal.
Mr Laffan, however, conversed for all the party; rattling away, as he
could do when he had had a glass or two of good wine to raise his
spirits, and listening, apparently with rapt attention, to Uncle
Richard's sea stories and jokes, though he had heard them fifty times
before. Dona Maria, too, spoke English very fairly, having learned it
from her husband; and Juan could understand what was said, though he was
bashful about speaking.

We retired at an early hour to our hammocks, as we were to start betimes
the next morning, on our expedition.

CHAPTER THREE.

A SHOOTING EXPEDITION--SNARING PARROQUETS--THE DOMINIE AND THE
TIGER-CAT--A DEER SHOT--THE DOMINIE PROVES THAT HE IS A MAN OF COURAGE--
BLOW-PIPES AND POISONED ARROWS--A JAGUAR HUNT--STORIES ABOUT JAGUARS--A
FEARFUL THUNDERSTORM--THE STRICKEN TREE--REACH HOME--A DISCUSSION ON
LIBERTY--SET OUT ON A SECOND EXPEDITION--REACH A HOT SPRING--VISIT TO AN
OLD CACIQUE--THE LAST OF HIS RACE--PROMISES TO AID THE PATRIOT CAUSE--
VINEGAR RIVER--THE DOMINIE TASTES THE WATER--UNCLE RICHARD'S FARM--
RETURN HOMEWARDS--PAUL LOBO MEETS US WITH BAD NEWS--OUR NIGHT-RIDE TO
POPAYAN--DONA DOLORES ENLISTS THE DOMINIE--WE REACH POPAYAN--
ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY--THE DOMINIE AND I REMAIN
WITH MY FATHER.

I was in doubt whether Juan would accompany us. When I asked him, he
replied that he wished to have some conversation with Don Ricardo, and
that he should have an opportunity of speaking to him as we rode along.
Leaving our own horses in the stable, we were supplied instead with
active little mules, better calculated for climbing up and sliding down
the steep declivities. We had a dozen couples of dogs, not quite as
large as greyhounds, but of the same species.

"They will run down any of the wild animals found in these forests, as
well as the danta, or wild ass--the black bear, red leopard, tiger-cat,
the deer, and fo