I may but
afford the feeble aid a woman can give in forwarding the great object."

I had found some difficulty in answering the general; I found it still
more trying to reply to the beautiful Donna Paola. I remembered too
well the advice given me by my sensible schoolmaster; yet, as I listened
to the enthusiastic conversation of those into whose company I was so
unexpectedly thrown, and heard of the atrocities of the Spaniards and
the gallant exploits of the patriot leaders, I was naturally carried
away, and soon forgot all my prudent resolutions, in spite of the
remarks made by my uncle to prevent me from committing myself.

"Whenever summoned, you will find me ready, general," I exclaimed; "and
I call my friends here to witness my promise."

"Well spoken, my young patriot," cried the general, stretching across
the table to take my hand; while Donna Paola smiled her approval.

"Remember, Barry, that your promise is but conditional," whispered my
uncle; "your father may have other work for you."

During the time we sat at table, I heard anecdotes of most of the chief
leaders of the patriot as also of the Royalist forces. Of the former
the two principal men were,--Don Simon Bolivar, a man of good birth and
education; and Jose Paez, who, belonging to the humblest rank of life,
had been brought up among the hardy llaneros of the Apure. Bolivar was
born in the city of Caraccas, in the neighbourhood of which his father,
Don Juan Vicente Bolivar, had large possessions, and was of noble rank.
At an early age he was sent to Madrid for his education, on completing
which he made the tour of Europe, visiting England among other
countries. When only nineteen he married a beautiful girl, the daughter
of a nobleman, and for a short time lived in the enjoyment of domestic
life, until he was deprived of his wife by death. To alleviate his
grief, he again visited Europe and the United States, where he imbibed,
those Liberal principles which induced him to take a prominent part in
fighting for the freedom of his native country. In 1811, when General
Miranda, the commander of the patriot army, cut down and destroyed the
Spanish standard, and hoisted the tricolour in its stead, Simon Bolivar
joined him, and was immediately appointed to a command in the
independent army. After a long and desperate struggle, Venezuela again
fell into the hands of the Royalists, who retaliated on those who had
opposed them, and the whole country wa