456 APPENDIX. 



as Carrera could not be far distant : that he had not many men with him ; 

 but when it was necessary to fight, he only took a piece of white paper from 

 his pocket, muttered a curse, and threw it in the air, when troops sprung up 

 from the ground, sent to him by the devil, with whom he was in league : 

 hence he was always victorious. 



Carrera was infinitely pleased with his excursion, and retired with every 

 mark of conviction relative to the truth of the old woman's doctrine. 



We continued to march towards San Luis, and met no difficulties on our 

 route. The town had been abandoned by Ortiz the governor, and we en- 

 camped in Las Chorillas, one league from the town : the General, with a 

 guard, lived in the town, the more effectually to prevent excesses on the 



part of the soldiers. In a few days, Ximenes was elected governor 



for the time being, by the cabildo ; and San Luis declared in our favour. 

 The lady of Ortiz was sent to him under the care of an escort, carrying with 

 her every thing she thought necessary : a guard was placed in Ortiz's house, 

 to take care that nothing should be injured which belonged to him. The Ge- 

 neral also sent him a letter by his lady, inviting him to return to San Luis, 

 and continue in the exercise of his government ; but Ortiz (though not averse 

 to Carrera's political ideas) was overawed by the many enemies who were 

 determined to effect our destruction, and would not return, or accept his go- 

 vernment from Carrera. 



In San Luis we had information of the death of General Ramirez, in an 

 action (if it may be so called) against the Santafecinos and Cordoveses. The 

 circumstances of his death are the following: — He had reached the fron- 

 tiers of Santiago del Estero ; and being advanced with a guard of thirty men 

 at a considerable distance from his division, he was suddenly surprised at 

 the Rio Seco, and charged by 400 men. The guard could not resist such 

 a force, but was soon beaten and put to the route. Ramirez, who had his 

 fair charge (Dona Delfina) by his side, disdained to abandon her or shrink 

 from danger, though he must have been aware that his single exertions could 

 not suffice to rescue her from the enemy. He fought desperately by her 

 side, and despatched several of his foes, but at length fell beneath the 

 swords of the merciless multitude that assailed him. 



Ramirez was of a low stature, very dark complexion, and disagreeable 

 countenance. He seems to have had a strong capacious mind, and possessed 

 natural abilities ; but they were entirely uncultivated by education. He was 

 a poor politician ; but the best qualities of a soldier were concentred in him in 



