to me. So Lion set off, keeping close to my heels
all the way, clearly understanding that I was in future to be his
master.

Mr Laffan was as eager to get back to the town as I was, in order to
hear the news. We were still about half a league from Popayan, when we
saw, in an open space near a wood, a considerable body of men, some on
horseback, others on foot, with flags fluttering above their heads. As
we approached, one of them rode out to meet us, in whom I recognised Don
Juan, though much changed in appearance. Instead of his civil garb he
was dressed in military fashion, with a long lance in his hand, a
carbine at his back, and pistols in his holsters.

"I have not been idle, you see, Duncan," he observed, after we had
greeted each other. "I have raised fifty fine fellows, and hope to have
a hundred more mounted and armed in a day or two. If every gentleman
will do the same, we shall soon collect a Patriot force sufficient to
drive back the Spaniards."

We rode forward with him to see his troop. The larger number were
mounted, but there were some infantry armed with long guns--tall, sinewy
fellows, dressed in broad-brimmed hats, loose trousers, and coats
fastened by pouch belts round their waists. The horsemen also wore
large sombreros, leggings and huge spurs, and tight-fitting jackets; and
they were armed with spears and swords of various lengths. Some had
pistols, others carbines, but the lance was the principal weapon.

We rode together into the town,--the infantry, who wore only sandals on
their feet, keeping up with the horses. We were passing down one of the
streets on our way to a convent which the authorities had turned into
barracks, when a lady appeared at a balcony. Juan reined in his steed,
and ordered his men to halt. I recognised Dona Dolores. My friend
bowed low, with a look of pride on his countenance. Dona Dolores
smiled, and addressed a few encouraging words to the men, reminding them
of the cruelties which had often been inflicted by the hated Godos,
urging them to fight bravely, and not to sheathe their swords until they
had driven their foes into the sea. The men cheered, and Dona Dolores
saying she would no longer delay them, we rode on.

The dominie and I parted from Juan at the next turning, and soon reached
home. Finding that my father was just setting out to attend a large
party given at the house of Don Carlos Mosquera, one of the principal
inhabitants of the place,