ANDALUSIAN SKETCHES. 



I once more found myself under the command of Riego. But he 

 was no longer the popular chief. Suspicions appeared to be very 

 generally entertained of his integrity, and his altered and overbearing 

 manner had alienated from him the good-will of the soldiers. In 

 August it was announced that he was removed from his command ; 

 and General Moredo succeeded him. Some disturbances occurred, 

 and a few lives were lost; but order was shortly restored. In the 

 spring of 1822, my battalion removed to Valencia. General Elio was 

 at that time a prisoner in the citadel, under sentence of death, for his 

 political conduct in 1814 ; but it was understood that government 

 were afraid to take his life on that plea. I was on duty there, and 

 saw Elio frequently. He was a kind and smiable man, and I became 

 greatly attached to him. I formed part of the citadel guard, which 

 was relieved monthly, although I remained for two successive months. 

 It was my place, as the serjeant-major of the detachment, to see the 

 prisoner constantly. The dignified manner in which he bore his 

 melancholy reverse of fortune created in me feelings of deep com- 

 miseration. I confess to you, that if it had appeared at all prac- 

 ticable to accomplish his deliverance from captivity, I would have 

 aided his escape. But it was absolutely impossible, and I must say 

 that he never attempted to shake my fidelity. On the 1st of May we 

 were relieved from the citadel by a guard of the artillery ; and on the 

 30th of that month I was slightly wounded in retaking it from those 

 madmen (eighty in number), they having hoisted the flag of rebel- 

 lion, and proclaimed Elio governor certainly, I believe, without any 

 concurrence on his part. As the presumed instigator, however, of 

 this absurd revolt, he was again tried and condemned. On the 4th 

 of September I witnessed, with the rest of the garrison, the execution 

 of this brave officer. He was subjected to the infamous punishment 

 of the garrote. In vain he solicited to die the death of a soldier. I 

 stood close to the platform upon which he was executed. He was as 

 calm and collected as I now am. His last words were expressive of for- 

 giveness of his enemies, blessings on the king, a prayer for the royal 

 cause, and a prophecy of its ultimate triumph. My indignation at this 

 murder was so great, that I imprudently gave vent to it in words. My 

 previous intercourse with Elio when on duty at his prison was well 

 known, and, coupled with my unguarded expressions at and after his 

 execution, caused me to become an object of suspicion to my officers. 

 A few days afterwards a brother serjeant gave me warning that I 

 should be arrested the next morning on parade, tried by a drum-head 

 court-martial, and made an immediate example to the disaffected, of 

 whom there were now a large number in the army. Not a moment 

 was to be lost. By the assistance of an acquaintance in the city, I 

 exchanged my uniform for a countryman's dress, and made good my 

 escape from the town, driving a borico as if on my return from vend- 

 ing vegetables. We had all heard of El Exercito del Fe (the Army 

 of the Faith), which was then attempting the overthrow of the tyran- 

 nical Cortes, and the restoration of the legitimate government. I de- 

 termined, therefore, to direct my steps into Catalonia, of which pro- 

 vince this army was said to have nearly entire possession. I reached 

 one of its detachments, was gladly received, and appointed to a 



