162 The Eve of Saint Simon, in Colombia. FAuo. 



along the different streets leading to the Great Square. Among the first 

 to reach the scene of riot was Lieutenant-Colonel Davy, whose gallant 

 attempt to quell the disturbance was quickly rewarded with the in- 

 fliction of two or three wounds, and who only preserved his life by the 

 prompt rescue afforded him by some of his friends who had fortunately 

 followed his steps. The infuriate soldiers resisted all endeavours to 

 pacify them : luckily they had no ammunition,, or the result might have 

 proved fatal to many. Trayner, with true characteristic baseness, avoided 

 the fury of the storm he had conjured ; and Blosset, who now made his 

 appearance with wildness depicted on his countenance, would have 

 fallen a sacrifice to his unpopularity, had not the sudden cry of " Paez ! 

 Paez !" acted like an electric shock upon the nerves of the men, and 

 paralyzed their faculty of action. With the velocity of an eagle pouncing 

 upon its prey, Paez distanced all his staff (who vainly endeavoured to 

 keep pace with him), and stood calm and collected in front of the mu- 

 tineers : his eye flashing indignation was the only visible indication of 

 his ruthless ire. He beckoned to some of his native followers, and gave 

 them private orders, which they immediately proceeded to execute. A 

 few minutes elapsed, during which period a profound silence reigned 

 where so lately uproar had presided. Paez soon discovered, by a glance, 

 that part of his commands had been obeyed. The regiment of Apure 

 drew up in position to enfilade the rioters, and loaded with ball-car- 

 tridge on the spot. He then called Captain Wiltheu (his English aide- 

 de-camp), and directed him to proclaim aloud, that if any officer, non- 

 commissioned officer, or private, had any complaint to make, he should 

 advance to the front. Two or three minutes' pause succeeded the pro- 

 mulgation of this notice : at its expiration six sergeants deputed by the 

 men to plead their cause with the general quitted the ranks, and took 

 their station in advance, when they were instantaneously disarmed by 

 the native officers, who began to muster in considerable numbers round 

 their tyrannical leader.* 



The wily Trayner now deemed it time to show himself, and approach- 

 ing Paez, informed him that he had been engaged in augmenting the 

 Creole guard upon the magazines, and other precautionary measures for 

 the safety of the town, and requested his further orders. Paez soon 

 furnished him with suitable employment, by directing him to super- 

 intend the immediate execution of the six men, whom he designated as 

 self-convicted ringleaders of the revolt. Trayner said something in an 

 under tone to the general, who ejaculated, " Right certainly ! Let the 

 light company of the ' British legion' furnish the firing-party, and its 

 captain will command it !" What language can portray Hodgkinson's 

 feelings when the cruel mandate met his ear ? He saw at once the source 

 from whence this malignant blow sprung, and resolved, at the risk of 

 his life, to defeat its purpose. Stepping hastily forward, and casting 

 his sword at the feet of Paez, he thus addressed him : " General, when 

 I first drew that weapon, it was in the sacred cause of honour : it shall 

 never b.e sullied in the hands of its owner : I therefore relinquish it. 

 I came hither the soldier of liberty, and sworn enemy to oppression, 

 and will not degrade myself by becoming the deliberate assassin of my 

 deluded countrymen. My fate depends upon your will ; my disgrace 



* I suppose Paez acted upon the principle that the end justifies the means. The pro- 

 clamation was a mere subterfuge, since he had not the most distant idea of listening to 

 complaints, much less of redressing them ! 



