334 



SPANISH AMERICA. 



It was the intention of General Miranda, 

 by the occupation of this pass, to prevent 

 the enemy from invading Caraccas on the 

 v^^estern side ; but the inhabitants of that 

 province having, under the influence of the 

 superstitious terror already alluded to, de- 

 clared for the royalists, they discovered to 

 Monteverde a footpath, hitherto unknown 

 to him, by means of which, though with 

 some difficulty, himself and his troops were 

 enabled to avoid the defile of La Cabrera. 

 The consequence was, that Miranda re- 

 treated to La Vittoria, sixteen leagues from 

 Caraccas, between the banks of the river 

 Aragua and the valley watered by the river 

 Tuy. The royalists attacked the rear of 

 the independent army at the end of June, 

 but were repulsed with considerable loss. 

 Miranda was endeavouring to restore order 

 at Caraccas, and discipline in the army, 

 which his judicious conduct might have 

 effected, when the Spaniards who were 



