assed through the flesh without cutting any considerable artery or
blood-vessel, and gone out again--carrying with it the piece of cloth it
had cut from my trousers.

The men, with more consideration than I should have expected from them,
then lifted me up on their shoulders and conveyed me to the hut which
had served as their guard-house. After I had been there some time an
officer appeared, who asked if I was ready to give any information about
the movements of the patriots; but I replied that I was merely the
bearer of despatches--with the contents of which I was unacquainted--and
that I had, as in duty bound, thrown away my despatch-case. I guessed,
from various questions put to me, that it had not been discovered; which
was, at all events, satisfactory, as they were less likely to suppose
that I had the letters concealed about me. The officer then told me
that, as I was strong enough to sit a mule, he would send me to General
Morillo, who might possibly find means of eliciting information. I
begged that I might remain a few days in quiet, to give my wound an
opportunity of healing. He answered that I must consider myself
fortunate in not being immediately put to death, as would have been the
fate of most people; but that, as I had shown courage, and was an
Englishman, he would give me a chance of saving my life and regaining my
liberty: though he warned me that, should I refuse to give all the
information I might possess, the general would shoot or hang me without
scruple.

Of course I thanked the officer for his courtesy, and expressed my
readiness to set out, and sit my mule as long as I could; not that I had
the slightest intention of giving General Morillo any information, but I
hoped, during the journey, to find some opportunity of escaping.

As Caracas was still held by the Republicans, I was to be taken, I
found, to La Guayra, on the coast, and from thence sent to wherever the
general happened to be. It occurred to me that by the time I could
reach him, even should I tell him everything I knew it would be of
little use, as the patriot leaders might by that time have completely
changed their plans.

From an unusual oversight on their part, my captors had not thought of
searching me, as they supposed all the letters I was carrying had been
thrown away in the case. I determined, however, to destroy the
despatches on the first opportunity.

I cannot attempt to describe my journey, for my wound pained