ruelties they practised, vast
numbers of men, women, and children to fly into the wilderness and take
refuge in the camp of Paez. Among them were many persons of
distinction; and a regular system of government being established, Paez
was chosen supreme chief with the rank of general of brigade. To supply
his starving followers, he, at the head of his troops, during the rainy
season made a long march across the flooded savannahs to attack the city
of Barenas, which abounded with all the commodities of which he stood
most in need. When approaching Barenas, he sent a detachment to attack
the small town of Pedroza, for the purpose of drawing the Spanish forces
away from the city to its relief. His ruse was successful; and
galloping forward, he and his ragged followers were quickly in
possession of the city. Each man loading himself with as large an
amount of provisions and stores as he could carry, the troops quickly
again retreated, and succeeded in conveying their booty to their
starving friends.

On the arrival in the country of a large army under General Morillo,
Paez gave him battle on the plains of Apure, and by a stratagem--
pretending to fly--induced the Spanish cavalry to follow. His active
horsemen then wheeling round, attacked them so furiously with their
lances that nearly the whole were destroyed.

I heard many anecdotes related of him. On one occasion he overtook in a
skirmish a Spanish major of cavalry, who defended himself bravely; but
when Paez was in the act of running his lance through him, he exclaimed,
"O general! had you not been better mounted than I am, I should have
overmatched you."

"If you think so," exclaimed the gallant Paez, "we will exchange horses,
and renew the fight."

To this the major agreed; but no sooner did he find himself on the back
of the general's horse than he galloped off at full speed, followed by
Paez, who, finding that he was losing ground, threw his lasso over the
major's neck and brought him to the ground. As the major, however, had
defended himself bravely, Paez gave him quarter, a favour neither he nor
his llaneros were in the habit of granting to their foes.

On another occasion, one of his men brought in as prisoner a Spanish
hussar of the regiment of Fernando the Seventh,--who, in order to appear
more terrific, wore long beards.

"Why did you grant him quarter?" inquired Paez.

"Because," answered the llanero, "my conscience forbade me to despatch a
Ca