174 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



Dinner was laid out in a large saloon, in which 

 some sixty officers were assembled when we entered 

 it. "With small regard to etiquette, and not waiting 

 for the general to welcome us, they all sprang to meet 

 us with a " Buen venidos, capitanes ! " 



The dinner was such as might be expected at the 

 table of a general who commanded at the same time 

 an army and the blockade of a much-frequented port. 

 The most delicious French and Spanish wines were 

 there in the greatest profusion ; the conviviality of 

 the guests was unbounded ; but although they drank 

 their champagne out of tumblers, no one showed the 

 smallest symptom of inebriety. 



The first toast given was Bolivar. 



The second Sucre. 



The third The Battle of Ayacucho. 



The fourth Union between Columbia and Peru. 



The fifth Hualero. 



The general rose to return thanks, and we now, for 

 the first time, knew his name. He raised his glass 

 and spoke, evidently with much emotion. 



" Senores ! Amigos ! " said he, " that I am this day 

 amongst you, and able to thank you for your kindly 

 sentiments towards your general and brother in arms, 

 is owing, under Providence, to the good and brave 

 stranger whose acquaintance you have only this day 

 made, but who is one of my oldest and best friends." 

 And so saying, he left his place, and approaching 

 Captain Eeady affectionately embraced him. The 



