4 Journal of an Officer serving in Columbia. 
not withdraw his hand, The Indian now 
ran and secured him, and all the tribe 
fled from branch to branch in evident 
avitation. Part of an old red jacket 
being procured, all hands went to 
work to make him a new suit of 
clothes, and, after being dressed, he 
was let loose in the branches among 
his astonished companions, who col- 
lected round him, and, gazing on him 
with curiosity for about five minutes, a 
busy scene ensued ; the other monkeys 
plucking branches, and flogging the 
soldier monkey, who jumped from 
brauch to branch, pursued by the 
whole commonwealth of monkeys, un- 
til they were out of sight. Thus the 
Indian ridded us of those pests. We 
daily’ saw different tribes, perhaps 
three tribes of different colours in one 
day; some were very mischievous, 
throwing pistachios, limes, and other 
fruits, at us. 
Our women rode on donkeys, one of 
which getting tired, and as beating 
would not make him go, he was aban- 
doned: the monkeys, as usual, were 
attentive spectators, and seeing the 
donkey left, they descended to have a 
ride; three or four dozen mounted to- 
gether, on his ears, neck, and every 
other part, and even two clung to his 
tail, while the others whipped and 
scratched bim. ‘The donkey, fright- 
ened by his novel treatment, acquired 
new speed, and began cantering, while 
his pursuers as nimbly plied him, until 
he came up to our rear braying. The 
monkeys now abandoned him, so 
dreadfully scratched and tor, that he 
never attempted to stop afterwards. 
We passed a large plain, and ar- 
rived at Baranca, the inhabitants of 
which received us kindly, owing per- 
haps to the commandant’s being blind, 
and unable to leave the town, which is 
a very pretty little place, but of a 
gloomy appearance, owing to the walls 
of the houses being built of the red 
elay, and covered with tiles of the 
same: in the midst of the square is a 
handsome church. In this town is 
every convenience to make life com- 
fortable: a fine river-fish in abundance, 
but the natives do not understand 
taking it, nor do they value it; some of 
the most delicious trout I ever tasted 
is found here, and other fish for which 
I know no name. Hereare also plenty 
of sugar-cane plantations, fruit in 
abundance, numerous herds of cattle 
on the plain, and immense herds of 
goats. ; 
{Aug. 1, 
_ Leaving this. town, we marched for 
Fontseca, and on our way fell in with 
some planters corteges. Some Ger- 
mans, loitering behind us, met a tragi- 
cal death; being misled into the 
enemy’s camp. We now arrived at 
the river under the town, the pass to 
which the Spaniards thought to-dis- 
pute, as well they might, had not 
cowardice prevailed there; it being 
commanded by an eminence and 
breastwork, so that twenty men might 
keep it against a host; the rapidity of 
the river was also in their favour,which 
carried several of our men away, but 
they were always preserved by the In- 
dians, whose dexterity on horseback 
was as surprising in water as on shore. 
We entered this little Paradise on the 
19th of April: in this beautiful place is 
the town residence of the governor, 
with large stores belonging to the 
king, and several buildings. This was 
the only town in which I saw no chapel 
during my stay. This fortress was 
built on an elevated situation, com- 
manding an extensive prospect to the 
west, of wild scenery and picturesque 
novelty. Here are savannahs and fer- 
tile plantations as far as the eye can 
reach; and on one side, along’a deep 
and rapid river on the east, are im- 
mense plains, thinly wooded, on 
which the evening sun sets with a 
brilliancy and sombre glare unknown 
to the natives of happier climes, seem- 
ing one vast expanse of vivid fire or 
undulating waves of deep crimson,— 
a sea of blood, awfully grand, but dif- 
ficult to describe: here is a sizht for 
the poet, the painter, and philosopher, 
but too grand a subject, as colours 
and description must be feeble in 
attempting to do any kind of justice to 
this sublime scene. This place is 
healthy, owing perhaps to its elevated 
situation, and cleanliness of the houses; 
which are all tiled, even the square 
A Creole drummer was commandant 
here; what rank his suite was of, I 
never could learn. ‘ 
From Fontseca we marched to St. 
John’s, another pretty town, about 
eighteen miles from the former, which 
appears to be the usual distance from 
one town to another. In this place 
we were opposed by the Spaniards, 
who had been joined by those who had 
abandoned their houses; but their op- 
position lasted only a short time, and 
they abandoned their houses and fled. 
In this town are some elegant-built 
houses, and barracks to contain 2000 
men, 
