BOLIVAR. 369 



This force, in the beginning of May, landed 

 at the island of Margarita ; having previously 

 captured two Spanish ships of war, after a 

 hard-fought action. The Spaniards, in conse- 

 quence, abandoned the whole of the island, 

 with the exception of the fortress of Pampa- 

 tar, in which they retained a garrison. Bo- 

 livar did not remain long at Margarita, but 

 sailed for, and obtained possession of Ca- 

 rupano, about five leagues west of the town 

 of Cumana ; and after arming several corps 

 of Guerillas, who had advanced to join him, 

 his expedition again sailed for Ocumare. 

 He, however, divided his force, landing the 

 vanguard at Choroni, and proceeding him- 

 self to Ocumare, where he disembarked the 

 remainder. 



Through a similar error, that of dividing 

 his force. Bolivar had not long before sus- 

 tained a signal defeat ; and upon this occa- 



VOL, 1. 2 b 



