REVOLUTION AT BUENOS AYRE3. 179 



to my great surprise, that I was, to a certain degi-cc, 

 a prisoner. A violent revolution having broken 

 out, all the ports were laid under an embargo. I 

 could nut return to my vessel, and as for going by 

 land to the city, it was out of the question. After 

 a long conversation with the commandant, I ob- 

 tained permission to go the next day to Genei-al 

 Rulor, who commanded a division of the rebels on 

 this side the capital. In the morning I rode to 

 the encampment. The general, officers, and sol- 

 diers all appeared, and I believe really were, gi'eat 

 villains. The general, the very evening before he 

 left the city, voluntarily went to the Governor, and 

 with his hand to his heart, pledged his word of 

 honour that he at least would remain faithful to the 

 last. The general told me that the city was in a 

 state of close blockade, and that all he could do was 

 to give me a passport to the commander-in-chief 

 of the rebels at Quilmes. We had therefore to 

 take a gi-eat sweep round the city, and it was with 

 much difficulty that we procured horses. My re- 

 ception at the encampment was quite civil, but I 

 was told it was impossible that I could be allowed 

 to enter the city. I was very anxious about this, as 

 I anticipated the Beagle's departure from the Rio 

 Plata earlier than it took place. Having mention- 

 ed, however, General Rosas's obliging kindness to 

 me when at the Colorado, magic itself could not 

 have altered circumstances quicker than did this 

 conversation. I was instantly told that though 

 they could not give me a passport, if I chose to 

 leave my guide and horses I might pass their sen- 

 tinels. I was too glad to accept of this, and an of- 

 ficer was sent with me to give directions that I 

 should not be stopped at the bridge. The road for 

 the space of a league was quite deserted. I met 

 one party of soldiers, who were satisfied by grave- 



