men; it was the only
liquid we had, as the water of the lake was salt. We would gladly have
exchanged the wine for a cup of tea or even fresh water, as the rays of
the sun, striking down from a cloudless sky, made us suffer greatly from
thirst; the men, especially, who had to row, felt the want of water.

We at length, some time past noon, came in sight of the village, which
stood close to the edge of the lake. Part of it consisted of Indian
huts, scattered about without much order. At the further end, on
slightly elevated ground, was a sort of fortification, surrounded by a
mud wall, with loopholes for musketry, high palisades, and a
chevaux-de-frise; while above it floated the Republican flag. We saw
sentries posted at each angle, who were evidently keeping a sharp
look-out.

We steered for a landing-place under the fort. Just before we reached
it, a large native boat, which had apparently come down the stream, had
arrived, and the passengers were landing from her. Among them was a
middle-aged man; from his complexion, even when I saw him at a distance,
I guessed that he was a European. He stopped when he saw our boat touch
the shore, and came slowly forward, eyeing us narrowly. The peculiarity
of his features and costume, and the thick stick he carried in his hand,
showed unmistakably that he was an Irishman. He now stopped, and looked
first at my uncle and then at me; then, giving a flourish of his
shillelagh and two or three wild leaps, he shouted, "Erin-go-bragh!--
shure it's the young masther and Misther Denis themselves, and no
other," and came bounding towards us.

I at once recognised my father's faithful follower, Tim Molloy; who, in
spite of his age, had lost none of his youthful spirits or activity.

"Shure, it's wonderful, isn't it, Misther Denis, that I should fall in
with you the very moment I had come, expecting to have to wait many a
month, maybe, before my old eyes would be gladdened with the sight of
you," he exclaimed, after we had got on shore. "And as the look of the
place isn't altogether over-pleasant, shure you'll be willing to start
away again up the river, without spending any time down here?"

Uncle Denis said he should be ready to commence our voyage the following
day but one, as he hoped by that time to have got through some business
he had to transact at Cervanos; on hearing which Tim expressed his
satisfaction.

We immediately, as may be supposed, made inquiries about al