1830.] Republican Perfidy. 519 



the Orinoco during its periodical overflowings, and which, at those 

 periods, conveyed the superabundant waters to a swamp in the rear of 

 the town, which then assumed the appearance of a tolerably extensive 

 lake. At the period I allude to it was partially dry, though there was 

 still depth of water enough at its source to admit boats to the shelter of 

 its projecting banks. A small rude flight of steps cut in the hard clay, 

 facilitated an ascent to the summit. Two rows of trees lined the walk 

 on either side, whilst the action of the breeze upon their redundant 

 foliage gave an agreeable freshness to the place. Here, since the hour 

 of sunset, the inhabitants of San Tomas de Angostura had been enjoying 

 " el fresco" They had now began, however, leisurely to return to their 

 houses ; and, ere the expiration of half an hour, all was solitude. Not 

 a sound was heard, save, at intervals, the discordant voice of some old 

 and decrepid negress, chaunting the "fandango" to the rumbling accom- 

 paniment of a calabash loaded with pebbles, and to which her youthful 

 compatriots of both sexes beat time with their naked feet, and performed 

 the evolutions of that lascivious dance. 



Edward Winton, roused (if I may so term it) from his visionary con- 

 templations by the very silence that reigned around him, advanced 

 slowly in the direction of the avenue which I have described. He had 

 proceeded nearly half its distance, when his attention was attracted by 

 the splash of oars. He cast his eye on the broad expanse of water on his 

 left, and perceived an armed flechera rapidly approaching the bank he 

 was perambulating. Anxious to obtain intelligence, he accelerated his 

 pace, and arrived just at the moment she anchored in the little creek or 

 inlet before mentioned. She was of the larger size of gun-boats ; her 

 bow was armed with a long twelve-pounder, upon a swivel ; her sails 

 were furled ; at her mast-head was displayed a commodore's pennant ; 

 and at her stern, in the beams of the moon, floated the tri-coloured flag 

 of Venezuela. She appeared to be manned with a strong guard of sol- 

 diers : yet not a sound beyond a whisper was emitted by her crew. The 

 mystery which this unusual silence betokened surprised Winton, who 

 concealed himself behind the shelter of a neighbouring tree, from whence 

 he could descry the movements of the stranger. The first person who 

 ascended the acclivity was a thick- set man of low stature, whose coun- 

 tenance betrayed the worst passions of human nature. He was instantly 

 recognized by Winton as the sanguinary Dias* the bloodthirsty can- 

 nibal of the revolution the heartless miscreant that could revel in the 

 excruciating pangs of his fellow-creature, and even drink the blood of 

 the victim to his remorseless vengeance ! Winton intuitively shuddered 

 as he beheld him. 



Dias was quickly followed by several soldiers, two of whom aided a 

 tall fine figure of a man to mount, who evidently required their assist- 

 ance to do so, his arms appearing to be under some restraint. He was 

 enveloped in a large ce mantilla/' or Spanish cloak, and a broad-rimmed 

 straw hat, which he wore slouched, completely concealed his features 

 from observation. The clasp of the " mantilla," however, having 

 (probably in the effort to ascend) become loosened, enabled Winton to 

 perceive an embroidered collar, the distinguishing mark of a general 

 officer. The gruff, vulgar voice of the brutal commandant making the 



* Dias, commandant of the gun-boats in the service of the republic. This fellow has 

 been often heard to boast that he fed upon human flesh !. 



