GUERRILLA CHIEF. 



235 



with an attack from a body of a dozen robbers ; 

 men let loose upon society by the events of the 

 day. Our party consisted of four gentlemen, each 

 armed with a pistol. As we rode up the great ap- 

 proach of the city, we saw the robbers pull three 

 people off their horses, and strip them of their 

 cloaks, after which they formed a compact line 

 across the road, brandishing their cudgels in de- 

 fiance. We cantered on, however, right against 

 them, with our pistols cocked and held in the air.. 

 The effect was what we expected : an opening 

 was made for us, and the robbers, seeing their 

 purpose frustrated, turned about, and became sud- 

 denly wonderfully good patriots, calling out, " Vi- 

 va la Patria ! Viva San Martin 



On the 10th of July, I dined with a small party 

 at the Marquis of Montemire''s. W^hilst we were 

 at dinner a soldier entered with a letter, which he 

 delivered to the old Governor. He was a short, 

 round-faced, daring-looking fellow, dressed in a 

 shaggy blue jacket, and trowsers of immense 

 width ; with a blue cloth cap on his head, encir- 

 cled by a broad silver band. By his side was hung 

 a huge broadsword. His manners were somewhat 



