66 CIENEGA. 



by fatal experience, I declined his request, 

 giving him the Spanish phrase Vaya vm, con 

 DiosI* well remembering what I had suffered 

 from misplaced confidence on a similar oc- 

 casion in Chili, when my unfortunate friend 

 the Hon*"'' Lieutenant Finch was murdered 

 before my face, and I myself narrowly es- 

 caped the same fate, not without being se^ 

 verely wounded. 



At nine o'clock we reached the house of 

 the curate of the Cienega, an elderly man, 

 who received us very hospitably, as his 

 friendship for the Colonel was of long stand- 

 ing. His father founded the curacy, where the 

 son has hitherto spent his days, and where 

 he intends to end them ; hoping, however^ 

 for more tranquil times, better adapted to 

 his peaceful vocation. A supper of the best 

 description the place could afford was spee- 



* *' Go away, and may God be with you ! " 



